Octogenarian Frank Turns It On

Frank Riley reckons he’s close enough to age eighty but, for him, that matters not when he can score a massive forty points off the yellow tees at a difficult golf course such as Khao Kheow.

Thirty golfers made the trip to Khao Kheow today to play the B and A courses. Low season/wet season maintenance has started around many courses now and KK is in the process of rejuvenating the B course. Consequently, we found most greens a bit bumpy with some bare patches and some sanding. Tee boxes were getting some treatment as well. It has to be done.

The contrast was obvious when we moved to the A course which has yet to start the maintenance, so we had the usual excellent Khao Kheow greens and, although drying a little, nice fairways with some run.

Weather was hot and still, then the odd puff of breeze, right through to thunder and a flash of lightning as we neared the final holes of our round. Happily for us, the rain came as our first bus was leaving the club.

Andrew Purdie has found some real form on this break from work and kept up the pace, winning “A” flight with 36 points.

Maurice Roberts has been lamenting his recent ordinary form but was happy his 35 points had him in the winner’s circle, and Russell Exley also managed some improvement to take third spot with 32 points.

The “B” flight produced the best two scores of the day with Frank Riley leading the way with his 40 points, three ahead of Keith Peplow who did well to make 37 points. Will Brown has been having a good run lately and he has filled third spot on 34 points.

Near pins: Russell Exley (A3), Andrew Purdie (A5), Darren Beavers (B3), Andrew Purdie (B8)

“A” Flight (0-15)

1^st  Place – Andrew Purdie (10 ) -36 pts

2^nd Place – Maurice Roberts (13) -35 pts

3^rd Place – Russell Exley (10) – 32 pts

 “B” Flight (16+)

1^st  Place – Frank Riley (25) – 40 pts

2^nd Place – Keith Peplow (16) – 37 pts

3^rd Place – William Brown (16) – 34 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)…Donal McGuigan….20 pts

Best Back Nine (non winners)…..Wayne Peppernell …20 pts

Derek Phillips B9 tee shot went in the water, the penalty drop went in the water, he moved along for the next penalty drop which also went in followed by his golf club, no anger, just a slip?  He did retrieve it. Certainly earned his second “silly hat” in succession.

Lee Rodman played his first game this trip and showed he needs a warm- up or two because his 18 points got him the “wig”

Be patient with the golf courses at this time of necessary maintenance, they will be special for us once again when completed and that rain we had at the end will go a small way to achieve that.