IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links
After some confusion at the Greenwood reception desk, where the staff seemed to have lost our booking for Monday, Dec. 14, we were grateful to a welcoming Pattavia who accepted our seven groups without delay.
We got underway shortly after 11:10 under cloudy but warm conditions on a course that looked a picture. Fairways, bunkers and greens were presented in superb condition, much to the delight of some recent arrivals who had heard glowing reports of Pattavia’s re-birth, but doubted them nonetheless.
With our two-flight split set at 14.5 and under we anticipated two hard-fought contests on a day with little to no wind, but warm; too warm for those not acclimatised.
Mike King, driving into office at Emerald.
There were six ‘2’s, three from each division. In A Flight Andrew Purdie and David Thomas scored theirs on the 4th, while Huw Phillips got his on 17. In B Flight Mikael Lindberg and Tony King had ‘2’s on the 4th, while Murray Edwards birdied the 7th.
B Flight saw third place go to Tony O’Neill (H/cap 23) with 32 points. One better was runner-up Paul Edgar (17) on 33. Today’s B Flight winner was Larry Slattery (19) with a well-compiled 34 points.
Scores were better in A Flight where 36 points secured third spot for David Thomas (10). In first equal place were Andrew Purdie (8) and Rick Schramm (10) who both came in with 38 points – a very good score on this course.
Wilson & King top at Khao Kheow
On Wednesday 16 December the Pattaya Golf Society took six groups to Khao Kheow to play a stableford competition. Having been allocated A & B nines, our two flights (split at 13) teed off on time under fine but unseasonably warm conditions.
Course conditions were good enough to “play it as it lies”, although some fairways were a little wet in places. The bunkers here are normally of the “too much and too fluffy” variety, and today was no exception. Greens were good and consistent though.
There were six ‘2’s recorded today. In B Flight Dave Lehane benefited from a somewhat lengthy putt on the signature hole B8, while Henry Mah scored his on A5. A Flight saw Peter Wilson, Tomas Nilsson and Vic Woolton birdie the par-3 A5, whilst Martin Grimoldby got his two on B3. Interesting to note there were no ‘2’s on A3, funny that.
In third place in B Flight was Ken Page (H/cap 16) with 32 points. One shot better was a thankful Sam McLellan (13), having made the flight cut by the thinnest of margins, to pick up the runner-up spot. Flight winner was Club Captain, Mike King (18), who finished two shots clear on 35 points.
Two shared third place in A Flight; Vic Woolton (12) and Martin Grimoldby (6) with 32 points each. The runner-up was Paul Smith (2) who put together an impressive 36 points following his gross 74. A Flight winner and the golfer who had the best stableford score of the day was Peter Wilson (7), with an admirable 38 points.
Back at the Links Mr Len drew Tony Browne’s card for the lucky beer, whilst Helene Lindberg’s modest score, caused by ongoing injury problems coupled with a lack of recent golf, was sufficient reason for a show of compassion through the awarding of the booby bevvy.
Mike King’s big day
On Friday, 18th December the Pattaya Golf Society celebrated the installation of its new Captain, Mike King. Liverpudlian Mike invited all his many friends to play a three-ball scramble at The Emerald and a large field turned out to celebrate him “driving into office”. The course was in excellent condition and the day was set for some special golf with less than ten points covering the top fifteen teams.
Pattavia Century – looking a picture.
Many friends sponsored technicals and the PGS thanks go to Richard Dobson, John Mason, Mike King, Karl Flood, Mike Firkin, Russell Exley, Mr Len and Legends Pool Bar for their kind generosity.
As the day developed it became clear that it would be a tight affair as some of the pre-tournament favourites failed to make their mark on the day and a couple of surprise teams made an impact.
Finishing in third place was the combination of Jon Batty, Russell Exley and Paul Magowan with net 58.5 whilst the team of Alan Griffiths, Vic Woolton and the very accomplished Chris Smith took second place with net 57.7. The winners were the surprise team of the tournament comprising Karl Wolf, Andy Robinson and Michael Ashbrooke. They put together a remarkable round of net 55 to win by more than two shots.
The many technical prizes were shared by the majority of the teams with only three teams not represented on the prize list and an excellent presentation party at The Links heard fine words from Mr Len and Mike King in support of the efforts of outgoing Captain David Thomas and sincere thanks for the backroom staff on the day, both at the course and in the “clubhouse” at the Links. The day of celebration had been very successful and all the PGS golfers wish new Captain Mike King all the best for the future as well as offering him their best support.
