Phoenix Members Golf Society
A good turn out today, Tuesday, May 21, for low season and the weather was perfect again with a slight wind to help keep us all cool. Well if you call 35 degrees cool that is! No problem, compared to rubbish weather our dear compatriots back home have to suffer.
No sponsored prize today but Kristinn Helgason won the day after he recorded a fine 36 points to edge myself (also 36 points) into second place on count back. In third with 34 points was Adriano Reale. This was very well received and in truth was a much better performance than it appears. Adriano’s official handicap is 30, which would have given him 36 points, but we only allow a maximum of 28 handicap in our society.
Tuesday’s winners with the staff at The Relax Bar.
Fourth place was claimed Joris Goetschalckx with 32 points. This also was well received because it meant that Joris could not win a lucky draw prize.
Sadly Kristinn darted off home quickly and so he is missing from the photograph.
Near pin winners today were Jim Neilson, Bill Hewitt (2), and Patrick Browne.
Lucky draw prizes (donated by our hosts The Relax Bar) went to Jim Neilson (free massage), Gerry Hughes (free drink), Mukesh Thakkar & Granville Swanton (50 baht each).
On to Thursday, May 23, a change from our usual Friday slot which coincided with a Buddhist holiday and double price green fees. This schedule alteration proved to be very successful indeed with more players wishing to join our happy little society for the day.
We started off with the threat of rain, which did spoil the game for the first 3 or 4 holes, but the skies soon cleared and the rest of the round was perfect.
Thursday’s winners.
Playing some very consistent golf lately, Mukesh Thakkar came in with the best score of the day, notching up 36 points for the win (twenty one of his points came on the front nine). Seems he is doing this far too often. Great front nine and poor back nine. He even said himself, “Seems like I am trying to protect my handicap”. However I know this guy too well. There is no way he would do such a thing.
Second place today went to Bill Hewitt with 35 points, in third was John Clift with 34, and taking fourth was Jim Neilson with 32 points, just edging myself into fifth place on count back.
Near pin winners were Mukesh Thakkar (2) and Paul Sharples (2). Lucky draw prizes went to Jim Neilson (massage), Mike Gerrard (drink) and Gerry Hughes (50 baht).
Although by playing on Thursday had proved very successful, it was agreed that we would stick to Friday’s in future except when holidays come into consideration.
On a very sad note, my dearest lifelong friend of some 40 years, Dennis Edmunds sadly passed away on Tuesday 21st May after suffering a major heart attack in his home town of Stourbridge, UK. Dennis lived, married and played golf here in Thailand for some time before going back to the UK to work and educate his children. He would have been 70 years old this coming August. Anyone who knew him will remember what a nice guy he was. I dedicated my worst shot of the day to him for upsetting me by going first. Our condolences go to his family.
