This annual event between the 4 loyal societies was played at the Green Valley Golf Resort near Rayong, on Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 November. This year it was the turn of the St David’s Society to organise the weekend’s competition.
Although billed as a friendly, social golfing occasion, there is always a sharp enough competitive edge to attract the more competitive golfer.
The event was played to a stableford format, with individual scores added for the 2 day’s play and then totalled for each Society’s overall score.
In spite of the frenzied excitement on the Saturday morning, Abigail, Sue, Andrew and myself had collected green fees, distributed caddy vouchers and issued the new white team shirts well before the noon start time.
At the end of Day 1 the St George’s team held a narrow 25 points lead, but we were not complacent. Following the Saturday evening BBQ, all players mixed in for communal karaoke to music provided by a small band with singer, and a good time was had by all.
Such is the Saturday evening’s partying that it is impossible to predict the physical condition of any golfers on the Sunday morning, particularly with a 7am start time!
In spite of predictions that several golfers wouldn’t meet the 7am tee-off deadline, full teams addressed the tee boxes on time, but with some golfers quite unsure of the whereabouts of their golfbags, and in some cases, unsure of their own whereabouts! It was pleasing to see the St George’s team smartly attired and eager to press home their early adavntage
Like clockwork, all rounds were completed in good time, to enable the hungry and thirsty players to enjoy the lunchtime buffet, and the scores to be entered into the new Autoscore system.
As usual at these events, it doesn’t take long for the grapevine to kick into action, indicating that the overnight leaders had consolidated their position. With a hushed gathering, event organiser Mike Holloway announced the team result in reverse order: St Andrew’s 877 points, St Patrick’s 932 points, St David’s 957 points and St George’s 1013 points.
The individual prizes reflected the team’s winning margin, with 3 of our team taking the honours as top scorers over the wekend. Ian McIntyre hit the highest total with 78 points, followed by Karen Carter with 76 and Frank Fawkes on 73.
At the lunchtime presentation ceremony, Ian took away 4 trophies – for best men’s score, best St George’s score, best 2nd Day score and best overall. He was simply the best! Then followed the presentation of the main Inter-Societies trophy to the St George’s team.
The St David’s Society convenor and event organiser, Mike Holloway, must be congratulated on his impeccable administration prior to, as well as, during the event. Thanks and well done Mike!!
