PSC Golf from The Golf Club
Monday, July 4, Green Valley (white tees) – Rainbow Scramble
1st Mike Meir/Gareth Gill (7.5) 56.5
2nd David Walker/Bill Gneiting (18.7) 59.8
3rd Kevin Hamilton/John Emmerson (11.2) 60.8
4th Bob Newell/Simon Philbrook (6.8) 61.2
The 4th of July is here again which can only mean a Rainbow Scramble with The Golf Club. For the uninitiated, a rainbow consists of playing 6 red, 6 white and 6 blue tees with the choice being yours. There is a lot of strategy involved as many factors come into play and even on a course as familiar as Green Valley, new challenges arise.
The course was in great condition as the recent rains have brought a fresh lushness to the place. There is a new greenskeeper from The Banyan in Hua Hin and he is doing a great job of bringing the course back to its former glory. Once the dead patches on many of the fringes of the greens are taken care of it will be in perfect nick again.
We had 10 tee times booked and used them all save for a couple of medical withdrawals. It was great to see some of the old faces, pardon the phrase, back with us again. This year took on a special meaning to Independence Day as Great Britain just gained her independence from the EU. Hopefully the Pound Sterling will sort itself out in the near future and we get back to 50 baht levels again. In any event, we had a multitude of nationalities represented but not Japan, as Kenny Aihara was on his way back home for the summer.
After the match, just about everyone headed back to the club on Soi LK Metro for a special BBQ and feast with the winner’s trophy lifted by Mike Meir and Gareth Gill whose 56.5 score could not be bettered. The 4 near pins went to 5th- Gareth Gill, 8th – Simon Philbrook, 12th- Alan McKendry and 16th- Phil Lawrence.
Tuesday, July 5, The Emerald (white tees) – Stableford
1st Fred Birch (20) 37pts
2nd Phil Lawrence (16) 35pts
3rd Butch Furneaux (8) 34pts
It had been several months since we headed southwards, and today we were off to visit The Emerald for a long overdue return. This Nick Faldo/ Desmond Muirhead course was in great shape and as tough a course as it can be, it is always enjoyable. The collection of par-3’s here is outstanding and the elevation changes through the course just add to the beauty and challenge of this gem in Ban Chang.
A good field of 16 golfers completed the field of this event and 37 points was the best the lads could muster. Steady Freddie rose to top and the 20-handicapper took first place here today. Phil Lawrence claimed second with 35 (as well as our near pin!) with Butch Furneaux turning in 34 points for third.
Thursday, July 7, Greenwood (yellow tees) – Stableford
1st Masao Ishikawa (17) 38pts
2nd Fred Birch (20) 37pts
3rd Ken Grimes (21) 36pts
Not easy playing golf after such a great Pattaya Sports Club Summer Party from the night before, but we all managed to turn up at that first tee box anyway. The course was certainly damp so ‘lift, clean and place’ is our policy at this time of the year.
Greenwood has become one of the most popular golf courses with all the Pattaya bar societies these days, as the quality and price make the trip out here worthwhile.
We were quite sneaky today and tried the shortcut just 3 clicks after the Burapha entrance. We headed left at the PTT station and up and around to be back on the 331 but past all of that Amata traffic light nonsense to save a good 10 minutes off our travel time. We have installed free WiFi in our TGC van so now the trips out and back are far more enjoyable.
Our Aussie mate Kenny Grimes shot to his handicap today and a 36 got him third place on the podium. There was Tuesday’s winner ‘Fearless’ Freddie Birch with another great round of 37 for the next step up at second place. Chicken dinner today went to Masao Ishikawa whose timing on and off the course is just about perfect. Ishi showed up on Wednesday at 6ish as we were departing for the aforementioned PSC party so joined us there and now he walked away with first place! Nice going for a guy who just got his land legs. Well played Ishi-san!
Smooth swinging Scotsman Mark Wood claimed our near pin contest with ease.
Note: The Golf Club is located in the Heart of Pattaya on Soi L.K. Metro. Just call 085 434 3377 or see our website www.golfclubpattaya.com and for more information mail us: [email protected] and see updates at www.facebook.com/golfclubpattaya… all handicaps welcome!
