Optimist Sailors excel at Pattaya-Sattahip

In a record fleet of 51 entries for the 1999 Optimist National Championships of Thailand, held at Sattahip, Varuna youngster Sam Phanpho qualified for the Thai team which participated in the Asian Junior Pacific Friendship Regatta, held at Fukuoka, Japan.

Closer to home, the Sattahip and Royal Varuna Optimist sailors are now honed up to contest the Eleventh ASEAN Optimist Championships, to be held off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya, from 23 - 30 October this year.

Peter Cummins reports from Pattaya

Sam Phanpho, an eighth-grader from the International School of the Eastern Seaboard (ISE), on the basis of his excellent fourth placing at the 1999 Optimist Nationals, was assured a place on the Thai team which contested the Asian Junior Regatta held at Fukuoka, Japan, late last month.

A fourth placing is no great feat, one could argue. However, when it is placed in the right context, it was, indeed, a superlative effort. There were 51 competitors, using unfamiliar new Optimist dinghies provided by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT); the championships were held in the very tricky waters of Dongtan Bay, Sattahip which certainly favour local sailors; and, not the least, young Sam excelled in the conditions which varied from light, shifting winds - the usual pattern in this area - to strong gusts on the final day of the three-day event.

But, lest one has the impression that Sam was alone, he also had to contend with the six fellow-sailors from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, numbered among the record fleet which contested the series.

The Varuna children - Samantha Hamilton, Chris Kelly, Virginie Lacrosse, Damien Paulhiac, Sam Phanpho, Emilie Timmerman and Sila Wilke - had been honed up by their coach Khun Somkiet over five consecutive weekends of intensive training. For the four girls and young Chris Kelly, it was their first foray into the big world of national championships.

Royal Varuna junior sailing secretary Linden Phanpho who, together with Brunhilde Schultes, had worked tirelessly to ensure that their young charges were up to the challenge of the Sattahip waters, was quick to acknowledge the good management of the event.

The championships were held off the YRAT Centre of Sailing Excellence which opened for the Thirteenth Asian Games last December. Arriving there, the Varuna youngsters could not believe their good fortune when they were offered new dinghies, which had been brought in for the Asian Games. “The Varuna contingent thought that they had died and gone to that Optimist Club in the sky,” said Linden, with her customary understatement.

“The team spirit, on and off the water, was truly remarkable,” continued Linden, and the little sailors, as well as the large group of parents, “were totally unfazed by the necessity of the long daily commute to Sattahip and back for each day of the three-day, nine-race regatta,” Linden added.

The Optimist vs. the Soapbox Derby

The Optimist was designed by Clark Mills in Clearwater, Florida, in 1957. Observing kids careering down the hills of Clearwater in their “soapbox derbies,” Mills figured that they would be better off on the sea. “At least it won’t hurt so much if they crash out,” he rightly surmised.

The Optimist, looking very much like the original soapbox, was thus conceived and, on being brought to Denmark in 1954, the little dinghy soon gained acceptance throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and, since the 1960s, world-wide.

Now the largest one-design dinghy in the world, numbering some 800,000 in almost 100 countries, the Optimist has trained, literally, thousands of youngsters (under 16-year-olds), many of whom have gone on to become Olympic, world and national champions in the “big league.”

Thailand’s own Optimist fleets are very large, with four main centres of training and activity, totalling some 400 dinghies: the Royal Varuna Yacht Club at Pattaya and the Royal Thai Navy Clubs at Sattahip in the Northern Gulf; the Phatra Marina and Yacht Club at the mouth of the Pranburi River in Prachuab Khiri Khan Province on the West Coast and several clubs based at marinas in Phuket.

On-going courses are conducted at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and the Phatra Marina and Yacht Club facilities. The training can be held over several weekends, with theory and practical hands-on experience or, as is now becoming very popular, it can take the form of one or two-week live-in camps, undertaken during school recesses. A number of schools in Bangkok and on the Eastern Seaboard have taken advantage of these programmes.

And now Royal Varuna prepares for the forthcoming ASEAN Optimist Regatta which will take place during the South-westerly Monsoons - sure to give the locals and visiting children alike a challenge to carry them through to the New Millennium.

Anyone for tennis?

It seems as though everyone is ready for a game of tennis - no matter what age they are. The 12th Asian Open Veterans Tennis Championships were held last week at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s tennis complex and attracted over 260 entrants for the tournament, coming from over 20 countries. The age of the players who competed in Pattaya ranged from 35 years up to some in their 80’s.

The movement attracts such diverse players as General Saiyud Kerdphol, a celebrated international election supervisor, through to colourful characters like Yaqub Khan, an ex Hong Kong Police Superintendent with over 50 years of representative sport behind him and American Albert Ritzenberg, still winning sets at 81 years young.

Veterans Tennis is a very popular pastime with over 60 tournaments a year worldwide. Those who missed out this year can join the “racket set” next year at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. Just make sure you are over 35 years old!

PSC Monthly Deep Sea Fishing Tournament

Organized by the fishing section of the Pattaya Sports Club

Join the fun Sunday August 15, 1999. The fishing has been very good this year.

Each team pays an entrance fee of 600 baht to the Pattaya sports club fishing section. Registration and entrance fee must be paid 24 hours in advance of the tournament, listing name of boat, or boat captain, and fishermen on board. Each team hires their own boat, no limit on persons, or tackle on board. Leave shore no earlier than 4:00 am. Weigh in for trophies at the municipal pier South Pattaya. Weigh in will start at 5:30 p.m. and close at 6 p.m.

Pattaya Sports Club fishing section will award individual trophies for the biggest fish caught, by weight, and the second biggest fish caught, by weight. Also a team trophy for the most fish over one kilogram caught, by weight, excluding the first and second place fish. Only one trophy will be awarded per individual. Please note that sharks, rays, skates, etc. only qualify 50% of total weight.

To register for tournament please contact: Carl Engel, Pattaya Sports Club Fishing Chairman, Tel. 410-228, Fax 426-121 or e-mail [email protected].

Also registration and entrance fee can be left at the SGP Bar or Bull Ring Bar Soi Yodsak, North Pattaya, or the Atlantis Caf้ Soi 15 South Pattaya.

Lafreniere surges to Las Vegas Open championship

Serge Lafreniere, by virtue of 25 Stableford points on the back 9, was crowned Las Vegas Open Champion for 1999. Serge tallied 46 points in all, and just managed to get past Mark Beacon on count back.

Mark Beacon did earn B flight honors, but missed the overall championship by one stroke on the back nine after carding 46 Stableford points in all, 24 on his back 9.

Serge put together a remarkable scratch 98 off his 36 handicap for a net 10 under par 62. No doubt he will be hearing from the handicap man soon.

Ray Matti earned A flight honors with 40 Stableford points.

Gary Parkinson shot a scratch 76 for best gross, edging out TQ Masters champion Steve Mascari on count back.

In all, 70 golfers turned out for the 1999 Las Vegas Open played at Phoenix Country Club on Friday, August 6th. Now enjoying its status as one of the Pattaya Sports Club’s “major” tournaments, the organizers made sure it was well-worth it for local golfers to brave the weather. At least 20 technical prizes and sweep were awarded in 3 different divisions. In fact, each golfer received a “prize” just for entering.

Free beer also flowed on the course, and the BBQ back at Las Vegas after the awards presentation party was second to none.

Even the weather cooperated, for the most part. Only one major shower interrupted play for a short while. The rest of the time the clouds overhead kept the temperature down for a perfect day of golf.

Results of the 1999 Las Vegas Open

Overall Champion: Serge Lafreniere, 46 points
Best Gross: Gary Parkinson, scratch 76

A flight
Winner: Ray Matti, 40 points
2nd: Gary Parkinson, 39 pts.
3rd: Ossi Vinjanen, Karl Kikuis, 39 pts. C/B

B flight
Winner: Mark Beacon, 46 points
2nd: N. Holbrough, 42 pts.
3rd: Neil Lavery, 39 pts.

C flight
Winner: Serge Lafreniere, 46 pts.
2nd: John Kendal, 44 pts.
3rd: Paul Hartley, 40 pts.

Long drive, Ocean #9:
A flight - Paul Booth
B flight - Doug Powell
C flight - Glen “Lassie” Dragland

Near pin, Mountain #8:
A flight - Steve Houi
B flight - Mark Gorda
C flight - Mark Jasper

Near pin, Ocean #7:
A flight - Jumpee
B flight - Mike Franklin
C flight - Lewis Underwood

Jack-A-Lope sighting on Soi Post Office

The Pattaya Sports Club has added a new golf tournament to the calendar for Friday, September 3. The Canadian Jack-A-Lope Open will be a Stableford competition held at Great Lake Country Club. The entry fee will be 1200 Baht which includes green fees, caddy fees, golf shirt, and a post tournament buffet at the Hare House. There will be a Ladies Division and three men’s divisions and enough trophies to make even the most cynical golfer happy.

The Canadians are a vital part of the ex-pat community in Pattaya. They felt the need to have a tournament that highlights not only their involvement in golf, but also more importantly, their involvement in charity. All proceeds from the Canadian Jack-A-Lope Open will go to the El-Shadii Home for Abandoned Children. This home is in fact run by a retired Canadian couple and exists solely on donations.

The organizers of this tournament have already canvassed the Canadian community and asked them to dig into their pockets. The minimum donation was 2000 Baht, but a lot of these “roughnecks” put up 5000 Baht to help make this event a success and maybe provide some financial stability to the El Shadii Home.

The El Shadii Home was first “discovered” by Glen “Lassie” Dragland. He was impressed by the goal of taking abandoned children all the way through school, and even on to University. Lassie personally donated 20,000 Baht so the kids could start this latest school term. When he pondered on the enormity of financing such an undertaking, he came up with the idea of the Canadian Jack-A-Lope Open.

At this point, you might well ask, “what in the world is a jackalope?” Jackalopes are a cross between a jackrabbit and a deer or antelope. They are said to be native to the western part of Canada, although the cousins to the south would dispute this. They are shy and elusive. Very few jackalopes have ever been killed or captured. They are normally peaceful, but you best not aggravate them. They are ferocious when provoked and their antlers can be deadly. It is not too far a stretch to say they share a lot of traits with your average Canadian. Jackalopes are “horned” rabbits. Canadians are “horny” rabbits.

The overall winner of the Canadian Jack-A-Lope Open will have their name added to a permanent trophy that will reside in the Hare House. The trophy is an actual jackalope that was caught by Moe Deverdenne on a big game hunting safari in the rugged mountains of Western Canada. Individual trophies will be cast replicas of the jackalope mounted on a wooden base. These trophies will not come cheap. Everyone who plays, and indeed everyone in Pattaya, is being asked to dig into their own pockets and help out the El Shadii Home. Even more than jackalopes, we can all identify with abandoned children.

More PSC Golf in August

On Sunday 15th August Lewiinski’s go to Century Chonburi leaving at 11.00 a.m. On Monday 16th August PSC Golf from the Caf้ Kronborg goes to Khao Kheow to play Stableford, while the Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle make their trip to Century Chonburi, also playing Stableford.

On Tuesday the 17th Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker also go to new-look Eastern Star to play Stableford, while Lewiinski’s go to Bangpra playing Stableford as well.

On Wednesday the 18th the Green Bottle play a two-man better ball at Natural Park Hill, while Hare House play bogey at Bangpra.

On Thursday 19th August, PSC Golf Caf้ Kronborg goes to Great Lake, and on Friday August 20th the Splinter Group also go to Great Lake, while Hare House go to Green Valley, all Stableford competitions

The full August Schedule can be seen at PSC Golf Venues, at Delaney’s, in Pattaya Mail and at our Web Site at www.pattayasports.org.

Piechoki in front at Bangpra: Graham faithful to handicap at Eastern Star

Pattaya Sports Club Golf from the Café Kronborg

Bangpra - Monday 2nd August (Stableford)

Roland maintaining good form topped the leader board on a day with rain before and after but surprisingly staying dry during the round. Second place was tough to decide as Doug Powell, Svend Berthelsen and Graham Faithful all carded 38 points.

Winner: Roland Piechoki, 40 points
2nd: Doug Powell, 38 points C/B
3rd: Svend Berthelsen, 38 points C/B
4th: Graham Faithful, 38 points

Eastern Star - Thursday 5th August (Stroke)

Wet weather had some affect on the scores with only one player, Graham Faithful, playing to handicap.

Winner: Graham Faithful, Net 72
2nd: Ebrahim, Net 77
3rd: Martin Furzer, Net 79 C/B
4th: Ray Matti, Net 79
Near pins: #6 Derek Brook, #17 Fred Marshall.

Canadians tame Siam

PSC TAGGS... golf from the Hare House

Wednesday, August 4 - Siam Country Club (Medal)

1st: Eddie Henheffer, Net 71
2nd: Mark Gorda, Net 72
3rd: Mike Dabonovich, Net 74

Siam Country Club was the locale for the TAGGS stroke play competition on Wednesday, August 4. Normally, from the white tees Siam plays at almost 6500 yards. But on Wednesday, a great majority of the tees were set back, way back, in the tee boxes. With the rain soaked fairways giving very little roll, the course not only played long, it was long.

In anticipation of the Canadian Jack-A-Lope Open that will be held on September 3, the large contingent of Canadian golfers playing out of the Hare House came to Siam ready to sharpen their games. They were more than ready as they swept the first three places on the podium.

Eddie Henheffer shot a gross 88 off his seventeen handicap and claimed the Knotted Putter trophy with a net 71. Eddie was followed closely by Mark Gorda who shot a net even par 72, playing off nineteen. Mike Dabonovich claimed the third spot in a count back with a net 74.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.