A smiling win for Walter

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Walter Baechli.
Walter Baechli.

PSC Golf from The Golf Club

Monday, April 2,
Green Valley (white tees) – Stableford

1st Bob Catlow 39pts

2nd Gary Emmett 38pts

3rd Andy Makara 37pts

Another Monday, another trip to Green Valley. Again, perfect condition and a fair number of troops for the beginning of April.

Regular on the circuit, Andy Makara used his local knowledge to take third with 37 points while Gary Emmett fared one better with a 38 for second place.

Visiting Aussie Bob Catlow finished top of the heap at 39.  Bob has been here for so long it seems he is almost a local.

Tuesday, April 3, Khao Kheow A&B (white tees) – Stableford

1st Graham Eldridge 38pts

2nd Doc Beard 37pts

3rd Rod Stevens 36pts

This is getting to be our second most played golf course in Pattaya as Khao Kheow never disappoints, and offers great value as well.

Today our “last Par-3” near pin went to regular Kenny Aihara. Not really surprising if you remember Ken last week had a hole-in-one at Pattavia Century.

On to the leaderboard and regular visiting Canuck Rod Stevens shot to his handicap at the 36 point mark. Doc Beard joined us today and the former Navy Seal turned in a 37 on the card for second spot. Right off the boat was Graham Eldridge to waltz in with a 38 for today’s winning score.

Thursday, April 5,
Laem Chabang B & C
(white tees) – Stableford

1st Walter Baechli 33pts

T-2nd Lee Short 30pts

T-2nd Robbie Taylor 30pts

Laem Chabang is one of Pattaya’s best golf courses and this summer the Sports Days are Tuesday and Thursday that offer a 2,490 baht rate that includes caddy and cart.  That is no increase on last year’s rate, which is a very sensible decision.

Scoring was on the low side today and I guess the C track is living up to her reputation as the toughest nine out here.  If you can get past all the water on the first 4 holes you will do OK.

Robbie Taylor had a good round and tied with visiting South African Lee Short to score 30 points on the day.  The winner was perennial local and great guy Walter Baechli with a big red 33 circled at the top of the card.

Friday, April 6,
Kings Naga (yellow tees) – Stableford

T-1st Freddy Graham 36pts

T-1st Graham Eldridge 36pts

T-1st Zed Beloglavec 36pts

Great value, good greens but shabby on the edges are what we had here today. It is worth playing this course, but don’t expect too much of it.  The Nick Faldo layout is a nice track, but right now it looks like they just don’t have the budget to clean up the cart paths and buggies.

We took the option of ‘lift, clean and place’, which was the correct decision and recommended.  The yellow tees were in play and at 6,399 made for a tough old slog but the whites at 5,860 were just too short.  Also, there is no current P.S.C. slope rating here.

It was a hot front nine with zero wind so the only comfort was the buggy breeze.  Be warned: there are few drinks stands out here so stock up on water and provisions!  On the good side, they don’t seem to mind if you bring your own cooler (Oz = Eskie!)

It was a small turnout of 4 groups and most scores were under 30 points.  There were three exceptions to that and all were winners with a tie at 36 points.  Freddy, Graham and Zed were the winning trio and cashed in on those handsome man vouchers, so good scores indeed at that distance.

Kenny Aihara got yet another near pin, just edging out Graham Eldridge at 12 feet.