Jomtien Golf with the IPGC
Tuesday, Oct. 22, CM Highlands – Stableford
A group of 24 players and partners made the trip to Chiang Mai for our third annual visit. There was a competition over the three days of our stay but the majority warmed up Monday at the Mae Jo course.
It was still the rainy season here and the Highlands course was a little sodden so ‘pick clean and place’ was the order of the day. The equal cut for the week in the two divisions was 4-15 and 20+ and there were nearest the pins and of course the ‘2’s to fight for.
Chris Voller.
Two scores of 39 were returned in Division 1, with Chris Voller beating Dean Worrell on a 20/19 back nine count back and Russell taking third with 35 points after beating Lindsay Phillips on a 19/15 back nine count back.
Mark Armstrong topped Division 2 with 37 points, Bob Polle was second on 36 and Terry Redding placed third with 31.
Near pins went to Russell Gilroy, Martin Grimoldby (2), Chris Voller, Rod Howett, Andy Oz and Terry Redding (2).
Russell Gilroy birdied the 17th and in division 2 Rod Howett the 7th for the only ‘2’s of the day.
Thursday, Oct. 24, Alpine G.C. – Stableford
A forty minute drive from the Raming Lodge brought us to the Alpine, with some gloomy skies off in the distance. It was very busy as we arrived but we were still able to tee off bang on time.
Martin Grimoldby came home with 37 points to win Division 1, with Billy Fitzgerald second on 34 and Dean Worrell taking third with 33.
Burnie Sinclair was the winner in Division 2 with 32 points ahead of Rod Howett in second on 30, and with 8 points on the front nine and 21 on the back Mark Armstrong was third with 29.
There were some slow Koreans in front and it was a five hour round but the weather stayed ok and there were a few remarks afterwards that the players found the course very tough today.
Burnie Sinclair.
Near pins were claimed by Billy Fitzgerald, John Oxley (2), Chris Voller, Glyn Evans, Glenn King and Burnie Sinclair.
There were three ‘2’s in Division 1 from Kevin Blake, John Oxley and Chris Voller, while Burnie Sinclair birdied the 12th to take the pot in Division 2.
Friday, Oct. 24, Royal Chiang Mai – Stableford
Our last round of the week and the 3-day competition was still wide open to a dozen players or more. The weather looked promising and we arrived to an almost deserted course and teed off 30 minutes ahead of schedule.
John Oxley was on form today to win Division 1 with 39 points, with Dean Worrell in second on 36 and missing the telephone box Dennis Scougall was third with 34.
Burnie Sinclair claimed Division 2 honours with 33 points to finish ahead of Colin James in second, who in turn beat Glenn King 13/12 on count back, both scoring 32’s.
Everyone enjoyed this course today and a few commenting that it was almost like a traditional tree lined English layout.
Near pins went to Kevin Blake, Mike Chatt, John Oxley, Dean Worrell, Mark Armstrong and Bob Poole.
Mike Lewis, John Oxley, Wichai Tananusorn and Dean Worrell split the ‘2’s pot in the first division and there were no ‘2’s in the second.
The overall winner of the Giant Panda Tour this year was Chris Voller with 98 points. Burnie Sinclair occupied second place on 95 and Russell Gilroy and John Oxley were joint third with 93 each.
It was a great week was enjoyed by all the golfers and partners and many thanks go to Jenny at the Raming Lodge and also to Lyn and Terry.
Russell Gilroy.
John Oxley.
