This month's golf news and features

ULF DEFENDS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP
Ulf Sparvman has again reached the final of the annual match play tournament. This year he played a young lady namely Surada Chinrum or Pawn as we know her. Ulf is 5 handicap and Pawn 12. The match was at Springfield on 28th November. The result will be in the January issue.
Quarter finals ended as follows: Ulf beat John Miller 4 and 2, Tomas Palsson beat Tomas Ericsson 2 up, Berny did Fritz 2 up, Pawn defeated Mick Evans 2 and 1. Semi Finals: Ulf beat Tomas Palsson 6 and 4, Pawn beat Berny 3 and 2. On the day of the final, Tomas Palsson will play Berny for 3rd place.
STROKE PLAY COMPETITION FOR 2002.
As previously announced this will be played over two days at Majestic Creek on Tuesday 3rd December and at Lake View on Friday 6th December. Entries are limited to members only.
CHRISTMAS CHARITY TOURNAMENT AND DINNER.
December 17th is the big day, golf at Palm Hills followed by the dinner and a demonstration by Han and Petra and others of their versions of Rock n' Roll. Entry list for the competition and tickets (priced at 1,200 Baht) for the dinner are available at Berny's from 1st December, open to members and their guests.
For the buffet the tables are normally for eight, so if anybody wants to organise their groups themselves, it would greatly help the host. There will also be a table plan at Berny's.
RECENT RESULTS: 27th Sept at Springfield 1st Al Reed 69 net, 16 hcp. 1st Oct at Hua Hin 1st Monta, 33 pts 29 hcp, 4th Oct at Palm Hills 1st Bee 39 pts 35 hcp, 8th Oct at Majestic A group 1st Hans (guest) 69 net, 16 hcp, B grp Terry Burge 42 pts, 25 hcp. 11th Oct at Springfield, 1st Wit, 44 pts 15 hcp. 18th Oct at Lake View, A grp 1st John McMorris 19hcp, B grp 1st Sam Sheriff 40 pts 35 hcp, 22nd Oct at Milford, 1st Wit 35 pts 13 hcp, 2nd Han 35 pts 19 hcp. 25th Oct at Majestic A grp 1st Ossi 67 net 10 hcp, 2nd Dan Hughes 68 net, 15 hcp. B grp 1st James Barber 39 pts 28 hcp. 29th Oct at Springfield A grp 1st Mick Evans 41 pts, 13 hcp, 2nd Larry English 35 pts 7 hcp, B grp 1st Sam Sheriff 38 pts 33 hcp, 2nd Helmut Ruchti 35 pts 23 hcp. 1st Nov at Lake View A grp 1st Fritz 67 net 14 hcp, 2nd Fiona Zimmerman 71 net 11 hcp, B grp 1st Torben (guest) 41 pts 23 hcp, 2nd Vivienne Barber 39 pts 28 hcp. 5th Nov Hua Hin A grp Torben (guest) 39 pts 20 hcp, 2nd Mick Wittering 34 pts 8 hcp, B grp1st Klaus P (guest) 32 pts 27 hcp, 2nd Christine (guest) 31 pts 36 hcp. 8th Nov Palm Hills A grp 1st Mike Zimmerman 69 net 11 hcp, 2nd Fiona Zimmerman 69 net 11 hcp, B grp 1st Vivienne Barber 44 pts 27 hcp, 2nd Jean Claude 43 pts 26 hcp. 12th Nov Royal Ratchaburi A grp 1st Kevin Milke 38 pts 12 hcp, 2nd Fiona Zimmerman 36 pts 9 hcp, B grp 1st Morgan Wallengren 41pts 24 hcp, 2nd Mike Godfrey 38 pts 30 hcp. 15th Nov Majestic Creek A grp 1st Tip 65 net 20 hcp, 2nd Mike Zimmerman 69 net 10 hcp, B grp 1st Sam Sheriff 48pts 30 hcp, 2nd Walter Sroka 40 pts 23 hcp.

FIXTURES FOR DECEMBER
Tues 3rd at Majestic (1st round strokeplay)
tee off 11.04
Friday 6th at Lake View (2nd round strokeplay) tee off 9.20
Tuesday 10th at Springfield tee off 10.08
Friday 13th at Milford tee off 9.00
Tuesday 17th at Palm Hills (Charity 2 ball better ball) tee off 8.40
Friday 20th at Sawang bus 8.00
Tuesday 24th at Hua Hin tee off 9.40
Friday 27th Royal Ratchaburi bus 8.00

Clubmaking by Mick Wittering

FROM HONG KONG TO HUA HIN
……. "Custom Clubmakers" have arrived in town.
Hua Hin Golf Tours has long been recognised as the leading golf tour operator in Hua Hin, not only because of the company's efforts to promote this area in Thailand as one of the finest golf resorts in Southeast Asia but also for providing many professional services to visiting golfers. In addition to their head office on the outskirts of the town, the company opened yet another golfing facility three years ago that is known well as The Hua Hin Golf Centre. This has proved to be very popular with local as well as the many visiting golfers since it provides virtually any service associated with golf by the well trained and P.G.A. professional staff. The latest and most exciting edition to the golf centre is a state of the art workshop fully equipped with sophisticated machinery that is used for fitting, making and repairing golf clubs. Possessing the equipment is one thing, knowing how to use it is another - welcome Mick Wittering.
Mick has been a well known figure in golfing circles throughout Southeast Asia for the past ten years. Based in Hong Kong as he developed his career as a professional clubmaker he became closely associated with Barry Harris who asked him to join his company as a Director - "Custom Clubmakers International". This newly formed team prospered as they trained more people in the intricacies of clubmaking and have since opened more outlets in the Philippines, Australia, Malaysia, Spain, Denmark and now - Hua Hin in Thailand. Not being satisfied with the expansion of their business, they both continued to achieve better recognition and awards from the major clubmaking associations in the world and in this respect, they have now achieved the highest accolade afforded to professional clubmakers - Professional "Class A" Clubmaker. To put things into perspective, there are only 30 professional clubmakers in the world who have achieved this recognition and it is with good fortune for those concerned that Mick has decided to base himself in Hua Hin to look after the needs of local and visiting golfers.
Technology in golfing equipment has advanced dramatically over the past few years which can lead to confusion to the uninitiated when choosing clubs … types of head, lengths of shaft as well as flexibility, thickness of grips, overall weight, swing weight, and so on … and so on…. Through his many years of experience and accumulated knowledge, Mick provides the finest service that any golfer could wish for in terms of a large selection of trial clubs and computer analysis that are both designed to maximize a golfer's potential with regards to distance, accuracy and performance.
Mick is the only authorized dealer of KZG golf clubs in Thailand. This brand comprises of a large range of models and is widely recognised in America, Japan as well as Europe as one of the leading brands of golf clubs favoured by custom clubmakers and golfers alike. The diversity of the range varies from the "blade" type models, normally associated with professionals and lower handicap golfers to the numerous "cavity back" models which offer increased playability. With 7 different iron models to choose from together with a superb selection of drivers and fairway woods, the needs for golfers of all standards are catered for. Either come and see Mick at the Hua Hin Golf Centre or browse in the comfort of your own home logged onto the KZG websight … www.kzgolf.com for the latest updates on modern technology and a passport to a better understanding of this intriguing game.
Building customised golf clubs is only a part of the service that Mick can offer. Come and meet him at the Hua Hin Golf Centre - bring your clubs (broken or otherwise!!) and talk about golf. An excellent golfer himself, he is also a person who has a sympathetic understanding to those who may never achieve a single figure handicap status together with an ability to recharge an interest in the game due to his expertise and knowledge. A visit will be well rewarded.

Hua Hin Golf Tours goes Downunder

Hua Hin Golf Tours is proud to announce the formation of "Hua Hin Golf Tours Australia".
Hua Hin Golf Tours has joined forces with one of Australia's largest travel agency chains, Travelworld. Travelworld is Australia's official sponsor and preferred travel agency group for the Australian PGA. Australian tourists who wish to take advantage of the services offered by Hua Hin Golf Tours can now book their vacation through Travelworld Curtin in Perth, Western Australia, who will run "Hua Hin Golf Tours Australia". With the buying power of Travelworld and the complete golfing package offered by Hua Hin Golf Tours this new Australian branch of Hua Hin Golf Tours will be able to offer the Australian tourist the best value in airfares, accommodation and golf in Thailand.
Hua Hin Golf Tours visited Perth earlier this year with a view to finding an Australian promoter to market its services in Australia. After several days of meetings and discussions it was agreed that Travelworld Curtin would visit Hua Hin to view its potential for the Australian tourist market.
John Ness, (pictured right with Khun Paisarn), Simone Turnbull and Hayley Pimlott from Travelworld Curtin spent 3 nights at the Dusit Hotel and two nights at the Sofitel. During their stay they also visited several golf courses and other hotels in the area. They also dined in some of Hua Hin's best restaurants and visited many of Hua Hin's other local attractions. They needed no convincing that Hua Hin represented great value for Australian tourists. The result is the formation of "Hua Hin Golf Tours Australia". It is anticipated that Hua Hin Golf Tour new Australian Branch will bring many Australian tourists to Hua Hin. As most Australians holiday during the months of June, July and August this should bring to Hua Hin welcome business during Hua Hin's traditional low season.

Golf Lessons - What you should know

"If you have problem with your game contact your local PGA Professional".
This advice you'll hear on TV after the golf tips and read in the golf magazines.
First of all what is the "PGA"?
Second what is a PGA Professional?
Third who is your local PGA Professional?
PGA stands for "Professional Golfers Association". Most golfing countries have their own PGA organization. There is also the European PGA and the Asian PGA. The PGA does a lot of things, the most obvious organizing tournaments for professional golfers. But more important they are also responsible for the education of its members.
There are two different PGA Professional, a playing or touring Professional and a club Professional. A playing professional is a professional that plays tournament golf as their main occupation and source of income.
A Club Professional or a fully qualified class A Professional is a Professional that started as an apprentice on a golf course or golf training facilities (driving range). He or she also had to go through an educational program organized by the PGA. To be allowed in as a member in the PGA you have to show that your game is to a PGA Professional respectable standard.
You then get an apprentice membership. To get in to the educational program you also have to show degrees in biology, English, sports and an over- all standard education. As with many other educations, the ones with good grades and experience are the ones getting in to the PGA's educational program. This education includes subject like; Swing techniques, Course management, Human anatomy, Pedagogies, Psychology, Learning techniques, Rhetoric (public speaking), Club repairs, Golf course maintenances, Golf course design, Rules of golf, etc.
Learning how to teach golf is very similar to any other teacher's education, the subject just happens to be golf. Helping others to learn or improve a teacher has to be able to communicate with the student in a way the student understands. We all learn differently (seeing, hearing, feeling) and the teacher (the PGA Professional) has to be able to adapt, making sure his or her students get the type of instruction that suits that particular student. All these subjects are necessary to make the PGA Professional ready for a career as a Professional golfer. A PGA Professional has lots of different jobs. You'll see them as referees on PGA tournaments, designing golf courses, sport psychologists, club makers, Head Professionals at a golf course, managers of golf courses and of course teaching Professionals.
Some player's start their PGA career as teaching Professional or Head Pro, as their game gets better they'll try making a living as a playing Professional, Bernard Langer, Simon Yates just to name a couple. More common is the reverse, starting to try making a living playing tournaments then turning the career towards being a Club Professional going through PGA's educational program.
Who is your local PGA Professional?
Regardless of his or her nationality, (Professional golfers like to travel and many live outside their home country) your local PGA Professional is some one who's a PGA MEMBER, has gone through the PGA's educational program and works at a golf club or driving range in you area.
When you go to the doctor, the dentist or your hairdresser, you go to some one who's educated and has experience in that field. If you want to improve your golf game do the same. Many claim to be Pros or instructors, wanting to give you lessons. To be sure that they are qualified to give lessons, ask how long they been PGA members and ask to see their card. A PGA Professional always carries their card.

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