Chiang Mai, 9th of November
Arriving on the date of November 4, 2012, in Khon Kaen both the Chiang Mai Golfers and the Isaan Golfers (Isaan Golf Association) met at 19:00 at the Beer Garden of the Hotel Kosa. 25 players from Chiang Mai (from a total of 28) and around 25 players from the Isaan team attended. Steve Hoss once again generously sponsored a 30 Liter keg of Leo Beer. Tim Seitz as the principal Organizer from the Isaan Golf Association, and Frank Schwarz as a Captain from the Chiang Mai Team welcomed all players and went through the general Agenda and schedule for the next three days. The Tee-off order for the next days Scramble was decided by a Lottery draft and announced to all players present. It was then posted on the electronic 55” Screen in the Hotel Kosa Lobby.
It was agreed that all players leave the Hotels for the next three days morning at 08:00 am and start Teeing off on all three days at 09:30 am on Tee # 1 and Tee # 10.
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. Perhaps this was the reason why no one got lost this year on the way to the golf course !
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 350 a person.
The Golf course does not have a great degree of difficulty, but a great forgiveness for (the occasional) inaccurate drive. However the greens are very fast and undulated. Additionally Tim asked the Super for the Golf course to place the Pins at the most difficult position which were marginal but not illegal, but the Pin positions were softened a bit on the second and third days on six greens, but by no means much easier.
The conditions of the course were once more fantastic and we felt the warm welcome from Singha Park, we received smiles from everyone, from the Pro shop staff to the Locker room staff to the Caddies and the Restaurant staff. This is a properly run golf course.
The Locker room has to get a special mention because it is by far the best I have seen in Thailand. It is obvious that Singha did not spare any expense in the detail work and materials used.
Game Report 05.11.12
On the first day we had a total of 13 4-somes going off from Tee #1 and Tee # 10. The camaraderie in the mixed teams was good and it was a great way of starting this year’s Isaan vs. Chiang Mai Challenge 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 day to play golf.
After the round we gathered inside the Restaurant as Tim and Frank computed the Winners of the first day’s competition. Prizes 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 Gross Scores were:
Third Place: 71 – Peter Hutterhampil, Stacy Barnham, Len Sparrow and Peter Hadden
Second Place: 69 – Sean Wilkes, Harrie Sanders, Craig Morriss and Kari Laukkanen
First Place: 68 – Richard Russell, Steve Hoss, Barry Ochitwa and Frank Schwarz
Game Report 06.11.12
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 (29 from Chiang Mai, 29 from Isaan). The pairings were chosen by handicaps to be as close together as reasonably possible.
Again we had a Sunny day with a strong Wind, which made some holes much longer, but again it was a very pleasant temperature to play in. It was strange that the wind was always in your face on the longest holes!
After the round we gathered again inside the Clubhouse where Tim and Frank announced the Results for the Competition as well as the closest to the Pins.
The tally was 20.5 points from the Chiang Mai team and 21.5 for the Isaan Team.
Game Report 08.11.12
On the third day we played in Singles Match play (players matched as close as possible together with their Handicaps).
The weather was great again but this time with a cloud cover and some sporadic light showers but this time less Wind. The competition was fierce but friendly at all times.
The tally was 42,0 points for Chiang Mai and 42,0 points for Isaan.
After this round we only stayed in the Clubhouse for Lunch and the normal exchange of Golf anecdotes and the occasional bad joke. The Results were to be announced at the closing dinner, which was held at the Beer Garden of the Kosa Hotel at 18:30.
The Beer started flowing at around 18:00 (1 keg of 30 Liter sponsored by Jack Kuzina, one by Harvey Campbell (Isaan Golf Association) and one from collected club funds).
Tim and Frank started the announcement of the finally tally by presenting first the Winners of todays closest to the Pin.
As for the Isaan vs. Chiang Mai Challenge Cup, Isaan came out on top with a final Score of 62.5 for Chiang Mai and 63.5 for Isaan.
A great big thank you goes out to Tim Seitz for all the hard work he did to make this a very well organized Event. It was a pleasure to meet all Players who represented the Isaan Golf Association (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 retain the Cup in 2014.
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