JAWS 36-Hole Event at Parahyangan Golf Bandung, Imlek 2022

Round 1: Monday 31^st January 12pm

Round 2: Tuesday 1^st February 8am

“Golf rewards us when we bring them all together, our bodies and our minds, our feelin’s and our fantasies — rewards us when we do and treats us badly when we don’t.”

– Shivas Irons, ‘Golf in the Kingdom’, by Michael Murphy

36 JAWS players, friends and family could not wait to escape Jakarta for a long weekend away for some golf, fun and relaxation time, over the Chinese New Year (Imlek) public holiday: 31^st January – 1^st February earlier this year. Several players took the initiative to maximise their holiday time and spend an extra day or two in the Bandung area: sightseeing, playing golf or just chilling out and enjoying the cooler climates of the region. The Mason Pine was our Homebase and chosen Hotel for the trip and was conveniently located just 5 km from the Golf Course providing us with super stay and packages for golfers and non-golfers alike, and a big thanks to Outstation Captain Willi G for negotiating such attractive packages for the players and their families to enjoy.

The Play!

On Day 1 all our 36 player’s tee’d off in somewhat relaxed pairings with no one missing their allocated tee times with all players on time and in good time and no drama’s of cars running out of gasoline on route to report this time round. For a long weekend, public holiday the course seemed surprisingly quiet, and along with the tough course layout players had to contend with the strong winds which had blown into the valley allowing for even more challenging conditions alongside the fast and hard greens on course.

The majority of the flights finished in good time just before the dark clouds rolled in and rain begun to fall with 3 flights still out on course, the last flight taking cover in the shelter of Hole #15 with 4 Holes still to play. Unfortunately, the late afternoon, early evening rain failed to stop so the JAWS committee called the last 4 holes to be calculated as ‘nett-par’ based on handicap, with the 3 flights getting this ruling for their unfinished holes, it was deemed only fair if all 36 players received the same treatment. As the Scorer with the help of the Admins got to work adjusting the particular 4 holes of everyone’s round: Holes 15, 16, 17 and 18. Not necessarily the last 4 holes of their rounds. The situation benefitted a few players who played their last 4 holes ‘over nett par’ thus picking up a stroke or two, with the scorer himself, Pak Jim picking up a casual 9 strokes!

With all 36 players, 1^st Round scores logged, the flights for Day 2 were set based on players Day 1 Nett scores, creating a more exciting, Championship last day atmosphere for the players gunning it out for the Best Nett and Low Gross prizes. Roger Finnie, despite playing the course for the very first time was setting the pace with a Gross 82, Nett 70 on Day 1. With Monsieur Eric Mary bang on schedule with a Nett 72, with 4 other players locked on Nett 73’s: Simon, Willie Noronha, Jude and Greg White. We were all set for an exciting Day 2, the main challenge: stay sensible, behave and not to drink so much, and to rest up before Day 2. While at the same time, relaxing and enjoying oneself with your friends and loved ones.

A misty, fresh and cool morning greeted the early birds out on the balcony of the breakfast terrace area, as players woke up and enjoyed the Mason Pine’s 5-Star International Breakfast spread before packing bags and heading to the course for our 8am tee times. After Day 1’s overcast, windy and wet weather, the Day 2 contestants were rewarded with glorious blue skies, sunshine and calm conditions in comparison to the gusty winds of Day 1. The clear sky and warm sun dried the greens as the morning went on and the greens got faster and faster, and well above 10 on the stint at the close of play with a few four putts reported by contestants.

Word soon got out that TPS was playing particularly well, as he went about putting together a solid round of golf to shoot 82, a 5 stroke improvement from his day 1 score and 2 shots below his handicap, the Round of the Day, which was enough for him to sit on top of the Best Nett Leaderboard after 36 Holes, with a Nett 75 and 70: 145 Total. Playing in the Championship Flight was: Simon, Roger, Eric and Willie N. Willie N could not find is first day form and fell out of contention, likewise Monsieur Eric could not replicate his first day play and also faded. Simon and Roger were left to battle it out for Low Gross or Best Nett? Despite a Triple and 2 Doubles, Simon managed 3 birdies on the day and a good run of Pars to post a steady 81 thanks to some solid Driving from the Tee Box putting him in positions to score. Roger was steady as ever playing consistent golf but perhaps 6 rounds in 5 Days was one round too many as he left several make-able putts short during the round. Nonetheless Best Nett 2 was secured for Roger with a Nett 70 and 76: 146 Total.

Greg White, once again showed up in the Big Events! Putting together two solid rounds on a tough course, like the ol’ saying; When the going gets tough…. The tough get going! Well played Greg another Best Nett! Chris Lever used good course knowledge to good use, Chris a best nett winner at Parahyangan on previous JAWS visit clearly likes the course layout. His steady all round game get’s the job done here. Well Done to Han Peng who posted a Nett 70 on day 2, taking notes well on day 1 and executing his game plan clinically on day 2 do go home with more then a little pocket money from the event.

Once again a big shout out to Outstation Captain Willi G for making this trip happen, some great packages were negotiated between the course and the hotel for our players, families and loved ones to enjoy during the trip. Another big shot out to JAWS Admin Jim Korbilas, who patiently keyed in all 36 players scores hole by hole on days one and two with no complaints, a key cog towards the success of this event, the man with the numbers.

Rumour has it Outstation Captain Willi G is plotting two exciting trips in the coming months of 2022, Omricon/pandemic depending: One to Black Mountain in Hua Hin, Thailand, and the other to Finna Golf and Taman Dayu in East Java just outside Surabaya, keep us posted Willi G! Let’s stay positive and stay safe and sensible so we are in good health to participate and travel to these two awesome locations for some Golfing!

Happy Golfing Sharks!