Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Feb. 20, Greenwood – Stableford
We took the 45 minute journey here from Siam Cats to arrive to a totally deserted course. It was a very hot day with hardly any breeze and the first group teed off 30 minutes ahead of schedule on the selected A and B courses.
There were three divisions for the men today with the cut at 5-15, 16-20 and 21+ and of course a ladies flight. The greens today were very fast and this proved a good test of golf for all and was reflected in the scores.
Jim Connelly, Mark Potten and Harry Vincenzi were the second division top three at Greenwood on Monday.
Alan Griffiths won division 1 with 34 points, Chris Voller was second one point behind and Alan Pilkington beat Phil Mitchell and Raivo Velsberg on a 19/18/14 back nine count back for third after they all came in with 32 points.
Jim Connelly also scored 34 to win division 2 with Mark Potton in second after beating Harry Vincenzi on a 16/15 count back, both on 33 points.
Paul Chabot topped division 3 with 33, two points behind was Rodney Howett in second place and the Falkland Isles boy Peter Grant beat John Harvey on a 14/12 count back to take third after they both came in with 27 points, yes 27 points!
Mauri Friman’s lady, Chanidapa, won the ladies division, no scores mentioned.
Near pins went to Fred Land, Dennis Scougall, Raivo Velsberg, Rod Howett and Mark Potton.
Jerry MaCarthy and Andy O’Neil split the first division ‘2’s pot while Mark Potton cleaned up in division 2 gets.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
We have one more game here next month on the 12th before they close the front nine down for seven months for a complete renovation with new greens, bunkers and a different style of grass. We have not been quoted any prices yet for playing the back nine twice, so who knows?
Playing off 20 and with 6 gross pars on the front nine, the happy frog Jean Morel came in with an incredible 42 points to win division 2 today. Lee Casey took second place with 38 and Fred Duffy was third on 36. The tees today were in the normal positions so there was no advantage.
Chris Voller won division 1 with 38 points while Jim Connelly beat Barry Stirling on an 18/17 back nine count back for second after they both scored 35.
Near pins were claimed by Gerry Doyle, Barry Stirling (2), Chris Voller, Jim Connelly, Fred Duffy (2) and Mark Potton.
In the ‘2’s Barry Stirling hit his tee shot on the tough 7th to within 18 inches and sank the putt and Chris Voller birdied the 12th for them both to share division 1 pot while Lee Casey, Magne Gunnarson, Veli Laaksonnen and Mark Potton spit the booty in division 2.
Friday, Feb. 22, Eastern Star – Stableford
Five ladies pulled out of today’s game so no separate flight for them today. It was another very hot day here with no breeze coming off the coast. The greens had improved slightly from the previous outing here and we were told to expect better conditions over the next few weeks.
Back from his 5 week holiday, Arthur Hancock playing off 14 shot 37 points to win division 1 ahead of Marty Rock in second on 33 and Neville Scurrell third on 32.
In division 2 Frank Kelly also scored 37 to top the flight, with Andy Galvin in second place on 33 and Harry Vincenzi took third with 32 after beating Erkki Pohja on a 20/15 back nine count back.
Thirty four points was the winning score in division 3 with Magne Gunnarson on top from Brian Kelly in second with 30, beating Andy Pedlar on an 18/16 count back.
Near pins went to Jerry MaCarthy, Dennis Scougal, Neville Scurrell (2), Andy Baber, Erkki Pohja and Harry Riley.
With two rollovers in division 1 in the ‘2’s today, Mikael Andersson birdied the 3rd and the 17th to keep him a happy chappy while Harry Riley also got a ‘2’ on the 3rd for the only one in division 2.
It was Bon Voyage to Jill and Howard Stanley this week. We hope the collar bone repairs itself soon and you are back in the frame.
