Monday, 1st September
Pattana Resort and Country Club, C & B.
1st Craig Dows (7) 39 points
2nd Robbie Watts (13) 37 points
3rd Dave Galvin (22) 34 points
Near pins Craig Dows, Robbie Watts, Dave Galvin, & Steve Elles.
It’s been about two years since our last visit to Pattana for a variety of reasons, overpricing, and compulsory carts among them. After much discussion and prompting from Tony Robbins they finally came up with an all-in fee that was acceptable to most. Today the course met with universal approval although there were a few minor glitches, overwatering principal amongst them, even during play, also the greens on the A nine were slow and even though they looked smooth they were a bit bumpy.
Scoring was very decent with thirty-nine points from Craig Dows taking first place, Robbie Watts was two back in second with Dave Galvin rounding out the winners list a further three back. As is often the case those in the winners circle tend to dominate the near pins as they did again today with all three winners taking one each, the remaining pin went to Steve Elles.
Overall a happy return to Pattana and while pricing remains sensible no doubt we will return.
Wednesday, September 3rd
Treasure Hill
1st Steve Elles (9) 34 points
2nd Bil Richardson (23) 34 points
3rd Michael Carroll (25) 31 points
Near pins, Bil Richardson, & Steve Elles X 2.
Following last week’s debacle at Treasure Hill we were hoping for a bit more joy today and as it turned out we achieved that with a relatively quick round and minimal delays. The course was competition ready for next week’s Singha sponsored event. As a result several of the competitors were out for a practice round, scattered all over the course. One two-ball playing two balls each did hold us up for a couple of holes but with a little encouragement they let us play through.
Very heavy overnight rain made the course damp, with the benefit of hindsight we probably should have played pick, clean, and place as there were plenty of mud-balls and absolutely no run on the fairways
Several people were put off by the events of last week so a small group for today’s game. Steve Elles took the honours on countback from Bil Richardson, with thirty-four points each. Michael Carroll took third with thirty-one points. As happened on Monday the winners dominated the near pins with Bil Richardson taking one and Steve Elles taking two, surprisingly hole thirteen was unclaimed.
Friday, September 5th
Greenwood,.C & B
1st Uwe Jurgensen (25) 37 points
2nd Steve Elles (9) 36 points
3rd Robbie Watts (13) 35 points
4th Les Cobban (11) 33 points
Near pins Steve Elles, Uwe Jurgensen, & Michael Brett
The Greenwood course was in its best condition for today’s game where we played the C and B nines. In its present condition it is no wonder Greenwood is many people’s favourite course. Pace of play for most was excellent apart from the last group who took one and a half hours longer than everybody else to get around.
Uwe Jurgensen was the star of the day taking first place with thirty-seven points, one ahead of Steve Elles in second place. Robbie Watts took third with thirty-five points, while Les Cobban completed the winners circle with thirty three. The near pin on C 3 was not taken, the others were as listed.
After the game we had a stewards inquiry for two incidents on the course, two players found themselves directly behind a distance marker which could not be removed from the ground, normally it’s easy to pull them up, but not today, they were concreted in for some reason. Common sense prevailed and the players in question were allowed a free drop.
Today marked the first game in about six years for Skinny Newton, he didn’t cover himself in glory, however it was good to see him back in the Bunker again after such a long break.
Peter Bottrell is back in town and made the bold statement that he will win golfer of the month with three weeks to play, let’s see how he goes one fears a bit of egg on face.
Next Monday’s game has been changed from Navy to Bangpra, an easy decision given both courses are similarly priced.
Winner at Pattana, Craig Dows.
Winner at Treasure Hill, Steve Elles.
Winner at Greenwood, Uwe Jurgensen.
