Results - Port Klang Golf Resort - 25th September 2012

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Cannons all.

Port Klang Golf Resort really is a little gem. Quiet, modest and old fashioned, this tranquil corner of Port Klang presents a stern test of golfing skills, it's tight fairways meandering through the numerous ponds and drains, needing good judgement and accurate positioning of shots on what, at first sight, appears to be a flat and fairly mundane golf course.

A disappointing turn out this week for the September Trophy Game saw 12 LC's tee it up on a pleasant, cool morning but the sound of distant thunder was ominous and sure enough light rain soon began to fall, developing into heavier steady rain towards the end of the front 9. Fortunately it was short lived and the back 9 was played in near perfect golfing weather and with few other golfers on the course we were all home in good time. Trying to drive a Turf Mate one handed, the other holding the umbrella, proved to be near impossible. You really have to hold on with both hands to these things!

The fairways were good and the greens too, if a bit slow. The only criticism being the bunkers that had only received a cursory raking and were very uneven; not helped by the complete absence of rakes. Jack Niclaus would approve, he being a supporter of the notion that bunkers should be serious hazards to be avoided at all costs rather than a place where most professionals would prefer to be, if not on the green.

On the negative side Port Klang Golf Resort has poor drainage and can only be enjoyed during the dryer months of the year and so this will be our last visit this year; the course already being quite soft. The locker room too is very tacky and with no hot water in the showers, not because its not available but because the management have given instructions to the staff not to turn on the water heater unless someone actually asks for it!!!

Last weeks report on the sorry state of Bukit Unggul was forwarded to their manager May Wong who sent me an apologetic note thanking me for our observations and promising to continue working towards improving the course and the service. Thank you May.

  

The winner of the September Trophy was Ray Funnell with 39 points off the stick plus 3 bonus points for a total of 42. The runner-up was myself with 38 + 3 = 41 points.

The lowest gross was 90 by John Laidley and the most golf was played by Allan McNicoll with 124. Ray is cut 4 strokes and myself 1 stroke.

11 of us went to Port Village Restoran for an excellent sea food lunch helped along by a generous donation of RM100 by the absent player, Vincent. Thank you Vincent.

Photos

 Allan tries on his new hat, alluded into thinking that this new equipment may help his game

 It's wonderful to see the joy and glee of a golfer being introduced to the turf mate for the first time

 Cannons assembling at the 1st tee on their turf mate chariots

 The 1st hole awaits the onslaught of 12 Cannons

 "Listen Up Cannons!"

 The calm and placid water ..... soon to be disrupted by many balls from Barry Cousins

 Vincent walks off the 1st green

Stuart's turf mate decides to mount Raymond Keys' turfmate

 The greens at Port Klang Golf Resort were in very good condition

 The turf mate ..... not many clubs using this ingenious device but fun to drive again after so long

 Thought this was my ball but it turned out to be a giant mushroom

 Barry and his lucky mascot/driver cover

 Another scenic view over one of the many water hazards

 Luckily this was not a bridge that we had to use ... but it added a certain rustic charm to the place

 Raymond Keys using a novel technique to support his club ... or was it a special way to warm the grip ... I don't know!

A panoramic view over the course

There were many dogs on and around the course .. this pack had taken up residence on the green and were very loathed to move when we arrived

Stuart shows the correct technique on how to play a bunker shot - in this case from a rather stony bunker!

An animated gif as a bonus .....

Port Klang Golf Resort clubhouse ...... this could be Malaya back in the 50's ... especially when you saw the state of the shower room

By the end of the first 9 the rain started ... but luckily cleared quickly

Lunch was excellent with a wide variety of seafood washed down with copious quantities of the amber nectar

 Mike reviewing the scores while Hans prays for a good result

The damage - RM645.90 for 11 pax

Ray Funnell ... the September trophy winner ... Congratulations!

Video

Next Game - Port Klang Golf Resort - 25th September 2012

Golf next Tuesday, 25th September 2012 will be at Port Klang Golf Resort

This will be the TROPHY Game for September

Lunch will be at the nearby seafood restaurant

Be there by 07:30 LATEST
Names to Mike Smith soonest

Results - Bukit Unggul Country Club - 18th September 2012

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Cannons all.

We haven't played Bukit Unggul since May, mainly because it was in pretty poor condition back then and the M&M service was very slow. Not a lot has changed in the interval. Granted, the course was generally in better shape than previously( the dead tree at the 18th tee box has been removed at last) but the time it takes them to prepare a simple meal is unbelievable.

There was a rush to get onto the first tee ahead of a large group of Chinese seniors; the orange & white shirt sociaty that we increasingly see on a Tuesday lately, who can be horribly slow, and so the 12 LC's assembled were directed to the back 9 and with no one ahead we were all round in well under 4 hours. Thanks to Ray for taking care of the registration.

Bukit Unggul Golf & Country Club has so much going for it in terms of location and layout that it is almost a crime that it isn't better managed and presented. It really wouldn't take much effort to turn it around. They are doing some work to repair kerbs and drains that have lain in disrepair for years, and some of the buggy turning areas that were so ineptly laid a few years back have been extended, not in matching paving you understand but at least a buggy can be turned around now.  But there are still areas on the fairways and their fringes that are completely bare. This can be repaired so easily with just some turf! Of course, when you see the majority of the ground staff sitting under trees doing FA, only stirring from their stupor when when an opportunity to sell a few balls occurs, there is little that can be achieved on the maintenance front.

What a pity.

In a nut shell, the greens were OK but slow and many had patches of damage that had only been sand filled rather than turf plugged. The fairways were average at best and the bunkers were poorly maintained. Out of 10 I would give it 6 at best. But it's cheap and fairly close to town.

The weather was excellent and a stiff breeze that arrived about half way through meant that we all walked off the course almost dry.

The winner  was myself with 40 points and the runner-up was Andrew Robinson with 38 points. The lowest gross was 85 by Andrew and the most golf was played by Allan McNicoll with 124. I am cut 4 strokes and Andrew 1 stroke.

All 12 of us took lunch at the club house but as I said earlier, the service from the kitchen is so slow that some of us actually visited the kitchen to find out what was causing the delay. 45 minutes seemed about the norm from the time of order to receiving the dish And we were the only ones in the place. Hello!!! The only good news was the bill which left us with a surplus to go into the kitty.

Photos

 Aftab Ahmad tees off into the mist.

 Vincent makes it look easy.

 Ray Funnell making it look not so easy.

 The wild boar had been at work in many places all over the course this being a prime example.

The sun trying to cut through the morning mist and cloud.

 A panoramic view over the course.

 Ray in trouble

Bukit Unggul course is located in a very scenic hilly location ... if only the course was in better condition.

A new hazard .... a bunker on the green! No the guy who was cutting the greens broke a hydraulic hose on his mower and spewed oil over the green .... this was his repair job!

 Vincent looks in vain for his ball which had disappeared into this grotty drain.

 Ray having the putting yips again.

 Ray and his trusty caddy.

 Ray manages a smile despite the putting blues.

 Another scenic view over the course.

 Ray Funnell drives on the last hole.

 Vincent blast one away on the last.

The Amber Fluid Team make up for fluid loss and await the lengthy time for makan to arrive.

Video

Next Game - Bukit Unggul Country Club - 18th September 2012

Golf next Tuesday, 18th September 2012 will be at Bukit Unggul Country Club

Be there by 07:30 LATEST
Names to Mike Smith soonest.

Results - Tasik Puteri Golf & Country Club - 11th September 2012

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Cannons all.

 

Tasik Puteri was in very good condition overall, the only grumble being the bunkers which had been recently refilled with fresh sand that was so deep and soft as to make playing out of near impossible. Remedy; avoid the bunkers I suppose! With surprisingly few other golfers at the course we were off on time after a short dispute between the starter and the supervisor over which of the nines were in play, but once that was sorted out the round proceeded at good pace (for most) on the Puteri & Putera 9's.

 

The weather too was good with a strong breeze picking up towards the end of the round.

 

The winner  was Bernhard Romahn with 44 points and the runner-up was Barry Cousins with 43 points.

The lowest gross was 80 by John Laidley and the most golf was played by Alan Holgate with 119.

Bernhard is cut 8 strokes and Barry 1 stroke.

 

With the demise of the Equatorial we mustered at the Chin Hiong Restoran half way back to the toll where the food was so-so but the price reasonable. But this was not a patch on the Equatorial.

Photos

 The usual chaos at the start to get 20 odd Loose Cannons into buggies and away.

 Our group's starting hole was the 10th hole - a misty start.

Tony tees off and sets his usual blistering pace around the course - we never saw the group behind us the whole round.

Now just check out the bend in Alan Holgate's club as he swings through demonstrating the monstrous power he is applying to the club .... now if only that power could be transferred to the ball.

 Aftab chips onto the green on the short over-the-water par 3 14th hole.

 A serene view over the lake ...... after we waited for the ripples to die down after Alan's ball went in.

 Alan again showing his driving prowess.

 Tasik Puteri is a beautiful course and fairly well maintained.

 Alan Holgate has his "energy bar" break after abandoning his play on this hole.

 The tough 18th hole .... it's uphill all the way.

 Aftab follows the caddy's lead in combatting the strong morning sun.

 Tony in action on the dance floor.

 Our helpful and always smiling caddy ... Dini.

 Tony hits on on a short par 3 3rd hole.

 Alan Holgate in jovial form.

A panoramic view of the long par 5 4th hole.

 Tony Morris also demonstrating his power at club bending.

 Aftab hits one off the tee in a steady and consistent manner.

 You can just see Alan's ball heading off straight down the middle.

 Tony ponders his putt - the clubhouse drawing closer in the background.

 A fine band of Loose Cannonites - Tony Morris, Alan Holgate, Aftab Ahmad and Stuart Taylor.

 Finally we reach the 8th hole which was our 17th hole ... one to go then it's a much needed refreshment and lunch.

 Tony impersonating an Australian cattle rustler.

 Alan Holgate impersonating an F1 Honda Team driver.

 The final hole - Alan hits his second to the green ... or rather short of the green.

The new restaurant "Chin Hiong" was successful although not quite as good as our previous haunt the "Equatorial Restaurant"

 After numerous amber refreshments and a belly full of food, spirits were good.

Barry is in great need of a wardrobe consultant

Video