The Laser fleet of Royal Varuna Yacht Club set out on Sunday 14th January, despite all the elements could throw at them, to sail the 18th Great Laser Island Race.

The race, inaugurated 18 years ago and sailed every January, calls for the fleet to round the island of Koh Larn after passing a windward buoy, and is fiercely fought out by the competitors. The single-handed Laser Olympic class dinghy is a fast planning boat - more than a handful in fresh winds - and at the appointed start time there were concerned faces as black storm clouds gathered overhead, lightening flashed and the sea appeared to be boiling some way out from the shore. One sailor remarked, “It looks scary out there!”

Undaunted, the 15 helms took off ‘Le Mans’ style from the beach and in no time found themselves on a planing reach to the south end of the island, most with gritted teeth! The fleet made an impressive sight spread out across the sea. As they reached the island, however, dark clouds cleared and the wind dropped to light and unpredictable, equally challenging for the sailors.

After some 2 hours and a long run down the back of Koh Larn, the leaders sailed through the gap between the north end of the island and Koh Sak with Charles Zbinden in first place, the writer in second and young helmslady, Kwan Posakrisna, third.

There were still more surprises in store, as the Lasers cleared the island and a gigantic wind shift left those taking a northerly route stranded (including yours truly), while those tacking to the south headed ever closer to the club finish line.

Charles Zbinden, who has scored second in many past attempts but has never yet won this event, was again pipped at the line by Morten Jakobsen, who came from way back. Third was that veteran Laser sailor, Suwan Pooposakul.

Last year’s winner, Marco Miagostovich, was unable to be present to defend his title, while the writer, caught out by the wind shift, had to settle for tenth place.

A New Oasis opens in Pattaya

The first Lawn Bowls Green in the Eastern Region

Pattaya, as always is open to new ideas and new projects. To no surprise a couple of enterprising gentleman have opened up the first Lawn Bowls Club on the Eastern Seaboard (if not Thailand)and boasts an international standard bowling green. The idea sprang from the fact that Lawn Bowls, believe it or not, is very popular throughout Europe, Australia and other parts of the world. Unfortunately during the winter seasons bowling is practically impossible not only due to the cold but because the green must be well taken care of. With Thailand’s, in particularly Pattaya’s climate, this new addition to the international bowling circuit has an all year round potential for adamant bowlers.

The Bowling Green after it’s inaugural cut.

The Club well set out with, pool table and darts boards for the sports minded people and offers an attractive setting, for those a less active a restaurant and bar with comfortable seating arrangements.

With green having been laid just before Christmas, it will up to Mother Nature as to when the green will be ready to bowl on. It is expected however, that competition bowling can begin sometime in the middle of February and the first tournament around the middle of April, again it will all depend on nature’s temperament.

The Bowling Green is open daily and located next to Soi Chaiyapool (between Soi Buakhow and Pattaya Third Road), you can call them for further information on (038)720 741.

Pleasure Dome remains udefeated

When the Friday Night Mickey Mouse Darts League resumed play on January 12 after a long break for the holidays and elections, Pleasure Dome didn’t miss a step. The Dome defeated Mick’s Place for their 8th consecutive win to start the season. Although they went home thirsty that night (lost the beer leg), the victory keeps them atop the league standings.

Hot on their trail, however, is Yorkie, who have only lost one match this season. Yorkie swept match and beer over Cheers in week 8, and will now look forward to a showdown with Pleasure Dome in week 9.

In other week 8 action, Rising Sun swept match and beer over Devonshire, and Palmer’s swept match and beer over Smugglers Rest, keeping the Smugglers from gaining that elusive first win of the season.

To date, Tim from Rising Sun leads the league with a high out of 140, and Ian has already accomplished two perfect 180s.

This week (19 Jan.) sees Rising Sun v Mick’s Place, Yorkie v Pleasure Dome, Cheers v Palmer’s, and Smugglers Rest v Devonshire.

League Table

	Won	Lost	B/L	U10s
Pleasure Dome Yorkie Rising Sun Mick’s Place Cheers Palmer’s Devonshire Smugglers Rest	8 7 5 4 3 3 2 0	0 1 3 4 5 5 6 8	5 7 5 3 4 4 3 1	50 35 57 61 45 46 68 49

Little hits big time at PSC Monthly Medal

On Thursday January 11 Natural Park Resort played host to 92 PSC golfers vying for this month’s medal honours. The course could be said to have won the day with only 5 players managing to better par. The reason was probably the greens, which were a good deal quicker than we have played recently. As this was a stroke event some delays were experienced but overall a fair challenge. The water gods claimed a fair tribute helping boost general scoring and slowing the pace a bit.

None of the above bothered C Flight winner Jimmy Little who can say goodbye to his 21 handicap after returning the days best, net 66. Asked to comment on which part of his game was working, Jimmy replied, “all of it!”

Samorn Wehrli added glamour to the proceedings, winning the D Flight with a net 74. It was good to see some local ladies featuring.

Doug Douglas, bemoaning his recent form, suggested at registration that his 16 handicap was too tough. Well Doug, it could get harder if you keep returning 69s. Doug won the B Flight on count back from Sture Briseholm, who also had a net 69.

Stefan Andersson carded a gross 75 of his 4 handicap giving him a net 71 and the A Flight trophy.

PSC Golf would like to congratulate the management on the condition of the course and thank them for the generous green fee offered for this event. Our thanks also to Northern Thai Realty & Insurance, who again co-sponsored the event. Shenanigans, Green Bottle, Kronborg, Rosie O’Grady’s and Papasan Ray made their usual generous contributions for which we are most grateful.

Presentations were held at Natural Park Resort and again there were many fine lucky draw prizes. All in all another fine day out on an excellent course. Our congratulations to the winners, for it also runs again next month at Great Lake on February 9. Look for the sign up at the PSC Office, Soi Diana Inn soon. Until next month, good golfing.

Results

A flight
Winner: Stefan Andersson, net 71
Second: Rainer Helling, 72
Third: Ray Matti, 73
Lucky Seven (7th place): Darren Ottaway, 74
Booby Prize (next to last): John O’Brien

B flight
Winner: Doug Douglas, net 69 (c/b)
Second: Sture Briseholm, 69
Third: Russell Finch, 70
Lucky Seven (7th place): Ebrahim, 74
Booby Prize (next to last): Jim Sharen

C flight
Winner: Jimmy Little, net 66
Second: Prasan Boonsiri, 73
Third: Ed Trayling, 74
Lucky Seven (7th place): Ken Ince, 77 (c/b)
Booby Prize (next to last): Mauri Virolainen

D flight
Winner: Samorn Wehrli, net 74
Second: Bjorn Elderyd, 76 (c/b)
Third: Viv Lill, 76
Lucky Seven (7th place): Bill Fain, 84
Booby Prize (next to last): Olli Helling

Near pins: B4 Rainer Helling, B6 Darren Ottaway, C4 Ray Matti, C7 Sture Briseholm

Longest first putt: B9 Harry Bauman, C9 Russell Finch

Long drive: C6 Darren Robson

Shenanigans announce the ‘Shenanigans International Ladies Open’

Shenanigans are breaking new ground on Tuesday 27th February when the inaugural ‘Shenanigans International Ladies Open’ will take place at Eastern Star.

Full details have yet to be announced, but tournament director Mike Franklin commented, “A ‘ladies only’ tournament has been on the cards for some while now and it was just a question of there being a suitably sized field available. Now, with more ladies playing golf and an increasing number of Thai wives and girlfriends becoming very enthusiastic and very capable on the golf course, it seems a good time to do it.

“This will be an ‘Open’ tournament and there will be no requirement to belong to any group, club or society. A handicap will be required, but we will even accommodate non-handicapped players who will be able to play along and compete for the technical prizes.”

Put it in the diary - Tuesday February 27th at Eastern Star Resort.

Belander and Strub win at Great Lake

PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg

Monday, January 8 - Great Lake (Stableford)

The ever-improving Great Lake Golf and Country Club was the venue for 40 golfers playing a Stableford format.

Bennart Belander took the A flight with 36 points, followed by Sture Briseholm in 2nd with 35, Kris Helgason 3rd with 35 and Per Petterson 4th with 34 on count back from Ebrahim and Rick Montana.

Werner Strub won B flight on 39 points. Udo Waack finished 2nd with 38, followed by Dave Richardson 3rd with 35 and Elin Hansen 4th with 33 points.

Near pins: #5 Lars Olafsson, #7 Don Richardson, #12 Anni Ramberg, and #16 Ed McMurray.

Long putts: #9 Anni Ramberg and #18 Chris Davisson.

PSC thanks Charity Classic 2001 sponsors

Pattaya Sports Club Golf wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the many sponsors who have donated both cash and prizes to the Charity Classic 2001, which is being held today, Friday, 19th January at Phoenix Golf Club. Through their generosity a considerable sum is expected to be raised for the new Girls’ Home to be constructed at the Pattaya Orphanage Street Kids Centre located off Siam Country Club Road near the Elephant Farm. The Pattaya Sports Club is proud to be a supporter of children charities in our community.

The following names are those who have confirmed sponsorship to date and no doubt there will be further additions by the time the big day arrives:

Ali Baba Restaurant, Amari Orchid Resort, American Diamond Cutting Works, Baltex,

Bartercard Thailand, Bernie Tuppin, Bill Collis, Bill Thompson, Blue Parrot Restaurant,

Bourbon Street Restaurant, Brian Ellis, Bruno’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, Cafe Kronborg,

Captains Corner Restaurant, Carol & Richard Smith, CJ’s Dive Shop & Guest House, Classic Tailor, CMI Consultants, Crathco Co Ltd, Deborah Services Ltd, Diana Group, Eastern Star Resort, Eddie Blackwell, Far East Rock/Las Vegas A Go Go, Gerry Carpenter, Good Golf Pattaya, Great Lakes Golf Course, Green Valley Golf Course, Ivor Sewell, Jim Savage, King Seafood, Kronborg PSC Golf, Laem Chabang Golf Course, Lewiinski’s Hotel & Restaurant,

Mermaid’s Dive Shop, Mike May, O La La Entertainment Complex, Papasan Ray Rogers, Pattaya Bungee Jump, Pattaya Country Club, Pattaya Driving Range, Pattaya Hash House Harriers, Pattaya Mail, Phoenix Golf Course, PSC Golf Calendars, Ray Caron Golf Professional, Ron Herbert, Rosie O’Gradys, Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, Royal Cliff Sports and Fitness Club, Shenanigans, Sher ‘e’ Punjab Restaurants, Tahitian Queen, Team Canada, Thavorn Palm Beach Resort - Phuket, The Jesters, Town in Town Hotel, Wattana Computers, White House Hotel, Wild Chicken Restaurant.

George and Les star as Wee Willy pulls out a big one

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker

On Tuesday, 9th January, thirty-eight Bunker Boys travelled the short journey to Phoenix Golf Club to play a medal competition. The cut was at 21 and under and some good scores were recorded in both divisions.

In division two Peter MacKay returned a net 71 in third place, Tom “Wee Willy” Waldron left his zimmer frame at home to come second with 70, and the winner, with the best round of the day, was Les Winch on net 68.

Division one saw Phoenix member Hannu shoot a net par off his eight handicap to finish third. Bruce “Bambi” Lawrence came second with 71 and the winner was, once again, George Meigh, with 69.

Nearest-the-pin awards went to Peter MacKay, George Meigh, Keith Hector and “Houdini” himself, Paul Butler.

More shoulders his way to bragging rights

Three Sisters Golf

On Monday, the Three Sisters Golfers met at Siam after a layoff due to the holidays. John Moore, who hasn’t played much due to a bad shoulder, took everyone by surprise by scoring 42 points. John birded number 4, which is a par three, and made pars on the 7th and 11th, which are not the easiest to par at Siam. John said his shoulder was feeling better after getting some cortisone shots from his doctor. I hope that it keeps his game going for the next couple of months - it was nice to see John back on the golf course. Although John wanted the money as the winner, we told him that all he had was the bragging rights as we drank up the beers.

Vic Cross came in with a blazing 37 points to place a distant second. Brian O’Gorman gave a good chase with 36 points but could not catch the winners. Others were in the hunt with 35 points but the bunkers and trees got in their way through the green.

We noticed that Paul Kraft was definitely attacking a lot of the trees on his way around the course and Brian O’Gorman liked playing from the sand. Bob Moberg was hitting some of the balls, but then again he missed a few also. Bob’s game is improving with every round and I expect him to be around a 20 handicap shortly. Fast Eddie forgot how to hit the ball since he beat Herb left handed and shot a 132 (66/66). Herb wished that he would have played like that on their match. Herb shot 100 and possibly should have played left handed as there wasn’t much difference with his right-handed clubs.

As it was, we all had a good time for our New Year’s opening game. We wish all venues a Happy New Year and good golfing to all participants wherever you golf.

Why Peter Cummins is a “Classic”

Regatta dedicated to RVYC commodore

The Pattaya Mail PC Classic - Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta will be held this year on the 24th of February. Open to all classes, on a handicap system, the PC Classic has become an important annual event on the Royal Varuna Yacht Club calendar and is actually celebrating one man’s dedication to Thailand’s yachting fraternity. That man is the Pattaya Mail’s yachting correspondent, Peter Cummins.

Peter Cummins displays the coveted Pattaya Mail P.C. Classic trophy. Made of a rare timber sourced in Tasmania and carved by a craftsman there, it is in the shape of the small island itself.

Cummins is to sailing on the waves as Cousteau is to sinking beneath them - synonymous. He was the first Thailand-based photo-journalist to be commissioned to cover the finals of the America’s Cup, held last year in New Zealand. Is he then a giant among journalists?

Peter Cummins would laugh at that one, standing a shade over five foot three fully erect, no matter what time of day. With his vertically challenged frame, he slips easily under the boom. But make no mistake about it, Peter Cummins has had salt water running through his veins since he was 15 years old and inherited his elder brother’s dinghy, to sail on the inhospitable waters around his native Tasmania.

In all fields of human endeavour there is an old adage that is often applied - “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” That is sometimes extended into “Those who can’t teach write about it.” That does not describe Peter Cummins. Even though he does not boast about it, he has won an Australian National Championship in the Cadet Dinghy class and has even won a gold medal here in the International Enterprise Dinghy class, a division where the Thai champion Vinai Vongtim, with nine gold medals, has been almost invincible. “I won it once - Vinai was sick,” said Cummins, his weather-beaten face creasing up with laughter at his own joke upon himself.

With an Olympic course set close to shore, the competition in this year’s Pattaya Mail P.C. Classic - Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta will be visible to all.

Cummins’ association with Pattaya and sailing goes back to the early 70s, when he joined the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, rising to become the Commodore of the club in the mid ’70s. In those days, he sailed in the Enterprise class with his dinghy named Zorba. “I was on a freedom kick in those days.” His later dinghies were called Midnight Express and Midnight Special, Cummins obviously being on a nocturnal kick by then, a characteristic he still exhibits.

However, as happens to us all as we get older, things don’t get harder - it just becomes more difficult, and Peter Cummins began to find the weight of the Enterprise a little too much, so in the early 90s he switched to the OK class. A solo craft, he could commune with nature at his own pace.

Royal Cliff Beach Resort as will be seen from the perspective of the Pattaya Mail PC Classic sailors as they race towards the finishing line.

The next marker buoy to round for the OK sailor was “official” retirement, aged 60, in 1995. This momentous occasion did not go un-noticed by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club which decided to dedicate a race to their past commodore - and the first PC Classic was run.

Since then, it has become an annual event and has always been won by an international yachtsman, with the German Patrick Helms in a Laser winning it four times and Jens Overgaard, once in his Fireball. Peter Cummins has even raced in his own Classic, too. “I only ever sailed it once. In full view of the finish I had a very well publicised capsize. There I was, upside down in the Gulf!” and he collapses into laughter again at his own misfortune.

The “Pattaya Mail PC Classic 2001” will be international event under the aegis of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and managed by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. It will present a splendid spectacle as the estimated some 40 - 50 craft start off from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club start line, set in the bay contiguous to the resort. From there, an Olympic course will keep the fleets well in sight, before finishing right in front of the hotel and then beaching at the Royal Wing.

Khun Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the resort, will preside over a reception and awards ceremony right on the beachfront of the magnificent Royal Cliff complex. It was on the ninth of December 15 years ago, when a similar event was held to celebrate the official opening of the five-star Royal Wing - undisputedly the region’s best.

The Royal Cliff support, as general manager Andrew J. Wood noted, “will bring one of Pattaya’s best-known - but little seen - marine activities to the fore, by staging the event close in-shore, rather than out mid-stream in the Gulf.”

The perpetual trophy for this race also celebrates Cummins’ origins. Made of a rare timber sourced in Tasmania and carved by a craftsman there, it is in the shape of the small island itself.

But Cummins, like his race, is here to stay. He wants, “The Pattaya Mail P.C. Classic to become a vehicle for promoting Pattaya as a haven for water sports.” That is a course of action that Cummins has pushed ceaselessly for the past twenty years, in all forms of the media. It is fitting that someone who remembers Pattaya at all times, should, in return, be remembered by Pattaya.

UNICEF and former PM Anand Panyarachun to host golf tournament

Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun and HE Gamini Abeysekera, UNICEF representative for Thailand have announced the establishment of an annual golf tournament to raise funds for UNICEF programs in Thailand. The tournament, titled the Khun Anand Panyarachun Charity Golf Invitational for UNICEF, is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2001 at the Eastern Star Golf Resort & Country Club in Ban Chang, Rayong Province.

Khun Anand, who is also the UNICEF ambassador for Thailand, will host a private reception for major sponsors at his residence at the golf course the evening before the tournament. Organisers say that they hope to combine the growing popularity of golf in Thailand with an internationally recognized organization such as UNICEF to raise money for disadvantaged children in Thailand.

The tournament will be an invitational event, and the number of golfers will be limited to ensure an enjoyable golfing experience for the participants. The format will be a four-ball scramble, with a large selection of technical prizes, a lucky draw, and the winning team to receive the “Khun Anand-UNICEF Cup” to be presented by Khun Anand at the awards ceremony on Saturday evening. All proceeds and donations will go to help support UNICEF programs in Thailand.

The Eastern Star Golf Resort & Country Club features an eighteen hole championship Robert Trent Jones, Jr. golf course that has been the venue for many local and regional tournaments. It is one of five Robert Trent Jones, Jr. courses in Thailand, and is located in Ban Chang, Rayong Province, next to U-Tapao Airport.

UNICEF - The United Nations Children’s Fund - has been active in Thailand for more than fifty years providing education, research, protection, health care, and support for the rights of children. In numerous projects throughout Thailand, UNICEF helps develop families and communities, helps underprivileged children in need of special care, promotes education for life, and strengthens local planning to assist in better local child monitoring and protection.

For additional information, please contact: Kajorn Veerapong, UNICEF Office for Thailand, tel. (02) 280-5931 X 808, fax (02) 281-6032 - 3, email [email protected] or Tom Cole at Eastern Star Golf Resort, tel. (038) 630410-6, fax (038) 630418 or email [email protected]

PH3 Run 879

Yet another sunny day in Siam, and as yesterday was the Sabbath today must be Monday! And we all know what that means, loads of beer! But first the usual sign-up at the Scandi Bar, avoiding the already drunk Australian. On to the bus and on-on to the almost secret A site (ask Sir Airhead about that, he was last seen screaming down Sukhumvit on his two wheeled stallion! Going in the general direction of Sattahip, not to be seen again that day).

Nice secluded A site in the shadow of Buddha Mountain, form a circle, new shoes in and then the Hares Salvatore and Tampax pointed everybody in the wrong direction. Good start! As it happens a really nice scenic run, avoiding the Australian shouting in the Hares ear, “which way now?” Whilst he stood on the check!

Front runners were back in 40 minutes and the intrepid tail enders were back in 1 hour 10 min. No dogs, no buffaloes, no snakes, not bad for two Hares who do not talk to each other (so rumour has it).

Circle called, normal routine, the lovely Ewok carried out the now all-girlie prize winning raffle! Ewok where is our calendar? Hares in on the ice for the usual treatment. Returners in. Enter Festering Streaker and C. Face for moving traffic violations whilst on a shopping trip? No bad RA this week, he was somewhere else in Thailand by now loping his mule! So in with the diminutive Good RA, all Australians in for being Aussies plus Free Willy (both parents in jail, so hon. Aussie). Festering Streaker in to be the Ugly RA. Full moon bathing the circle, which proved too much for some romantics of the Swiss/Norwegian community! Alas no such thing for C. Face as he has not had sex for a week due to injuries inflicted on him by the Ace Driver Festering Streaker. However, Pies informs me Rottweiler reckons she has!

Hares back in to be serenaded by Chicken Fellow/Nugget to the rule 6 song. Around about this time a certain female member tried to sneak off in her car without being noticed, and had to be helped out of the ditch. No names will be mentioned, but try using your headlights instead of the Force.

Hash hymn sung and then on to TQ2 (special forces tattoos bar) for hot dogs, cold beers and hot women, cheers Spunk Bubble! All in all a bloody good day. See you all next week.

On On P Guitarist

Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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