Count-backs galore at Green Valley

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Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, Sept. 10, Green Valley – Stableford

As always here a predictable early start with the regular group in front booking eight tee times months ahead but only four actually going out, so we were off 35 minutes ahead of schedule.  We had seven four-balls out today with the cut at 5-15 and 16+ in division 2.

Now playing off 12, Neville Scurrell won division 1 with 38 points, edging Iain Usher by one point and Wilf Latham beat the Sheffield boy Andy Mills, in his last game with us before his return to the UK, on an 18/15 back nine count back after they both returned scores of 35.  Bon Voyage Andy!

There were three cards in with 36 points in division 2 and with a back nine count back of 19/17/14, William Chang was on the top podium position, ‘Mr. Happy’ alias Bryan Rought was second and Harry Vincenzi third.

Bryan Rought with Dave Richards. Bryan Rought with Dave Richards.

In the nearest the pins the first group out forget to put the flags out on the fist par three on the fourth over the water , no names mentioned.  Lindsay Phillips in the first group had his name but there were a few alterations later back at Siam cars at the presentation.  Mikael Andersson, Wilf Latham and Dave Richards claimed the pins in division 1, with Tony Duthie and Rodney Howett taking them in division 2.

Paul Butler birdied the 12th for the only 2 in division 1 and there were two rollovers in division 2 to Wanjuntr on Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 12, Wanjuntr – Stableford

Our first visit here to the lowlands course and the one hour and twenty minute journey from Jomtien put a lot of people off, but we had six groups out in the end.

After nine holes the clouds were building all around and on the twelfth for the first group it was very dark and there was lightning and thunder in the distance.  Amazingly this lasted for the next five holes before the torrential rain started after the tee-off on the par-three 17th.  We waited around 40 minutes for the rain to ease and approached the green which was almost impossible to putt on.  We teed off on the 18th and it was still raining so with our local 1 hour of rain rule most of us decided to call it a day, with just a few groups carrying on to the end.

Friday, Sept. 14, Eastern Star – Stableford

There was one late cancellation so we dropped from three divisions to two with 31 players out today.  There were some stormy clouds in the distance as we approached Baan Chang and we were hoping we could get all 18 holes in today, not like Wednesday.

The cut in the two divisions was made at 6-17 and 18 plus and the best score of the day was 35 points in both.  Marty Rock won division 1 with Wichai in second place one point behind and Kari Kuparinen took third after beating Mikael Andersson and Karl Flood on a back six count back of 12/11/10, all on 33 points.

Just back from China, Bob Poole topped division 2, Kan Carr was second with 32 and Iain Walsh beat Jerry Sweetnam on a 15/13 back nine count back for third as they both came in with 30 points.

Near pins went to Mikael Andersson, Alan Hanssen, Kari Kuparinen (2), Mark Armstrong and Bob Poole.

There were three ‘2’s today on the 6th, 13th and 17th in division 1 for Frank Kelly, Kari Kuparinen and Jon Lay, while in division 2 a rollover ensued to Eastern Star next Wednesday.

It was Bon Voyage today to Andy Baber and Tony Holehouse and our thoughts here at Jomtien Golf are with Fred Duffy back in Scotland and we all wish him a speedy recovery.