First up and most importantly, if you registered your intention to play Rancamaya next Sunday BEFORE 5pm yesterday, Tuesday 2nd April, then please REGISTER AGAIN NOW as, due to a technical hitch, anything before that time is now spinning around homeless and unloved on the Interweb and will continue to do so until undergoing a pre-ordained death in about five days.

Bandung Bash

Once again we were to enjoy the beautiful course and surroundings of Giri Gahana Golf Resort Bandung, from 29th March to 1st April.

This family friendly event with adult humour incorporating the best of golf, parties, fun & fancy dress and of course the friendship of all who attended.

There can be no doubt that all this was to make for the best Bandung Bash so far. Thirty two players and their families were to participate and, by common consent, had a GREAT time.

Ibu Endang booked the entire hotel six months in advance to ensure we all stayed in the same hotel and, even more importantly, within staggering distance of the first tee box – as well as the restaurant room where the Bash itself was held on Friday and Saturday nights. Endang also coordinated all the bookings and registrations so we had a smooth check in and out without surprises. Many thanks to her!

The hotel and golf and caddy staff and Management were as friendly, courteous and attentive as ever and were even able to remember the names of the people who attended previous years events. Many thanks to them, also!

The good outweighed the not so good by at least 100 to 1, however, there were a couple of challenges to report with just about taking the #1 spot being the traffic – on both the Friday and the Sunday. A very close #2 was to be the very poor state of the greens which were badly infected with something or other causing many significant and often large bald spots – and to add to the fun the greens had been cored the very day before we arrived – making putting a very serious challenge on virtually every hole.

Life is continuous learning and we will certainly avoid holiday weekends next year – and be having a quiet word in management’s shell like about their coring schedule. It will be little consolation to the many, however, that the six stalwarts who remained for play on Monday reported the greens in much better condition – and a trip home of just two and a half hours or less!!

Inspired by Graham McGeady’s annual cross dressing propensity, the committee decided to have a Fancy Dress Competition this year and  a great success it was to prove, with all attending breakfast on Sunday in fancy dress and with an obligatory photo shoot before 08:00 tee off. Fred Flintstone, Superman, several transvestites, a Caveman, Super Mario and many more were on display in a hilarious early event – and it looks like this will become another Bandung Bash tradition (groan).

The competition winner was Keith Miller in traditional Kazakh Akim’s regalia; though many in fact thought he was the newly elected Pope Francis – a perception he was not to discourage by providing traditional blessings to all as he passed by.

We appear to have a significant amount of hidden talent in our midst, with so many variously joining in singing, instrument playing, story telling, dancing and of course some quite outstanding feats of quaffing. Special mention must go to Bill, Nicky, Octa & Glynnis (spelling?) and John for their enthusiasm and outstanding entertainment value, with Bill winning a special award, a bottle of Australia’s finest, for his virtuoso reggae performance, a performance which had them rolling in the aisles. Bill also promises to go the whole hog and wear dreadlocks next year.

A montage of the  evening activities … thanks to all who contributed photos …

Noticeable only by their absence this year were Ric Wymer’s world-famous Margaritas. We shall all have to grovel a  little more before next year’s event 😦

The band this year were by far better than any previous year and have agreed to entertain us again at any special events we hae in Jakarta and, of course, next year’s Bandung Bash.

Let’s not forget the partners who very graciously provided us with much food, snacks, drinks and of course their loving and enthusiastic support, not least:

Octa for her lunchtime lasagne on Saturday (finished by the time your Editor got there 😦 )

Lis for banana cake in the morning both days and Sunday afternoon lasagne.

Mike Garwood’s maid for the chili bean cook-off Sunday morning

Cheeses, salami, dips, biscuits and all sorts of other good stuff and consumed during the evening meals.

The non-golfers enjoyed the shopping in the city, while the kids enjoyed fishing, swimming and anything else they could get away with. Thanks to all of them, we need your support next year when shopping and all else will be on the menu for your entertainment again of course.

Traditionally known as THE fun event of the year, the Bash proved to be just that again, in fact the best yet in the view of many regulars, and with Newcomer Chris Murchison being heard to say that “this is the best party I have ever been to in my life”.

The year’s event was assisted by a cast of characters that included, but was not limited to, Tuti, Ovcta, Peter, Ric, Graham and Keith who arranged pairings, goodies, food, drinks, prizes, scoring and all the other things that made for a great competition. Many thanks to them all

Golf Highlights (yes, we played some golf too)

Eagle on index #1 to Graham McGeady. Surprised even himself as he spent a couple of minutes looking for his ball before finally checking the hole and finding it in there on the elevated green.

Fourteen birdies all in for the 2 days.

Low Gross on both days was Fernando Gaggino

Low Nett overall Graham McGeady (on a count back and discovered after the event, the President is scurrying around looking for an extra prize 🙂 )

Low Nett day 2 Noemi Roos

Low Putts overall Nicholas Moir

First Birdie day 1 Chris Murchison, day 2 Graham Stallworthy, Mel Meeds

First sandy day 1 Graham McGeady, day 2 Fernando, James Ross

Reka Romango first par >30 handicapper

Longest drive Cucu

Closest to the pin James Ross

Monster Putter Peter Boyd

Moss gross/nett score Mike Romango including a famous 17 on one hole!!

Skirts: Keith Miller, Mel Meeds, Mike Romango, Peter Boyd, James Ross

Detailed score cards will follow as soon as time permits.

Tee Set Matchplay Championship

In amongst all the merriment, there were even some Teeset Machplay 1st round matches in Bandung and here they are:

Geary Bowles beat Mike Garwood, 1 up, winning on the last hole.

Peter Reichlmeier Beat Chris Murchison, 1 up, winning on the last hole.

Ben Kidd beat Jan Jandra in a putt off after being all square after 18 holes.

Shows how good the Tee Set handicaps are – but once again a plea to PLEASE LET JESSE BAKER know of all Matchplay Results as soon as you hae played your game!!!

Next Sunday

The good times continue to roll as we have a special treat for your delectation next Sunday in the shape of the wonderful Rancamaya course and all for the just as wonderful price of 550,00 roops including cart. First tee offs will be at 12:00 from tee boxes 1 and 10 so if you intend to join and haen’t registered already then head over now to the “Yes, I’m Playing!!” page. The Tee Set Schedule page is currently reporting a 9:30 tee of time, this is wrong so be aware that this has changed. We will organise the usual mini bus from Kemang if the numbers justify it – let Tuti know if you would use the service.

Finally, and on behalf of the Committee, I invite all Tee Setters to the 6th annual Bandung Bash at the same time, same place and on a date to be advised but very likely March 2014.

See you on the fairways soon ..

Geoff (Thwaites)

PS from the rest of the committee to the President – well done boss, you done good, thanks for all the effort you put in, great outcome!

And see you next year!!!!