Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Feb. 18, Pattaya Country Club – Stableford
We all thought this would be our last game here before the front nine renovations start in mid March, but after a few discussions with the management we decided to return here on Feb. 25 after being offered a very good reduction in rate. The 16th March is the shut down date so we will have our last game here on the 11th.
On this day the Friday freemason’s boy Mike Chatt recorded the highest score, winning Division 1 with 37 points. In second was Uli Bangerter with 36 and still playing off 14 Lindsay Phillips took third place with 35.
Knut, in his last game with us, beat Jimmy Caffrey on a 22/21 back nine count back to win division 3 after they both recorded scores of 36 while ‘count back’ Burnie was third with 35.
Barry Stirling took his first podium position since his return, winning division 2 with 35 points. Harry Vincenzi beat Rudi Schaefer for second spot on a 14/12 back 6 count back after they both scored 17 on the back nine and came in with 34 points overall.
Near pins went to Kit Parkington, Horst Starchl, Chris Voller (2), Kenny Carr, Glenn Martin and Rudi Schaefer.
Horst Starchl birdied the 16th and Chris Voller the 5th to share the ‘2’s pot in division 1 while there was another rollover in division 2.
Wednesday, Feb. 20, Wangjuntr – Stableford
Our yearly visit to the Highlands course here and a 40-seater coach was required. Once we arrived all those who had not been here before were fascinated with the view from the 1st tee on top of the tea house.
Playing off 5, Kevin Blake won division 1 with 36 points, Wilf Latham was second on 34 and Jerry Sweetnam took third one point behind.
Mike Fitzgerald was the winner in division 3 with 36 points and 8 behind him in second place was Glenn Martin. Mark Armstrong after a 11/11 back nine count back and a 7/6 back six count back beat Charlie Charalambous for third after they both came in with 26 points.
Dennis Scougal, the telephone box boy, won division 2 with 33 points, beating Howard Stanley by one point and Mr. Happy alias Bryan Rought was third with 31 points.
The majority of the field and the newcomers here enjoyed the experience and will return next time. There were a few unhappy players who returned scores of between 11 and 15 points – no names mentioned – who won’t be returning, but this is golf as we all know.
Near pin prizes were claimed by Mike Combs, Wilf Latham, Alan Maxwell, Matti Pihlajisto, Paul Chabot, David Gusatvasson and Andy Oz (2).
Wilf Latham birdied the 4th and 8th and Bryan Rought also the 8th to share the division 1 ‘2’s pot three ways.
Amazingly it was bon voyage to Sassa alias Jan Sordal.
Friday, Feb. 22, Eastern Star – Stableford
Talk about luck of the Irish, 39 points was the winning score today with Cully Monks taking top podium position in division 2. The Cockney boy Rod Howett was second two points behind with 37 and Howard Stanley beat Roar Berger and Magne Gunnarson on a 20/17/15 back nine count back for third after they all returned scores of 32.
In form as always, Chris Voller won division 1 with 38 points, Wilf Latham was second with 36 and Pete Sumner took third on 33.
Near pins went to Kevin Blake (2), Jerry Douley, Horst Starchl and Walter Webber.
Chris Voller birdied the 13th to record the day’s only ‘2’ and claim the pot in division 1.
