IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society opened its 2016 account with regional golf clubs with a visit to Treasure Hill on Monday, January 4 to play a stableford event in two flights, divided at sixteen and under. It was hardly an easy entry to the new year as the course has proved to be the toughest the group play over the years, with winning score averaging almost net 74 (34 points), however high hopes always accompany a fun day with good friends.
In the second flight, Jim Ferris posted a mere 28 points for third, with Larry Slattery going one better to take second place. The flight winner was Tony O’Neill with an acceptable 30 points. The top flight saw a similar spread with Ray Banks managing third with 29 points, one behind low handicapper Mark Lang on 30. The best round of the day was recorded by Andrew Purdie and his 32 points spoke volumes for his length and accuracy on the day.
There were no birdie ‘2’s, unlike the six on the last visit, and the non-winners’ beer went to Henry Mah. The Booby Bevy went to Irishman Chris Walsh after his 8-13 split.
Another win for Kendall
On Wednesday, January 6, the Pattaya Golf Society took a large group to Mountain Shadow to play a stableford competition in two flights, divided at sixteen and under. The course was in its usual good condition and was well set up for some challenging golf.
In the absence of any birdie ‘2’s the pool was extended to cover the first four golfers in each flight and in the second flight Mr Len marked his first round of the year with 31 points for fourth, whilst Andy Humphrey went one better to take third place. Paul Edgar made a rare appearance on the podium with a second placed 34 points and the flight was won by Jim Ferris, this time with 35 points.
In the top flight scores were more impressive, with Russell Exley and Vic Woolton sharing third place with 34 points each. They were a long way behind the second placed golfer, Martin Grimoldby who shot the best gross of 76 giving him 37 points. For the second time this trip Simon Kendall impressed with another fine winning round, this time comprising 39 points on an essentially tough course.
Chris Walsh enjoyed the non-winners’ beer and the Booby Bevy went to Ian Wilson, often near the top but this time at the rock bottom of the leaderboard. But don’t bet against a quick about turn by the Englishman.
Gibb alone breaks par
The Pattaya Golf Society ended its first week of 2016 with a visit to The Emerald to play a stableford competition on the course which was looking a little jaded, with scruffy fairways giving uneven bounce and not a few mudballs.
The group was seriously delayed by a late arriving group from Pattaya and really one cannot expect European protocol in Thailand whereby the late group would have lost its priority on the start sheet for the day. Therefore a long hard day lay in store.
The PGS made the best of things as always and the single flight saw Ray Banks and Richard Dobson share third place with 35 points. One point ahead was George Robinson with 36 points, helped in part by the only birdie ‘2’ of the day. The winner was Larry Gibb with 37 points.
Swedish lady Helene Lindberg won her second non-winners’ beer and guest Brian Kinsella took the Booby Bevy for his birdie ‘2’ on the fifth which would have seen him smile had he entered the competition!
