World champ makes debut at TRGG

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Jacob Cummings.
Jacob Cummings.

Traveller’s Rest Golf Group

Monday, June 18, Khao Kheow

Division 1

1st Darren Stanton (13) 36pts

2nd Ken Doherty (14) 36pts

3rd Neil Bramley (10) 35pts

Division 2

1st Jim Cooper (16) 37pts

2nd Robert Cannon (22) 34pts

3rd Toshi Shiraiwa (22) 34pts

It’s not every day one gets to meet a bona-fide world champion, let alone have him play in your golf society. Today the TRGG had the pleasure of hosting Ken Doherty who became only the third player outside of the UK to win the World Snooker Championship by beating Stephen Hendry 18-12 in the 1997 final.

Although Ken is more at home on a snooker table than the undulating contours of the greens, he proved he has a natural sporting ability and today posted a very respectable 36 points. Ken’s nemesis was the TRGG’s man in form Darren Stanton who, by the narrowest of margins, denied the Irishman a victory on debut. Darren can now lay claim to having beaten a world champion and has generously made himself available for photos and autographs back at the bar.

In division two it was Jim Cooper who stormed home with twenty points on the back nine to claim a victory for the first time since April. Jim’s 37 points was a warning to everyone that Coop’s was back but it was short lived as the following day he could only manage twenty points for the entire eighteen holes.

Tuesday, June 19, Green Valley – Stableford

1st Higuchi Yasuo (16) 39pts

2nd Colin Smith (14) 38pts

3rd John Welch (34) 37pts

Jim Cooper.
Jim Cooper.

On Tuesday we made our regular trip to Green Valley where twenty players competed. Some great scores were recorded today, with over two thirds of the field scoring in excess of thirty points. However the day belonged to Higuchi Yasuo with an excellent score of 39 points which was also the best score of the week.

Wednesday, June 20, St. Andrews – Stableford

1st Bill Corby (21) 31pts

2nd Paul Sharples (14) 29pts

3rd Toshi Shiraiwa (22) 28pts

Wednesday we returned to Green Valley but this time it was to play at the St Andrews course. Scoring was obviously very difficult with only one person managing in excess of thirty points. A measly 31 points was enough to take the prestigious first place position as Bill Corby left the rest of the field in his wake for his first number one spot since joining the TRGG in November.

Thursday, June 21, Plutaluang – Stableford

1st Colin Smith (14) 39pts

2nd Daryl Ottaway (7) 37pts

3rd John Welch (34) 35pts

Plutaluang today and the “Big Gun” Colin Smith was at it again. Having set his sights on winning the Player of the Year Award, Colin added another five points to his already impressive total of 735 and leads his nearest rival at the half way mark by seventeen points. His 38 points was testament to his golfing prowess and his ability to remain calm under pressure.

Friday, June 22, Burapha – Stableford

1st Jacob Cummings (6) 40pts

2nd Neil Wilkinson (14) 36pts

3rd John Baxter (20) 36pts

Burapha is in excellent condition and always attracts good numbers; the greens are fast and they hold the line perfectly. This is obviously a favourite course for Jacob Cummings as he took first place here last week with 39 points, lost a shot, and followed it up this week with a another victory.

Saturday, June 23, Mt. Shadow – Stableford

1st John Welch (34) 34pts

2nd Billy Allan (19) 32pts

3rd Neil Wilkinson (14) 32pts

We finished the week at Mountain Shadow where John Welch, who was knocking on the door all week, finally came through. His 34 points was enough to break the drought and pick up the number one spot