IPGC Baan Jing Jai Santa Scramble from The Haven
This year the Baan Jing Jai Santa Scramble was held early than usual, as the middle of December has become overcrowded with so many competitions, which while it had an effect on the total entries, did not make a big difference to the amount of money raised.
This year the plan was to raise enough money to buy each of the 80 plus children a Christmas present of their dreams with any excess money being directed towards the funds for the New Home for 100 plus children that is planned to be built on the outskirts of the city on land that has already been purchased for that purpose.
Alec Hoare (right) presents a cheque for 500,000 baht on behalf of the family of the late Benny O’Connor to Stephen Beard (left), to be donated to the Baan Jing Jai children’s home.
Since last year the home, that cares for orphaned and abandoned children between the ages of 1 year and 17 years, has received the official status of a charitable trust under the title of The Baan Jing Jai Foundation. This change in status still does not mean that it will receive any monies from either central or local government and will still therefore have to rely on donations from commercial and private individuals and fund raising activities such as this day’s events, which are vital to its ongoing survival.
Mr. Len sends the ball on its way at Pattana Golf Resort.
Last year’s wonderful sum of 200,000 baht was again matched with the last minute addition of a final donation made by a famous anonymous donor to take the total from 180,000 to a total of the following;
Golf activities – 45,000
50/50 draw – 87,000
Donations – 68,000
Total – 200,000 baht
In addition to this figure, following the presentations there was a special donation of 500,000 baht made by the family of the late Benny O’Connor from his estate, the presentation being made by long time friend and fellow golfer Alec Hoare, watched by some of the students of Alec’s school whose home is with the Baan Jing Jai.
Teeing-off on A1 at beautiful Pattana.
Benny had been a long time member of the IPGC and fervent supporter of the Bann Jing Jai while he was still with us in Pattaya and his family had asked that the donation be put towards the New Home Fund in his memory. It is planned that a room or section of the new home will bear Benny’s name for posterity in recognition of his support for the cause.
Caddies look on as another shot splits the fairway.
Whilst not wishing to exclude and also not mentioning any individual, many who gave very generously either through the 50/50 draw or directly into the fund with donation, it is right to give credit to those commercial sponsors who helped to make this such a successful day; these were Pattana Golf and Sports Resort, the T.Q., World of Wine, Fairways Driving Range, The Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Sports Supply, Pattaya Coffee Roasting Co., and the Haven Hotel.
The day started with clear skies and a strong breeze that seemed to be against on every hole no matter which nine were being played, the course having been set up for the first division 2.8 to 8.3 to play the arguably harder A and B courses, with the second division, 8.8 and above, playing the C and A nines.
The A nine has just come back into operation following a six month period during which much of the course has been re-laid and it would be fair to say that the greens on that nine need another couple of months to be seen at their best, but the rest of the course is in great condition.
Division 1 runners-up: Russell Exley, Shane Ruddle, Jon Lay and Richard Hurley.
The B course is as always a stern test and is only marred by the unfortunate sight on the first hole where the lake on the right has completely disappeared during one of the recent heavy storms but should soon be back to normal, but where the water will come from is another matter no doubt. Apart from the sight, the play of the hole is unaffected and the rest of the holes on the nine are in their usual good condition. The C course is also in excellent condition whilst playing the shortest distance.
The first division was led in by Rodney, Bill, Daryl and Garry with a scintillating round that included ten birdies and no bogeys over the par 73 course, closing strongly with a gross 30 on the inward half.
Only a tick behind them in the runners up spot was the team of Russell, Shane, Jon and Richard who slipped in an even better 12 birdies, also recording 30 on the back after a 31 outward nine.
Just missing out on the prizes was the team of Steve, Barry, Bubbles and Stephen who matched the two teams above them for the last nine but had started a little too slowly to catch up with the top two sides.
The second division saw a very close result between the top three teams with the two Paul’s, Stefan and Stephen just getting the edge on the A course, returning two halves of 34 for a gross 68 with four birdies.
The Pattaya Mail team, having won the Summer Scramble, slipped down to second spot this time as they followed a very strong three under on the front nine with a scrambled two over on the back that included three unfortunate bogeys and a lone birdie. They finished by the narrowest of margins (point one of a stroke) ahead of Don, Wayne, Robert and Hal who finished with a one under back nine after a three under front nine on a card that showed no bogeys.
Those that made the effort to support the day’s very worthy cause were rewarded with a great day’s golfing enjoyment in the knowledge that they had all helped towards making it a Very Happy Christmas for a lot of deserving children.
After the golfing activities the contestants returned to The Haven where the usual sumptuous spread had be laid on and continued until all were totally satisfied.
Stephen Beard presented the prizes to the winners and thanked all who had helped to make the day such a great success from the prize donors, 50/50 sellers, donation collectors, buyers, donors and golf organizers and the staff of the Haven for keeping everyone topped up with food and drink in the evening.
There was also a sad moment of reflection on the recent passing of Roy Thornton, who had been instrumental in starting the Santa Scramble on behalf of the Baan Jing Jai in conjunction with The Haven three years earlier.
Division 1
1st Rodney Nabbe, Bill Piggott, Daryl Burkett, Garry Barling (5.5) net 57.5
2nd Russell Exley, Shane Ruddle, Jon Lay, Richard Hurley (2.8) net 58.2
3rd Barry Winton, Steve Mascari, Bubbles Davies, Stephen Beard (5.8) net 60.2
Division 2
1st Paul Taylor, Stefan Hoge, Stephen Lewis, Paul Hartley (8.8) net 59.2
2nd Dan Dorothy, Martin Bilsborrow, Peter White, Benny Hansen (12.4) net 59.6
3rd Don Everett, Wayne Waywood, Robert Carlhausen, Hal Hart (9.3) net 59.7
Technical Prizes: A1 Stefan Hoge; A3 Garry Barling; A4 Al Keith; A7 Jon Batty; A8 Peter Lock; A9 Alan Riddle; B1 Steve Mascari; B3 Rodney Nabbe; B4 Al Keith; B6 Jon Batty; B7 Jon Batty; B9 Jon Lay; C1 Tronde Rogne; C2 Stephen Lewis; C5 Paul Taylor; C7 Benny Hansen; C8 Dan Dorothy; C9 Paul Blackshaw.
50/50 Draw
1st Dave Howden
2nd Norwegian Seaman’s Church
3rd Steve Mascari
