The Day
Getting to Gunung Geulis is a challenge at the best of times but, on a long weekend, many Tee Setters had other plans and even of those who had committed, many either got stuck in Puncak traffic and arrived very late or were forced to compete for the Vasco da Gama Award and explore the back roads of West Java.
Old hands knew to seek advice from the club in advance and took the route past Rainbow Hills while some first timers followed Google Maps and found themselves snaking through narrow half made village roads and eventually entering the golf course through the back gate, completing the last part of their magical mystery tour between holes on the course’s maintenance roads.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight promised pre-game entertainment but delivered sedation for the early comers and they gladly took off at 12 noon as scheduled, before many had even arrived. Regrettably the Gaisler family arrived so late they decided to skip golf and have lunch before braving the trip back.
No shows and latecomers put the flights coordinator into a mental tailspin and he was eventually to just fill the first couple of flights with people who were actually present – and at 12:00 buggered off to play himself in the second group off 10, leaving latecomers to sort out their own fate – something at which they were conspicuously successful.
The weather was also to be rather unkind, with the start in a light drizzle which became stronger for a few minutes around the 3rd hole before stopping – only to return towards the end when conditions could only be described as “English grim” with the mountain air turning very cold and high winds driving the rain – and making all the Pommies homesick! (and a few Kiwis – ED)
Gunung Geulis is a true gem, with established landscaping and breathtaking views, starting with the Big Drop on the first hole.
Even in the rain it was all a welcome break from the concrete jungle that is Jakarta and many came through with very solid rounds. Taking just a little of the shine off the wonderfulness were several greens having been recently cored and sanded.
Among the brave hearts were Anthony King and Mark Fiorella, welcomed back after 22 and 10 weeks away respectively and who went straight back to battle in the Matchplay with Mark giving Anthony a “dog license” – winning by 7 and 6.
With the long weekend and the likely Puncak traffic clearly in mind, many were eager to get home at some time before next week and set off immediately with scant regard for forgoing their prizes. Those who stayed for a while to break bread with their brethren were surprised by the unbelievably traffic-free run home – and are still all in shock from a journey of just 60 minutes door-to-door.
The Play
Anlo had a fine day, finishing on top of both Low Gross and Low Net A grade, sparking a discussion over which prize had priority. Fortunately, Mark, who had come second in both categories was not there, so Anlo was recognised for both.
We would confirm that Tee Set, as is tradition, gives precedence and greater honour to the lowest net result (“Tee Set is a Net Golf Society”: P. Reichlmeier, Newsletters passim) so expect this for future events when both winners are actually present at prize giving.
As the scores show, a decent proportion of Tee Setters relished the course and shot their best rounds for a while, while others struggled. Both Santi “Mrs Pie” Miller and the Singing President fell victim to the first hole with both the “Big Drop” and the pot bunkers eating up 15 and 10 strokes respectively.
The Web Guy, aka Mr.Pie, was for the second consecutive week, able to master the art of fringe dwelling in taking Lowest Putts, this time with a relatively high 30 on difficult greens
Jan and Anthony making up in enthusiasm for what they lacked in numbers
Geoff “Scam Buster” Thwaites, a title he for some reason prefers to his other ones of “Caddie Whisperer” and “Leader of the Bash”, came back from last week’s disappointment with a vengeance, claiming Low Net B Grade with a 71.
Geoff again avoided his skirt photo, but remaining cross-dressers, Anthony and Jan were more than comfortable without Geoff joining them.
Anthony won his skirt money back with Most Improved after a terrible first 9 (for him) of 53.
Leona, one of three wet Czechs playing through the rain, again featured in the winners circle taking Low Net C Grade, with Jan also battling through and Ales opting for the comfort of cart and caddy after a 10 on the 16th and a wayward drive on the 17th.
Leona also had the first par for an over 30 handicap but had already won her prize – no doubt she will compete again with Jan, John S and others for that next week!
Rancamaya “Stay and Play”
37 Players and 19 significant other are all booked into 28 rooms for the Rancamaya Weekend 16th/17th May, a weekend that promises to be a cracking event – with two rounds on the finest course in Jakarta @ 610,000 roops a pop – and heavily discounted rooms, a Bouncy Castle, Jazz Band, BBQ and enough tinctures to float an Italian Cruise Liner – and all on Tee Set.
Those who have already joined can check that we have them on the list here while for those who haven’t signed up then there is still time to make sure you experience the fun – and of course you’re very welcome to just roll up on the Sunday morning for the usual Tee Set round at 11:30.
HOGFest
Sales a little better for the HOGFest event next Saturday evening but we are still looking for more Tee Setters to join us in supporting those awfully disadvantaged Indonesian kids afflicted with cleft palate and cleft lip – and have great fun at one of Jakarta’s signature events where we hope to have 2 Tee Set tables.
The Hogfest is the evening before our next round so just drop us a line here to reserve your ticket and we will make sure they get to you or you can pick them up at the door. Tickets are just 700,000 roops pop, a sum that will be matched by Tee Set up to a maximum of 10 million so, don’t be shy, as you will be greatly supporting those kids as well as having fun!
Next up
Anyone who has played there will tell you that Rainbow Hills is a quite fantastic course – and Tom and Cucu played it last Saturday and confirmed it is in tip-top condition. 2 shot penalty, guys; each.
Green fees of just 728,000 including shared cart and with a tee time of 12 noon. Getting there early gets you time to take breakfast and marvel at the Mountain views and indeed the traditional but updated with modernity skirts of the lovely waitresses. Sign up here as usual.
See ya over the Rainbow, Dorothy! …. Tees Set
Tee Set 
