Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Dec. 1, Crystal Bay – Stableford
As we left Siam Cats here in Jomtien we were still uncertain which route to take so there is a split decision and five cars took the motorway and one checked the Sukhamvit route out. I n the end it was 18 kilometers longer on the 7 but we arrived ten minutes earlier than the 3 route.
There were seven groups out today with the cut at 8-17 and 18 plus in division 2 and we were playing the C and A course off the white tees. There was a warm welcome return to Jill and Howard Stanley and Joe Mueller.
Andy Oz, Gerry Cooke & Jerry McCarthy.
Mike Lewis recorded the best score of the day, winning division 1 with 40 points while Jerry McCarthy came in second one point behind and Chris Voller took third with 36.
In division 2 a few points less was Chris Slota who won with 34 points and there were two 32’s fighting for second place but William Chang pipped Andy Oz 13/11 on the back nine.
Near pins were won by (Div 1) Mike Chatt, Nik Evans, Chris Voller (2) and (Div 2) William Chang (2), Bryan Rought and Matty Swire.
There were no ‘2’s recorded in division 1 so a rollover to Pleasant Valley on Wednesday but in division 2 William Chang birdied A8 and he was a happy chappy.
Wednesday, Dec. 3, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
Driving onto the 7 up to Pleasant Valley the skies in the distance were looking very gloomy and as we passed the blue water tower turning for Burapha we hit a horrendous storm. This lasted for 20 minutes but as we turned off the 7 there was a more promising outlook and we arrived at the course with blue sky in every direction and a very busy clubhouse.
There were six groups in front of us ready to tee off plus a Thai junior 5-ball in competition as well, but we teed off only 15 minutes behind schedule although the front nine was two and a half hours. Fortunately it speeded up on the back nine with two hours for our first group.
We had an 8-15 cut in division 1 and Edward Bourne won that flight with 37 points. Chris Voller came in second on 36 and Jerry McCarthy was third with 31.
In form and waiting to have his handicap cut, Chris Slota topped division 2 with 40 points while Paul Hartley was second five points behind and Jin Connelly took third with 34.
Near pins were shared by (Div 1) Maurice Lots, Jerry McCarthy, Dennis Scougall, Pete Sumner and (Div 2) Jim Connelly and Gerry Cooke.
Yet again there is no ‘2’s in division 1 so a double rollover to the Emerald on Monday but in division 2 Gerry Cooke and Ray Hucknall both birdied the 17th to share the pot.
Friday, Dec. 5, Eastern Star – Stableford
Our largest turnout so far in the high season with 12 groups out today with the equal cut at 7-14, 15-19 and 20+ in division 3 and the best score of the day was returned in division 1, with Bill Bertram winning with 40 points. Chris Voller came in second once more on 35 and Mikael Andersson beat Pete Sumner 16/15 on the back nine to finish third after they both scored 33 points.
Andy Galvin won division 3 with 39 points, eight ahead of Glyn Evans in second and Lars Svensson beat little David Taylor 11/10 on the back six holes for third after they both scored 30 points each.
Alan Hansen was the winner in division 2 with 36 points, and with 34 points Iain Walsh beat Colin Aspinall 19/15 on the back nine to take second place.
The first group reached the 17th tee and there was a heavy shower which was intermittent over the last two holes but soon cleared, although three groups who had just arrived at the tenth called it a day, unknowing of our 1 hour rain cancellation rule, so they were still in the comp.
Near pins went to (Div 1) Bill Bertram, Karl Flood, Arthur Hancock, Chris Voller and (Div 2) Colin Aspinall, Andy Galvin, Richard Owen and Iain Walsh.
In the ‘2’s a rollover to next Friday in division 2, while in division 1 Juha Harilo eagled the par 4 first hole and there were birdies for Arthur Hancock, Marty Rock, Walter Weber and Karl Flood to leave the pot being split 5 ways.
We said bon voyage today to Mike and Wendy Lewis, see you next October if not before.
