PSC Golf from The Bunker Boys
Monday, Dec. 31, Pattavia – Stableford
1st Neil Jones (23) 36pts
2nd Keith Hemmings (22) 36pts
3rd Neil Griffin (24) 35pts
4th John Hughes (22) 35pts
5th Stuart Tinkler (14) 35pts
The last game of the year was played at the Pattavia course with a field of twenty-two golfers in attendance. The course was crowded so a very slow round was had and it seemed to affect the low handicap players more than the high as four of the top five were from the latter group.
Neil Jones scored his maiden victory with thirty-six points, beating the sartorially splendid Keith Hemmings on countback. Neil Griffin put in a solid performance to take third on countback from John Hughes in fourth and Stuart Tinkler fifth, all on thirty-five points.
The Neils (Jones and Carter) were again in the near pins with Alan Sullivan and Michael Brett taking the remaining two, in fact, Neil Carter came within a whisker of a second ace for the month.
In a very hotly contested race for golfer of the month, Neil Carter, Keith Norman, Jimmy Carr, and Michael Brett all had a shot at winning, however, none improved their standing which left Jimmy and Michael in a tie on two hundred and thirteen points and had to be separated by going back to the seventh highest score which Jimmy shaded by a single point so he won his third golfer of the month for the year equaling Colin Greig also with three wins.
Wednesday, Jan. 2, Khao Kheow A & B – Stableford
1st Les Humphrey (27) 36pts
2nd Dave Ashman (19) 36pts
3rd Paul Lanzetta (9) 35pts
4th Peter Kelly (11) 35pts
5th Sandor Roth (33) 33pts
The first game of a new year was played at the universally popular Khao Kheow Country Club under sunny skies on a course always in top shape. The wind was strong again and the pace of play very slow. The greens were a delight to putt on but despite that Tony Robbins, normally a dead eye dick on the greens, three-putted four times.
It was also the first game under the new rules and many were used, not always to good effect. Colin Greig took relief from a footprint in a bunker and dropped within the bunker only to create a fried egg lie worse than the original position.
Once again three out of five in the winner’s circle were high handicap players so our one flight policy is working well. Top of the pile was Les Humphrey on thirty-six, beating Dave Ashman on countback. Third and fourth place getters Paul Lanzetta and Peter Kelly were locked on thirty-five, with Sander Roth making his first appearance in the winner’s circle on thirty-three points.
Mark Stanley took two near pins with Paul Lanzetta and Michael Brett taking one each.
Friday, Jan. 4, Crystal Bay B & C – Medal
1st Phil Mashiter (7) net 68
2nd Ken Elmore (20) net 71
3rd Keith Norman (14) net 72
4th Geoff Parker (15) net 73
Our medal round for the month was played at the Crystal Bay course which was in its worse condition seen for a long time. Dead or blown down trees remain in situ throughout and in general it looked untidy and neglected and made worse by the irrigation system which seems to have failed in several areas. Sodden areas and casual water could be found on most fairways.
Phil Mashiter was the star of the day with a net sixty-eight, a very fine score indeed off a seven handicap. Ken Elmore broke through for his first visit to the winner’s circle with a well-compiled seventy-one. Keith Norman took third a stroke back while Geoff Parker brought up the rear with seventy-three.
It was demoralising to follow Phil around and see him close on the near pins, he managed to snag two with Tony Robbins and Peter Kelly taking the other two.
The search for a new home begins in earnest now that the festive season is behind us. Any centrally located bar with a desire to host a friendly golf society to grow their business should make their intentions known to a committee member or at the M Club.
