Another Dose of Beavers’ Magic – Just!

A stormy day was in prospect on Wednesday, 5th June as the PLGS headed for Burapha to play a stableford competition on the A and B nines, in two flights with the cut coming at thirteen and under.

The course was in fine condition at the start but soon after a severe storm held up play for a long time and left fairways very soft and waterlogged. Bunkers were now ponds but amazingly the greens, once the surface water had drained, retained their speed. It was hardly a day for good scores but somehow the golfers contrived to contribute to a field average of more than 33 points.

In the top flight the usual suspects were to the fore with Peter Park registering 39 points for third place, a couple behind Irishman Bryan Dore who fired the day’s best gross figures of level par, giving him 41 points for second place. The flight winner was Bob Rice, scoring 42 points on his return to the group.

In the second flight the returning Scot, Andy Stormouth posted 38 points for third place. Ahead of him a titanic battle saw both Colm O’Donovan and Darren Beavers record 42 points, with Darren claiming the bragging rights on countback. It was his third such round in just a couple of weeks and his fellow “Geordies” could be forgiven for boasting “Ha’way the lad! What a belter!”

Near pins again went to the lower markers with Michael Wright (A3), Bob Rice (A6), Peter Park (B3) and Bryan Dore (B8) all picking up envelopes at the presentation.

Mike Firkin won the prize for the best front nine with 18 points with Nils-Peter Kristensen taking the honours for the best back nine, with 23 points. However his front nine of merely 11 points also assured him of the “silly hat” award for the lowest nine hole score of the day.

Finally, Derek Phillips suffered more than most with a new driver and the rain delay and abandoned his efforts after twelve holes, giving him another opportunity to don the dreaded “wig”.

Burapha had been quite tough on the PLGS golfers but “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

“A” Flight (0-13)

1^st  Place – Bob Rice (11 ) -42 pts

2^nd Place – Bryan Dore (5) -41 pts

3^rd Place – Peter Park (4) – 39 pts

“B” Flight (14+)

1^st  Place – Darren Beavers (16) – 42 pts c/back

2^nd Place – Colm O’Donovan (18) – 42 pts

3^rd Place – Andy Stormouth (18) – 38 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners) – Mike Firkin – 18 pts

Best Back Nine ( non winners)  – Nils-Peter Kristensen – 23 pts