Tough going at Khao Kheow

0
844

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, March 9, Khao Kheow – Stableford

We were allocated the A and C courses and teed off 25 minutes ahead of schedule.  It was a tough test of golf out there today for both divisions with the cut set at 8-17.

Thirty three points was the highest score recorded, with Bryan Rought winning division 1 on that score on a count back over Harry Vincenzi, and Paul Butler was third on another c/b over Terry Madsen, both with 32’s.

Magne Gunnarson (left) & Paul Sturgeon.Magne Gunnarson (left) & Paul Sturgeon.

Colin Phillips topped division 2, also with 33 points, and he finished three up on Kari Aarnio in second place while Tim Hake took third with 29.

Near pins went to (Div 1) Paul Butler, Sandie Lundie and Terry Madsen (2), and (Div 2) Jim Connelly, Don Head and Colin Phillips.

Terry Madsen and Jim Connelly both birdied A5 to sweep the respective ‘2’s pots in both divisions.

Wednesday, March 11, Pleasant Valley – Stableford

An almost identical cut as Monday in the two divisions and Chris Voller returned the highest score of the day to win division 1 with 34 points.  Eddie Teddy was second two points behind and Dennis Scougall found himself in third with 29.

Bruce Gardner topped division 2 with 32 points, three ahead of Andy Oz in second and with a meagre 27 points Curtis Hessler beat Rod Howett on count back for the final podium slot.

Paul Sturgeon and Magne Gunnarson both secured near pin prizes on the 17th and the latter also birdied the hole to sweep the ‘2’s in division 2.

There were a few remarks after the round today regarding the poor condition of the course; the front nine greens were acceptable but the back nine were appalling and also they put three five-balls out before our first group, so we are now debating about whether to go back in the next few weeks.

Friday, March 13, Eastern Star – Stableford

There were ten groups out today with an unusual equal cut of 4-14, 15-18 and 19+ in the three divisions and three 35’s came in to win each division.

Chris Voller topped division 1 ahead of Wilf Latham in second on 34 John Batty took third with 32.

Tony Bless won division 2 and there were four on 33 points fighting for the minor places; Don Head with 19 points on the back nine took second with Dennis Scougall in third and Eiichi Matsumoto just missed out.

Miss Nut, playing off 21 off the white tees, was the champ in division 3 with her 35 while Bruce Gardner took second three points behind and Lars Svensson snatched third on count back over Max Wilson after they both came in with 31 points each.

Near pins were claimed by (Div 1) Bill Bertram, Tony Bless, Brian Green and Mark Lang, and (Div 2) Tim Hake and Max Wilson.

For the first time in three months the white tee boxes have been moved back to their normal positions on all the par-3’s here and this proved too tough for most of the lower division players.  In the top flight, Bill Bertram and Tony Bless birdied the 176 yard 17th to split the ‘2’s pot.