Monday July 6th
Pleasant Valley
1st Rob Folland (18) 39 points
2nd Michael Brett (16) 37 points
3rd Alan Sullivan (17) 33 points
Near pins Frazer Davy, Michael Brett, & Alan Sullivan X 2.
Following a weekend of torrential rain we began a new week of golf at the much maligned Pleasant Valley course, sometimes disparagingly referred to as Unpleasant Valley. Today it was neither unpleasant or unpopular with hoards of golfers all over the place reminiscent of high season with the effect that the round took over four and a half hours to complete, a bit tardy for low season.
Following all the rain the course was a bit damp so pick, clean, and place was implemented from the start. At times it looked like it might rain again but luckily it stayed away and we finished in bright sunshine. The humidity was extreme with everyone perspiring profusely, hydration was of the utmost importance.
Scoring was just about on a par for this course if not reaching the dizzy heights of some previous visits. In very good form over the last several weeks Rob Folland took the honours today with thirty-nine points, two ahead of Michael Brett in second place with Alan Sullivan taking third, another four back. Alan dominated the near pins taking two with one each to Frazer Davy and Michael Brett, finally we had a day when all the near pins were taken.
Wednesday July 8th
Plutaluang N & S.
1st Alan Sullivan (17) 42 points
2nd Frazer Davy (11) 38 points
3rd Michael Brett (17) 32 points
Near pins Les Cobban, Luc Arthur & Frazer Davy X 2.
We were scheduled to play North & West today at Plutaluang but we got caught behind a six-ball on the closing holes on the North course so we decided following them for another nine holes was too much to ask so we jumped onto the South nine where we had a clear run all the way to the finish. Despite recent heavy rain the course was in good condition, the greens were a tad slow for most people’s liking apart from Alan Sullivan who couldn’t miss a put from any distance, others couldn’t buy a put, golf is like that at times.
Recently we have taken to drawing balls from a hat to establish the playing groups, in that way everybody gets to play with everyone else in an open draw so we avoid any notion of favoured groups
As previously indicated Alan Sullivan had a day out today with forty-two points, his best round for some considerable time, you could literally put your house on him making every put, even when his wedge play wasn’t up to scratch which it was mostly the putter bailed him out every time. Any other day thirty-eight points by Frazer Davy would have been enough to win, today he had to settle for second. A long way back Michael Brett took third with thirty-two points. Once again all the near pins were taken as listed.
Friday, July 10th
Bangpra White tees.
1st Michael Brett (17) 36 points
2nd Rob Folland (17) 25 points
3rd Luc Albert (22) 17 points
Near pins. Michael Brett, Rob Folland, & luc Albert.
A beautiful sunny day for the finish the week’s golf at Bangpra where we found a course in beautiful condition. Playing from the white tees in blustery conditions made scoring difficult with only one worthwhile score to register. With a birdie on the first Michael Brett though he was in for a good day, unfortunately it was mostly downhill from there, even with another four point birdie he could only manage thirty-six points. A day to forget for everyone else with only twenty-five points by Rob Folland taking second place. Luc Albert had a Barry Crocker on the front nine but discarded the driver on the back nine and improved markedly on the back, goes to show how badly he played on the front to end up with only seventeen. Near pins were as listed, once again one reminded not taken.
Today’s round was slow and frustrating which added to the the misery every one suffered, another four and a half hour round didn’t help anybody. We followed a painfully slow fourball with one player doing a very convincing impersonation of Joe Biden.
We are expecting much improved performances next week with Burapha, Bangpakong and Pattaya Country Club all high scoring courses listed.
Rob Folland, winner at Pleasant Valley.
Winner at Plutaluang Alan Sullivan.
Winner at Bangpra Michael Brett