Hot Golf From the Newbies - September 2016 PAGS Tournament from Phoenix Gold

Another day dawned and golfers, old and new descended en masse on the recently renovated & re-opened Ocean course at Phoenix Gold for the September PAGS tournament.

Today’s field of 105 players which included 12 Ladies had an eye on the weather conditions, as it was raining in some parts of Pattaya early and the forecast was for a storm later in the day. Following some recent rain, and some tight lies on the fairways, the decision was made to have preferred lies through the green, to help avoid the dreaded mud ball. The rain held off, but it was hot and steamy out there, particularly early before the breeze got up.

Cameron Imber (2) shot the undoubted round of the day, winning the Low Gross with a fine 70, that’s 2 under, for the arithmetically challenged. He also picked up 3rd spot in the A Flight nett, along with 2 bonus technical prizes, obviously can play a bit. Another headlining score of the day went to the Ladies winner, Orn Kansaengsri (15) with an outstanding 43 points, while the Ladies minor placing went to Chutikan (32) with a fine 42 points.

B flight for handicaps 15 – 20, was a hotly contested affair with Werner Schwarz (17) on 39 points edging Mikael Andersson (15) with 38 points, who also picked up the long putt on hole 4. The bronze medal position in this flight going to John Fenwick (18) with a creditible 35 points, to go with his long putt on hole 11.

In the C flight for handicaps 21 & up, it was Jon Markland (28) getting the chocolates with a solid 40 points, while Mike Chitwood (34) was 2 points behind on 38, with Gerry Graham (28) a further 4 points behind in 3rd spot with 34 points. Andrew Woodall (14) was the winner in A flight, while it was Tom Thompson (14) with 40 points who edged Low Gross winner Cameron on countback 21/20 getting the 2nd spot on the podium.

This month I will throw out a few honorable mentions, to Warren Wood, Jerry Sweetnam, Jonny Lindberg, and Chop, who each picked up at least the maximum 2 technical prizes, well done to all.

Just a quick shout out to Mark, who augmented his MC duties with a round of golf, onward and upward Mark. The Annual Order of Merit race is starting to really take some shape, plenty of players knocking on the door, as the year draws to a close, with 3 rounds left, it is still anybody’s to win.

Check on www.birdie.in.th for any results that you may have missed. It was welcome back to Dave, and his team once again did a tip top job in the tucker department, with plenty of non golfers coming along to enjoy the social atmosphere of the evening with their golfing partners, family & friends. As always, there is only 1 person to blame if you go home hungry from the Lion Pub after a PAGS presentation.

I look forward to next month’s event at Phoenix on 25 October, as I am sure all of you who have experienced the PAGS organisation and hospitality do. Contact Shane on 0859459689 to ensure your preferred tee time.