Monday July 21st
Khao kheow A & B
1st Les Cobban (11) 35 points
2nd Steve Downes (5) 34 points
3rd Chris Delamare (1) 30 points
Near pins Les Cobban, Steve Downes, & Chris Delamare X 2.
Who would have thought that one of the slowest golfers on the pro circuit Bryson DeChambeau is now coming out to complain about slow play, as they say in the classics “you reap what you sow”. A little slow play today as we were out behind a couple of groups of our Northern neighbours.
The course was in very good condition overall, a few greens confused some as the grain was against the slope. Scoring was just ok. Les Cobban took first place with thirty-five points, one ahead of Steve Downes. Chris Delamare who has to shoot the lights out to win off a one handicap took third with thirty points, he did however manage to snag a pair of near pins, the others going to Les and Steve .
It looked like it might rain at any time during the round but it managed to stay dry, not sure if it was the wind which kept it away as it was blowing all day.
Wednesday, July 23rd
Pattaya Country Club
1st Mick McMahon (12) 35 points
2nd Robbie Watts (15) 35 points
3rd Bob Innes (23) 32 points
Near pins Robbie Watts, Mick McMahon, & Bil Richardson X 2.
Because it was crowded on the first tee today we started on hole three and had a free run all the way to the end, for once the marshal used some common sense.
The course was in good condition apart from the bunkers, they had been raked by machine leaving deep grooves in the sand which made play from them more difficult than normal
Once again a small field, Pattaya is the quietest we have seen it since the farce that was Covid. We expect several regulars in the coming weeks as well as some returning from holidays.
Today we had Mick McMahon back after a long absence and he got straight down to business taking first place on countback from Robbie Watts with thirty-five points. Bob Innes took third with thirty-two points, nearly as many points as cigarettes smoked during the round, you can always tell where Bob is on the course, just look out for the cloud of smoke. One day we must have a competition between Geoff Parker, Keith Smithson and Bob to see which one smokes the most cigarettes during a round. Near pins were as listed.
Friday, 25th
Crystal Bay
1st Steve Downes (5) 39 points
2nd Robbie Watts (14) 37 points
3rd Gerry Cooney (20) 37 points
4th Richard Baldotto ( 24) 34 points
Near pins Lewis Greig, Witt Mann, Steve Downes & Craig Dows
What can one say about Crystal Bay that hasn’t already been said many times? , a very good course layout in shabby condition and a clubhouse in dire need of renovation.
Thailand is enduring a prolonged wet season so courses are very green and in their best condition as was Crystal Bay today. One issue was that the holes hadn’t been cut for a long time and looked ragged, none of the flagsticks stood up straight. Most found the all-in fee of twelve hundred and fifty baht attractive so we had the best roll-up for some time. We even managed to snag a couple of regular visitors including the Greig boys, Raleigh Gosney and Dean Nelson.
Clearly the course played easy, either that or a few people struck good form all at the same time. Steve Downes took the honours with a very solid thirty-nine points. A countback to decide second and third with Robbie Watts taking it from the birthday boy Gerry Cooney, how good must he feel to score thirty-seven points on his eighty-fourth birthday. Richard Baldotto once again found something to take fourth place with thirty-four points. All the near pins were taken as listed, with Lewis Greig taking a particularly close one.
Two games left to decide golfer of the month with a tight battle between Robbie Watts and Steve Downes, who will it be?
It felt like the Bunker Boys of old back at the bar for the presentation, a bit of bell ringing to celebrate Gerry’s birthday and a big group hanging around for some time to chew the fat, long may it stay that way.
Winner at Khao Kheow Les Cobban.
Mick McMahon, winner at Pattaya Country Club.
Congratulations to Gerry Cooney, eighty-four today.