Scribe Report
November Away 2014
Phnom Penh
El Pres : Rick Brown
VP/Scribe : Klaus Kretzschmar
Tour Moneybags : Martin Walsh
The KLOGS November Away 2014 was another successful Tour, albeit with a minor hiccup. The 20 participants resident in Ireland, England, Australia, Thailand and Malaysia enjoyed the 4 days golf and fellowship. There was not a single incident or whinging which made the Tour a pleasant experience for all. Thanks to those who travelled all the way from Australia and the UK just for this Tour. We specially welcomed Brian’s brother Derek who is a first time visitor to Asia. He will surely take away some indelible memories and may, as we hear, suggest changes to the Army training manual based on the KLOGS regimen.
The official tour flight from Kuala Lumpur with only 4 KLOGS members arrived on time in Phnom Penh. The bus then took the full contingent of 20 on a 1ó-hour trip on some pretty bad roads. The outcome was a complete balls-up, with the bus taking the wrong route. Luckily we were in the vicinity of the golf course planned for the last day. A quick decision was taken and the program was rescheduled. Simon (Liberty Travel) who was on the bus took responsibility and gave each of us a US$30 refund for the difference in green fees.
1st Day – Monthly Medal Royal Cambodia Golf Club – Phnom Penh
Royal Cambodia Golf Club was the second golf course to open in Cambodia in 1999. The designer of this golf course must have taken a template from Kundang Lakes in Malaysia, which ranks among the really bad courses around KL. Nevertheless we had a reasonably enjoyable day with 13players breaking 100.
Ray Funnell stormed to first place with a staggering 46 points (cut 10), followed by Alan Wright with 43 (cut 2) and 3rd place Tom Ferranti with 39 point (cut 1).
The full results are:
- NTP 1: Frank
- NTP 2: Richard Green
- LD: C. Wayne
- Last Birdie: Rick Brown
- Lowest Gross: Martin Walsh 89
Due to the delayed arrival at the golf course and miserable F&B facilities there, we decided to take up Alan’s venue recommendation. The bus took us to Luna, an Italian restaurant. After another long bus trip we finally made our way down a winding path and into a leafy garden surrounded by fairy lights. The food was good, the wine / beer even better and we all enjoyed the evening very much. Thanks Alan!
El Pres welcomed the guests, David Jones, Richard Greene, Derek Jeffers and Bhavish Shah. The monthly medal trophy was awarded to Ray Funnell followed by the novelty prizes. Wayne was unanimously voted in as COTD for insisting he had a 5 on a par 3 after being on in 1 and then 3 putting. (He could have been innocent of any misdemeanour at all and still would have been voted COTD living up to his tour short embroidery).
After and long day, especially for those coming from KL, we finally checked into the Lux Riverside Hotel. The rooms were comfortable but breakfast was rather monotonous. There were many good restaurants to choose from offering a variety of dishes just across the road or within very short walking distance. The Sisowath Quay along the riverside of Tonle Sap and Mekong River just around the corner is a good place to relax and have a coffee. The Royal Palace is just a few minutes down the road.
Day 2 – 1st Day Competition Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club
The customary 2-day competition to determine the tour champion also had horse & jockey prizes for 1st, 8th and 17th pairing. The draw was conducted on the bus. Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club is a private member golf course designed by Nicklaus Design. The golf club is without doubt one of the better courses in Phnom Penh with immaculate fairways and manicured precise greens. Generous from the tee but challenging around the greens, the true test is provided when the wind blows as the course is quite exposed. This was the case on the day. Tom Holmes won the first day with 45 points, Rikki Ingham came 2nd with 39 points and Wayne Beck had 37 points. As is now customary the day’s winner was presented with a golf shirt purchased at the club. The recipient is required to do a catwalk for the amusement of the tour members and any general public present. Tom chose a pink shirt, which enhanced the impression of a top class model.
The full results of the competition can be seen in the 2-day summary.
A late lunch was taken at the club with many a bottle of Ankor Beer consumed.
COTD Nominations:
- Tom Holmes: For starting badly on the first few holes and still winning after cleverly managing his handicap on Day 1.
- Brian and Derek: Just for being brothers
- Frank: For his chest size
- Wayne, Wayne and Wayne: For screwing up a nomination, asking why his tour shirt had special embroidery and for being in the water off the tee twice and ending up with an 8.
- There was some other nomination involving his caddie, which the Scribe can’t decipher anymore.
COTD : Wayne
Third Day – 2nd Day competition Garden City Golf Club
Garden City resort-styled golf course offers large challenging greens and water hazards that can be found on most holes throughout the course. This is a relatively new course with very little shade. The strong wind again came into play. The huge clubhouse cum hotel complex is not yet completed and no F&B facilities are available. This has been the case for more than a year.
At the start, there was a bit of a flurry since the UZI guarded Prime Minister of Cambodia and his entourage were on the course. We all started off tee box 1, partly because we were afraid Wayne might hit one of his 300-yard drives into the Prime Minister’s flight.
Klaus was the winner on the day with 41 points, Frank came 2nd with 38 points (ocb) and Philippe was 3rd with 38 points (ocb).
Tom “the Bandit” Holmes took the prestigious Tour Champion trophy with an aggregate score over the two days of 82 points (cut 4 for the money game).
The full scores of the 2 –day competition are as follows:
The official tour dinner was held at the Luna restaurantthat had proved to be an ideal venue on the first day.The Tour Champion trophy was presented to Tom Holmesby El Pres. Well done Tom!
The planned horse & rider prizes could not be presented to the winners since the Scribe had screwed up the excel sheet. The awards were then deferred to the next day. Nobody dared to nominate Klaus as COTD for this, perhaps because the pen is mightier than a golf club.
COTD Nominations:
- Peter: Delaying his flight twice
- Rikki: For being in the water off the tee and the not passing the lady’s tee
- Rick Brown: Forgetting to ask for honesty jugs twice
- Wayne: For having to wangle his way out of an altercation
- Derek: For losing it on the golf course due to Peter’s subtle comments
COTD and by default also COTT : Wayne
Day 4 – Money Game – Cambodia Golf & Country Club
Cambodia Golf & Country Club had the honour in 1997 of being the first golf course to open in Cambodia. The name should change to GUR Club since there are GUR areas the sizes of football fields. Picture Royal Kampong Kuantan in Kuala Selangor with un-mown fairways and patchy greens. This course was definitely a disgrace to golf and should be avoided.
The money game was played with two players partnering for the better stableford point on each hole based on the individual handicap. Only Tom had been cut 4 due to his Champion status. The teams were put together by the results of the 2 day competition with highest and lowest stableford points put together as first team, then next highest and lowest and so on ….
The results are:
The overnight winners of the Horse and Jockey competition were announced. The Horse Tom Holmes shared 1st prize with Frank McKenzie. Bhavish Shah and Tom Holmes shared 8th place and Jimmy Leggett and Rikki Ingham shared 17th spot.
Brian, Derek and Wayne had to leave early and were not OB. Their prizes will be sent to them.
El Pres then opened the floor for COTD nominations. In true KLOGS fashion, Tom was elected COTD for making out like a bandit.
In closing the tour El Pres thanked all participants, especially those from overseas, and wished all a safe trip to their next destinations.
Our sponsors are a main reason that we can play at good golf courses and award members with trophies, attractive prizes as well as “KLOGS” signature golf balls. In order to show our appreciation we encourage members to support our sponsors.
The Scribe extends a big thank you to all those who have contributed photographs.