PSC golf from Lewiinski’s
Feb. 27 –March 6, Green Valley – Lewiinski’s Open
On the advertising marquee, the Lewiinski’s Open is billed as “just golf and four days of it, at that”. A demanding format that cynics have deemed “over the top” but it continues to grow in popularity.
For the curious, the format is to play all four rounds on the tacit home course of the society, Green Valley. The first two days are stroke play with the top 50 percent and ties going on to day three and four of stroke play after a day’s break between games. Those who feel the lash of the cut clean their slate and play a two day stableford. The girls meantime have their own four day stableford competition running the extent of the event.
Lewiinski’s Golf Manager, Colin Davis, left, presents the Club Championship trophy to Dayle Hoek.
Last year witnessed a stirring battle between Nick Strasshine, Dave Dobson and Steve Mulberry (the eventual winner). This year the story was no less compelling but for different reasons.
Steve Mulberry made it quite clear he was not about to relinquish the trophy without a fight as he broke from the gate quickly with a net 69 to establish a two stroke lead. The ten handicapper was closely pursued by an elite group including former winner Jack Grindvold, Peter Le Noury, Ed’ the right honorable’ Wyckoff and ‘the silent assassin’ himself Colm Mullen, all just two shots back. But it is not a one day tournament!
On the ladies side Jum Karagit led the first day charge on 37 points to take a two shot lead over Yui Bietry.
On day two John Dearden surged to pole with a best to date net 64 masterpiece to wrest the lead from Steve Mulberry. Thierry Petremont moved up to second place via a net 69. Defending champ Steve Mulberry slipped down to third with a two over net 74 while Peter Henshaw and Peter Le Noury were hovering on joint net scores of 146.
The halfway cut was made at 154.
In the ladies four day stableford comp, Jum Karagit posted her second consecutive 37 points to move 9 strokes clear of the chasing pack.
Day three saw John Darden’s ambitions nosedive and the wheels well and truly came off as he added a net 83 to his overhaul total. Claude Harder fashioned an even par round to move into first place with a 216 point overall score. Jack Grindvold (net 69) and defending champion Steve Mulberry with a net75 moved back into joint second place.
Dayle Hoek, accompanied by the good Captain Pierre Bietry, were lying just behind a stroke back with an overall total of 219.
The ladies comp seemed to be sewn up as Jum Karagit added 39 more points to extend her mammoth lead.
The final day of the competition had the field abuzz as the pressure mounted. Regrettably the two former winners Jack Grindvold and Steve Mulberry fell back and off the podium altogether. Dayle Hoek, who plays as a member of the Peninsula Golf Club in Perth, Western Australia, showed the stamina as one would expect for a man of his fitness and relative youth to post an even par round that saw him crowned the 2011 Lewinski golf champion. Claude Harder was the first runner up leaving Thierry Petremont to take the last podium place.
Jum Karagit accepts the ladies championship trophy from the Golf Manager, Colin Davis.
The converted low gross went to Bob ‘Seamless’ Newell, a remarkable feat for a man who has suffered multiple illness this last year.
As expected Jum Karagit won the ladies comp with a total 147 four day total points.
There was plenty of action for those not in the hunt for the big prize. Twenty six players who missed the cut or who elected to drop down battled it out for the plate. Two players broke from the gate with 42 points, Gill Sayer and Lawrie McBride, followed by Gary Blackburne two shots back.
The two leading plate competitors swapped places on the second day to give Lawrie McBride the victory on 77 points and Gill Sayer was second on 75 points, leaving Garry Blackburne to fill the podium.
Apologies to those overlooked, while the Lewinski’s Open preparation forced the one week suspension of scribe’s weekly ramblings, undoubtedly a relief to some and certainly so for the English language.
A couple of highlights were Sean Murphy for his gracious bell ring after winning the snowball on the first day, Geoff Kubas for his win at the Emerald on Monday and Eddy Beilby’s fine last day top score of 68.
Sadly we were informed that a caddy from Green Valley was knocked down and killed on her way to work, the lads dipped into their pockets and raised 16,400 to help her family.
The night concluded with Bob ‘Seamless’ taking the hat round for ‘Honest’ Lou Zigzag. Bob’s good deed amounted to three bottle tops, one franc, one yen, and a cyanide pill.
Note: Lewinski’s is situated on Pattaya Land Soi 1, Beach Road Soi 13/3 near to Walking Street. Anyone wishing to play with us just pop in and add your name to the list or call Colin on 089 826 0764. Transport is provided.
