Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, May 13, Black Mountain, Hua Hin – Stableford
This was our 16th annual trip here and we arrived in Hua Hin on Saturday after a six hour journey in a 40-seater coach, with the discussions immediately afterwards suggesting that we should to the return trip home in mini buses.
There was a 72-hole competition over four days this week with an individual contest each for two divisions. The equal cut on Monday with 26 players was 5-18 and 19+ in division 2. The course as always was in great condition and we played off the 6,500 tee markers.
Don Head returned the best score of the day, winning division 1 with 37 points. Jeff Cordeiro was second one point behind and Kari Aarnio took third with 35.
The Hua Hin road-trippers pose for a group photo.
In division 2 Andy Oz won with 36 points, Rod Howett was second on 34 and Bryan Priestley placed third on 32.
Near pins were spread around between Chuck Anderson, Jeff Cordeiro, Lindsay Phillips, Jerry Sweetnam, Glyn Evans, Rod Howett, Andy Oz and David Taylor.
Jerry Sweetnam birdied the 8th and and Chuck Anderson the 11th to share the ‘2’s pot in division 1 and a rollover ensued in division 2 to the Banyan.
Tuesday, May 14, The Banyan – Stableford
We were told earlier that the fairways had been holitized so we implemented a ‘pick and place’ ruling on the fairways and fringes from the first tee onwards, but nobody told us that the mud pellets were still on the fairways and the fringe on every green and they had not been picked up by the course lawnmowers and machinery and this was a nightmare today. We also had problems here last year in early May with 50% of each green being cored so the consensus now is to give this course a miss next year in the low season.
There are three 37’s in division 1, with Jerry Sweetnam on the top podium position after winning with a 20/19/18 back nine count back over Jon Poole and Jeff Cordeiro. In division 2, Colin James came in first with 35 points ahead of Bob Poole in second on 34 and Countback Burnie third with 30.
Near pins went to Don Head , Lindsay Phillips, Jon Poole (2), Tim Hake, Steve Ironside, Paul Renall and Burnie Sinclair.
There were no ‘2’s today so a rollover in both divisions to Sea Pines on Thursday.
After two rounds Jeff Cordeiro led the way with 73 points, Jerry Sweetnam was second on 71 and Don Head and Jon Poole joint third with 70s.
Thursday, May 16, Sea Pines – Stableford
This was only our second round here after everyone enjoyed playing the course last year. The final four holes are fascinating as they overlook the beach and the sea and this layout is a true test of golf.
The organizer Glyn Evans, with 15 points on the front nine and 22 on the back (his best round for many months) topped the division 2 standings today with 37 points. Andy Oz came in second six points behind and Rod Howett was third with a meagre 28 points.
Bob’s son Jon Poole won division 1 with 37 points ahead of Paul Renall who took second on count back over Martin Grimoldby after they both came in with 35 points each.
Near pins prizes were won by Jeff Cordeiro (2), Martin Grimoldby, Don Head, Kari Aarnio, Steve Ironside and Paul Renall.
Jeff Cordeiro birdied the 14th for the only ‘2’ in division 1 and there was yet another rollover in division 2 to Majestic.
Friday, May 17, Majestic Creek – Stableford
Our final round of the week and with the first six places very close it was all up for grabs.
There had been few late nights (or should I say early morning departures) from the bars back to the hotel for some of the younger players, no names mentioned, and this was reflected in the scores. 36 points was the best score of the day, winning division 2 for Colin James. Bob Poole was second with 34, Glyn Evans third one point behind and Andy Oz came in fourth with 32.
Three 35’s topped the standings in division 1 with the count back split of 22/18/17 seeing Paul Renall in first, Jerry Sweetnam second and Lindsay Phillips taking third.
Near pins went to Chuck Anderson, Jeff Cordeiro (2), Lindsay Phillips, Kari Aarnio, Glyn Evans, Colin James and Bryan Priestley.
Chuck Anderson birdied the 12th and Jerry Sweetnam the 17th to share the ‘2’s pot in division 1 and Bryan Priestley recorded the first ‘2’ of the week in division 2 to claim the very healthy rollover prize.
The worst shot of the week came on the 5th at Majestic where a drive on the stroke index 1 hole saw the ball go 50 yards into the air and land 1 foot forward of the white where it had just played from. No names mentioned, we’ll just call him Steve.
In the overall competition over four days, Jeff Cordeiro was in fourth place after losing out to Chuck Anderson on count back, both scoring 133. Jon Poole took second place with 136 points and the winner with 139 was Jerry Sweetnam. Well done Jerry!
The presentation was held at our normal restaurant on the pier which we visit every year and everybody enjoyed the golf and the company. It was a fantastic week and one of the best for quite a few years. Thanks everybody.
