Monday, November 3rd
Bangpra
1st Les Cobban (12) 36 points
2nd Brendan Harnett (19) 32 points
3rd Mike Milland (16) 31 points
4th Alan Sullivan (16) 31 points
Near pins, Robby Watts, Keith Norman, Ken Smith, & Michael Brett
Following a night of torrential rain it was thought that we may have to implement the pick, clean, & place rule today, however we found the Bangpra course in excellent condition, such that carts were allowed on the fairways. The greens were very slick and back to their notorious best. Not a hint of rain today, but clearly we are not yet out of monsoon season as we had hoped.
Despite the good conditions scoring was modest with only the winner Les Cobban putting in a decent shift with a round of thirty-six, some compensation for losing the sixes, shows the importance of choosing the right partner at the right time, Les thinks he was stitched-up. Newly arrived Brendan Harnett took second place and was congratulated for his quicker speed of play, maybe if he played faster he would score better. A three-way tie for third with Jimmy Carr the one to miss out, Mike Milland and Alan Sullivan the ones to get on the winners sheet.
Near pins went to those listed.
A belated presentation for February golfer of the month which was won by Keith Norman, unfortunately at the time he had to rush back to the UK to give moral support to the Bristol Bears who were struggling at the time, not sure if his support made a difference.
Wednesday, November 5th
Navy West & North
1st Robby Watts (12) 34 points
2nd Mike Milland (16) 33 points
3rd Keith Norman (19) 32 points
4th Alan Sullivan (16) 30 points
Near pins Ian Flannigan, Rob Folland, & Alan Sullivan X 2.
A tough day at Plutaluang today where we had to endure a five hour round stuck behind a very slow group that alternated between a four and a six-ball, nobody seemed quite sure what was going on. Not only were they terminally slow they were also very noisy, not a great combination for those stuck behind them.
The course was in very good condition and although the greens looked fine they were actually quite slow.
It’s hard to fathom why scoring was again on the low side, Robby Watts took the honours with a modest thirty-four points, one ahead of Mike Milland in second. Keith Norman started this tour in decent nick and won’t be long before he wins, today he had to settle for third place. Alan Sullivan brought up the rear with thirty points as well as taking two near pins, Rob Folland and Ian Flannigan took the remaining two.
Numbers are steadily climbing with more seasonal visitors arriving, we had a good number today despite several locals staying away, even the low all-in price of thirteen hundred baht was not enough to lure them out, we expect an even bigger turnout on Friday.
Friday, November 7th
Treasure Hill
1st Ken Smith (28) 35 points
2nd Ian Flannigan (20) 33 points
3rd Paul Smith (6) 32 points
4th Les Cobban (12) 31 points
Near pins Ian Flannigan, Ken Smith, Uwe Jurgensen, & Richard Baldotto.
A dull overcast day at Treasure Hill for the last game of the week. As always the course was in very good condition, so no complaints on that score. The lead three-ball literally flew around the course until the fifteenth when they ran up against a terminally slow five-ball so everything ground to a snail’s pace.
It seems that several records were established today as follows, number of trees hit, at least five on one hole, number of balls lost, and the lowest front nine hole score, all of this by one player, you can have fun guessing who the guilty party was.
No such drama for todays winner Ken Smith with a very respectable thirty-five points, as Bil McLaren might have said” there will be dancing in the highlands tonight” Another Scott Ian Flannigan took second place two strokes adrift, both also got a near pin each as is often the case with winners. Another Smith, Paul ( no relation) took third with thirty two points. Staying with the Scottish theme another, Les Cobban rounded out the winners circle with thirty-one points. Judging by the number of Scotts in the winners circle one might reasonably conclude that the Scotts invented the game The remaining near pins went to Uwe Jurgensen, & Richard Baldotto.
With one of our expected drivers not turning up today it was a squeeze getting everyone to the course, so thanks to those who had to endure an uncomfortable ride to the course for their forbearance.
Winner at Bangpra, Les Cobban.
Winner at Plutaluang Robby Watts.
Winner at Treasure Hill Ken Smith.
