PSC Golf from The Bunker Boys
Monday, Dec. 17, Bangpakong Riverside – Stableford
1st Gary Smith (8) 40pts
2nd Les Humphrey (28) 38pts
3rd Takeshi Hakozaki (13) 38pts
The scourge of Thai golf, the ubiquitous six-ball struck us again today with not just one but two and a five-ball put out in front of us. Needless to say, the inevitable happened with a round of very slow frustrating golf.
The course was as usual in fine condition, well grassed and groomed, the weather was fine and not too hot and the caddies were of a high standard.
Despite the frustration of slow play many seemed totally unaffected by it and returned excellent cards, none better than Gary Smith who scored forty points. In second place on thirty-eight points was Les Humphrey with a completely new set of clubs. Clearly they suit him perfectly. Third place went to Takeshi Hakozaki also on thirty-eight points but beaten on count-back.
Near pins were claimed by the cack-handed Ronnie Melvin, Gary Smith, Takeshi Hakozaki, and Keith Norman
Wednesday, Dec. 19, Bangpra – Stableford
1st Michael Brett (13) 39pts
2nd Paul Lanzetta (3) 38pts
3rd Keith Norman (14) 33pts
4th Gary Smith (7) 32pts
How does a man in need of a white cane get a near pin from one hundred and eighty yards? How does a handicap go from fourteen to twelve and back to sixteen all in the space of a week? How does someone snap their seven-iron in two around a tree no more than fifty yards from the first tee? These are some of the many questions we are left to ponder following today’s round at Bangpra.
A round of three and a half hours today as the course was virtually empty, it seems many societies are reluctant to return following the mid-year drama when bookings were canceled without notice and green fees raised significantly.
Today’s winner Michael Brett had his best round for some time with thirty-nine points, beating Paul Lanzetta who on most days would have expected to win with thirty-eight points. Some distance back was Keith Norman of the white cane fame with thirty-three points, while Gary Smith couldn’t repeat his heroics of Monday came in fourth with thirty-two.
Near pins went to Keith Norman, Daryl Vernon, Paul Lanzetta, and Kevin Labar.
Shot of the day went to Daryl who put his tee shot with the driver to about eighteen inches from the hole on the second par-three. Les Humphrey, who shot the lights out on Monday with brand new clubs had a Barry Crocker today, could it be he played what ought to have been Monday’s game today?
Friday, Dec. 21, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
1st Jimmy Carr (15) 37pts
2nd Michael Brett (12) 36pts
3rd Neil Griffin (25) 36pts
4th Keith Norman (14) 35pts
A reasonable roll-up of nineteen players for today’s round played in bright sunshine. One of our members complained before the game that he wasn’t capable of playing off thirteen, quick smart came back the reply, “well play off twelve then”, no sympathy here.
Jimmy Carr took the honors today with a round of thirty-seven while second went to Michael Brett with thirty-six. Neil Griffin, who again started on fire with twenty-three on the front nine faded on the back and took third on countback, with Keith Norman taking fourth place with thirty-five.
All the Neils, Jones, Griffin, and Carter got near pins with the final one going to Mark Stanley. Our only lady member Kob Glover is about to take some lessons so we expect to see her back in the winner’s circle again very soon.
The race for “Golfer of the Month” is hotly contested and evenly balanced going into the final rounds, any one from Jimmy Carr, Neil Carter, Keith Norman or Michael Brett could win unless someone from the back makes a late charge.
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