|
Patrick van den Bergh scores 3rd round KO
The Square Ring Special Edition
by Howie Reed
Patrick
van den Bergh (center) holds up his trophy and belt after knocking out
Wirachat Sitpholek to claim the Thepprasit International Boxing Title.
It was a SRO crowd, that would be standing room only,
that saw Patrick “The Flying Frog” win a convincing 3 rd
round KO over Wirachat Sitpholek to claim the Thepprasit International
Boxing Title and all the accolades and trappings that go with it.
In his comeback career Patrick has won all four of his
contests in the third round. “Looks like this is my round.” Yes, one
could say that. Most ringside observers gave the Thai the first round as
Patrick allowed him free rein. But the effort of the first round took its
toll on Sitpholek, as he slowed noticeably in the second. This presented
Patrick the opportunity to shift into fighting gear in preparation to
writing THE END.
In round 2, with Sitpholek in the corner, a combination
of good body shots punctuated with an uppercut was a precursor of what was
to come in round three. The Thai laughed at the combination. “When a
Thai laughs it means they’re hurt,” explained Patrick.
In the 3 rd
round, with the Thai again trapped in the corner, Patrick unleashed a
combination body attack which finished with an uppercut that landed on the
point of the chin. Sitpholek went down for the count. The referee could
have counted to 20 with little change in the outcome.
After the fight Patrick reflected back, “I lost the
first round because I didn’t hit enough, but that was my plan, make him
tired first, don’t get hurt and rush the speed and then bingo, go for
it. I am not hurt, only some ribs, but that’s boxing, not golf!”
The full house, which was entertained by dancing girls
(aka walking to music), ring girls and six fights, also watched as
Yodpayak Chor-Prasobchoke lost again to Mott Eck. The latter retained his
Chonburi Title.
Next for the popular Belgian? “I will go to Belgium
and fight one more time for my own public. Is this a good one, maybe I
will get a title shot for the Belgium Title, if not I’ll do a last fight
in July for charity and then become a trainer and teach the youngsters
here in Thailand the noble art of boxing. Time the to quit in glory and
not as slain bulldog.”
If you attended the big fight in Pattaya you might have
missed WBA #12 and PABA 122-lb interim champ Somsak Sithchatchawal
(27-1-1) stopping PABA #5 Hari Suahariyadi (Indonesia) in the third to
become the new PABA superbantam champion. The fight was held in
Nakornrachasima (Korat).
In other action, former WBF lightfly champ, currently
ranked PABA #7 superfly Sairung Suwanasil easily stopped Nuopetch
Sithnaruepol in the first round.
Since last we talked there’ve been some fights whose
results need to be recognized. WBA/IBF #10 bantam Ratanachai Vorapin
(44-7, 31KO’s) won a eight round UD over Filipino Ray Llagas at
Bangbuathong, Nonthaburi. There were no knockdowns but the bout was called
“entertaining” by the unnamed person I quoted. Vorapin improves to
44-7 (31 KOs). Former WBC minimum champ, WBC #4/IBF #9 fly Wandee Chareon
(34-3) easily won a 6 round UD over Indonesian Christian Casino.
Jackson & Bruce claim Shenanigans March Scramble
by Mike Franklin
George Jackson and Clive Bruce grossed two under par to
return a net score of 65.6 and win the Shenanigans March Pairs Scramble at
Eastern Star. Less then half a shot behind were Bill Hurd and Phil Groves
with a net 66 in second place, and just a fifth of a shot behind them were
the Hanleys, John and Lamun, with net 66.2.
 (L
to R) Shenanigans March Scramble winners Clive Bruce and George Jackson
receive their awards from Mike Franklin.
The day was windy, mainly overcast and feeling
noticeably warmer as we get into March. A good field of forty-three
players included some new faces and the welcome return of the Kretschmas,
Shane & Aew; Lief Falck Pedersen, and Keeratika (Jaz) Lohakoon back on
the tee after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Newcomers were Peter Foster and Mike Druce; Daryl &
Toy Blair; Mark Williamson, Lenny Williams and Jerry McCarthy.
The course is currently in fine shape with new sand
about to be added to bunkers, and hazard stakes moved, where necessary, to
positions that will ensure a ‘level lie’ drop.
The technical prizes for near pins were claimed by Phil
Groves, Toy Ryser, Usa Chaiyusit and Ray Woodruffe. Usa out-putted Ed
Trayling on the ninth, and organizer Mike Franklin added a further four
yards to Clive Bruce’s eight yard putt to claim the longest putt on the
eighteenth. This extraordinary feat was attributed to the resurrection of
Mike’s original ‘Ping Answer’’ putter, not used for a decade.
It was the usual friendly and fun Shenanigans day at
Eastern Star, followed by the now established fortnightly party back at
Shenanigans. Most of the fourteen ladies that played positioned themselves
at the long table in front of the bar, (now a regular feature on these
occasions), and clearly enjoyed an evening of real Thai ‘sanuk’.
A Pairs Better Ball is next on the fixture list for
Tuesday March 19 th, so please
sign-up early, in pairs, at Shenanigans.
House of the Golden Coin increases their 1st place lead
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Klaus
and Tue had two games each over 200, while Toy, Ken, Morn and Tui each had
one.
House of Golden Coin had no 200 game bowlers, but with
a good team effort won 4-0 from Cafe Ole to increase their lead in the
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League.
VFW has not given up, however, as they won 3-1 against
Cafe Kronborg to try and keep close.
In other PSC Bowling action, Sultan of Swing beat
Shakey Pete’s 3-1 and Three Sisters won 4-0 from the Winchester Club,
who have been in a slump for several weeks.
Mio’s team still leads Tuesday Bowling League
The Cafe Kronborg Tuesday Bowling League
After a short break from reporting, the PSC Cafe
Kronborg Bowling League is back with results from the last two rounds,
weeks 24 - 25.
Kran’s team had 3-1 wins in both weeks, first against
Nual and then Otto, with Songkran rolling a game of 201 and a series of
556 this week.
 Bowlers
reaching or breaking the 200 mark this week were (from left) Mio 200, La
209, Tue 200, Songkran 201.
Mio’s team had mixed results, first a 2-2 draw
against Otto’s team, then a 3-1 win against Jeed’s team. Mio again
showed good form last week with a game of 200 and a series of 557, with
Wan helping out with 547.
Udom’s team also had mixed results, first a win
against Jeed’s team 3-1, to be followed by a loss against Nual’s team
1-3 this week.
Bowlers rolling strings of 200 or more over the two
weeks were La 209, Tue 200, Mio 200, and Songkran 201.
The turnout over the last two weeks has been lower than
normal, and the club still welcomes visitors on Tuesday afternoons at
13:30, for a fun game.
Team standings
after March 5
| |
Won |
Lost |
|
1. Mio
2. Kran
3. Jeed
4. Udom (S)
5. Nual
6. Otto |
62.5
59.5
49
47
45
37 |
37.5
40.5
51
53
55
63 |
Captain Bob bounces dog whilst Gordon Langtry takes first and second
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 4th March - Khao Kheow
(Medal)
Due to an unusually heavy rainstorm that completely
saturated the course for a period of play, the day’s competition was
cancelled. In the end only 40% of the field managed to complete the whole
course and of these, Serge Straeten returned a net 72, off the yellow
tees, which would have proved to be the winning score.
Unlucky Serge, better luck next time, which should not
be long in coming.
Wednesday 6th March - Burapha
East Course (Stableford)
1st Division
1st: Mike Morris, 43
2nd: Al Rolnik, 41
3rd: Doug Campbell, 37
4th: Rick Schramm, 37
2nd Division
1st: Gordon Langtry, 38
2nd: Brian Kelly, 37
3rd: Glynn Nicholas, 35
4th: Bert Guy, 35
Following the disappointing day at Khao Kheow, a large
group turned out for the competition at the very well maintained Burapha
to play off the blue tees. The results were counting towards the
season’s order of merit table, which added extra interest for the
regulars.
In the first division Mike Morris led home the field
with a fine gross 75 to relegate Big Al Rolnik to second place with a
score that was good enough to win on any other day. Doug Campbell and Rick
Schramm scrambled over the minor places after count back.
The second division was headed by Gordon Langtry taking
his first trophy for some time, just pipping Brian Kelly, who is in
renaissance at present, and leaving returnee Bert Guy and Glynn Nicholas
to be separated on count back in the minor places.
Friday 8th March - Century Ban
Chan (Bogey)
1st: Gordon Langtry, 3 up
2nd: Andy Pedlar, 1 up
3rd: Rick Bevington, all square
4th: Tom Breslin, 3 down, cb9 -2, cb6 +1
5th: Bob Lindborg, 3 down, cb9 -2, cb6 a/s
6th: Richard Jones, 3 down, cb9 -2, cb6 -1, cb3 a/s
7th: Stephen Beard, 3 down, cb9 -2, cb6 -1, cb3 -1
The always-difficult Nick Faldo designed course at Ban
Chan again proved to be hard to score against in a Bogey competition,
which is match play against the par for the hole, and only two players
managed to better “old man par”. Again it was Gordon Langtry, with a
very creditable 3 up, who headed the pack with Andy Pedlar making his
first visit to the podium in second place.
The twos pool was shared between Samantha Burke, Tony
Barritt and Andy Pedlar.
During the week Richard Livingston, the resident PGA
professional, welcomed new members Mick Gray, Nigel Howarth and Richard
Jones all from the UK. He also welcomed back old friends, Mark Adair from
Australia together with a trio of old pals from his old club in England,
Alan Venner, Bruce Horn and present club captain, Bob Heath a.k.a. Captain
2002, at least that is what is embroidered on his underpants.
Captain Bob claimed the hole of the day on the tenth
with an amazing doggy four. With a stray dog happily snoozing on the tee,
Bob took an almighty swipe at the ball sending it off the hapless dogs
back into the distance on the wrong fairway, nobbled out to nowhere, then
smashed something on to the green and sank the putt. His comment was
“I’ve had a few dogs in my time but this is certainly the most
memorable”. The dog was less impressed.
Ray Carter squeaks into top spot with 40 points
Three Sisters Golf
Ten handicapper, Ray Carter squeaked by on Monday,
March 4 to win the bragging rights from the Three Sisters group of
golfers. Although Ray played well, he and his partner could not beat a
pair of high handicappers who almost cleaned their clock. Ray came in with
a respectable 40 points.
Doug Powell, who is always near the top, also came in
with 40 points but lost on count back in a squeaker - Doug came short by a
point.
Stumbling just behind the leaders was PSC golf chairman
Steve Donovan with 39 points. Steve almost made it to the top but missed a
few crucial shots to put him in third place.
Close behind Steve with 38 points were George Davis,
Bob Moberg and Andy Bettany. The competition was tough but Ray managed to
hold on for the win and the bragging rights for the week.
Holding the bag for the week was none other than Big
Mike Riley. Mike, who is in from Singapore for a short vacation, almost
got caught holding the bag last week. This week Mike managed to snatch the
bag away from Russell Finch who had 23 points. At first it was thought
that Russell had the bag for the week, but when Mike arrived with his card
at Caddy Shack Two, you could hear Russell give a sigh of relief as the
bag got lifted from his shoulders onto Mike’s. Good old Mike had come in
with 22 points - one below Russell’s to take the honor as bag holder of
the week.
The bragging and joking could be heard for a while as
the players enjoyed the snacks supplied by Gordo and Russell. The potato
salad with hamburgers and beans went down well as it was chased down with
good cold beer. (Thanks Gordo and Russell.)
Unfinished business at Sattahip
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
There was a time, a year or so ago, when the only
disappointing feature of the Navy course at Sattahip was the cramped
locker room. The course always was, and still is, in good playing
condition. When the Bunker Boys went there for their weekly medal
competition on Tuesday, 7th March, they were to be very disappointed. With
the closure of the old building the locker room in the new clubhouse is
complete and very spacious but the rest of the building was far from
ready, with no restaurant facilities, lounge, shop or even water! The
other major problem is that the scorecards have not been updated to allow
for the course restructuring and consequently it is impossible top play a
Stableford format or make adjustments after the round in medal play.
Having written that, the results showed again what a
class player Michael Dige is. He shot a gross 75, net 70, to share the
division one prize, with ex-train driver Harry Cowling coming in like an
express to join him. American Rick Schram came third with net 73.
In division two Jean-Pierre Nadeau scored a creditable
net 71 to take the top prize, with the Guru, Mick Jones, shooting 73 and
the Bunker Banker, Chris John trailing in third on net 74.
The Bunker Super Sawng award was shared by Michael Dige,
“rabbit” Bryn Jones, and the transport manager, playing with a broken
rib, John Preddy. Bryn Jones was also in the running for the Bunker Banana
Booby, with his gross 138, but at the end of the day it was awarded to
Michael Dige for dropping three shots to the course par. Tut, tut,
Michael, start practicing!
The Bunker welcomes golfers of all levels but
respectfully advises that in the case of a player holding two or more
handicaps, the lowest handicap is the only one accepted. This is the
world-wide standard and the one the Bunker wishes to adhere to.
“Standards” is what golf is all about, after all.
Mr Loy finds the secret at Eastern Star
On Friday, 8th March the Bunker
Boys roadshow visited picturesque Eastern Star Golf Resort for their
weekly Stableford competition. The day was heavy and overcast but the
beautifully presented course did not disappoint.
The large field was cut at 18 and under and in division
one “Mr Loy”, Roy Mitchell proved at last he can master a course which
has always been unkind to his sliced shots. He was to share the top spot
with John Hanley, both recording 39 points, with Per Aschan shooting 38
off his eight handicap in third place.
In division two Lamud Hanley made it a family double by
taking the day with 35 points, pipping Bill Jones, 34, and David Johnson
and Colin Morgan with their 32’s.
Mikeal Andersson, Keith Hector and Mr Loy all recorded
two’s on their cards to give them a share of the Bunker Super Sawng
award and it was to the great delight of the assembled throng in Soi
Chaiyapool that the Bunker Banana Booby was awarded to the Pathfinder,
Chris John, for his dismal 20 point haul. It has long been Chris’ proud
boast that he has never been fingered for this honour, but, alas Chris,
all things come to he who waits!
Mr Loy was later to reveal the secret of his success at
Eastern Star - it was playing with the inspirational Guru, Mick Jones.
For more inspiration visit http://www.thebunkerboys
.com
Howie Forrest was the “nearly man”
PSC Golf from Cafe Kronborg
Monday 4 March - Nobel Place (Stableford)
A long drive to the course and a not particularly
memorable round in humid heat, saw me struggling back to the clubhouse,
when I espied Howie Forrest slumped over the steering wheel of his cart
(obviously a rich man!). “How’d it go Howie?” I asked, more to be
polite than expecting great revelations. Dredging up the last remnants of
strength before he fell out of the cart he replied, “Not good but at
least I played the best in my group with 33 points, the other two had 32
points only.”
 Howie
Forrest - the nearly man.
The A flight was won by Robert Lamond with 38 points.
Robert has just returned from Aussie and for his first competitive round
played very well indeed. Second was Michael Dige with 35 points off his
new handicap of 5. Third was Ebrahim with 34 points.
The B flight scores were rather disappointing and the
winner was John Cahill on 32 points on count back over second Harald
Gruber (note Harald not Harold, especially for his ‘friends’ in
Austria) on 32 points, and third with a magnificent 29 points was Cees
Bosman on count back over Laurina Brinn. We had one near pin only as a
novelty; this was won by Don Richardson.
When the results were declared there was one very
unlucky Howie, because the flights were A 0-19 and B 20 upwards, and Howie
has a handicap of 19 so he didn’t make the frame in A flight, and guess
who he played with: John Cahill and Harald Gruber. Who said life isn’t
fair?
Thursday 7 March - Bangpra (Stableford)
Under threatening skies, thirty plus golfers set off
for the Bangpra layout. The skies not only threatened but delivered and
flooded the areas north of Laem Chabang causing the 9:30 a.m. tee off
having to be put back until 11 a.m.
The course drained beautifully, which was reflected in
the scores of both A flight, 0-18 and B flight, 19 upwards. Don Richardson
took the A flight with 38 points, Wayne Koch was second with 37 points
beating Chris Davisson also 37 points into third on count back; fourth was
Aku Ahu on 32 points.
Charlie Scott took the B flight with 41 points, second
was Marcel Wittwer on 39 points, third was John Cahill on 37 points, and
Rick Bevington won fourth place with 34 points on count back from a bevy
of players, namely Ricky Ferguson, Art Bailey and Mick O’Connor, also on
34 points.
Near pins: Rick Schramm at no’s 2, 8 and 17. Pete
Galle no 12.
Long putts: #9 Pete Galle and #18 Harald Gruber.
PH3
Run 939
Arriving 10 mins after the run had started, I was not
privy to the new shoes nor the hares, Charlie Manson and A Breadfruit
explaining the run. I was lucky enough, however, to obtain a motorcycle
ride from Charlie Manson to the first checkpoint, which allowed me to join
the run. This indiscretion enabled the bad RA Sir Airhead to inflict ice
time for both Charlie and myself.
After the usual chitchat and munchies the circle was
called. The raffle was then taken care of, as always, by the beautiful
Ewok, the highlight being ice time and double down down for 1/4 Pounder
With Cheese, the reason for which I know not.
GM Fini then iced the hares and asked the runners what
they thought of the run. Sir Airhead said it was the ‘Best run ever’
with all the elephants and snakes, the result of which gave him time to
sit with the hares.
Returners dealt with and the circle was then given to
Sir Airhead for some religion. Sir Chicken F was iced for finding Sir
Airhead’s seat that had disappeared and he was joined on the ice by the
hares who received the thumbs up from the hashers for a good run. Then it
was time for myself - KBB and Charlie to enjoy a cold seat for our
transportation violation.
Holy water was then called for, a double christening
for FD’s crack and kid, who were named Bow Wow and Puppy. Made In Taiwan
was iced and given a Taiwanese newspaper to ease any homesickness and
allow him to read his Mandarin Chinese which he has mastered over six
years? V.V. joined the ice because he speaks French and is from Belgium,
which is reason enough for me.
GM Fini’s circle again and visitors and leavers were
dealt with. Charlie Manson was iced for being a loser. Last week after the
run and being a little peckish he set off for Big C for some tucker. The
result of which was being robbed of 750 baht; expensive food or what?
Sir Chicken F was given the circle; first on ice was
Fini who was now declared a macho man. Since he became Grand Master, gone
are all the pink assortment of clothes, which we associate with Fini. They
have been replaced with army type gear. Sir Chicken F then gave the circle
a great song about Fini as a reminder of his ways. Rule 6 offender from
last week Tampax was again iced for the same offence.
Karamba was next on ice, and an incriminating photo was
displayed to the circle. He was joined on the ice by A Marine Called Mary
because he was the one responsible for introducing him to these African
Queens. Redcoat then sang a song for them. Double down down for A Marine
Called Mary because his mobile phone rang half way through the song.
Fowl F was iced for buying a 2 nd
hand computer system. Back to the GM Fini, he iced Charlie Manson again to
listen to a song from Redcoat explaining how Charlie would love to shoot
the choir, or is that chore (only Fini knows). He was joined on the ice by
Sir Chicken F and Compost Heap, the reason for which I don’t have a
clue, neither did Compost Heap.
The virgins were then dealt with. Fowl F received his
300 th run mug, great stuff.
The hare’s song was done by Redcoat who did a marvellous song called My
Sombrero. Charlie Manson on ice again for yet another mobile phone ringing
violation, will these things ever be turned off? Hash hymn and then back
to Olala for some lovely food, thanks.
On-On - KBB
Pattaya
Orphanage receives a giant tom yam
Two marlin and a
sailfish were among the day’s catch during a nice day of fishing aboard
the Talay Queen. The day was not uneventful, either, as an angler narrowly
missed being speared when the sailfish jumped into the boat, and the first
mate had to dive beneath the boat to free a line before a fish could be
landed. The sailfish was later taken to the Pattaya Orphanage where a tom
yam was planned.
|
