Remembering Mike O’Neill – one of the good guys

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Travellers Rest Golf Group

In a week when many of us have been remembering the events of one hundred years ago and those poor souls who never got to live a full life, it seemed all the more poignant when news filtered through this week that one of the TRGG faithful had left us. Only eight months ago Mike O’Neill was winning a TRGG golf competition at Phoenix and I have no doubt was enjoying his moment in the sun. Now he is no longer with us and we that are left growing older remember him and all at the TRGG would like to pass their condolences to Mike’s family and friends. Mike was indeed one of the good guys.

The late Mike O’Neill.
The late Mike O’Neill.

Monday, June 27, Khao Kheow A & B – Stableford

There was a good turnout for the low season on Monday 27th June in our opening event this week at Khao Kheow (A and B courses). Billy Allan who seems to play golf like Jekyll and Hyde, one day he is good, sometimes very good, and on other days he is bad and I do mean bad. Monday this week was one of his good days when he racked up 37 pts on a golf course no one would describe as easy. He was followed home by wily old Father Ted Senior who has been hitting the ball very straight of late. It did, however, take a count back before it was discovered that he had just got the better of Nim Letton who took third place.

1st Billy Allan (17) 37pts

2nd Ted Senior (16) 35pts

3rd Nim Letton (36) 35pts

Wednesday, June 29, Pattavia Century – Stableford

On Wednesday 29th June the best turnout of the week headed over to Pattavia Century to do battle. I have to say the course was looking immaculate, the best I have ever seen it. I had the good fortune in my fourball to be paired with a father/son combination Phil and Chris Cummins. Chris, an eight handicapper, and sturdy of build can hit a three wood off the tee further than most of us can see. He had never played the course before and started off with two birdies. It was a joy to watch, as he hardly put a foot wrong all day and amassed an amazing 41 pts on a course where none of the greens are easy. He certainly left the rest in his flight/division for dead.

Stewart Booth - winner at Green Valley.
Stewart Booth – winner at Green Valley.

Roger Wilkinson trotted home in second place after getting the better of Tewin Poopay Lamthong after a count back.

In Division 2 it was a little tighter and it was John Baxter who showed that you do not have to hit a golf ball a long way to win. Just keep hitting it straight and sink some putts is his motto and on the day that is just what he did. Bill Conway took second place but only after getting the better of Ed Brubaker on count back.

Div. 1 (0-16)

1st Chris Cummins (8) 41pts

2nd Roger Wilkinson (13) 34pts

3rd Tewin Lamthong (9) 34pts

Div. 2 (17+)

1st John Baxter (17) 37pts

2nd Bill Conway (25) 35pts

3rd Ed Brubaker (17) 35pts

Thursday, June 30, Green Valley – Stableford

On Thursday 30th June it was back over to play Green Valley and this week for once it was a really low turnout. I should guess that everybody is trying to save their money at the moment with the poor exchange rates.

Young Stewart Booth took advantage and was the only player on the day to better his handicap. His 37 pts was far too good for most and it was only Sir Norman Cheetham, in second place, who got anywhere near him. Toby Glass, what an interesting name, came in third.

Gary Bennett - winner at Bangpra.
Gary Bennett – winner at Bangpra.

1st Stewart Booth (11) 37pts

2nd Norman Cheetham (16) 35pts

3rd Toby Glass (12) 30pts

Friday, July 1, Bangpra – Stableford

On Friday 1st July the TRGG rounded off the week with a trip over to the monkey course at Bangpra. It was a tight finish amongst another good turnout with Gary Bennett just getting the better of things. He finished on 34 pts, one ahead of Mike Smith in second and two ahead of Ito Akitoshi in third.

1st Gary Bennett (16) 34pts

2nd Mike Smith (5) 33pts

3rd Ito Akitoshi (9) 32pts

Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG please phone Derek Thorogood on (0806733118) or pop into the Valentines Guest House (Restaurant and Bar) in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.