Ottaway signs off on a winning note

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Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, March 25, Phoenix – Stableford

It was an extremely hot day here with temperatures reaching the 40 degree scale and hardly any breeze whatsoever.  As the 7 groups came in after 18 holes the majority were washed out.

There were also many remarks regarding the speed of the greens and the pin positions today and this was reflected in the scores with 35 points being the best of the day.

Jomtien golfers relax at Le Saigon restaurant.Jomtien golfers relax at Le Saigon restaurant.

We had an equal cut in the flights today of 5-16 and 17 plus and playing off 5, the happy new father Kari Kuparinen won division 1 with 35 points.  Living on the Lakes course, Ian Speirs was second one point behind Kari and in third place with 31 points was the London taxi boy Mike Chatt who beat Ted Morris on a 19/16 back nine count back.

Sid Ottaway, in his last game with us before his return to ‘Burilam’to get married, topped division 2 with 33 points.  After his house warming party the previous day, Gordon Everingham was on the ball to come in second with 30 points, beating Walter Webber on a 16/11 back nine count back.

Near pins were won by Sid Crawley, Ted Morris, Jim Connelly and Eiichi Matsumoto (2).

No ‘2’s today so a rollover in both divisions to the Emerald on Wednesday.

The figures are dwindling now and it was Bon Voyage today to Jim Connelley and Harry Vincenzi.

Wednesday, March 27, The Emerald – Stableford

This was our first visit here for a couple of months, due to the refurbishment of the course, and after the round all groups were happy with the condition of the layout and we are now booked in for the first week of May before the annual Hua Hin trip.

The London boy John Walsh, playing off 20, recorded his best ever score with us to win division 2 with 42 points.  There were no count backs today for Burnie Sinclair, who was in second place on 38 points, while one point behind in third was Jeff Van Uffelen.

Tony Kay, now back with us on an 11 handicap, won division 1 with 40 points and Wichai Tanunsorn was second with 38 after beating Iain Usher and Jerry Sweetnam on a 23/17/16 back nine count back.

After his return, Tony Kay was in form and birdied the 5th to win the rollover ‘2’s pot in division 1 and there are two now to the Sunrise Lagoon next Monday in division 2.

Near pins went to Tony Kay, Ian Speirs, Jerry Sweetnam, Iain Usher, and Kari Aarnio (2).

Friday, March 29, Eastern Star – Stableford

Upon arrival here today the management told us there would be no closure from the first of April here for one week as the condition of the 13th and 18th greens had improved and everyone agreed with this after the round today.  There will be a slight upgrading to the other greens over this week but this should not be a problem so we are told.  So Greenwood next Friday has been cancelled and moved to May.

Another very hot day here with no breeze coming off the coast and the cut in the two divisions was 8-16 and 17 plus and the best score returned was 37 points by Frank Kelly who won division 2.  Iain Walsh came in second three points behind Frank and Darryl Blair was third with 32.

Wilf Latham was the winner in division 1 with 35 points, Bill Bertram took second two points behind, and Paul Hartley, in his last game with us for four weeks, came in third with 31.