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

Arriving at the course the main dining area was hosting a comp, they had karaoke, red cordial, green cake and enough trophies for everyone. Seems you have to be a bitcoin believer to get on the red cordial team and I was shunted down to the dungeon where TeeSet had a special section for non-red cordial drinkers. From here we planned the groups which took 2 minutes as we only had 15 players. A very manageable number and the best of TeeSet were assembled ready to play.

They like their bunkers at DI, they are everywhere, in every size and shape known to mankind. Some are deep, some are as long as the fairway. The one thing they have in common is they have sand in them. This can be a rather game killing moment for some golfers when they arrive there. The difference with DI bunkers in general is that they fall into 3 categories; long fairway bunkers, greenside bunkers with no lips, greenside bunkers that are deep and may even be layered. The long fairway bunkers are easy if you are in the middle of them. They are flat and the sand is hard so you can play any club from a 3 wood down with a fair degree of confidence. The lipless greenside bunkers mean you can chip or put out of them. The deeper bunkers and the ones protecting these may mean you need to know how to play a traditional bunker shot. This is a skill I do not have. I have spoken to good players and pros, I have watched videos and joined different religions in an attempt to figure out how to successfully exit a bunker. All of these attempts at figuring out bunker play have failed miserably. I stand inside a greenside bunker with not a clue what to do. I warn golfers in the immediate 90 metre radius to brace themselves for what is about to happen. I have no idea what will happen. Well last Sunday hole 6 murdered my game. Bunker Fairway on rough edge ball below feet, hit, suitable swear word, 70 metres forward same bunker. 3rd shot gave it a bit out of the bunker into the back greenside bunker with lips like Mick Jagger. No putting out of this one so blast it out into the bunker protecting the front of the green. Swearing is getting pretyy blue Rosita is blushing and Albert is smirking. A few more shots and I am back on a green surface one putt the game continues. As Ibu Rosita said, “it is just a game have fun”. Next time I will bring a spade and a bucket.

Speaking of having fun the group in front were having plenty, Luca with 25 bunker shots, saw him at the end of the round pound a quick Bintang and head for the car. Maybe a new prize category? I think I was pretty much the same and I am sure there was no one who had a bunker free round. Mike on his last round for a while was a bit disappointed that he couldn’t finish his current stay on a high note, rather than a high score. Chris worked the fringes like a champ to take low putts but was also had moments getting past the junior tees. Anyways that’s golf and it beats watching it on TV. We got Vijay and his wolfpack off on the first flight from hole 10 and by the time they came in the first group off 1 had showered and were into the food and beers and the second flight was having a beer and a fed also. Speed of play Vijay speed of play 🙂 The Wolfman cometh!

The course was dry and the greens were challenging but overall in very good condition. There was wildlife wandering the course Alessandro, Luca, Mike and Chris were treated to a cobra gumming a frog. Our group saw a very large biawak monitor on the first par 3. The sun was out and the conditions improved shortly after starting with a pleasant breeze from the north west and some cloud cover taking the edge off the heat. This is a cart course but walking should be encouraged as there are no hills but sometimes a bit of a drive between holes. The caddies did a good job reading the greens and a better job impersonating Oompa Loompas.

The female Oompa Loompa is more colourful than the male of the species and can read a green.

Prizes

With 40 stableford points and the special Tee Box for over 75s there was no denying Rosita on her charge to victory. Dancing putts to the hole and big whoops were all part of what set Rosita apart from the the lesser members of the field. Well done.

Simon, blending in with the pot plants, took low gross 80. You can see him, right?

Deepak first birdie on the 3rd. This was the Biawak lizard hole. We’re lucky to be still here. It was big, but not as big as Deepak’s bird.

The flatstick twins JP and Chris with 31 each. Well done.

The other big news of the day was that we only paid just over a million in green fees down from the advertised 1,4j. 15 intrepid golfers ventured out and won! Boom!

Sunday at Pondok Cabe 20th September

Our next game is at Pondok Cabe with a 12pm tee off be there by 11.30 as we can normally get going a bit earlier. Only 25 minutes from Cipete and a little ripper of a course with a car park that offers ample parking day or night. Apologies for earlier misinformation on courses.

Remember to sign up on MyGolf2U a great place to get some practise in for the upcoming birthday scramble at the same course.

40th Birthday Texas Scramble 10th of Sept

We have 65 players registered get your name on the list and let the event organisers find you a team or make an effort and find 3 other folk with golf clubs. An event not to be missed.

See ya Sunday

Mr 15 Weeks

Featuring a newly renovated dining area, very well maintained changing facilities and a course that has improved immensely Riverside is a ripper. Close to Jakarta, well trained caddies the list of pluses is long. The greens for some proved a little tricky and for Sepand they were just a walk in the park. The conditions, as per usual for a 12.30 pm tee off, were a tad hot but soon a nice cloud covering appeared and rain even threatened. Riverside had provided TeeSet with a semi-shotgun start start from hole 10 and it worked perfectly with all golfers back in well before 5. The management and starter at Riverside do work hard to keep us happy and 26 TeeSet golfers really appreciated it. A more hassle free round has not been experienced in a while.

The ladies got amongst the birds on Sunday with 3 or 4 being recorded amongst them. I believe Sari had 2 or it may have been Velma but I do know Eli had 1. I am still hearing about it. The only birdie I saw for the was a magnificent chip in from 30 metres by Ben. As soon as the club struck the ball it was looking good. There was a good tussle in a matchplay between Vincent and Michael. The battle started before the first ball was struck about who had had the most to consume on Saturday. Michael may have had an earlier start but Vincent was the winner with a tequila and vodka inspired evening against a plain old working class beer evening. But on match play day it was proven that beers beats spirits in a to and fro battle with several changes of the lead.

BUMI SERPONG DAMAI THIS SUNDAY

Talking of hassle free rounds that is what we are expecting on Sunday at one of Jakarta’s premier courses, Bumi Serpong Damai. A Jack Niklaus designed course with facilities second to none. Well positioned fairway bunkers and the odd water trap make this course nestled on the side of the Cisadane River a challenge and at the same time a pearl in the crown of Jakarta golf courses. The Cisadane River is famous for being the first contact point with the west when Portuguese ships navigated what was then called Cigede to a point close to BSD in 1511. Ci means river/water in the local Sunda language and many place names begin with Ci. The river is also home to very old Chinese communities with very little in common with the ones living in PIK and the area is dotted with old Chinese Temples and Chinese style houses and graveyards. A bamboo ferry used to cross the Cisadane River in front of the golf course as recently as 10 years ago. Get out and check out the surrounds.

TEESET 40TH BIRTHDAY TEXAS SCRAMBLE

On the 10th of September at the very popular Pondok Cabe Golf and Country Club we will be celebrating this milestone. We have already passed the halfway mark for sign ups. You can just register your name and you will be allocated a team. A method that I used to great success in one of my two TS Scramble wins (high handicappers are occasionally useful for something). If you have four friends that like playing best ball get em out and have some fun. The day just begins on the golf course with a shotgun start. There will be long drive comps using pre-industrial age golf equipment. Nearest the line and nearest the pin prizes all up for grabs for women and men. And if you have a bit of an off day on the golf course there are plenty of lucky dip prizes to keep everyone happy. The birthday bash is a highlight on the Jakarta golf scene so you need to be seen. Please add your name or team via the TeeSet whatsapp group and we will put you the select list. Do it now to avoid disappointment.

ASIAN TIGERS 45 HOLE CHALLENGE 1ST OF SEPT JAGORAWI

Bill Lloyd a stalwart of TeeSet is once again organising this charity event to help save the Sumatran Tiger. It is a great day out, and speaking from experience 45 holes is a walk in the park once you’ve hit 36 it’s all plain sailing from there. There is the 18 hole option for those that need to show their face at the office in the morning. Get out and save the Tigers.

THE WINNERS CIRCLE

Holger takes the lolly home with 44 stableford points. A cracking round but got wolfed.

Jeremy with a gross 79 was on fire. Looks a bit like that singer guy with his new mo. But winners are grinners.

Ben, a visiting friend of Vincent’s, won the first birdie.

Back from holidays and back in the wonga. Shinta takes the money with the first sandy. Rarely misses a week outside the winners circle.

A calming ale before the game saw the man with the steady hands walk off the greens with 26 putts and walk off with the cash. Well done Sepand

See you at BSD on Sunday.

Enjoy your golf, het em straight.

Best Regards

Michael Seabrook

Cengkareng is a lovely course with wonderful facilities. The problem is I rarely have full control of my facilities here and struggle to score well. The caddies are usually very good readers of the greens and have the wonderful ability to find the wayward tee shot in the flower beds. Drink stations are spread nicely around the course ensuring players are well watered. What more can you say about this place but 2 thumbs up.

About 50 people signed up for the challenge of the monthly medal but once again a lady took the medal from the long hitting lads. The ladies get a lovely advantage over the men playing off the blues on Medal day. To the tune of nearly 600 metres. This aided Sri to her winning game of a net 65. Velma found a challenge when facing Arnold in a matchplay game. Arnold was off to a fly with birdies on the first 2 holes before Velma worked to her way back into the competition but a wayward tee shot on the second last saw Albert emerge triumphant it what was a close match.

The Pocksia and Tin Cups tagged onto the TeeSet day as they ran their postponed JIL Matchplay comp. With the Cuppies getting up after some close games. The first hole on the course with an index 18 proved its index with a half dozen players birdieing it. Well done you know who you are. It was a bit hot at the start but before the halfway point a sea breeze was blowing and the layout and Cengkareng saw this either blowing into your face or at your back but the breeze was a relief from the heat.

With 13 flights it was good to see all back in before dark and it was good to see Vijay on the rebound after a bit of a tough time the previous week in Gunung Geulis. The speed of play seemed perfect with a few slow points on the par 3s which is usual. I remember many a time in the last flight at Cengkareng chasing the sun home over the last few holes. So most players were showered and changed and into their cups by last light. Its great to see everyone enjoying themselves but over the last bit we have been asked by clubs to respect their business. Below is a short summary of how TeeSetters need to conduct themselves as prepared by the TeeSet Committee.

F&B at the Course

For most clubs that we play at, the F&B operations are an important part of the overall facilities and therefore they operate with a “No Outside F&B” policy – similar to that in place at most restaurants which are not BYO. We know that some golfers like to bring some personal snacks and/or refreshments for dietary, medicinal or other purposes but we ask our players to be sensitive and act with some discretion if you are doing so. Whilst the club management will often turn a blind eye to minor infractions, if the overt consumption of external F&B items causes complaints or issues with their members or other groups visiting on the day, they will have no option but to either ban completely the consumption of external F&B on the premises or charge an appropriate corkage on personal items being consumed. Discretion in consumption also means being sensitive to asking club staff for empty wine glasses, ice for the esky, etc… We have had some feedback on this matter from a couple of clubs recently and so would like to reiterate this matter so that if there are any requests for corkage payments going forward, this will not come as a surprise. We get great deals and support from the clubs we choose to play at and in return we ask players to respect also the operations of these clubs as we are also guests at their facilities.

Note that for major events, the World Cup, the Birthday Bash and the Championships, the committee usually negotiates an upfront corkage arrangement with the club hosting the event to enable Tee Set and it’s players to be able to bring external refreshments if so desired. We will announce these as part of the event arrangements so everyone can feel free to bring their special beverages at these occasions.

40th Birthday Bash Scramble Pondok Cabe 10th Sept

We have filled nearly half the spots for this glorious event celebrating a significant milestone in the groups history. So don’t miss out on what will be a truly fun days golfing with excellent apres golf activities. Their will be winners and losers, there will be skill shots and mug shots, there will be lucky draws and more.

To help make this day run as efficiently and with maximum fun, sponsorship would be appreciated and we will happily show our appreciation of our sponsors with banners and endorsements on the day also leading into the event and post event. Speak to the committee about how you can help. (Roger Finnie, Bill Lloyd, Dean Merriless or Michael Seabrook)

6th of August at Riverside

A course that offers a few interesting holes to keep golfers on their toes and a recently refurbished clubhouse. There is a massage service for those that need to get a stretching before the game or a rub down to wind down after the game. A great driving range and chipping and putting area. Now made closer by the new toll extension from Antarsari. You should be reaching for your mobile now to register ASAP for a game at Riverside.

With a net 65, Sri takes her second Kojo Medal. Sri was seen conducting dance classes on the par 3 4th and also after receiving her medal. Give Sri a ring if you want to improve your golf game or dance moves.

A gross 76 to Sam grabs him a fist full of lobsters. I did notice him wandering a long way down a parallel fairway. I suppose if you can hit it this far the wrong way you can probably hit it back a long way the right way.

Arnold takes the cash for first birdie seperating himself from the pack by birdying the first 2 holes. Well done Arnold.

Mike Rigg first sandy par hole number 1 and NTP. Handshake from the President money habis

Vema long drive ladies 145

Willy long drive men 276

low putts 31 for Juju (Richard OB)

Kayla nearest the pin winner.

Welcome back: JOCHEN SAUTTER visiting from Penang

Farewell : LAURENT BESSIERES heading off to Turkyie

See you at Riverside.

Luv youse all

Mr President.

A small turn out on Sunday as TeeSet’s finest headed into the mountains to take on the challenging East Course. I could see why some of the more faint hearted golfers were not there. The first 6 or 7 holes have more twists and turns in them than a bent politician. 3 four balls and a 2 ball headed out that morning and Mo and Bilal were never seen again, having returned to the club house, showered, eaten and departed before the next flight returned.

Back to the first, as Mo and Bilal disappeared in the distance it was being decided what tees we should play off and which group should go first. I had already had an argument with JP about who should drive the cart, he ruled he should as the President was in no condition to be driving. He was right. Standing on the blue tees and looking down towards the green a bit of vertigo came across me and there was a feeling of rising bile so we moved to the white tee boxes where we all felt much more relaxed and there was a spot to sit down and have a rest. Having used Presidential powers to move our group to the pole position behind the 2 ball (the other 4 balls were at this point missing a player each) we were off. The caddies telling us it was 180 metres to the bunker and danger behind, they forgot to mention it was completely safe to the right of the bunker. John aimed for the cart path and missed putting the ball into the shiggy beside the path never to be seen again. JP played a fairway wood short of the bunker and Chris smacked a 5 iron to an advantageous position. The President suffering from Saturday Night Palsy and wobbly knees chose a 3 wood as his weapon of choice and stumbled to the tee. With words of encouragement from Diarmuid, the ball, to the amazement of all assembled, was sent soaring straight as an arrow some 200 metres into the shiggy behind the bunkers. The round had started and so had the blue language. The jagermeisters from earlier that morning ( thanks Nicolas) kept my hopes up that things might be ok. Six holes later and I was thinking that waterboarding must be more fun than this. I sent a message to Adhe to see what a week’s stay at Guantanamo Bay would cost. John, after a similar rough start soon settled into a nice rhythm as did JP, after a bit of blue language on the 3rd, Chris with his trusty irons was on the mark from the word go.

The caddies were lovely and very professional offering us advice on the greens that went a bit like this. Kiri. Ok, so kiri we went, and soon realised the caddy meant a flag pole left. As that was sorted out, it soon became; turun kiri, naik kanan, turun lagi licin, was a typical caddy reading of a 4 metre putt that day. The greens kept us honest and dashed our hopes for birdies and pars. I am glad I put the pre-golf start to have a smoke rather than the practise greens as those that did also perished on the greens of the East course. Except of course for the unknown golfer who broke Vijay’s heart and bank when he sunk a forty footer to take a birdie and sink Vijay’s par. TeeSet does not condone gambling on the course.

So so far we have the President having a rough day, Vijay has been feed to the wolves but then there was Diarmuid. Diarmuid asked me not to repeat this to Anybody so I have deleted Anybody from the mailout list. Anyways, Diarmuid was havin a bit of a matchplay with Roberto after 9 holes Roberto was cruising at 6 up, young Sean was seeing his dad in a new light and a few holes later the execution was complete 6/5. Those greens were hard.

On a happier note Holger took all of Vijay’s money and too rub salt in Vijay’s wounds shared the low gross prize. John Packer had nine pars (we won’t mention the other 9), and Chris Barnett had 2 birdies. Did the East course win? Of course not, TeeSet always wins, you just have to wake up and/or sober up. Even the President managed a respectable score on the back 9.

In hindsight it was great golfing, conditions (hungover) were tough at the start, the first 9 is a bit of a challenge but the heat disappeared quickly and spirits lifted. I think will revisit this course in August.

TEESET BIRTHDAY TEXAS SCRAMBLE 10TH OF SEPTEMBER PONDOK CABE.

That’s right TeeStters it’s birthday time not just any birthday but our 40th. So it will be a big day with great prizes for the winners and skill prizes for those with skill. Birthday cakes, beer, wine and other drinks. Get your team organised ASAP to avoid disappointment as we will be limited to how many groups the course can handle.

Asian Tigers 45 hole challenge 1st of September

The day when the iron men of golf venture on to the fields of Jagorawi to do good for the tigers of Sumatra. If you wish to take part in the classic 45 on foot event or the 18 in a cart event speak to Bill Lloyd. A great day out in support of a good cause, tigers.

The Winners

John with 42 stableford points. Well done and probably 46 wisecracks along the way. An entertaining round.

A happy Vijay for equal first in the low gross. He can now pay the toll fees.

Holger, equal low gross who has no problems with the toll fees but may have a problem with the taxman he won so much on Sunday.

John takes the first birdie money and second place in the smart arse comments behind John on a count back. A true pleasure to play heckling golf with these 2 & JP found it amusing also.

KOJO MONTHLY MEDAL CENGKARENG SUNDAY 30TH OF JULY

Back to Cengkareng for the monthly medal. Please register ASAP as we are filling up quickly and need to let management know ASAP if we need extra flights or if they can accommodate extra flights.

Always a great day and the Margaritas are to die for.

Arriba, arriba … andale, andale mas margaritas por favore.

El Presidente

Jarkarta Interleague, that time of the month when you really find out where people’s loyalties lie. TeeSet a club coming up to 40 years of active golf activities, an email list in the thousands (most have moved or died but hey we have a list). TeeSet who organises weekly golf games for the local and expatriate community every Sunday come rain, hail or religious holiday, never asking for anything just happy to serve that’s TeeSet. Solid as Borobudur, reliable as a Kijang, but come Interleague Sunday and we watch as the rats leave the ship. The bastard teams that TeeSet have spawned, teams such as the Tin Lids, Sharks, Sand Castles and Chihuahuas all basically made up of golfers who cut their international golfing teeth with the mighty TeeSet. These aforementioned bastards all sit atop TeeSet in the League. TeeSeters you need to look deep into your black Sand Castle heart and ask yourself does it feel right representing this mob when I could be helping the pure strain of golf society that is TeeSet. Wearing the TeeSet shirt, young men stand aside, women admire, and respect is universal. A shirt that has a tin lid on it somehow or another does not garner as much respect. Sitting here at the keyboard I feel a bit like Jay Monahan when the Camel Jockeys rode into town and took his stars away. TeeSet does not have the money of the PGAT or LIV but we have Spirit. We play golf in the true spirit of the game we will never shirk a battle, we will never concede a hole, we will play fair and we will prevail. So when Dean asks for numbers at the next Interleague competition I expect his Whatsapp account to be swamped with keen TeeSetters willing to go that extra mile for the club and don the club colours and venture forth onto the golf links of Jakarta for the greater glory of TeeSet. Hoorick hoorah TeeSet TeeSet rah rah rah. (Unfortunately I like Cameron Smith sold my soul, not to LIV but Pocksia)

Pondok Cabe a course on the rise, vast improvements since the dark days of covid. Sand in the bunkers, greens improved (still a bit hard on some of them) club house with a new coat of paint and they sent the towels to the laundry earlier this year. Cheap beers on the golf course, caddies in all shapes and sizes and golf carts with no brakes. This is a course on the rise in the eyes of many Jakarta golfers. It was great to see a strong turnout amongst TeeSetters not playing in the interleague. We got off to a semi shotgun start and went straight into a traffic jam of biblical proportions but this gave Riccardo and Diarmuid that extra father/son time on the golf course with Simon and Sean. Great to see families getting out there and enjoying a pleasant Sunday on the golf track. Conditions were ideal and heavy smokers and drinkers could get a couple in on each hole as play was slow for the first 9 holes. The cry of FORE was frequently heard but most targets were fortunately missed. An Indonesian caddie will yell fore at anything pretty much, to the point that golfers are numb to the call and no evasive action is ever taken. Any way I digress, one of my strong points.

Perfect conditions for golf after 2 holes in the heat it clouded over nicely and golfers were left to handle the great challenges that this course offers. Bunkers, doglegs, water and trees. From checking the scores most seemed to play close to their handicaps but putts were a bit on the high side. There is a bit of speed in a few of these greens and bounce.

Pondok Cabe will host TeeSet’s big Birthday Bash on the 10th of September so now is a good time to start organising your Texas Scramble teams(Ambrose to the Antipodean Colonials). We will have the whole course for a shotgun start no jam ups guaranteed so next week we will put out the registration forms and first in first served, bound to be a sellout. Great prizes (including free tickets to the 2025 Comm Games) great after golf activities.

Captain Dean takes best Stableford with 39. Send this man your commitment for next interleague.

Hitoshi takes a low gross win due to an early departure by Richard.

First birdie to Axel on hole 13 but that could be anywhere as it was a shotgun start. Well done.

The low putt twins Viboon and Seabrook due to a few people being OB and/or winning other prizes.

Roger took first Sandy but the camera never made it to the Pocksia table. The Pocksia table at the end was made up of the TeeSet hardcore liquor lads. We might be holding up the ladder in Interleague but we sit ahead of the pack in the drinking stakes, in a league of our own.

Next Sunday is Gunung Geulis tee off to be confirmed but normally before 12. So sign up and enjoy one of Jakarta/Bogor’s premier mountain courses. Use MyGolf2U. See you Sunday

Cheers and may your god smile upon you

Mr President (Impeach, impeach)

The course famous for the Madonna hole and for kids of the owner pinching bits of the course to build moats around their homes. This was the course that TeeSetters played last Sunday. It is a course that barely has a flat spot to place your feet on the fairways. Teletubbyesque mounds are everywhere and the greens have a fair bit of break in them. It was also a week where the President set a 14km hash trail on the Saturday and come Sunday was so sore golf was out of the question. We are not getting any younger my friends.

The Italian domination of TeeSet 2023 continues with Alessandro scoring 41 points and taking the chocolates last Sunday. Well done.

Nicolas presenting Sam with his lobsters for taking low gross 76. Cracking round in Telly Tubby Land.

Axel takes the first bird Flamingo with a birdie on hole 3. It must have been award to him due to Alphabetic rules as Richard and Sam also birdied the hole. ( late in from the judge Sam also birdied No2)

Rarely out of the money is Richard. This week with first sandy, hole No 3 and low putts 25. Well done.

Welcome back:

• MONIQUE
• JANNES
• MIKE RIGGS

Next Sunday JIL at Pondok Cabe

When TeeSet plays the interleague excitement quite intense prevails amongst their barrackers gathered round the fence. With a hoorick hoorah hoorick hoorick arah TeeSet TeeSet Ra Ra Ra

Captain Dean has once again assembled TeeSet’s finest to do battle this Sunday

TeeSet team for this round is:

1. Nicolas V
2. Sam W
3. Dean M
4. Viboon S
5. Albert A
6. Jeff D
7. Mike R
8. Jaco Z

The Captain is hoping we can get a good turn out of players to help support the team as they go in search of that elusive first win. So please sign up on MyGolf2U ASAP. If you cannot play this Sunday at the lovely Pondok Cabe (where on course beers are attractively priced) the President would like you to get to your local house of worship and light a candle, burn some incense or make a sacrifice to invoke the gods to look favourably upon the Mighty TeeSetters JIL Squad.

On On

The President (Time is fleeting)

36 TeeSetters arrived at Gading Jaya to the soothing sounds of jackhammers. The men were given the privilege of being allowed into the ladies locker room, whilst the ladies were pointed in the direction of a shed on the ground floor. Seems golf is a male privileged sport. I am currently penning a damning letter to Gading Management, the beer needs to be colder, and the restaurant trolley wheels make a horrible noise.

There were some late rearrangements on the scheduled flights due to a few late registering players but all was sorted by the time I arrived. The morning was quite warm and humid and the starter had us teeing off at exactly 11.30. The course was in excellent condition and the greens were not simple if you had landed your ball on the wrong part of the green, in my case that means anywhere from 15cm outside the big circle surrounding the cup. Speaking of that circle our group found it a bit distracting, in that we seemed to be putting for the circle and not the cup. Anyways Bob Fleishman had a reasonable day with the flat stick in our group getting it into that big circle most times.

The Caddie Whisperer was on a mission to drink the club out of wine and he managed this with a little help from his group and a group of passing lady golfers.

It didn’t seem to affect their golf, as usual they were outside the winner categories. But hey, better drinking red than dead.

The first 9 was played at a nice pace, as the day started to cool the Club Management thoughtfully added 3 or 4 flights on the turn so we would have plenty of time to have another red wine or an Anker or puff on a fag. So we were all well rested by the start of the second nine with a potential of rain in the distance. Despite the extra groups being jammed in on both nines all golfers were back well before the lights went out.

A hint of frustration was creeping into the President’s game as he could not put two reasonable shots together and was stuck in double bogey land. Not a pleasant place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Hitoshi pointed out to the President that it is unnecessary to be taking so many shots in a bunker. The President will be pointing Hitoshi to the last flight next Sunday. Has this power trip got to my head? I certainly hope so. Speaking of Hitoshi he nailed 4 birdies for the day I saw him nail a drive down the wrong fairway, hence his comments about my bunker play.

On to the winners

The 4 putters of the apocalypse. Albert, Jude, Sami & Hitoshi all managed 30 with the flat stick. You could smell Sami’s socks from the ladies change rooms, I was told.

A towering performance by Nicolas with a gross 76 and a birdie on the first.

A happy Roberto was the inform golfer last Sunday with a very nice 42 points. A fistful of flamingos is a good way to end a lovely day’s golf at Gading Raya

By the time The President departed the wine whisky and beers were flowing and the usual dehydrated golfers were being re-hydrated. A good day was had by all. Especially Tom who made a wonderful comeback after a bit of a dodgy round on the previous Friday a 30 shot improvement that barely moved his handicap.

IMPERIAL LIPPO KARAWACI 9TH OF JULY

Many Teesetters enjoy the challenge of this residential complex course. Now that my slice has been replaced with an occasional hook some of the residents are not so happy as I pass by. Noted for an array of unique holes and undulating fairways this course offers a challenge many teesetters look forward to. The food and drink menu is second to none and with easy access from Jakarta it will be a popular destination this Sunday. To avoid disappointment book now on MyGolf2U.

Regards

The President (time served a bit more than last week)

A big mob of TeeSetters headed out to Cengkerang last Sunday to contest the Kojo Monthly Medal. The President meanwhile lazed around the pool at home and had a quiet pleasant Sunday. Which may have led to some pretty good scores being carded. While the Presidents away, good golf is what we’ll play. A big thanks to Bill Lloyd for MCing the apres golf events.

The big mob got away off tee boxes 1 and 10 and all managed to make it home before the lights went out. A couple of Match Play comps were completed that day with Bags having the wood over Large Craig and JIL Match Play Captain, Dean, getting the job done on Mark Johnson. JIL have their next match on the 16th of July at Pondok Cabe please let the Team Captain know if you are available to compete for the mighty TeeSetters.

The wife of the President arrived home at 10.30 that night saying everyone had behaved themselves and all were sober on departure.

Nice out Joe

Jari swinging, Tom lighting up.

Warming up before teeing off. Do the Hokey Pokey

Margaritas on his mind?

Hey Margarita! Hands up who’s pissed?

Jude, the rose amongst the thorns.

I think Eli may have told me a lie or 2 about the general sobriety of the mob above. Anyways, what happens at Cengkareng stays at Cengkareng. Unless of course you know about the legend of the security tape.

THE WINNERS CIRCLE

Best Net. Tom with a 63. That will damage your match play handicap.

Low Gross 77 for Axel. Well played surprised not to see you at the margarita table.

First Sandy, Neil

1st Eagle : NICOLAS VERDENAL #hole 5

NTP Men : PUNIT GAMBHIR #162 cm

Low Putts: RIAHANA ARIESTYA #30

LD Men : CHRISTIAN BERKENHOFF #250 mtr. TeeSets leading man in the fashion stakes.

1st Birdie : ROGER FINNIE #hole 1. Rarely goes home empty handed

And this week’s winningest winner goes to Kayla. Great to see you back and in top form.

LD Ladies : #173 mtr

• Low Gross #76
• 1st Birdie #hole 1
• NTP Ladies #186 cm
• Low Putt #29

NEXT SUNDAY GADING RAYA

For those golfers who didn’t escape Jakarta we are off to Gading Raya. A lovely course rated by many as one of Jakarta’s friendliest courses, if you get off to a good start. The members Bar upstairs once did frozen margaritas we may need to test that this weekend. Sign up on MyGolf2U ASAP. 19 slots left as this goes to press.

See ya at Gading

The President (20 weeks)

Definitely the President’s favorite hole nice and straight not much danger to think about. The 12th on the New Course

Jakarta Interleague is that time of the month when things go a little weird. Your TeeSet buddies are now Sandbraggers, Tin Sheds or Sharks all a bit confusing so I go and play with Pocksia on these occasions. Leaving TeeSet in the large and capable hands of TS Interleague captain, Dean Merriless. Dean’s job is to recruit 8 players and some weeks it proves difficult. He should take a leaf out of Putin’s search for recruits, the prisons are a good option. Anyways a strong team was put together and narrowly lost to the Cloggys. Thanks a lot team, and we are sure to finish the season strongly after Pocksia knocked the Poodles out of their kennel, making the road to the Cup just that little bit easier for the TeeSet Team. Self-belief, practise and a good foot wedge and the Cup will be ours.

Winners for the day were Siti for best 69 net, Vijay best gross 85 (OB) and Lia first Birdie (someone for the JIL team Dean?)

Lia with her birdie winning balls and an ashtray from JIL

Siti, one of TeeSet’s rapidly improving golfers. Well done on your victory.

TeeSet Match Play Championship

This weekend is the last round to play your matches so please organise with the person you are scheduled to play and let Adhe or Roger know that you are playing so pairings can be managed for Sunday at Cengkerang. Which is also the monthly medal which is played off the blues for men and reds for the ladies.

Monthly Medal Cengkerang 25th of June

Spots are filling up quickly on current allocation. Please sign up ASAP so if necessary we can arrange with Cengkerang to get more slots allocated. If you fit the following description; Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door, you probably need a golf cart. Carts are limited at Cengkerang, so please coordinate with Adhe to secure one well before Sunday or it’s off to Ellis Island for you.

Get to the course early to ensure we have a fast start. Please note your speed of play, this is a walking course and people having fifteen practise swings and waiting for tectonic plates to move before they putt just means we are likely to come home in the dark. When I say “we” I should probably say YOU as I am the President and I always get a good slot.

There is an opportunity for you also to become the TeeSet President in about 22 weeks time. Perks of the job includes allocated club parking area, good tee times, 10% off your second MacD breakfast order, respect throughout the Expatriate community and everybody calling you Mr President because they can’t remember your name. So why not toss your hat in the ring when the next opportunity arises.

Upcoming Events

In September we will be celebrating TeeSets 40th birthday with a big scramble and marathon boozy warm down at Pondok Cabe. So start thinking about your Team. There will be prizes, music, lucky draw and a whole lot more. Registration for this special event will begin in July so start thing about who you need to help you take the prize.

See ya swinging at the airport course on Sunday

The President (What’s his name, 22 weeks)