While the bulk of Tee Set was enjoying itself in the glorious mountains of Bandung for the Easter break, a hardy few remained behind to continue the unbroken tradition of a Tee Set weekend game in Jakarta – and with Chris Smith delegating for the committee.

Chris’s report of the day’s slightly rain foreshortened activities at Matoa follows.

I set out early so as to be set up and imitating at least a little of the flawless organization and administration that Tuti regularly provides. My Bluebird taxi was involved in not one, not two but three traffic accidents in a one hour forty-five minute journey from SCBD to Matoa which made me realize the anxiety a silver ball in a pinball machine must suffer. I admit to tipping the driver double on the condition that he strongly consider my suggestion that he seek another career when his probationary license expires next week in April.

The BLO (Bandung Left-Overs) numbered 13; three of whom completed new member registration forms – Gillian Arnold, Lina Bunter and Debbie Minicola, so a big welcome to them all, while no one owned up to being a Welcome Back. We sorted ourselves into four flights and teed off in blazing sunshine on the stroke of 11:30, energized that our Pawang Hujan clearly hadn’t forgotten us. Praise for the PH turned sour by the 14^th, however, where three of the four flights took shelter from the wind (hurricane force) rain (driving) and thunder and lightning (so close that one of the new members described the air as “fizzing”).

But in between the 1^st and the 14^th some good and enjoyable golf was played. The following members had something in particular to enjoy:

Craig Binks took low gross with a 67 … before any hysteria that these numbers may generate I hasten to add we used a weather shortened 14 holes …

Craig Binks struck again with low putts 21, but was ruled ineligible having already received a 100K so Bob Fleischmann’s name was called for a very credible 23 but Bob was OB and it will be the Committee who rejoices as the 100K went back into the kitty.

Geoff Thompson was looking confident having carded a birdie on the 2^nd but Gareth Hopkins got the nod for the 100K starting his round with a birdie on the 1^st.

No sandies; no 1^st pars for HC>30; no Most Improved … so the next 100K went to Debbie Minicola for closest to the pin on the 12^th. Your scribe was feeling pretty pleased with himself for hiring two spare caddies to wait at the 12^th (nearest the pin) and 9^th (longest drive) and provide independent measurement and place the marker flags .. some of that feeling was quickly deflated as Debbie was ready to challenge any other claims on the basis the caddie on the 12^th didn’t know his feet from his inches or arse from his elbow or something like that. As it turns out Debbie need not have worried the 5m recorded on the flag against her name made her the only member to land on the 9^th green – except for your humble scribe and I conceded to Debbie. That concession was an easy choice as the 100K for the longest drive (a modest 223m – but straight up the middle) went to … me, your humble if long-driving scribe.

Even the long drive had its touch of controversy – Norman Bunter playing in the last flight with me had hit his ball about 4m further on that narrow 9^th but it was perched centimeters from the lip of a bunker – Norman mounted a challenge that as the groundsman had run the mower around the lips of the bunker the short mown grass constituted fairway … here the modest investment in an independent marker paid dividends as the ball was still ruled to be in the rough.

So the BLO finished a happy day, a few of them with rewards – none with penalties, it may have been a rain-shortened 14 hole game but we all packed something into it.

Brilliant, many thanks to Chris for his very prompt and full report of the day from the Bandung Left Overs; it is clear that we have additional Tee Set scribing resource for the future. Just a couple of photos next time, Chris!

PS by turning in a surplus  for Tee Set funds of 700,000 roops on the day, Chris also demonstrated that he has future Tee Set Treasurer potential!

PPS An early reminder that next Sunday sees us at the course which many consider to be the finest on Tee Set’s roster and certainly the most popular by numbers, Rancamaya, where green fees of 550,000 including cart,  for a venue that regularly attracts more than 50 Tee Setters must surely be the bargain of  the season. Early registration for the game is advised in case we have to limit numbers on this occasion.