Masa In The Picture Again

Masa Sugaya never misses a photo op as, at last count, he has been in the Links photos eight times since March 18.

He has racked up two “silly hats”, two “wigs” and today’s game gave him an amazing four Green Jackets. Ah! The fortunes of golf.

We ended up at Pattavia at the last minute after being messed around by Bangpra Golf Club and arrived to find a cheaper price than expected. Some clubs just know how to keep happy customers, well done Pattavia.

We thought the extremely hot weather had broken over the past few days but today we had some very hot periods, some slight breezes and even stronger breezes at times, so quite comfortable golfing weather.

This course always has very nicely grassed and cut fairways and the light rough is not much of a problem. The greens have had the low season maintenance so were slower than we would usually expect, but they still ran downhill if you missed the hole. As with most courses, we would expect these greens to return to their usual quickness once settled.

After some morning reshuffling, we had twenty eight golfers line up at the first tee. Our first group hit off 15 minutes before schedule and, with no hold-ups, set a good pace to finish in under four hours, without rushing it.

Two flights today at 0-16 and 17+ as well as near pins and best nines.

As per the headline, Masa Sugaya won the “B” flight with 40 points, not an easy task here, but he took it in his stride, Masa is not one to show his excitement.

Second and third went to a countback with Mike Tottenham and Donal McGuigan both scoring a fine 38 points. Mike won that tussle leaving Donal in third.

The “A” flight saw the continued resurgence of Maurice Roberts as he scooted four points clear of his nearest rivals. After his 43 points haul at Burapha two days ago a follow-up 39 points today but, alas, no Green Jacket, that is Masa’s.

Another countback to separate second and third in this flight between newcomer Wayne Antlizt and Jamie Booterbaugh, both having 35 points, but it was Wayne sneaking over the line.

Near pins:  Andrew Purdie (4), John Harrison (7), Bernie Stafford (13) and Nobody good enough. (17)

 “A” Flight (0-16)

1^st  Place – Maurice Roberts (13 ) -39 pts

2^nd Place – Wayne Antlitz (13) -35 pts c/back

3^rd Place – Jamie Booterbaugh (12) – 35 pts

“B” Flight (17+)

1^st  Place – Masa Sugaya (21) – 40 pts

2^nd Place – Mike Tottenham (18) – 38 pts c/back

3^rd Place – Donal McGuigan (20) – 38 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners) – Jim Ferris – 20 pts c/back

Best Back Nine ( non winners) –  Petur Petursson – 21 pts

There were five players with a miserable score of 23 points, so it was obvious that the “silly hat” and “wig” would come from this group.

Resultant countbacks for the bottom saw the “silly hat” for the lowest nine hole score go to John Mason and the “wig” for overall lowest score went to recent Green Jacket winner, Mike Firkin. Ah! The fortunes of golf.

Thanks to Pattavia for taking us on such short notice and for the great special pricing happening there at the moment.