Sunday’s championship round started early for some of us. There were bars to be set up, food counters prepared, goody bags stuffed, Bloody Marys to be tested, score cards arranged, course conditions checked, Bloody Marys to be tested, trophies to be organised, hot dog van to be positioned, Bloody Marys to be tested, smoothie temperatures and distribution to be organised and finally, Bloody Mary’s to be tested.

A few keen golfers were at the driving range, which is a long way from where breakfast and bloody Marys were being served. Others were pitching and putting in front of the clubhouse, The serious golfers were having omelettes, croissants and Bloody Marys. The crowd was starting to grow and the room was buzzing, which always seems to happen to me after 5 or 6 Bloody Marys. Flights had been settled and groups were figuring out their starting hole. Rod was handing out the lovely DOGS scorecards. A few late arrivals and a couple of no shows and we were off to start our carts, armed with smoothies and , dare I say it, Bloody Marys, woohoo! Carts going in all directions, very reminiscent of the opening scenes of that high water mark of American television, The Banana Splits https://youtu.be/XMl6HnhFFIA?si=4MayBcNWcWmeEcix. The Splits seem to bear a close resemblance to the current committee.

We had a shotgun start and there was a sea of red shirts spread across the picturesque Pondok Cabe Course, which had been well watered by Indra the God of rain the previous day. Match Play champ, Patrick, was the designated driver and managed to find every bump and crevasse on the way to the 16th and made a few new ones, damn hard to keep the Bloody Mary in the jar. Shotgun start it may have been but 5 flights of Korean golfers playing through from the 15th slowed the start on the 16th. This gave us plenty of time to warm up and listen to Dean’s tale of his new golf clubs. Brand new clubs being transported between Canberra and Sydney and comfortably run over and crushed by Qantas baggage handlers (or the scab labour Joyce replaced the previous professionals with). Poor Dean was nearly in tears as he recounted the story. Well, he’s out of contention I thought as I planned my assault on the trophy. Finally it’s time, The President leads us off with a high and wide, very wide, yes on the other fairway wide drive, on the widest fairway on the course. 18 holes latter after a beer and a hot dog at Hot Hed Dog Bar and beer at all the beer stops we arrived back at the clubhouse the less said about that round the better.

Don’t blame it on the sunshine
Don’t blame it on the fairways
Don’t blame it on the good times
Blame it on the Bloody Marys

Back in the safety of the clubhouse I was comforted by the tales of woe from far more gifted golfers than myself, it seemed a few golfers had succumbed to the wiles of Pondok Cabe which was in nothing short of excellent condition. Bill Lloyd made his excuses finally succumbing to the effects of a couple of weeks of business travel and then staying late at the St Andrews gala. The upside to this meant more adult beverages for the rest of us.

Viboon oversaw a sumptuous fusion feast of Thai, Indonesian and Japanese delights. This buffet was definitely one of the day’s many highlights with people throughout the night remarking on how wonderful it was. Great job Mr Mee.

Let’s get to the winners.

John is this years champion. Congratulations on a fine around and a well earned victory. Net 69

Axel had an excellent round to take a well deserved 2nd place

David, sometimes known as Bags, kept his game together to fend off many others for 3rd place.

Richard & Nicolas could not be separated and are both very deserving winners of this year’s George Bevege Memorial championship low gross.

Patrick is the TeeSet 2023 Match Play Champion

Diarmuid a gallant second place in this year’s TeeSet match play.

Other winners we had on the day were the most improved male & female golfers, with Bull & Vine Vouchers going to Dean. Diarmuid, Rosie and Shinta. These 4 players have steadily improved their games over the past 18 months and improvement is what helps make golf fun.

After the prize giving we were entertained by Chico Funk with assisting singers Jane, Viboon & Craig. Dancing and the serving of adult beverages continued far into the night, briefly halted to celebrate Sami’s birthday. Try as we might we only managed to finish all of the San Miguel product but we still have a few half full bottles of spirits which we may give away in next seasons lucky draws. Half bottles are better than no bottles. It was great to see so many people letting their hair down and having fun, but I believe the Peacock was having the most fun. It was good to see Santi again, visiting from England and Malty John visiting from Australia. Vincent tried all the drinks twice, by the look on his face. I wanted to but did thrice instead.

The Committee and myself would like to thank the sponsors this year. Corporate; San Miguel, Hot Hed, Asia Serv, JS Luwansa, Kojo and the Wine Cartel. Also Individual sponsors Sam Westen & David Baglivo, Mr President.

The President would like to thank the members of his committee, Roger, Dean, Bill, Sam & Craig. Behind every despot is a group of henchmen that quietly go about the business of making TeeSet a great success. A success that has been growing for the last 40 years and will continue to deliver great social golf to Jakarta golfers. We look forward to TeeSet in 2024 when once again we will host a range of events that make golf fun, such as the World Cup and Valentines day. We appreciate hearing from our members to ensure that we are on the right path to keeping golf fun and social. Also a a big thanks to Adhe who keeps TeeSet on an even keel.

UPCOMING EVENTS

This week TeeSet head back to Imperial in Karawaci. Home to the Teletubbies and a ferocious gaggle of geese on the 18th. Imperial has some standout holes and offers a challenge to all golfers bringing sand, water and tight greens into play. Sign up and see if the President is following in the footsteps of other dodgy elected leaders of times gone by. Idi, Adolf Papa Doc and our own Suharto spring to mind.

The following week we head back to Pondok Cabe to join with the Dogs for a farewell game for Sami who is heading off to the KSA for a better life.

On Up

Mr President.

 364 Days 11 hours

 

Two men went out to play in this year’s edition of the TeeSet Matchplay final. One stroke separated them on paper, as they head to the 1st tee box under the watchful eye of Roger. Diarmuid or Patrick, Patrick or Diarmuid? These were the whisperings amongst the other TeeSetters in the clubhouse prior to the game. Well it was mainly about the price of tea in China, but maybe some poor soul had those thoughts. Anyways, Diarmuid looked resplendent in his 2022 TeeSet Championship shirt whereas Patrick a tad dated in his 2021 version. But we aren’t here to discuss fashion its all about the golf. Patrick headed off high as a kite on horse tranquilizers which were to keep his back pain under control or maybe it was to deflect the pain of falling to the Irishman.

Diarmuid, was off to a steady start, getting a couple of holes up but the tenacious Englishman was showing his bulldog courage and was sticking closer than a poor relative. Too & fro the titanic struggle went, neither player conceding an inch and neither finding the winning break. Would the horse tranq last 18 holes, would Diarmuid be blessed with the luck of the Irish? Stay tune until the next paragraph.

Tension is mounting and riding away. Now that Tension has left let’s get back to the golf. Drink stops were passed and beers declined. I for one would have loved to have seen Patrick on horse tranqs and beers, I digress. Coming down the home straight and Diarmuid is 1 up with 2 to play. Diarmuid watches as Patrick slaps his tee shot into a greenside bunker, he’s tasting victory all he needs is a steady hand from here. Awas! Patrick blasts it out of the bunker and nails a sandy par. All square one to play. Patrick leads off with a lovely pull into a flower bed, Diarmuid is doing an Irish jig, no arms. Sure he can do better than that and indeed he could, 5 metres further up same flower bed. The Irish truly are a sporting folk not wanting to take an unfair advantage.

Onto the green, putting to win the match, on the last hole, with the last stroke of the day and in it goes, we have a winner! See photo below. Congratulations lads on a fantastic game played in beautiful sportsmanlike conditions.

The TeeSet Championship

This Sunday we venture to Pondok Cabe to crown a new Champion or watch and old Champ stamp his mark on the Society. Below is the format of the day

Registrations start from 10.30 am. When you receive your Asian Tigers Bag, if you have yet to pay your Rp800,000 event fee, you will be asked to pay then. If you are asked to pay and you have already paid please have ready proof of payment to avoid delays. When organising a large group such as this there is always a few hiccups. Green fees are Rp750,000 walking Rp800,000 shared cart.

A light Brunch with Adult Beverages will be served from 10.30 am

At 12 pm you will be asked to start making your way to your assigned tee box for a shotgun start at 12.30 pm. Hotdogs and Smoothies will be available on the course. Beer is sold at the kiosks at very friendly prices and keeps the locals happy. If you are in a cart, some of them don’t have the best brakes so be careful.

A sumptuous Thai Buffet meal will be served followed by trophy presentations. During the meal a variety of Adult Beverages will be available, including a limited supply of Presidential Mai Tais to complement the San Miguel beer, wine, gin, daiquiris and margaritas. BYO bucket

After the presentations, the hippest group, Chico Funk, will be playing tunes until late, so strap on your dance shoes and strut your stuff.

The Committee and myself look forward to meeting you on Sunday and a big thank you to our sponsors, San Miguel, Hot Hed, Asia Serve, JS Luwansa, Asian Tigers, Kojo and the Wine Cartel. We would also like to thank John Brown and Rod Williams from The D.O.G.S. for allowing us to share this day with them.

Adios and into the sunset

Mr President.

The above photo as we all know is the par 5 18th at Riverside. Which by close of play had a river running from the top of the hill all the way to the green. It rained a bit. But with every storm there is a silver lining. We were able to tack advantage of the can bar at the starters box as we waited hopefully for a restart. By the time it had been declared rained out we were comfortably numb. That is the golfers who were strategically located when the heavens opened. Other less fortunate souls were trying to find shelter in small huts with the rain coming in horizontally. We were just trying to order another beer.

Be prepared is the old Boy Scout motto, and Joel takes being prepared to the next level, he and his bunch of rain shelter dwellers were presently surprised when he produced a nice bottle of red and 4 glasses. Who cares about the rain when you have good company and a nice vino looking over a lovely vista? Not TeeSetters. Meanwhile back at the starters box more rounds were being ordered. But Axel and Sami weren’t playing as both had been well and truly fixed up by Hitoshi with a range of fine Japanese whiskies. Everytime Sami lent over to tee up he thought he throw up. He was looking very fragile but did manage a 275 metre drive with no follow through. Big Graham on the 17 hit it into the greenside bunker off the tee, Big Andy hit my caddy from the wrong fairway. Big President hit too many bunkers but managed to successfully putt out of all of them.

There was a bit of niggle going on between Patrick and Diarmuid over their upcoming matchplay to decide the TeeSet Champion. There was also a bit of niggle over the actual handicap of new teesetter Claudio as he was claiming 24 but according to Diarmuid was playing like a 14 handicapper. Always hear these complaints when things are not going well. Anyway good luck to Patrick and Diarmuid this Sunday as they battle it out at Cengkerang.

With the rain came rain checks I am holding 8 of them if you didn’t get one I have it and it has your name on it. They are valid until the 11th of December. Who’s up for a midweek round? Let me know.

The new club house nice new furniture and a new coat of paint and new staff. Man it was hard to get an order in they happily brought over beer that had been taken straight out of a box not a fridge. They really need to lift their game as they would collapse completely with a large crowd.

Cenkerang on the 19th

Sign up on MyGolf2U and enjoy playing in a Stableford format at the airport course. Easy location ample parking friendly caddies and lovely clubhouse staff plus happy hour whoohoo. This really pushes Cenks up the Albert Golf Course Beer Scale. Sign up to the game ASAP so we can get extra flights organised if necessary.

TEESET CHAMPIONSHIP

Just over a week out from the TeeSet Championship. Please sign up for this ASAP via MyGolf2u. If you have yet to pay the club Rp800,000 please pay that to Adhe on the day or this Sunday at Cengkerang. We have a lot of stuff going on that day but mainly it is about contesting the championship. It is stroke play so keep those blowouts for Stableford days. The rain has probably taken some speed out of fast Cabe greens.

On the day once you have paid for your green fees proceed to the TeeSet registration table to get your goody bag and pay Rp800,000 if outstanding. TeeSet will be located in the room on the left, look for the big banners. There will be Blood Marys served with a light breakfast/brunch. Out on the course there will be the famous AsiaServe frozen smoothies and Hot Hed hot dogs. Back to the club house for apres golf activities and we have an extensive range of Adult drinks for the discerning Adult to choose from. Including rum, whisky, wines, ports and other delights. We have a Thai/Indo fusion buffet organised by our own Mr. Mee (Viboon) which will help recharge the batteries so you can get on down to the groovy beats of Chico Funk.

This is it, we’ll hit the heights
And oh what heights we’ll hit
On with the show this is it.

Best Regards

Mr President, to you.

Hello TeeSetters, we are only a few weeks out from the club championship and party. Make sure you sign up ASAP to ensure you are part of Jakarta’s premier golf championship. Food, golf, booze and banter a truly great day’s golf and socialising.

Now let’s dissect last weeks round at Modern Golf. Things did not get off to a good start for many as the locker room was still full with the early morning golfers and keys were as rare as hen’s teeth. Parking was tight, as there were swimming lessons and football clinics at the other facilities within the country club. Fortunately being the President of TeeSet none of these things affected me. A car park on the driveway, 3 cars from the front door and a locker in one of the more elite sections of the change rooms. There are times when I feel for the regular members, but please rest assured they are not frequent. Bags was the first to mention he had nowhere to put his bags. For 49 weeks I was looking for an opportunity to get that one in, fortune favours the patient.

Next we had an irate committee member rampaging through the restaurant. Assuring us this would be his last time at Modern. Bill like every other TeeSetter blindly followed Google Maps to the site. Now google maps being a part of the AI sector really makes me believe that we are decades from AI being meaningful for anything besides maybe legal advice and second medical opinions, the rest just stick to what works today. Now Mr Google seems to think that exiting the new outer toll road and entering a road designed to carry light bicycle traffic is the best way to get to Modern Golf. Well then, Mr Google needs a kick in the googles, as it is virtually impossible to navigate, drive and neck an Anker in those crappy little gangs. For the next time we venture to Modern, take the next exit at Tangerang, not the Mr Got no Brains Google’s selection. The way we used to go there before the new toll. Sometimes common sense outweighs Mr Google. Having said that I followed Mr Google as I was still having therapy after last weekend’s misadventures on the toll. But Eli, when skippering the drunks home went old school and headed for TangCity and the lovely boulevards.

As I was walking through the club house I saw a man who wasn’t there. Holger, anyone see him? The guys that played in his flight did, but no one else. A shotgun start off several holes on the back nine ensured we’d have a rather fast round. Then the rain came down, long enough to drench the A flights on each hole as the B flights safely sheltered. The rain Jakarta had been waiting for finally arrived but lasted 15 minutes with another 5 minute shower late in the round. The humidity after the first show was off the charts and my glasses were fogging up which enabled the ball to land safely on the green at the opening par 3. The Seabrooks V the Verdenals, matchplay of the century. The women had no interest it seemed as they happily golfed away. Whereas the men strutted around on the teeboxes like one legged peacocks. The match was sealed on the hole were the two over tense blokes both managed to lose multiple balls and hit scores close to double figures whilst the ladies unknowingly were putting for victory. A great game.

In front of us we had Claudio, Tom & Park. Park has a very fast swing, Tom’s seems to hit an invisible line at its peak, and Claudio’s is pretty sweet. We frequently waited on the tee boxes together and they seemed to be going all right with there efforts off the tees. The first nine was a bit slow so an enjoyable beer or two were consumed by a few golfers in the, now cool, conditions. Behind us was Bags, Craig and Bill having an Anker of a time I believe. The story of their day was Bags venturing into a pond to play a shot and getting the job done. It was early in the round and many already were wet after the rain at the start. Stab it.

Modern is a nice open course with a bit of water and well bunkered, punishing the wayward golfer. The approach shots are always up hill and taking a club less will see you chipping or taking a long Hail Mary putt. It was strange that a days rain had softened the fairways up and closer to the greens there were some rather soft areas. The greens were generally good except for the 8th green which looked like that hadn’t got the goat herd off the green in time for it to recover. I cannot recall seeing a green in worse knick.

The Albert beer index rates this club friendly, but you must choose wisely as Bintang and Heineken are overpriced Bali Hai ok but we were missing the club’s sponsor array of beers no Anker or San Mig on offer.

Lets get to the winners.

Money for the bento box, Rheama takes the Stableford prize with 39 points. Well done.

Well done Nic with low gross.

Sami with a mouthful of nasi and a fistful of flamingoes takes first birdie.

Low Putts to the President. 31.

Sunday 12th of November Riverside

Numbers are building so sign up on MyGolf2U. Riverside is a well managed course with great practise facilities, a very good restaurant and a course that can be quite challenging. A greg Norman special, you can see what a designer has to do when they run out of land. Riverside is very easy to get to with the new toll extensions. It will be interesting to see how far the balls will roll out after a bit of rain. I look forward to greeting you on your arrival and discussing your thoughts on the future direction of TeeSet.

TeeSet Championship

We have now over 50 players signed up and paid up for the big day on Sunday the 26th of November at Pondok Cabe. The cricket world cup will be over so no more late nights watching the ebb and flow of a one day match. The Premier League will still be on but is it ever off? We have a great day’s golf and socialising lined up for you, but we need to do catering so please sign up as early as possible so the correct amount of food and adult beverages are supplied as well as goody bags. Come and join a great days golf with our mates from the DOGS on the course and your TeeSet buddies in the afternoon and evening as we present the awards for club champion, matchplay champion and others. Music and dancing. Bring your non-golfing partner to enjoy the evening at an additional Rp 400k (includes food and a variety of Adult beverages). Viboon our mast chef from Thailand will be doing the evening meal with some Thai delights. You can sign on via the TeeSet whatsapp group and pay Adhe this Sunday Rp 800k. On the Championship day you just need to pay your green fees. Don’t forget to register on Mygolf2U for this competition also.

This just in

Friday night at the Star in Kemang, our singing ex-president Craig will be belting out the tunes from 8. Some free beer and other special on drinks from 7pm. See you there

Adios Amigos

El Presidente.

This will be brief as I was out on the lash with the lads from the hash last night and our tour of Sunda Kelapa and the old fort areas ended up a little messy. Anyways back to golf. Monthly medal attracts larger numbers than most other Sundays. This may be due to a number of reasons not least that it is close to town and has a weekend golfer friendly layout. The happy hour beers may also be a solid factor. We had to drag Craig out of the place.

Back to the golf with a pretty full field and the last groups going off at 12.40 there was a chance we could be finishing in the dark. Whilst the pace of play was not electric all managed to complete the day before they turned the lights off. Someone who had a stellar round was Roger. When looking at the winners list he missed on the long women’s drive and that was nearly it. A cracking net 63 will be moving his handicap down. Low gross was his, low putts, and had a sandy in there also. Probably the most dominant round of golf this season. Luckily for others we like to share the prizes around. See the winners below

Winners are grinners, Roger with a cracking net 63 takes the KOJO and a Sandy Prize also.

Aniruth low gross 75. A fantastic round.

Anna Long Drive 185m well done.

Bags belts a long one into the wind to take long drive with a 244m cracker.

Rosie takes the lolly for nearest the pin.

Graham nearest the pin winner

First birdie, The President

Modern Golf

Next Sunday we head to Modern a course that has some similarities to Cengkareng but a tad more water. A nice walking course but rules and regulations normally sees us in buggies. Sign up on MyGolf2U. It also has excellent practise facilities for those in need of a warm up. Conveniently located a short distance from the toll road access is very friendly.

TeeSet Championship 26th of November Pondok Cabe

Things are coming together nicely for the Championship. This is the day when we appoint the new club champion we will also find out who the Matchplay champion is with a result from the final match between Diarmuid and Patrick. So far we have 45 people signed up and most have paid their money for the pre and after golf festivities. Make sure you sign up soon so catering can be catered for. Sign up via the TeeSet Whatsapp group. We are sharing the day with our buddies from the DOGS so it will be a lot of fun on and off the course.

Many years ago on a trip back from Gading Raya I took a convoy of cars on an adventure tour of Serpong and was awarded the Vasco da Gama award for uncanny sense of direction. I maybe be up for it again this year as I took Reni, Nicolas and Graham on a tour of the Jakarta toll system hitting 3 wrong exits.

See ya at Modern sign up early get an early flight.

The President

Imperial Golf Course, was the site for the last round of the JIL season and all 8 teams assembled early at their designated tables. Some players calmed their nerves with a breakfast beer others had breakfast. The very nervous disappeared to the driving range. Team captains were collecting funds and Adhe has collecting from the non-JIL participants. I was collecting anecdotes for this weeks sheet and should have kept off the apres golf beers if I had any hope of putting them in print.

The JIL was shaping up as a final round showdown with the JAWS team well placed on top of the table but still in striking range were the Tin Cups and a slim outside chance from the boys and girls at Poksia. JAWS did just enough to hang on and defend their title. Congratulations.

Our JIL captain, Dean, posted a season end victory over the DOGS. It was a tough start to the season but the team grew in strength and confidence as the season progressed and but for a couple of narrow loses could have finished higher up the table. Next season presents a challenge to the mighty TeeSetters to hit the ground running with all guns firing. So please step up to the challenge next year and help propel the team to victory. A big thanks to Viboon, Geoff, Jeff, Shyam, Nicolas, Sam, Albert & Dean and all the other players who stepped up during the year.

The day itself was a now typical Jakarta afternoon, smoggy. Pockets of the stuff were all over the course and the hoons on the other side of the course were adding to the pollution by doing burnouts. Surely the most despicable spoilt children on the planet. The temperature seemed hot but Madonna’s peaks were missing nipples. A proud moment for the club President on the long drive hole with his name going on the marker with the enviable distance of 175 metres or was that yards? Mr Westen wandered by later and erased the president from the history books.

What sets Imperial apart from other courses is the similarity it has with TellyTubby Land, and there were a few golfers resembling Tinky-Winky and Co wandering the course on Sunday, no names will be mentioned to protect the President from a black eye. The greenside bunkers can be deep or just an extension of the putting green. The lumpy bits are everywhere and most greens need a good read and have more breaks than a Unionist. Fairways conveniently slope towards water. A drive straight down the middle can easily roll off an elevated fairway to end up behind a tree. The geese on the 18th keep you to one side of the course. Some find the course too challenging others enjoy the challenge. Whatever way you look at it, golf was not meant to be a walk in the park. Or was it? An attempt on the President’s life was made by Sammi but as usual 20 metres short. Speed of play was a bit slow, but there is a lot at stake on JIL days and a largish crowd meant we were always going to be chasing the sun. The flight behind us got the last of the Sunday light as they putted out.

Back to the clubhouse with the promise of free beer and food. The Soto Betawi looked a bit like the creeks around Jakarta at the moment, so veered away from the food trough and head straight to the Anker man and the Anker man was my main man, Agus. Agus was the last man to man the Anker Beer Truck for the Jakarta Hash House Harriers another sporting group that was poorly lead once upon a time by this President. Free beer and golf leads to some epic recounting of stories on the golf course, none of which will be recounted here as free beer also leads to short term memory loss and a confidence amongst the opposite sex that can lead to dangerous reactions and more black eyes. A quick mention that Anker under the guise of the other delightful brew of theirs, San Miguel, is a main sponsor for this years TeeSet Championship, along with Hot Hed, Asian Tigers Relocations and J S Luwansa.

TEESET WEEKEND WINNERS

We had eagles and birdies but no albatrosses. We had low putts, low gross and high Stableford. We had free beer, let’s not mention the food.

Joint winners on 39 Stableford points, the free beer prevented a countback. Well done Marcelo and Craig.

Sam suffering a bad hair day but still good enough to take the loot with a handy 79.

Albert, Jane and the President all had birdies. President had the last hole bird so no money. Well done to the other 2.

Two Eagles today one from Marcelo and the other from Nicolas. We done boys.

Low putts for David with 28 slaps of the flat stick and generously sharing his wine latter in the evening.

Monthly Medal Cengkerang 29th of October

Sign up to this event on MyGolf2U the day is shaping up nicely with the arrival of the first rains of the Monsoon starting to knock the pollution out of the sky and greening the fairways. If you need a cart or hoverboard please register on the whatsapp group, there will probably be a waiting list for those needing transport around the course.

TEESET 2023 CHAMPIONSHIP PONDOK CABE 26TH OF NOVEMBER

OK TeeSetters the course is booked the food and booze is sourced the goody bags are being stuffed the shirts are being printed. Now it is up to you. You need to do 2 things to reserve your spot in the elite field. Price is set Rp800.000 for the social side, includes light brunch, food and some beverages on the course, after game meal and adult beverages. Also a goody bag containing all the stuff that you want. Green Fees on the day Rp750,000 walking or Rp800,000 shared buggy. Shirts need to be ordered by the 7th of Novemeber so make your booking now to avoid a lifetime of disappointment.

TeeSet would like you to pay for the F&B and goody bag upfront. Also need to know your shirt size. The benchmark of humanity, El Presidente, takes a slim fit XXL so you can use him as a sizing tool.

1. Pay Send the funds to BCA 6220342571 Michael Charles Seabrook (include your name on the transfer and/or send proof of payment to Michael 0818805673)
2. Add your name and shirt size to the new Championship Whatsapp Group and status paid(it will appear shortly).

arriba, arriba … andale, andale

El Presidente

Some say this course is older than the Caddie Whisperer, but you can see by the date in the photo that they are wrong. TeeSet headed to the tight lies of JGC last Sunday. The bravest of the brave were there ready to test the woodwork of JGC. 6 flights ventured out some returned in a state of bewilderment, some came back with the look of satisfaction of challenged accepted and met, some aren’t ever coming back again. There was one thing that leveled the playing field is that the management at JGC nicely provided each golfer with an icy cold Anker 500ml, the chosen drink of elite golfers.

Starting on the back 9 myself, Pekka, Roberto & Alessandro looked. down the narrow fairway of the 10th. The President promptly filled his pants and hooked it into the net protecting golfers on the 11th tee box. The others managed a more forward path toward the hole, albeit with a few shots collecting wood. A sound that would accompany us for most of the round whether from our flight or other passing golfers. Worm burners were a particularly safe shot and help the President bogey or par the first few holes. The drivers were left in the bag except for that brave Finn Pekka who was wielding the wood with gay abandon ( the use of the word gay here is the traditional pre-rainbow meaning). Onward we soldiered, the conditions were fine with a bit of a breeze taking the sting out of the Jakarta heat, pollution was low and no sign of the much needed rain. Roberto commented that we should play this course more often and he is 100% right it offers a challenge to golfers that are not found on the many American designed party courses. TeeSet will return shortly for sure.

Swing off the 18th and heading to the first a speeding buggy grinds to a halt and Jens is explaining to me that JGC have jammed 2 flights in front of them on hole 7 and he’s off to give it to the Starter. I should have followed and offerred presidential support but I don’t have the spine for confrontational moments so I happily wondered over to the 1st. Where we could get the drivers out woohoo. The use of the driver didn’t stop Roberto from being a ball or two short of the whole on a few occasions when putting. Alessandro stayed with the trusty 3 wood which spent a bit of time finding the tree wood. The best wood adventure for the day was the President hit 8 trees in 3 shots which brought a bit of lite relief to Roberto who had been dueling with bunkers earlier. Alessandro proud to have finished with the same ball that he started with. The ball was a bit square as it had hit so much timber by the end of 18.

Onward we toiled and finally back to the club house we see the Filipino 4 ball already into the free Anker and chatting away and munching on some of Albert’s fine home cooked cuisine. The last group in having been jumped by 2 flights were Roger T, Aljosja and a few others. What we have drawn from this round at JGC is the Albert Beer Index Rating and currently JGC has it hands down. Besides the free Anker can, on offer were 5 large bottles of Anker for the juicy price of Rp300k. We made sure we took advantage of this. Currently last on the Albert Beer Index is Modern who have the audacity to be charging TeeSetters Rp80k a can. The Albert Beer Index will be an important factor in choosing courses in 2024. Scores were ok but practise makes perfect and has ruined my theory of candles and beers See below.

Practise makes perfect Steve with 40 Stableford points and stayed late on the jars.

Aryan played a straight game and made good use of the tree monkeys to hit a great 84 off the stick.

First birdie on 9 to Aljosja, well done.

Dan takes low putts with a steady 28 taps of the flat stick. Well done.

TeeSet Championship Pondok Cabe Sunday the 26th

We have a shotgun start on this day and will be sharing the course with our Saturday Society The DOGS as they play an eclectic round in the pursuit of the Big Dog. What we have install on this championship day is what you have been waiting for. There will be a light brunch served prior to the game with bloody Marys and Screwdrivers on off to help steady the nerves. On the course there will be arrange of F&B available, plus remember Cabe rates very high on the Albert Beer Index for oncourse beer prices. After the game there will be the presentations and a spectacular buffet overseen by Mr Mee the legendary Thai chef. Beer and wine (some) will be supplied. There will be lucky draw prizes and music and maybe even karaoke. This will culminate with the election of a new President. So start organising your playing partners to ensure you get a spot. If you cannot be bothered organising a flight we can do it for you and you may get to play with the President who enjoys this side of social golf. So just register now on MyGolf2U. There will be a goody bag containing a new TeeSet shirt for 2024 in the anniversary colours plus other goodies. All this and more for the highly affordable and user friendly price of Rp1,600,000.

We will be putting out a shirt size order form next week so make sure you complete it.

JIL final round hosted by TeeSet at Imperial Oct 22

This Sunday sees the culmination of the JIL season who will be the champions? Who cares? TeeSetters will be fighting hard to finish off the season on a high note. Captain Dean once more leads his team onto the field of battle assured of the undying support of all the brotherhood and sisterhood. This what makes TeeSet great. Their will be a buffet and beers afterwards so sign up on MyGolf2U and fly the TeeSet Colours one final time this season. “We are the boys of TeeSet, every team we meet we mangle, roll em bowl em toss em in the bunkers we are the team that wins of course”.

All regular TeeSet players who are not playing in the interleague are welcome to join this Sunday as regular TeeSet Player.

One month to go yoddy yo yo yo.

El Presidente

TeeSetters took to Modern Golf Club in Tangerang last Sunday whereas the President took a wrong turn and end up in Pattaya playing Phlu Ta Luang Navy Golf Course (photo). A quick bit about this course, there’s a choice of 4 courses each 9 holes. Caddies greet you at the foyer and fight to carry your bag. It can get vicious, best to just head inside and pay your green fees, which are pretty reasonable. The course is a bit short but there are a few obstacles that even good golfers need to navigate around. Greens are slow, you get your own cart so we flew around the course in 3.15 hours. Best of all beers are super cheap.

Back to the main game at Modern, first of all a big thanks to Jens for hosting Sunday’s event. Surely a President in making, awaiting nominating? The numbers were a bit smaller than usual with a few golfers out of town. A few had been to Bandung, a few were in Bali and definitely a few home in Europe on holidays Checking the forecast weather seemed reasonable. The air quality was Jakarta Standard, killing yourself by breathing standard.

On to the winners

Rosita a happy best Stableford score. Hope to see you soon with your improved knees when you can challenge for low gross.

Well done to Daniel for taking low gross with a well played 81. Maybe someone for Dean’s TeeSet Terrors Team?

Everyone needs a body double and here’s Chris’s, Joe, who stood in for the first Birdie prize winner.

Max took low putts with 30, Sri took the money.

Security

Each weekend we play golf our valuables are left in either golf bags, the golf cart dashboard or locker. Please make sure you secure your goods as best you can. This may mean leaving excess cash in the locker room or at least knowing how much cash you have in your wallet. Other issues are keys and HPs. It is our responsibility to look after our belongings. So by removing temptation you are removing the opportunity for someone to ruin your day.

MyGolf2U

A very easy app to use. Please try and put your scores in during the round as it just speeds things up at the end and stops the President from drinking too much. It is very easy to do.

October 15 JGC

TeeSetters we head off to the conveniently located JGC this Sunday. Jakarta’s oldest course with some postage stamp sized greens and tight fairways offering an excellent challenge to the TeeSet golfers. Cheap beer, good food and easy to get to location make this a premier golfing opportunity. See you there. Google Maps has the entrance in the wrong spot last time, so check carefully by using the zoom function to locate the clubhouse.

The Championship 26 of November on a Sunday

Firstly I would like to thank our major sponsors here, San Miguel Beer, Hot Hed Oil Field Services, Asian Tigers and JS Luwansa. Without these major sponsors it would be hard to host such a great day. The committee is working hard to ensure there is a great day to be had. There will be pre-golf food and drinks, food and drinks on the course, food and lots of drinks after the game and music. So put the day in the diary, book Monday morning off work, and get ready to play and party in the best championship social golf has on the calendar. The course is Pondok Cabe, new locker rooms new towels and ample parking day or night.

See ya Sunday,

The President.

With only a few weeks of the current President’s tenure left to run make sure you stand up for the position next year. The position comes with excellent tee times, preferential locker location and the newest towel in the change rooms. These are just some of the perks so make sure you start campaigning now. For too long this club has been the domain of British and Australian Presidents. It’s time we had one of those amusing European lads take the reins for a bit. Anyways don’t feel shy let Adhe or one of the committee folk know and next thing you’ll be on the highest plane of expat living.

Sunday morning saw TeeSetters driving through soupy atmospheric conditions to get to Riverside. You could see the pollution, you couldn’t see Gunung Putri. It is really comforting to know that the government are stopping at nothing to get on top of this horrible pollution. Breathing without a cigarette on Sunday was not advisable.

We had quite a large turn out on Sunday with 11 groups. The banter amongst many was the Ryder Cup. Golf and soccer are 2 sports that are hard to watch, a highlights reel works best. If you have to watch live, then golf wins as it gives you a longer to time to become comfortably numb on rum or whatever your poison maybe. There was mention of one of the teams winning so that’s good. We got off to an early semi-shotgun start and from that moment things slowed down. But it was sooo very hot over the first few holes what was the rush. I was playing with the Chaundys and Lukas. Lukas claimed to be a 30+ handicapper and pars the first hole. That aroused suspicion. Unfortunately for Lukas he followed the president into the spiralling depths of golfing hell. Meanwhile senior Chaundy was handing junior Chaundy a golfing lesson about course management. It didn’t help that dad had dragged his sleep deprived child straight from a plane to the golf course. But some booming woods, with an occasional iron shot shows that there is more potential here than the old fella ever had. A few beers at the end bought a bit of colour back into his cheeks.

There were a couple of TeeSet Matchplays being fought out that day with Hitoshi taking on Rosie and Sam V Dean. Dean won on that not often used R&A ruling, height. He’s a big bugger and won by 10cms easy. Meanwhile Hitoshi played a wonderful round of golf and Rosie hardly got a look in. Now we are very close to the pointy end with only a few players left before we get to the semis.

The Winners

Hitoshi takes the cash after a dominate day at Riverside. 39 Stableford points.

Sam takes the cash and runs, with a best gross 83. Just needs to add some height to his game to be the complete package.

Well done Nareesh with the low putts cash. 30

Sandy on the first for Jens. Well done.

Lukas takes first par HCP 30+. Well played.

8th of October Modern Golf

A lovely flat trackers course with a few ponds scattered around to keep you honest and straight. A very user friendly clubhouse and good practise facilities. Sign up on MyGolf2U for an enjoyable Sunday with TeeSet

The Championship

Will be played last weekend in November. Secure the weekend and Monday off for what is a highlight in the Jakarta sporting calendar. There will be booze, birdies and food goody bags and other stuff. The course is Pondok Cabe, with newly renovated change rooms and a great place to party after the golf. More details to follow.

Are there people brave enough to challenge?

POQ

The President

Once again the end of the month rolls around and once again TeeSetters roll down the Airport Toll in search of Jakarta’s best greens. This road leads us to the wonderful Cengkareng Golf Club, a golfing fixture that has been at the forefront of the expatriate golf scene for well over 20 years. It has hosted many an AFL or Irish scramble plus a long list of other charitable events and for the last few years it has hosted the TeeSet Kojo Monthly medal. We usually get a big roll out for the monthly medal as players test their mettle in the vain hope of victory. Cengkareng makes a very good frozen margarita which washes away the disappointment of not winning. Ok so we have the scene in our minds of Cengkareng GC, now readers let’s read on and see what happened on that last fateful Sunday in September.

A big field of TeeSetters had signed up for this week’s Medal game with nearly full capacity of 50+ golfers. During the week there was a desperate scramble to get hold of Cengkareng cart by some of our more infirm and aged members. Cengkareng carts are as rare as hens teeth so a waiting list was put in place. Club secretary, Adhe, has arrived early as usual and taken up a strategic vantage point in the restaurant area and started a line of communication with the President, who was recovering from a serious injury. There were a few too many 3 balls and a bit of streamlining needed to be done. Then a player or two pulled out, this is normal, things pop up on Sunday’s. More re-jigging the flights, more dropouts.

President now in car, self-driving to the course and ignoring the pings from the hand phone as he masterly maneuvers his way through Jakarta’s treacherous traffic. Arriving at the course he flings his keys to the Valet and dashes to the change room before heading to the restaurant. Arriving in the restaurant a scene of horror envelops him. There, sitting at the head table is Nicolas drinking a tea or some other similar hot beverage, the next table we have Bert choking back a ciggie but where’s his good luck beer. My god what is happening here! More cancellations are coming more flights being re-worked has covid re-emerged? No, worse a large number of TeeStters have been hospitalised with the Pocks, a rare tropical disease caused by copious amounts of alcohol intake after a round of golf, only surfaces every 40 years.

Roger wanders in looking like he’s been run over by a herd of buffalo, Dean and Siti are quietly holding their heads. What’s wrong with everyone, a large section of today’s turnout look like they have turned out for their own funeral. A quick glance in the bathroom mirror reveals that I also look like one of the living dead. An iced latte does nothing to fix that appearance but a couple of smokes manage to kick start the lungs again, whew! This is looking like being a long day.

The Starter calls us to the tee boxes early and Roberto and Irene have to discard their menus and play the round on an empty stomach. Golfers are hurrying in all directions to get to their allotted box. Caddy and bags are located, equipment checked, Sammi on his second beer. Teeing off in the 3rd group, I grasp the first rule of TeeSet, must stand unassisted on the first tee, I believe I can do this. I must, for the dignity of the office of President of TeeSet. Meanwhile Sammi and Ezra are checking out if it safe to blast one down past the bunker on the 10th, I am checking the distance to the red tees with limited ambitions. All starts well with a high handicapper drive to the right of the fairway, way better than Sammi (hit 3 fairways for the day) and Ezra who went off onto nearby fairways in search of their balls. Does that sound right?

Anyways it was very hot for the first 3 holes, but not nearly as hot as Tom’s 3 pars and a bogey on the first 4 holes as he and Cucu fought for supremacy in their social match play versus Nicolas & Reni. Narrowly going down 2&1. The round started off slow and it looked like we may be chasing the sun over the last few holes but things picked up a bit on the back 9. My partners started a bit slow but Ezra and Sammi were soon into the groove a few putts lagging on the way to the hole stopping a good score being record. Both players had some very good moments and their company was good and words of encouragement accepted, wouldn’t take a beer though as I had the Pocks.

Most scores were a tad off the usual high expectations TeeSetters have, but the early heat and the initial slow play may have sapped a few golfers concentration. All in all a good day.

THE WINNERS

Kojo medal winner, Jude with a pretty handy net 66. Well done.

Low gross to a surprise winner today Nicolas no religious beers to start his round.

Claudio with the day’s first birdie. Welcome back.

Tom takes first sandy on hole 1. Cucu takes the flamingo.

Anna takes the long drive 175m

Well done to Jaco who took long drive with a 235 whack.

Roberto does it easy with a nearest the pin win.

Sunday the 1st at Riverside.

Back to the enchanting layout that is Riverside, gorges, bridges and jungle all make for a pleasnt day. See you there sign up on MyGolf2U you can download the app onto your phone.

NEWS

Next wek we will announce the date and venue of the Annual Championship. Also remeber to get your Matchplay games organised, we are now at the pointy end of the season. The next JAkarta Interleague game is hosted by the mighty TeeSetters and is the last of the season so a sumptuous BBQ will follow. If you are keen to help TeeSet to a victory offer your services to Dean. The game will be at Imperial on the 22nd of October.

The Pocks List

Hitoshi, Velma, Bill, Arne, Rosy and their nurse Richard

6 weeks to go cherio

Mr President (to you)

PS: Nicolas, was close with the traitor identification but he had the President in as one, so no wine. The President a traitor tsk tsk tsk.