Travellers Rest Golf Group
Monday, May 15, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
1st Richard Talbot (16) 33pts
2nd Neil Wilkinson (11) 33pts
3rd Andrew Liakishev (16) 31pts
On Monday the TRGG visited Mountain Shadow and it seemed that Noah was in town as the heavens opened up as we left Pattaya. The weather continued all the way up Route 7 until 5 miles outside of the golf course where all changed and we were then treated to great weather for the rest of the day.
With the ground already sodden this difficult course was already playing long and no player was ever going score really highly. One man who did score well was Andrew Liakishev who finished third with 31 points. Andrew currently holds “the most laid back man in Pattaya” award, and when questioned on the slow rounds he had played the previous week, he merely replied, “frustrating, like driving a Ferrari in a traffic jam man”.
The battle for the top spot was a shoot-out between the in-form Neil Wilkinson and the jammy old scribe. Needless to say, class told in the end and the man with the pen came out on top. With both players scoring 33 points the telling factor was the back 9 to give the scribe his 5th victory in the last 13 rounds of golf he has played.
Tuesday, May 16, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
Division 1 (0-14)
1st Michael McCluskey (14) 40pts
2nd Jim Sykes (12) 37pts
3rd Peter Marshall (08) 37pts
Division 2 (15+)
1st Derek Thorogood (17) 35pts
2nd Ross Schiffke (17) 33pts
3rd Aoshi Toshihiro (22) 31pts
Phoenix was the host for the TRGG on Tuesday and in Division 1 Peter Marshall and Jim Sykes had a really close battle for 2nd spot with both players finishing on 37 points, but Jim came out on top as a result of his better back 9.
The round of the day however, came from Michael McCluskey. Another 40 points was produced from the man who does at times show remarkable similarities to the character Ruprecht from the film ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’. That aside, his current superb from is seeing his handicap tumbling.
In Division 2 the man who is a whizz with the scissors, Aoshi Toshihro, scored 31 points to take 3rd spot whilst the 33 points from Ross Schiffke was good enough for 2nd, however the story of the day came from boss Derek Thorogood, winning with 35 points.
It has been 27 rounds since Derek’s last victory and many golf coaches, sports psychologists and fortune tellers have been hired (then cruelly fired) as Derek has ruthlessly searched for the ingredients that would bring back his winning formula. The lad from Liverpool is back!
Thursday, May 18, Green Valley – Stableford
1st Peter Seil (8) 35pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (17) 33pts
3rd Peter Hjorth (13) 33pts
Thursday saw the group being entertained at Green Valley golf course. Since the summer restoration work, scoring has not been as easy as it once was prior to the diggers getting to work.
Peter Hjorth, now fully recovered from being stretchered off at Pattana, shot a fine 33 and this was good enough for 3rd spot, and the 35 points from Derek Thorogood were enough for 2nd prize. This was clearly the week when Derek re found his swing and he was certainly making the most of it.
On the subject of the swing, there is certainly none more unique than Peter Seil’s. There is a pause at the top of Peter’s back swing where simply time stands still. If you are his playing partner it is quite nice to have cup of tea and a biscuit while Peter is pausing mid swing.
However, he is clearly putting this to good affect and his 35points were good enough to walk off (pausing after each step) with the day’s top prize.
Friday, May 19, Burapha – Stableford
1st Kim Scadden (16) 42pts
2nd Paul Young (16) 37pts
3rd Alan Rothwell (5) 36pts
The group visited Burapha on Friday hoping to make the most of the riches that this fine golf course offers. Alan Rothwell’s consistent form continues but his 5-over par round was only good enough for 36 points and in the process 3rd place.
Visitor Paul Young scored 37 points on his debut with the society and took 2nd place but the round of the day came from Kim Scadden with 42 points.
Kim has weekly competitions with Neil Wilkinson for the title of “the most quiet and unassuming Australian you have ever met”, but behind these two affable characters there is steely determination and they regularly walk off with the bounty. This day was no exception.
Saturday, May 20, Pattavia –
Stableford
1st Paul Durkan (9) 35pts
2nd Brian Beaupre (6) 34pts
3rd Neil Wilkinson (11) 33pts
The last round of the week on Saturday saw a visit to Pattavia where the other half of the “silent pair”, Neil Wilkinson, shot a fine round and took 3rd spot. He was beaten into 2nd by Brian Beaupre who was playing his first round with the TRGG, scoring 34 points off his 6-handicap.
The winner of the day was Paul Durkan whose 35 points was good enough to take the top spot. This was a justified reward for the man who the previous Saturday had scored 40 points in the thunder at Pleasant Valley, which was only good enough for 2nd place.
