An elite field of TeeSet golfers assembled at Pondok Cabe last Sunday. Pondok Cabe, a vastly improved golf course since Covid, and attractively priced, except for the canned beer in the clubhouse. The canned beer on the course is so attractively priced that you would be a bit foolish to carry your own. But we are not here to discuss beer prices but the events of last Sunday, as we could talk about beer forever.

The day was mildly overcast as we pulled into Pondok Cabe and took immediate advantage of their ample parking. Overcast is the polite way we Jakartans say pollution. Jakarta the world’s most overcast city sounds so much better than, Jakarta, the world’s most polluted city.  Anyway I digress seems to be happening more frequently, I need to get rid of that aluminum kettle.

Quite a few golfers were over on the driving range, practicing, warming up their irons and wedges. I believe saying a prayer to St Andrew and lighting a candle can be just as effective as practice and there are other gods that can be called on as well as patron saints as the round continues. You can’t practice once the round starts, but my rabbit’s foot is always there in my pocket, guiding me from one calamity to the next. Superstitions and invoking immortal beings is what gets me through most rounds and in fact life in general. The higher the hair the closer to heaven.

Warming up in the clubhouse with a coke and a smoke with Axel,  who was having a cold Bintang to grease the joints, and proudly displaying his new weapons from Cobra. We both agreed that the head covers would be lucky to last until Xmas. Nicolas was back after a brief holiday in France to bring Reni home. He was also having a refreshing ale. Now I am starting to think religion, beer or practice. Both the aforementioned golfers are single figure handicappers. What’s seperates us? I never have a beer before the game. So light a candle and bang down a beer and your round will be built proof. No need for practice.

The starter got TeeSet off to an early start with the first flight heading off at 11.30ish. The greens seemed a bit slower than usual but the dry firm conditions on the fairways allowed plenty of roll, and banging in a few worm burners had similar distance results as going to the air. Tom tried both methods for reasonable results. Tom was long and strong from the tee box on most holes and his work around the green was pretty handy, and 29 with the flat stick was good enough to pinch the low putts for the day as Mr Mau had taken an early leave.  Playing in this group was Steve Lowry who has replaced his trusty 5 iron off the tees with a handy 3 wood which keeps him close to the blokes swinging the drivers. It is also handy for the next shot on a par 5. But the sweetest part of Steve’s game on Sunday were his immaculate flop shots to the pin, a pleasure to watch.

The day falling a few days after the 78^th anniversary of Indonesian Independence saw some of the women and a couple of men decked out in their Merdeka outfits.

The course for most of the day had the joyful tunes of dangdut music in the air. Three signs of being in Indonesia too long, 1. You think the Kijang/Innova is a good car, 2. When you dance your thumbs are up 3. You don’t notice the traffic. Talking of dancing and music, the laughter from the ladies flight of Cucu, Rosita and Eli was frequently heard from behind hedge rows. The ladies don’t invoke divine intervention on the golf course they just have fun.

 I bumped into Douglas Ure on the 3^rd he was in the group behind but a long shot with a nice fade from tee box 2 meant we crossed paths. We crossed paths vocally a few holes later when he was standing on the 8 whilst playing the 6^th as I sent a wayward ball in his direction with a yell of fore. Gods were called upon.

It was on the 8^th with the cart parked safely on the 9^th tee, or so we thought, that excitement hit. The caddy having left the cart with clubs was making her way to the green when it was noticed the cart was moving backwards. Lighting candles, invoking saints and even practice couldn’t stop this cart once it got rolling, but the solid brick shelter could. I believed this may have been an attempt on the President’s life. Brimob have been contacted.

All golfers were back in the clubhouse shortly after 4. No major blow outs just the usual BS about putts missed and chips thinned. A few relaxing beers and a feed and it was onto the prizes.

Great work by Nicolas with 39 Stableford points leading a strong field home.

Sam, once again in the money with best low gross.

A jubilant Albert takes the prize for first birdie, a more jubilant Sari, takes the prize from Albert.

For 29 putts Tom temporarily holds his prize before it moved to a more permanent home in Cucu’s purse.

MISSING A PHOTO OF ALESSANDRO WHO HAD THE FIRST SANDY PAR.

Next Sunday Kojo Monthly Medal Cengkerang

TeeSet once again return to the home of the Medal, Cengkerang. A wonderful course located next to the world class facility that is Sukarno-Hatta International Airport. The medal is a handicap stroke play event with men playing from the Blues and ladies from the Reds. There have been quite a few ladies take the medal so far this year. If you need a cart you will need to book it as there are not many. Make sure you register on MyGolf2U to see if you have what it takes to win it. I have a box full of candles.

40^th Birthday Texas Scramble September 10^th

The field is growing please reply here or via the whatsapp TeeSetters group if you wish to join. You can sign on as an individual or a group. We have the usual skill hole prizes with a bit of a twist. We also have a great selection of lucky draw prizes. We would like to thank our current sponsors Hot Head, Asian Tiger Removals, JIIB Financial and JS Luwansa, if you would like to help sponsor this event speak to someone on the committee, myself or Adhe. The day is shaping up as a real fun days golf. Expect to stay longer after the Scramble to celebrate the 40th in style.

Asian Tigers 45 hole Jagorawi Charity Challenge 1st Sept

A great event to test your golfing endurance on foot over 45 holes, or you can take the easier option 18 holes in a cart. Whatever you choose you will be helping the survival of the Sumatran Tiger. If you wish to play contact Isma Wootten ismawootten@golfeventsindonesia.com or ask Bill Lloyd. A premier cause and a premier day’s golf.

Adios fellow TeeSetters

The President

Candles+Beer = low score