Monday, December 22nd
The Vintage
1st Richard Baldotto (23) 39 points
2nd Maurizio Guidi (12) 38 points
3rd Mick McMahon (12) 35 points
Near pins Craig Dows, Paul Smith, & Richard Baldotto X 2.
A disappointing field of only twelve made the trip north to the Vintage course for the first game of the week. Most if not all who made the effort enjoyed the course and the day. As always the course was in decent condition
Generally considered a benign course where scoring is relatively easy today was no different to other visits with good scores returned. Usually one who claims to have found something in his game, Richard Baldotto did find the winning way today with a score of thirty-nine points, decent by any measure, he also managed to dominate the near pins taking two. Second place went to Maurizio Guidi in only his second game at the bunker with a score of thirty-eight points. Semi-local Mick McMahon made the trip down from Bangkok and made it worthwhile taking third place with thirty-five points, beating Paul Smith on countback. The remaining nearest pins went to Craig Dows and Paul Smith.
Wednesday, December 24th
Greenwood A & B
1st Hubert Stiefenhofer (19) 38 points
2nd Les Humphrey (33) 38 points
3rd Bil Richardson (20) 36 points
4th Craig Dows (6) 36 points
5th Daryl Vernon (20) 36 points
Near pins Paul Smith, Daryl Vernon, Bil Richardson, & Rob Folland (hole in one)
An early start to our game today with a tee time of ten o’clock, not to everyone’s liking but in high season you have to take what you can get. As we drove to the clubhouse we saw that the C nine was closed so we anticipated a crowded A & B nines, however that was not the case as we had the course virtually to ourselves, amazing so deep into high season and with a reasonable green fee of sixteen hundred baht.
We were able to get underway immediately and the lead group was finished well before 2.00 p m, needless to say there were no holdups. A much better attendance today with twenty-two golfers present.
Normally considered an easy high scoring course today turned out to be just that. Competition for places was very keen with countback to decide all top five places, even a thirty-six and three thirty-fives didn’t make it into the winners circle. With a thirty-three handicap Les Humphrey is hard to beat, nevertheless Hubert Stiefenhofer managed to just do it. Again third, fourth, and fifth were all decided on countback, two going down to the last three holes to decide fourth and fifth. All the near pins were shared around, the highlight being the second hole in one of the year going to Rob Folland on hole B5.
Friday, December 26th
Mountain Shadow.
1st Michael Brett (18) 35 points
2nd Colin Greig (17) 33 points
3rd Uwe Jurgensen (26) 31 points
Near pins Les Humphrey, Mark Hayward & Michael Brett X 2.
Too much Christmas spirit almost certainly contributed to a low turnout today for the final game of the week at Mountain Shadow, also this course proves difficult for most so that may also have had an effect.
Once again the course messed up our booking and had us teeing off at 10.15, when we expected an eleven tee time. Fortunately, we arrived early and were rushed on to the first tee without delay. It was of no benefit as we quickly caught up to the slowest two-ball ever who held us up all through the front nine before they disappeared, thereafter the pace of play was better until the closing holes when once again we encountered another slow group.
In what can only be described as a crazy round with a meagre ten point on the front nine, today’s winner Michael Brett did a complete turn around with twenty-five on the back, it just goes to show you should never give up. A much more balanced round from Colin Greig saw him take second place with thirty-three points, while Uwe Jurgensen brought up the rear with thirty-one. All the near pins were taken, Les Humphrey and Mark Hayward took one each with Michael Brett taking two, the one on the seventeenth was almost the second hole in one of the week, just a whisker from going in, the wait for his first hole in one continues and with time running out it looks very doubtful, although this year in the UK a ninety-one year old got one so while there is life there is hope.
Hubert Stiefenhofer, winner at Greenwood
Rob Folland took the second hole in one of the year
Winner at Mountain Shadow, Michael Brett
