Latham shines at Eastern Star

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Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, March 31, Plutaluang – Stableford

Our normal schedule here at Plutaluang is to play two rounds on the North and West courses and then for a change, swap to the East and South courses as we normally visit here every three weeks.  Today was different as upon arrival we are told the West was closed for renovation and we were allocated the South and North nines, which made a different combination for us.

The cut today was made at 6-16 and 17+ and in division 2, playing off a handicap of 19, Tim Hake scored a remarkable 24 points on the front nine and clung on with only 12 on the back to take the win.  Bob Poole came in second juts one behind on 35 and in third place on count back was Burnie Sinclair, who edged out Alan Bissell 16/13 on the back nine after they both came in with 31 points each.

Kari Kuparinen and Ray Gott.Kari Kuparinen and Ray Gott.

The best score in division 1 was a meager 30 points from Walter Weber, two up on Ron Miller in second with 28 and Dennis Scougall finished in third place with 27.

Near pins went to Mike Chatt, Dannie Larsen, Ron Miller, Dennis Scougall, and John Williams (2).

Tim Hake birdied the fourth on the South course to record the only ‘2’ of the day and scoop the second division rollover pot.

Wednesday, April 2, Wangjuntr – Stableford

Just a one hour and fifteen minute journey from Siam Cats and it is worth the visit here a couple of times a year to play the two courses.  Today we were on the Valley course with two divisions out and the cut at 6-17 and 18plus.

Bob Poole with his hole in one golf bag prize from the previous week.Bob Poole with his hole in one golf bag prize from the previous week.

Iain Walsh was the star of the day with his division 2 winning 37 points, a full 10 points ahead of Howard Stanley in second.

Ron Miller, playing off 6, topped the division 1 standings with 33 points and Kari Kuparinen, also off 6, placed second with 32.

The course was in good condition but there were some wicked pin placements, including one hole where three players putted clean off the green from 10 feet away and almost ended up in the water hazard below.

Near pins were claimed by Ron Miller (2), Chris Voller, Toi Blair, Bryan Priestley and Howard Stanley.

Kari Kuparinen birdied the 6th and Ron Miller the 13th to split the ‘2’s pot in division 1 while Burnie Sinclair and Howard Stanley did the same in division 2 after both birdied the 17th.

Friday, March 28, Eastern Star – Stableford

Two divisions again today with the cut being almost identical to Wednesday’s game and there were some high scores returned from the 2 flights.

The top score came in the premier division from Wilf Latham, playing off 12, and his 41 points left him two clear of Dennis Scougall in second.  Dennis in turn needed a count back to fend off the challenge of Khalifa Nasser, which the former won 19/18 on the back nine.  Khalifa was happy with his third place as he had already sunk a hole in one on the third hole earlier in the day.

Ray Gott won division 2 with 37 points, beating Peter Davies 17/14 on a back six count back and Iain Walsh came in third with 36.

Near pins went to Khalifa Nasser, Ron Miller, Dennis Scougal, Tim Hake and Tony Holehouse.

Both division ‘2’s pots were claimed by Khalifa and his hole in one.  A quick look at his card today after the round showed he had a 1 for the hole in one, a birdie 2, then a 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.  Quite spooky!