The day

46 Tee Setters showed up to Imperial in the most glorious weather in order to chance their arm at becoming the 24th Monthly Medal Winner. With all except Wina there in at least good time, we were all breakfasted and ready to go for if the Starter were to call us a little early.

Unfortunately, our roaming spies were to report five or more groups of non-Tee Setters still infesting both the 1st and 10th tees, reports that were to prove accurate unfortunately – and with inevitable consequences for us getting off; 45 minutes late minimum and worse on the 1st hole than the 10th if anything 🙂

Even the caddies struggled to find the clubhouse

To add to our woes, the clouds were to come over and the heavens open to the accompaniment of lightning an hour or so into the round, bringing about a 20-30 minute rain stop for most.

Remarkably, all groups got through and put in their cards, though the later ones finished in near total darkness. Well done all.

Overall it has to be said that with its attractive rates and otherwise fine and friendly service, we can’t complain too much.  Last time we played monthly medal at Matoa it was no better, and most will agree that Imperial offers better golf and post-match views. We have however made representations in the appropriate quarters – and hope for much better next month.

Well done on avoiding the skirt, Kevin!

A warm Tee Set Welcome to Kevin Quinn on his first round with us – and Welcome Backs after lengthy breaks to Rasmus Kilde and Giles Taarland – and to Mark Kilner, Anirudh and Tarun after slightly shorter absences.

Rasmus has been in Indonesia for some 13 years now and this was his third round with us – but this one only two and a bit years after the last, he is definitely getting more regular.

The debate about hitting off white or blue tees flared again with those in favour of the white tees, at least for C graders, arguing that they are called the members tees and give more players an opportunity of going for par 4 greens in regulation.

Those against simply say, why change? …  and prefer to play off championship tees (blue) every week.   And both men and women don’t want to give up distance to C graders off the tee in Matchplay.  So, let it rage on for another week or so, and the Committee will rule on a proposal to make playing off the white tees compulsory for C Grade players and what to do about Matchplay.

In the interim please note that play off the white tees are ALREADY permissible for the 65 (years of age) and overs and C Graders – you just have to tell us so that we get your handicap right. It is however a once and for all decision in most circumstances.

The play

If you don’t have the eyesight of a Garuda then you may wish to click on the above to see the Rancamaya results in full size.

The month’s principal honours and a place on the Monthly Medal shield goes to Thurmond Borden who played one of his finest rounds ever to take out the Monthly Medal and the virtual Slaney’s meat voucher, with 40 Stableford points.  The real vouchers for Thurmond and one or two previous winners are waiting on Ric meeting Dick on licensed premises.

Some fine rounds were played in spite of the rain, with Simon Reynolds again winning low net with 82 and three net winners shooting under par, Fernando with 71, Chris Lever keeping up his fine Interleague form with a 70 and another Matchplay victory this time over Peter, and Jaco with a 69 off his adjusted handicap of 29 to demonstrate his steady improvement.

Most improved thanks to a  very wayward front nine went to Glenn with 13, the Former President of Almost Everything won first sandy par on the 1^st hole before the skies fell in as he carded a quite sensational 64 on the front 9. Welcome Backer Giles Taarland hit the jackpot in taking the red one for a 255 meter drive – and 6 of Santi’s pies in the absence of the winner of the CLosest to the Pin.

Worthwhile reminding all, as we must do periodically, of the Tee Set “Rule” that your presences at Prize Giving is compulsory if you are to receive a prize, so be there or be square – and no tears.

First birdie went to Murcho, while King won first par over 30 handicap in amongst his best ever Tee Set round, a Ricard fuelled round of course – and motivated by the promise of a frozen Margarita or three at the finish.

Special mention has to go to Jess today for a remarkably mixed bag of results – going down to the steady Leona 8 and 6 in Matchplay but taking the prize for Nearest to the Pin.  Jess’s accuracy was short-lived however as he combined a skirt and monster putter with as astonishing 55 blows of what must have been a not-so-flat stick.

2015 Tee Set Matchplay

There were a number of notable match play tussles, among them the “Presidents Cup”, with Former President Geoff Thwaites up against the Singing President, in a match of two halves – the Singing President getting to 6 up before the Caddy Whisperer, known for his strong ANZAC fighting spirit, opened his first beer, started talking dirty again and pegged it back to 1 up with 2 to play, before the Singing President stopped the rot with a par on the 17^th to avoid an historic come back or choke (depending on your point of view).

Other results we know of from Sunday

Lever/Groen 5/4
McQuatar/Kaempt 8/7
Leona/Jess 8/6

Some demonstrations in there that handicaps don’t always fully level the playing field.

Perhaps the outstanding news of the day, however, was the length of the Skirts list as some 13 of you, or nearly one in three of the 41 Tee-Setters playing who shave most mornings, failed to make it to one or more of the ladies tees.

Yes, a new record of 13 of us took the cross dressing route today, beating the title proudly held by Senayan for 14 months until today. A special thank you to you all from the Treasurer.

Most notable amongst the notables was Fernando recording his first ever skirt in his 45th round with Tee Set, at least he had plenty of company.

As you may deduce, many skirted off (sic) early and missed the photo, rather less forgivably two of then without paying their 50,000 roops fine  …don’t worry, we will track you down, we know where you live 🙂

Imperial Champions Trophy (Eclectic)

We promise to report the current status of the Imperial Champions event, an “eclectic” based on best net scores per hole on all rounds at Imperial, on Thursday.   The leaders after two rounds were Tom Grace and Cucu – but who knows where the hell it stands now? – watch this space.

Rancamaya “Stay & Play”

Everything well in hand and rooms booked for all who have registered to date. If you now book then note that not all room types are available – with the more exotic ones in particular being in short supply.

As mentioned by the Singing President today, some pretty crap budgeting has left us with a surplus of funds and Tee Set will be subsidising accommodation to the extent of 12 million roops – this will be distributed in the form of vouchers with a value based upon how many times those staying overnight on the Saturday have played since the last Tee Set Championship.

The last qualifying round for these purposes was today, and the latest time for being included in the scheme is tomorrow, Wednesday 29th April – so register NOW if you haven’t done so already, there have been enough opportunities so, once again, no tears.

Next up

It is all of an astonishing seven months since we last played that magnificent mountain course, Gunung Geulis (cries from off-stage of “sack the committee”). Not totally surprising however as it is in the Bogor area and therefore best avoided from November until March as a minimum.

A noon tee off from 1 & 10 – but whether West or East not known as usual, but green fees including cart of a definite 750,000 roops.

Sign up here as usual for what should be a cracking day regardless of West or East.

See ya Sunday!! … Tee Set