Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Sept. 17, Plutaluang – Stableford
Our first trip here for probably six months and we were allocated the West and North courses today. As we drove into the course is looked like a caddies’ competition on the South and East Nines with each group as a six-ball. We were left wondering if this would be a long day, but no, our two nines were totally deserted and there were no hold-ups and no problems whatsoever.
The cut today was 6-18 and 19 plus in division 2, and two scores of 37 won both divisions. Kari Kuparinen topped division 1 with Harry Vincenzi second on 33 and Chris Voller beat Iain Usher on a 16/15 back-nine count back for third after they both came in with 30 points.
Jerry Sweetnam won division 2 with Bob Poole second five points behind and Peter Grant beat Alan Duckett on a 10/8 back six count back after they both returned scores of 29 points.
Jeff Cordeiro and Paul Hartley – Div 1 and 2 winners at Phoenix.
Near pins went to Iain Usher (2), Harry Vincenzi (2), Lee Casey (2), Heikki Tehro and Matti Yitalo.
There were no ‘2’s in division 1 so a rollover to Phoenix on Friday, but Peter Grant birdied the 8th on the West course and with two rollovers we all think he was more happy here than working in the Falkland Islands.
Many thanks to Anne Marie and Iain Usher for ringing the bell back at Siam Cats at the presentation.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, Eastern Star – Stableford
Division 1
1st Aki 36pts
2nd Mikael Andersson 36pts
3rd Mike Missler 33pts
Division 2
1st Harry Vincenzi 32pts
2nd Uli 31pts
3rd William Chang 31pts
Division 3
1st Adrian Shelley 30pts
2nd Glyn Evans 30pts
3rd Mark Armstrong 30pts
Today and next Wednesday our Eastern Star agenda was moved from our normal Friday schedule, but the numbers were still up with nine groups out and so we had three divisions; 6-14 in division 1, 15-20 in 2 and 21 plus in division 3.
There was heavy rain overnight here in Jomtien and early morning and we were not sure what to expect when we arrived here today. The leading group went out and the first three holes there was no problem but as we went down the fourth fairway it was very sodden with worm mounds, so ‘pick clean and place’ came into the reckoning on the 5th tee onward for all groups.
Near pin prizes were picked up by Mikael Andersson, Grenville Hill (2), Harry Vincenzi, Ian Plummer and Bob Poole.
Aki birdied the 3rd and Chris Voller the 13th to share the ‘2’s pot in division 1 in there were none in division 2.
It was Bon Voyage today to Lindsay Phillips , in the next month all nearest the pin markers will be on the green now.
Friday, Sept. 21, Phoenix – Stableford
Torrential rain overnight here and early morning yet again, but upon arrival after a quick inspection of the fairways and greens we decided not to give relief on the fairways.
Another 33 out today with 3 divisions again with almost a similar cut in the three divisions; 6-15, 16-21 and 22 plus in division 3.
Playing off 8, Jeff Codeiro won division 1 with 38 points while Chris Voller, also off 8, beat Paul Butler on a 19/18 back nine count back for second after they both came in with 36 points.
We were on the Mountain and Lake Nines today and it was the busiest we have seen for many months considering all three nines were open today, but as always the Marshalls got it right and there was no congestion at all.
Paul Hartley topped division 2 with another 38 points ahead of Harry Vincenzi in second on 36 and the Bristol/ China boy Bob Poole in third with 34.
There were four returns in division 3 with 35 points, an 18/16/16/16 back-nine count back and then a 12/11/9 back six count-back saw Sid Ottaway come out on top, Marty Aronson in second and Mark Armstrong in third place. Sorry Rod Howitt!
Tony Kay and Harry Vincenzi both birdied the 4th on the mountain course to share the rollover ‘2’s pot in division 1 and Marty Aronson and Glen Martin did the same in division 2.
Finally, the near pins went to Jeff Cordeiro (2), Tony Kay, Mark Armstrong and Karl Flood (2).
