Daryl saintly at St. Andrews

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PSC Golf from Tropical Golf Group

Tuesday, June 14 Laem Chabang Stableford

Once a year it is nice to spend a little more and visit what I think is a quality Course. One of the good things is that it is relatively close to Pattaya and really onto the Route 7 and soon there. The reception is very smart as you would expect and also efficient, so soon we were changed and onto the first tee.

Winner and second with one of BJ’s finest.
Winner and second with one of BJ’s finest.

The test for the day was to be the B & C nines and we were soon away. Here the caddie is waiting downstairs with the buggy and she takes you straight to the first tee, and then off.

I used to play the course pretty regularly in the ‘Old Days’, and it was nice to be playing again. The B Nine is relatively straight forward and we move along well on this fine nine holes, enjoying the whole atmosphere. The fairways were good and the greens a test.

Winner Daryl Evans celebrates his victory.
Winner Daryl Evans celebrates his victory.

Then we moved onto the C Nine, and this is a bit of a monster. Probably one of the most difficult nine holes on any course. However, it has to be said that it is a real test of golf, but personally I do prefer the other 18 holes. So we battled on and finally were able to get back to the changing room and have a fine shower.

Then to the food section which was practically empty and as I was charged 48 baht for a small soda water I remembered why most players go straight home.

We were back early and were able to get on with the results. The winner on the day was Paul Smith with 38 points ahead of Landis Brooks in second with 36 points. In third was John Davis with 35 points and then we had a countback on 33 points that saw Brian Parish in fourth ahead of Derek Brook. On with tales of how well we played.

Near pins: Brian Gabe (2), Maurice Roberts, AVD.

Friday, June 17 St Andrews 2000 Stableford

Once in a while the Tropical Golfers treat themselves to some of the nicer courses because Hey! We’re worth it! This year it happened to be twice in a row since right after a visit to Laem Chabang, the destination was St. Andrews 2000. Wow… we sure are high class! Most rendezvoused at BJ’s Holiday Lodge, and a total of seventeen players put trust in fate and headed out under darkening skies.

St. Andrews is in good condition, but one expects excellent condition from this course. Fairways were pretty good, but several greens had areas of blight of some sort. A light rain fell for about 20 minutes but not enough to stop play, and just when it looked like it was going to get heavy the worst of it moved on leaving behind cooler temperatures. St Andrews is difficult and, even playing off the white tees, most holes are quite challenging. A few remember when the layout was even tougher. Even so several players found their groove and posted good scores.

Playing steady golf Daryl Evans, course handicap 26, used his extra shots wisely and carded the day’s best 38 points. Good going on a very difficult layout! Next came Mike O’Brien (CH 24) with a handicap tying 36 points, and then Brian Parish (CH 12) edged out John Davis (CH 15) on count-back at 34 points.

Near Pins: Maurice Roberts, Landis Brooks, John Davis, Brian Gabe.