Author: Stuart Taylor

Passionate Photographer Lost in Asia.

Results – Staffield Golf Resort – 16th October 2012

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Cannons all.
Staffield Country Resort was in super condition for today’s game and with dry weather throughout, (the first spots of rain started to fall as the last flight walked off the 18th) it was a real pleasure to play this wonderful track again.

We were 16 until 10:30 last night when Geoff Parslow pulled out…..some emergency that Ted would explain to me. More on this later. Then at 6 o’clock this morning Barry Cousins called me to say he had twisted his knee putting his clubs in the car. Old age is the pits isn’t it? So 14 LC’s teed it up promptly at 8 o’clock behind what appeared to be a rather slow 4 ball with Andrew muttering that this had the makings of a 5 hour job.

Berjaya; the owners of Staffield, continue to carry out long overdue major maintenance of this once lovely course and the playing surface was excellent, particularly the greens which were quick and true and a real pleasure to put on. After so much rain in recent days the drainage improvements that they have undertaken are clearly working as no soft patches were encountered. The bunkers are currently undergoing a complete work over; those that are completed were good but there were several that were in progress and not in play.
We played the Northern and Southern 9’s and with two 3 balls leading the way we were all round in just over 4 hours so not the protracted game that Andrew had feared. There was a small competition competing for space but they didn’t affect our game at all. Good management by the starter.
  
The winner was Mike Smith with 42 points OCB from runner-up was Aftab Ahmad. 
The lowest gross was 79 by Geoff McLaws who also had the longest drive, (see below) and the most golf was played by Allan McNicoll, Glen Wombwell and Stuart Taylor all with 109.
Mike Smith is cut 6 strokes and Aftab 1 stroke.

10 of us drove the 5 mins to Mantin for lunch at the usual place and excellent it was too. We would have been 11 but Geoff McLaws missed the place, drove 11km past, turned around and missed it coming back having said he ‘knew’ where the place was, then found himself on the way to Nilai Springs, turned around and started back before declaring himself “completely f….g lost” and abandoning the expedition, heading home with the aid of his GPS. For this Geoff picks up the coveted honour of “Longest Drive”. Editor’s note: Barry Cousins should get an award for the “shortest drive” of the day!

While Allan, Glen and Stuart all racked up 109 strokes on the course this pales into insignificance with the 110 clocked up by Geoff Parslow……..days that is, over stayed on his visa! Hence his late withdrawal since he had more pressing matters to attend to with Immigration this morning. Ted will let us know if the deportation holding cells allow visitors.
It’s also worth mentioning that John Laidley couldn’t remember whether he had played Staffield before or not!!! Oh dear. What with Barry’s knee and Johns memory what are we coming to?

Photos

 1st tee on the Northern Course
 Julien tees off on the 1st
 Ted Parslow and John Laidley smiling as they head off up the 1st fairway
 John Laidley “The Big Easy”on the short par 3 2nd
 Ted Parslow hits on into the bunker on the 2nd
 The 3rd hole on the Northern Course with a large sand trap next to the green
The 4th hole on the Northern Course narrows through a small neck of the fairway guarded by two large trees to the green
 Ted hits one from the tee on the 7th hole on the Northern Course
 The 7th green is backed by a large pond and also guarded well by bunkers
 Ted putting on the 9th hole on the Northern Course
 John Laidley set up nicely on the tee of the 2nd hole on the Southern Course
 A beautiful view over the green of the 2nd hole of the Southern Course
The large structure behind the tee on the 5th hole of the Southern Course is apparently a swallow house where the birds nest …. no doubt to end up in some soup at our favourite restaurant in Mantin later!

 Looking back from the 5th fairway of the Southern Course to the 3rd fairway
 The 6th hole on the Southern Course has a large water lateral water hazard down the left side
 There were a few local fishermen out trying to catch some fish from the water hazard on the 6th hole 
 John Laidley lining up to tee off on the 8th hole of the Southern Course
Vincent heading back to fairway from the rough on the 8th hole

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Results – Monterez Golf Club – 9th October 2012

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Cannons all.

It’s a long time since we played Monterez Golf & Country Club; probably 3 years. It’s not one of my favourite venues and since I make the arrangements it’s understandably towards the bottom of the pile of clubs to choose from, It’s in that position because it’s so tight and with so many fairways so closely adjacent to others with balls flying everywhere, it’s frankly bloody dangerous. But I must say with improved netting guarding the tee boxes and many more and much bigger trees these days It was OK. Of course, being so close to town it gets busy and so it was today with many even more decrepit players than our LC’s in abundance.
Blessed with wonderful weather 15 LC’s teed it up from 1 & 10 and after a short delay at TB1 we got started shortly after 8 o’clock and surprisingly there were few hold-ups.
This is a short course at 5166M from the whites and with a slope of 116 good scores were anticipated and we were not to be disappointed. The fairways were good with plenty of run after the recent dry spell and the greens were true and deceptively quick, particularly down grain, but nice to put on. The bunkers too were well kept so all in all a good playing surface.
  
The winner was Raymond Keys with 45 points and the runner-up was Hans Berger with 40 points OCB from Geoff McLaws. 
The lowest gross was shared between John Laidley and Geoff McLaws with 78’s and the most golf was played by Allan McNicholl with 120.
Raymond is cut 9 strokes and Hans 1 stroke.
13 of us took lunch at the club where the food was agreeable, the beer reasonably priced and the service brisk for the most part if you ignore the 2 or 3 orders that seemed to take an awful long time to reach the table. But generally a good lunch. We will return sooner rather than later.

Photos

Flights off T-box 10
“How the hell are we going to get across that stretch of water?” – Most did not make it!
Monterez Golf Club is a rather tight little course where much water comes into play

…. and in my case where much sand comes into play. On the 1st hole I went from bunker to water and then to OB … not a great start.

Hans Berger blast one away on the 2nd hole
The ants had been busy on this tee box creating a somewhat intricate road system
Some serious work was underway on the 6th hole
 
 …. and quite correctly this was marked as GUR which was good as I landed in the middle of this equipment
The 6th hole is one of the easier holes on the course playing downhill to a blind green
Once again I find the sand as Hans Berger plays down to the green
Hans Berger deciding on his strategy at the 9th hole
….. and he decides to go for a safe shot right down the middle ….. wise man
John Laidley in the following Loose Cannons group aptly demonstrates the Canadian Fling …. or does he just have ants in his pants!
The 13th hole is a very short par 5 at only 414 metres but the green is tough and well guarded by many bunkers …..

 …… and yes … I did find the bunker again!
….. and again on the same hole I’m in the bunker. I think the shot is called a “Rommel” …. bunker to bunker

A panorama of the 13th hole

This photograph reminds me of that TV show called “The Odd Couple” ….. don’t ask me why
Hole 15 is a short downhill shot but with a demanding green – you need to keep the ball below cup to score well

Hans Berger having a “senior moment”
Barry Cousins … tired … but never giving up in his quest for golf perfection
The 18th hole may appear to be a simple finish but the green has many undulations and breaks that can ruin your round.

F&B OK taste. OK cost.


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Results – Templar Park Golf & Country Club – 2nd October 2012

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Cannons all.

Templer Park Country Club is always a severe test and so it turned out again; an excellent layout in great condition that favours the better golfers.

16 LC’s had registered but a very late withdrawal meant that 15 golfers teed it up on a glorious morning at this very special place. The course was in the best shape I have seen it in a long while with nice fairways and fast, true greens. The bunkers too were immaculate until we arrived on the scene; Barry and Andre particularly doing their best to rearrange their topography. Templer Park has one of the best back drops in golf, dominated by the Tigers Tooth, majestically imposing against a background of unspoilt tropical rain forest. The only blemish on this spectacular and beautiful scene is the hideous house that someone has built at the foot of the Tigers Tooth. An architectural monstrosity of the most hideous appearnce. If I were God for a day I would have it demolished with its owners, the architect (if there was one) and the planning officer inside.
But back to the golf.
As you enter Templer Park Country Club you know you are at a quality destination. You also notice that this is a place that has lost some of it’s original charm and has suffered financially. The tennis courts are in need of some serious TLC and the buggies are on their last legs. These curious contraptions designed to carry 3 golfers; their equipment and a caddy are petrol engined machines which have been in service since the club opened 25 years ago. The windshield of ours fell out! They also dictate that if you go out as 4 balls you have to take 2 of these contraptions (since 3 Europeans don’t fit comfortably) and endure the smell of petrol fumes in this otherwise clean and tranquil corner of Selangor. Change them TPCC. But once out on the course there are clear sign that someone has put up some money as there are new turf management machines at work and a weed control programme in place. The playing surface is now excellent. There is also ongoing work to remove a few dead trees here and there and tidy up some of the areas of ‘natural features’ that have become a bit of an eye sore because of the undergrowth that has grown up in recent years.
This is a course that you have to walk to enjoy it’s full potential. With the buggies strictly ‘on track’ and the location of the track often some distance from where your ball lies, the caddy has to work hard to bring the clubs; great armfuls of them, to their players before scuttling back to the buggy to advance it to the next point of play. The caddies are well trained and pleasant which helps to make a round of golf here a memorable experience.
  
The winner was John Laidley with 39 points ( with 2 blobs on the card) and the runner-up was Ray Funnel with 32 points OCB from Andre Holm. 
The lowest gross was John Laidley with 83 and the most golf was shared by Barry Cousins & Richard Moss with 115.
John is cut 4 strokes and Ray 1 stroke.
We took lunch at the club where the food was good if a little expensive and the beer was bloody expensive. But we only play here twice a year.

Photos

A beautiful morning panorama over Templar Park golf course
 Allan McNicoll tees off in the 1st flight
 The buggies at Templar Park are large long wheel base 4 seaters piloted by the caddy
A motley crew about to embark on their Loose Cannons golf expedition
Photo courtesy of Hans Berger
A panoramic view of the par 3 2nd hole
 Aftab for once chipping onto the green from the grass rather than the sand

The ‘Tiger’s Tooth’ towers over the course

 Allan McNicoll putting onto the green at the 6th hole
 The large limestone pinnacles are a stunning backdrop to the course

Panoramic view of the 9th hole with a large water hazard and the backdrop of the limestone pinnacle

 Allan clears the water on the 9th
 Aftab with his easy swing also clears the water on the 9th
The 1st flight with Aftab Ahmad, Allan McNicoll and Stuart Taylor
 Julien Hodson-Walker looks on at his drive
Photo courtesy of John Laidley
 The 9th fairway with the limestone pinnacle towering over the course
 Allan McNicoll looks pleased with his front 9
 A beautiful setting for a large house …. but a long way to the shops for your ciggies
 Looking back over the course from the 14th fairway
 Panorama of the 9th hole
Panorama of the 12th par 5
 If your golf is not keeping up your interest …. you can always have a look around and appreciate the local nature
I figured out why our caddy Watini had her face all covered up …. it wasn’t for sun protection …. it was to stifle her laughter at our golfing efforts

 The 1st flight dynamic trio reach the spectacular 18th hole
Raymond Keys gives his round of golf a big thumbs down.

Course Rules: Please note Rule No. 2 
Ray on the fairway
Rule Breaker!!!!

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Results – Port Klang Golf Resort – 25th September 2012

On By Stuart TaylorIn http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Loose Cannons, Port Klang Golf Resort1 Comment

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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!

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