Eastern Star
1st Michael Brett (16) 31 points
2nd Gary Smith (9) 30 points
3rd Mark Williams (16) 29 points
Near pins, Bil Richardson, Michael Brett, & Rob Folland X 2.
Could we finally be out of the monsoon season? no rain for the past week during golf, and no prospect of rain again today. As always at Eastern Star the wind was blowing quite strongly at times. The course was in very good condition with carts allowed on the fairways. There was no need for pick, clean, and place. Despite that the course played long and combined with the wind made for difficult scoring conditions which was not to totally excuse the poor scores.
With three wipes and at least six narrowly missed putts, Michael Brett took first place with a lowly thirty-one points. After a year in exile Gary Smith played his first game back and took second place one adrift. In his last game with us for this tour Mark Williams finally got into the winners circle with twenty-nine points. All the near pins were taken with Bil Richardson and Michael Brett taking one each, Rob Folland got two.
We are expecting a bigger rollup for Wednesday’s game at Pattaya Country Club.
Wednesday, October 29th
Pattaya Country Club
1st Kevin LaBar (15) 42 points
2nd Ian Flannigan (20) 39 points
3rd Bil Richardson (23) 37 points
4th Gary Smith (9) 33 points
Near pins, Max Reid, Gary Smith, Ian Flannigan, & Colin Greig
Just when we thought we were over the monsoon season we got rained on today, not enough to halt play, just enough to get everyone a bit wet. The course was in good condition again apart from a couple of fairways that had been sanded for some reason. As we drove away from the course the water truck was out on the third fairway, presumably washing in the sand. Today we were presented with some of the toughest pin placements one could imagine, even the caddies agreed, suggesting the greenkeeper may not have had a good night.
Scoring was of a good standard and just about what one would expect at this course where in excess of forty points is required to win. In scintillating form today Kevin LaBar did just that with a very well compiled forty-two points. A handicap review could be in store for second and third placed Ian Flannigan and Bil Richardson, Bil was cruising to the finish line but faltered when a very good score beckoned, nevertheless it was his best round for some time and he looks like he might be returning to a more accustomed handicap shortly. Gary Smith took fourth place on thirty-three before he travels to Khun Kaen for some r & r. Gary managed to snag a near pin as did Max Reid, Ian Flannigan, and Colin Greig.
Friday October 31st
Pattavia
1st Neil Griffin (22) 35 points
2nd Paul Smith (4) 35 points
3rd Kevin LaBar (15) 34 points
4rth Uwe Jurgensen (25) 34 points
5th Michael Brett (16) 34 points
Near pins, Bil Richardson, Paul Smith, Kevin Labar, & Michael Brett
The last game of October was played at the Pattavia course. The game began in nice weather conditions but by the end of the round the lead groups finished in drizzling rain, the later groups were subjected to a downpour, but manfully ploughed on to the end by which the eighteenth green was waterlogged. One golfer actually chipped over the water on the green, not sure the greenkeeper would have been too impressed.
Under the conditions scoring was acceptable, all things considered. Finishing in the worst of the conditions Neil Griffin did remarkably well to hold it together and take first place on countback from Paul Smith who had twenty-three points on the front nine. Another countback to decide third and fourth, both equal on points on the last nine and the last six so it went to the last three holes where Kevin prevailed with the better last three hole score.
Near pins were shared with four different winners as listed.
A peculiar month in the race for golfer of the month with only a handful of players with six or more rounds qualifying. In the end it went to Michael Brett who played every game for the month
Winner at Eastern Star, & Golfer of the Month, Michael Brett.
Winner at Pattaya Country Club, Kevin LaBar.
