Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
This was our 14th annual trip to Hua Hin and as always it consisted of a 72-hole competition spread over 4 days with an individual two divisional contest on each round for the men.
We had dispensed with the cars this year and instead booked two mini buses to ferry us on the 5 hour trip to Hua Hin on the Saturday and then spend a relaxing afternoon and the next day wandering around the town.
Alan Pilkington, right, is presented with the Golden Elephant trophy by Glyn Evans.
According to our research, this year one of our favourite courses, Majestic, was not up to scratch so we switched to Springfield instead. The Banyan Tree was ruled out owing to its cost so we would be playing everyone’s number 1 selection, Black Mountain, twice.
Monday, May 9, Palm Hills – Stableford
There were 19 players listed for the trip this year, but there are only 17 made it to the tee for the first day at Palm Hills. The cut was 1-18 in division 1 and 19 + in division 2 and the course was still in good condition and the majority enjoy the round.
Playing off 18, the best score of the day came in from Kari Aarnio in division 1 with 42 points. Pete Sumner, off 8, was second with 36 and Andy Baber took third with 33.
Lee Casey won division 2 with 34 points and ‘count-back’ Burnie was second one point behind with Terry Redding lying third with 32.
In the ‘2’s Trevor Schrimer birdied the 8th and Pete Sumner the 11th to share the purse in division 1, while there were none in division 2.
Tuesday, May 10, Black Mountain – Stableford
Everybody’s number 1 choice here and it is still in immaculate condition. There are a few improvements going on throughout the course but this is expected at this time of year.
Alan Pilkington, playing off 8, won division 1 with 39 points while Barry Winton, improving every game and off 4, was second with 36. In third place with 32 points was Pete Sumner.
The Hua Hin tour group from Jomtien Golf.
The Lambourn boy Steve Ironside took out division 2 with 35 points, with the count-back boy second 1 point behind and in third place with 33 was Terry Redding.
Alan Pilkington secured the ‘2’s purse in division 1 while Burnie Sinclair and Kevin Tobin, playing in the same group, birdied the 3rd and 14th to split the rollover pot in the second flight.
Thursday, May 12, Springfield – Stableford
Another popular course, the Jack Nickalaus designed Springfield today, and with 19 out the cut was up to 17 in division 1.
We were playing the original 18 holes and these played tough, especially on the back nine. Russell Exley came in with 38 points to win division 1 ahead of Trevor Schrimer in second two points behind, and Andy Baber beat Paul Renall and Barry Winton on a 17/15/13 back nine count-back for third after they all finished with 34 points.
The organizer bounced back to win division 2 today with 37 points and count-back Burnie was second one point behind while Kevin Tobin took third with 33 points.
Paul Renall from division 1 and Andy Baber from division 2 birdied the 6th and 17th respectively to take the purse in the ‘2’s.
In the lead now after three rounds was Burnie Sinclair on 103 points, closely followed by Alan Pilkington (102), Kari Aarnio (102), Pete Sumner (102) and Barry Winton (98).
Friday, May 13, Black Mountain – Stableford
Our last round of the trip and everything was up for grabs, including the ladies prize for the lowest score. It had been a remarkable week of golf on great courses and with a fantastic friendly group.
After scoring only 16 points in the first round on Monday, the organizer came in today with a division 2 winning 40 points but he did not feature in the overall top placings. Kevin Tobin was second in the division with 36 points and Lee Casey beat Steve Ironside on a 18/17 back nine count-back for third.
In form at the moment Alan Pilkington headed division 1 after beating Paul Renall 16/14 on the back 9 after they tied with 36 points, and John Lay was third after beating Trevor Schrimer on a 19/15 count-back.
Marty Aronson won the ladies prize for the lowest score of the four rounds, which he did not expect and was not happy with his presentation prize, after he was asked to be photographed.
There were four ‘2’s in division 1 sharing a meagre prize; Paul Renall on the 3rd and 8th, Trevor Schrimer on the 8th and Pete Sumner on the 3rd again. Andy Baber birdied the 11th for the division 2 purse.
After four rounds of golf a great week and well done to the winners. Congratulations to Alan Pilkington from all of us at Siam Cats and Jomtien Golf for winning this years Golden Elephant Trophy.
Overall Standings (4 days)
1st Alan Pilkington 138pts
2nd Kari Aarnio 134pts
3rd Pete Sumner 133pts
4th Paul Renall 131pts
5th Trevor Schrimer 131pts
