Service Special at the Riverside

On Wednesday, 22nd May, the Pattaya Links Golf Society travelled up highway 7 under heavy cloud cover to play a stableford competition at Bangpakong Riverside.

Since our last visit three weeks ago the fairways have been cored and are currently well under repair but the “bounce” associated with them has disappeared, leaving little run. It is not helped of course by the daily rains which affect all Bangkok “local” courses. Indeed, thunder rolled around for most of the round but it came to nothing more than that. Greens were very consistent as usual.

Six groups set off and preferred lies were adopted for the day. Scores were good as always with Darren Beavers taking fourth place on countback with 36 points. Peter Park again posted the day’s best gross of 75 giving him 37 points for third place with Jamie Booterbaugh, on 39, in second spot.

The winner was Colin Service, returning after a break with forty very solid points. Ignoring the taunts of “It’s a left-handers course” he enjoyed the round and at the presentation it was very much “service with a smile”!

Technicals saw Livio Marrone take two near pins, seven and sixteen, with Craig Brodey (4) and Jamie Bootenbaugh (13) taking the others.

The consolation best nine awards went to Pierre Zbinden (21, front nine) and Maurice Roberts (21, back nine).

 Winners at Bangpakong

1^st Place -Colin Service (17) – 40 pts

2^nd Place -Jamie Booterbaugh (12) – 39 pts

3^rd Place -Peter Park (4) – 37 pts

4^th Place -Darren Beavers (17) – 36 pts c/back

Jim Norkett performed poorest to make the wig his own and Jamie B wore the “silly hat” with embarrassment after holding the group up before departure, not having read the full departure details.

A round at Bangpakong Riverside is always a pleasant experience regardless of individual form and today was no different.