Mike Firkin Knows Emerald Well

Mike Firkin and Len Jones have been going to Emerald for a hit and some ‘spying’, and they report that this once shunned, Nick Faldo designed course, is making a comeback under new owners.

So, when the course that we had originally booked wanted to charge us the crazy ‘holiday price’, we cancelled and made a quick decision to book Emerald.

How would the golfers accept the change? Very well was the answer, when 16 players signed up to give us four groups.

Now, being a player with the most recent experience at the course, Mike Firkin knew his way around and cemented a good win with 38 points, his third win inside six weeks. It seems he is doing some fitness stuff as well, that could help.

Billy Buchanan found some of his lost form to come in with 36 points for second spot, and a much happier man.

George Mueller has had a couple of ordinary scores recently, but 34 points today was a good result and gave him third place.

Steve Moxey had 21 points on the back nine included in his score of 32 points, which gave him the countback over Darren Beavers for the remaining podium spot.

However, Darren did win the ‘best back nine’ and Tony Browne the ‘best front nine’

Winners at Emerald

1^st  Place – Mike Firkin (22 ) – 38 pts

2^nd Place – Billy Buchanan (13) – 36 pts

3^rd Place – George Mueller (15) – 34 pts

4^th Place –  Steve Moxey (10) – 32 pts c/back

Best Front Nine ( non winners) – Tony Browne – 19 pts

Best Back Nine (non winners) – Darren Beavers  – 18 pts  

New management is doing a lot of work on the course and now have the fairways well grassed and cut nicely and there seems to be some trees missing as well. The greens are a work in progress with a fair bit of sand on many of them, but, according to our ‘spies’, they have been improving each week.

The weather for today saw plenty of cloud hanging around but mostly white with a grey tinge, A nice breeze, stronger at times, made for a comfortable round.

Emerald is running special pricing at the moment and we paid just 1050 bht all-in and, with a quicker trip using the new motorway extension, how could you refuse?,

During the bus trip home, some asked when we would be back here, This is a sign that the golfers enjoyed their day at Emerald, some of whom had just played there for the first time.