Cooper proves who’s boss

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Travellers Rest Golf Group

Monday, August 14, St. Andrews – Stableford

1st Jim Cooper (17) 38pts

2nd Freddy Starbeck (13) 36pts

3rd Richard Talbot (17) 35pts

Jim Cooper.
Jim Cooper.

St Andrews always provides a testing challenge and this day was no exception.  The scribe managed to scrape together 35 points to claim third place, but the main challenge was happening elsewhere as Jim Cooper and Freddy Starbeck were involved in a major shootout.

With both players scoring over 20 points on the front 9 a battle emerged between two of the stronger personalities of the golf society.  Something had to give as the pressure built, and sadly for the “great Dane” it was he himself who crumpled under the weight of expectation, leaving the door wide open for the “canny Scot” to sneak through and take the top prize.

Tuesday, August 15, Phoenix Gold – Stableford

1st S. Masuoka (28) 36pts

2nd Colin Hopkins (12) 33pts

3rd Roger Wilkinson (15) 31pts

On Tuesday the TRGG visited Phoenix Gold, which can be a testing experience as very few master the challenges that this course sets.  This was very much the case as Roger Wilkinson’s modest score of 31 points was good enough to take third place.

Colin Hopkins managed 33 points for second spot but the clear winner came in the form of S. Masuoka, shooting 36 points for a comfortable victory.

Wednesday, August 16, The Emerald – Stableford

1st Tetsuo Furuzawa (20) 36pts

2nd H. Ogawa (18)  35pts

3rd Jeff Bunn (08) 35pts

John O’Donnoghue.
John O’Donnoghue.

The wild beautiful scenery of Emerald welcomed the TRGG on Wednesday.  Some love this course whilst others are put off by the natural topography and undulating fairways.

Jeff Bunn started the day in fine nettle scoring 21 points on the front 9 but could not quite maintain this momentum, finishing with 35 points, which was good enough for third place.

Just piping Jeff was H. Ogawa whose better back 9 was good enough to take the second prize.  The winning score came from Tetsuo Furuzawa whose even-par round took the day’s honours.

Thursday, August 17, Silky Oak – Stableford

1st Neil Wilkinson (12) 38pts

2nd Y. Morimoto (6) 38pts

3rd Jim Cooper (17) 35pts

Thursday saw the group visiting Silky Oak.  New boss Jim Cooper carried on his successful week with 35 points for the bronze medal, Y. Morimoto shot a fine 38 for the silver but the plaudits went to Neil Wilkinson who carded a better back nine.

Friday, August 18, Burapha – Stableford

1st John O’Donnoghue (21) 42pts

2nd Craig McAvinue (14) 40pts

3rd Colin Hopkins (12) 39pts

Colin Hopkins scored a very good 39 points but on this day it was only good enough for third place.  Three birdies on the back nine were the most impressive feature of Craig McAvinue’s 22 points, which gave him a total of 40 points and second place.  A birdie on the Par-3 17th enabled John O’Donnoghue to score 42 points and claim the day’s top prize.