Monday, May 11th
Khao Kheow A & B
1st Michael Brett (15) 33 points
2nd Rob Folland (18) 30 points
3rd Les Humphrey (35) 25 points
Near pins Michael Brett.
It is rare to see Khao Kheow as quiet as it was today, probably a combination of the small number of tourists in Pattaya and the disruption caused by the renovations to the clubhouse. The renovations have still a long way to go so numbers will be down for the foreseeable future. It certainly is not the course putting people off. Despite heavy overnight rain the course was in superb condition, we elected to play pick, clean, and place from the outset, as it happens it wasn’t necessary.
Scores today were very disappointing, Michael Brett top scored with a lowly thirty-three points, followed by Rob Folland with thirty. Off a thirty-five handicap Les Humphrey could only manage twenty-five. Remarkably only one near pin was taken on the second last island hole. We had a cry-off mid round, Jon Dean became unwell and retired to the clubhouse to try and sleep to the sound of jackhammers.
On the return to Pattaya a container truck and two cars came together on the frontage road blocking two lanes and causing a long delay, otherwise we would have been back in Pattaya by 3.00 pm.
Pattaya remains bereft of tourists right now and with airfares sky high it is likely to remain so for some time.
Wednesday, May 13th
Bangpra
1st Uwe Jurgensen (28) 32 points
2nd Michael Brett (15) 32 points
3rd Tim Duffy (14) 31 points
Near pins Uwe Jurgensen, Les Cobban, & Rob Folland
Todays game started in bright sunshine but by the middle of the back nine it clouded over and we got a brief shower, just enough to stop play for about five minutes, thereafter it was back to sunshine again. The course was in excellent condition but the greens were considerably slower than the practice green which tripped up a few people until they came to terms with the difference.
Another day of low scores with only three players breaching thirty points. After a few weeks layoff Uwe Jurgensen came back to take first place on countback from Michael Brett with thirty-two points, many opportunities to do better were squandered by both. Tim Duffy got the remaining spot in the winners circle with thirty-one. Remarkably nobody was able to hit and stick on one of the easier par threes, the twelfth, the other near pins were as listed.
Friday May 15th
Mountain Shadow
1st Rob Folland (18) 36 points
2nd Michael Brett (15) 30 points
Jon Dean (15) 26 points
Near pins Uwe Jurgensen, Michael Brett, & Les Cobban X 2.
Millionair golf today at Mountain Shadow where we didn’t see another person until the ninth hole, it’s amazing how few people are playing right now. The course was in good condition apart from the bunkers which were akin to the sister course Crystal Bay, the greens were slower than ideal.
A difficult course was made even more difficult by a very strong wind which as usual hardly ever favored us, and contributed to the low scores. After a long break and a few mediocre rounds Rob Folland found his best form to be the only one to post a reasonable score, under the circumstances thirty-six was a very decent score. Michael Brett took second a full six back and Jon Dean rounded out a poor day of scoring with twenty-six. Near pins were as listed dominated by Les Cobban who took great delight in taking one from Michael Brett, it’s becoming a thing at the Bunker.
We end the week on a sad note with news of the passing of Dave Gray who succumb to the Big C after a two year battle. Dave was a regular visitor to Pattaya from the Gold Coast and played with several other societies as well as the Bunker Boys. He was liked by all who met him, and will be missed, may he rest in peace.
Winner at Khao Kheow Michael Brett.
Winner at Bangpra, Uwe Jurgensen.
Winner at Mountain Shadow Rob Folland.
Vale Dave Gray.
