2009 Annual Championship

The tournament everybody was waiting for finally arrived on the 14th of December 2009. Gamba Golf Club annual championship was held for 2 days. The first day was also the medal for December and therefore the final chance for everybody to score on the ecclectic. Although nobody is really interested to know, I'm proud to announce that I was the leader going into this final day.

The first day did not actually started as planned. A few jokers came late and there were also last minute withdrawals. But the game still started and those that managed to make it, tee off from the 1st hole. I was supposed to be in the final flight but due to the few late arrivals was forced to join an earlier group.

The flight in front of us was super slow. We literally had to wait for every shot from the 1st hole to the last. My game collapse after my first tee shot. I did manage to get a birdie but other than that it was a long day indeed. I think it's an expensive lesson for me. I need to control my mind better in the future.

It's obvious that I failed to win the December medal and to make it worse, I also lost the ecclectic. Now I need to start all over again in 2010. Anyway, the second day was still on so we re-assembled on the 15th. This time we started in the morning.

The day was great and we changed the starting system. I started from hole 5 with Vincent and we were blazing hot for the first 2 holes. As soon as we were walking to our 3rd hole, the sky opened and heavy rains arrived. We were perfectly located because our 3rd hole is next to the golf paillot. We conveniently stopped and enjoyed the prepared coffee and croissant. Almost everybody else were soaking wet.

The tournament was cancelled and deferred to February 2010. So not all was lost, i'm still in contention .... if I can get my handicap revised in time.

Hole No 18

Hole no - 18
Par - 4
Index - 11
Distance - 350 m

Summary:

It's finally time to finish off the game. Hole 18 is a straight forward par 4 with minimal obstacles. During dry season you can drive your ball passed the 150 m marker.

Photo 1: View from hole 18 tee box

Then it's a simple 5 iron to the brown. Par is very realistic but I've scored a birdie here before, a chip-in from the apron with Annick as my playing partner. If you end up with a bogey it's actually not bad. I've had worse score especially during raining season.

Hole No 17

Hole no - 17

Par - 4

Index - 6

Distance - 335 m

Summary:

Hole 17 is the second longest par 4 after hole 9. It's very difficult to get it on in 2 so just drive the ball as far as you can. Needless to say, don't go too far right left or right.

Photo 1: View from hole 17 tee box

Once you are on the fairway, use a 3 wood if you wish to take a bit of risk. It can be rewarding but if you screw it up then you'll end up with a big score .... guaranteed.

Photo 2: Brown for hole 17

Once on the brown, a 2 put is easy. This can be a make or break hole because you only have 1 more hole left after this.

Hole No 16

Hole No - 16
Par - 4
Index - 17
Distance - 293 m

Summary:

Hole 16 is supposedly one of the easy holes here. In reality it is quite easy but the bamboo on the right can be the most hated tree of the day. I've ended up there with my drive countless times.

Photo 1: View from hole 16 tee box

If for some reason you can tee-off safely then the next shot is quite easy as long as you don't overhit it. There're more bamboo trees waiting if you hit it too far.

Photo 2: Brown of hole 16

The brown here is quite hard so the ball rolls easily and if you don't control your shot it will not stay on the brown. Otherwise a 2 put is easy to make.

Hole No 15

Hole no - 15
Par - 4
Index - 15
Distance - 302 m

Summary:

Hole 15 is a hole to redeem yourself after a humiliation in hole 14. Chances are this is true for every hole but hole 15 is a good place for redemption. The fairway is wide and downhill so you can whack the ball with your driver. Just make sure it stays within the fairway.

Photo 1: View from hole 15 tee box

After a good drive, the approach to the brown is slight uphill but relatively easy. If you choose the right club and hit it correctly, you are well on your way for a good score.

Photo 2: Brown of hole 15

Once you are on, a simple 2 put will make your day.

Hole No 14

Hole no - 14
Par - 4
Index - 14
Distance - 277 m

Summary:

Hole 14 can be your first hole for the day if there's a lot of people playing. This is the first hole you see as you enter the golf course. The tee-off is straight forward as long as you can past the drain about 140m away.

Photo 1: View from hole 14 tee box

Photo 2: Fairway of hole 14

Once you're safely past the drain and on the fairway, the approach shot to the brown is uphill so make sure you use the right club.

Photo 3: Brown of hole 14

If you get on the brown in two then birdie and par is a possibility.

Hole No 13

Hole No - 13
Par - 5
Index - 10
Distance - 440 m

Summary:

Hole 13 is the last of three par 5's here. This is also the only par 5 in the back nine. The fairway is slightly uphill in the first hundred meter and becomes flat for the next hundred. Just like everywhere else, both left and right is a no entry zone ..... you'll loose your ball if you end up there.

Photo 1: View from hole 13 tee box

Once you past the 150 m marker, the fairway is downhill towards the brown. Again play it safe unless you're sure you can hit straight.

Photo 2: Fairway of hole 13

Photo 3: Brown of hole 13

Once you're on the brown, it's a straight forward put. This is a potential hole to score. I've got lots of pars here.

Hole No 12

Hole No - 12
Par - 3
Index - 4
Distance - 190 m

Summary:

Hole 12 is the last par 3 and the only one in the back nine. It's a long par 3 and requires a very accurate shot if you wish to score.

Photo 1: View from hole 12 tee box

If you don't have confidence in your tee shot, then it's best to use a short iron and just place the ball. You can easily get to the brown in 2 using a 9 iron or a pitching wedge.

Photo 2: Hole 12 brown

The brown is relatively hard and quite easy to handle. The challenge is to consume as little stroke as possible to get it on.

Hole No 11

Hole no - 11
Par - 4
Index -8
Distance - 280 m

Summary:

Once you got your par or birdie on hole 10 then it's time to continue the battle on hole 11. This is a short par 4 ending at the furthest most area of the course (from the club house). There have been cases of bees attacking golfers, elephants chasing potential champions, etc. around this area so please be alert.

This is actually a simple par 4 and I love this hole. A simple drive would get you to a prime position for the second shot.

Photo 1: Tee-box of hole 11.

Once you've safely arrived at the 100 m marker or somewhere there, then the next challenge is to hit a safe shot to the brown. Short is ok but if you're too long then bye-bye ball.

Photo 2: Fairway of hole 11 viewed from the brown.

The brown here is the softest of them all. At one time, you have to put as hard as you can just to get the ball to stop near the hole. It's not so bad now but still be aware of it when you're putting.

Hole No 10

Hole no - 10
Par - 4
Index - 9
Distance - 324 m

Summary:

Unlike other golf courses, the 2nd nine here starts very far from the club house. It's not normal to start from hole 10. Sometimes you tend to forget this is the start of a new nine.

Anyway, hole 10 is a slight dog leg left. You don't need a monster drive to position yourself for a good second shot. Just be aware of the bamboo tree about 180 m from the tee-box.

Photo 1: View from the tee box

Once you've secured a good drive then the next thing to do is to choose the right club for your approach shot. If you're short it's ok, just be safe. Anywhere too far right or left you're doomed.

Photo 2: Brown for hole 10

The brown for hole 10 is quite hard. It's better to land the ball before the brown and let it roll to the pin. Something I have difficulties achieving so far. Still, this is an enjoyable hole and will reward you if you stick to your plan.

Hole No 9

Hole no - 9
Par - 4
Index - 3
Distance - 365 m

Summary:

Hole 9 marks the end of your first 9 (of course !). For some reason it feels much longer than the 365 m distance shown on the card. Maybe it's because the other holes are shorter and anything longer becomes amplified.

The target is to score a bogey 5 or better. Trying to get on the brown in 2 is not realistic, especially for me. In wet season it's a suicide if you try!

Photo 1: Fairway with the brown at the far end.

So, assuming you don't need 5 balls to get on the fairway, the next shot is to place the ball on the best distance for the approach shot. Treat this like a par 5 and you'll be ok.

Photo 2: Fairway with the tee-box at far end.

My favourite distance is between 95 to 100 m. An easy swing with my 9 iron would get me on the brown.

Photo 3: Brown for hole 9

Once on the brown, you have a realistic chance to 1 putt. The brown is hard and has a flat surface.

Hole No 8

Hole no - 8
Par - 3
Index - 18
Distance - 127 m

Summary:
The photos are not yet ready. Later dude ...

Hole No 7

Hole no - 7
Par - 5
Index - 1
Distance -470 m

Summary:

Hole 7 is a bit special because there's a good chance you might start the day from this hole. It's a difficult hole and it can either spoil your game or give you the inspiration to score well for the rest of the day. Somehow it's a jinx hole for me especially during monthly medal so I'm always nervous every time I'm about to tee off.

Photo 1: Fairway from the tee box viewed from the turning point

The first challenge is to drive the ball over a small pond. If you hit too far left it's OB and too far right there's Mr George W BUSH !! Needless to say, I've been to both.

The hole is actually dog leg right and you need to plan your shot carefully if you wish to score well here. Normally it takes at least 2 shots before you reach the turning point. A driver and a long iron will get you near the 100 m marker. Even if you need 3 shots to get there you're still ok.

Photo 2: Fairway to the brown viewed from the turning point

Once you are at the 100 m point, the approach shot is slightly uphill. This is not a difficult shot but do not underestimate the distance. You can easily over hit the ball and end up 20 m passed the brown.

If you are on the brown then try to make a 2 putt. This is another brown that can be a nightmare especially during wet season.

Hole No 6

Hole no - 6
Par - 3
Index - 12
Distance - 152 m


Summary:


This is the second par 3 on the front 9. The tee box is next to the lake and is has a wonderful view. Focus on your tee shot and don't get distracted with anything else. The hole is quite challenging because there's water and then a deep bunker before you reach the brown.

Photo 1: The tee box is next to the lake.


Either you carry 150 m passed the bunker or just play safe and place your ball after the water. During dry season there's no water problem of course.

Photo 2: This is what you see on the lady's tee box


The brown is a nightmare. Just try to putt your ball so that it stops as near the hole as possible. It really is a lottery if you try to 1 putt.

Photo 3: The brown of hole 6. Beware ....

Hole No 5

Hole No - 5
Par - 5
Index - 5
Distance - 444 m

Summary:

After the first par 3, now you are faced with the first par 5. During medal the tee box is way behind and you really need to have a good tee shot. Otherwise you're going to accumulate really big numbers. It's normal to hit 2 or even 3 tee shots before you can even reach the fairway.

Photo 1: The medal tee box is way behind the normal tee box.

Photo 2: View from the normal tee box.

Once that is over you can now plan the next shot. It's difficult to reach the brown in 2 so just use a mid iron and place the ball around the 100 m marker. If that is ok the approach to the brown is straight forward. Be aware of a small ditch about 50 m before the brown.

Photo 3: A clear fairway.

The brown is partly covered with small stones and therefore not flat. Just focus on having a 2 putt then you're ok.

Hole No 4

Hole No - 4
Par - 3
Index - 13
Distance - 244 m

Summary:

Finally, you now have a chance for redemption. This is a short par 3 and it's very realistic for you to get it on the brown with your tee shot.

Photo 1: The tee box is at a lower elevation

The challenge is to hit it at the right direction because you cannot see the brown from the tee box. It's not really an uphill shot because the fairway is sloping upwards and halfway it become flat.

Photo 2: The brown is quite hard.

As long as you can get it on in 2 then you'll be allright. The brown is hard and predictable so a 2 putt is reasonable.

Photo 3: The bell to signal you're done.

Yes, once you've finished don't forget to hit the bell so that the flight behind you can continue. Sometime there are bees inside the bell so also make sure you check if it's ok to hit it.

Hole No 3

Hole No - 3
Par - 4
Index - 13
Distance - 244

Summary:

At this stage, you are either very eager to continue or you wish you're at home watching TV instead. You're now facing a short par 4 again dog leg left. You don't need a driver to tee off and a mid iron is more than enough to be in a prime position to score.

Photo 1: This is what you see on the tee box

During dry season you can have a bad drive and still be ok but at other times of the year, any error in your drive will be severely punished. In fact, just take another ball and hit again if your ball end up in the rough.

Photo 2: If your drive is ok, you should be seeing this for your approach shot.

If your drive is ok then the approach to the brown will be quite simple. A downhill 100 m shot is typically what you will face. So a 9 iron or pitching wedge is what you need.

Photo 3: The brown is at a lower elevation ..... downhill shot.

The brown is partly soft and partly hard so be careful when you putt your ball. Just think of 2 putt then you're ok. This is an easy par 4 and can be a good hole if you play it carefully.

Hole No 2

Hole No - 2
Par - 4
Index - 7
Distance - 258 m

Summary:

After a great first hole, you continue to the second hole. A short par 4 again dog left left. The fairway is wide open and you just need to drive your ball anywhere near the 100 m marker and you'll be allright.

Photo 1: View from Hole 2 Tee Box

The second shot to the brown will be slightly uphill but should not be a problem. You need to choose the right club, maybe a 9-iron or even a pitching wedge, so that you will not end up too far past the brown and into the bushes.

Photo 2: Fairway of Hole 2

Once you're on the brown then the putting is quite straight forward. Aim for 2 putt so that you will not overhit the ball and past the hole by a mile.

Photo 3: Hole 3 Brown

This is a hole to score. If you manage the hole well, a par is very realistic.

Hole No 1

Hole No - 1
Par - 4
Index - 2
Distance - 325 m

Summary:

This is a tricky par 4. It's a dog leg left and you cannot really see the best landing area for your drive because of a few trees blocking your view. On the left there're the lake and thick bushes all the way to the brown.... stay away please! On the right is hole 5.

Photo 1: What you see on t box 1

Fortunately, this hole partially shares the same fairway as hole 5, so you can "place" your drive a bit to the right. Once you're safely there, you can be aggressive and use your long iron or fairway woods to get to the brown. Otherwise just play safe and you can easily get there in 3.

Photo 2: A view of hole 1 brown with the fairway behind it.

As soon as you are on the brown, the challenge is to identify any loose or soft sands between your ball and the hole. The speed can change so drastically you might 3 put on this brown.

Our New President

To All Club Members:

The new President of Gamba Golf Club is now Mr. Charlie Brown. He replaces Mr Sandy Sangster.

Cogratulation to Charlie and our gratitude to Sandy for all the services he has given to the club.