The Day

Well done Rika, our Monthly Medallist for January, a great round of 44 points. An all round display of fine fashion and fine golf – consistent driving, clean chipping off muddy lies, solid putting, Rika has signalled that her handicap will drop fast, as she thrives from the competition, especially with hubby Matt – no gimmies in that couple.

A very warm welcome back to Chowvalit, one of our original Thai guys, after 272 weeks away. Welcome also to newcomers, Jake and Dyta, both of whom featured in presentations.

Our photos today tend to focus on the clubhouse, as the course, normally pristine, was a muddy mess. With so much rain lately, the staff did well to keep it open for us. As usual a great atmosphere in the club afterwards, open air, great food and well spaced for safety. Play was slow leading to a late finish for many, more on that later, not the club’s fault this time.

The Play

There were two official competitions, and lots of side shows, going on. In the eclectic showdown, held to break the tie in the last 2020 eclectic round, Arnold came through to improve his score by 4 shots and add the ugliest of Tee Set’s trophies to his 2020 Matchplay win. Jude collected the 200k that he missed out on last time.

The eclectic now moves to Imperial, over four rounds, one competition only per year.

In the Monthly Medal Competition, Rika (above) blitzed the field, hubby Matt won Low gross with a very solid 77, Sami and Lis (pictured somewhat awkwardly here – not sure what’s going on) took A and B on count backs and Jari, who currently squeezes into C Grade, took the honours there. Adrian continued his cash bonanza with another prize for longest drive (255m/280 yards) joined by Juju (168m/185yards). Bristow, James Bristow, took Low Putts with an outstanding 26. Michael, who I think was overlooked on the day, was later awarded first Birdie (cheque is in the mail, mate), after Adrian and Jari won other prizes – his picture snuck in here with COVID hair. Robert (in my favourite photo of the day) won Most Improved (aka Last to Sober Up), Jake took first sandy and Dougie – who left before prizes, I’m told, to get more Scotch – took Nearest to the Pin (164cm/66 inches).

Not to be forgotten, our battlers, including what we feel may approach a record for putts, thanks Dyta, on your first outing, for being such a good sport and getting value for money out of your time on the greens. A very healthy harvest of skirts, four from the same pairing, and Mike taking most strokes, seen here blocking out Ric’s words of encouragement.

Pace of Play: A “Not so” Gentle Reminder

The biggest factor that turns people off Sunday rounds is slow play. Now, normally this has been caused by course management slotting outside pairings onto the 1st and 10th holes at our half way point, but this week it was all our fault, and the marshalls issued warnings, more than once. So, during COVID there are usually 10 minutes between flights. Each group starts ten minutes apart and should finish 10 minutes apart, not 30 minutes apart.

Under USGA rules, which we follow:

Players should play at a prompt pace throughout the round. Players are both allowed and encouraged to play “ready golf” in a safe and responsible way (Rule 6.4b) and should make a stroke in no more than 40 seconds (Rule 5.6b).

Get your gloves on or off on the way to a tee or green. Hit provisional balls if you are not sure where your ball landed. Spend three minutes only looking for a ball and don’t involve the whole group; if you can’t find it, take a two shot penalty and play from the fairway in line with where you saw your ball headed. Aim to keep up with the group in front, not the group behind. Read your putts on the way to your ball, not after your playing partners’ putts. Gently nudge each other along. Walk to your ball, play ready golf. Award gimmies, if within a grip from the hole, or, if your playing partner has already reached over 7, be a bit more generous. There’s no point rubbing it in.

Under USGA rules, stroke penalties are given for slow play, but we don’t want to get to that stage, so please regulate it yourselves. Faster play is better for your golf and it’s fairer for all of us.

Next Up: Sunday 7 February 2021, Gading Raya, 11.30am 850k with carts

Sticking to the west of Jakarta during the rainy season, with slightly less chance of rain, we head to Gading Raya. Nominate your preferred tee box in the comments box, along with any pairing preferences, when you register here. Remember, all through the rainy season, we are playing a local rule for preferred lies (lift, clean and place).