IPGC golf from The Links
Sunday, March 11, Green Valley – Stableford
Twenty-two players teed-off at Green Valley this week, and fortunately, unlike the previous Sunday, we were able to start on time and with a good pace throughout only the final group failed to finish as a torrential downpour threatened to spoil the day.
The cut came at 0–13 and 14+, and with scoring proving quite difficult in the B flight, regular Sunday visitor Alec Hoare was the only player to shoot his handicap, finishing five points ahead of Maurizio Guidi, with Phil Savarese finishing a further point back in third despite only managing 16 holes.
Phoenix winner – Yukio Kikuchi.
The A flight was a much tighter affair, Peter Skinner finally showing a return to form and finishing third on 35 points, one behind Charlie Lapsey who was playing his penultimate round before returning to the ‘Emerald Isle’. Bragging rights however went to Jun Ishikara, playing his best golf so far this visit to score 38 points.
The ‘2’s pot went to Norman Cheetham & Jon Batty.
A Flight
1st Jun Ishihara (11) 38pts
2nd Charlie Lapsey (9) 36pts
3rd Peter Skinner (10) 35pts
B Flight
1st Alec Hoare (18) 36pts
2nd Maurizio Guidi (20) 31pts
3rd Phil Savarese (20) 30pts
Tuesday, March 13, Lotus Valley – Stableford
Twentry-six players, boosted by a minibus full of guests from the Fairways, made the always popular trip to Lotus Valley, although four almost failed to make it there after a slight accident on the treacherous highway. Fortunately no one was hurt and the damage minimal, so we arrived only slightly late to the usual almost empty car park.
As usual we gave the 24 gentlemen players the choice of tees, and 11 chose to play off the whites, joining the two ladies in what was then christened the “Ladies/Katoeys” flight.
In the Gents flight, Russell Exley and Mark Stanley, playing in the same four-ball, both tried to throw victory away on the 18th, with visits to the out of bounds and water respectively, Russell finally coming through by virtue of an 11 point back 6 against Mark’s 10 point haul, after both scored 36 in total and 16 on the back 9. Harry Vincenzi was a further point back in third.
In the “alternative” flight, Mike Korney just missed out on another podium finish, scoring 34 points but missing out on an 18–16 count back to Alex Millborrow. Noi Emmerson finished second on 35 points, with Piere Cere romping home on 39 points
The ‘2’s pot was shared by Shane Ruddle (2), Alex Millborrow, and Richard Hurley who (shamefully) chose to play off the whites, despite his 7 handicap.
Back at the Links, the presentation was somewhat curtailed, as the Fairways bus, carrying 5 of the prize winners, somehow managed to take a wrong turn around Chachoengsao, and was last spotted somewhere in the Chiang Mai region!
Gents Flight
1st Russell Exley (8) 36pts
2nd Mark Stanley (12) 36 pts
3rd Harry Vincenzi (15) 35 pts
Alternate Flight
1st Piere Cere (11) 39pts
2nd Noi Emmerson (20) 36pts
3rd Alex Millborrow (20) 34pts
Thursday, March 15, Phoenix – Stableford
Fourteen players meant we were back to one flight today, and with rain and threatening clouds before tee off it looked like the day might be over before it had begun. Fortunately the rain abated, the skies cleared and we were able to tee off on time.
Playing the Lake and Ocean courses, in perfect golfing conditions and with the tricky greens unusually receptive, the standard of scoring was generally high, with 4 players on 35 points just falling short of the prizes.
Joe Niisato, playing his first round with The Links this trip was third on 36 points, two behind the now in form Peter Skinner, who managed a commendable 38 points. The winner however was another Japanese visitor, Yukio Kikuchi who scored an excellent 39 points off his 20 handicap.
With the par 3’s playing short, the ‘2’s pot was shared by four players; Jon Batty, Warren Gallop, Al Keith and Joe Niisato.
1st Yukio Kikuchi (20) 39pts
2nd Peter Skinner (10) 38pts
3rd Joe Niisato (12) 36pts
Note: The Links depart from the hotel on Soi Buakhao at 9.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and for Rayong Green Valley every Sunday. Sign up at the hotel or contact Jon on 080 021 1034. A full schedule of courses can be found on the IPGC website www.ipgc.org
