GOLF NEWS
Hua Hin Golf Society
Annual Singles Matchplay (Champion bows out)
This year we have 40 entrants into our annual Matchplay Championship and by the time you read this we will have reached the third round of the Shield and the second round of the Plate stages. In the preliminary round of the shield at Majestic Creek, last years winner Kari Matti was beaten 1up by Dickie Bird.
Charity
Planning is well under way for this year’s golf competition and dinner to be held on Tuesday the 18th December at Lake View and the Dusit respectively.
Recent Results
19th October - Lake View. 60 Entrants - 30 Teams - 2 Ball Texas Scramble
1st Simon Rouse / Roger Donaldson 58.7 net 3.3 hcp. 2nd Fiona Zimmerman / Lawrence Garrett 64.0 net 3.0 hcp. 3rd Bill Battell / Peter Tydeman 64.2 net 7.8 hcp.
16th October - Majestic Creek.
A Group: 1st Geoff (g) 42 pts 9 hcp. 2nd Chuan Walker 39 pts 7 hcp. 3rd Lisa (g) 39 pts 15 hcp.
B Group (Stableford): 1st John Hunter 38 pts 22 hcp. 2nd Sheila Bird 33 pts 22 hcp. 3rd Rolf Johannson 33 pts 31 hcp.
12th October - Palm Hills
A Group Stableford: 1st Lars (g) 40 pts 11 hcp. 2nd Mick Evans 36 pts 10 hcp. 3rd Lisa (g) 35 pts 15 hcp.
B Group Stableford: 1st Ooi 35 pts 33 hcp. 2nd Rod Gretton 32 pts 20 hcp. 3rd Norman Masterman 28 pts 28 hcp.
9th October - Kaeng Krachan.1st Jon Lundgren 37 pts 9 hcp. 2nd Roland van Dalen 34 pts 20 hcp. 3rd Bob Stiller 33 pts 12 hcp.
5th October - Black Mountain. 1st Kari Matti 37 pts 7 hcp. 2nd Roger Donaldson 35 pts 7 hcp. 3rd Les Parker 32 pts 22 hcp.
2nd October - Majestic Creek.
A Group Stableford: 1st Monta 43 pts 17 hcp. 2nd Albert Quick 42 pts 9 hcp. 3rd Jon Lundgren 40 pts 9 hcp.
B Group Stableford: 1st Pailin 41 pts 24 hcp. 2nd Martin Swift 38 pts 24 hcp. 3rd Geoff Yarrow 37 pts 22 hcp.
28th September - Lake View. 4 Ball Texas Scramble. 59 Entrants - 14 Teams of 4 plus 1 Team of 3.
1st Bill Battell, Peter Tydeman, Geoff Yarrow, Barry. 58 net 6 hcp. 2nd Steve Aristodemou, Tony Ash, Joe (g), Dave (g). 59.2 net 5.8 hcp. 3rd Brian & Kathy Herbert, Graeme Pearson, Ooi. 60.3 net 8.7hcp.
25th September - Springfield.
A Group Stableford: 1st Robert Baker 38 pts 14 hcp. 2nd Chris Davidson 38 pts 18 hcp. 3rd Brian Herbert 36 pts 16 hcp.
B Group Stableford: 1st Tony Ash 34 pts 20 hcp. 2nd Geoff Yarrow 32 pts 22 hcp. 3rd David Buchan 30 pts 21 hcp.
21st September - Kaeng Krachan
1st Berny Morgan 30 pts 18 hcp. 2nd Trevor Firth 26 pts 12 hcp. 3rd Bob Stiller 25 pts 10 hcp.
18th September - Palm Hills. 37 Entrants - Two groups.
A Group Stableford: 24 Entrants (0 – 18 hcp). 1st Bob Stiller 38 pts 13 hcp. 2nd Monta 37 pts 17 hcp. 3rd Nitha 36 pts 15 hcp.
B Group Stableford: 13 Entrants (19-36 hcp). 1st Ooi 38 pts 36 hcp. 2nd Kathy Herbert 35 pts 25 hcp. 3rd Geoff Yarrow 34 pts 22 hcp.
Fixtures November
Friday 2nd Palm Hills
Tuesday 6th Springfield
Friday 9th Kaeng Krachan
Tuesday 13th Majestic Creek
Friday 16th Lake View
Tuesday 20th Black Mountain
Friday 23rd T.B.A.
Tuesday 27th Lake View C&D
Friday 30th Royal Ratchaburi
Forthcoming Events
Matchplay (White/Red Tees)
Preliminary Round Tuesday 16th October Majestic Creek - 16 players
1st Round Tuesday 23rd October Springfield - 32 players
Preliminary Round of the Plate 26th October Majestic Creek
2nd/1st Plate Rounds Tuesday 30th October Lake View – 16 players x 2
3rd/2nd Plate Rounds Tuesday 6th November Springfield – 8 players x 2
4th/3rd Plate Rounds Friday 16th November Lake View – 4 players x 2
Finals to be decided on a non society day. 2 players x 2
Strokeplay / Scratchplay
The Strokeplay competition will be over 2 rounds with the winner having the best NET score. (Gross scores will be carried forward for the Scratchplay competition)
The Scratchplay competition will be over 3 rounds (2 Strokeplay rounds + 1 Final round with the winner having the best GROSS score.
The entrants’ list for the competitions will be available from 9th November till 22nd November. The draw will take place at Bernys on Friday 23rd November at 7.00pm.
Strokeplay – net score (after handicap)
1st Round Tuesday 27th November Lake View – White/Red Tees
2nd Round Friday 7th December Majestic Creek – White/Red Tees
Scratchplay – gross score. Final Round.
Top 16 gross scores plus ties carried forward from the Strokeplay Competition.
Tuesday 11th December – Springfield Blue/White/Red Tees.
Players handicapped from the White Tees will play off of the Blue Tees; players handicapped from the Red Tees will play a compilation of White and Red Tees.
Provisional Date for the AGM at Lake View January 22nd 2008.
For updated information visit our
Web Site: www.huahingolfsociety.com
Fit for Golf
Maintaining flexibility is essential to keep the body tuned for golf and to help ward off injuries. As the old saying goes “the best cure is prevention”. After a round of golf the body’s muscles tighten up and can shorten. This will lead to the possibility of muscle fibre damage if not corrected. Instead of having to correct the shorten muscles, a brief stretching session just after playing will promote recovery and limit the chance of injury.
The best place to go through the following stretches is in the changing room. To keep the front of the shoulders and chest pliable place both elbows on the frame of the shower cubicle, move the body forward until you experience a light, comfortable stretch. Hold for about 15 seconds.
Good rotation of the back is essential to maintaining a full swing. A great way to stretch it is to sit on a bench with the back straight. Turn the shoulder to the left and place the right elbow on the outside of the left knee. Lightly press the elbow into the knee, increasing the stretch. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Another back stretch will mean bringing the knees to the chest and holding for 15 seconds. If you don’t mind people staring at you then lie on your back and bring the knees up. Alternatively lean forward while sitting on a bench. Round the back but don’t try to over stretch.
For an effective hamstring stretch sit on a bench and straighten one leg out in front. Keep the back straight and lean forward. Again hold for 15 seconds and make sure the stretch is comfortable. Repeat on the other side.
To keep the back of the shoulders supple bring one arm over the front of the chest. Hold the elbow with the other hand. Lightly pull the elbow further across the body until you feel the shoulder joint stretch out. Hold this for 15 seconds per side.
Though it is easy to go straight to the bar via a quick shower after finishing play, this 5 minute stretch session can make a massive difference to how you perform in your next round. It will also make it easier to pinpoint the areas that may need more intensive mobility and flexibility work, ultimately achieving a truly functional body.
To get yourself functioning properly contact fit-foregolf on 081-0096588 or at
www.fit-foregolf.com
The Mike Ford Golf Admin Clinic
We are now on the 9th tee ready to play the back 9.
Player A tees off without realizing he played from outside the teeing area (the rectangle formed by the 2 blocks and their parallel line 2 club lengths back) Player B noticed this and informs Player A. The penalty for this is 2 strokes (Rule 11-4b), the player must then re-tee the ball and play from within the teeing ground. However this only applies in strokeplay; in matchplay the rule is different, there is no penalty, but the opponent may require him to cancel the stroke and replay from within the teeing ground (Rule 11-4a). So if you are playing matchplay you can either make your opponent re tee or play the original tee shot, remember this, it could be to your advantage, especially if the original shot from outside the teeing ground went out of bounds. Who said the rules are simple!!! By the way, in strokeplay if you fail to correct the error before teeing off the next tee or in the case of the last hole, before leaving the green you will be disqualified.
Player B tees off and his ball finishes up in a small bush. When he arrives at the ball, there is no way in which he can play the ball, so he declares it unplayable (Rule 28). He now has 3 choices all under penalty of 1 stroke. He may either play again from the original position, in this case the tee, (called stroke and distance)(Rule 28a also see Rule 20-5a), so if you go back to the tee, you must play from the teeing ground and you can tee the ball, or if the ball is played from the fairway or hazard you must drop the ball (Rule 20-5b), and if the ball is played from the putting green he must place the ball (Rule 20-5c). Or he may drop the ball within 2 clubs length from where the ball lies not nearer the hole (Rule 28c) (don’t forget to mark the ball before you lift it), or he may take the ball back behind the bush, as far as he wishes, keeping the point where the ball was lifted and the hole all in one line (Rule 28b).
There has been some well thought out uses of this rule, which only goes to prove the rules are also there to help you. At St. Andrew (Old Course), a player putted his ball across the 17th green into that well articled bunker, and it came to rest up against the front wall, and obviously unplayable, he elected to take the option of stroke and distance, and under penalty of one shot, went back and putted again.
At the Masters in Augusta a couple of years ago, Tiger Woods on the 13th green putted off the green and into the Raes Creek, he also opted for stroke and distance and putted again, under penalty of 1 stroke.
So on we go. Both players have now played and one is on the fringe, the other on the green. It has been raining and when the players get to their balls there is evidence of casual water on the green. So what is casual water? The definition says a temporary accumulation of water that is visible before and after the player takes his stance, note takes his stance, not presses down with his foot. Player B who is on the fringe, has no problem, there is no casual water where his ball is so he must play, he does not get relief from the casual water on the green, even if it is on his line of play. Player A however is in casual water on the green, and he is entitles to relief in accordance with Rule 25-1b(iii), but beware, most players think they can go anywhere on the green equidistant from the pin, wrong, the rule says nearest point of relief, and if that position happens to be off the green bad luck, have a look at definition 25-1b/10.5, and 25-1b/10. There is also a thought that if water intervenes between your ball and the hole you get relief, you do not, see definition 25-1a/2 and also note Rule 13-2, which prohibits the player from removing casual water on his line of play. (Improving line of play)
Next month we will continue, in the meantime if you have any questions or comment please email on birdieboy52001@yahoo.com.
Butterfly Rock Golf Club
The competitions held in late September and early October continued a trend that must be encouraging for the Club generally if not so pleasing for the higher handicap golfer. As our results show, the low handicappers are out in front – cream will rise to the top! The principal trophy challenged for in September was the Landcorp Cup presented by Brent O’Bell and played at Palm Hills in a stableford format. It was won by a newer member from Finland Karri-Matti Manniko who scored a fine 40 points playing off a handicap of 8 (now 7)! The donor of the trophy, Brent O’Bell fought hard to keep his trophy at home and amassed 37 points (15hcp) with Brian “Burglar” McLeod for once reduced to getting 3rd place with 32 points. How these “Trophy Donors” battle to keep the Cups on their own mantle shelf. Perhaps the only occasion when there was a result for the higher handicapper was in the immensely enjoyable 3 Ball Scramble at Majestic Creek when the seasoned combination of John Anstee, Mike Lord and Bob Welsh triumphed against a number of self styled “Dream Teams”.
A new trophy was fought for on the 10th October at Black Mountain. The Stylish Golf Trophy was presented to the Club by Paul “Beau” Williams and the format was stroke play. Once again, a low handicapper, Bill Henderson, was triumphant with a score of net 70, four strokes ahead of his nearest rivals. Paul also introduced some novel prize awards, perhaps the most notable being for the least number of putts, won with a creditable low total of 26 by our Captain, Mike Ford.
The Club trip to Nichigo will be covered in the December issue but, at the time of writing, is eagerly awaited by a good number of members and guests.
We are now approaching the “High Season” with it’s attendant difficulties and restrictions on block bookings. Certain Golf courses have again proved less welcoming and more restrictive than others. This should be remembered throughout the much longer “Low Season” when full time residents and members of clubs and societies have choices in plenty. Our own fixture list has been finalized and circulated to all members on the “net”. If any member hasn’t received it, please contact any committee member.
Our illustrious Captain, Mike Ford, has requested that all members wishing to take part in competitions or roll-ups should register their names on the Club website or at Kevin’s Limelight Bar at least 24 hours before the event because in some cases our tee times are seriously limited. This will give an early idea of numbers allowing member’s guests a reasonable chance of knowing if a slot is available. Please note and continue to visit our website at
www.brgc.biz.
Finally, we all wish Kevin Dyer (our webmaster) much success with Limelight Bar and to Howard Lewis a long and happy retirement.
BRGC RESULTS
September/October
12th September Black Mountain, Stableford
1st Doug Miller (12) 35 pts
2nd Paul Williams (5) 33 pts
3rd Brian McLeod (11) 32 pts
19th September Lake View Strokeplay
1st Robin Heath (16) net 66
2nd Doug Miller (11) net 67
3rd Paul Williams (4) net 70
26th September Palm Hills, Stableford The Lancorp Cup presented by Brent O”Bell
1st Karri-Matti Mannikko (8) 40 pts
2nd Brent O”Bell (15) 37 pts
3rd Brian McLeod (11) 36 pts
3rd October Majestic, 3 person Scramble (15% Total handicap)
1st Team John Anstee/ Mike Lord/ Bob Welsh
2nd Team Paul Frampton/ Timo Ripatti/ Karri-Matti Mannikko
10th October Black Mountain, Strokeplay Stylish Golf Trophy presented by Paul Williams
1st Bill Henderson net 70
2nd John Anstee & Mike Lord net 74
4th Brent O’Bell net 75
BRGC FIXTURES FOR NOVEMBER
7th Lake View – 12:00
14th Black Mountain – 11:00
21st Lake View – 12:00
28th Fort Dhanarat – 11:00
Butterfly Rock update
There will be music every night at 9.30pm until late. Thursday to Sunday: Cartoon and the Stone Band. Monday to Wednesday: Tommy (Guitar/Vocalist).
The Saga Tailor Tour
20 October 2007 - The 5th season
New for this season is that we will be running a separate Seniors flight parallel to the main event. The Senior flight will have its own order of merit (OoM). To qualify for the senior flight you have to be 50 years young or going to be 50 during 2007.
1-Oct Royal Hua Hin
Place Name Score OoM Baht
1 Kenny Walker 70 40 2700
2 Suwit Pahulo 71 31.5 1750
2 Corey Harris 71 31.5 1750
4 Blair Wilson 73 25 1150
5 John MacKenzie 75 22 950
1-Oct Royal Hua Hin “Senior Flight”
Place Name Score OoM Baht
1 Suwit Pahulo 71 10 1100
15-Oct Springfield
Place Name Score OoM Baht
1 Simon Yates 69 40 2000
2 John MacKenzie 72 34 1350
3 Shinichi Goma 74 27 300
3 Kenny Walker 74 27 300
15-Oct Springfield “Senior Flight”
Place Name Score OoM Baht
1 Larry Kitt 94 10 800
Order of Merit 5th Season
Place Name Total OoM
1 Kenny Walker 215
2 Suwit Pahulo 197.5
3 Jorgen Persson 149
4 Supavit Tainsomboon 115.5
5 Shinichi Goma 115.3
6 Jeff Chapin 95.3
7 Tanin Nim-Oat 80
8 Varavutt Chotikapanich 79
9 Christopher Longbottom 77.3
10 Simon Yates 69
SENIORS Order of Merit 2nd season (07/08)
Place Name Total OoM
1 Suwit Pahulo 67
2 Larry Kitt 34
3 Jeff Chapin 31
Tournaments coming up:
Start of the 5th season of
the SAGA TAILOR Tour
Mon, 12 Nov 10th STT Tournament
11.00 Black Mountain
Mon, 26 Nov 11th STT Tournament
11.00 Palm Hills
To stay updated visit our web-site:
www.golfhuahin.net
Hope to see you all at our tournaments.
Jorgen Persson Suwit Pahulo
PGA of Sweden Thai PGA
081-434 6540 081-856 4509
Winter Breeze Golf Package
The Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club are offering winter golfing at the First 36 Holes championship golf course of Hua Hin - Cha-am, with the “Winter Special Package” (accommodation & ABF included) of 1 Day Golfing @ Baht 2,200 / Golfer / 18 Holes OR 2 Days Golfing @ Baht 3,200 / Golfer / 18 Holes throughout the whole week, exclusively from November 1, 2007 until February 28, 2008 (Conditions: caddy fee and golf cart rental are excluded, single stay or twin sharing supplements an additional Baht 1,000. This package is available only for Thai residents and local foreigners, and is not available during December 28 – 31, 2007 and January 1 – 2, 2008).
For more information or booking, please contact; Bangkok Office Tel:
+66 (0)26-19000 Ext. Lake View Sales
Heartland Professionals
A team of 12 Heartland Golf School professionals recently flew to the United States to train first-hand with Hall of Fame instructor, Manuel de la Torre, and Heartland founder Ed Lebeau. A perennial top 15 in the instructor world rankings, de la Torre is most known for his induction into the World Golf Teachers’ Hall of Fame, as well as being the US PGA’s first ever recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award. His book, Understanding the Golf Swing, has become a popular golf training book, and a bible to instructors all over the U.S.
For Heartland’s founding manager Tony Meechai, the chance to team up with LeBeau again, as well as meet the man who inspired his teaching approach was a dream come true. In 1998, a young and enthusiastic Meechai started preaching his “Natural Curriculum” on the driving range of Springfield Village. What started out as small clinics for members and guests quickly turned into a full academy, with locations spread throughout Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Now in 2007, Meechai has brought his team back to his roots, where his curriculum got started, to meet the man who inspired Tony’s approach.
Meechai’s instructional approach was not the only one to reach Thailand. As golf courses began to sprout up in the Hua Hin and Cha Am area, so did the arrival of instructors, helping golfers make sense of their swings as they flocked the new fairways in the region. Along with each pro came a unique approach to teaching the game. But Meechai is the first to point out that many of those instructors and golf companies have not survived the test of time. Tony credits much of Heartland’s success to the curriculum that de la Torre introduced to the game of golf.
Originally from Madrid, Spain, de la Torre and his family were forced to move to America during the Spanish Civil War. De la Torre’s father, Angel, was the first Spanish golf professional, and a six-time champion of the Spanish Open, as well as the golf instructor to the royal family in Spain. De la Torre and his family settled in Illinois, USA, where Angel would continue his teaching career.
While competing in tournaments in Europe, Angel befriended Ernest Jones, a golf professional from England, who lost his right leg in World War I. Though missing a leg, Jones remained a tremendous player, and together with Angel developed a new and revolutionary approach to learning golf. Jones’s theory became controversial as he taught the golf swing without mention to the moving parts of the body. Instead of teaching positions, Jones’s focus was on the golf club and the swinging motion that should be created, based on what he called “principles of motion.” As quoted by Jones, “Tossing a ball or swinging a golf club — neither action is more complicated than the other if we keep our attention on the feeling of the swing and away from mechanics.”
This instructional simplicity was not received well by other golf professionals, nor the PGA of America. In fact, in 1955 Jones was called to the PGA’s annual meeting to stand before his peers and explain his approach. Jones discussed that the movements of the body were the result of the swing, not the cause. These words, no doubt, caused quite a stir.
Today Jones’s legacy lives through many golf instructors. Along with de la Torre and LeBeau, Harvey Penick, and Eddie Merrons also studied under Jones. It is only fitting that in 1986, when the PGA of America awarded its first Teacher of the Year Award, the recipient was de la Torre. Though Jones never lived to see his legacy grow, he would have been pleased to know that many golf instructors around the globe, even in Thailand, are preaching his simple and effective approach.
The 12 Heartland pro’s recently returned from the two-day personal training with de la Torre in the USA. The Heartland instructors saw first-hand the living work of Ernest Jones, with de la Torre relaying his life-long lessons on motion and movements. His focused attention to the movement of the golf club when teaching, rather than body positions, has earned him a reputation of delivering simplicity to the lesson tee; just ask LPGA Hall of Famer Carol Mann, who writes the foreword in Manuel’s book.
With the team of Heartland instructors, de la Torre explained and demonstrated his teaching formula, stating, “Since the golf club is the only thing that hits the ball, it should be the only focus in a golf lesson.” De la Torre was teamed with Ed Lebeau, founder of Heartland Golf Schools, who has made two trips two Thailand to share his knowledge of the golf swing.
Heartland Pro Tony Meechai commented on his team’s experience: “It was such an honour to finally introduce our pros from Thailand to Manuel; the knowledge and training they received is world class and will make them such an asset to the golfing world in Asia. I know they’re excited to get on the lesson tee and teach students what they learned.” The trip was highlighted with an announcement by de la Torre that he would like to come and visit Thailand to witness first hand how his curriculum is being received in this region. That is, if his health allows him to travel. De la Torre is 86 years old, having taught the golf swing for over 6 decades.
But Heartland isn’t just counting on the teachings of Jones and de la Torre to keep their school in business. Besides promoting and teaching their “Natural Curriculum”, Heartland has also worked to develop different approaches to convey their teachings. For example, Meechai has found a way to introduce golf to beginners through his “First Swing” golf clinic. As many as 90 golfers have joined together at one time to be a part of the entertaining show put on by Meechai. With the use of a microphone, a musical theme, and swing aids for the students, Meechai takes them step-by-step through the simplicity of a golf swing. The fun approach helps beginners see that learning golf doesn’t have to be such an intimidating task.
Hua Hin is witnessing first hand some of the school’s innovative products as Heartland Director of Education and Channel 3’s “Kong Fahk Na Golf” host, Aaron Bergman, has been teaching the 3 Day “Understanding Your Swing” seminar at Springfield Village. Bergman starts off his school with a presentation, which he states is crucial to students wanting to improve, “People don’t get better because they don’t know how to get better. There is a transition in changing; I try to help them through that transition.” In three days students are introduced to all aspects of the game, building from the principles discussed in the presentation, to small swings on the putting green, and full swings on the driving range and golf course. The three-day school has been gaining more and more popularity, which Bergman says, suits him fine. “I used to live in Hua Hin, so I’m always happy when I get to come back. Hua Hin has the perfect atmosphere to play and learn golf, so it doesn’t surprise me that I keep getting the call to come down.”
International golf schools are not news to Thailand. Many academies have made their way to the Land of Smiles, only to leave the country in frowns as they both struggled to sustain a foothold in the Thai golfing market. Heartland, however, has proven its ability to thrive, despite being in a country where golf instruction prices are considerably lower than other locations like Hong Kong and Singapore.
Now waving its flag in Thailand for over nine years, Heartland has become a premier golf school in the country. Bergman is convinced he knows why, “Heartland’s success is just as simple as the curriculum we teach. When you mix simple and easy concepts with quality instruction, students improve. It’s just that easy.”
Meechai has been impressed with his young instructor’s progress with the 3 Day Golf School, “After nine-years, we’ve discovered a winning formula that produces lifetime results. Aaron has done a great job with making sure these operations are world-class.”
Though Thailand is quickly establishing itself as a breeding ground for great players, Asia as a whole is not known for world-class instruction. Elite players from Asia usually make their way to Europe or the U.S. to fine-tune their swings. However, if Heartland continues to bridge the gap between Hall of Fame teachers and local instructors, perhaps Asia’s elite will have to look no further than the nearest Heartland location.
For more information, visit the Heartland Golf Schools’ website at www.heartlandgolf.com, email learn@heartlandgolf.com or call 02-231-2203.
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