A triumph of hope over recent experience …. everyone who started, finished 🙂

With large parts of Jakarta under water it seemed a little heartless to be worrying about whether Pondok Cabe was playable, however, an early call to the starter confirmed all was good to go, though carts were off the menu unfortunately, leading to the withdrawal of one or two veteran Tee Setters.

The general weather conditions were also to put off a number of the registered while floods took out a couple more, though a surprising number of walk-ons nearly balanced them out and 25 Tee setters were to take breakfast in the dry before the the Starter started getting us away nearly an hour early from one tee box. The rain more or less immediately started again for most of us and continued at a level sufficient to discomfort but not stop us, before finally easing and then stopping completely after an hour or so.

Two Newcomers on the day, so a warm and wet Tee Set welcome to Kieran Ranchod and Martin Skoda; come back again guys, it don’t always rain at Tee Set. Martin came prepared for action with a set of clubs recently purchased from Jl. Surabaya for Rp400K. Considering the advances in golf technology over the last decade or two these clubs should have be consigned to a museum, however, he thought them a real bargain right up until he realised the set had no woods or even a putter!!!

5 Welcome Backs on the day, most notably father and son act, Mark and RJ Kilner, and a John Suermondt freshly returned from Oz and raring to go after the longest Xmas break we have on record. That long break was to be paid for, however, with a trapped nerve or some such bringing about retirement half way for John – and a two hour session on the always welcoming Pondok Cabe pijat couch – while the rest of us enjoyed the excellent playing conditions to be found on the back 9.

The Play

In the absence of our Pawang Hujan, the Grumpy Pirate’s duties were passed to the immediate past President of Everything who wore his lucky black 2011 Tee Set shirt. To this day it has never had a soaking but it is getting a bit on the nose so it might be time for a wash. No matter, the rain stopped after 4 or 5 holes played, so mission accomplished.

Regular winners were at it again with Sam Westen taking Low Gross with a 75, Santi Miller had First Birdie on hole 5 while that master of fringe play, Geoff Thwaites, was on Low Putts with 27.  Mo went for an early “shower” for the second week in a row thus missing out on picking up his winnings for a Low Net 70.

The par 3 17^th is virtually surrounded by sand and Dave Shenman somehow used it to advantage to take 1st (and only) Sandy Par on the day. RJ cranked up his swing back to a blur on the back 9 and improved by 10 strokes. Might be a message there RJ.

The putter that Newcomer Martin Skoda borrowed was not to be to his liking and contributed to his total of 45 putts and the Monster Putter award. Mel Meeds was observed to breathe an audible sigh of relief when he found out he had dodged the bullet coming his way as he had carded 40 putts for the second week in a row. Another audible sigh of relief came from our monkey who is still nursing a black eye from Mel’s over enthusiastic attentions the previous week.

While sharing his flight solely with his nearest and dearest, Mitch Wiener still reported his skirt. Damian Greenwood was the only other skirt and despite leaving very early, insisted on paying his fine and having his cross dressing photo taken.

Well done to both, but only Mitch gets the photo on this occasion; don’t worry Damian, we will get you again!!

Click to see detailed player results or more photos of the day.

Scorecards

The trial of the new scorecards worked pretty well and, most importantly, allowed more efficient data entry to the handicap system – and getting down to prize giving quicker than would otherwise have been the case.

Quality of card completion was rather better than previously but, even so, there were instances of failing to add up the strokes, putts and 18 hole totals, deducting handicap from gross score, entering the starting hole, completing Most Strokes and marking Skirts, yes or no!!

The other thing that needs improving is our communications, we failed to tell you that you and your playing partner should swap cards and mark each other’s scorecards rather than your own!!

With the rainy conditions and cheap paper there was one other challenge as well – but we plan to fix that with heavier gauge and more waterproof printing material next time – when we hope for better things  🙂

Next Sunday

Yes, it’s the last Sunday of the month and therefore the first Monthly Medal of 2014 and, for January only, this will be at Pangkalan Jati. Some minor changes here with the event renamed the “V Door Monthly Medal” – and with a new award for Low Net “The Slaneys Low Net Award“. But remember that a player cannot win more than one award!

Winner of the Stableford based Monthly Medal will receive a 500,000 Rupiah voucher to be used at the eponymous and very popular Kemang bar. The “Slaneys  Low Net Award” winner will get a 500,000 voucher to be spent on the very fine products of Slaneys Butchery.

As ever at PJ, Tee Off will be from 1 & 10 at 11:30, or maybe a little earlier, and with green fees of 565,000 roops, or just 375,000 if walking another very walkable course. Get yourself registered for PJ here for another shot at your 15 minutes of fame.

Also of particular note for 28% of our membership is that Sunday is Australia Day. That will add to the fun and doubtless the rest of us will have to put up with some high jinks – and more talk of Aussie cricketing prowess no doubt 😦

See yah Sunday! … Tee Set