A bridge too far for some?

The day

A day that dawned overcast and rainy was not an auspicious start to our first return to Lotus Lakes, the former Karawang International.

The major difference from last time we were at Lotus Lakes was the magnificent new clubhouse, a clubhouse not so different to that of Genung Geulis externally – but with a hugely more welcoming, less cathedral-like interior.

The new club house and facilities are excellent and the staff very attentive to our needs, with starter Pak Rokib, who is the ex-operations manager at Matoa doing a fine job getting flights away early – and would have been well rewarded with some red ones had he not disappeared home early.

Following an e-mail warning the previous evening, and eager to get off to an early start and surprised by an excellent run on the Cikampek Toll, 36 Tee Setters mainly arrived well before the scheduled 11:47 start – and with the course quiet, Mark Johnson soon leading the first flight out at around 10:30 and the Bunters, Shenmans and others being waved off soon afterwards.

The Former President of Almost Everything was to arrive with the score cards a little before 11, only to be told that 7 had already started – and not just 7 players, but 7 flights!

The day’s administration was aided greatly by Neil Mullins’ outstanding effort, with paper and pen in hand, as he stood in as assistant Secretary, while the Singing President, the Immediate Past President of Some Things and the Former President of Almost Everything brought up the rear.

Net result was for a quick results turnaround when everyone was finally in, and a timely prize presentation – and a quick getaway for those wishing to miss the returning holiday traffic on the Cikampek Tol.

All up, Tee Setters were to enjoy a fine day, though Bill T was to retire half way, doubtless worn out by the traffic infested 4 hour drive from his home in a faraway kampung to the South! (actually only 90 km – ED)

Lotus Lakes is a stunning but difficult course with early strong winds adding distance to an already long course – and with the Orchid layout which we played as the second 9 being as good as any in these parts.

Rain threatened all day but luckily held off.

Excellent facilities made the 600k we paid top value and well worth returning to, perhaps next time with everyone off the white tees.

Notable welcome backs were Sam “Kelly” Westen and James Young, whom we were happy to see coming out of hiding to share flashes of brilliance and, in James’ case lift the volume (if not always the tone) of post-match festivities.

Jame’s also excelled himself with his discovery of the bar’s offering of “Blue Lotus Margaritas”  – a drink that will no doubt be enjoyed in far greater quantity next time we play Lotus Lakes, now we know of its availability 🙂

A number of new Taylor Made R11 driver Xmas presents were in evidence most notably that of the Web Guy who is now putting his drives a full 25 metres further into OB.

The play

Mustafa – long and straight all day …..

In general, scores reflected the challenge of a long and challenging course, the one major exception being evergreen Mustafa who shot a 81 (net 69) to win the major prize, demonstrating that a strong short game is just as important on a long course.

Regular award winners Jan and Leona featured again – Jan not content with a par for handicap over 30, carded a birdie, and Leona saved the Singing President from the monkey by taking Monster Putter.

Jaco and Chris Lever again took out low net awards for their grades, well done.

Among the five skirts, Craig Edwards (heavily disguised in the wig) deserves special mention for an “Air Skirt” on the first tee, his playing partners being not gracious enough to accept it as part of his pre-shot routine – while Leona discovered, as mentioned above, that it is occasionally good to give rather than receive!

Most Strokes on a Hole not awarded due to, erm, administrative challenges.

Your feedback please

Your committee at least tries to always act in the best interests of the membership. It can only do this by listening to what you have to say and never a Sunday passes without “interesting ideas” being “run up the flag pole”.

It is clear that some of the occasionally beer fueled flights of fancy can be discounted out of hand, while some are grand fathered and gleefully taken up, however, some are in-between and a topical case in point is the question of whether we should use the white or “members” tees for some players, based perhaps on grade (C grade is HC >25) and/or age.

We welcome your feedback on the issue by close of play on Wednesday – and will advise the results in our next post.

Next up

Our short but passionate relationship with Imperial Golf Klub with a K continues next weekend having taken the place of Gading Raya in the schedule as a result of the latter’s over ambitious pricing aspirations. Hardly an inferior substitution give Imperial coming runner-up only to Rancamaya in our recent poll of Tee Setters favourite course.

Unless Gading moderates its aspirations for a group of 40-50 players on a late Sunday start then we have undoubtedly played our last round there unfortunately.

Imperial now needs little introduction as we have played there three times in little more than 4 months – and a grand addition to the Tee Set mix it has proven, being an excellent and relatively “Tee Set friendly” course with superb facilities and excellent staff. Add to all this its relatively rain free location and the completion of the JORR making getting there and back a relative breeze, absent “help” from Michael Seabrook that is, and you can expect Imperial to become one of the staples of the Tee Set golfing calendar.

An 11:30 start from two tee boxes as usual with reasonable green fees of just 675,000 including shared cart. Don’t miss the fun, sign up here for Tee Set Sunday.

See ya at Imperial!! … Tee Set

Lotus Lakes, ah, right …..