After a short 40 minutes drive by Bangkok traffic standards it brings us to an absolute GEM of a course today in Ban Rakat, a Gil Hanse design.
We pull up to the unpretentious sleek modern clubhouse and as I gaze beyond the waiting carts and caddies I see a sprawling links style golf course similar to ones I played in Scotland, highlighted by rolling sandy dunes and clumps of decorative ornamental grass. This place is a tight ship right from the start.
In a flash, “FERN” my caddie of the day has the clubs securely fastened onto the cart and lets me know she will be waiting for me as soon as I get out of the pro shop. Once checked in Fern ushers me to the tightly clipped and well appointed range for a warm up. Thru google translate on the phone I relay to Fern that I’ve got to swing easy peasy today, as those ribs are still tender from the bathroom slip and slide.
Thinking of my friend Dave Dister back home, I vow to keep that smooth swing tempo in mind, dedicated to avoid further injury and just hit the center of the clubface. No rushing, no extra effort…just easy. As it turns out there is merit in swinging under control and only aiming for the center of the greens.
Go figure. Miss Fern is delighted when I make Eagle on the downwind par 5 second hole as my 7 wood second shot bounces up onto the green. With the help of Fern’s diligent read the putt goes in and it’s a great start. She’s jumping around like she’s stepped onto a fire ant mound and you just have to admire the unbridled enthusiasm. I can only assume she does not see many eagles made.
We make another birdie and a darn 3 putt bogey to turn at 2 under. I’m not sure who’s happier Fern or I, but it makes for great fun. The back nine goes about as well with 3 more birdies but a darn double bogey in the mix when I hit a wayward drive thru the fairway and it requires a couple hacks to extricate myself from the ornamental grass.
But a -3 today on the card swinging extra easy combined with some decent putting makes Fern and I a happy team.
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| "Fern" great gal & caddie of the day |
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| Front of the clubhouse |
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| Note to players & the speed is accurate |
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| On the range |
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| Team Fern |
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| Course view |
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| Course view |
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| Fern always smiling & probably elatedshe doesn't have to look for golf balls all day |
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| Course view |
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| On the tee |
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| Like all caddies, they LOVE to line up the ball, Fern is better than most |
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| More jumping around |
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| Fern showing me where to land a delicate downhill chip |
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Fern gave me her ball marker as an unsolicited gift & I gave haer a 1921 Morgan silver dollar. As far as I am concerned, I got the better end of the deal.
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| Best pad Thai meal that I have had in Thailand to end the day. |
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