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Published on September 8, 2007

The tournament, organised by SriLankan Airlines to pick the best Thai players to represent the Kingdom in the SriLankan Classic in Kandy, Sri Lanka, next month, was played under the four-ball best-ball system, which is one of the most popular tournament formats.

Each player on the team plays his own ball until completing the hole, then the lower of the two scores is recorded as the team score for that hole. It is almost imperative to apply handicaps, so that the weaker players can contribute.

Last year, Mongkol Varee, a 51-year-old Thai, won the SriLankan Classic with an outstanding display. It was the first time a Thai golfer had won the tournament in its 11 years, prompting SriLankan Airlines, the organisers, to conduct a qualifying tournament in the Kingdom. The tournament attracted 130 golfers of all ages.

Manuspong and Supree were three strokes better than Kusol Kittiprachakul and Anuwat Kaewsai, both nine handicappers, who shot 61. Matt Waites and Wantipa Chareonchit recorded 64 to take third place.

AS Khamis and Benja Rattanaphan claimed the top prize in Flight B, where players with high handicaps participated. The winners - with handicaps of 15 and 10 respectively, had a net score of 61, which was two strokes better than Kitchapat Tarachat (16 handicap) and Pratheep Srimapaisarn (14).

Chayakorn Singsuwan (10 handicap) and Nithit Pisitpayab (16) also had a net score of 63, but had to settle for third place.

 The winners of the flights will be eligible to play in the SriLankan Classic, which will be held at the Victoria Country Club, one of the most picturesque golf courses in South Asia.

The Nation