Summary Report
Arriving on the date of November 5, 2012, in Khon Kaen both the Chiang Mai Golfers and the Isaan Golfers met at 19:00 at the Beer Garden of the Hotel Kosa. 18 players from Chiang Mai (from a total of 22) and around 25 players from the Isaan team attended. Steve Hoss generously sponsored a 30 Liter keg of Leo Beer. Tim Seitz as the principal Organizers welcomed all players and went through the general Agenda and schedule for the next three days. We left the Hotel every morning at 07:45 am and start Match 1 on all three days at 09:30 am.
First day was a Mixed Texas Scramble (2 players from each team),
Second day (first day of competition) a 2 Team Best Ball Match play,
Third day singles Match play.
The daily transport to and from the Golf Course was done with the help of the Isaan players offering space in their cars or simply as guides driving in front of the Chiang Mai participants traveling with their own Vehicles.
All rounds were played at the Singha Park, Santiburi Golf course about 20 minutes drive from the Kosa Hotel. This great Venue gave us (thanks to the efforts of Tim) a great deal for Baht 1.000 per round including Caddie fee. Golf carts could be shared for Baht 300 a person.
The Golf course does not have a great difficulty and a great forgiveness for inaccurate drives. However the greens are quiet fast and undulated, additionally Tim asked the Super for the Golf course to place the Pins at the same position than for the recent Co-sanctioned Asian Tour tournament held at the same Venue. The conditions of the course were fantastic and we felt the warm welcome from Singha Park, we only received smiles from everyone, from the Pro shop staff to the Locker room staff to the Caddies and the Restaurant staff. There were some really interesting and difficult pin placements to say the least and they would all be the same throughout the competition with the exception to Hole # 3 Par 5 which was changed from the very accessible front right to the far right back directly over the front side Bunker (Tim thought it was not difficult enough on the first day). The Locker room has to get a special mentioning because they are by far the best I have seen in Thailand. It is noticeable that Singha did not spare any expense in the detail work and materials used.
06.11.12
On the first day we had a total of 13 4-somes going of from Tee #1 and Tee # 10. The camaraderie in the mixed teams was good and it was a great way of starting this year Isaan – Chiang Mai Cup because everyone had a chance to meet new people and to get familiar with the Golf course. With Sunny but Windy weather conditions it was very pleasant to play. After the round we gathered at the Restaurant outside area as Tim and Alan computed the Winners of the first day’s competition. Prices for the first three places in the Team competition were awarded as well as closest to the Pin on all 4 Par 3’s. The Winning Scores were 67 for third, 67 for second (thanks to an Eagle on the last hole) and 66 for first place.
07.11.12
On the Second day the more serious competitions started with 2 Best Ball Match Play pairings. Again it must be mentioned that the competition stayed very friendly and enjoyable at all times and all teams finished their respective games in 4 ½ hours. We now were matched equally with players on both sides (22 from Chiang Mai, 22 from Isaan). The pairings were chosen by their handicaps to be as close together as they could be. Again we had a Sunny day with some cloud cover but less Wind than on the first day and therefore more on the warm side. After the round we gathered this time inside the Clubhouse (AC) and Tim after computing with Alan the Scores announced the Results for the Competition as well a the closest to the Pins. The tally was 21.5 points from the Chiang Mai team and 11.5 for the Isaan Team.
08.11.12
On the third day we played in Singles Match play (players as close as possible together with their Handicaps). The weather was great again but this time almost no Wind and only little cloud cover which made this the hottest day. Nevertheless the competition was fierce but friendly at all times. After this round we only stayed for Lunch and the exchange of Golf anecdotes. The Results will be announced at the closing dinner, which was held at the Pool of the Kosa Hotel at 19:00. The dinner started on time and after some Beer (1 keg of 30 Liter sponsored by Isaan and one by the Chiang Mai players) and food, Tim started the announcement of the finally tally by presenting first the Winners of todays closest to the Pin. As for the Isaan – Chiang Mai Cup, Chiang Mai came out on top with a final Score of 53.5 to 47.5 for Isaan. So Chiang Mai won the Cup back after losing it in 2011 to Isaan. A great big thank you goes out to Tim Seitz and Alan Griffith for all the hard work they did to make this a very well organized Event. It was a pleasure to meet all Players who represented the Isaan Team (Udon Thani, Khon Kaen & Lao) and we all received only the warmest welcome. This is the way it should be and we are looking forward to defend the Cup in 2013 again in Isaan.
