The last Wednesday of the month, Jan. 28, rolled around and as sure as night follows day it was time to get the Pattaya Amateur Golf Society (PAGS) party started. And what a start it was too, with a full to the brim field of 140 players, six of whom formed a smaller than usual ladies contingent.
Mountain Shadow was the venue, and with tees used predominantly being the whites there were some fine scores recorded. The weather did its part also, with clear blue skies and a light breeze making the day all the more user friendly.
Pelle Petterson (right) returned with 43 points to win the A Flight.
As always seems to be the case at the PAGS tournament, there were several outstanding individual performances. The winners in each flight had some great scores, while Mike Allidi, Mashi Kaneka, Dennis Steele and Pekka Tekkinan all picked up the maximum 2 technical prizes each.
The hotly contested Low Gross went to Kari Kuparinen (H/cap 5) with a well compiled 74, while in the small field of ladies the winner was Yuza Phaohom (20) with 38 points.
C Flight winner was Neil Fidele (23) with his best ever round of 43 points, with Dave Mateer (22) in clear second place on 38. Third spot was decided on count back with Erkki Pohja getting the nod over John Kelly after both finished on 37.
Mashi Kaneta (right) was third in B Flight but also won 2 technical awards.
Leo Ruuskanan (16) took up where he left off last year, returning a fine 42 points to win the B flight. The minor places went to Chris Willmot (16), who recorded 40 points for second, while Mashi Kaneta (14) got third on a count back over William Bishop, both signing for 39 points each.
In the A flight it was Pelle Petterson (10) on top of the podium with 43 points, shooting a gross 4 under on the back nine for an outstanding 27 points for the 9 holes. Low gross winner Kari Kuparinen (5) got second with 39 and again a count back was required to separate eventual third placed Jon Yarrow (12) from Jonny Lindberg’s who both came in with 38s.
Dave and his crew did another bang up job ensuring the big crowd was well fed prior to the prize giving, and I am sure all were well satisfied with the selection of tucker.
We will all look forward to this month’s event at Pattavia on February 25. Note the date, and contact Shane early on 0863720084 to ensure your preferred tee time.
A field of 140 golfers turned out for the first PAGS event of 2015.
