The Day

For the first time in memory of most Tee Setters, except Ric of course, we had the opportunity to play at one of Jakarta’s finest courses, Cengkareng.  Special thanks to Keith and Cengkareng GM Kurt for working through an arrangement that will hopefully have us there 6 times through 2016.

Cengkareng is a walking only course, which attracted and tested the 65 Tee Setters who showed up.  The frozen margaritas served on the course and at the after-match were much needed to quench the thirst, lower the body temperature and replace carbs lost during the rounds – although there were some asking for more tequila!

Lots of newcomers, welcome backs and a record number of 14 women playing – a key objective of the 2016 Committee championed by the incoming Vice President. Unfortunately the VP was travelling so was not able to see his dream materialise, but a quick analysis of previous high attendances by the Web Guy showed a preference for certain good courses.

Another factor is the number of couples who are now joining Tee Set , with many women taking up golf for the first time: Liz Wymer (picture here), Dietha  Reichlmeier  and a range of returning Tee Set regulars such as Lina, Leona, Jana, Barbora, Tetty and Wina.  Get the word out – more women are most welcome!

Most of ’em

Overall the day was a great success with 30 minute trips to and from the course, great food and friendly staff.  Play was a bit slow, particularly on the first nine making the last flights finish in twilight, so we are working on that with the GM Kurt and hope to correct it for next time.

The Play

Cengkareng’s wide fairways and escape zones give relief to the wayward but the large, undulating greens test the low handicappers, so it was not surprising that there were many good but few blistering scores carded.  Joseph – pictured (76) and Barbora (79) both returned sub 80 rounds which we like to see for Low Gross contenders, with probably the largest number of rounds in the 80s returned by Tee Set in one round.

Santi had a great back nine of 38 to take out Low Net A Grade with 71, Low B Grade was shared by 4 on net 67 including father and son, Jaroslav and Daniel, joined by Tom and James. I had promised to photoshop Jaroslav in to the winners photo below as he was missing in shower but my skills have their limits.  Cucu had her best round to win with a 67 net, photographed here in action – with a swing like that there is nor surprise she outdrives many of our guys.

Winners of skills prizes were Matt (1st birdy), Jaco (for first sandy – staying in the winners’ circle after his historical handicap revision of 13 strokes for exceptional torunament performance), Pascal for first par over 30 handicap, Dede for Most Improved with a best 49 on the back nine and Mark keeping up his outstanding average with 28 putts.  Photos here.

Of course with our numbers and the large gaps to the ladies tees, we were bound to have a decent harvest of skirts and we did with 11, with the following pictured brave and proud enough to face the photo:

The Former President of Some Things found himself funding the Most Strokes fine with Dietha temporarily OB – the award was shared with Matt Davis on 12 strokes – but Matt had already contributed with his skirt.  Mike Riley took out the final booby prize for Monster Putter with an impressive 48 strokes…good effort Mike.

And finally, thanks to camera work of Santi and Brenda, some action shots, highlighting the day that was: Mike and Arthur welcoming Nuri and Matt back; Andrew showing off his new Christmas golf gear; Murcho and Joe practising tai chi while Anlo talks handicaps with Jaco; Joseph striding purposefully to his 76, and Keith and Tom showing the different ways of getting the ball in the hole.

Next up

A distinct change in course price and quality, Halim 2, is always a lot of fun.  Free lessons from the caddies and lots of bargains at each hole as the free marketeers sell everything from beer to gloves to Oakley shades and Ping drivers. Tee time and prices to be announced through the week but aim for 1130 tee off and we should be right. Register here as usual.

Halim 2 is not available. You will note a change to this in the update above.