Melbourne & Brown, Just for the Record

The Pattaya Golf Society ended its January schedule with a visit to local Pattaya CC on Wednesday 30th to play a stableford competition on the course which continues to be more than presentable with firm fairways giving lots of run and greens which were a little tricky with deceptive pace.

Thirty three golfers took to the first tee and oblivious to the fact, that when Willie Brown teed off he started the groups five hundredth competition round this month, a monthly record for the group. Completely unfazed he went to perform well.

The field was divided into two flights at eighteen and under and in the top flight Masa Takano again seemed to be the “bridesmaid” with his second best gross of the day giving him 33 points for third place. Ahead was the daunting figure of the consistent Maurice Roberts on 37 points in second. The flight winner was the aforementioned Willie Brown with 39 very solid points.

In the second flight scores were again very competitive with Soren Hansen taking third place with 38 points, losing second on countback to a resurgent Tip Briney.

The flight winner and recipient of his maiden Green Jacket was Keith Melbourne with a personal best score of 43 points on a day when he trusted his caddy to give him the right advice, and kept his nerve throughout, except on a very watery seventeenth hole. Again it was a case of a non fancied golfer, leading from the front, and, boy did he enjoy his moment!

The near pins went to Bill Copeland (two), Phil Davies and Torben Lindgaard whilst the best front nine score was recorded by Derek Phillips (23 points) and the best back nine score went to Larry Slattery on countback with 18 points.

Competition was tight for the dreaded wig with countback deciding it would be worn by Darren Beavers, thus leaving Paul Stewart to take the “silly hat” for the poorest nine hole score.

 “A” Flight (0-18)

1^st  Place – Will Brown (18 ) -39 pts

2^nd Place – Maurice Roberts (12) -37 pts

3^rd Place – Masa Takano (8) – 33 pts

 “B” Flight (19+)

1^st  Place – Keith Melbourne (35) – 43 pts

2^nd Place – Tip Briney (27) – 38 pts c/back

3^rd Place – Soren Hansen (19) – 38 pts c/back

I think it’s fair to say that all the groups golfers had enjoyed the month and thanks are due to the cool “professionalism” of the organisers, making large fields as manageable as possible so all enjoyed the Links golf experience.