The fourth annual Links Golf Challenge took place on Tuesday 18th of March at Khao Kheow Country Club, and this year the numbers were down from the 126 of the previous year to just 36 players, playing in teams of four.
The conditions however were ideal and those who took part were able to have an enjoyable and leisurely game without the pressure of having to rush due to a full field of players.
Mike Contoni (left) presents to the winning team members, Joe McArdle, Shaun Merriman and George Cullen.
The prize giving took place the same evening at the Links Hotel on Soi Buakow where the players enjoyed a buffet and a few well earned beers and waited to see who would scoop the prizes, which included some golf clubs, bags, shirts and green fees valued at a total of over 76,000 baht.
The first place winners for the team tournament were Joe McArdle, Shaun Merriman, Tony Pike and George Cullen with a score of 62 gross, net 56.4. Along with the title they won 4 green fee vouchers for Siam Country Club. The second placed team of Frank McGowan, Declan Kelly, John Beshoff and Charlie Lapsey (net 58.5) won shirts from Fenix Golf and green fees for Khao Kheow, and completing the podium in third was the quartet of Donald McGuigan, George Pearson, Robert Hanson and David Hogan who also won 4 green fees for Khao Kheow.
Tournament runners-up: Declan Kelly, Frank McGowan, John Beshoff and Charlie Lapsey with Mike Contoni (standing rear).
The day managed to raise a grand total of 91,250 baht which will go straight to the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive. This means that around 470,000 baht has been raised by the Links Challenge in the last four years for Jesters.
The organizer and part owner of the Links Hotel, Mike Contoni, stated that times were hard at the moment with tourism being down but pointed out that “If it’s hard for us it’s even harder for those who are supported by Jesters and we (the golfers) want to give back to the community.”
Some great prizes were on offer at this year’s tournament.
