Phillips hits purple patch at Pattana

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Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, August 27, Green Valley – Stableford

There were some dark clouds in the distance over the hills as we approached this course but as always our undaunted group arrived early and we teed off 30 minutes ahead of our scheduled 10.00am start.

There was a lot of debating on the first tee regarding the re-structuring of the first four holes here; there were some positive comments and also some negative but it’s still a popular venue for the majority of our players.

Andy Mills, Harry Vincenzi and Linsay Phillips. Andy Mills, Harry Vincenzi and Linsay Phillips.

We had six groups out today with the cut at 8-16 and 17+ and still in form the Yorkshire farmer, playing off 18 won division 2 with 36 points, well done Geoff Stubbs!  Lee Casy was second two points behind and David Phillips was third on 32.

Keeping an eye on his 15 handicap over the past four months, Lindsay Phillips won division 1 with 35 points while the Welsh Wizard, playing off 10 , Dave Richards was second after beating Mikael Andersson and Wilf Latham on a 19/18/17 back nine count back as all three came in with 34 points.

Dave also birdied the 12th for the only ‘2’ in division 1 and there were two rollovers in division 2 to Pattana on Wednesday.  In the end today the weather stayed fine and the course, especially the greens, were in great condition.

Near pins went to Mikael Andersson, Andy Mills, Dave Richards, Harry Vincenzi, Tom Novak (2).

Wednesday, August 29, Pattana – Stableford

As we checked in we were told the A course was still closed for renovation and we were allocated the B and C today, not everyone’s favourite starting hole but this did not reflect in the scores today.  There were six groups out with the cut at 8-16 in division 1 and 17 plus in division 2.

Playing with us for the last six months, Lindsay Phillips, with a handicap of 15, scored 16 on the front nine and a remarkable 27 on the back to win division 1 with 43 points.  The Sheffield boy Andy Mills, now off 7, came in with 38 points for second place and in third with 34 was Harry Vincenzi.

Alan Duckett from the Windmill here in Jomtien in Soi 5 took the top podium position in division 2 with 20 points on the front nine and 22 on the back, playing off 19.  William Chang was second with 40 points and Willy Van Heetvelde took third with a meagre 35 points.

Near pins went to Andy Mills (2), Dave Richards (2), Alan Bissell, Rodney Howett, Adrian Shelley and ‘count back’ Burnie.

In the ‘2’s Lindsay Phillips birdied C2 and C7 and Tony Kay and Dave Richards the same to share the pot in division 1, while Burnie Sinclair shot a ‘2’ on C2 as well and took the rollover from Bangpra and Green Valley in division 2..

To our amazement, the renovations to the restaurant have still not been completed so we were back in the conference room again.

Friday, August 31, Eastern Star – Stableford

There was lovely cool breeze blowing as we stepped out onto the first tee and this continued throughout the round until the last couple of holes -perfect conditions today.

There was a warm welcome return to Cully Monks after two months back in Ireland but with no golf he was not in the reckoning today, but the geese on the 16th hole have multiplied since his departure.

Marty Rock won division 1 with 35 points, Jon Lay was second one point behind and Wilf Latham beat Mikael Andersson on a 19/17 back nine count back after they both came in with 33 points.

The organiser won Division 2 with 35 points, Tony Holehouse claimed second one point behind and the renowned Aussie chef, Mark Armstrong was third with 33 points.

There are no ‘2’s in any division today with a double rollover next week in division 1 and seven in division 2.

A new local rule has been imposed here at a Jomtien Golf – if you don’t drive past the ladies tee you need to treat the lads or lasses in your three or four-ball group on the day to a small beverage back in the clubhouse..