Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Monday, Jan. 27, Khao Kheow – Stableford
There were ten groups out today in three divisions and we were allocated the B and C nines. Before we got started, three Korean groups pushed in on the first tee and the starter allowed this so we ended up teeing off 20 minutes behind our normal schedule.
It was quite a pleasant day with the temperature not too extravagant and quite a strong breeze blowing throughout the round.
At the presentation back at Siam Cats our catchphrase of “Nobody likes to see this” was echoed around the bar as Lindsay Phillips came in with 35 points to take first place in division 1. Nik Evans, playing off 11, was second with 31 points and Don Head took third, beating Ron Miller and Chris Voller 16/16/15 on the back nine and 13/10 on the back six after they all came in with 30 points each.
Another 35 point tally won division 3, this time for Erkki Pohja who edged out Miss Nut, playing off the same yellow tees as the men today, on a 13/12 back six count back. Pepo Frick took third with 31 points.
Lindsay Phillips, Miss Nut and Don Head.
Finn Olsen’s 32 was enough to win division 2, with Khalifa Nasser taking second after beating Barry Stirling 14/12 on count back, both on 31 points each.
Near pins went to Khalifa Nasser, Chris Voller (3), John Bisceglio, Randy Flello, Bob Poole and Walter Weber.
Wednesday, Jan. 29, Plutaluang – Stableford
On our last two visits here we played on the East and South courses and three weeks ago we booked the North and West, which we try to alternate every time we are here. There were eleven groups out today with the cut in three divisions as 7-15, 16-20 and 21+ in division 3.
In form lately, William Chang recorded the best score of the day to win division 2 with 38 points. Howard Stanley came in second with 34 and Jerry McCarthy was third on 31.
Jimmy Johnson beat Alan Bissell on count back to win division 3, both on 35 points, and Cliff Elliott was third with 28.
Finally, in the premier division, Jack Behan beat Chris Voller on count back for the win after both carded 33-point rounds and Paul Butler took third just one point further back.
Near pins were shared around between Billy Fitzgerald, Ted Lodge, Bryan Rought, Pete Sumner, William Chang (2), Ger Lodge and Volker Suhr.
Jack Behan, Bryan Rought and Pete Sumner split the rollover first division ‘2’s pot while William Chang was smiling even more with the only ‘2’ in division 2.
Friday, Dec. 31, Pattavia – Stableford
A totally disastrous day started with the leading group just about to u-turn on the 331 for the course and a lorry collided with the car on our right-hand side, causing the lorry to overturn and end up in ditch between the two carriageways. Our four passengers escaped unscathed and this was a miracle, but the four occupants of the truck were all taken to hospital by ambulance.
At the course, despite obtaining confirmation the previous evening, there was no booking for us and this led to chaos as our eight groups had to be split between the first and the tenth. After 9 holes there was over an hour wait on the tenth tee to play the back nine and in the end it turned out to be a six hour round. We used to have this trouble when this course was called Century Chonburi before, with foreign tourists pushing in on the 10th because the first tee was full. If this occurs on our next game here we will give this course a miss in the high season.
Howard Stanley returned the best score of the day, winning division 1 with 37 points while Karl Flood was second after beating Barney Sheedy on count back.
Roar Berger bagged division 2 honours with 35 points, two ahead of Cliff Elliott in second, and John Bisceglio beat Rod Howett on count back for third after they both came in with 32 points each.
Near pins were won by Ted Lodge, Lindsay Phillips, Roar Berger, John Bisceglio and Jim Sims.
Howard Stanley birdied the 4th hole for the sole ‘2’ of the day.
