The Cork Senior Hurling Team – 1999 All Ireland Champions – celebrated their championship season at Delaney’s Irish Pub in the Royal Garden Plaza on Pattaya 2nd Road. Team members shown are Donal ิy Cusak, Bernhard Rochford, Johny Sheehan, Brendan Coleman, Daniel Murphy, Kierran Morrison, Mick Daly, Seโn O Farrell, Neil Ronhan, Pat Ryan, Derek Barrett, Michael O Connell, Wayne Sherlock and Alan Browne.

The preparation of practicing Chi Gong is of great importance in order to get the most out of it. One should not be influenced or disturbed by the environment. The mind should be clear of thoughts. In any position, sitting or lying, the clothes should be loose so that respiration and blood circulation are free from restraint. The posture should be natural, without squaring the shoulders or pulling in the abdomen.

It is of utmost importance to learn how to relax. Drink some water, then empty the bowels and bladder, take off the wristwatch and glasses, loosen the clothes and the belt and try to relax the whole body, including the head, trunk and limbs. Begin with an easy mind. Select a comfortable and natural posture. The form selected is not important.

Recite a short sentence in your mind, the best is to start with a sentence of three words or a few syllables and gradually increase the number. Though there is no fixed pattern, those commonly used are: “I am still”, “I am lying (sitting) still”, “I am lying (sitting) very still”, and so on. Recitation should be coordinated with respiration. There are two methods: 1. Inhale with the first word and exhale with the last; hold the breath in-between. 2. Recite the whole sentence in the pause between inhalation and exhalation. Either way, the more words in a sentence, the longer the pause in respiration.

Abdominal breathing is practiced. Again, there are two methods: 1. Inhale and exhale through the nose. (Lift the tongue to touch the palate while inhaling and lower it while exhaling. Inhalation should be natural without exertion, and the mind should be concentrated on the elixir field. 2. Inhale through the nose, using the mind to guide the air to the lower abdomen. Exhale naturally through the mouth, followed by a pause for the sentence, during which time the tongue is touching the palate. After reciting the sentence, lower the tongue and inhale again. The concentration of the mind is very substantial. The mind should be concentrated on the lower elixir field, free from all distractions. After repeated practice, a ‘tranquil’ state will be reached.

Next time, I will give you a short explanation into the history of Chi Gong.

To be played at Great Lake

On Wednesday 8th March the first Thai International Australia Cup golf tournament will take place at Great Lake Golf and Country Club. The original concept arose from the promotion of Pattaya 2000 in Australia last year, with Holiday Makers Travel, Perth, already regular visitors to Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard golf courses.

Sponsored by Thai International Airways, who are donating return Bangkok-Perth air tickets as player draw prizes, and further supported by Pattaya Sports Club, Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya and Pattaya Mail who are donating trophies. The tournament, organised in association with Pattaya Sports Club Golf, is a singles and team Stableford format with a 10.00 a.m. shotgun start.

The trophy and prize presentation will take place at the highly recommended Siriporn Restaurant by the Mabrachan Lake Reservoir with a buffet and live music.

The field is limited to 128 players who will participate in the players draw for the Thai International airline tickets and other prizes. The entry fee is B.1300 and includes green and caddy fees, golf shirt, golf cap, trophies, prizes and buffet with live music.

Entry forms are available at the PSC Office on Soi Diana, all PSC Golf venues (Caf้ Kronborg, Diana Inn, Hare House, Lewiinski’s, the Bunker and Scandic Hotel) plus Delaney’s. Also in Pattaya Mail and on PSC, Delaney’s and Pattaya Mail web pages.

On February 8th the Bunker boys went to Green Valley, which was in beautiful condition. The match play competition was completed when Remy finally defeated Keith Fortt 3 and 2 on the 34th hole of their match.

It was a pleasure to witness the sportsmanship of the two players in such a tense situation. It was rumored that Remy’s brother Chres had flown in especially from Belgium for the match, but he has now decided to stay for 2 months after sampling Pattaya’s nightlife.

The rest of the fields played Stableford with Division I winner Bruce Lawrence carding 37 points, followed by Paul “Houdini” Butler and Swiss Peter Renggli. Division 2 winner was Tommy “5 Club” Jeeves on 37 points, followed by Remy and Gordon McKnight.

The presentation back at the Bunker was followed with “5 Club” Tommy giving lessons, watched over very carefully by our own golfing clinic guru Mighty Mick Jones.

Pattaya City Biking for Health Club President Kamphon Tangekachai announced the “World Protection Bike Rally 2000” will be held on 19 February.

The club president explained that cash prizes and trophies will be available and will include the Deputy Minister of Communications Sonthaya Khunpleum Trophy.

The competition will be divided into 4 categories for families, youngsters and adults, with the purpose of promoting general health, family fun and tourism.

The bike rally will begin at 8.00 a.m. starting at the Dusit Resort parking lot on Beach Road. The 10 kilometer route will follow Pattaya Beach Road - South Pattaya - Pattaya City Health Garden - Pattaya 3rd Road - North Pattaya Road - finishing back at the starting point.

The rally is supported by Pattaya’s city administration and a number of organizations from the private sector, along with the TAT, Thai Airways, Green Leaf Foundation, Mike’s Shopping Mall, Pattaya Center Festival Business Center, and K.N. Travel Services. For registration and more information contact the Dusit Resort: (038) 425611-7 ext. 2275, 2232.

Deputy Minister of Interior Wachana Adsawahem opened a charity bowling tournament at the Pattaya O.D. Bowl to raise educational funds for underprivileged children in Pattaya.

Deputy Minister of Interior Wachana Adsawahem visited Pattaya to open a charity bowling tournament at the Pattaya O.D. Bowl last week.

Thai Television Channel 3 and local Pattaya newspapers sponsored the bowling charity. Deputy Minister Wachana presented the awards and prizes to the winners.

A total of 15,000 baht was raised and distributed to the local schools in Pattaya and will be used in supporting school lunch programs.

Lewiinski’s starts the week on Sunday the 20th going to Green Valley playing Stableford, and leaving at 10.15 a.m. All Lewiinski’s competitions now leave at 10.15 a.m.

On Monday 21st February, a Public Holiday, PSC Golf from the Caf้ Kronborg goes to Treasure Hill for a stroke play competition, while the Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle go to Noble Place also for a stroke play competition.

On Tuesday 22nd, the Bunker stays local playing Stableford at Pattaya Country Club, while Lewiinski’s go out to Sattahip, also Stableford.

On Wednesday 23rd February, there is a choice of stroke play at Bangpra from the Green Bottle, or a two man scramble at Natural Park Resort with Hare House.

On Thursday 24th the Kronborg visits Pattaya Country Club for their monthly Kronborg Medal Mug, leaving at 08.15 a.m. and later, leaving at 10.15 a.m., Lewiinski’s go to Sriracha for a two man scramble.

The week ends on Friday 25th February with the Splinter Group playing their monthly Diana Group Medal at Green Valley, Hare House go to Siam Country Club to play bogey, and Scandic Hotel go to Sriracha for a two man scramble.

The PSC AM-AM will be played at Phoenix Country Club on Wednesday, March 1st, organised by TAGGS from Hare House.

This is followed by the Thai International Australia Cup at Great Lake Golf & Country Club on Wednesday March 8th. The Tournament is staged by Holiday Makers Travel from Perth, in Association with PSC Golf, and features a visiting group of holiday makers from Australia here to enjoy the excellent golfing opportunities on the Eastern Seaboard. Shotgun start at 10 a.m. - entry forms at all PSC venues, or contact Mike Franklin at 38 731 144.

The full February and March Schedules can be seen at all PSC Golf venues, at Delaney’s, in Pattaya Mail and on the PSC Web Site at www.pattayasports.org.