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Tammarine makes Thai history
Tammarine Tanasugarn is Thailand’s best woman’s tennis
player, and she proved it by becoming the first Thai ever to reach the
finals of a World Tour tennis event when she achieved the feat against
Ruxandra Dragomir from Romania in the Volvo Women’s Open last month at the
Dusit Resort in Pattaya.
 Thailand’s
record breaking tennis star Tammarine Tanasugarn awaits serve during the
Volvo Women’s Open at the Dusit Resort, Pattaya in November.
Her remarkable performance vaulted her into a world ranking of 78, another
record achievement for a Thai. Her new ranking will enable her to gain
automatic entry into all four grand slam events; the Australian Open, the
French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Her status of being world #78 will
also allow her to get into the main draw of all World Tour tier III and tier
IV events.
In Southeast Asia, Tammarine is now ranked second to only Yayuk Bazuki of
Indonesia, who is currently ranked 24th in the world.
In other local tennis news, Swedish Motors Corporation is awaiting a
decision from the Women’s Tennis Association as to whether or not the Volvo
Women’s Open in Pattaya will be upgraded to a tier III event, with a prize
money level of US$164,000. Currently, the Volvo Women’s Open has tier IV
status on the Corel WTA World Tour with a prize money cap of US$107,500.
The 1997 event will once again be played at the Dusit Resort in Pattaya in
November during the same week as the year-end championships in New York.
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Beer Put and Cheers atop Mickey Mouse Darts
Beer Put and Cheers have jumped out to the early lead in
the Pattaya Friday Night Mickey Mouse Darts League. Both teams have won both
their first two matches, and while Beer Put has managed to win both beer
legs so far, Cheers has yet to quench their thirst and are thus in second
place via the tie breaker.
Results from week 2: Rising Sun won the match and the beer leg over Pleasure
Dome, away. Beer Put won the match and the beer leg over Mick’s Place at
home. Cheers won the match but lost the beer leg against Palmer’s at home.
Gary from Rising Sun has taken over the early lead in the highest check out
category, a 79 he achieved this week against Pleasure Dome.
Blue movies shock Quizzers
In addition to the weekly report and cores on the doors,
the Pattaya bar trivial pursuits league invites Pattaya Mail readers to join
in a Christmas quiz. You score two points for each correct answer (see
bottom of article). Then you judge yourself: 0 - 5 is about average for
drunks; 6 - 10 means you should consider joining a quiz team; 11 - 15 says
you should start your own team; 16 - 20 probably means you are a cheat!
Happy Christmas from all quizzers.
1. In what century was a pantomime first produced in Britain?
2. What did Jack Horner eat in a corner?
3. Which parasitic plant was sacred to the Druids?
4. Which group was at number one at Christmas 1974 with Lonely This
Christmas?
5. What did Dora Bryan want for Christmas in 1963?
6. Of which country is Christmas Island a territory?
7. Which British territory surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas day
1941?
8. Which country first introduced Christmas tress which were decorated?
9. In the Christmas song, how many drummers were drumming?
10. Who presents the TV
quiz show Telly Addicts?
Three quarters of the way through the mid week quiz, Bob’s ale house and
Fawlty Towers are slugging it out for top position. Both teams won their
respective matches
with an impressive total of
104/120, or 86%.
Some teams got over-excited when they heard that the anything goes round
would
be on blue movies. Disappointingly, the questions were on movies such as
“The Blue Max” and “Blue Murder at St. Trintian’s” rather than on the
Swedish no-holds-barred variety.
Quizzers should note that the match scheduled for Wednesday, December 18 has
been brought forward to Monday, December 16. This is to accommodate the
Christmas party of the Pattaya Sports Club.
Anyone is welcome to play the quiz. Simply turn up at the
bar of your choice just before 8:30 p.m. this coming Monday (usually
Wednesday)
Answers to the questions above are: 1. Eighteenth century; 2. Christmas pie;
3. Mistletoe; 4. Mud; 5. A Beatle; 6. Australia; 7. Hong Kong; 8. Germany;
9. Nine; 10. Noel Edmonds.
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Mike Parson wins Pattaya Golf Society Club Championship
Mike Parson shot a net 4 under par 68 in the final round
of the Pattaya Golf Society Club Championships on Tuesday, December 10 at
Pattaya Country Club to finish atop the leader board at 5 under par net.
Already the “overnight leader”, Mike had a fantastic day with his putter,
using it only 25 times for the entire third round, which included 4 natural
pars.
 Mike
Parson (right) accepts his PGS Club Championship trophy from club chairman
Peter Johansson.
PGS Chairman Peter Johansson told Pattaya Mail it was, “a great final day
for the 1996 PGS Championship. The best weather conditions you can dream
about and very good scores”.
The club’s big star, Tony Stevens shot another great round, a scratch 82
which included 11 pars. The big sensation of the day was Max Garrod who
carded a scratch 100 for the first time.
Final Round, Top Five finishers: 1. Mike Parson gross 90, net 68. 2. Max
Garrod gross 100, net 69. 3. Peter Johansson gross 97, net 70. Norman Brooks
gross 89, net 71. 5. Tony Stevens gross 82, net 71.
Final Results of the Pattaya Golf Society Club Championship: 1. Mike Parson,
net 5 under par 67. 2. Peter Johannson, net 1 under par 71. 3. Max Garrod,
net even par 72. 4. Ken Carr, net even par 72. 5. Tony Stevens, net 1 over
par 73. 6. Norman Brooks, net 5 over par 77.
The PGS will be holding its Christmas Party on Monday, December 23, at a
venue which will be announced later. For more information, contact Peter
Johansson or any one of the committee members at First House Hotel, Soi
Buakoa.
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Pattaya Sports Club Golf
Monday, December 9, 1996. Eastern Star.
The senior golf section in Pattaya held a scramble on one of its favourite
courses - Eastern Star. A beautiful day with a light breeze greeted the 54
players who took part. A scramble is always a popular mode of golf and each
fourball was made up, not drawn. Handicaps were limited to 28 for men and 36
for ladies. The greens, after intensive care, were in excellent condition as
was the whole course, except for the ninth fairway under treatment.
Deducting 10% from each 4 players’ collective handicaps, first prize with 58
went to Ged Mason, Doug Douglas, Alan Laurie, and to everyone’s surprise,
Alec Chilcott.
Ian Halfpenny, Pete Daff, Gert Hansen, and Dave Fotheringham finished second
with 60.2. Oliver Schneider, Werner, Pete Strand, and Ove Andersonn came
third, also with 60.2 strokes, losing on a count back.
Paul Kraft, equipped with a new driver, hit an immense drive of over 300
yards to win the long drive competition on the 18th hole. To the great
pleasure of everyone, octogenarian Ray Rogers (Papasan) won the long putt on
the 9th hole, and on the 18th Antero Ahonen from Finland won the long putt.
Nearest the pins were won by Dave Fotheringham on #3, Werne Sachse on #6,
Mats “The Beardless Wonder” Song on #13, and James Hancock on #17.
Eastern Star presented complimentary green fee vouchers as draw prizes and
everyone expressed their pleasure of a great day. For your information, the
PSC golfers have their annual championship on the same course on Monday, 13
January 1997.
Thursday, December 12, 1996. Natural Park Resort Golf Club.
Natural Park Resort G.C. saw a return by PSC at an agreed concession price
for over 40 in number. In fact, 60 entries signed up for this attractive
venue, playing A & B courses in peak condition. The course mastered the
golfers, for only one player bettered his handicap. Fred Lewis with 37
points won the B flight. Martin Mueller came second with 31 points, and Ove
Karlsonn was third with 30 points.
John Eloffson showed once again with first place in the A flight on 36
points. Kevin Murphy came second with 33 on a count back from Sturie
Briseholm, also on 33.
Ove Anderson, John Moore, Timo Maki, and Eero Kallinen won nearest to pins
on the par threes. The long putts on 9 & 18 went to John Eloffson and John
Pykalanen. Big hitting John Laurie from Oman won the long drive competition.
Amongst old and new PSC members, Alec Chilcott introduced Trevor Brooking
and his wife Hilkka. Trevor played soccer 47 times for his country and is
now a BBC commentator and writes for London Evening Standard. A gentleman on
and off the pitch in a career without a red card.
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Sunday Quiz
“Which acid is produced in the body during muscular
exercise?” “What sort of animal is a taipan?”
The December 8th match was the closest yet with Pleasure Dome, Mick’s and
Palmer’s all romping n with a majestic 84%. Question setter Ann said she was
impressed by the general knowledge displayed.
Quiz administrator Barrie put it down to Singha Beer’s excellent brain cell
lubrication qualities.
The answer to the above questions are “lactic” and
“snake”.
The public is invited to join the fun every Sunday night in the Quiz League.
Interested parties need only show up Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. at the
venues listed in the Sports Roundup column of Pattaya Mail.
Improve your Bridge
by Barrie Kenyon
If you become bored on Christmas day, eating bird and asking Aunt
Polly how her parrot is getting on, try looking at this hand from every
angle:
You hold:
Spades Jack, 10, 9, 4, 3, 2
Hearts Queen, 5
Diamonds 7, 6, 5, 4
Clubs 8
What do you bid if your partner opens One No Trump against silent
opposition? Your hand is certainly poor but, equally, is most unsuitable for
no trumps. The trouble with bidding Two Spades is that your partner will
assume you have more high point cards and will wander off into the abyss.
The answer is to play simple transfers. This means, over One No Trump, you
bid Two Diamonds (requiring your partner to bid Two Hearts) or Two Hearts
(requiring your partner to bid Two Spades). So your correct bid is Two
Hearts and your partner will dutifully transfer to Two Spades. You, of
course, now pass. The hand will surely play much better in a suit contract.
There is the added bonus that your poor hand will be the open dummy, whilst
your partner’s stronger hand will be hidden to the opposition.
What do you bid if your partner opens One Spade? There’s a turn-up for the
books. Partner has opened in a suit of which you have six cards, your hand
is now transformed because of the fit. It is necessary for you to shut out
the opposition who must have a good fit in one or more of the un-bid suits.
Don’t give them a chance to get together. Therefore, your bid should be Four
Spades which is a friendly pre-emptive call. Yes, you might go down. You
might even be doubled by the enemy. But, in the statistical sense, you have
done the right thing and probably blocked a fit in the opposition hands.
What do you lead to the opposition’s contract of Three No Trumps if your
partner has bid Hearts during the auction? Some players would lead a Spade
on the grounds they have a lot of them. But your hand is weak and it is
improbable that you will ever regain the lead in any case. Your only chance
is to assist your partner who has shown some values by bidding Hearts. So
you lead the Heart Queen, highest of your partner’s suit, which will assist
him in deciding if there is any future for him in that suit. Again, you
could be wrong. But, by leading a Heart, you have de-veloped your partner’s
trust which is a key ingredient in successful defense.
So, the next time you pick up a hand which is very light on the point front,
don’t despair and imagine a world conspiracy against you. It is better to
listen to bidding.
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Underwood/Beard cruise to pairs championship
Lewis “Woody” Under-wood and Stephen Beard combined
for a net 13 under par 59 to win the Alternative Golf Society pairs
competition at Pattaya Country Club on Wednesday, December 11, 1996.
At one point, Steve and Woody were 16 under par with only two to play,
but ran into a little trouble with the water on 17 and the length of 18
to finish triple bogey, bogey. Nonetheless, the winning pair went out in
27, back in 32 to finish a full nine strokes in front.
During their round, Woody’s strong play on the par 3s made a huge
difference. Combined with his handicap, Woody shot two natural pars for
net 1s, and one natural birdie on the 16th for a net 0. Stephen,
meanwhile, kicked in with a birdie net eagle on the par 5 11th. The two
also combined for a net fifteen on the first five holes, getting all
numbers between 1& 5 (net 1 on the 5th, net 2 on the 1st, net 3 on the
4th, net 4 on the 2nd, and net 5 on the 3rd).
Alan Rutsky and Vic Cross finished second with a net 68. The pair,
renowned for their meager attempt at putting in the Greensome Foursome
tournament late last month, made giant strides in improving their image
when Alan holed a 35 foot putt on the par four #2 for a birdie, net
eagle.
Jerry Lien and Richard Livingston finished third, just one stroke behind
Rutsky and Cross. Richard shot natural birdies on 15 and 17, while Jerry
added a par net eagle on the 4th en route to carding a net 69.
Stephen and Woody’s win on December 11 was the second in a row for
Stephen. The previous week (Dec. 4), Stephen Beard won the Alternative
Golf Society monthly medal round at Phoenix Country Club. Stephen shot
an 87 gross off his 17 handicap to finish net 2 under par 70.
John C.C. Gibson finished second with a gross 95, net even par 72.
Murray Kerr placed third with a gross 86, net 73.
The Alternate Golf Society meets every Wednesday from the Hare House
Restaurant and Flop House on Soi Post Office. All golfers are welcome,
transportation leaves around 8:30 a.m.
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Siri Chandler wins Triumph Cup at RVYC
Siri Chandler, sailing her single-handed laser, won the
1996 Triumph Cup sailed off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in South Pattaya
last weekend.
It was the second time Ms. Chandler has had her name engraved on the
beautiful trophy. This year, however, it was no easy feat. Chandler actually
tied Juliet Bates and Liesbet Blackburn with 5.5 penalty points each, and it
wasn’t until the tie breaking system had been used before Chandler was
awarded her due.
The Triumph Cup, initiated by the international ladies wear house of Triumph
International, has been sailed at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club since 1984.
The special design of the regatta has only ladies competing for the title, a
unique format to Pattaya.
Top Ten Finishers:
1. Siri Chandler (Laser) 5.5 penalty points.
2. Juliet Bates/Liesbet Blackburn (Hobie Cat 16) 5.5 pts.
3. Bianca Helms (Laser) 9 pts.
Anne Overgaard (Fireball) 9 pts.
5. Jenny Ferrier/Hilke De Jongh (Hobie Cat 16) 10 pts.
6. Leont Duson/Murray Maunder (Hobie Cat 16) 13 pts.
7. Rosanna/Anders Widen (Top Cat) 15 pts.
8. Emile/Jean-Pierre Syed (Hobie Cat 16) 29 pts.
Gay/Simon Prattley (Hobie Cat 16) 29 pts.
10. Gesa/Wolf Minderjahn (Hobie Cat 16) 31 pts.
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