Phillips and Yates Down To The Wire

Although overcast in the morning, the forecast was for cloudy and no rain. At Pattana that is exactly what we got, and were able to complete a full round.

We played only the one flight down to six places.

After very late sign-ups (or not at all) and one who paid then went walkabout, never to be seen again, even though we held a bus for him then, after some last minute juggling of groups, we fielded twenty eight players, enough for two flights but too late to be changing envelopes now.

The course is in it’s usual first class condition, although we were curious that the ground staff commenced sanding the B nine greens as we hit off. They beat us to most of them, but these greens still played well.

Carts stayed on the paths so it was lift, clean and place on fairways. My old legs were happy when, suddenly, the caddies took the carts onto the last two fairways, a little bonus.

Derek Phillips has had his share of “wigs” and “silly hats” recently but today recorded his best score since Songkran, a grand total of 39 points. However, he didn’t have it all his own way as Selwyn Yates took it to him, also having 39 points to be just beaten on countback.

Tom Herrington had an “on’ day and was right behind this pair scoring 38 points to sit alone at third, then came another countback resulting in Gerry Conway pipping Andrew Purdie at the 37 points mark. Tommy Marshall was the only other to play to handicap or better with 36 points.

Near Pins: Bryan Dore (A3), Phil Davies (A8), Gavin Smith (B3), Bill Copeland (B7)

 Winners at Pattana

1^st  Place –  Derek Phillips (16) –  39 pts c/back

2^nd  Place –  Selwyn Yates (15) –  39 pts

3^rd Place –  Tom Herrington (15) – 38 pts

4^th Place –  Gerry Conway (25) – 37 pts c/back

5^th Place –  Andrew Purdie (10) – 37 pts

6^th Place –  Tommy Marshall (6) – 36 pts

Best Front Nine (A) ( non winners) – Iain Jones – 19 pts

Best Back Nine (B) ( non winners) – Paul Smith – 19 pts

Alan Walker was awarded the “silly hat” for a mediocre score on the front nine, which was only one point worse than sparring partner, John Anderson.

Warren Gallop returned for his first game this trip and settled right in to the “wig” position of last. It was pointed out that he had been there before.

The excellent scores of the first six placegetters speaks volumes for the condition of this course and, at the sports day price currently on offer, is good value.