|
First La Havana Classic
The first La Havana Texas Scramble golf tournament will
be held on Saturday, June 14 at Eastern Star golf course, organizers have
announced. Tee off will begin with a shotgun start at high noon (how else
would you hold a “Texas” scramble?).
The tournament will be limited to twenty teams of four (men, women or mixed,
each team will nominate a team captain). Entries will be accepted on a first
in first served basis. Entries will close on June 11. Draw and rules will be
posted on the day. Reporting time will be 11:30 a.m. (team captain only),
with a two shot penalty for reporting in late.
Each team handicap will be determined by the sum total of each team member’s
handicap divided by 5. Maximum handicap for men is 30 and for women is 36.
Each competitor will be responsible for paying green and caddie fees on the
day at their own expense.
Prizes will be awarded for best team net, runner up net, most honest team
gross, most honest team net, men’s and women’s nearest the pin, and men’s
and women’s longest drive.
The awards presentation party will commence at 7:30 p.m. at La Havana
Restaurant opposite Eastern Star Plaza, Ban Chang. The free buffet will
start at 8:00 p.m.
For more information, telephone (038) 882 561 or fax (038) 882 562.
La Havana - International Food, Fun & Entertainment.
|
|
 |
Pattaya Sports Club Golf
The Pattaya Sports Club golf section welcomed the U.S.
Forces for 5 days, culminating in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps joining the
PSC for a combined competition at Green Valley golf course on May 26. The
format, requested by the American Naval Attaché, was Stableford.
A large turnout complimented the meeting on a course in splendid condition,
but never easy, and the American guests acquitted themselves well both on
the course and off back at the Cafe Kronborg.
Recipients of nearest the pin prizes were Brendon Kelly, Gunnery Sergeant
Herb Roberts, Lt. Commander Rosander, and Fred Lewis.
Once again, John Moore appeared as the winner of B flight, winning over Lt.
Commander Mike Bateman in second place and Fred Lewis in third with 35, 34
and 33 points respectively.
In A flight, consistent Svein Vistung took first prize on 35 points, winning
on a count back from Andres Karlson, also on 35. Gunnery SGT. Herb Roberts
finished third with 34 points.
Big Bill Stevens won the long drive contest and 900 baht, which his comrades
vociferously suggested went over the bar.
Alec introduced Lt. Com-mander David Acton to the assembled throng and he
thanked PSC for their hospitality, presenting ships caps and Zippo lighters
as momentoes in a lucky draw.
29 May, Stableford at Bangpra.
Having recovered from entertaining the U.S. Forces for 5 days,
PSC returned to one of their favourite courses for a well enough represented
tourney allowing for prizes in both A and B flights. Teeing off on both the
1st and 10th holes at 9:30 a.m., Pattaya Sports Club golfers had the entire
beautifully manicured course to themselves. There was not another golfer in
sight, a rare occasion at Bangpra.
Old PSC friend John Orlebeck, here once again from Hollywood, amassed 39
points for his first ever win with the PSC in A flight. Neil Munro was
runner up on 38 points, closely followed by Jay Nakagawa on 37 points.
In a similar vein, on a high scoring day, Mark Woods won B flight from his
compatriot from the Philippines on a count back with 37 points each. Chris
Gaines finished third with 36 points.
One of the best performances was a gross 76 put in by Keith Watson, which
won him the scratch prize.
Daryl White, Chris Gaines, Diamond Dave Pittman and Skippy Young took
nearest pin honours.
Alec introduced 4 visitors from the Philippines who are the vanguard of a
further 24 golfers arriving to join PSC’s ever increasing numbers.
|
|
Thai Open Wheelchair Tennis this weekend at Royal Cliff
The tennis courts of Royal Cliff Beach Resort are once
again playing host to some of the world’s best physically challenged
athletes. This weekend, the Thailand Open Wheelchair Tennis Cham-pionships
1997 are being contested at the Royal Cliff, through to the finals on
Sunday, June 8.
Don’t let the wheelchairs mislead you. The men and women competing in the
Thai Open are world class tennis players. Around 75 of the best wheelchair
tennis players from Japan, Korea, Macau, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, England,
France, New Zealand, U.S.A. and Thailand are participating in the event.
Due to the tremendous success of the three previous editions of the event
beginning in 1994, the IWTF (International Wheelchair Tennis Federation) has
upgraded the Thai Open to a Championship Series III tournament, featured on
the NEC International Wheelchair Tennis Tour 1997.
Sponsored since its inception by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Knorr, Singha
Beer, Dunlop and Prince, the Thai Open welcomed former Deputy Prime Minister
General Thienchai Sirisampan as acting president of the event.
Matthijs van den Brock, managing director of Paradise Sports, and Khun
Suporntum Mongkol-sawadii, president of the Wheelchair Tennis Club of
Thailand, announced that the Wheelchair Tennis Club of Thailand are
organizing the event, sanctioned by the IWTF in cooperation with the Sports
Authority of Thailand, Physical Education Department, Thailand Disabled
Association and Paradise Sports.
|
|
Splinter Golf Group
Monday, 26 May, Pattaya Country Club (Stableford)
A hot and very windy day did nothing to prevent Stan Fry
maintaining form and finishing well clear of the field to win with 41
points. Niall McCarty, also in good form, came second with 36 points. In
third place, and beating Steve Ross on count back, was Neil Munroe with 34
points. Harry Riley took the green fee for nearest the pin on hole #7. As
no-one made the green on the 16th, a draw was made for the free green fee -
deservedly won by Steve Ross.
Wednesday, 28 May, Laem Chabang (Stableford)
Another hot and windy day provided challenging con-ditions
playing the C-A courses. Newcomers to the nine holes on the C course, played
as the front nine, found the first four holes to be an effective warm-up for
the rest of the round! Best of the day came from big Ron Glaister, winner
with 36 points. Second, and still in sparkling form, was Stan Fry with 35
points. Third, and just back from the high seas but having lost none of his
form, was Mick O’Meara with 32 points.
Friday, 30 May, Rayong Green Valley, Diana Group Medal &
Classroom Classic... Ross makes it a double!
This was a unique and very enjoyable occasion for the Splinter
Golf Group with the monthly Diana Group Medal being played at the same time
as the 2nd Classroom Classic. Splinter golfers entered both tournaments and
marked two cards; stroke for the medal and Stableford for the Classroom
Classic. Two prize-givings followed, firstly at the Green Bottle, and
afterwards at Classroom One.
In the A flight, Ron Glaister took the honours again, winning with a net 68,
and Svein Vistung was 2nd with a net 71. In the B flight, Mike Franklin was
2nd with net 74, beating Classic Stan Fry on count back.
Steve Ross, however, recovering from a birthday the day before and
rollercoasting to peak form, not only won the B flight and Diana Group Medal
tankard with an excellent net 67, but achieved the grand slam by winning the
Classroom Classic as well with 41 Stableford points. When interviewed, he
stated that the new reversible cap and one-size optional socks given to him
o his birthday, plus an unusually early night on Thursday, may have
contributed to his success. Big Ron Glaister also achieved a double win by
coming second in the Classroom Classic with 40 Stableford points.
|
|
Wednesday Quiz scores
James Dean made only three major films, but which was the first in 1955?
What innovation did Robert Langas introduce to tennis in 1968?
Bob’s Bar, who have inexplicably renamed them-selves Bob’s topless jogging
team, were biting their nails on May 28 as it appeared they were losing
their match to the doughty warriors from Britannia Bar who were certainly
aided by the fact that only one of their team members was fast asleep. But
Bob’s recovered strongly in the round about world currencies and pulled
ahead to win by two points, 90/120 to 88/120. Fawlty Towers tied with
Sixties at 70 all. Rising Sun managed 94 against Palmer’s 78. Since there is
an odd number of bars participating at present, Cheers bar had to play with
themselves.
Meanwhile, in the alternative Sunday quiz, Rising Sun appear to have the
jewel encrusted cup in the bag with just one match to play at the time of
going to press. Cheers and Mick’s are fighting it out for second place.
New bars wanting to join either quiz should contact an existing bar to find
out the ins and outs of membership of Pattaya’s most intellectual drinkers
whose sanity test is whether they can lie on the floor without holding on to
anything.
|
|
Improve your Bridge
by Barrie Kenyon
The Royal Bangkok Sports Club, which contains some of the
best bridge players in the kingdom, arranged its annual “weekend away” at
the end of May. A delightful beach hotel near Rayong was chosen for the
bridge tournament at which around 150 people turned up. About 80% of the
contestants were Thais including a strong contingent from the Sattahip area
naval and air force bases. Pattaya bridge club sent a small party and star
players Carol and Terry actually achieved first place in their section on
day one which was the Saturday. However, the overnight celebrations with the
rest of the Pattaya contingent got a bit out of hand with gin and tonics
being served into the wee hours. Formerly clear heads were still rather
cloudy on Sunday morning, especially as the cards were scheduled to be dealt
at 8.30 a.m. As a consequence, Pattaya finished in the teams event better
than average, but no longer in top dog position. Still, a worthy result for
the academic standard bearers of Sin City.
As a defensive problem, what would you do with the following hand? You are
east. South opens one diamond and finally becomes declarer in three no
trumps. Your partner west leads a low heart and north, the dummy, displays
as follows:
Declarer south wins west’s opening heart lead with his
King and then, at trick two, leads his diamond Jack on which west and north
play low. You, as defender east, take the trick with your Queen. Then, how
would you plan the defense? From south’s play at trick two, it looks as if
your partner west has the Ace of diamonds and that the declarer is trying to
set up the long diamond suit in the dummy. If you automatically return your
partner’s lead, a heart, declarer is likely to make his contract. What you
need to do is to return your humble four of clubs which dummy is welcome to
take. Now, when partner gets in with Ace of diamonds, he will send you
another club which will bring you three club tricks. These, in addition to
the Queen and Ace of diamonds, will produce a total of five tricks and
defeat the three no trumps contract. Returning a heart, your partner’s lead,
would be useless and would cost you that vital tempo. The lesson of the hand
is that you should usually return partner’s lead unless you have a powerful
reason for doing otherwise. In this example, you do indeed have an
alternative strategy by insisting that you set up your club suit. But you
must act immediately. In reality, I was sitting east and failed to find this
winning line. Hey ho, back to the textbooks.
|
|
Colin Morgan returns to form
Colin Morgan, fresh from 5 weeks back in Wales, returned
in style with a net 3 under par 69 to win the weekly tournament of the
Pattaya Golf Society at Pattaya Country Club on Tuesday, May 27. Colin’s
round included 5 natural pars, culminating in a scratch 41 on the back nine.
Roy Mitchell, bidding for yet another “Player of the Month” award, finished
in second place with a net 72. Peter Johannson, hot on his heals, finished
third with a net 76. Kevin Wilson placed fourth with a net 79. William Rice
rounded out the top five with a net 79, losing out on count back to Kevin.
George Meigh, usually near the top of the leader board, was conspicuous in
his absence. Bad day or did he finally adjust his handicap?
Nearest the pin prizes were won by Peter Johannson on #5 and #7; Colin
Morgan on #12; and that famous person who seems to be showing up at a lot of
golf tournaments in town, Nobody won on #16.
The Pattaya Golf Society will be celebrating their second anniversary and
their 100th tournament on June 17th.
|
|
Steve Ross captures
Classroom Golf Classic title
Steve Ross (centre, holding
trophy) reaps the rewards of wining the 2nd Classroom Golf Classic.
Steve Ross outplayed a field of over 50 golfers to win
the Second Classroom Golf Classic held on Friday, May 30 at Green Valley
Country Club. Ross scored 41 Stableford points to earn the championship and
take home the trophy and prizes awarded by Stan Fry of Orchid Tour and
Trading.
Ronnie Glaister amassed 40 Stableford points to finish second, just one
point back. Bryan Dodd scored 38 points to take home the third place trophy,
edging out Michel Desloover on count back.
The tournament, always a highlight on local golfers’ calendars, awarded a
hole host of prizes, fun giveaways and lucky number draw prizes. Competitors
were also treated to a beautiful “send-off” as Classroom lasses were on hand
help the men tee off.
Neil Munroe won the long drive contest, beating Gez Tracy by a mere 4
inches. For his monster drive, Neil was awarded a free night’s accommodation
at Nova Lodge, free green fee at Green Valley and a special “BF” prize.
Ronnie Glaister won nearest the pin honours on hole #7, earning a dinner for
2 at the new Desperado Restaurant. Neil Hughes won nearest the pin on #11,
earning a free night for two in the Penthouse Hotel. Mick O’Meara won
nearest the pin on #15, earning a dinner for 2 at the Green Bottle.
With over 50 golfers competing, it was a little surprising that not one of
them could land their tee shot on the green at #4, although, in their
defense, it was 196 yards into the wind. Nonetheless, the prize of three
nights accommodation in the Swagman Hotel in the Philippines went unclaimed,
and therefore was put into the lucky number draw at the awards presentation
party at Classroom One following the event.
Don Shaw, who just recently became a member of Green Valley Country Club,
and who played 36 holes the day before the event to get acquainted with the
course, scored a pitiful 12 Stableford points, by far the worst round of the
day, to earn the “Booby” prize. For his effort (or lack of), Don was awarded
a free “BF” at Classroom, a stuffed baby’s bottle, free entry into next
year’s Classroom Golf Classic, and a free green fee at Green Valley - for
practice.
Ozzie John, heading back to the land down under, was treated to a “special
show”, compliments of Ronnie Glaister. What those things were, dressed in
women’s clothing, is anybody’s guess.
All golfers competing in what has been affectionately labeled one of
Pattaya’s “Majors” were treated to a “Classic” commemorative polo shirt, a
buffet and party the night before the event, pig-on-a-spit and all you can
eat buffet (which was absolutely delicious!) on the night of the event,
out-of-bounds shooter, four ball photo, extended happy hour at Classroom
One, special shows, golf quiz for instant prizes, and lucky draw prizes.
The event was also “drinker friendly”, as tee off times were left up to
individuals who only needed to turn up at Green Valley between 8:30 a.m. and
11:30 a.m. with their four ball.
Deemed a huge success, most golfers are already looking forward to the Third
Classroom Golf Classic.
|
|
|
