Norman bags an ‘ace’ and buys a round

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Travellers Rest Golf Group

Last week I was telling you about the two golfers who recently registered the ultimate achievement in golf, a “Hole in One”, and then showed bad form by refusing to follow tradition and buy their fellow competitors a drink out of their winnings, a depressing tale indeed.

This week as Christmas approaches I bring you a tale of hope to gladden the heart.  On Tuesday at Burapha, Norman Cheetham, now to be known as Sir Norman Cheetham, achieved the ultimate and registered a “Hole in One” at the third hole on the A course and later proceeded to buy every other competitor a drink.  Good on you Sir Norman to not “Cheat’em” out of a traditional drink. (Sorry couldn’t resist that)

Norman Cheetham.

Monday, Dec. 7, Phoenix – Stableford

The TRGG got the week up and running on Monday with another trip over to Phoenix (Mountain and Ocean).  I was speculating whether this week’s attendance figures would diminish now that Phoenix have increased their green fees and it would appear I was right as this week only one division/flight was necessary.

Jack Mooney will tell you that when he was young he used to be a good golfer and this day Jack had a déjà vu moment when he rattled up 35 points, which was good enough to take first place.  He was followed home by another high handicapper who is currently showing a bit of form, Bill Conway, who only lost out to Jack after a count back.  Recently married Ross Schiffke took time off to play a bit of golf and finished in third place.

1st Jack Mooney (23) 35pts

2nd Bill Conway (25) 35pts

3rd Ross Schiffke (16) 34pts

Tuesday, Dec. 8, Burapha – Stableford

On Tuesday the TRGG again headed off to play Burapha (A and B courses).  ‘Sir’ Norman Cheetham aided by his Hole in One made it to the usual 40 point mark, which traditionally seems to be the winning score at Burapha.  He was followed home by a young man who always seems to make golf look easy, one handicapper Ryan Thomas.  Paul Stanton also scored well to finish in third.

Alan Thomas.

1st Norman Cheetham (15) 40pts

2nd Ryan Thomas (1) 39pts

3rd Paul Stanton (13) 37pts

Thursday, Dec. 10, Green Valley – Stableford

It was off to our usual Thursday venue at Green Valley where for the first time this week two divisions became necessary.

In Division 1 it developed into a family affair with father Alan Thomas having a day to remember when he amassed a quite remarkable 41 points playing off a five handicap and finished in top spot.  His son Ryan, now back down to playing off scratch after his exploits at Burapha, still racked up another 38 points to finish second.  ‘Sir Norman’ had another good day and finished in third.

After seeing all the good scores in Division 1 it was a bit of a shock to see what was happening in Division 2.  Lawrence Lee wasn’t even at the prize giving, obviously thinking his 33 points was never going to win anything.  On this occasion he was wrong and he was later to find he had finished in first place.

Richard Kawagoye, scoring 32 points, made it into second place and Ged Blairs was a couple of points behind in third.

Joe Depasquale.

Div.1 (0-14)

1st Alan Thomas (5) 41pts

2nd Ryan Thomas (0) 38pts

3rd Norman Cheetham (14) 36pts

Div. 2 (15+)

1st Lawrence Lee (20) 33pts

2nd Richard Kawagoye (16) 32pts

3rd Ged Blairs (29) 30pts

Friday, Dec. 11, Pattavia – Stableford

Pattavia Century was the destination on Friday and another attempt to master those tortuous greens.  The top two on the day wouldn’t have looked out of place in the winner’s enclosure at a major horse race: Pint sized Joe Depasquale finished champion jockey on the day with that other miniature marvel Mike Rushant taking the runners-up spot.  Also fairly light on his feet, Ryan Thomas made it into third place.

1st Joe Depasquale (12) 38pts

2nd Mike Rushant (8) 36pts

3rd Ryan Thomas (0) 35pts

Saturday, Dec. 12, Greenwood – Stableford

On Saturday the TRGG rounded off the week with a trip over to Greenwood (A and B courses).  It was back to two divisions on this well attended day.

In Division 1 it was a terribly tight affair with Neil Wilkinson just pipping Paul Stanton on count back.  David Hutchinson was a point back in third.

Bill Conway.

In Division 2 Bill Conway finished top of the pile with Jack Macnamara a point behind in second and Derek Thorogood a further point back in third place.

Div.1 (0-13)

1st Neil Wilkinson (12) 36pts

2nd Paul Stanton (13) 36pts

3rd David Hutchinson (1) 35pts

Div.2 (14+)

1st Bill Conway (25) 35pts

2nd Jack Macnamara (19) 34pts

3rd Derek Thorogood (14) 33pts

Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.