Exley shines bright at Eastern Star

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Mike Firkin (right) with a wig-wearing Masa Sugaya.
Mike Firkin (right) with a wig-wearing Masa Sugaya.

PSC Golf from the Pattaya Links Golf Society

Monday, May 6, Eastern Star – Stableford

1st Russell Exley (10) 39pts

2nd William Brown (16) 39pts

3rd Wayne Peppernell (14) 38pts

4th Pete Seil (6) 33pts

5th Craig Brodey (14) 33pts

6th Richard Fearby (2) 33pts

Never shirking a challenge, the society visited Eastern Star on Monday to play a stableford event on this testing course which is now showing signs of some fatigue, with fairways desperate for water.

As low season kicks in, field sizes are down to high twenties and today it was decided to play the field as a single flight with six place-getters joining the technical winners in the pink envelope race.

As expected, the “big” lads headed the field with the top six all with handicaps of less than the average of sixteen. Three golfers with 33 points were subjected to countback and thus Richie Fearby was placed sixth, behind Craig Brodey, fifth, and Pete Seil in fourth.

Wayne Peppernell’s excellent 38 points took third place whilst Russell Exley and Willie Brown, both on 39, were separated by countback with Russell taking the major honours despite a very firm challenge from Willie, who wilted in the heat to drop points on the final few holes.

Near pins went to Paul Durkin (3), Jamie Booterbaugh (6), Russell Exley (13) and Colin Service (17).

The consolation best nines went to Mr Len with a sound 18 points on the front nine and Mike Tottenham with seventeen on the run-in.

Wednesday, May 8, Pattana A & B – Stableford

A Flight (0-13)

1st Richard Fearby (2) 38pts

2nd Peter Park (6) 38pts

3rd Lee Rodman (13) 37pts

B Flight (14+)

1st Mike Firkin (24) 42pts

2nd Steve Baker (18) 41pts

3rd Tom Herrington (14) 37pts

Pattana is a golf course which is always presented in splendid condition and today was no exception. Apart from some sand on a couple of greens early into the A course, things were what we have come to expect here. This is not to say it is an easy course to navigate but, some of the excellent scores returned today perhaps belies that opinion.

Russell Exley.
Russell Exley.

Mike Firkin followed up his 43 points at his most recent visit here with another big haul of 42 points for this round and another Green Jacket. We think he has a love affair with Pattana. Steve Baker chased Mike home and nearly got there but his 41 points fell just short, while Tom Herrington pulled out his A game to take third spot with 37 points.

A Flight scores were not quite into the heady atmosphere of forty plus but a round of gross 73 off his handicap of 2 saw Richard Fearby get first place due to a countback over Peter Park, both with fine scores of 38 points. Lee Rodman, after wearing the “wig’ last time out, made amends with an impressive 37 points to hold down third place.

Near pins went to Simon Niven (A3), Peter Park (A8), Tommy Marshall (B3) and Jamie Booterbaugh (B8), while best consolation nines were posted by Keith Peplow on the front side with 20 points and Jim Ferris with 18 on the inward half.

Friday, May 10, Treasure Hill – Stableford

Flight (0-15)

1st Pete Seil (6) 36pts

2nd Andrew Purdie (9) 32pts

3rd Phil Davies (11) 31pts

B Flight (16+)

1st Donal McGuigan (20) 35pts

2nd Mike Firkin (24) 35pts

3rd John Anderson (30) 33pts

Thirty enthusiastic golfers headed to Treasure Hill and the first of our groups got away before our 10.00 am tee time into a nice little breeze and much more pleasant conditions than the past few hot weeks.

The condition of the course is still very good with nice grassed fairways and short, but tough rough. Maintenance of the greens has started and so we found plenty of light sand and some not running as well as they would normally.

We have known of big scores at this course, but not often, so it came as no surprise that only one player was able to play to handicap. Pete Seil scored 36 points from his handicap of 6, to take out A Flight and get to wear the Green Jacket again. Of course, his 78 gross was the best of the round. Andrew Purdie, who is still in very good form, was 4 points behind in second place while Phil Davies won a countback to hold down third place, scoring 31 points in his first game since returning from Wales.

The B Flight was tight at the top, needing a countback to separate first and second. Donal McGuigan had the better finish to hold out Mike Firkin in another good game from him, both having 35 points. Third place went to John Anderson with 33 points to maintain his good form at Treasure Hill.

Near pins were claimed by Lee Rodman (2), Stan Stewart (6), Donal McGuigan (13) and Tony Molan (17). The consolation best nines came from Bernie Ward with 16 points on the front and Craig Brodey with 18 on the back.