Colin Smith Bounces Back To Form

“Bangpra seems less fortunate than many other courses in our area, as it tends to dry out quickly when the rainy season ends. The sprinklers can do a job, but can’t get to the whole area. Already, as my Caddy pointed out, there are brown patches appearing.”

Well, that was how I described the Bangpra course just a month ago.

What a difference some rain makes to grass.. There has been the one or two surprise showers about recently and Bangpra has benefitted greatly. Today we found grassed fairways mown to just the right height to allow for easier striking of the ball and looking a treat and the dams were almost fullagain. Quite a scenic view, if you have time.

Today we did have time. Our 10 groups were allocated a 2 Tee start, thanks to the Course Management. However, on both courses we all come up behind some 5 balls to inevitably slow things right down. Well ! it is High Season, I suppose.

The legendary fast greens were in excellent condition, although not as fast as we have known them, but allowed the putt to run smoothly and truly, and you can’t ask for more than that.

Always a tough course and some good tactical thinking is/should be involved. Of our 37 players, only one managed to play to his handicap.

Welshman Colin Smith, in a return to form, handed in a card with 36 points to win “A” flight comfortably. Laurie McBride had 30 points for second place and Wayne Peppernell won a controversial countback to take third with his 29 points.

“B” flight saw Niall Caven take the honours, in another consistent showing, scoring 33 points. Good Mates Frank McArdle and Jake O’Neill filled the other two places with 30 and 29 points respectively.

Sometime visitor, Ken Hole, was successful in the “C” flight racking up 35 points, 3 clear of Peter Henshaw’s 32. Brian Davidson was right behind them with his 31 points.

Four Near Pins were out for this round and all were won.

Rod Stevens ( hole 2), Helene Lindberg (8), Peter Wilson (12), Ronnie Ramsey (17).

By now if you have not had a win, another two chances on Best Nines.

Best Front Nine ( non winners)…Bill Copeland………19 pts

Best Back Nine ( non winners)…Mikael Lindberg……18 pts

Winner “A” Flight…….Colin Smith (13)……………..36 pts

2^nd Place……………….Laurie McBride (14)…………30 pts

.3^rd Place……………….Wayne Peppernell (14)……..29 pts c/back

Winner “B” Flight……Niall Caven (18)……………….33 pts

2^nd Place…………………Frank McArdle (18)…………..30 pts.

3^rd Place………………..Jake O’Neill (18)……………….29 pts c/back.

Winner “C” Flight…….Ken Hole ( 21)…………………..35 pts

2^nd Place…………………Peter Henshaw (27)…………….32 pts.

3^rd Place…………………Brian Davidson (21)…………….31 pts c/back

Because of the late start, Bangpra has a better price after 11.30am, and the slow pace, we arrived back to Links Bar very late in the afternoon where we quickly worked through score cards and prizes.

It was now dark, so Len got on with the presentations so that those who had more pressing places to be could get away.

A long day out, but hey! We were playing golf in Thailand.

Happy to see Banpra Golf Course in such good condition.

Finally, Congratulations to the “Links Bar” team on taking first place in the Pattaya Matchplay competition just completed.

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