Baldwin’s bonanza

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Phoenix Tuesday/Friday Golf Group

Friday, Feb. 24, Phoenix – Stableford

Today we tackled the Lake/Ocean course and it turned out a great day for Richard Baldwin, who scored 41 points (PSC handicap committee take note).  It was even better because he was my partner in our little four-ball competition but we only managed the win on the 18th.  Tough school this!

In second place was wily Ted Oreton with 39 points (not much weight on our Ted but he keeps it down the middle).  In third place with the same score was little Arthur Barrett (sneaky round the greens is our Arfur), who pushed Gary Blackburne into fourth place with 38 points.  Gary’s score equated to a gross 77.  Great golf!

Bill Hewitt and Denis Dixon pose with staff members from The Relax Bar. Bill Hewitt and Denis Dixon pose with staff members from The Relax Bar.

Near pins went to Louis McConkey, Gary Blackburne, Ken Hatton and Mike Gerrard.

With a nice even number of players today we decided to include a better-ball pairs competition as well as the singles.

This is always a logistical nightmare for the admin boys (mainly myself).  Asking players to mark one card correctly in Thailand is bad enough.  To get them to do 2 cards that are legible is nigh on impossible.  However, after a few discussions with players and a few more adjustments (we try not to disqualify in our group) we managed to sort out the correct scores.

In first place was the ever consistent player Clive Robinson with Arthur Barrett who scored a total of 47 points to win the day.  In second place with 46 points were Richard Baldwin and Bill Hewitt and claiming third place was the pairing of the scribe and Stuart Gordon with 45 points.

After the game it was back to The Relax Bar for our first drink free and the lucky draw prizes donated by our hosts.  One can only say a great day in paradise!

Tuesday, Feb. 28, Phoenix – Stroke

Today being the last Tuesday of the month meant it was our monthly stroke play tournament for the Trattoria Italiana voucher.  As most of you will appreciate, stroke play brings the best out of the good golfers and the worst out of the bad golfers. (I suppose sometimes it could be the other way round).  Today proved just that.

The weather was as perfect as you could wish for; clear skies with a nice fresh breeze to keep you cool.  The course is now free of the hordes of tourists who clog up the fairways and a nice pace of play prevailed.

B Flight (16-28) was won by Bill Hewitt, who scored a net 72 (including a self imposed 2 shot penalty).  In second place was Patrick Browne with a net 73 and in third place was Peter Harris with a net 77, just edging Bob Neylon out of the prizes.

Onto A Flight (0-15, the proper golfers?) where the winner today with a fantastic score of net 67 was Denis Dixon (again PSC handicap committee please be advised).  Dennis received the first prize plus the Trattoria Italiana voucher.  In second place with a score of net 70 was Joe Miller (without his band), and in third place was Richard Baldwin with a net 73.

There may have been a count back for third place had I have not accidentally picked my ball up without putting out.  So there you have it, sometimes we do disqualify – rules is rules!

Near pins today went to Mike Gerrard (not disqualified for that), Graham Hiskett, John Bartley & Richard Baldwin.

The lucky draw prizes donated by The Relax Bar went to Stuart Gordon, Joris Goetshalkx & Bob Neylon.

Anyone wishing to find out more about golf with the Phoenix Tuesday/Friday group can contact me (Mike) on 087 091 7565.  We also we arrange monthly sea fishing trips as well.