Tee Set

The Play

Heavy overnight rain slackened off some in the morning but the odds against play looked reasonably long as some decided not to travel, with just 25 optimists turning up at the clubhouse with the intent of taking on the mighty Riverside.

With a fairway or two still flooded and water everywhere, the starter was eventually let us go around 30 minutes late and in a light drizzle, while one group sensibly decided it wasn’t worth the candle and retired from the scene

The lunacy of the remaining 21 players was to be rewarded, however, as with a relatively quick round of a little more than 4 hours, and the rain remaining at no more than a drizzle with occasional rain-free patches, the course recovered to play amazingly well, not least the greens which were impeccable.

Tee Set’s new clubhouse?

All who survived the day were to agree that their patience and endurance had been well rewarded – and their rain jackets well exercised, on what was a very fine course – and blessed with really very good caddies.

There is a strong possibility that we will shortly agree with Riverside club management to move our Monthly Medal to the Riverside course for 2014 – and at a really rather attractive rate for what is a top class venue – watch this space.

Just one Newcomer made it to the 1st tee box, Gultom Pungkas, so a warm Tee Set welcome to him in his baptism by rain. Welcome Backs were far more numerous at eleven and therefore too numerous to list but included Rod Ritson and Mark Johnson after 28 and 20 weeks away respectively, Robert Bellavance and Barry Poulter after 16 weeks apiece and a Mike Garwood returning for Xmas after 10 weeks of “looking after” his woolly friends in New Zealand.

Confusion as  always with the bills at Riverside’s pleasant restaurant though happily, and in stark contrast to last time we were there, just one unpaid bill at the end of the evening, a really modest one for a beer and a coffee in the name of “Mr Ray Ham” – anyone owning up to it should refund the President of Some Things.

The Play

The highlight of the day for some was the sight of Barry Poulter’s ball going just short of the green on a par 3 and being stalked and carried off by a largish dog when, such was the mirth of Barry’s playing companions, that play was unable to continue for several minutes. No photo unfortunately.

Low Net Shared by Sofree Abdul and Peter Reichlmeier, though Sofree was OB and Peter had already shared  Low Putts, so no prize award!

Turning to the “real” prizes, with Sam Westen having a rare “bit of an off day”. Low Gross was up for grabs and Mark Blake’s 79 from the blues at Riverside was good golf by anyone’s standard and a deserved winner.

25 putts (the green were is great shape despite  the rain) will get you Low Putts most Sundays, and this week saw two Tee Setters on that number, a George Bevege who is becoming a regular fixture on the winners podium – and Peter Reichlmeier.

Finally, another rich, 7 skirt haul, to put a smile on the absent Treasurer’s face. Only 5 pictured but we collected all!!

Fuller, player by results can be found here and more photos here.

Next Up

In the middle of the holiday season, we are not expecting a huge turnout next Sunday, however, as we have already bought the December Monthly Medal the show goes on, and someone from the diminished field will surely grab the chance of their 15 minutes worth of fame at Matoa – when half a mill of Slaney’s meat will also be back on the menu as a prize for the winner!

Let us know if you are playing by registering in the usual place.

Merry Xmas to all – and see yah at Matoa ….. Tee Set

The last time Tee Set played Riverside was back in October 2012 when 30 brave souls were to take on what is, by common consent, one of Jakarta’s very finest courses, and indeed the #1 in the view of some.

The intervening inactivity is certainly not the result of any lack of enthusiasm for the course or indeed its top class clubhouse and facilities but, rather, due to the club deciding to put their fees out of the range of what we consider Tee Setters are on the whole, happy to pay, especially given the many good alternatives available.

Christmas always sees demand for play on every course dwindling, however, and newly appointed Tee Set Schedule Manager, Wina, has been able to secure an excellent rate of 795,000 for this Sunday, including shared cart, a rate that will come down to 745,000 if we are a minimum, coincidentally, of 30 players.

Riverside has a reputation of being a tough old course but Tee Setters laugh in the face of adversity and, last time out, Craig Selbie “tamed” it with a Low Gross of 81 followed by a whole bunch on 84; 5 players actually shot under their handicap while “only” 5 of us picked up a skirt!

On the other hand, John Suermondt will  be happy to be back in Aussie for the Christmas period as he shot a highest of the day last time out at Riverside, coming in with a 59-57-116. Asked  to explain this enormous score, John shrugged and replied “I was putting very well, particularly on the back nine”. Happy Xmas, John!

Registrations are already a healthy 15, so get your name down now for what will be an interesting and challenging day of golf, and with a bit of fun afterwards as we celebrate Christmas just a little early.

As mentioned above, the club has excellent facilities which include a swimming pool, so you might think about bringing along the wife and kids – someone else’s if you don’t have any of your own.

We understand that Father Christmas hats are de riguer but, thankfully, Christmas Carols are off the menu.

See yah Sunday! …. Tee Set

PS The Indonesia Golf magazine has published a comprehensive report on the 2013 Matchplay Championship which you will find on page 13 of the magazine – particularly useful for those many whose memories of the day are less than crystal clear.

PPS Your committee is planning a Tee Set Weekend Mountain Retreat at the Lido Lakes resort sometime during the 2014 Ramadan and, by sheer coincidence, you will find a report on the place on page 8 of the same magazine.