The day

The trip to Padang Golf Modern in Tangerang has its own unique navigational challenges with a number of tricky manoeuvres required to find the course once off the Merak tol.

23 Tee Setters managed to find the course, however, with a steady stream of registrations right up to the official tee time of 12:04.

The starter did offer an 11:30 start since the course was quiet, something which rather prompts the question as to why the earliest tee time we could book was 12:04; maybe 11-12am is reserved for members only?

With 3 groups off from each of the two tee boxes made available, the round got off to a flying start and the pace was to continue throughout the day, this despite the oppressive humidity, with rounds of from 4hrs to 4hrs 15 minutes being typical which meant the 19^th hole banter back in the club house got started in record time.

Nearly all players hung around after the game for a bite to eat, cold beer and to sample some of John “Malty” Suermondt’s single malt.  Quality of food was good and the service excellent – and only marred somewhat by the 535% markup on the wholesale price of beer to 64,130 roops

Last time out, Pieter and Deddy Groen would have earned the Vasco de Garma award however they never managed to find the course so went shopping instead. This time around they gave themselves plenty of lead time just in case history repeated itself but somehow managed to take the correct turns and arrived a full 3 hours before tee off 🙂

That’s a lot of time to kill on the practice green but it was still not enough to save Deddy from the highest putts category for the day with 39. Her time might have been better spent in the club house drinking beer with the rest of us!

Although we’ve had a few SNAFUS in the past with overbooking, the management outdid themselves today with hospitality and organisational skills second only to Imperial.

A dedicated check in table was provided with two lovely hostesses, lovelies whom Mel Cantarella immediately endeavored to get to know better as you see.

A special area was made available for us in the restaurant and carts were lined up ready to go with signs identifying our group and starting tee boxes.  They even printed special score cards with a Tee Set header.  A rare case in Indonesia of the meeting and beating of customer expectation? In any event well done, Modern.

A very healthy four Newcomers to report this week, a welcome to them all, Manfred Borer, Mike Dougherty on a holiday visit from the US,  Fanny Lie and an Edward Ng making his maiden appearance on the green stuff from the joys of the driving range.

Particularly pleasing was to see another addition to our lady members in Fanny Lie who was to make a sound start with us today, while Ed took to being a Sunday cross-dresser for the first time with good grace!

Biggest welcome back was Dede who last played at the 2014 Tee Set Championship while in second place with a modest 12 weeks, and making a periodic visit from the US to reacquaint himself on the Jakarta traffic situation, was Rusty Witwer. Welcome Back all.

In summary, and despite the extortionate beer prices, a great day’s golf was enjoyed by all and there are certainly plenty of reasons to return (with a packed essky) to Padang Golf Modern some time soon.

All made it home safely so no Vasco de Garma award this week, though Malty gets the award for longest one sided conversation spoken during a 1 hour car ride to Star Deli. Brenda has been promised ear plugs before the next trip.

The play

The flyer for today’s event promised a Tee Set friendly course but it has  to be said there were a number of elements that rather belied that expectation, with the rough claiming many a ball and resembling the challenge thrown out to pros in tournament play, while the bunkers were deep enough to be straight out of a links course design, requiring side-ways shots to exit in some cases.

mmmm, putter?

One young caddy, perhaps tired of watching her boss butcher a number of shots climbed in to show him how it’s done.  At fault, taking 4 shots out of a bunker on his way to 10 on the par 3 #11, was of course the Former President of Almost Everything.

James Ross once again shot under his handicap with 69 to take low net B grade while Tom Alcedo with 72 took C grade. Tom also managed to get his Slaney’s beef voucher after taking out the monthly medal way back in December 2014. Proves the old saying that all good things come to those who wait.

The monthly medal shield showed up on the presumption that last week’s winner Koen Verheyen would be onboard for a victory snap missed last week, however, domestic matters got in the way so both Fernando and Malty stepped in to take Koen’s place.

Of the 21 blokes in a position to earn a skirt today nearly 20% of the group succumbed, thereby achieving immortality in our Hall of Skirt Infamy.

A couple of regulars there in Mel and Malty but who’s that hiding under the wig? Welcome to Tee Set, Ed.

More detailed, player by player by results here while more photos of a fine day are on the Tee Set Gallery.

2015 Tee Set Matchplay

Just the one match play result to report from today with Mustafa prevailing 2 up after a prolonged up and down battle with Mark Fiorello. The closeness of the game is reflected in their net scores with Mark shooting 71 and Mustifa’s 69 taking low net A grade. The consolation prize for Mark was taking low gross with 82.

Next up

It’s a relatively quick return to the lovely Palm Hill next Sunday after our excellent outing there back in April.

Palm Hill is deservedly one of Tee Setters favourite courses and, with a 12 noon tee off and reasonable green fees etc including compulsory shared cart of 708,000, it will be a great and relatively wallet-lite day.

Sign up here as usual to join in the fun.

See ya at Palm Hill!! …. Tee Set