Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Oct. 1, Bangpra – Stableford
This will be our last game here until next April, unless the management can provide us with an earlier tee-off time off time.
Heavy rain yet again here in Jomtien overnight and as we made the journey up the 7, the clouds were condensing and becoming darker in the distance. The course was empty when we arrived and we teed off 20 minutes ahead of schedule with six groups out, the cut today being 6-16 and 17 plus.
As the first group teed off on the 6th hole, the stroke index 1, and walked up the slight gradient to the green, there was thunder and lightning all around the course. This continued for the next five groups but almost unbelievably there was no rain whatsoever.
Peter Grant – from Falklands Isles to podium position at Phoenix in one week.
Thirty-four points was the best score of the day, from Dave Richards in division 1 playing off 10. Paul Hartley came in second three points behind and Grenville Hill took third with 30.
Peter Grant is back with us for a short holiday and he won division 2 with 32 points ahead of Andy Crabb in second on 30 and in third place was Don Head who beat Andy Oz on a 16/15 back nine count back after they both returned scores of 29.
There were murmurs back at Siam Cats at the presentation as to why should we present prizes for low scores?
Near pins went to Karl Flood, Dave Richards, Wichai Tananusorn, Chris Voller, Peter Grant, Burnie Sinclair, Willy van Heetvelde and Harry Vincenzi.
Dave Richards on the 8th, Bryan Rought on the 12th and Wichai on the 17th split the rollover ‘2s pot in division 1 and there was a rollover in the second division to the following week.
If we had continued with the ladies tipple this would have been won overwhelmingly by a certain div 1 player. His tee shot on the par-three 12th (using a yellow ball) went into the semi rough on the left hand side of the green. He walked up and played his second shot to within 6 feet of the pin only to find out the ball he played was half a ball cracked and was obviously not his. Well done Harry Vincenzi!
Friday, Oct. 5, Eastern Star – Match Play & Stableford
This was our annual ‘Ryder Cup’ style match against the Backyard Boys from down the road, comprising 18 holes here today and then finalizing at the Emerald next Friday. After Jomtien Golf won last year, the rivalry has been rising in the build up to this year’s event.
There were twelve pairs out today and with the previous day’s rain we employed a ‘pick, clean and place’ rule on the fairways and fringes only. The 2 teams of twelve in the matchplay teed off ahead of the 5 stableford and by the ninth hole the extreme heat was beginning to take its toll, with some players opting for a buggy for the inward nine.
The boys from Jomtien took a decisive lead in this first of two encounters, going into next Friday’s match at Emerald with an 8½ – 3½ lead. The individual results were as follows (Jomtien players listed first): Chris Voller v Mike Chatt (won 5/4), Andy Baber v Andy Oz (won 6/5), Rod Howett v Dan Morgan (won 2/1), Uli Bangerter v Jimmy Johnson (won 4/2), Bryan Rought v Tony Cowe (won 2/1), Joe Kubon v Martin Anderton (won 4/3), Marty Rock v Russell Benson (won 5/4), Jon Lay v John McLoone (won 3/2), Mark Armstrong v Terry Cowell (lost 4/3), Paul Hartley v Darryn (lost 1 up), Don Head v Andy Crabb (lost 4/3), Harry Vincenzi v Alan Bissell (match halved.)
There were still two divisions out for the men today in the stableford comp with the cut set at 6-14 and 15 plus, and with a very damp course this proved to be a tough test of golf today. This was reflected in the scores with the best of the day coming in division 1 from Mikael Andersson, winning with just 34points. Ted Gardner was second one point behind and Bill Bertram took third on 29.
Iain Walsh topped division 2 with 32 points, Willy Van Heetvelde was second with 30 and Frank Kelly slotted into third with 29.
Toi Blair claimed the ladies division and also the only ‘near pin’ for the ladies on the 17th. Bill Bertram birdied the 17th in division 1 while Willy Van Heetveld did the same at the 6th in division 2 to claim the respective ‘2’s pots.
There was some breaking news from Scotland that Fred Duffy is now on the road to recovery following his operation and we all at Jomtien Golf wish him well. We will keep you updated on his progress.
