PSC Golf Bunker Boys at The Ranch
Monday, Nov 23, Bangpra – John Preddy Trophy
Monday morning and as the real world climbed out of bed and faced work, 68 carefree souls headed up to the beautiful Bangpra Golf Course for the Preddy Trophy and Memorial Day, one of the flagship days in the Bunker Boys calendar. A day when we honor the late John Preddy, a doyen of the Bunker Boys, and Memorial Day when we remember those who no longer tread the earthly fairways.
The Preddy Trophy is played as an individual stableford event whilst the Memorial is a 4-man team competition with the best three scores on each hole to count. Numbers were down this year from the 120 last year which was disappointing for such a great day out. Our thanks to the Phantom boys and M Club for their support..
The John Preddy Trophy.
Being an important tournament, there were prizes for both A and B flights on every hole thanks to the generous sponsors and a quality accessory bag to take home.
The players were greeted with great weather and a course in excellent condition as usual. Bangpra off the whites is not an easy course as the players found out. Starting off the 1st and the 10th it was not easy to see how individuals were progressing but the Bunker Boys players were the only ones in contention, with Frank Quinlan (H/cap 30), Steve Durey (19) and Les Cobban (7) all bettering their handicaps.
The team event saw prodigious putts from Alan Harris and Gerry Cooney to win the longest putt prizes, and keep their teams well in contention. Previous winners Keith Norman and his fellow Bunker Boys were well in it, as were Colin’s Cowboys with Shane Ruddle playing par golf. At the back end the American team were finding Lee Butler too heavy to carry and John Hughes was ready to be transferred for free from his so called Heroes.
At the end of the day it was a tight finish in the individual event with the three early runners all returning 39points. The result was therefore decided on count back, with Frank Quinlan easing out Les Cobban into second and Steve Durey down to third, and taking the Preddy Trophy for this year.
In the Memorial team event, Gerry’s Gangsters (Dave Ashman, Geoff Cox, Les Cobban and Gerry Cooney) with 119 points comfortably held off the Bunker Boys No. 1 team (114 points), with Bunker Boys No. 2 team holding on to third with 110 points on count back from Colin’s Cowboys.
Our guests from the other bars won the majority of the individual hole prizes for closest to the pins and longest drives but the Bunker Boys held onto all the individual and team placings.
Following an excellent buffet meal at Cherry’s Restaurant, Jim and Donald Preddy, brothers of the late John, made the presentations which were followed by a raffle in aid of charity.
Everybody had a great time and many thanks goes to the organisers, the many sponsors including M Bar, Phantom Golf Bar, Pattaya Rent a Car, a number of individual Bunker Boys, Bangpra Golf Course, its staff and caddies, Cherry;s Restaurant and especially Donald and Jim Preddy.
Wednesday, Nov. 25, Burapha D & C (blue tees) – Medal
A-Flight
1st Gez Williams (15) net 69
2nd Roger Tuohy (10) net 76
3rd Colin Greig (10) net 76
B-Flight
1st Geoff Bracegirdle (17) net 75
2nd Gary Austin (18) net 78
3rd Max Bracegirdle (21) net 80
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, Gary Austin, Stuart Tinkler, Geoff Bracegirdle
Twenty-three Bunker Boys made the short hop up the motorway to the lovely Burapha G.C. on Wednesday. The boys were a bit sluggish and only one player – Gez Williams – was able to play to or better his handicap.
Playing from the blue tees at 6,600 yards was an added component to the miserable scores. With five par-4’s of over 400 yards, and the 180 yard plus carry on C-9 with no place to bail, some of us were left scratching our heads as to why blue!
Friday, Nov. 27, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) – Stableford
A-Flight
1st Stuart Tinkler (16) 40pts
2nd Paul Smith (3) 36pts
3rd Keith Norman (12) 35pts
B-Flight
1st Frank Quinlan (30) 34pts
2nd Peter Marsh (21) 34pts
3rd P.J. Redmond (28s) 33pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig, Les Cobban, Keith Smithson, Roger Tuohy.
Another day of showing up at the golf course and there being a hassle from the get-go: no caddies, no buggies! We finally got off with some having to share carts (the way it should be for us financially challenged players).
The Bunker Boys love playing this challenging course and always look forward to coming out here. The greens were running exceptionally fast and the track was in its usual good condition. No complaints, even considering the delay at the beginning.
