Jomtien golf with the IPGC
Monday, August 20, The Emerald – Stableford
The popularity of this course within our group has diminished over the past few weeks with the poor and non-improving conditions and there were still a few moans after today’s round regarding the fairways and greens, so something to think about regarding our next visit here.
This reflected in the numbers today and there were only five 4-balls out with the cut at 8-17 in division 1 and 20+ in division 2.
Curtiss Hessler, Chris Voller and Mike Pledger.
The man not known as Roar Berger any more but Roar ‘Burglar’, won division 2 with 37 points, this despite having been cut 4 shots following his 48 points last month. His score today beat Sid Ottaway into second place, with Sid edging Rod Howett on an 18/16 back nine count back as they both came in with 33 points.
Mike Pledger, playing off 16, won division 1 with 37 points while six points behind was Chris Voller in second after beating Curtiss Hessler on a 16/11 back nine count back.
Rodney Howett birdied the downhill 15th from around 10ft for the only ‘2’ in division 2 while in division 1 a rollover ensued to Bangpra on Wednesday.
Near Pins went to Steve Armstrong (2), Wilf Latham, Mike Pledger and Sid Ottaway (2).
Wednesday, August 22, Bangpra – Stableford
A favourite course with many and our last game here before the October tee time gets changed to 11.42 a.m., which precludes us from playing. We will be back in May when the Korean tourist golfers have gone home.
The Sheffield boy, now playing off 7, won division 1 with 34 points, no nicknames are printable for the next player in and with 31 points, Bryan Rought beat Daniel Willets on a 19/17 back nine count back.
In division 2 Willy Van Heetveld took the top podium position with 35 points, Alan Bissell was second two points behind and the Welsh boy David Phillips beat Yorkshire farmer Geoff Stubbs on a 17/13 back nine count back after they both scored 29 points.
Near Pins were shared by Andy Mills, Chris Voller, Burnie Sinclair, Geoff Stubbs and Willy van Heetvelde.
Harry Vincenzi hits a rescue iron into the green of tough par-4 16th and an unbelievably it dropped into the hole for an eagle and sole possession of the ‘2’s pot for Harry.
Friday, August 24, Eastern Star – Stableford
Planning the next day’s line-up at Siam cats on the Thursday evening there were nine groups penciled in so for the first time in a couple of months, so there would be three divisions out for the men. Later that evening however there were two cancellations and a no-show on the first tee the next morning, which left 31 players split into two divisions.
There was a very low cut in division 1 with 15 playing off 5-14 and division 2 saw 16 players off 15+. The best score of the day came from Marty Rock with 36 points, who won the premier division playing off 11 and after beating Wilf Latham on a 20/15 back nine count back. Mike Missler meanwhile took third one point behind.
The ‘Mrs’ was not playing today and this put Darryl Blair into the winners’ enclosure in division 2. Darryl beat Joe Kubon on a 20/15 back nine count back after they both came in with 35 points. After a few more weeks in the doldrums the organiser bounced back today and came in third with 34 points.
It was strange round weather wise with some intense heat on most of the holes but as soon as you walked down towards the coast a gentle breeze was blowing into your face.
Near Pins went to Bill Bertram, Brian Libbey, Wilf Latham, Daniel Willetts, Glyn Evans, Sid Ottaway and Willy Van Heetvelde.
John Lay birdied the 13th and Wilf the 3rd to share the ‘2’s purse in division 1 while in division 2 there are now 7 rollovers to next Friday here.
Our next extravaganza fun day – a 1-2-3 competition here at Eastern Star – has been brought forward now to the 14th September.
If the ladies tipple was still running in the low season a certain person would have won it overwhelmingly, after being dropped off down the road after Friday’s game and couldn’t find the mini bus to get back to Jomtien and had to hire a taxi. Well done Steve A!
Today there was also a warm welcome back to Josie and Cully Monks.
