“The Wig” Inspires Masa Sugaya

It’s been said before that, love it or hate it, the “wig” at Links Golf provides great incentive to make an improvement to your game in order stay clear of it.

Masa Sugaya looked sheepish and not amused when he wore it on Monday. By Friday he was wearing the Green Jacket as having the best score of the day, on countback. How things can change!

The A and B nines at Khao Kheow were presented in very good condition, perhaps not as pristine as we sometimes find, but this is likely due to a lot of traffic in past weeks.

The greens were good Khao Kheow type greens, running true and with good speed. The weather was very hot and tiring with only the promise of a cold shower and a cold drink at the completion to keep you going.

Thirty three players started out, thirty two finished, so two flights with four places each.

Masa Sugaya not only won the “B” flight (17+) scoring 37 points, but had a four point buffer to second placed Niels-Peter Kristensen who continued his good form to beat Greg Gawron on countback at 33 points each. Adam Barton, in a rare appearance due to work, held down fourth spot on 32 points.

On the same day that Masa wore the “wig”, Barry Wellings wore the Green Jacket and would have again today if not beaten on countback, by Masa.

Barry had 37 points to win “A” flight (0-16) by one point from Paul Smith on 36 points. Paul Greaves (16) snuck between all the single figure handicappers scoring a solid 35 points in beating Les Cobban on countback

Near pins: Paul Chesney  (A3), Phil Davies (A5), Paul Smith (B3), Tom Herrington (B8)

“A” Flight (0-16)

1^st  Place – Barry Wellings (5 ) -37 pts

2^nd Place – Paul Smith (4) -36 pts

3^rd Place – Paul Greaves (16) – 35 pts c/back

4^th Place – Les Cobban (9) – 35 pts

 “B” Flight (17+)

1^st  Place – Masa Sugaya (21) – 37 pts

2^nd Place – Niels-Peter Kristensen (21) – 33 pts c/back

3^rd Place – Greg Gawron (19) – 33 pts

4^th Place – Adam Barton (17) – 32 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)…Petur Petursson….18 pts c/back

Best Back Nine (non winners)…..Richard Fearby …21 pts

When it came to the “silly hat” Phil had Paul Chesney in the frame for saying he had made a marriage proposal. Marriage is a silly idea, according to Phil. ( hope Joy can’t see this).

Since Paul had conveniently escaped, the “silly hat” went back to the lowest nine hole score. Guess who won?  Phil Davies!

Poor Bryan Barrell knew he could not be beaten for the “wig” and stood behind Phil expectantly while he told stories and teased four others before finally making Bryan happy to be reunited with “his” wig.

The now weekday green fee of 800 bht makes Khao Kheow look like an option for a top course at a good price.