PSC golf from the Outback Golf Bar
Monday, Nov. 22, Burapha – Stableford
There were two notables playing the A & B nines in wonderful conditions at Burapha today; Owen Lloyd who shot 42 points off a handicap of 12 to win Div A, and the runner up in the same division, Jason Moylan with 40. These two were streets ahead of the rest, led by John Cunningham and Tony Garnett who finished in joint third, both with 34 points, as they could not be separated on count-back, right down to the last hole.
Bob Lindborg took Div B with a creditable 36 points ahead of Sean Johnston, having his best round for some time, with the same score. Two friends from one of the early groups, shared the same score of 33 points but Bob Finley got the nod over Jim Bryan by virtue of his better back nine to grab third place.
Monday’s “Roo Cup” winners, Andy and Drew, but the “Roo” has lost her Joey.
Mike Quill, who’s scraped in with a couple of third places in the last week or so with 31 points, proved that he could do better if he tried by winning Div C with 35, three clear of Paul Sibley (32pts) and Bruce McAdam (31pts). We say goodbye to these three guys who are returning to Aus to do a bit of work.
The “Roo Cup” has become an important challenge match at the Outback over the last couple of years and today proved to be no exception, as the Scottish pairing of Andy Butterworth & Drew Robertson (the challengers) took on the long time holders, Steve Milne & Mark Riggall. It was a hard fought duel of the gladiators in a tough match that eventually went to the Scots by one hole, thus relieving the English of the coveted “Roo”.
There were three ‘2’s from Jim Little, Bob Lindborg & Sean Johnston
Div A (0-12)
1st Owen Lloyd (12) 42pts
2nd Jason Moylan (9) 40pts
3rd John Cunningham (7) 34pts
3rd Tony Garnett (10) 34pts
Div B (13-17)
1st Bob Lindborg (17) 36pts
2nd Sean Johnston (15) 36pts
3rd Robert Finley (14) 33pts
Div C (18+)
1st Mike Quill (18) 35pts
2nd Paul Sibley (19) 32pts
3rd Bruce McAdam (22) 31pts
Tuesday, Nov. 23, Pattaya C.C. – Stroke
Pattaya Country Club hosted an Outbacker Birthday Cup today, for the inaugurator of the event, Frank O’Neill, who started this event back in the Outback’s early days in November 2007. So this was the fourth time that Frank had celebrated his birthday in this way and as is the hallmark of all Frank’s golf days, it was to be “proper golf”, and that means stroke play, rarely played at the Outback.
The course was in the best condition seen for a long time with most of the greens being in good shape and the bunkers had clearly been worked on as well. Nearly all the work on the drink stops has been completed as well with some pretty little gardens and fountains surrounding the ones at the 13th and 16th. The weather was absolutely stunning, to coin a phrase from one the Outback’s regulars, just back from Kazakhstan but this time for good.
There was a select field of 23 Outbackers but the day turned out to be a family affair as Ae, Frank’s lady (Laong’s) son, was the easy overall winner with a net 67, playing off of 12. Frank himself, won Div B with a net 70 and Laong got fourth in same division with 74, heading a three-way count-back. Geoff Doody (71) and Arthur Bailey (73) filled the other two places.
In Div A the scoring was not quite so good, as the 73 from Bill Bishop was enough to win, from the ex Kazak, John Lawton in second on 74, with Steve Plant, now finding his form again, third on 75.
There were three ‘2’s from Chad, Dennis (the Turnip) and Arthur Bailey.
Back at the bar, a long table had been set up for all the players to enjoy some good food and wine all courtesy of Frank and of course the prize giving.
After Capt’ Bob had announced the normal divisional results the floor was handed over to Frank to say a few words. He rose with his special “walking stick”, given to him by the Outback three years ago, as he explained that it had all the necessary attachments for the older gentleman, including a spy glass and horn. He called Ae as the overall winner, who regretfully couldn’t be here and then announced the near pins winners: Capt’ Bob picked up the first two, with John Lawton getting the 12th and Ae the 16th.
There was also a mystery prize that nobody knew about, a prize for anybody that shot Frank’s age – 77, and that went to Capt’ Bob as well.
Great day Frank, thanks and Happy Birthday!
Overall
1st Ae O’Neill (12) net 67
Div A (0-18)
1st Bill Bishop (14) net 73
2nd John Lawton (19) net 74
3rd Steve Plant (14) net 75
4th Barry Chadbourn (19) net 76
Div B (19+)
1st Frank O’Neill (20) net 70
2nd Geoff Doody (20) net 71
3rd Arthur Bailey (26) net 73
4th Laong (28) net 74
Wednesday, Nov. 24, Treasure Hill – Stableford
Only 18 Outbackers dared venture out to this difficult but popular course, which was in good condition in spite of the temporary tee boxes and it’s one (the 17th) temporary green. It’s great value which clearly makes it favourite amongst the farangs in town and today there were many groups to be seen on the course. The pace of play was dreadfully slow, which makes the course additionally tough but the beer was cold and the weather fantastic, so all in all, not a bad day out.
Top score of the day was 35 points shared by four players; Muzza and Suzi in Div A and Ivan and John in Div B, but it was double hard luck for the Lawtons as they got beaten on count-back, twice.
There was another blow for John, as he and Chad took on Capt’ Bob and Jack in a revenge match that they lost in Chiang Mai; needing the win to secure the wager (burgers and beer) they could only manage a half. However, the match has now been renamed the “Boo Hoo” cup (a suitable trophy has now been acquired) but this is a trophy you won’t want to win because it goes to the losers and it will cost you money, every time you lose. Full rules coming soon and all the proceeds will go to a charity at the end of this year.
There was also a ‘jackpot 2’ bagged by John Lawton.
Div A (0-17)
1st Murray Hart (11) 35pts
2nd Suzi Lawton (15) 35pts
3rd Steve Milne (12) 32pts
Div B (18+)
1st Ivan Plunkett (21) 35pts
2nd John Lawton (19) 35pts
3rd Bruce McAdam (22) 33pts
Friday, Nov. 26, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Thirty-eight Outbackers today at their regular Friday slot playing the A & B loops from the yellow tees; great course, great conditions but as usual, not such great scores.
Neil Lavery, on one his extended sojourns from Vietnam, surprisingly found himself at the top of the leader board in Div A with 36 points, two ahead of Steve Milne and Raji both on 34. Raji’s 34 points earned him one ladder point to put him back on top, with two rounds to go.
In Div B, George Bishop and Bob Lindborg both scored 36 points as well, George getting the nod, and podium regular Kissy Buchanan took third with his 34.
John Cogan invited his neighbours, Dave & Liz Collier to play with the Outback for the first time and Liz came in with the top score of the day of 38 points. She played off 24, two less than her actual handicap as is customary for ladies playing with the Outback at Khao Kheow, but she will now find that next time out, her regular handicap will be 24, or 22 if she plays here again. Six shots back was John Kittilsen (32pts), showing his first bit of form since returning to Thailand but too little too late to rescue him from the foot of the ladder, where he seems destined to collect the NAGA.
Finally, welcome back to Paul Quinn, who had a reasonable 31 points to take fourth place.
There were eight ‘2’s from Paul G, Paul Q, Colin Bavington, Steve Mann, Suzi, George Bishop, Sugar Ray and Rosco.
Div A (0-12)
1st Neil Lavery (11) 36pts
2nd Steve Milne (12) 34pts
3rd Amarjit Banwaitt (7) 34pts
4th Ray Dell (12) 33pts
Div B (13-18)
1st George Bishop (15) 36pts
2nd Bob Lindborg (17) 36pts
3rd Keith Buchanan (16) 34pts
4th John O’Keefe (17) 33pts
Div C (19+)
1st Liz Collier (24) 38pts
2nd John Kittilsen (19) 32pts
3rd Bruce McAdam (22) 31pts
4th Paul Quinn (19) 31pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down on the list or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474.
