Scribe Report

November Away 2015

Kanchanaburi

El Pres : Martin Walsh

Scribe : Iain Wise

Tour Moneybags : Frank McKenzie

Fines Master : Tom Holmes

KLOGS chose a new venue for the November 2015 Away and ventured to Kanchanaburi some 120 km west of Bangkok. The town is famous for being the location of the Bridge on The Rive Kwai, preparations were ongoing around the bridge for the Sound & Light Festival which takes place in the first week of December. Some of the contingent extended their trip and visited the railway including train ride and the Hell Fire Pass Museum which is very well managed by the Australian National Parks Organisation. We had 16 players, 14 members and 2guests ( Mark Galgliardi and Colm O’Donavan who were warmly welcomed). Roger Surieux a recent member was also on his maiden tour.

1st Day – Monthly Trophy Game – Nichigo Golf & Country Club

Nichigo Golf & Country Club was the venue for our first game. The pleasant course was in fair condition the early morning humidity soon giving way to a refreshing breeze. The greens were slightly inconsistent, scoring for the day was reasonable. Mike Smith the tours oldest player recorded a winning score of 93 for 39 points (cut 4), David Hewitt was the runner up 38 points (cut 2) with the Scribe being in third place 36 points (cut 1).

Klaus was awarded COTD for his exploits on the first hole – caddy abuse, not playing a provisional ball and delaying the following flights for 15 minutes, a gentle reminder if in doubt hit a provisional and you are only allowed 300 seconds to search for your ball, the time commences when you start the search.

Full results :

Day 2 – 1st Day of 2 Day Competition Grand Prix

The customary 2-day competition to determine the tour champion also had horse & jockey prizes for 1st and 8th, the draw being conducted on the bus in the usual chaotic manner, horses and jockeys routinely being mixed up. Grand Prix is a tremendous golf facility with good views over the surrounding mountains. The course was in excellent condition, the greens being true and tricky.

The winner for day was El Pres with 83 (38 for the last nine) 40 points , placed in second – tour moneybags Frank McKenzie 39 points and in third Rikki Ingham 37 points, who was much improved from his last place on day 1. Day 2 is also when we parade the tour shirts, many thanks to Rick Brown for organising these.

The day 2 winner receiving the usual tee shirt selected by himself from the limited choice available at club shop . The full results of the competition can be seen in the 2-day summary. A late lunch was taken, and washed down with the copious glasses of Singha and Heineken, maybe the only downside to this superb course were the catering facilities which could do with some improvement.

Novelties were awarded as follows:

• NTP 1 hole 7: Richard Green
• NTP 2 Hole 14: Frank McKenzie
• Last Birdie: Klaus Kretscharmer
• Longest Drive: Mark Gagliardi
• Lowest Gross Rikki Ingham

COTD Nominations:

• Roger Surieux: 9th hole 5 shots in the bunkers – 2 1/2Hitlers.
• Jimmy Leggett: For a double Rommel on the same hole.
• David Hewitt: For stealing Jimmy’s possessions.
• Klaus Kretzscharmer For repeated Caddy Abuse

Roger received the award.

Third Day – 2nd Day competition Mida Golf Course

For day 3 we journeyed to Mida Golf Course, maybe the least spectacular of the tour courses. In accordance with tradition the players went off in reverse order. The main contenders being packed together in the final flight. Rikki Ingham continued his improvement and came from third place to overtake El Pres by 2 points. A remarkable achievement Rikki, obviously has an issue when playing sober.

Novelties were as follows:

• NTP 1 hole 3- Rikki Ingham
• NTP 14 Frank McKenzie
• Last Birdie Richard Green
• Low Gross Mark Gagliardi

The full scores of the 2 –day competition are as follows:

The winner Rikki Ingham with his feather weight jockey Allan Wright shared a pot of 10,000 baht, no doubt it was spent on Whisky & Beer The eighth placed player Richard Green along with his jockey El Pres shared 6,000 baht

COTD Nominations:

• Mike Smith: Golf Course abuse damaging the tee marker
• Tom Holmes : For playing with Mark’s clubs
• Mark Gagliardi : For not having the baileys dispenser on the bus.
• El Pres : For having a dodgy demeanour, looking a little emerald for the first few holes
• Frank McKenzie : For taking 6 in a bunker.

Tom duly received the award.

After drinks at the club we had time for a quick brush up at the hotel before heading off to Keeree Tara a floating restaurant nestled close to the Bridge on the River Kwai for the tour dinner.

Day 4 – Money Game – Kanchanaburi Mission Hills Golf & Resort

Mission Hills Golf & Resort was the venue for the final day’s game. The course was in reasonable condition, the game being played with two players partnering for the better stableford point on each hole based on the individual handicap. The teams were put together by the results of the 2 day competition with the highest and lowest stableford points paired together as the first team and so on.

The full results are as follows. Due to Richard Moss having a rest El Pres drew a blind partner.

The winners for the day were Roger Surieux and Richard Green with a joint score of 48 points each winning 5,000 baht, in second place Mike Smith and El Scribe 47 points each winning 3,000 baht.

COTD Nominations:

• Richard Moss For coming third without hitting a shot.
• El Pres for not wearing a Klogs shirt on the final day of the tour
• Rikki for complaining the day 3 course was too easy.

El Pres took the award

In closing the tour El Pres thanked all participants, especially those from overseas, and wished all a safe trip to their next destinations. He also requested members views on future tour format, in particular changing the days of play by moving away from the weekend.

A big thank you also to Frank McKenzie for acting as Tour Money Bags and for Tom Holmes for acting as Fines Masters and again to Rick Brown for sorting out the tour shirts.

The Christmas game will be held at Templer Park on the second Wednesday of the month – Wednesday 9th December 2015 we look forward to seeing you there.