IPGC Golf Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
Wednesday, 27th April saw the Pattaya Golf Society visit the sumptuous Pattana Sports Centre to play a medal round on the A and C nines which were in fine order. After an absence of probably two years it was a joy to be back on the A nine but the group found the greens disappointing and patched after seemingly months of closure for maintenance. However, an empty course on a hot day made up for the occasional frustration on the greens.
Mike Wilsher again made his mark, sharing runner-up place with Jon Batty on net 76 and it included an excellent birdie ‘2’ on the short C2 whilst Huw Phillips almost nailed an ace on the testing A8 when his ball finished within two inches of the hole.
The winner was Kiwi Alan Flynn and his round was a very assured level par effort, his 72 net so close to being a sub-par round but for the three shots dropped on the final five holes. Nevertheless it was an accomplished effort by Alan.
The consolation beer went to John O’Sullivan after his nil return and the exhausted golfers enjoyed a quiet chilled beer or two after the presentation in The Links in Soi Buakhao.
Flood at Emerald
Another steamy week on the region’s golf courses ended for the Pattaya Golf Society on Friday, 29th April, when a seasonably small group visited an empty Emerald to play a stableford competition on the dry and dusty course. Having said that Emerald is no better and no worse than many others at present and the deal on offer is a good one.
Setting off on time the round lasted no more than four hours and a tight tussle saw three gofers share third place with 31 points, namely John Mason, Mr Len and Huw Phillips. In second place Jeff Hunt showed how profitable a week in Hua Hin can be with a solid 32 points on his return whilst Irish golfer Karl Flood posted the winning score of 33 points, which included the only birdie ‘2’ of the day, on the fifteenth.
This day was the fifth anniversary of John Mason’s ace on the thirteenth – what, you never heard the story? – and our hero donated near pin technicals as a celebration. They were won by Mike King, Huw Phillips and Karl Flood. As for the man himself, John managed a birdie ‘2’ on the seventh but as it was with his second ball be accepted the Booby Bevy as consolation.
The day had been very enjoyable with convivial company, testing golf and some occasional invigorating aprés golf in Ban Chang. It doesn’t get much better… apparently.
