Friday, August 29, Khao Kheow A & B Courses – System 36
Friday, August 29, was the third running of the Jaa Memorial Trophy which was inaugurated in memory of Khao Kheow caddy number 065 Jaa Channiang who died very suddenly in January 2011 after contracting Dengue Fever at the very young age of 26 years. Following which, long standing members of the IPGC, based out of the Tara Court venue, donated the trophy, originally by the late Benny O’Connor’s family, green fees and underwrote all expenses for a competition to be held at Khao Kheow for caddies that worked there with her.
The event has become very popular, with 53 caddies taking part this year and teeing off at 7 a.m. which meant a very early start for the organizers, but everyone was away on time. Playing from two tees they were all back at the Clubhouse by 12 noon, even though the going was very tough following overnight rain which had left the course extremely wet and added a dimension of difficulty to the already tough A and B courses. This was a good example for the rate of play as many of the contestants were novices which determined that the system 36 scoring method would once again be utilised to find the winner.
Jariya Jareaunsuk won the third annual Jaa Memorial Trophy
Jariya Jareaunsuk was declared the winner following a count back, with Sukanya Samangin having to settle for second after they had both scored a very creditable gross 84 in the wet conditions. Sompis Samangin took third place with a gross 88 and Somsri Yukong fourth with a 90.
In addition to the four place prizes there were four near pins and a long drive also up for grabs.
The prize presentations and the buffet, also provided by the Tara Court group, were made in the main clubhouse upstairs at the rear and for many of the contestants it was their first opportunity to be in the “Baan Yai” so the presentation party and buffet was a very exciting occasion.
In memory of Jaa Channiang.
In addition to the main prizes a special IPGC golf bag, donated by the IPGC, was presented by Joe McArdle, to the winner in honour of the late golf manager, Suraphol Komuthanond, who had recently passed away and who had been a fervent supporter of the event since its inception and of the IPGC and its member groups. Suraphol was remembered fondly by all as a consummate gentleman.
Following in the footsteps of Suraphol, the new manager, Kaneko and his assistant Nin, provided the administration together with many spot prizes to ensure that almost all the players returned home with something in addition to the memory of a great day actually playing golf amongst friends and fellow caddies rather than carrying the bag for others’ enjoyment.
Golfers wishing to avail themselves of a good and knowledgeable caddy when playing at Khao Kheow may like to take note of the numbers of the winners here.
Gross scores
1st Jariya Jareaunsuk (051) 84
2nd Sukanya Samangin (005) 84
3rd Sompis Samangin (001) 88
4th Somsri Yukong (084) 90
Near Pins: A3 Jariya Jareaunsuk (051), A5 Jirapat Samerpong (278), B3 Yupa Ponpaipan (142), B8 Wipawadee Ninnathanon (333).
Long Drive: Jirapat Samerpong (278).
Joe McArdle presents a special IPGC golf bag, donated by the IPGC in honour of the late golf manager, Suraphol Komuthanond, to winner Jariya Jareaunsuk.
