Big Xmas Day For Colin Smith

As the Thai population primarily follows the Buddhist religion, the Christian celebrations of Easter, Christmas etc, are not declared public holidays. That’s not to say the Thais don’t participate and help celebrate these days. Any excuse for a party.

Links Bar decided to make a big Christmas Day for expats, visitors and Thais, by playing our regular Wednesday game on Tuesday, followed by a monster smorgasbord style Christmas Dinner after the golf, at only 750 bht per head. That’s great!

The smorgasbord prepared by our hard working cooks/ chefs, was prepared over two days, and the amount and array of Xmas fare was outstanding. A number of people I heard pay compliments, particularly of the turkey, who all agreed was the best cooked Xmas turkey they had ever had. That is a  huge call.

We played the Xmas Day game at Treasure Hill last year and returned again for this year to find this course in even better condition than last time. How good is that? First class.

After having thirty three starters only one day earlier, would they back up for this one.

There where some different players, some in, some out, but it was 32 going to Treasure Hill for Xmas.

Two flights today with the cut at 0-17 and 18+

The “A” flight saw a great return to form from Colin Smith who played a nice steady game to record the best score of the day of 38 points, and fun to play with, as were the rest of our group, and the crazy caddies.

Second spot went to the very consistent Stan Stewart on 34 points, followed by George Mueller, also a regular on the podium, with 32 points.

In the “B” flight sometime visitor to Links, Stuart Mann, won a tight countback to beat first timer with us, Panda Aree, both scoring 34 points. On a day of low scores they have done well.

Ross Lucherhand had a placing a day earlier and placed again for third on 31 points.

Near pins: Andy Cowan (2), Dane O’Brien (6), Colin Smith (13), Phil Davies (17)

 Winner …”A” flight……..Colin Smith (14)…………….38 pts

2^nd Place…………………….Stan Stewart (16)……………34 pts

3^rd Place……………………..George Mueller (13)……….32 pts

Winner…”B” flight………. Stuart Mann (25)……………34 pts c/back

2^nd Place………………………Panda Aree (28)…………….34 pts

3^rd Place………………………Ross Lucherhand (19)……..31 pts

Best Front Nine ( non winners)……Wayne Pepperenell ………..16 pts

Best Back Nine ( non winners)…….Graham Pratt…………………18 pts

For something different we played Mystery Partner. All the scorecards were jumbled into a bag. Phil drew a card, then John drew one, and the two scores added together. The final result of this was:

Mystery Partner winning pair: George Mueller and Stan Stewart….66 pts

By this time most could hardly move with so much food consumed, but the tasty Apple Crumble and custard was next out.

Then Dane O’Brien and our own Phil Davies took to the stage to entertain with songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Creedence and more.

As people, golfers and guests, started to head off into the night, it was time to sit back and reckon this was just another wonderful Xmas Day at Links Bar, Pattaya.