Monday, July 22nd
Crystal Bay
1st Jimmy Carr (21) 37 points
2nd Hubert Stiefenhofer (19) 37 points
3rd Michael Brett (18) 36 points
Near Pins John Webb, Craig Dows, & Jimmy Carr.
Kabin Buri
1st Rob Folland (15) 41 points
2nd Les Cobban (12) 35 points
Near pins Rob Folland, Kevin Labar, & Les Cobban X 2.
A split round today with one group going on a short two day trip to Kabin Buri with the remainder staying at home and playing at Crystal Bay. The Crystal Bay course was just as we have come to expect, mostly shabby but with decent greens
We played a team game today with the best individual score of each team being the score that counted. Given that both were in the winners circle it was no surprise that the team of Jimmy Carr and Michael Brett took first place with a total of forty five points. Jimmy managed to beat Hubert Stiefenhofer on countback.
We seem to be plagued by slow play and today was no different with a glacial fourball out ahead of us
At Kabin Buri the course, which looked tremendous, was very damp under foot due to heavy overnight rain but no rain fell during the round. Carts were confined to the cart paths so much walking in slushy conditions. Rob Folland undeterred by the conditions ripped the course apart and took first place with forty-one points, powering along to his first golfer of the month trophy; surely his handicap has to soon reflect the quality of his play. After today’s round he lost two strokes to handicap. Les Cobban was a full six strokes back in second place, however he could console himself with two near pins. Kevin LaBar and Rob Folland got the other two.
Kabin Buri Day 2.
1st Tony Robbins (23) 33 points
2nd Les Cobban (12) 32 points
Near pins Kevin LaBar, & Les Cobban.
Overnight the course dried out remarkably but still no run on the fairways. Conditions were much more benign until a rainstorm hit when players were on the fourteenth returning the course to the same condition as yesterday. Having blitzed it on Monday Rob Folland fell to earth today recording the lowest score of the day, nineteen, golf can be cruel at times. Les Cobban, ever consistent, had his second second placing with thirty-two points, he did however get a near pin again with Kevin LaBar taking one also, only two were won. Tony Robbins won the day with thirty-three points.
Both home and away groups come together about half way between Kabin Buri and Pattaya with a game scheduled at the ever popular Greenwood course on Wednesday.
Wednesday, July 24th
Greenwood A & B
1st Michael Brett (18) 43 points
2nd Craig Dows (7) 33 points
3rd Jon Dean (13) 33 points
Near pins Craig Dows, Niall Glover, & Michael Brett.
Having endured difficult conditions and having had to walk most of the course the Kabin Buri Group decided they had had enough golf for now, so only Niall Glover fronted up for the game at Greenwood where we played the A & B nines. As always Greenwood was in fine condition with no mud balls and no need for pick, clean, and place. The wind was up again today, but not so strong as to affect play. Due to so many absentees our numbers were down on normal with only two three and one four ball playing.
Every now and then someone has a day out and today it was the turn of Michael Brett who compiled a score of forty-three points. Normally a dodgy putter today everything went down so one time when Greenwood was kind to him. A full ten strokes back Craig dows took second on countback from Niall Glover, a good effort from Craig who was suffering from a serious affliction common in Pattaya, (not falling in love). He also managed a near pin as did Niall Glover and Michael Brett.
Pattaya has so far avoided the widespread torrential rain across Thailand, no doubt our turn will come, as we have a way to go before the rainy season is over.
Friday, July 26th
Pattavia
1st Jon Dean (13) 38 points
2nd Niall Glover (13) 36 points
3rd Hubert Stiefenhofer (19) 35 points
4th Steve Mitchum (24) 34 points
Near pins Craig Dows, Les Cobban, Jon Dean, & Dean Nelson
Occasional light rain and a blustery wind was today’s weather recipe for the last game of the week at Pattavia where we had a large turnout which required a bus for the first time since high season. A very fast game for the lead group, finishing in less than three and a half hours, not so fast for the rest of the group. The lead group had a retiree at the ninth hole with Rob Folland checking out with stomach cramps, another bad prawn again possibly.
The course was in decent condition, with the greens more benign than normal. The wind added a layer of difficulty that many found not to their liking, however Jon Dean had no problems with it taking first place with thirty eight points, is he making a late charge for golfer of the month, Niall Glover took second on thirty-six points, one ahead of Hubert Stiefenhofer who finished strongly. Newcomer Steve Mitchum rounded out the scoring a further stroke back. All the near pins were taken today, only the second time this week, going to Craig Dows, Les Cobban, Jon Dean, & Dean Nelson.
Rob Folland hasn’t added to his golfer of the month score in the past two games, has he given up the chase or is he just teasing, we find out next with two games remaining.
Jimmy Carr, winner at Crystal Bay.
Tony Robbins, day 2 winner at Kabin Buri.
Michael Brett, winner at Greenwood
Jon Dean, winner at Pattavia.
