 Cheers, Skål, Proost, Santé, Salute, Kippis & Chok Dee! News for Members of the Cha-Am Golf Club – March 2020 The 2019/2020 season of the Club has drawn to a close as many Members return to their home countries. We wish these ‘snowbirds’ a safe and healthy homecoming. The Season Finale! The season finale was a fun and very social happening at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course (RHHGC) on 18th March with mulligans on offer to soften the misery of a wayward shot or two. Thanks were offered to Kolbjorn and Bjorn as the main organisers of this and previous events in the absence of Captain Rogeir. Rogeir’s trip to Norway for surgery so that he can return as a real golfer, has been complicated by the current worldwide public health crisis. Our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery and return. After-game celebrations were joined by Dr Promote Petchasart (Peter), the RHHGC Marketing Manager, who provided a RHHGC cap and shirt as prizes for lucky drawer winners with free beers for two players scoring birdies on the day. Please check out photos now posted on Facebook. Dr Peter also entertained us with stories about the history of the course. RHHGC is Thailand’s first golf course with 2024 as a centenary year. Our Club will be invited to take advantage of offers leading up to the centenary at a course which has a unique place in Thailand’s golfing history. Thanks to the management of RHHGC for continuing to offer great deals and supporting our Club! (royalgolfhuahin.bookings@gmail.com) What’s Next? The next task for the Club’s Management Committee is to schedule the 2020/2021 golfing season ready for the November start. Cooperating with local golfing providers will continue as a way to provide the best golfing opportunities for our Members. This is the right time to give your opinion about how the Club can make the best golfing arrangements for your 2020/21 Cha-Am Golf Club season; please don’t be shy! Development of the Club Website (www.chaamgolfclub.com) continues with regular updates; including during the off-season. All Members are also encouraged to ‘like’ and follow the club Facebook page, www.facebook.com/chaamgolfclub. This is an active site with regular posts of interest and news. Your comments and postings are always welcome. Regards David Watson secretary@chaamgolfclub.com 19th March 2020
3 Comments
 Cheers, Skål, Proost, Santé, Salute, Kippis & Chok Dee!
Important News for Members of the Cha-Am Golf Club - February 2020 (Norwegian translation below) The first Management Committee meeting after the 2020 Annual General Meeting was held on 23 rd February. At the MC meeting the office bearers were decided, will commence their duties on 1 st April and begin planning for the 2020/2021Club golfing season. The incoming Management Committee will be: President Mark Ferguson. Treasurer Paul Graff Captain Rogeir Heimstad Secretary David Watson Assist. Captain Bjørn Braaten Your support for these Members who undertake their roles voluntarily is now requested! World Handicapping System Plans to introduce this system, endorsed by both the R & A and the USGA are gradually being adopted around the globe, but not yet introduced in many countries, including Thailand. The Club will aim to start a Club handicapping system for all Members to join the World Handicapping System prior to the start of the next season. There are many internet based handicapping systems on offer; the question is, which one best suits our Members? Your advice and experience about this subject would be welcome to help make this happen. Season Finale The final event of the current season will be held at Royal Hua Hin on 18 th March. This is planned to be a fun novelty event with more information soon. We hope that all available Members will join us to ‘toast’ the end of a very successful golfing season! David Watson Secretary for the Management Committee 25 th February 2020 Nyhetsbrev for Medlemmer ac Cha-Am Golf Club - Februar 2020 Det første styremøtet etter årsmøtet 2020 ble avholdt den 23. Feb. På møtet ble styreposisjonene bestemt, og disse vil nå tiltre sine verv den 1. April og starte planleggingen for klubbens sesong 2020/2021. Det påtroppende styre vil bestå av: President Mark Ferguson. Kasserer Paul Graff Arrangementsjef Rogeir Heimstad Sekretær David Watson Assist. arrangement Bjørn Braaten Vi ber om støtte fra alle medlemmene i det arbeid som disse frivillig har påtatt seg. World Handicapping System (WHS) Planene og forarbeidet for å innføre dette systemet som er foreslått av både R & A og USGA er gradvis blitt innført og godtatt rundt om i verden, men enda ikke introdusert i alle land, inklusiv Thailand. Klubben har som mål å innføre et klubbhandicap system for alle medlemmer i overenstemmelse med WHS innen starten av neste sesong. Det finnes og tibys mange internettbaserte handicapsysten, men spørsmålet er; hvilken passer best for våre medlemmer? Dine tips og råd i denne forbindelse ville være til stor hjelp og støtte for å få dette på plass. Sesong avslutning Det siste arrangementet for inneværende sesong vil bli arrangert på Royal Hua Hin den 18. Mars. Dette vil bli en fin og verdig avslutning på sesongen, og mer informasjon kommer etterhvert. Vi håper alle medlemmer som enda er i området, vil bli med og bidra til en trivelig avslutning på en meget innholdsrik og fin golfsesong. David Watson Secretary for the Management Committee 25 th February 2020 The AGM of 2020 took place on 11 February, and 25 of our members were present at this annual meeting. The financial report was explained by the treasurer and the president reported on the past year. No proposals had been submitted, neither by the board nor by the members. An award was also given to the winners of the Club Championship, Kolbjorn Moe as the new Club Champion, and Glenda Ferguson as the ladies winner. Our president, Hans Ewalts, announced his departure from the board, now that his term has expired. He no longer thought it logical to be part of the board of a golf club, while neither he nor his wife are still playing golf. Mark Ferguson has applied as a member of the board and has been unanimously elected. We would like to welcome him to the board. In the short term, a board meeting will be convened where the positions in the board (President, Secretary, Captain and Treasurer) will be divided for the new term. After all the official parts, there was room for discussion, after which we all enjoyed a delicious meal at the Katang restaurant. We would like to thank all those present for coming. The official minutes will soon be sent to all members via email. Below you will find a number of photos of the AGM. Some of us had already read it in the reviews online, Suwan Golf Resort truly is one of the most beautiful and pristine courses around. But also one of the hardest. It would take quite some practising to come to a good score here, which is reflected in the results. Still, some knew how to perform better than others. And therefore we have a new Club Champion 2020: Kolbjorn Moe !  Kolbjorn was first of the men on countback, Knut Greasli was a close second, also with 32 points. Also a new winner for the Ladies this year: Glenda Ferguson won with 19 points, followed by Lene Rosenstand with 17 points.  Here are some pictures for you to download: Posted by Paul Graff
I have been asked what is a ‘System 36’ Handicap in golf and how is it applied. This is one day or one event golf handicapping system similar to a Callaway System or a Peoria System. It allows golfers who do not have an official handicap to play and compete in golf tournaments.  The method is popular in the Asia Pacific Region and finds use in corporate outings and charity tournaments when many players do not have an official handicap. It has some limitations but helps resolve the problem of players or organisers ‘guessing’ what a handicap might be and provides an ‘even playing field’. No one can be accused of being a ‘bandit’! Basically System 36 rewards players who make birdies and penalises players who make triple-bogeys or worse. Everyone’s ‘handicap’ is determined after the round according to System 36 requirements. Players who have an official handicap do not use it that for the day’s competition. Here’s how System 36 works: Throughout the round, the golfer accrues points based on the following formula: o Double bogey or worse 0 points o Bogey 1 point o Par or better 2 points At the end of the round, points earned are tallied. The total is subtracted from 36, and that number is the golfer’s handicap. The Net score or Stableford score can then be calculated using this handicap. A maximum handicap of 36 is allotted using this system For example, let’s say you play 90 strokes during an 18 hole round. Along the way you have one birdie, seven pars, eight bogeys, and two double-bogeys or worse. First, calculate your accrued points: 8 (pars and birdie) x 2 (points per par or better) = 16 8 (bogeys) x 1 (point per bogey) = 8 2 (doubles or worse) x 0 (points per double) = 0 So your points total is 24. Now subtract this total from 36 = 12. For the day’s competition 12 is your allotted handicap. Now apply this to your gross score: 90 – 12 = 78. In this example 78 is your net score. Alternatively calculate the Stableford points as you normally would for a 12 handicap player. Can System 36 be manipulated or ‘sandbagged’? In order to ‘work’ this system you must score birdies consistently and avoid anything more than a double bogey. If you are already at that level, then you probably aren’t going to be playing in a tournament where ‘real’ handicaps aren’t being used. Playing safe when you cannot score a birdie is one way to maximise a net result. For instance when a birdie may only be achieved by risking a huge water carry, laying up and taking anything less than triple keeps the score neutral. As you can see in this table, holes with a score of par, bogey or double bogey do not change the net score.
Only holes over double bogey increase a net score; only holes under par reduce a net score. The person with a combination of the most birdies and the least number of triple bogeys (or worse) will win. These are the most consistent and safe golfers. Better golfers have a small advantage over normally high handicappers as they are more likely to score birdies (or better) than to have ‘blow-out’ holes which ruin the net result.  Don’t risk disqualification; every event needs two signatures on the scorecard Of course you could maximise this strategy by really taking advantage of par fives and going for eagles. However someone who can execute this is probably already a scratch golfer or pro who playing in a scratch events. The point is that, yes the system can be manipulated; that is if you’re Dustin Johnson or Jordan Spieth. The system allows the person who is really playing well on the day to win and that’s the way it should be! Golfers need only count and record their score for each hole, signing the card together with the player’s partner; the rest is up to the match committee. If you are considering using this system for an event consider the time needed to calculate the results but also make sure you are clear about how the system works. It’s never a good idea to keep players waiting too long after completion. By: David Watson
The 2020 AGM Notice kan be downloaded here: 
And here is the map of Katang restaurant, Chao Lai Road in Cha-Am (next to the backside of Cattarya condotel) Posted by Paul Graff
Starting 1 January 2020, the World Handicap System™ is introduced, but implementing will take place during the year 2020, depending on the country or region. The World Handicap System (WHS) unifies the six existing handicap systems and provides every player in the world with a consistent measure of ability. The WHS enables players of different abilities, from anywhere in the world, to play with or compete against others on a fair basis.  It is still unclear however, if or when the new world handicapping system will be implemented in Thailand, because the new world handicapping system will bring about several issues for Thailand.
Firstly, most Thai golfers and expat golfers in Thailand do not belong to a golf club. This creates the issue of how will Thai nationals and foreign expats that do not belong to a club go about obtaining and maintaining their handicaps, will they need to become members of golf clubs to have the opportunity to have a worldwide officially recognised handicap? This could have a huge negative effect on the state of golf within the country and ramifications for the many golfers and clubs. Secondly and perhaps the most worrying thing about the proposal is the need to have a designated organisation within each country to implement the system and ensure the integrity and application of the system within the country. The only organisation in Thailand that can issue any kind of official handicap at present is the Thai Golf Association (TGA) so an obvious choice for this responsibility would be this organisation, but the question is wether the TGA is capable of coping with this task. Therefore the universal handicapping system, although a wonderful idea and a long time coming, would be difficult to integrate into the Thai golfing culture as certain requirements simple cannot be met here in Thailand. The golfing culture in Thailand would simply not change or keep pace with the rest of the world in handicapping terms and it is not likely that the universal handicapping system will have any kind of impact on golf handicapping here in Thailand. For the Cha-Am Golf Club, there is nothing else to do than wait and see what initiatives the TGA will take. Until that time, our club will apply the 36 handicapping system for larger tournaments and we encourage our members to maintain their handicap in their home country, as far as that is not Thailand. Posted by Paul Graff Sources: https://www.usga.org https://birdie.in.th/en/blog/news/world-golf-handicapping-system---impact-on-thailand--163 Santa Golf is traditionally held at Kaeng Krachan on the 27th of December. The day started a bit cloudy and it didn't become a smothering hot day, but a nice day for golf! We played Texas Scramble without limits, which means you can choose drives or putts from either of the teammates as often as you want. Teams were made by drawing lots. The winners were Par Frisell and Nina Eilertsen. Runners up were Øystein Eilertsen and Leopold Meijlink. We all had a great day of golf and compliments were received for organizing the event. New golfing outfits for the new season have now arrived to ensure our Members have the opportunity to look their best on the golf course for the Club’s 11th Season. Apart from arranging a golfing season with variety, ways of improving skills and very social events, the management committee has also been busy arranging for the most comfortable and stylish golf shirts and caps to be available to both men and lady members. Management Committee Members made a trip to the annual Golf Expo earlier in the year to purchase golf vouchers to secure the best green fee rates for the season. However this was also an opportunity to secure a supply of top quality golf balls featuring the Club logo for sale and as event prizes. These golf balls will be a stand-out on the course (harder to lose?). We also expect many members will be eager to show them off when returning to their home country golf courses! Club merchandise is available at Club events and through Management Committee Members. Caps will be sold to Members for 250 THB, shirts for 500 THB and golf balls for 120 THB for a 3 ball sleeve. Purchases by non- members will be at a slightly higher price. There are also some shirts in small sizes from previous stock which the Club is eager to quit at well below cost price; just make an offer! All Members are encouraged to ‘look the part’ as a proud Club representative around the golf course. Wearing your choice of a new outfit and striking the most distinctive golf ball around is a great way to promote our Club. Thanks for your support! A season of new ideas and new achievements!The 2018/2019 Season of the Cha-Am Golf Club has come to an end as many of our Members make their way back to their home countries and yet another summer! The Management Committee takes this opportunity to wish them well and trust that they will return as soon as they are able to enjoy more Thai hospitality and more great golf on our famous regional golf courses. “Famous’ is an appropriate description with our region reclaiming the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)’s Award for Golf Destination of the Year for Asia 2019. A Season of New Ideas and New Achievements! At the end of 2018 the Club had 58 active Members. This may seem far below past seasons but really reflects a change in arrangements with visiting players in the annual Wirkola Cup. The Club continues to have a very positive relationship with these players and was able to join in playing arrangements during the season. Apart from standard formats for Stableford and Stroke rounds, the inclusion of more social events such as Texas Scramble and 3 clubs and a putter proved popular with players looking for some novelty element in their round. A feature of the Club’s away game and 2 round championship was a day/night format under lights at the Pinehurst Golf Course. Congratulations go the ‘masters’ of this event with Tore Wirkola as the incoming Club Champion and the Ladies Champion, Lene Rosenstand. The Club has always welcomed players new to the game of golf. This season included instruction and practice sessions; well attended as a confidence and skills boost to some of our newest Members. The Club now has its own banners to display and promote the Club at golf courses where we play. Providing Members with best deals to play golf is a constant quest for the Club which last season included pre purchasing vouchers when they were on offer, including at ‘expos in Bangkok which were auctioned along with a Mercedes golf bag as just another Membership advantage. Management Committee Matters At the January 2019 Annual General Meeting a requirement for a nomination fee of 500 THB for new Members was removed and the Annual Fee of 1,000 THB remains the only requirement for all Members. Outgoing Committee Member Kolbjørn Moe was replaced by Bjørn Braaten who joins the other Committee Members now actively involved in planning the 2019/2020 Season: Your current Management Committee is: Hans Ewalts (President), Rogeir Heimstad (Captain), Paul Graff (Treasurer) and David Watson (Secretary), Bjørn Braaten (Member). Kolbjørn rightfully received the accolades of all Members for his very active involvement in Club activities, including training sessions. He has now been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Club. A hole in one at the Club event earlier on the day of the AGM at Kaeng Krachan by Roar Løvseth was also acknowledged with a Certificate of Achievement now available for him to boast about this great feat. Expenditure of Club Charity funds that had accumulated over several years proved to be a very satisfying achievement with local school children now enjoying a renovated playground and Stray Dogs Cha-Am funded to steralise and vaccinate around 80 soi dogs to make a real difference to the dangers of stray dogs in town. The Club was also able to hand over a 10,000 THB contribution for the stray dog project from the Cha-Am Bridge Club and help to facilitate collection boxes at business premises. An animal clinic providing free treatment for rescued dogs is about to open very close to Cha-Am and may be the focus of future charity funding as a Club contribution to our community. Facebook & Website The Club’s Facebook page and website have greatly improved in recent years. Further improvements are still needed. Comments about a need for additional photographs and video content have been noted. Importantly information about significant changes to the Rules of Golf which can into effect from January 1st this year is featured and should be considered by all Members. Maintaining, upgrading and uploading content is another voluntarily task for Management Committee Members. There is no paid website manager, photographer or Facebook manager! Members are always welcome to post their own appropriate Facebook content; why not you? These portals have become a most important source of information about Club activities, regional golf opportunities and more. You will soon find this Report posted online along with photos from the year. Please like and follow www.facebook.com/chaamgolfclub/ and visit www.chaamgolfclub.com What Did You Enjoy the Most and how Can the Club Continue To Improve? Continual improvement is the goal of all good organisations and Clubs and we are no exception! Please take the opportunity to reflect on the past Season and think about the answers to these questions: Ø How could your experience as a Member be made better? Ø Are there Club events that you would like more of / less of? Ø Are there golf courses that you would like to play on more/less? (consider cost differences) Ø Do you have any new ideas for the Club? Ø Are you willing to assist the Club in any way either on or off the golf course? Finally from President Hans; “I would like to thank everybody who’s worked with me on the board during the past year that I have been President of the club. It has been a pleasure to see how these people again and again commit themselves to the club without self-interest to create the conditions for its members to be part of this wonderful club. My sincere thanks and admiration for this; thank you all! |
News from membersIf you are interested in posting an article on this news page, please send an email (with content, pictures etc.) to secretary@chaamgolfclub.com commentsWith every post in this news section, there is room for comments. Let us know what you think by commenting to the news posts!
Archives
March 2020
Categories |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSS Feed