‘Thanks for Your partnership’ was a sentiment offered by Mondo Vino,
the Banyan Golf Course and a host of sponsors displayed on banners to the field
of 140 generous golfers joining the 4th Mondo Vino Charity Golf Day.
It was also a sentiment reciprocated by the golfers at this very successful day of golf, companionship and fun that is held every year. Probably the most eagerly anticipated Charity Day on the Hua Hin golfing calendar, this event lived up its reputation and the response of the golfers was to very willingly ‘dip into pockets’ to support the charity aims of the day. Sponsors of charity days usually provide goods (golfing gear, wine, artworks) and services (golf rounds, dinners, resort & spa experiences) but this is of little benefit to the charity unless it can be converted into real money. This is where the golfers come to the party bidding at the auction and purchasing lucky drawer tickets. The sale of ‘Mulligan passes’ and paying to compete or use the ability of the professional’s on the course was another way of boosting the charity funds. The time proven formula for events of this nature was Texas Scramble and a ‘shotgun start’.
This means that groups are allocated a different starting hole and finish the round in unison. However this was somewhat offputting for our group the ‘Swiss Artists’. Our first hole was the signature hole, the par 3 number 15, with a challenge to get closer to the pin than a professional golfer also teeing off; an intimidating first swing of the day! One of my strategies for the day was to book Thailand and the Asia-Pacific’s award winning best caddie, Kannika Namthong. This paid an immediate dividend. After an analysis of my practice swing, handicap, age, limited physical attributes and course conditions on a windy day; her club selection for this first hole was spot-on, thanks Khun Ked! The good news; my 7 iron was on target, inside the pro’s mark and won me a bottle of fine Villa Pillo Borgoforte (2011) red wine from Italy and the extensive Mondo Vino cellars.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the classic grapes of Tuscany; can’t wait for the tasting! The bad news, it was all downhill from there. This could have been attributed to the freeflow Prosecco and the gourmet offerings after finishing our fourth hole, the 18th. Much too early in the day for me, from there on it was free-flow bogies! Despite Khun Ked marshalling the other caddies, we had trouble following her great advice to our peril. Her ‘tongue in cheek’ comment at the end of the day said it all………… “a long day and hard work.” My apologies, it wasn’t about the quality of advice; always sound with good humour and patience. It was just my lack of connection between intent and execution.
Khun Ked also demonstrated what a golf swing should look like; again I tried but couldn’t execute. One unsolicited request from Khun Ked that I’m happy to honour was to pass on was to thank her boss Stuart Daly. She’s been a bit shy to offer that personally but really appreciates his support and encouragement. She also wants everyone to know “he’s a really great boss”. It’s a not glib comment to say that Charity Days are not all about winning. Everyone is a winner, especially those in unfortunate circumstances whose quality of life receives a very welcome boost. Finally thanks to the golfers and sponsors providing the organisation to achieve the charity aims of the day, realising some 300.000 THB, ‘thanks for your partnership!’
