Pattaya Links Golf Society
Monday, Sept. 3
Laem Chabang – Stableford
A flight
1st Maurice Roberts (12) 36 pts c/back
2nd Paul Smith (3) 36 pts c/back
3rd Pete Seil (5) 36 pts
B flight
1st Colin Service (16) 34 pts c/back
2nd Darren Beavers (21) 34 pts
3rd Serge Straeten (23) 33 pts
If it’s Monday it must be Laem Chabang, at least as far as the Pattaya Links Golf Society is concerned. Another twenty eight golfers took on the challenge of one of the best courses in the area on the first Monday in September and found the course in excellent order with magnificent greens and fairways just soft enough to maintain some run but, on reflection maybe “lift and place” should have been invoked as some mud balls hindered approach shots.
The field was divided into two flights, cut at thirteen and under and conditions made for some tight competition, if not high scores.
In the second flight third place went to French golfer Serge Straeten with 33 points, one behind Darren Beavers’ runner-up total of 34 points, secured with a broken ring finger no less.
The flight winner was Colin Service, securing the win on countback from Darren, with another 34 points.
The top flight saw a quality trio trust countback to sort out the 1-2-3. Paul Smith set the standard with gross 75, equating to 36 points, whilst Pete Seil totalled the same but countback showed Maurice Roberts’ powerful back nine display of twenty points gave him the win from Paul and Pete.
Near pins were won by Paul Smith (5 and 14), Les Cobban (8) and Masayuki Okada (17).
The best front nine score of 19 points by Richard Keenan gave him some spending money as did Michael Wright’s back nine score of nineteen.
Of the non winners the standout round was that of Swiss golfer Marco Beer, a runner-up at the end of last week, and his total of a baker’s dozen was more than enough to merit the “wig.”
Finally the “silly hat” award went to Ralph McConnell reflecting his indiscretion a week before on the same course when three submerged drives from the second tee were followed by a five minute struggle to extricate the club from the reeds.
Wed., Sept. 5 Pattavia – Stableford At last! Mike Firkin’s Green Jacket.
After the heavy rain a couple of days earlier, some drizzle this morning had us musing if we would have some late cancellations. Not sure if a cancellation or just a sleep in, but only one golfer missed the bus.
This left us with 27 players, with one of those not in the competition.
Two flights today with the cut at 0-13 and 14.
Pattavia Century is just a nice course to play. Almost always the fairways and surrounds are in perfect condition and the rough not too harsh, and today was top notch.
Normally we start the results with the “A” flight, but here we have a winner of “B” flight who has had his ups and downs on the golf course. Today Mike Firkin shined and ran away with a popular and well deserved first place and a first wearing of the Green Jacket, with the best score of the day of 39 points.
Second to Mike was consistent John Harrison with an equal handicap 36 points, and then Darren Beavers (broken finger) beating off two others in a countback for third.
The “A” flight now, and speaking of consistency, Takeshi Hakozaki seems to be up there no matter where he plays, but had to survive a countback to win the flight. The countback was against John Pierrel who has been on a roll this trip. Both scored a great 37 points.
Another countback saw Tommy Marshall take third over his mate, Paul Smith, both with 35 points.
Near Pins: Maurice Roberts (4), Kevin LaBar (7), Colin Smith (13), and (17).
A flight
Winner Takeshi Hakozaki (12) 37 pts c/back
2nd Place John Pierrel (11) 37 pts
3rd Place Tommy Marshall (7) 35 pts c/back
B flight
Mike Firkin (25) 39 pts
2nd Place John Harrison (14) 36 pts
3rd Place Darren Beavers (21) 34 pts c/back
Best Front Nine (non winners) Paul Smith 18 pts
Best Back Nine (non winners) Kevin Rogers 22 pts.
The organizer knew he was a prime candidate for the “silly hat” when he received a late night phone call asking “how many bus you want?” There were other possibilities for the prize, but Phil, admitting that no-one else knew, put his hand up and gave himself the hat.
The “wig” went to John Anderson at last, for being last. A temporary glitch, hopefully.
Friday, Sept. 7 Green Valley – Stableford
The Pattaya Links Golf Society visited Green Valley on Friday, 7th September to play a Stableford competition on the course which is now back to its glorious best. Fairways could not be better and the greens are true and not without pace.
All nine playing groups got away in very quick time and the two flights were divided at fifteen. It was a great pleasure to welcome a large contingent from Tropical Golf Group and it gave all the golfers a chance to try their skills against fresh faces.
In the top flight, America’s Tom Herrington beat off the challenge of compatriot Bob Rice on countback for fifth place, with 34 points. One point ahead was Andre van Dyke with 35, beating Kevin LaBar on countback for third place.
The top two needed countback to decide the winner and Steve Truelove’s better back nine took the day from another solid performance from John Pierrel. What a competitive flight the “big boys” had put together!
The second flight was no less tense as Tropical’s Dick Warberg took fifth with 33 points, one behind fourth placed golfer Peter Henshaw. In third was Ian Wilson with 35 points, trailing runner-up Donal McGuigan’s 37 points total. One point ahead was Patrick Poussier with 38, giving the Swiss golfer his first win with the group.
Near pins went to Phil Davies (5), Colin Service (8), John Davis (13) and Bob Rice (16).
The best front nine went to Colin Smith with 18 and the best back nine went to Mashi Kaneta with 17 points.
A flight
Winner Steve Truelove (7) 36 pts c/back
2nd Place John Pierrel (11) 36 pts
3rd Place Andre Van Dyk (15) 35 pts c/back
4th Place .Kevin LaBar (13) 35 pts
5th Place Tom Herrington (14) 34 pts c/back
B flight
Winner Patrick Poussier (30) 38 pts
2nd Place Donal McGuigan (19) 37 pts
3rd Place Ian Wilson (22) 35 pts
4th Place Peter Henshaw (30) 34 pts
5th Place Dick Warberg (20) 33 pts c/back
The consolation awards went to a bewigged John Grisley while Donal McGuigan had the ignominy of the “silly hat” for the very late submission of his playing group’s scorecards, causing apoplexy for the recorders Maurice and Len.
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