The test for the day was to be the C & A nines in that order and it is to me the most difficult of all the combinations. With our first three groups all having one player who did not reach the ladies tee off the first, the theme for the day was set and although we did not have rain we had plenty of strong wind, that as usual seemed really fierce against but dropped when behind.
Tuesday’s winners.
The C nine was as usual very difficult and is in fact longer, and in my opinion harder than the A nine, but officially the A nine is the more difficult. Never mind, on this day they were all most difficult. They were also both a pleasure to play. The C is a bit more out of the centre but really tough. The greens were in reasonable shape and also quite tricky.
Soon over, it was back to the fine clubhouse and into the showers which are always hot here. Then a quick change and up to the restaurant which has a fine view. The drive back proved as expected, we found the rain that had been eluding us all day.
So to the results and we had one flight with a very unusual winner. The winner with a fine 37 points was Keith Phillips, yes that is correct - the result of learning that people do get older. In second place we had Mashi Kaneta with 35 points and in third was Mike Gaussa with 33 points. We then had a count back on 31 points that saw Alan Sullivan in fourth and and Walter Baechli in fifth.
Near Pins: Bob Lindborg, Keith Phillips, Mashi Kaneta, Joel Flor
Friday’s top two with one of Bert’s finest.
Friday, August 10, The Emerald – Stableford
We usually play Emerald on a Friday as it sits nicely into the theme of ‘top class courses’ on a Tuesday and the best ‘second class courses’ on a Friday. While some of our Friday courses cannot touch the ones we play on a Tuesday, this one can, when it is in good condition, come close. It is much played by those who live in Bang Chang and our visit is usually looked forward to.
This is a typical Nick Faldo course, where if you can get a level lie you are the lucky one. The ball is always above or below your feet, or on a side hill, and sometimes both. The approach to most of the greens is to a narrow putting surface in depth, way above you. Difficult to hit and a little short will see the ball at your feet. These greens are not to my liking, a few would be fine, but so many. However it is still a good and testing day out.
On this day the course was in reasonable condition, and the weather was cloudy with just a little wind. Fairway maintenance was good with some work being done at the entrance to the greens. The greens here are quite tricky when you finally get to them, and being so narrow, if you get top side you can end up going back down the hill.
The round was soon over and here you sit in the outside restaurant, which is really pleasant until the wind gets up. The food here is good and well priced and the ‘curry’ is really a good deal. Then it was into cars and back to Bert’s. Which way you went depended on how busy you thought the traffic would be.
We had one flight and the winner, for the first time with us, was Mick Coughlan with 39 points. In second was Joel Flor with 36 points ahead of Mike Gaussa in third with 35 points. We then had a count back on 34 points that saw Dick Warberg in fourth and Don Carmody in fifth. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Tom Cotton, Walter Baechli, Alan Sullivan, Mike Gaussa.
