IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
Monday, Sept. 7, Bangpakong – Stableford
Monday dawned bright and cloudless and the Pattaya Golf Society looked forward to a stableford competition on the splendid Bangpakong Riverside course near Chonburi. An old favourite with PGS, the course was in its usual excellent form with well grassed fairways yielding some run and consistent greens that, if anything, were a little slower than usual.
The single flight got under way on time and the omnipresent strong breeze played its mischievous role in affecting club selection and shot execution. Solid hitters had solid results.
Murray Edwards.
The four par threes assessed as the four easiest handicapped holes repelled all attempts at birdies and the top three showed Craig Thomas and Tony Browne sharing runner up place with 33 points each. The winner was Stu Thompson, one of the bravest golfers with the group after suffering a life threatening “RTA” a couple of years ago, who drew on his experience and skill to put together a level par round of 36 points for a popular victory. There may have been a meteorite falling elsewhere in Thailand at the same time but Stuart’s star was definitely in the ascendancy.
Andrew Purdie enjoyed the non winners’ free beer and French golfer Olivier Tahoun took his usual first round Booby Bevy after sharing the day’s low round with Andrew.
Sadly it was the last visit to the course this year but memories will certainly linger until PGS return again next low season.
Wednesday, Sept. 9, Burapha – Stableford
It was another bright September morning on Wednesday as the Pattaya Golf Society fulfilled a booking at Burapha to play a stableford competition from the blue tees on the A and B nines. The course is generally a treat to play and this day was no exception, with well grassed fairways allowing run and consistent greens impressing golfers who had not played there before.
Off the longer tees – 6700 plus yards – most golfers found the course a good challenge and the average score was a very creditable 31 points. There were four birdie ‘2’s, three coming on A3 courtesy of Mark Lang, David Thomas and Russell Exley, with the latter repeating the feat on B3 for good measure.
In the main event Mark Lang took third place with 35 points but he saw the lowest and highest markers in the field share the win with 37 points. The Celtic duo of Gordon Angus and Mr Len showed that any golfer on his day could perform on a longer course in good condition regardless of handicap. It also shows the integrity and equity of the CONGU handicap system used by all IPGC groups.
The non-winners’ beer draw was won by Simon Kendall and the Booby Bevy went to Bob St Aubin after an obscenely pulled tee shot on A4 almost took out a window in a nearby house, only for a hedge to stop the demolition. It was smashing reason for awarding the Boss’s beer.
The day was all about quality with a large field averaging twelve in handicap and the best gross of 77 by the shared winner, the Scot, Gordon Angus.
Friday, Sept. 11, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
The dark clouds above looked ominous as we walked out of the clubhouse to find our golf bags. Equally concerning was that many caddies had already placed rain covers over clubs – a sure sign that rain was imminent. “Fon nid noy,” was the claim as caddies pointed upwards indicating breaks in the cloud. “No problem. Stop soon for sure,” they said. And stop it did. From the time we were half way down the first fairway, the last of the drizzle ceased, never to reappear. This was to be another day in paradise, golfing in perfect weather; thank you Buddha.
Fairways were in reasonable shape as were the bunkers. The greens, for many amongst the best in Chonburi, were by Mountain Shadow standards, on the slow side. Notwithstanding, they were still consistent and true.
From the blue tees this course measures 6300 yards. Length is not the issue here; where the approach shots finish is. Most greens are raised, offering significant run-off for the wayward shot. Equally, putting from above the hole, where grain direction matches slope, is a challenge indeed.
There were two ‘2s today; both on the 5th and both from the same group. Well done Murray Edwards and Jesper Hansen.
Having just the four groups meant the podium was restricted to the first three placers. Competition was keen for the minor spots with just the one shot separating Len Jones and David Thomas on 34 points from runner-up Simon Kendall on 35. This was not the case for today’s winner, however, who cleared out by an impressive four shots. Murray Edward’s three-under net par round for 39 points was impressive by any standards.
The Booby Bevy had a few candidates, but we settled on a golfer who had a very hard day at the office: Two nines that both yielded just nine stableford points apiece is a hard day indeed for an eleven marker – commiserations Olivier.
Congratulations to the day’s winners, especially Murray Edwards who, due to today’s sub-par round, has achieved a long-held aim – to lower his handicap to 18. Murray’s generosity in sharing his success with all his fellow golfers was much appreciated.
