Matt the Star of the Day - August 2016 PAGS Tournament from Phoenix Gold

August 2016 PAGS Tournament from Phoenix Gold

Matt the Star of the Day

There was a full field of 120 booked in, but following a few withdrawals & no shows we were left with 114 players, including a small field of 8 ladies.  This month we returned to the Phoenix course, where we played the Lakes & Ocean combination.  This was our first opportunity to play the recently refurbished & opened Ocean 9, & I must say the course was in good condition, with the Lakes continuing to improve in condition.  Although the weather was hot & humid, there was a light breeze to keep it from being too oppressive, with the groups progressing at a steady pace.  

As in most months there is 1, or sometimes several outstanding performances for the tournament.  This month that mention should probably go to Matthew Sneath (14) who took out the A flight (0 – 14) nett with a day’s best score for the men of 39 points, to go with his 2 technical prizes.  A countback to the last 6 holes was required to separate Jeff Wylie (6) & Jim Groves (13) for the minor A flight placings.  Jeff getting the nod 13/11, after both signed for 38 points, with 18 on the back 9.  The B flight, for handicaps 15 - 20, was tightly contested, with all placegetters separated by only 1 point, Lee Adams (17) clear on 38 points, while after countback the placings were as follows, Neil Carter (16) in 2nd spot after edging Ian Walsh (17) into 3rd, 20/18 after both shot 37 points.   Dave Barker (21) was the leader in C flight for handicaps 21+, with 38 points, by a clear 2 points over Lloyd Armstrong (24) with Kenny Chung (23) getting 3rd spot a further point behind on 35 points.  Dave also picking up a technical prize, with his 1st hole approach.

With a smaller than usual field of only 8 Ladies this month, it was Chopinette Ciraporn (13)  leading the way with a day’s best of 43 points, to go with her approach prize on hole #8.  The Low Gross went to Jeff Wylie (6) with a score of 76.  

This month was the most open for several months, with the prizes well spread around, except for a few notable exceptions.

BBQ King Dave was away on a well deserved holiday, but left his manager Darren Low leading the way and kept all attendees well satisfied with their tasty offerings for the night.  We will all look forward to another successful tournament with next month’s event at Phoenix on 27 September.  Contact Shane on 0863720084 to ensure your preferred tee time.  A reminder to all players & readers, that up to date results & Order of Merits from PAGS tournaments will be posted to birdie.in.th  where you can keep all your personal stats & scores, check it out.