Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Nov. 26, Pattana – Stableford
Still torrential rain here in Jomtien on the Sunday, this is unbelievable for this time of the year and there were still a few cancellations in the afternoon not chancing the game next day.
We drove up the 331and the weather conditions looked OK and we arrived to a very busy course with over 250 green fees booked for the day. We were allocated the A and B nines today and we teed off bang on time. Jirapol, the ex-Eastern Star and Black Mountain manager who we have known for years, is the boss here now and he and his staff kept everyone moving bang on time.
Ian Plummer and Pete Sumner – winners at Eastern star on Friday.
Playing some brilliant golf lately Kari Aarnio, playing off 17, won division 2 with 34 points. Jim Connelly was second after beating the Welsh lad Mike Lewis on a back nine count back of 18/14 after they both returned scores of 32.
On the first tee today there were a few discussions regarding the white and yellow tees; normally we play off yellow but the consensus today was to try the whites. A cut of 6-16 in division 1 and Mike Combs, with 30 playing off 13, topped the flight ahead of Tony Kay in second, who beat Dennis Scougall on a 18/13 back nine count back after they both scored 29 points.
Near pins were claimed by Juha Hanlo, Peter Pedder, Jerry Sweetnam, Raivo Velsberg, Kari Aarnio, Mike Lewis and Burnie Sinclair.
Raivo Velsberg got the only ‘2’ in division 1 and with his last game with us before his return to Finland for more treatment, Kari Aarnio birdied A8, the 170 yard par three over the water, for the only two in division 2. Our thoughts are with Kari for a speedy return.
Wednesday, Nov. 28, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Our first visit here for around two months and the course was in reasonable condition so we have booked to return here in five weeks. We were allocated the B and C nines today with the cut in the two divisions at 6-16 and 17 plus.
As always as you drop down the hill on the 7 before turning right towards the course and the hills in the background were covered with dense clouds and it didn’t look too good. We teed off half an hour before our scheduled time as there were 3 cancelations in front of us and there was only a short 20 minute wait during the round for the rain to clear but this was not a problem.
Wichai won division 1 with 39 points, Jan Sordal alias Sassa was second two points behind and with 34 points the telephone box boy Dennis Scougal took third.
Mike Lewis topped division 2 with 33 points and Peter Hokke was second on 29 after beating Chris Slota 15/13 on a back nine count back.
Valentina Hiller won the ladies division today.
Near pins went to Juha Harilo, Dennis Scougal, Jan Sordal, Chris Voller and Luchet (2).
In the ‘2’s, Sassa and Dennis Scougal shared the pot in division 1 and Mauri Friman birdied B8 for the only one in division 2.
It was Bon Voyage to Chuck Anderson today – see you in the new year Chuck!
Friday, Nov. 30, Eastern Star – Stableford
There were gloomy clouds over the coast line as we approached the course and the forecast here was still more rain for the day and it became very dark over the first five holes, but suddenly the clouds dispersed and all nine groups had a rain free day.
Three divisions out today with the cut at 6-14, 15-19 and 20 plus and the Aussie boy Ian Plummer continued his winning streak with 38 points in division 2 for the win. Mike Lewis took second spot with 33 and Jerry Sweetnam was third on 32.
Iain Walsh won division 3 with 36 points, Willy Van Heetvelde was second on 33 and Walter Weber came in third with 31.
Some lower scores in division 1 with 33 winning it for Pete Sumner, Ted Gardner was second two points behind and Mikael Anderson beat Billy Fitzgerald and Wichai on a 15/13/12 back nine count back after they all returned scores of 30 points.
Near pins were won by Mikael Anderson, Ted Gardner (2), Pete Sumner, Andy Baber, Joe Kubon and Iain Walsh.
There were no ‘2’s in division 1 and Andy Baber, with Miss Chevrolet’s car, sunk a four-foot putt on the third for the only one in division 2.
