Only Huw Beats Handicap

This Friday morning thirty seven golfers set out for Khao Kheow Country Club with hopes riding high. The weather was certainly on our side as we teed off the yellows on A1. Breezy with low humidity made life very comfortable. Unfortunately, this only lasted about half the round before it went back to the energy sapping usual.

The low season maintenance has been completed and the course is in great condition. There was the odd wet patch on some fairways, although carts did travel on course, bunkers are well maintained and caddies raked them, and the greens are running at speed and true. Our group had some lip outs, and we can blame the hole placement, or not.

The cut for flights today was unusually high for this group at 0-19, so some usual “B” graders found themselves in “A” grade.

Khao Kheow is never regarded as an easy course, where each hole is different and provides it’s own challenges. Today, the A and B combination sent out the challenge but only one player was up to it.

Huw Phillips was the only golfer to beat his handicap, scoring a meritorious 39 points to easily take out “A” flight and the Green Jacket.

Kevin Timbrell has been in town for a couple of weeks and hit his straps today to take a clear second place with 35 points. A rejuvenated Darren Beavers brushed aside his last start “wig” to score 34 points for third on countback over Colm Lawlor, and then Derek Phillips, 33 points.

The scoring in “B” flight was somewhat lower, but 34 points was enough to give Stuart Kidd the win.

In second was Matt Cronin with 32 points followed by Nigel Harrison on 31 points ahead of Mike Firkin with 30 points. Dave Arataki completed the podium scoring 29 points.

Near Pins: Huw Phillips, Darren Beavers, Mike Tottenham, Dave Heyes

Winner …”A” flight……….Huw Phillips (16)……………….39 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Kevin Timbrell (18)…………….35 pts

3^rd Place……………………..Darren Beavers (17)…………….34 pts c/back

4^th Place………………………Colm Lawlor (14)………………..34 pts

5^th Place………………………Derek Phillips (17)………………33 pts

Winner…”B” flight………..Stuart Kidd (21)…………………34 pts

 2^nd Place……………………..Matt Cronin (20)……………….32 pts

3^rd Place……………………….Nigel Harrison (21)……………31 pts

4^th Place……………………….Mike Firkin (23)……………….30 pts

5^th Place……………………….Dave Arataki (26)………………29 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)……Tony Browne……….18 pts

Best Back Nine (non winners)……Kevin McEntee……….18 pts

Phil’s Welsh logic told him that because the White and Yellow tees were together on the first, that is the way it will be for all holes, so he announced we play the loooong yellows.

He very briefly was going to award himself the “silly hat”, but decided he is Boss, so someone else gets it.

That someone was Kenny Jepson who had the lowest nine hole score, but he can still remember his 43 points from a week ago.

Paul Chesney, sporting his new beard, had the least points overall.

Once again Khao Kheow gave us a terrific course, and at a good price with the vouchers.

Talbot’s Top Drawer Treat

The Pattaya Links Golf Society revisited Pattaya Country Club after a nine month absence on Wednesday, 28th November, to play a stableford competition on the local course.

What a difference the last nine months have made as the course was in very good condition with fairways where the ball sat up, well tended bunkers and greens more consistent than they have been for a while. The only drawback was the general Thai greenkeepers’ passion for placing pins on slopes, noticeably on seventeen where a well placed uphill four footer could pass the hole and end up eight feet back down the slope. However…

The single flight saw scores which were generally quite low, reflecting the difficulty of the challenge but fourth place went to the consistent Martin Hoblyn, 33 points, one behind Alan Walker in third. Alan was playing his swan song round before returning to Australia for a few weeks.

Second place went to Dave Arataki with his strong iron play giving him 36 points. The winner was English golfer Brian Talbot. The long time member of PLGS took his game to another level as he recorded 39 points for his best win in a long time. Splendid stuff Brian!

The consolation awards went to Kevin Timbrell for his best front nine (18 points) and Niall Caven (best back nine of 18 points).

Near pins went to Maurice Roberts (5), Tony Browne (7), Colin Service (12), and the ubiquitous Dave Arataki (16)

Winner ………………………Brian Talbot (16)………….39 pts

2^nd Place…………………….Dave Arataki (26)…………36 pts

3^rd Place…………………….Alan Walker (28)………….34 pts

4^th Place……………………..Martin Hoblyn (24 )……..33 pts c/back

Best Front Nine ( non winners)……Kevin Timbrell………….18 pts

Best Back Nine (non winners)………Niall Caven ……………..18 pts.

Darren Beavers had a “‘mare” and was duly rewarded with the dreaded wig, whilst Tony Browne’s back nine more than deserved the “silly hat”.

Pattaya CC was well worth the visit and the current voucher scheme is a bonus.

Kenny Gets His Clubs Back, Wins Big!

When Phil and Maurice decided to sort the many sets of golf clubs not in lockers, they identified who the owners were and marked them accordingly. However, there was one set looking tired, dusty and as Phil said “with spiders running all over them” that they could not identify, so Maurice took them home in case the owner turned up.

When the owner retrieved his bag, there were a couple of clubs short, but eventually found.

Kenny Jepson, happy to play with his own clubs again, just scorched around Royal Lakeside like there was no tomorrow. His 43 points spread-eagled the field to take the “B” flight win for his second Green Jacket.

Next best in the flight was Jim Ferris, who is playing well of late, scoring 37 points to nudge out recent winner, Martin Hoblyn, on a countback.

“A” flight saw last start winner, Colin Service, make it back to back with a great haul of 39 points to finish 3 points clear of Maurice Roberts, while Anthony Molan, in his final game this trip, completed the placings with 35 points.

Near Pins were won by:  Huw Phillips (3), Derek Hutchinson (6), Gabriel Enright (12), Tommy Marshall (15)

Winner…”A” flight………..Colin Service (17)………………..39 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Maurice Roberts (13)…………..36 pts

3^rd Place……………………….Anthony Molan (10)…………….35 pts.  

Winner…”B” flight……….. Kenny Jepson (30)………………43 pts

2^nd Place……………………….Jim Ferris (22)……………………37 pts c/back

3^rd Place……………………….Martin Hoblyn (24)……………..37 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)……Chris Walsh ……………..22 pts

Best Back Nine ( non winners)…….Petur Petursson…………19 pts

Newcomer to Links, Gordon Nelson, wore the “wig” for the first time and the “silly hat’ looks good atop Derek Phillips who managed the lowest points score for either nine.

Royal Lakeside, as always, was in splendid condition and the weather was just about perfect for our twenty seven golfers.

When asked if he had a good day, Walter Baechli replied “ I had a beautiful day”. Sums it up, we think.

Perennial “Wig” Wearer to Green Jacket

Scoring today was mediocre to say the least, but the one thing we cannot blame is the condition of the golf course, which was presented in top notch order.

Fairways were lush and a little damp at times and, although we played lift, clean and place, carts were allowed on course.

The comment from a number of players about the greens where that they are so much better than our previous visit earlier in the month, with maintenance having been completed.

The weather was something different than experienced recently. We started in cooler, less humid conditions with a nice breeze, occasionally a bit more than a breeze, making for a pleasant way to play golf.

Now, as always at this course, all you need to do is keep the ball on the fairway, or near to it to score well.

On a day when scores are low there is usually at least one player to stand out from the crowd.

The surprise packet this time was perennial “wig” wearer, Bryan Barrell, who has taken the course by the scruff of the neck and recorded the best score of the day, 35 points, to finally wear the Green Jacket, much to the delight of the assembled players.

Second spot in “B” flight behind Bryan was Vietnam Vet, Alan Walker, also back from the “wig”, beating Kenny Jepson on countback, both with 32 points.

“A” flight saw Colin Service back in the winner’s circle with 33 points. He is like a sponge, soaking up advice to improve his game, and doing just that.

Takaeshi Hakozaki is usually around the podium no matter where he plays, and took second place with 32 points, while an improved effort from Tony Browne got him the third spot.

Near Pin: Howard Bland (2), Dave Heyes (6), Nigel Harrison (13), Niall Caven (17)

Winner …”A” flight……….Colin Service (18)………………33 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Takeshi Hakozaki (12)………..32 pts

3^rd Place……………………..Tony Browne (18)………………31 pts

Winner…”B” flight………. .Bryan Barrell (34)……………..35 pts

2^nd Place………………………Alan Walker (28)……………….32 pts c/back

3^rd Place……………………….Kenny Jepson (30)……………32 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)…….Dave Arataki …………18 pts

Best Back Nine ( non winners)……..Andrew Purdie……….18 pts

Huw Phillips just had one of those days with a number of “senior moments”, even though he is not yet a senior. He was yet another one to board the bus not realizing he had not taken his golf bag. A quick thinking Darren Beavers saved his day, putting it in his car to deliver it to the course. A deserved “silly hat”.

Dave Heyes could have had that but, as his score wasn’t much, he got to wear the “wig”

A nice day out at Treasure Hill, if you are okay with a low score…

Wet Greenwood Suits Pete Seil

We were surprised when told to play lift, clean and place because the A course at Greenwood looked in good condition. Because of LCP came another surprise to be told we are to play White tees at about 6600 yards.

LCP was a good decision as the fairways, although looking immaculate, were soft and damp from a heavy rain the night before.

Playing from the white tees really stretched many because of lack of run, but you can’t change once started.

The greens were best described as variable, some were slow while others were the usual speedier type we have come to know here.

Pete Seil and Colin Service seemingly had no problems with the conditions as both returned excellent scores on a tough day. Pete, from his handicap of 5 won the day with 38 points while at the other end of the “A” flight handicap scale, Colin came in with 37 points from 18 handicap.

Darren Beavers recently scored 40 points here, but his more modest 33 points still got him third place.

In between frightening the caddies with a plastic snake, Stan Stewart played a good game to score 33 points and win “B” flight ahead of Niall Caven in his second game back with us, he had 31 points.

Eamon Moran came from Darwin, Australia for a one week holiday and in three games played managed a prize in each one of them. Today he took third with 30 points.

Near pins: Pete Seil (A2 + A6), Maurice Roberts (C6) Not won (C3)

Winner …”A” flight………..Pete Seil (5)…………………..38 pts

2^nd Place……………………….Colin Service (18)…………..37 pts

3^rd Place……………………….Darren Beavers (18)……….33 pts

Winner …”B” flight…………Stan Stewart (19)……………33 pts

2^nd Place……………………….Niall Caven 920)…………….31 pts

3^rd Place………………………..Eamon Moran (28)………..30 pts

Best Front Nine (non winners)……..Paul Durkan….…….17 pts c/back

Best Back Nine ( non winners)…….Huw Phillips ……….17 pts c/back

For those who have ever attended after game presentations at Links, you will be surprised to know that there was no “silly hat” or “wig” or Green Jacket presented.

Pete Seil didn’t come back to the bar, nor did the winner of the “wig’ and surprisingly, try as he might, Phil failed to find a reason to award the “silly hat”.

There’s always something different and unexpected.

Martin Hoblyn Tames a Tough Course

Takes Green Jacket

Some were not excited when it was announced that we would play the C-D combination on our second trip to Burapha in 5 days.

After a couple of no shows, twenty six golfers found the course in reasonable condition, but, according to some who had played A-B on Wednesday, this combination was not as well maintained.

Fairways had grass, in some places quite lush. The rough is left quite deep and thick so that the ball, when in the long stuff, almost looks as if it’s plugged. Very difficult to move the ball out and in the direction you want. We realize that is the way for tournaments for top players, but for lesser mortals, a struggle at times.

What is the problem with the greens? Almost all greens on the “D” nine are dry and brown coloured around the fringe and some bare patches here and there.

Hope they are a work in progress.

So, with all that said, it seems there were some players undaunted and turned in some very good scores.

The “A” flight saw two # 5 handicappers go one two. Paul Durkan come in with great figures of 19 pts on the front and 21 pts on the back nine for a best gross of 73.  

Following Paul to take second place was Pete Seil with 37 points after a steady round, while newcomer to Links, Jimmy Chawke, scored 33 points for third spot.

The “B” flight saw the Green Jacket winner, Martin Hoblyn score a massive 41 points off his handicap of #25. Who said high handicappers can’t play this course? Well done Martin.

Darren Beavers, in a return to form, almost got him, scorching around the first nine for 24 points, but lost momentum coming home as Martin finished stronger.

Colin Service was quite happy with his 36 points and took out third place.

Near Pins: Paul Durkan, Pete Seil, Dave Arataki, Phil Davies

Winner …”A” flight……… Paul Durkan (5)…………….40 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Pete Seil (5)…………………..37 pts

3^rd Place……………………..Jimmy Chawke(17)…………33 pts

Winner…”B” flight………..Martin Hoblyn (25)………..41 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Darren Beavers (18)……….40 pts

3^rd Place………………………Colin Service (18)………….36 pts

Best Front Nine (non winners)…………Tony Browne……..22 pts.

Best Back Nine (non winners)………….Eamon Moran…….20 pts

It was thought that Tip Briney had forgotten his water bottle and, therefore, due a “silly hat”

 He protested that he had intentionally left it in the bus.

So, Phil decided that the person who dobbed him in should wear the “silly hat”. That person? Come out here, Stan Stewart.

The very least excited about C-D course, and who asked if he could sit out the game and get his money back, was Len Jones. At the end of the day, he wished he had done that, as he had a score we won’t talk about, suffice to say he became re-aquainted with the “wig.

PLGS is booked into Burapha twice next month (Dec.) and it is always a surprise when we arrive to find out which combinations we play.

Steve Baker Snares Another Jacket

Sometimes it’s good to be in the last group ( cough!) as you have time to smell the roses.

The roses are not yet blooming at Pattana but, stand on an elevated tee anywhere around the course and take in the view. Fantastic! Green, rolling, beautifully cut fairways, the different shade of green at the tee boxes and the putting surfaces, and the water features. Stop and look sometime.

The only down side, if there must be one, was the weather.  For most of the round it was just hot and humid and wearying for those in carts. Hats off to the walkers for making it through.

Now to the golf..

On a course in such good condition, we might expect some good scores, and we got them.

“B” flight saw a tight finish decided on countback for first, with Steve Baker edging out Martin Hoblyn to take his second Green Jacket. Both had a great 40 points.

Then another close one as Jim Ferris and Stan Stewart both scored 38 points, with Jim’s better back nine getting him third. Derek Phillips had 37 points and didn’t get a look in.

“A” Flight best score of 38 points came from Maurice Roberts with his second win in his last two outings to Pattana. Something works there.

Colm Lawler was a late entry on Thursday afternoon. A phone call to Phil and he added him to his group, along with Maurice. Colm repaid with a well played 37 points for second place on his first game at Links Golf.

Huw Phillips returned after a long absence to make his presence felt first up, scoring 35 points, while Guy Stewart bounced back from his “wig” performance on Monday to hold fourth spot with 34 points.

Eamon Moran, another first timer at Links earned a mention for having the best back nine score of 19 points for non winners, and Tony Browne had 21 points on the front nine.

Near Pins:

Bernie Stafford (A3), Brian Talbot (A8)  Colm Lawler (B3), John Mason (B7)

Winner …”A” flight………Maurice Roberts (13)…………38 pts

2^nd Place…………………….Colm Lawler (15)……………….37 pts

3^rd Place……………………..Huw Phillips (15)………………35 pts

4^th Place………………………Guy Stewart (13)……………….34 pts

Winner…”B” flight………..Steve Baker (19)………………40 pts c/back

2^nd Place………………………Martin Hoblyn (25)………….40 pts

3^rd Place………………………Jim Ferris (22)………………..38 pts c/back

4^th Place……………………….Stan Stewart (20)……………38 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)………Tony Browne……….21 pts

Best Back Nine ( non winners)……….Eamon Moran………19 pts

A week is a long time in golf. In that space of time, Alan Walker went from riches to rags. Wearing the Green Jacket last Friday to the “wig” this Friday.

Once again many contenders for the “silly hat”, and, after going through the list of “silly” things, it went to Mitchell Carlon who screamed around the front nine for 20 points to have a complete blow out on the back for the worst nine of the day. Total score 27, you do the sums.

Thirty keen golfers had yet another enjoyable visit to beautiful Pattana Golf Course.

Another Landmark Day

A visit to Burapha is always a memorable event and the Pattaya Links Golf Society chose the course as its Wednesday venue on 14th November. The group comprising eight fourballs were assigned the A and B nines, arguably the best eighteen holes in the province.

Under an overcast sky the course was in fine condition with well grassed fairways and consistent greens and it was another day when landmark golf occurred.

The two divisions were cut at seventeen and under and in the second flight a fine level par round gave Tip Briney fourth place as he found some consistency again. In third was Darren Beavers with a return of 37 points, losing second place to the returning Niall Caven on countback. The flight winner was Steve Baker with 39 points.

Brendan McGovern, the Irish senior playing off plus two, returned the PLGS’ best gross score for the year with 69 which gave him 37 points for fourth place, following Phil Davies in third with 38. Phil lost out to Vincent Smyth on countback.

The winner, and green jacket winner, was Pete Seil with 39 solid points.

Elsewhere Maurice Roberts nailed his “thirteenth or fourteenth” – his words – hole in one, on A3, whilst also winning the next near pin three holes later.

He was joined in the near pin race by Paul Stewart (B3) and Tommy Marshall (B8).

The consolation best front nine was won by Martin Hoblyn (19 points) and Nigel Harrison recorded the best back nine of 23 points, which helped add some respectability to his card.

Winner …”A” flight………Pete Seil (5)……………………..39 pts

2^nd Place…………………….Vincent Smyth (17)……………38 pts c/back

3^rd Place……………………..Phil Davies (10)………………..38 pts

4^th Place……………………..Brendan McGovern (+2)……37 pts

Winner…”B” flight………Steve Baker (19)………………..39 pts

2^nd Place…………………….Niall Caven (20)………………..37 pts c/back

3^rd Place……………………..Darren Beavers (18)………….37 pts

4^th Place…………………. ….Tip Briney (24)…………………36 pts

In Ken Page’s absence the wig was presented to Ian Mollard whilst Dave Arataki wore the silly hat after his eight point haul on the back nine.

Final word from Maurice, “I don’t even get excited anymore”. Well, we do Maurice and congratulations and thanks for ringing the bell!

HOLE IN ONE —Maurice

Cobban Collects at Pattavia

The Pattaya Links Golf Society visited Pattavia on Monday, 12th November looking forward to the start of a new golfing week and found a course in excellent condition with greens which were a little inconsistent, with a slower selection on the front nine and the back nine a little inconsistent. It was not enough to upset the eight groups however and some good scores were recorded.

The field wad divided into two flights with the cut at seventeen and under and the second flight saw fourth place taken by Larry Slattery, on countback from Jim Ferris, with 35 points. One point ahead in third was Stan Stewart, himself a single point off runner-up Tony Browne, with 37 points.

The winner of a tight flight was Irish golfer Derek Phillips with a well deserved 38 points.

In the top flight Plus handicapper Brendan McGovern’s gross 73 was not enough to garner points for the placings as fourth place went to German golfer Julian Preisinger with 35 points, losing out on countback to third placed golfer Pat Lavin. In second was Kevin Rogers, again on 35 points his back nine beating his two friendly rivals.

The flight winner and recipient of the green jacket was Les Cobban with 39 points.

There were near pins for Les Cobban (4), Paul Smith (7 and 13) and Jim Ferris (17).

Winner …”A” flight……….Les Cobban (8)…………….39 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Kevin Rogers (12)…………35 pts c/back

3^rd Place………………………Pat Lavin (12)………………35 pts c/back

4^th Place………………………Julian Priessinger (4)……35 pts

Winner…”B” flight…….. Derek Phillips (18)………..38 pts

2^nd Place……………………..Tony Browne (19)………..37 pts

3^rd Place……………………..Stan Stewart (20)…………36 pts

4^th Place……………………..Larry Slattery (20)………..35 pts c/back

Best Front Nine ( non winners)……Tommy Marshall………….21 pts

Best Back Nine (non winners)……..Brian Talbot ………………..20 pts.

At the “wrong” end of the leaderboard the wig went to Guy Stewart whilst the silly hat looked dangerously comfortable on the head of Ian Mollard after his poorest nine hole score. However it was Ian’s first round back with the group and his ambitions will be set higher next round.

Pattavia continues to be a testing course which many golfers enjoy.

In the Photo: Winner “B” flight, Derek Phillips with Guy Stewart (L), Ian Mollard (R).

A Stroll for Walker

For certain when Robert Trent, Jones Jr designed Eastern Star golf course he did not factor in the effects of high humidity, rain, and tightly mown fairways coupled with a mischievous greenkeeper’s penchant for placing pins on slopes.

But that’s just what the Pattaya Links Golf Society found when they visited the course on Friday, 9th November. Light drizzle accompanied the golfers for their starting holes but thankfully things abated after thirty minutes or so.

Seven groups of golfers found the going tough and scores were a reflection of the conditions. There were two flights with the cut at nineteen and under.

In the top flight the visiting Nottingham golfers played the course for the first time on their final day out with PLGS and found Tony Inman and Liam Bennett in first and third respectively with scores of 33 points and 31 points. The “sandwich” was completed with visitor Ross Nicholson taking second with 32 points.

Scores were similar in the second flight with Dave Arataki taking third place with 29 points, one behind a resurgent Keith Melbourne, ending his trip on 30.

The flight winner, with the honour of Green Jacket, was the senior member of the field, Alan Walker, whose 35 points came from consistency off the tee and accuracy elsewhere. He was completely unfazed, as usual, by the conditions and simply got on with the job.

Consolation awards went to Stuart Connell’s best front nine of 17 points and the returning Martin Hoblyn’s fine 16 points in-run, beating Jim Ferris on countback.

Near pins: Dale Wells (3), Jerry Hanrahan (6), Liam Bennett (13) Dave Arataki (17).

Winner …”A” flight………..Tony Inman (2)……………….33 pts

2^nd Place……………………….Ross Nicholson (11)…………32 pts

3^rd Place……………………….Liam Bennet (5)……………….31 pts

Winner…”B” flight…….. …Alan Walker (27)………………35 pts

2^nd Place……………………….Keith Melbourne (33)……….30 pts

3^rd Place………………………..Dave Arataki (25)…………….29 pts

Best Front Nine (non winners)………Stuart Connell………17 pts
Best back Nine 9 non winners)………Martin Hoblyn………16 pts c/back

Steve Spurr would return to UK with memories of the “wig, much to the amusement of his clubmates and – well he had it coming – Darren Beavers took his first silly hat for an embarrassing start of seven points on the front nine. It’s not a course he enjoys as he returned no score on his previous visit last month. All good things come to those who wait…