Rubbing shoulders with the pros at Burapha

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PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Monday, April 15, Burapha – Stableford

Another holiday today but nevertheless a very good field of 38 players at a very busy and colourful Burapha, amidst all the preparations for the Singha sponsored, Pattaya Open which was due to start here on Thursday (18th).

On B & D, where the main event was to be staged, there was a qualifier being played resulting in an uncharacteristic caddie shortage, with the majority of our guys having to wait for quite some time until caddies were imported from Laem Chabang.

General Jack, who did not go on the Chiang Mai trip, was left with some hasty reshuffling on the tee as players turned up somewhat haphazardly with caddies and when they did, away they went, but even then there were some groups who started without their full compliment (of caddies).

The Outback Pro-Am team (from left): Ian Heddle, Geoff Stimpson, Punuwat Muenlek and Ron Dickie.The Outback Pro-Am team (from left): Ian Heddle, Geoff Stimpson, Punuwat Muenlek and Ron Dickie.

The front nine was played at a good pace, which many of the cards reflected but it slowed on the back, as it seemed the starter had allowed some groups to jump in, in front of us.

Paul Greenaway shared one of the three 39pts scored today, to win Div A from Geoff Braithwaite with the same score; the other 39 coming from Gordon Clegg who won Div C playing off a handicap of 28.

Tim Knight won yet again with 37pts to take Div B from John Leonard, with Ed Turner at last finishing on the podium taking third, having his last game with the Outback.

There were three ‘2’s, all on the same hole (C5) from Paul Bourke, Paul Greenaway & Geoff Stimpson

Div A (0-13)

1st Paul Greenaway (10) 39pts

2nd Geoff Braithwaite (7) 39pts

3rd Andy Butterworth (13) 37pts

4th Bob Finley (13) 35pts

Div B (14-21)

1st Tim Knight (21) 37pts

2nd John Leonard (15) 35pts

3rd Ed Turner (18) 32pts

4th Greg Hill (17) 32pts

Div C (22+)

1st Gordon Clegg (28) 39pts

2nd Andy Makara (30) 36pts

3rd Tony Aslett (22) 34pts

4th John White (26) 32pts

Tuesday, April 16, Khao Kheow – Stableford

Three groups (12 PAX) was excellent for the time of year and considering it was yet another holiday.  General Jack did the start again as Suzi is away and Capt’ Steve is still injured and the designated courses were A & B.

Mike, the Burapha Manager (left), with Prom Meesawa next to Andy Butterworth on the right.Mike, the Burapha Manager (left), with Prom Meesawa next to Andy Butterworth on the right.

For a change, and also as there were quite a few high handicappers playing, we played from the white tees resulting in Andy Makara, who knows this course well, running away with a four shot win over Monday’s winner at Burapha, Gordon Clegg on 35.

Welcome to some new guys in town having a hit with us for the first time, namely Brenton, Mark & Greg and also to Saito, who played with us Monday for the first time and Bob Barnes, who was pleased to be back.

There was only one ‘2’ from Geoff Braithwaite on A3.

1st Andy Makara (30) 39pts

2nd Gordon Clegg (27) 35pts

3rd John Leonard (15) 33pts

4th Jarod Braithwaite (18) 29pts

Wednesday, April 17, Siam Plantation – Stableford

With heavy rain falling in Pattaya as many woke, it was hardly surprising that there were a couple of no-shows, but 13 stalwarts were not put off as the weather cleared up leaving an excellent day for golf on the A & B loops here at Plantation.

Our thanks to Tim Knight, who ran the day, and our congrats to Sel who won the day with 38pts over Jarod Braithwaite (36pts) and John O’Keefe (34).  Waldo, aka Steve Blazsanyik, lost out on count back, also with 34.

There was again only one ‘2’ from Jarod Braithwaite on B3

1st Sel Wegner (13) 38pts

2nd Jarod Braithwaite (18) 36pts

3rd John O’Keefe (15) 34pts

4th Stephen Blazsanyik (17) 34pts

Wednesday, April 17, Burapha – Singha Open Pro-Am

Another great day had by all.  It rained up until the shotgun start then the skies lightened for what was set up to be a pleasant day for golf.  However, as a result of the early persistent rain, ‘pick and place’ was in force to give everyone an equal opportunity on the fairways.

The B&D nines were set up well for the Open, greens were first class and the rough wasn’t as penile as last year’s but still best avoided at all costs.

The format was a form of individual medal play with the two best net scores per hole going forward as the team score.

After the golf, Burpaha Golf Management and Singha put on an excellent spread along with the prize giving which was held in the restaurant.  The Outback’s team of Ron Dickie, Ian Heddle & Geoff Stimpson also included a 28-year old Thai journeyman pro, Panuwat Muenlek, who proved his worth to our team by carding an individual score of -6, helping us to a final score of -12.  Not too shabby as Ian had just arrived home from a long offshore hitch and both Geoff and Ron were fighting some gremlins in the system.  Panuwat’s schedule after the Singha Pattaya Open will take him to Laos then down to Indonesia for the Indonesian Masters.

Buttsy (Andy Butterworth), who only got in to play at the last moment as one of Mike’s original team couldn’t make it, was in the company of true star status in the form of Asian golfing giant Prom Meesawat.  He also stated that having his picture taken next to Prom made him look slim.  Not being one familiar with that word I can’t comment, however it was noted they were not allowed to share the same golf buggy.

Another Thai legend, Thaworn Wiritchant, was also playing in the Pro-Am.  Very surreal – the previous week he was playing in his debut at the US Masters with Tiger and co. at Augusta, this week he was playing with the Outback Boys at Burapha.

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