A strong field of 158 players, including a year high of 21 ladies, gathered at Phoenix Gold on this last Tuesday of the month, for the penultimate PAGS Tournament of 2017 sponsored by The New Nordic Group.
The golfing conditions were of the highest order, clear skies with a light breeze and a course turned out in good condition, although played from short tees on occasions. The fairways were firm and giving up some run, while the greens, and pin placements offered plenty of challenges while running smooth and true.
There was some high calibre scores turned in, along with some fine individual efforts for the technical prizes available on each hole. None was better than the outstanding round of 64 posted by +1 marker Tony Pike to win the Low Gross by a lazy 8 strokes. Tony’s hot score was only good enough for second in the A Flight, although he did pick up the maximum 2 technicals.
The ladies winner in the field, as the popularity from the fairer sex increases, was Wiyada Stafford (22) with an outstanding score of 46 points, to go with her near pin on Lakes 6, edging Bunsong Brown (31) who signed for 45 points.
C Flight for 21+ handicappers saw a runaway winner in the division, clearly won by Kjell Vitre (21) with a day’s best stableford score of 47 points, while Mauri Friman (23) and Ake Gustavsson (22) got the other podium spots with 42 and 41 respectively..
In the B flight (13–20) it was David Shannon (18) leading the way with another outstanding score of 45 points. Count-backs were required to separate the minor places, which went to Martin Kempton (13) with a back-nine of 23, aided by his eagle on Ocean 9, over John Anderson (17) who recorded 18 points on the back-nine, after both had recorded 43 points.
In the A flight (0–12), a 3-way count-back was required to separate the leaders on 43 points. Top spot went clearly to Steve Truelove (11) with a spectacular back-nine of 26 points, while Low Gross winner Tony Pike edged Jeff Wylie (10) into third spot, on their scores on the 18th hole, after being unable to split them on back-nine, six or three. Steve and Jeff also got a technical prize each, Steve a Long Drive on Lakes 9, while Jeff got an approach on Ocean 6.
Honorable mentions this month go out to Gerd Riedler, Gunnar Lund, Ari Hagren and Harald Grande on picking up the maximum of 2 technical prizes, no small feat given the high quality golf played on the day. With the course playing short, there were several eagles recorded today, with Lake 6 giving up three.
The catering crew led by Dave, did a bang up job, feeding the host of players and guests prior to the prize giving, and I am sure all were pleased with the array of food, which again was supported by our friends from KPK Foods.
We will all look forward to the next event, the final for the year, with the Order of Merit still up for grabs, at Phoenix Gold on Wednesday 20 December. Note the date, and contact Shane on 086 372 0084 or through Birdie at www.birdie.in.th to ensure your preferred tee time.
