Traveller’s Rest Golf Group
On Saturday, September 8 we headed across the bay to the beautiful city of Hua Hin where we commenced our 6th annual TRGG King of the Mountain tour. The “Bookie” was soon open for business and a flurry of activity prevailed as the favourites were announced and the “dark horses” were revealed. With a field of twenty four players it wasn’t going to be easy to pick a winner.
The following day we arrived at the Majestic Creek golf course for the opening round and at close of play two dark horses were leading the pack with 38 points apiece – Julian Thomas and Derek Thorogood. If Julian won the bookie was dead in the water!
Monday was day two of the tournament and the venue was the magnificent Banyan course. Standing on the first tee looking down at the beautifully manicured fairways with the flag fluttering in the distance it’s as close to golf heaven as you can get.
After today’s rounds John Welch had quietly emerged from the field with scores of 34 and 35 and was sitting nicely in third position, however some other players were also making their moves and Colin Smith, one of the TRGG’s most consistent golfers had shot 40 points and was sitting outright leader going into the third round.
Wednesday saw the leader board going up and down and Colin Smith had fallen off the pace; scoring only 30 points, but Paul Durkan, Jacob Cummings and John Goudge (all three off single figures) were now serious contenders. Julian Thomas meanwhile scored another 37 points which put him back in first place and put the bookie back in the coronary ward.
Thursday was the day of reckoning and for the first time we played at the Palm Hills course. John Goudge shot a brilliant 41 points, Colin Smith was gaining with a fine 38 points and Jacob Cummings was making his move with 37. However all eyes were on Julian Thomas who’s consistent rounds still had him in the top three and seeded in the last group for the final round at Black Mountain.
Black Mountain is one of Thailand’s number one courses and played host to the group on Friday. The groups were seeded with possible winners in group five and the likely winners in group six which consisted of John Goudge, Jacob Cummings, Colin Smith and Julian Thomas. At the completion of the first nine holes it was still anybody’s game. John had turned with the best score of 21points, Colin 19, Jacob 19 and Julian 16. The pressure was on and it looked as though it was going to be one of the closest finishes in six years. But the man who eats pressure for breakfast and is affectionately known as “Cool hand Luke” blew his playing partners away on the back nine with an incredible score of 21 points. The unflappable Colin Smith secured his first ever TRGG honours board win and earned him the prestigious title of the 2018 “King of the Mountain Champion”. Congratulations and well done to a deserved winner. In second place was John Goudge and taking the bronze overall was Julian Thomas.
Meanwhile back at the Pattaya branch our regular competitions were continuing as normal and the results of the daily places were as follows:
Monday, Sept. 10, The Emerald – Stableford
1st Peter Ennis (16) 37pts
2nd Walter Panichi (3) 35pts
3rd Chun Yong-Park (31) 35pts
Tuesday, Sept. 11, Green Valley – Stableford
1st David Booth (16) 38pts
2nd Ron Kellar (15) 37pts
3rd Trevor Homman (13) 37pts
Wednesday, Sept. 12, Khao Kheow – Stableford
1st Shigeki Toyoshima (18) 39pts
2nd Magnus Alvarsson (11) 37pts
3rd Peter Ennis (16) 37pts
Thursday, Sept. 13, Phoenix – Stableford
Division 1
1st Shigeki Toyoshima (17) 35pts
2nd Trevor Homman (13) 32pts
3rd Walter Panichi (4) 31pts
Division 2
1st Hyan Min-Lee (32) 37pts
2nd Andy Rich (22) 36pts
3rd Alun Webber (24) 36pts
Friday, Sept. 14, Burapha – Stableford
1st Ron Kellar (15) 35pts
2nd Takahashi Akira (9) 32pts
3rd Ho Jun-Yeon (21) 31pts
Saturday, Sept 15, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
1st Mimi Fujimoto (19) 38pts
2nd Takahashi Akira (15) 36pts
3rd Bruce Berriman (11) 36pts
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