The Day

No prizes for guessing where we played Sunday, the Halim Dua course out on the eastern fringes where a healthy (in numerical terms at least) 32 Tee Setters were to show despite many still taking advantage of the Lebaran break – and despite the massive 45 minute deluge that hit in the middle of what is laughingly known hereabouts as the “dry season”.

We have not played this course as Tee Set since 2011 and, despite that rain, it received a generally favourable rating from those who played (and finished).

A pretty fair course and with the generously wide fairways more than making up for the massive tree formations lined up along most fairways.

Ice boxes full of beer and other beverages located on nearly every tee box certainly added to the course’s appeal.

The greens were very grainy and slow, painfully slow in a number of instances – and the caddies while generally of the old, gnarled and grumpy male variety, did have a few cuties amongst their number.

It will not be 3 years until we return

Johan Stenmark

Just one Newcomer this week in Johan Stenmark while, leading the Welcome Backs list was David Baglivo at 47 weeks. He promises not to be such a bad boy ever again 🙂

The journey to the course in the morning was an absolute delight although, upon arrival, some were told by the starter that Tee Set had no booking.

Moral of the story is that it is ill-advised to ask the starter for any useful information.

The booking was in fact confirmed by three different Tee Set callers during the week, once again proving that the committee is on the ball, contrary to a number of scurrilous rumours.

The morning after the night before ……

All the Usual Suspects turned up at Cecelia’s Cafe in Kemang for the car sharing offered by the Former President of Nearly Everything with his taxi driver hat on.

Those there were to be treated to the sight of George Beverage, following an extended evening in the Blok, throwing back a couple of cans of Schweppes soda water – though half a packet of fags later George was seen to be back on the beer.

What happened to the pulpy, Pulpy?

Ramadan/Lebaran should last 52 weeks of the year in the Tee Set’s humble opinion.

The Play 

Simon Reynolds continued his hot streak and managed to get back his money back via low gross, however, the big winner of the day was Craig Ewers who shot a staggering 9 shots under his handicap to take low net. It should be said that Craig has a strong affinity with Halim 2, being the first course he played upon arrival in Indonesia.

Despite the greens getting a bum rap from some, others found the greens to their liking with Graham McGeady, Nuri Puzey and Chris Smith all finishing on 29 putts.

Mike Webb took money for first birdie while Jaco Zaayman had a mixed day with winning most improved but losing out on the most strokes penalty.

For any remaining doubters, Ivan Byriel once again proved that “first par over 30” is his for the taking and don’t anybody else even attempt to take the title away from him. So long as he can manage to keep that damned handicap up at 30 or over of course.

A rather disappointing skirt count this week, for the Treasurer anyway, of just one – Newcomer Johan Stenmark, who was to cut a remarkable figure as the skirt weaved its customary magic in making a UFO grow out of his head and a bottle of Anker out of his mouth.

Well done Johan, you are our sort of guy.

2014 Tee set Matchplay Championship

Only one Matchplay result to report this week, a really tight one going right down to the wire with David Baglivo prevailing over Nuri Puzey 1 up on the last.

Presidential BBQ

Peter Reichlmeier’s somewhat delayed Tee Set BBQ has now been rearranged for 17th August, starting just as soon as we get back to his place just up the hill from Amigos, Kemang after the round at Pangkalan Jati on that day.

Really no worries if the Prez ets called away on business again or indeed for nuptials related duties, as the VPOMT has the keys to his house and drinks cabinet – and knows how to operate the gas BBQ. Nice one, Ric.

Next Week

The schedule says Bogor Raya which was a bit of a pipe dream really. The BR management finally offered us a late start and a fee of Rp 950K, both well out of our comfort zone for a course so far away. Happily Wina, bless her little cotton socks, came up with a great substitute, the excellent Rainbow Hills – and at a never to be repeated Rp600K all up. Well done, her.

Tee time is 12:30 but, since the course will be quiet, a 12PM tee time is very likely doable so come early. The course is in immaculate condition and, trust us, the restaurant girls add significant colour to the 19th hole experience. Whatever you do, don’t miss this event, unless of course you have more important things to do such as getting married.

So, sign up for what should be a great day in the sun and uninterrupted by rain on a most delightful course, lovely clubhouse and fabulous facilities.

See ya Sunday …. Tee Set

PS no detailed results this week so don’t complain, get a life 🙂