Bobby wins his birthday bash

0
1375
Bob Watson, with the Links Hotel staff.
Bob Watson, with the Links Hotel staff.

Pattaya Links Golf Society

Wednesday, Oct. 18, The Emerald – Stableford

1st Mark Faught (5) 39pts

2nd Tommy Marshall (7) 38pts

3rd Tony Browne (20) 38pts

4th Len Jones (28) 37pts

Support Pattaya Mail – Click Here

On Wednesday, the Links Golf Society took four groups to Ban Chang to play a stableford event on the Emerald course which was in surprisingly good condition after the recent storms. Fairways were well grassed and greens were consistent if only moderately paced. An empty course gave a feeling of millionaires golf and progress was swift throughout. Scores were tight with a USA duo contesting the top place.
However in fourth place was Len Jones with 37 points, whilst Tony Browne and Tommy Marshall went to countback to decide second and third on 38 points, The runner-up honour went to the latter. The winner, playing off his handicap of five, was Mark Faught with 39 points.

Consolation prizes went to John Harrison for his front nine score of nineteen and Maurice Roberts and Bob Watson for their shared back nine performance of 19.

The “wig” was appropriately donned by visiting Aussie golfer Gabriel Enright at the end of a tight competition throughout at Emerald.

Friday, Oct. 20, Pattana – Rainbow Stableford

A Flight

1st Bob Watson (3) 44pts

2nd Paul Hack (13) 43pts

3rd Paul Funster (14) 43pts

4th Dave Stockman (8) 41pts

B Flight

1st Pete Shaw (29) 37pts

2nd Len Jones (28) 36pts

3rd Jim Elphick (30) 36pts

4th Nigel Perry (20) 35pts

Bob Watson had a golfing party for his 60th and 77 players came out to help him celebrate. It was a fun day, as it was decided to play Rainbow Tees. That is, Tee off Blue 3 times (max), White 6 times, Yellow 6 times and Red 3 times. Your choice when to use a particular colour. Tactics will win out here.

There was a prize on every hole as well as flight prizes as an added attraction, but they all knew Bobby and why we were doing this.

Pattana Golf Course again presented well, as usual, and management there is thanked for giving us a special price for the big day, as well as the assistance needed at times.

Although a couple of friends were giving us dire warnings of a lot of rain, we saw dark clouds in the distance, but a few droplets on the umbrella was the best the weather gods could do, thankfully.

We had great support from Dick Warberg and the Tropical Golf Group with almost 5 groups present, and also Colin Davis and his group from Colin’s Bar. We were also able to use Colin’s two mini buses.

Playing a two tee start, with 9 groups from A1 and 11 groups from B1, it was an organizer’s/starter’s dream that all groups assembled and got away at their allocated time. On the A nine all were within one minute of their time.

What about the golf?

It was all about the birthday boy as the winner of “A” Flight and overall best score, Bobby scorched around Pattana in a superb 5 under par, 67 gross. How’s that for a 60th birthday celebration?

That was good, but there were two others with fantastic scores in “A” Flight, as Paul Hack and Paul Funster fought out a count back, both with 43 points, Paul Hack ( Hacky) getting the nod for second place.

Dave Stockman took fourth place edging out Guy Stewart on countback, going to the last three.

Overall scoring in “A” Flight was way up, with many in the high thirties, yet couldn’t get close, but well played.

“B” Flight was also a tight affair, but the scoring was not quite that set by the senior flight. Pete Shaw is a high handicapper (29), but his tactics with the Tees worked well for him to score a good win with 37 points. Len Jones is in good touch at the moment and once again was in the placings, winning a count back to take second spot ahead of Jim Elphick, both on 36 points.

In fourth place was Nigel Perry with 35 points, winning a count back over Tony Browne.

There was a prize on every hole available, for various near pins, but three went unclaimed.