IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Links Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society began the week with a visit to Pattana to play a stableford competition on the B and C nines. The course was in outstanding condition and for the green fee it must be the best “vfm” course in the province.
A small field competed from the yellow tees and in third place was Mike Wilsher with 32 points, a podium place for the senior Englishman for the second successive Monday. In second place with 34 points was Jon Batty whose round was the best gross effort of the day. The winner was a surprised Aussie, Murray Edwards, and it was of interest to note that his game is back on track after a couple of dodgy weeks. When he finds the consistency to match his enthusiasm he will enjoy more rounds like this.
A tough opening hole at Pattana.
The only birdie ‘2’ was on the short C2 and was the highlight of Russell Exley’s trying day and the Booby Bevy went to Mr Len for a display which was as hapless as his low score suggested. Putting currently is a nightmare for the organiser, on all surfaces.
High, dry and tie
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Mountain Shadow on Wednesday, April 6 to play a stableford competition on the course which was excessively dry and yellowed, giving very tight lies on the fairways. That combined with high temperatures and a tricky wind made the competition tight and kept scores low.
A small field endured the public holiday supplement and the single flight got away before time on the empty course. There were no birdie ‘2’s and third place saw Aussie Kim Hewton make the podium with 28 points. The joint winners were Steve Morgan, leaving for England the next day, and old hand Mr Len, with 29 points.
On a trying day the Booby Bevy went to Billy Hill for his nil return and the experience and the many arboreal hindrances made him swear never to darken the doors of the club again. How many golfers have made that same promise at Mountain Shadow, we wonder? Sadly many favourite courses are suffering from a lack of proper irrigation at the moment and it will be a while before this course, along with Bangpra, Green Valley and a few others will be the treat they normally are to play.
Birthday bonus for Ferris
On Friday, 8th April the Pattaya Golf Society visited Greenwood to play a stableford round on the A and B nines which were in very good condition and almost empty as a bonus. The day was also the birthday of one of the PGS form men and some exciting things were on the cards as the two flights teed off.
With the cut at seventeen in the top flight Kiwi Alan Flynn took third place with 33 points and his profit for the day was increased with the only birdie ‘2’ in his flight, on the short A5. In second place was Kim Hewton with 34 and the winner was Wichai Tananusorn, enjoying a break from farming in Chiang Mai, with 36 points.
In the second flight Brian Tully and mike King shared third place with 32 points each whilst John Holmes took second with his first podium place after recording a fine 34 points. The winner was none other than the “birthday boy” Jim Ferris and his good form continued with this, his final round this trip, and 38 points.
Technical prizes were sponsored by Khun Wichai and the winners were Billy Hill, Huw Phillips, Kim Hewton, John Holmes, John Mason and Khun Wichai. The Booby Bevy went to the newly returned Dave Heyes for his low score and the amount of “off-road” acres his poor caddy needed to travel to track his ball.
The evening ended with a celebration buffet and party back at The Links in Soi Buakhao and Khun Oi and her staff are to be congratulated on the excellence of the buffet. Happy Birthday Jim, travel well.
