Bunker Boys Golf Report for the week commencing Monday October 21st

Monday, October 21st

Greenwood A & B Medal

1st Rob Folland (14) Net 69 points

2nd Michael Brett (15) Net 72 points

3rd Ian Flannigan ( 22) Net 73 points

4th Bil Richardson ( 20) Net 74 points

5th Steve Downes (6) Net 74 Points

6th Jimmy Carr (22) Net 74 Points

Near pins Stuart Stammers, Richard Baldotto, & Bil Richardson X 2.

What a pleasant surprise to play a game of golf without getting drenched with rain although the rain was never far away today. We were allocated the A & B nines as the C nine greens had just been cored and sanded. The course unsurprisingly was a bit damp underfoot given the amount of rain we have had recently so the pick, clean, and place rule was applied.

The biggest field so far this year (25 plus two not in the comp} was onhand to play the monthly medal round which was either proof that people like the medal format or they just like the Greenwood course. Although scheduled to start at 10.40 am, we had a delayed start and a slow round due to a group jumping in ahead of us.Play was pedestrian at best so a late finish followed. Scoring was ok if not spectacular with Rob Folland returning to his best form to take first place with an impressive score of net sixty-nine points. Three strokes back Michael Brett took second place having had a better day with the putter to record an even handicap score of net seventy-two. Ian Flannigan was a further stroke back in third with a very generous handicap of twenty two. The final placings were on countback as listed. Country Life in Thailand seems to be very agreeable to Bil Richardson who snared two near pins, The other two went to Richard Baldotto and Stuart Stammers who is becoming a regular with near pins.

Two of the toughest courses on our roster lie in wait, Mountain Shadow & Treasure Hill where we expect scoring will not be so easy.

Today we had the Again Bar sponsored prizes for the lowest number of putts per nine holes, Michael Brett took the front nine with a total of thirteen putts whilst Rob Folland did the same on the back nine

 

Wednesday October 23rd

Mountain Shadow

1st Steve Downes (6) 33 points

2nd Peter Bottrell (18) 32 points

3rd Geoff Atwell (26) 31 points

Near pins Andy Winterburn, Steve Downes, & Jack Best X 2.

It looks like it’s now official, the Bunker Boys dont like Mountain Shadow.  After Monday’s game when we had a field of twenty-seven today we were down to eleven with only one car driver so a minibus was needed. This is concerning as we may have to play this course on a regular basis during high season as so many courses are now outside the ceiling on pricing we have imposed. It will be difficult to offer visitors and residents alike a variety of courses and also provide value for money.

Apart from the bunkers the course was in decent condition, it seems Mountain Shadow and Crystal Bay have abandoned any pretence at maintaining bunkers, both courses are rubbish in that regard.

As expected, scoring was on the low side with a top score of only thirty-three points going to Steve Downes. One stroke back Peter Bottrell took second place, Peter started off his round in grand fashion with a birdie on the fourth hole only to fade a bit as the round wore on. On one of his rare appearances Geoff Atwell did it again taking third place with thirty-one points, Geoff has turned it into an artform playing only occasionally and still getting into the winners circle. Near pins went to Andy Winterburn, Steve Downes and a pair to Jack Best, Steve is a bit camera shy so no mug-shot, could there be a few young ladies searching for him, who knows?

Frequent mention has been made about slow play, the illustrious Mr Jones has pointed out recently what to most is the bleeding obvious i.e. people are simply not ready when it’s their turn to play. Rangefinding their shot, having a glove on and selecting the right club are all issues contributing to slow play and things that are easily fixed with a little thought. Many stress that they are out to enjoy their golf which is a fair point, however it’s hard to see how dawdling around the course contributes to greater enjoyment.

 

Friday October 25th

Treasure Hill

1st Peter Bottrell (18) 36 points

2nd John Webb (26) 32 points

3rd Steve Downes (6) 32 points

Near pins.Peter Bottrell, John Webb, & Richard Baldotto

Every time we visit Treasure Hill there is always something new to see. The balcony attached to the restaurant has now been enclosed and makes for a very pleasant semi-outdoor seating and dining area.The office is now being renovated as well as the shop. The course continues to be improved, today it was in very good shape, the greens were the quickest we encountered this week. One area that could be improved is the cost structure, six hundred and fifty baht walking including caddy is ridiculously cheap whereas another eight hundred for a cart seems disproportional and way off the mark.

As always scoring was difficult for all except Peter Bottrell who top scored with thirty-six points. Peter had two birdies on the front nine and missed another by a whisker. John Webb got into the winners circle for the first time this visit, taking second place on countback from Steve Downes. Three near pins went to Richard Baldotto, John Webb, & Peter Bottrell

Next week Richard Baldotto has organised a game for those not travelling to Khao Yai. We have fifteen travelling and hoping to not get the same weather we got last time when an enormous storm nearly washed the mountain down on us flooding the course and roads back to Pak Chong.

 

Winner at Greenwood Rob Folland.

Winner at Treasure Hill Peter Bottrell