Monday September 8th
Bangpra
1st Gerry Cooney (21) 39 points
2nd Uwe Jurgensen (25) 37 points
3rd Peter Bottrell (19) 34 points
Near pins Dave Galvin, Gerry Cooney, Uwe Jurgensen, & Michael Brett.
Torrential overnight rain which caused massive floods in Pattaya, left the Bangpra course sodden. Even at the start of play the rain was still tumbling down, and continued throughout the front nine, several bunkers were full of water, pools of water lay on the fairways and the greens proved to be a real challenge with surface water making putting speed well nigh impossible to judge. Wet gloves and grips didn’t help. By the back nine the rain had stopped and with the course draining nicely conditions improved markedly, even the sun tried to shine through.
Despite being out behind another society, speed of play was acceptable, with no stoppages for the rain.
Evergreen octogenarian Gerry Cooney took the honours with a remarkable thirty-nine points, a great effort in the conditions, he even managed a near pin on the Gordon Melia twelfth hole, In what might reasonably be called a crazy round Uwe Jurgensen took second with thirty-seven points, a round that contained four wipes and four four pointers, he also managed a near pin on the seventeenth putting his drive to about one foot from the hole quite a remarkable shot. Peter Bottrell began his quest for his first golfer of the month trophy with a solid round of thirty-four. The two remaining near pins went to Dave Galvin and Michael Brett.
Despite one of the wettest low seasons in years, we are now officially in the monsoon season and the outlook doesn’t look good with rain predicted all this week.
Wednesday, September 10th
Khao Kheow A & B
1st Steve Elles (9) 33 points
2nd Save Galvin (22) 30 points
3rd Michael Brett (17) 29 points
4th Peter Bottrell (19) 29 points
Near pins Michael Brett & Steve Elles X 2.
Despite the overcast conditions today there was no serious threat of rain, it was however quite humid. Pick, clean, and place was again implemented as there were plenty plugged and mudballs.
A low season price of nineteen hundred and fifty baht all-in was felt by most as excessive, particularly as carts were not allowed on the fairways. By the end of the round one could reasonably allow carts on the fairways as the course had dried out significantly by then.
Naturally the course played long today with no run. The best of a small bunch was Steve Elles with thirty-three points, three ahead of Dave Galvin in second place. Michael Brett and Peter Bottrell were locked together on twenty nine points and separated on countback. Steve also dominated the near pins taking two with Michael Brett taking one, the long and difficult A3 remained not taken.
For the benefit of those coming for the Christmas break the prospect of decent prices looks unlikely given what we are being told now when we try to make forward bookings.
Friday, September 12th
Pattavia
1st Craig Dows (7) 39 points
2nd Martin Evans (13) 38 points
3rd Keith Hemmings (26) 36 points
4th Steve Elles (9) 35 points
Near pins Graeme Mullins, Greg Berry, & Peter Bottrell X 2.
It is pleasing to report that the Pattavia course was in the best condition we have seen for a long time, fairways were lush green and well grassed, greens were as we have come to expect, fast and tricky, the bunkers were ok, perhaps a little more sand would improve them. Despite recent heavy rain the course was dry with carts allowed on the fairways.
It felt like rain was likely at any minute however, despite a slight drizzle we remained dry, it did tumble down on the way back to Pattaya with some flooding on hwy 331.
Scoring was quite good today with two thirty-eights, Craig Dows beat newcomer Martin Evans on countback with a superior back nine. Keith Hemmings took third place with a solid thirty-six points one ahead of Steve Elles in the final spot in the winners list. Peter Bottrell was the star of the near pins today, taking both the longest ones on holes seven and seventeen. Greg Berry and Graeme Mullins got the other two.
Following knee replacement surgery Colin Greig played his first game today in months and had a solid round of thirty-four points. Rob Folland also made a return today after a long layoff with a wrist issue and showed no ill effects with a steady thirty three after a shaky start.
Next week’s games are at Navy, Mountain Shadow and the ever popular Greenwood.
Winner at Bangpra, Gerry Cooney.
Winner at Khao Kheow Steve Elles.
Winner at Pattavia, Craig Dows.
