Following on from last years first ever victory for Chiang Mai in the annual matchplay event against the Isaan team, this years event held 25 to 28 October has resulted in another stunning win for the Chiang Mai team. This year thirteen players from each side competed in fourball and singles matches, with three points at stake in each match, front 9, back 9, and overall result.
On day one, six fourball pairs matches took place, and one single due to an odd number of players in the teams. Chiang Mai ended up with just two wins and five defeats. The two Garys ( Burke and Lyon) produced a great 3-0 victory, and Roger Mack and Malcolm Tetley also picked up a victory which went to the last putt on the 18th hole!! The score after day one was 11 and a half to Isaan, 8 to Chiang Mai, down but certainly not out!
Day two was the usual friendly mixed team Texas Scramble, with players from both sides competing together. There was a tied result at gross 67, 5 under par. Gary Lyon and Duane Demerle from Chiang Mai were in one of the winning teams, and Malcolm was in the other winning team.
The third day was about as tense as the recent Ryder Cup, and Chiang Mai hopes seemed to be fading when the first two matches back in the clubhouse both produced 3-0 wins for Isaan with Roger and Malcolm on the losing end of some excellent play by their opponents. At this stage, Tim, the Isaan captain had that confident look of victory expectation, so what happened next was just amazing!!
The next eight results produced an astonishing seven victories all in favour of Chiang Mai. Kim Gillies, Tony Guardino, Graham Best, Dan Evans, Gary Burke, Kari Laukkanen and Duane all produced great wins, and in addition Grahame Curry played out a tied game in a very tough match. Suddenly, Chiang Mai only needed two more points to win and had turned around a big Isaan lead into a narrow advantage to Chiang Mai.
There were three matches still out, involving Gary Lyon, Haydn Patterson and Les Harvey, and as the matces approached the 18th fingers were crossed and breaths were held, but surprise surprise, our very own Les Harvey had demolished his opponent for a 9 & 8 victory and the three points gained saw us past the finishing line, ably assisted by H. who picked up an excellent half point against a fearsome opponent!
So that was it! Final score, Isaan 27 and a half, Chiang Mai 31, so we win the match and retain the trophy!! A great time was had by all, and we now look forward to next years event with eager anticipation as we go for a hat trick of consecutive victories!!
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