Summary of Events

Day 1 Royal Chiangmai Match Play pairs.
2 matches drawn, Issan won 4 matches, CM won 2 matches.
3 matches went to the last hole.
Nearest the Pins: Rick Layton & Jack Cooper

Day 2 Chiangmai Lamphun Social Scramble.
Winning Team - Scott Lumsden, Rick Layton, Bob Allen, Yung Beece - net 70
Runners-up - Mark Smith, Jim Catterson, Gordon Langtry, Dave Murray - 71
Again nice and close with only 3 strokes seperating the top 6 teams.
Nearest the Pins: Roger Mack & Tim Seitz

Day 3 Lanna Match Play singles.
Chiangmai won 7 matches & Issan won 6 matches.
With the 2 match lead by Issan on the first day this meant they won by 1 match.

However, after a late withdrawal by an Issan player on the night before the last match, the Issan Club insisted that the CM Club have a match by default which was accepted only after it was clear that the competition was a draw and that the Trophy would go back to Issan. This was treated as a grand gesture and was applauded by all.

Overall result - A Draw - even the nearest to the pins were split down the middle.

Highlights:
Shot of the Competition: Jeff Lincoln Lanna 1st hole - 2 metres sideways.
Biggest winning margin in a match: Royal 8 up with 7 to go - Gary Lyon & Roscoe Butler
Best Par Round: Lamphun Scramble 18 pars - Don Hendry, Gregg Gilbert, Craig Morriss & Gordon Bell
Best Individual round under par: Kevin Ward
Best attempted come back: Lanna 7 holes down to lose on last hole - Brendan Tanham
Best chip in for an Eagle but all too late: Lanna Andy Wroe.
Worst Finish: Lanna 4 holes up with 6 to go and lose - Scott Lumsden

Lanna Match Play singles 8 Nov

A perfect day for the final round of the competition. Clear Blue Skies and a slight breeze and the Lanna Course was looking in fine shape. 32 golfers enjoyed the day with 13 matches (one match had to be scratched due to a late withdrawal from the Issan Club) up for grabs and one social group at the tail end. The results are a true testimony to the fairness of the two competing clubs when the home side won 7 matches (local knowledge) and the Issan Club won 6 matches. Once again three matches went to the very last hole. All retired to the watering hole to compare their tales of woe or success.

Lamphun 4 Ball Scramble Wed 7 Nov

Almost perfect conditions with clear skys and a slight breeze made for and enjoyable day on one of the better courses in chiangmai. 35 golfers saw us one short for our nine groups but the Issan boys mostly preferred the course to Royal and were extremely happy to have played it. Close games again so the draw was considered a success although we had to swap Les out of his drawn team as he had a fall the night before and may have done in a rib or two (again). Only three shots seperated the top six teams with the winning team getting a net 70. Birdies were hard to get on the day by all concerned but Don Hendry's team couldn't believe coming in with 18 pars.
Results on the right and photos in the photo album.

Royal Match Play Pairs Tues 6 Nov

Nine groups of four survived the meet and greet at Nr 1 Pub on Monday night and the carry on afterwards to tee off in the Match Play pairs but only 8 groups were in the competition. The course was in great condition and enjoyed by most, although at least one Issan player considered that the fairways were just not flat enough, no complaints about the weather though, almost perfect. The Issan boys were glad that we played off the white tees as they considered it quite long enough. A bit of confusion at the start due to the starter wanting us to go off first and tenth tees early, but all was sorted and away we went. Turns out the match ups were all pretty close with two groups squared and Issan winning the the day in four groups and Chiangmai in two groups and three of those matches went to the last hole. So that makes the Issan Club 2 up on the day with the social day tomorrow and singles match play still to come on Thursday.

Update 24 October

I found out that Royal were having a Pro Comp on the Thursday and they were going to slot us in between their groups so that was no good. I had to arrange to swap the Royal booking to the Tuesday and the Lanna booking to the Thursday with Lamphun remaining on the Wednesday. So that is it, the vouchers have been purchased from Royal and deposits paid at Lamphun.

These are the new venues and tee-off times:

Tuesday 6 Nov Royal tee-off 11:24am Match Play Pairs.
Wednesday 7 Nov Lamphun tee-off 9:30am Texas Scramble Social Event
Thursday 8 Nov Lanna tee-off 9:30 am Match Play Singles

There will be a meet and greet in the NUMBER ONE PUB on Monday night 5pm when we will draw teams for the Wednesday Texas Scramble. Also to finalise any details for the other events, be there to support your club.

Update 18 October

Whoops, I spoke too soon, the venues are not finalised. Unfortunately Highlands decided to put up their fee over 1400 baht so we are looking for a course for the third days play. Royal have a deal on for Nov if you buy a book of 10 vouchers it is 1000 baht including caddy each, if I can get Issan mob to send me the money we may go there, otherwise it may be a second game on the Lamphun course. I am waiting on a reply from the Issan mob.

Update 14 October

The venues are now finalised and are as follows:

Day 1 Nov 6 Lanna 0830 Singles Match Play

Day 2 Nov 7 CMLamphun 0930 Social 4ball event

Day 3 Nov 8 Highlands 0930 Doubles Match Play

All the above bookings are for 32 golfers, if you intend to play on the day and are not on the team and have not advised us please do so ASAP

Handicaps:
Singles match play is played of full difference of handicaps, i.e. a 12 handicapper receives 5 shots from a 7 handicapper.

Four Ball better-ball match play is played off 3/4 of difference from lowest handicapper in group. So if you have player A with a 10 handicap, B with 13, C with 18 and D with 22, then A gets no shots, B gets 2, C gets 6 and D gets 9. C's shots are taken at the hole with index 1-6 etc.
A better-ball pairs competition is played off 3/4 of normal handicap. i.e if 2 players in a team play their own ball, and only the best score on each hole counts, they both play off 3/4 of their normal handicap.
In foursomes where 2 players play alternate shots with one ball, the normal allowance is 1/2 of their two combined handicaps.

Rules for the social 4b are the same as our 4b comp. Person whose drive is counted does not get a second shot (except on par 3) and all players must hit a set number of drives.

So far I have had offers to assist with transport from Malcolm, Scott, Ron, Colin, Yung & Les

Please pay your green fee for the social day by the 23 Oct so I can pay the deposit to confirm the booking.

More info on the Prizes and Presentation will be forthcoming

Update 30 September

Just to let you all know where we are at present: we have confirmed Lanna on the 6 Nov at B700 for our members and Issan group; we have confirmed ChiangMai Lamphun on the 7 Nov at B1000,under the proviso that we pay a 50% deposit 2 weeks prior to the event; Unfortunately we were only offered 30% discount on high season prices at Green Valley which amounts to B1460 so we have contacted Maejo to see if we can do better there. If not, we have a couple of options suggested and that is we Play at either Green Valley or Highlands under the Royal League banner, so we will keep you posted on that as we progress.

I still do not have firm numbers from Issan but they have booked 11 rooms and Tim tells me some are booking their own accommodation so I am counting on about 13 or 15. As previously mentioned, our people who travelled away last year have first option if they are current members and in country, after that a selection from nominations will be made so get your nominations in early. Assuming I need 15 golfers in the match play teams on the 6 & 8 Nov and an unlimited amount in the social 4Ball on the 7 November. Those who play in the teams must play on the 6 & 8 November but dont necessarily have to play in the social game on the 7 Nov in which anyone can play. Any extras who are not in the teams on the 6 & 8 Nov are still welcome to play on those days at the back of the field.

Les is organising a function for the event probably at Tiger Bar, it has the room and it has a Bar-B-Q and John from Tiger has offered to provide the salads, it is also central to the accommodation houses where the Issan group are staying. We will need to know numbers of those attending this function even if they are not playing in the event or the social match. We will also be looking for volunteers for some food preparation and for transporting the golfers to the various venues and back from the centre of town.

The club will be providing the food for the function (subject to numbers) and the prizes for the competition. Issan will also be providing some prizes (to be advised) and of course the much sort after trophy.

After consultation with Tim from Issan the following venues and format has been put forward and subject to confirmation with the golf courses concerned will most likely be the agenda for this years competition.

Day 1 Tuesday 6th November Lanna courses 1 & 2. Individual match play comp.

Day 2 Wednesday 7th November Chiang Mai Lampun. Social Mixed teams.

Day 3 Thursday 8th November Chiang Mai Green Valley. Two man team match play, best ball. (my understanding of Best Ball, 2 man teams: Everyone play out each hole, records his score with handicap. Each team takes the best of the 2 scores on each hole and records the single score for his team).

The names listed on the right are those who travelled away to play in the previous two competitions. With the exception of those who are no longer paid up members of the club these people will have first choice to be in the team to play for the cup. Please advise me if you will be in country and available to play or if you would like to give up your place to a more skilled golfer. It is likely that we will need approximately ten-twenty starters. Any vacancies after the above selection will most likely go the most consistant golfers over the next three months as we do want a chance of winning this trophy.

It is currently being arranged that the Cup Challenge will be played in Chiang Mai in the first week of November. The previous format has been that one round of social golf, usually a 4BBB and one or two competition days for the cup. Currently courses are being considered but it is likely that the first game will be played at Lanna on 5th or 6th November.