Heavy rain met us as we drove to Eastern Star golf course on Wednesday 17th May and it made us somewhat apprehensive about the day’s events, but of course we were worrying about nothing because TIT – this is Thailand!
We had 64 golfers on the start sheets and with a couple of cancellations and additions we ended up with a field of 65. By the time our 9.09am start times had arrived the rain had stopped and all were raring to go. On this occasion it was a 2-tee start and we managed to get everyone away pretty much on time.
PSC monthly winners: (left-right) Steve Truelove (A Flight), Ian Pickles (B Flight), Maurice Roberts (PSC Golf Chairman), Jeff Wylie (Low Gross) and Peter Henshaw (Seniors/Ladies).
PSC Golf Chairman Maurice Roberts, together with Mark West, Dick Warberg, Andre Van Dyk, Peter Blackburn & Marcus Earp arrived at the course early to prepare for the players arrival, together with the Eastern Star staff who were on hand and helpful.
With all flights (except the Ladies/Seniors) playing off the white tees most of the golfers struggled with the wet conditions and there were some fairly ordinary scores and a few good ones, but none were better than that returned by Aussie Jeff Wylie (h/cap 8) who had the best gross of 75 and took out the major prize.
‘A’ Flight, playing medal, was won in a count back by the previous month’s low gross winner Steve Truelove (8) who had a net 34 on the back nine, just shading his good mate Gerd Riedler (9) who had a net 37 back-nine, with both carding net 71s.
‘B’ Flight, playing stableford, saw two golfers tied on 35 points and the resultant count back saw a completely sober Ian Pickles (15 Hcp. & 17 point back nine) finish in first place from Nick “Holywood” Shaw (15Hcp. & 16 point back nine).
‘C’ Flight was won by Tom Byrne (17) with 33 points while ‘D’ Flight honours went to John Ianson (25) on 34 points
Veteran Peter Henshaw won the Seniors/Ladies with 35 points.
The presentation and prize-giving was this time held at Lewiinskis in Soi 13/3 and once again the food was terrific and plenty of it.
At the presentation, Peter Blackburn welcomed all and introduced new Golf Chairman Maurice Roberts who was of course overseeing his first PSC monthly tournament. Maurice expressed his appreciation to the day’s players who persevered in somewhat difficult conditions and those who assisted him at the course and to the PSC office staff for the pre-tournament work, and also to Westy’s wife Kit who sold the 50/50 lucky draw tickets with help from her friends. Peter then announced the winners and Maurice presented the prizes followed by the Lucky Draw and the 50/50 draw.
