COMMENT - Early monsoon rains, European exchange rates to a strong Baht, Northern Hemisphere holidays and political instability – these are all part of the mix creating a recipe for the current low numbers of Expats in Phuket. Accordingly our EOM tournament numbers are down a little in comparison to comparable periods in previous years. Your committee however is well aware of these issues and is proceeding to maintain its services to members and provide an interesting level of formats with the golf Tournaments that it organises. Marketing to maintain growth is a little foreign to many businesses in our host country but rest assured your committee has its collective finger on the pulse of all aspects of the management of PEGS.

Order of Merit – This year we are introducing an Order of Merit competition to PEGS End of Month events. This is to principally recognise those members who regularly play competitions and perhaps are not in the winners circle all the time but support the Society month in month out.

The OOM points will be calculated from the results of each of the end of month tournaments. Winners from each category will be awarded points for placing in the top 5, and all players competing will also receive bonus points for participating in the tournaments. Don't worry if you have a couple of bad tournaments, as we will only record each person's best 8 results throughout the year. This also means that if you are away from Phuket you will still be eligible for the OOM providing that you play in a minimum of 8 EOM Tournaments in the OOM competition year. While the results will only be taken from 8 events, every player will receive an attendance point for all of Tournaments that they play in the OOM year.

The above text is the final draft of the proposed Order of Merit system which will be confirmed at the August committee meeting.

We will announce the winners of the three divisions at the PEGS AGM in March 2011, the OOM competition year therefore will run from March 2010 to February 2011.

We are currently looking at the best way to post the OOM points listing on the website and will advise members once we finalise the location and how to access the information.

July EOM – Blue Canyon - Canyon Course – Thursday 29^th July – the end of month Tournament for July is booked for the Blue Canyon - Canyon course and apart from the normal three competitions on the day it will be the fifth event that is part of the 2010/2011 Order of Merit. Tee times have been booked from 10.30am to 12.00pm – the Tournament tee time booking sheet is already posted on the website. Green fee rates are the normal PEGS discounted rates of Bht 1,800 for green fee plus Bht 250 caddy fee. The buffet meal and presentation will be held at Skippers @ RPM.

Handicapping – Since our last communication on the subject of the CONGU handicapping system, which PEGS utilises, we have made some refinements. Your committee have changed some of the parameters such as the buffer zone which dictates how handicaps move up. While golfers having a really bad day will still see their handicaps rise, those playing just above their handicaps will more likely remain where they are. Our aim as a social organisation is for everyone to enjoy the tournaments, and for all to have an equal chance of winning. We hope these changes will result in a wider spread of winners and a fairer representation of handicaps, remembering always that your handicap should be an indication of your potential, and not what you regularly score.

For full details, please click the “PEGS Handicaps” tab on the website.

Hua Hin week of Golf - final details for the week of Sunday August 15^th to Saturday August 21^st  - the number of members who have confirmed their entry has matched last year’s contingent and we have nearly filled the two Hotel’s that are booked as the Tournament accommodation. Any other members who wish to join this 4/5 course Stableford challenge event - please contact Lindsey Wallace on 0818 932 565 and a file of the schedule and other details will be emailed to you.

All Bht 3,000 per deposits (per room, not per person) are required to be paid to Lindsey Wallace either by the EOM Tournament at Blue Canyon on Thursday the 29^th or at Loch Palm on Saturday the 31^st or by making other arrangements with him by phone or email at expatgolf@gmail.com

DIARY DATES TO NOTE –

**PEGS event calendar to end of March 2011 has been completed and is available for viewing from any committee prior to it being posted on the website.

**PEGS two day Club Championships will be held at both Blue Canyon Courses on Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th of January 2011 – this is the first time in recent memory that this event has been held on a weekend – it will count as two events for the Order of Merit and will be followed by a function at Skippers@RPM

Lindsey Wallace for the PEGS committee