Hats off to Mark Tilden

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PSC Golf from The Golf Club

Monday, Jan. 12, Green Valley (white tees) – Stableford

1st Adrian Deminski (26) 38pts

2nd Paul Butler (16) 37pts

3rd Mark Tilden (13) 36pts

T4th Kenny Aihara (5) 35pts

T4th Peter LeNoury (10) 35pts

We usually find Green Valley to have absolutely perfect course conditions.  Today there were a few greens that were still dusted with a bit of sand, and that is about the only negative here for the last several months.  We woke to beautiful high season weather and cool, overcast skies for the first 14 holes.  Once the sun broke through we actually broke into a sweat, but it was no big deal.

A good golfing week for Mark Tilden.A good golfing week for Mark Tilden.

Regulars Peter LeNoury and Kenny Aihara could only muster 35 points each to tie for 4th.  It was a day for the mid and high handicappers to shine and Adrian Deminski finally broke through with an outstanding 38 points for a big win today.  That was great going, and unusual not to see the name of Billy Eyles on the podium for a change!  Hopefully, Billy is saving it all for the Mulberry Ryder in Chiang Mai next month.

Wednesday, Jan. 14, Khao Kheow (yellow tees) – Stableford

1st Paul Walsh (18) 32pts

2nd Kenny Aihara (5) 31pts

3rd David Deira (18) 31pts

Just like the previous Wednesday at Mt. Shadow, the low scores reflected how tough a track this Pete Dye layout is.  Having a 25mph wind for the front 9 and more was no help either.  Everyone noted that the pin positions were set by a greenskeeper after a heated argument with his wife to give the day a triple whammy against us.

Not to make excuses, but on several holes the ball just would not hold anywhere around the cup and we had the situation where a 4-foot putt for par became an 8-footer for bogey; that’s just not right.  We are not playing US Open golf here, just a bunch of lads on holiday so come on Khao Kheow, give us a break with these pin positions for Pete’s sake!  That said, a green fee of 950 baht in the high season is a great P.S.C. price.

Thanks to David Rose for bringing us a genuine Master’s flag and signed by none other than Mr. Arnold Palmer himself. This is a very special gift for us and greatly appreciated.  As his reward, the Golf Gods gave Dave an eagle on the last par 5 on the “A” track, but with a handicap of just 2 he must be used to them by now.

Englishman Paul Walsh must have been the best putter on the day and topped the podium with a 32 point round.  Both Kenny and Dave Deira tied for 2nd and could not believe their luck, turning in cards of just 31 points.  Let’s hope that greenskeeper makes up with his wife before our next round here.

Friday, Jan. 16 The Emerald (white tees) – Stableford

1st Mark Tilden (13) 38pts

2nd David Rose (2) 35pts

3rd Tom Breslin (23) 33pts

We now have The Emerald back in our rotation as the course has been brought back to a very good overall condition and is such a popular venue.  Temperatures here now make for a perfect day of golf and in fact, the morning motorbike ride into T.G.C. gets a bit chilly!

We had another 38 point win as we had on Monday, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.  After sluggin’ away at that little white ball for the past month, Mark Tilden had it all come together and shot an impressive round at this difficult track.  The Emerald can present a load of problems but today Mark negotiated his way around in fine form.  Just in time as it turns out, as he will be winging his way back to Blighty next week.

Our Bay Hill buddy David Rose came good and had to earn his 35 points with only 2 holes that gave him a stroke.  That’s a great round on a course he has never played.  Young-at-heart Tom Breslin rounded out the podium with 33 on the card to keep him in the good graces of Phil’s Birthday Card list.

Note:  The Golf Club is located on Soi LK Metro.  Just call 085 434 3377 or see our website www.golfclubpattaya .com and for more information mail us: [email protected] and see updates at www.facebook.com/golfclubpattaya… all handicaps welcome!