Rain puts a dampener on Aussie challenge match

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PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Monday, June 3, Burapha – Stableford

We had a good field of 32 golfers on A and B from the blues, bolstered by a group of visitors from Australia.  As usual during the low season the starter got us off early in fine weather which suddenly deteriorated as a storm hit, which forced a number of players somewhat hastily off the course; but as is often the case, after half an hour or so it cleared and we continued on a well drained course. 

Welcome back to golf to Steve having his first game since his accident and welcome also to the Aussie visitors, David Barwick and friends.

There was 3 Grades 1st to 3rd with the best score of 36pts coming from Russell Goldsworthy playing off 4 in Grade A followed home by Paul Bourke (34) and Rosco (31).

Russell Goldsworthy.Russell Goldsworthy.

Vic Hester plays with the Outback from time to time and this time he made it pay dividends, winning Grade B with 33pts from Jimmy Little (30) and John Player (28).

Grade C went to Colin Etter having his first game with the Outback as a visitor with Dave Barwick’s group, on 33pts beating regular podium finisher Andy Makara on count back.  Third place was filled by the day’s organiser and joint writer of this article, Tim Knight with 31.

There were five ‘2’s from Jim Brackett, John Cunningham & Rosco (all on the 6th) and Stefan Hoge & Jimmy Little (both on the 12th).

Div A (0-13)

1st Russell Goldsworthy (4) 36pts

2nd Paul Bourke (8) 34pts

3rd Rosco Langoulant (13) 31pts

Div B (14-18)

1st Vic Hester (16) 33pts

2nd Jimmy Little (18) 30pts

3rd John Player (17) 28pts

Div C (19+)

1st Colin Etter (33) 33pts

2nd Andy Makara (26) 33pts

3rd Tim Knight (21) 31pts

Wednesday, June 5, Phoenix – Stableford

With 26 names down for the annual State of Origin Challenge it was disappointing to get to the course to find the heavens had opened up… hello wet season!!  and this was to be our first trip to Phoenix for well over a year.  The two captains were Bourkey (aka Paul Bourke for the Blues) and the Sugarman (aka Sugar Ray for the Maroons).

(From left) Greg Kennedy, Bruce Campbell, Andrew Kennedy, Wayne & Wally.(From left) Greg Kennedy, Bruce Campbell, Andrew Kennedy, Wayne & Wally.

A simple format, 13 players on each side with the best 10 stableford scores from each side being added together; the higher total thus winning and gain the bragging rights.  Bourkey and the Sugarman had also sponsored the near pins and John Player & Sel Wegner two hidden 9 prizes.

However, it was not to be, with 10 players not even making the starting blocks due to the weather, it was decided to postpone the match for three weeks until the second State of Origin game on June 26th.

So the remaining 16 golfers teed off half an hour late playing a normal Outback tournament.

The course itself was in good condition but the attitude of the starters and staff has not really changed, we still come last with preference being shown to Koreans yet again.

Despite the rain the back nine (Ocean) was remarkably dry – there was one division; first to fifth with Andy Butterworth beating Mark McDonald on a c/b with 36pts.  Mark also had the only ‘2’.  Andy Robertson was third on 34, with Stefan Hoge beating Sugar on count back both on 33.

Back at the bar, the big match was shown live and thanks to General Jack for putting on complimentary beef sausages, onion gravy and mash at half time.

1st Andy Butterworth (12) 36pts

2nd Mark McDonald (3) 36pts

3rd Andy Robertson (14) 34pts

4th Stefan Hoge (17) 33pts

5th Sugar Ray Handford (16) 33pts

Wednesday, June 5, Siam Plantation – Stableford

Another rained affected round of golf, the third this week, after Burapha on Monday and Phoenix also today, but at least here it wasn’t too bad.  Seven out of the nine starters finished playing the A & C nines and the honours went to two of our visitors from Cabramatta Golf Club, south west of Sydney, NSW.  A couple of them had played with the Outback before, Bruce and Greg, so welcome back to them and welcome also to Wally, Andrew and Wayne with us for the first time.

Colin Etter with Tim Knight.Colin Etter with Tim Knight.

It must be said that until the start of this week, golf had been unaffected by the weather but these boys arriving on Monday changed all that.  It all started for them on Tuesday at Laem Chabang with a midday tee time, delayed through a tremendous storm with them arriving back at the bar at about 6.45pm.

Today the rain was not going to deter them either, they came here to play golf and that’s what they did; they enjoyed themselves to the full and congratulations to Bruce for his win with 35pts and also to Andrew for his second place on 34.  Andre Coetzee, on one of his short visits, took third with 33.

There were no ‘2’s.

1st Bruce Campbell (19) 35pts

2nd Andrew Kennedy (13) 34pts

3rd Andre Coetzee (7) 33pts

Friday, June 7, Green Valley – Stableford

This has been a disastrous week for golf as regards the weather with most of the 35 players failing to start here at St. Andrews, due to heavy rain and a rain sodden course.  Some players did get round, including our visitors but not enough to make a tournament, so all the start money was handed back or credited until the next start and we were also handed a number of nine hole rain-checks, see Suzi or Tim for details and hats off to Green Valley management.

Note:  The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country.  Call Jack on 081 578 1956.