Thomas has a top week

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IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar

Monday, Sept. 21, Pattana A & B – Stableford

1st David Thomas (9) 35pts

2nd Paul Smith (1) 34pts

3rd Martin Grimoldby (6) 33pts

With the previous Friday’s golf cancelled due to the effects of the tropical storm in the area, we arrived at Pattana with some concern over the state of the course.  Such concerns were given short shrift however when marshals informed us that carts would be permitted on the course, albeit using the 90-degree rule.  Even so, given we had been allocated the longer A & B nines, we decided to play off the shorter yellow tees.

David Thomas.

We found the course in very good order with fairways offering excellent lies, bunkers with the type of sand that allows attacking shots and greens that were consistent and true.  This course is habitually presented to a high standard, but given the ferocity of recent rains, today’s standard of presentation was impressive indeed.

Places were tight with just the two points separating the three podium placers.  Clearly the fairways were not offering much run, which may have accounted for the winning score being over par.  Even so, low-to-mid 30s is always a reasonable score on the tough A & B layout, so well done to our three winners.

There were two ‘2’s – both on B7 – and recorded by Paul Smith and David Thomas.

Back at the Links the lucky beer draw was won by newbie Les Williams while the booby bevy had many candidates, not least being regular Gary Bolger whose no show was prevented only by a phone call enquiring as to his whereabouts.  His response: “What day is it?”  Even so, it was the normally consistent Murray Edwards who won this dubious honour, with a lowest-ever nine-hole score of six, followed with an improved 15 to finish with the day’s low of 21 points – and this took a magnificent 60-yard hole-out on the last for a most unlikely birdie!

The fun we have.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, Khao Kheow – Stableford

On Wednesday, the Pattaya Golf Society fulfilled a fixture at Khao Kheow despite a record seven withdrawals within the previous twenty four hours, sickness and a poor weather forecast limiting the group.  In the event the group teed off in stuttering drizzle but within two holes the skies had cleared sufficiently to allow the completion of the stableford competition on the B and C nines.

Fairways were relatively dry and there was some run and the greens were consistent if a little slow.  The low markers in the field, Martin Grimoldby and Wichai Tananusorn held the roles of favourites but a slow start for both saw Jeff Hunt take advantage and his bonus of a birdie “four for five” on B2 set his round up perfectly.

As conditions improved throughout the field took shape but the consistency of the low markers was not enough to catch Aussie Jeff and Martin and Wichai had to be content with a share of second place, scoring 31 points each.  Jeff produced his best round with the group to finish on 36 points and take his maiden win.

There were no birdie ‘2’s surprisingly and the consolation beers went to Murray Edwards and Mr Len, in no particular order, after their low score finish, again in no particular order.

Friday, Sept. 25, Treasure Hill – Stableford

Our four groups teed off in hot and steamy conditions, on a course that had received a great deal of rain recently.  With fairways in good condition but offering reduced run, and a field containing just three single-figure markers, we decided that yellow tees would be the call.

Overall, the course was in good shape with greens offering a true and consistent roll.  At 1050B green-fee caddie-fee and cart, this course continues to impress as one of the best VFM deals around.  A pity the deal ends this month.

Even though we played the shorter yellow tees, this course still presents one of our tougher tests, as today’s scoring would attest.  One group in particular found their competitive mojo, with three of the four taking podium places.  They finished a clear three points ahead of the chasing pack, which underlined the quality of their golf on the day.  Well done David, Wichai and George.

There was just the one ‘2’ today, achieved by returning Aussie golfer, Leigh Abbey, who managed the feat on the 17th.

Back at the Links the lucky beer draw was won by Mr Len, our golf geezer, who was taking a rest from organising for the day.  The booby bevy had a few candidates, not least the golfer (first name Murray), who had to put up with watching three of his four-ball make the podium.  Then there was the golf club captain from a prominent WA golf club who believed, albeit briefly, that he was on holiday, and therefore not subject to having to account for various problems facing his home club – wrong.  But today’s winner was Jeff Hunt, who managed a hero-to-zero performance in coming from winning Wednesday’s stableford competition to recording a very modest score today; one that involved eight blobs no less.