Traveller’s Rest Golf Group
Monday, March 18, Crystal Bay – Stableford
1st Dave Cowper (10) 39pts
2nd Martin Burbidge (10) 37pts
3rd Nigel Bennett (17) 36pts
We had mixed reports on the condition of Crystal Bay and we won’t be returning there any time soon. However, today’s winner Dave Cowper thoroughly enjoyed the course and produced two solid nines to finish with 39 points and secure his first TRGG number one spot.
Whilst the boys were at the Bay, eight teams teed off on A & B courses at Burapha for the first round of the Ryder Cup. The defending champions South Korea got off to a flying start and took maximum points with a clean sweep.
Tuesday, March 19, Green Valley – Stableford
1st Al Marumoto (12) 39pts
2nd Terry Power (12) 36pts
3rd Bennie Moses (11) 36pts
Al Marumoto creamed his first drive right down the middle off the fairway, looked over to his playing partners and said, “Today is going to be a good day.” Now most people who prophesize a good round after just one shot normally fall in a heap – not so for Al as he continued smashing it down the middle, putted like a man possessed and walked off the eighteenth a clear winner with an excellent score of 39 points.
Wednesday, March 20, The Emerald – Stableford
1st Bill Reid (12) 40pts
2nd Al Marumoto (11) 35pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (16) 35pts
Bill Reid was having one of those days and whilst the rest of the field struggled, Bill was landing most greens in regulation and chalking up the three-pointers with consummate ease.
Day two at the Ryder Cup and the South Koreans were stunned by the All American team who won every game and took all the available points. The USA also made their move and at the end of the days play it was looking like there were only two real contenders but mathematically any one of six teams could still win.
Thursday, March 21, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
Division 1
1st Wayne Cudjoe (12) 37pts
2nd Klaus Fast (2) 36pts
3rd Stuart Mason (10) 35pts
Division 2
1st Chang Soung-Gueen (19) 43pts
2nd Roger Wilkinson (14) 36pts
3rd Alun Webber (17) 36pts
With the final round of the Ryder Cup only one day away most of the contenders were either on the driving range or at Phoenix honing their skills. A couple of team captains were out and about too, scouting for new talent. The South Koreans desperately needed players in form and thought their prayers were answered when one of their countrymen, Chang Soung-Gueen, shot an incredible 43 points and was immediately seconded to their team. Wayne Cudjoe’s 37 points brought some interest from his fellow Americans but the USA and All American team captains decided to stick to their guns.
Friday, March 22, Burapha – Stableford
1st Neil Wilkinson (12) 43pts
2nd Bill Reid (11) 42pts
3rd Young Hyeon-Baek (12) 42pts
Our daily competition teed off on A & B courses and posted some amazing scores as first, second and third places were all in excess of forty points. Emerging the winner was Neil Wilkinson who had the round of his life with a brilliant 43 points and he needed every one of those points as Bill Reid and Young Hyeon-Baek were also on fire with both players finishing on 42 points. It took a countback to determine the minor places but Bill easily won it with an unbelievable 25 points on the back-nine.
The final round of the Ryder Cup was played on C & D courses and all the teams got off to a great start. The South Koreans were quietly confident that they were still in with a chance as were the Barbarians and Australians but it turned out to be a two horse race. The USA and the All Americans, akin to the war of 1775, were once again doing battle but this time it wasn’t Yorktown, it was Burapha where the final siege took place. When the final shots were fired it was clear that the USA had won with 9.5 points ahead of the All Americans on 8. South Korea came in third with 6.5 points.
Saturday, March 23, Treasure Hill – Stableford
1st Sean Miller (27) 35pts
2nd John Welch (31) 34pts
3rd Billy Allan (21) 33pts
We finished the week with Sean Miller taking first place at Treasure Hill with 35 points. John Welch was second, on 34 and Billy Allan made a rare appearance in the winner’s circle, taking third place with 33.
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