PSC Golf from the Pattaya Links Golf Society
Monday, March 26, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
A Flight
1st Chris Barker (12) 38pts
2nd John Kelly (16) 36pts
3rd Colin Smith (13) 34pts
B Flight
1st Len Jones (27) 39pts
2nd Richard Dobson (26) 36pts
3rd Bart Bingham (23) 35pts
The final week of high season began with a trip to Pleasant Valley with the society taking thirty golfers for a field divided into two flights at sixteen and under.
The course was in reasonable condition with generally well grassed fairways which were soft and damp in places and greens which were moderately paced but showed signs of recent sanding, leaving them patchy.
Playing from the blue tees the top flight saw Colin Smith take third place with 34 points whilst Irish golfer John Kelly had to settle for second with 36 points. The flight winner was Chris Barker, continuing the form he displayed last week, finishing with 38 points.
The second flight saw last week’s hero Bart Bingham take third place with 35 points, only one behind runner-up Richard Dobson on 36 points. The flight winner was Len Jones and his 39 points rewarded him with his first Green Jacket at the Links. Twice previously he has been denied by countback but this time his power off the tee and from the fairways more than merited his fine result.
Near pins went to Jamie Booterburgh (5), Gerner Lykke (8), Bill Copeland (13) and Richard Dobson (17) whilst consolation awards went to Rod Stevens (best front nine, 19 points) and Tony Browne (best back nine, 20 points).
Wednesday, March 28, Silky Oak – Stableford
1st Bart Bingham (23) 45pts
2nd Niels Peter Kristensen (20) 38pts
3rd Colin Smith (13) 37pts
4th John Chelo (19) 36pts
5th Pat Lavin (11) 36pts
On Wednesday two dozen golfers visited quirky Silky Oak to play a stableford competition in a single flight. Fairways at the course are always well grassed but greens have always been a problem with their slower speeds and, at the moment, they are very patchy.
In fifth place and losing on count-back was Pat Lavin with 36 points, pipped as he was by John Chelo on the same score. In third place was the redoubtable Welshman, Colin Smith with an excellent 37 points, one behind runner-up Nils-Peter Kristensen with 38 points.
The winner with an astounding 45 points was Bart Bingham. All the hours of practice are finally paying off for the American golfer.
Near pins went to Phil Mitchell (3), Gerner Lykke (6), Nils-Peter Kristensen (8), Bart Bingham (14) and Tip Briney (16) and the consolation awards went to Paul Chesney (best front nine, 21 points) and Phil Davies (best back nine, 20 points).
Friday, March 30, Eastern Star – Stableford
A Flight
1st Marco Beer (15) 36pts
2nd Maurice Roberts (13) 35pts
3rd Jon Batty (6) 34pts
B Flight
1st Mike Tottenham (23) 35pts
2nd Martin Patch (17) 34pts
3rd Billy Hill (30) 31pts
The society ended its most successful high season ever with a visit to Eastern Star on Friday, with twenty-nine golfers set on enjoying a day’s golf on one of the most challenging courses in the area.
Eastern Star did not disappoint as a hot and humid day was spent grappling with hard fairways and quick greens in a strong breeze which brought the ubiquitous OB and water into play.
In the second flight Troon’s Billy Hill again enjoyed a good round, finishing in third place with 31 points. Second place went to Martin Patch with 34 points whilst competition debutant Mike Tottenham won his spurs with a fine round of 35.
The top flight contained some quality golfers and Jon Batty, playing off six, set the best gross standard for the day with his score of 34 points giving him third place. The runner-up was Maurice Roberts with a splendid 35 points. The best points score of the day was recorded by Marco Beer on his return, and he fired 36 points to take the green jacket.
Near pins went to Russell Exley, Colin Smith, John Chelo and Mike Tottenham whilst the consolation winners were Jon Dean (best front nine, 17 points) and again Derek Phillips (best back nine, 19 points).
