Saren’s team win the Camel Summer Classic, 2009.

Great support sees a large amount raised for the St.Camillus Foundation.

The Camel Summer Classic, 2009.

Saturday, 20 June – Emerald Golf Course, Banchang.

The 9th annual Camel Summer Charity Classic took place at the Emerald Course in Banchang. The weather was fine and 176 congenial golfers played in support of this most worthy of causes, for the St. Camillus Foundation which run the Camillian Social Center – A relief center for HIV/AIDs people, just out of Banchang, in Rayong. This summer’s tournament raised a total of 301,000 Baht for the Camillians. The Summer Classic tournament and the Winter Classic tournament, since inception, have now raised over 3 million baht for the St Camillus Foundation.

Golfers from Banchang, Jomtien, Pattaya and Bangkok teed off from 06:30am and the organizers, once again, had everything arranged and in order, from the easy registration (a special thank you to Bob, Vanessa, Steven and Kh Tong), to the carts, drink stands and all of the technical prizes. Tournament shirts and caps were given to all golfers at registration. Banners for major sponsors were located on each hole and the course was in fine condition. The organizers extend our warm gratitude to the management, greens keepers, caddies and staff from Emerald for turning the course and facilities out so very well.

The format was Texas Scramble with teams taking an aggregate handicap based on a finely tuned calculation to make the chance for a win for all teams as even as possible. With such a large number, golfers were teeing off until just past 12:30pm but there were no delays and the teams generally managed to get around in better than 4 hours. The Camel Pub had strategically placed huge buckets of the finest Bloody Marys in just the right places to keep golfers strength up and their concentration focused.

After the game and some welcome refreshments at the clubhouse, most golfers made their way, by 6:30pm, to The Camel Pub, Banchang’s largest and finest pub/ restaurant. There, The Camel had prepared a sumptuous buffet for the golfers and their families to enjoy along with the continuing refreshments after their hard days toil chasing the golf ball. Prize giving and presentations to the successful golfers commenced just after 7pm with hosting done by MC, Dennis Willet being ably supported by Steven Coulson and Ronnie Coulson to ensure the right prizes got to the right folks. A vibrantly contested auction with some excellent prizes including a Nikon Digital SLR camera and set of David Ledbetter golf tuition DVDs (Both donated by local stalwart, Robert Smith) was also held and contributed greatly to the final amount for the charity. Many kind donations were made by some very generous folks and the organizers extend their generous thanks.

The tournament champions for the Camel Summer Classic, 2009 are the Saren’s Team of P. Butler, H. Riley, J. Riley and D. Stockman, with a brilliant net score of 54.9. The Champions were presented with individual crystal trophies and associated prizes. The Runners Up are the team of B. Jongsma, K. Harbeck, B. Stone and S. Gibson with an also excellent net score of 56.1. The Runners Up were presented with crystal trophies and associated prizes. Congratulations to 2009 champions and Runners Up.

For the technical prizes this year, there were 2 longest drives, two longest putts and 4 near pins. The technical prize winners were: Long Drive Hole 9; S. Philbrook. Long Drive Hole 18; D. Lynch. Long Putt Hole 9; J. Tenwick. Long Putt Hole 18; Kh Prateep. Near Pin Hole 5; D. Stockman. Near Pin Hole 7; D. Lynch. Near Pin Hole 13; T. Oakes. Near Pin Hole 15; D. Trim. Congratulations to the technical prize winners.

The Camel Pub wishes to sincerely thank the legion of contributors for the generous support and for making the tournament the great success that it was. Specifically, Terry wishes to thank our corporate and other donors of cash and prizes and hole sponsors. They are ALE Heavy Lift, Billy Cattermole, CEA, Chevron (Offshore) Thailand Ltd, CR Asia, Crathco, Deborah Services Ltd, Dextra, DOW, Kaefer, LOC, NCE, Paradise Property, PK Rayong, Plexal Group, Jim Ryan, The Stoat, Sarens, Western Foods, San Miguel and of course, The Camel Pub.

Additionally, The Camel Pub also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the following local establishments for a bottle of spirits each: The Bar, Blackcat Bar, Beaver Bar, McAllister’s Bar, Rainbow Bar, Ship in the Hole Bar and Wherehouse Bar. Finally, generous support was received from local folks, Alan Abernathy, Ray Barrett, Rod Carmichael, Willy & Samilla Coyle, Chris Duffy, Alan Gallagher, Gary, Anne Shop and Noi Shop.

Many from the organizers to all who supported and played in this fine tournament. We hope to see you all and your friends back for the Camel Winter Classic, in Dec 2009.

More information about the St. Camillus Foundation of Thailand and the Camillian Social Center can be found at: http://www.camillian-rayong.org

• Camel Summer Classic 2009 Pictures