Gading Raya a popular course due to its flat wide layout. I know a few golfers with a fat wide layout but they are not as popular as Gading Raya. The buildings are going through a big renovation and the ladies locker room has been relocated to the ground floor and the restaurant is closed, hopefully for staff training also. TeeSet had nearly a maximum turnout on Sunday with 38 players, one having first traveled to Bogor Raya before returning to Gading Raya. We won’t mention this luckless fellow, ok Claudio your secret is safe with me.

We looked on time for a 12.30 start and Vijay with his late start was able to spend valuable time denied other golfers, practising his chipping and putting. Some guys get all the breaks. As we arrived at the tee box 1 so did the rain. It started as a trickle and turned into a mid-sized storm, you could still see the driving range so not that big according to Jens. After about 15 minutes the rain abated and we were off with Rosita, Siti and Jane in the leading group.

The next two flights had some folk competing in the TeeSet Matchplay opening round, the last group had some folk competing for coin. After we got off the first play was steady but not fast. The first hole the president with a cracking drive over the trees into position A had his match play competitor Jens in serious trouble being a good 50 metres in front of him and easy stricking range of the green. Jens cleared the ditch but pushed it wide, the President craftily stuck it in the canal, Jens visited the bunker the President put it on the green and then nailed a 15 metre putt to match the bogey from Jens but that 24 handicap comes in handy and the free shot on that hole was enough to move one up. The next 15 holes saw the battle sway in both directions until the 16th with another shot in hand the President got the job done. Jens did report that he was once the TeeSet Matchplay champion and it happened after a first round loss. Beware of Jens in round two. The nice thing about matchplay is when you have lost a hole you can practise things you wouldn’t normally try, unless of course you were lucky enough to get to the course early and have a late tee time like Vijay which affords you so much practise time it should be illegal. I think I will use my Presidential powers and move him up the list after the interleague round and ruin his game, through lack of practise.

Occasionally we caught up with the group in front and it looked like trouble for TeeSet Interleague VC Dean in his matchplay against Roger. In the other pairing Douglas was inching ahead of Velma with a fair bit of golf still to play. A brief rainstorm saw the brollys produced but the rain was not heavy enough to stop play. Bags was running hot and cold but finally was getting some nice consistency into the round. On the narrow short par 4 I slammed it into the creek. The caddy for some strange reason was on the stones in the creek carrying 5 golf clubs when BAgs and his caddy pointed out a non- existent snake. Down went the caddy but she was still dry and clubs were still in hand as we scrambled to her assistance she attempted to stand and fell into the deep part of the stream, at least it was fresh due to recent rains. One soggy caddy emerged clasping my clubs and the remnants of her pride when HANDY BAgs arrived towel in hand and commenced to dry her, a knight in shining armour. Two shots later the soggy caddy was replaced with a dry one as the first headed home to have a massage.

Encouraging words from the Matchplay master defending champion, Patrick Chaundy, helped me edge past Jens with 2 to go. A crap 3rd shot gave Jens a good opportunity but his putting on the hole came up short as I nailed a wedge back onto the green. With this talk of match play let’s go to the other winners; Roger barely raised a sweat as he moved past Dean 8 and 7 and Velma pulled off the biggest comeback since Lawrie won the Open, with a 1 hole victory over Douglas, who gave up a 4 point lead with 5 to play. Meanwhile on the back nine Diarmuid was battling Simone with Simone prevailing 5 and 4. We have quite a few first round games completed so please get your match organised ASAP.

On to the day’s winners

Alessandro tamed Gading with a colossal 45 Stableford points. Well done mate.

Hitoshi with a well struck 76 off the stick takes low gross and some money to make up for earlier losses in the day. Please explain?

3 blokes with birdies on their second hole. Well done Jude, Roger, and Fernando. I hope someone helped with Fernando’s laces before he left.

JP had low putts with a very low number of 24. Well done.

Alessandro, the winner of the first diners Handwash trophy. Well done and thanks for dinner.

Next week Pondok Cabe.

The first round of the JIL Matchplay season is at Pondok Cabe. TeeSet are looking at fielding a strong team this year and our team leaders have recruited well. Team will be announced later this week. Those TeeSetters not playing in the JIL please come along and play and support the mighty TeeSetters. Wear red.

Bandung Bash

This is the first of 3 out of town weekends that TeeSet have planned for the year. This is always a good one played on a lovely course. There is a kids fun park now right next door and the toll road drops you nearly at the front gate. The fast train is also an option. Get your name down on the list and have a great Easter golfing in the cool hills at Giri Gahana.

A bit on the side

The President has been running a Ramadhan event for the last 10 years and this is the 11th offering and will be played at Pondok Cabe on Friday the 22nd of March. Cheap religious golf with empty courses, cold beer and light traffic conditions send a message to the President if interested. I will put a MyGolf2U listing up soon.

Adios

Mr President

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