The Day

Ok, so Pondok Cabe tends to divide opinion and the rain and shambolic management made for a miserable start. The Whisperer, pictured above underneath his umbrella rella, was a reluctant starter, but in true form battled on, racking up 27 putts on the first nine (more below). This was a tactical lesson in club choice; most who scored well carried a putter.

As always, things got better. Most players really enjoyed the innovation required in the four club challenge, the weather cleared and the smaller group allowed us to enjoy the space safely. No newcomers this week but great to have Doug (pictured in bright orange above) back after 97 weeks! Scotty returned after 16 weeks to enjoy a surprise victory, well, within the household; we expect Kayla to be back with a vengeance next week with a full set of clubs!

Volker, in his last round with us for a while, shot an excellent net 68 and showed his appreciation to the caddies (pictured above) who helped him through the round. (Editor’s Note: It was predicted in last week’s report that after paying a fine last week he would get his money back quickly…just saying…) Safe travels and see you when you are back! Volker denied Ric glory after a brilliant round of 69. Ric is fresh out of two weeks precautionary isolation, which seemed to help his game, and he is a key advocate for the competition to be held once a year.

The Play

To those familiar with limited club events, including our friends at JAWS who held one co-incidentally at Modern on Friday, they can produce low scores. Players tend to commit to shot choice and focus more on course management. Sunday was no exception. Many players had their best round for weeks and the net winning scores of 70 (A Grade – Roger), 68 (B Grade – Volker) and Michael (C Grade – 75, he was very happy with that!) demonstrated our capacity to adapt. With two contrasting styles, but the same scores on the same front and back nine – 43 and 37, Richard and Sam were impossible to split for Low Gross so were both awarded the cash. Sam was definitely looser as the round went on.

Andy again flew the coop before prizes, and the two most gross (sorry lowest gross) had already collected, so Jari picked up the cash for Most Improved. Tom scored an excellent sandy par on the par 3 15th, a clean contact from the bunker followed by a rocketing 5 metre putt with his 3 wood. Playing in the same group, your scribe took first birdie on the first hole, not pictured here because I’m holding the camera and we don’t do selfies. After first birdie last week on his first hole in his first round, Adrian kept his Tee Set books well in the black, with another 200k for low putts this week.

After a rare “skirt drought” last week, the cross dressers returned in force, three from the same group – Ashadi missed the group photo but we didn’t want him to be left out so got him solo. Tom had to return 50k of his winnings for most strokes and Geoff was the Monster Putter, good to see after a sad start that the day ended with a happy ending, smiling here with his furry friend.

Next Up: Sunday 31 January 2021, Monthly Medal (and Eclectic Showdown), Cengakereng Golf Club, 12 noon, 875k – walking

To be played off the blue tees for men. Yes, the monthly medal is our premier monthly event, played at the quality Cengkareng Golf Club. The price of 875k is for walking but carts or hoverboards can be organised by players at a fee directly through the club. Sign up here as usual.

Starting off tees 1 and 10, this week is also the showdown between the four Tee Setters tied at the end of the last eclectic cycle of 2020: Juju, Jude, Arnold and the more gravity affected of the Craigs. It’s the first time we have had a tied result – all players ending on a score of 56, so it’s into the pressure cooker they go!

All contenders have a clear path to victory!!! They are closely matched on handicap – Arnold and Jude off 16, Juju off 18 and Craig off 19. Arnold’s best chances to improve his score are on holes 3,4, 6,9 and 16; Craig on 2,5,13 and 17, Jude on 2,4,7 and 18, and Juju on 2,15, 16 and 17.

It shapes up as a nail biter and may be decided on the last four holes. At the end of the round we will have a winner!! If players are still tied, then the lowest net score for the day will win the trophy, if equal on net, then the normal countback process will apply to determine a winner, based on the day’s round. This will be the last eclectic at Cengkareng; it will be separated from the Monthly Medal and played over 4 rounds at Imperial, a once a year trophy.

A reminder too that Tee Set Matchplay entries close on Sunday before play and the draw will be announced by Matchplay Supremo “Bags” at the presentation after play. Register here if you have not done so yet.

And finally, a plug for our weekday brothers and sisters in JAWS, many of whom are also Tee Setters, celebrating their First Anniversary on 26 February.