The IPGC Monthly Medal at Eastern Star,

2nd November 2011

On Wednesday, 2nd November, the IPGC members visited Eastern Star for the November Members’ Tournament. Surviving the recent heavy storms better than many members dared hope the course has recently toughened into a challenge for all golfers, and the combination of water, OB and slow greens was a test for all three flights.

Each monthly members’ tournament will provide winners in both divisions who will go forward to the finals to compete for the Gold and Silver Medals later in the season. In addition the tournaments will also be used to determine the IPGC Gentleman Player of the Year, with between 1 and 15 points to be won in each division every month, dependant on final positions, which will then be aggregated for the year to establish the overall winner. As usual the first division contests a stroke play format whilst the second division play Stableford. With the Sweep vouchers standing at a guaranteed 5K for both divisions each month and the splendid “non winners’” draw at the presentation, the event is one of the most attractive competition days on Pattaya’s heavy golfing agenda.

In the first division Haruyuki Kato finished third with net 75, playing solidly off his handicap of eight. In second place, recently returned from UK, was Pete Sumner with net 72. The winner was PGS golfer Richard “Banjo” Bannister who played a rhythmic back nine to finish with a fine net 70 and the second best gross of the day. The second division played the usual stableford format and things were extremely tight again as six golfers contested third place with Lee Casey successfully edging out Jim Ferris “et al” with a better back six to finish on 33 points. In second place was Aussie golfer Ian Hogg, following 41 points two days previously and recording 35 this time. The flight winner was another PGS stalwart Larry Slattery who came home with a fine 37 point score. The Ladies’ flight was won by Kung Maliporn with 40 points with Yuza Reginuissen one point behind in second and Noi Emmerson two points further back in third. For the first time ever there were no birdie twos but the par threes at Eastern Star are some of the toughest anywhere in the area. After the tournament the golfers enjoyed an excellent presentation buffet at “Siam Cats”, the home of Jomtien Golf, and the lucky draw gave everyone present a share of the fun of the day. The presentation and prizes were generously sponsored as always by the IPGC, and those who had contributed to the success of the day were warmly thanked. The official prize-winners are listed below but the full list of results can be seen on the excellent official IPGC website at http://www.ipgc.org