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Aussie Olympians triumph in the TAT All-Stars Women’s Challenge Beach Volleyball Tournament
Sydney
Olympic Gold medallists Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook (right) defeated
fellow countrywomen Angela Clarke and Tania Humphry 21-13, 21-19 to win
the TAT All-Stars Women’s Challenge Beach Volleyball Tournament held
last weekend on the beachfront at Pattaya Park.
Sydney Olympic Gold medallists Kerri Pottharst and
Natalie Cook defeated fellow countrywomen Angela Clarke and Tania Humphry
in straight sets in the finals to win the TAT All-Stars Women’s
Challenge Beach Volleyball Tournament held last weekend on the beachfront
at Pattaya Park.
Pottharst and Cook, Australia’s “A-Team” defeated
Clarke and Humphry, Australia’s “B-team” 21-13, 21-19 in windy
conditions on Sunday, March 31, earning the championship trophies and the
US$4000 first place prize money.
Clarke and Humphry earned US$2,500 for second place.
Thailand’s A-team, gold medallists in the last Asian
Games, Monasanont Pangka and Rattanaporn Arlaiysuk lost to Angela Clarke
and Tania Humphry in the semi-finals 21-17, 17-21, 15-13, but then
defeated Sun Jin and Han Bo from China to salvage 3rd place for the host
country. The two athletic Thai women earned US$1500 for their third place
efforts.
 Sydney
Olympic Gold medallists Kerri Pottharst and Natalie won the TAT All-Stars
Women’s Challenge Beach Volleyball Tournament held last weekend at
Pattaya Park Beach. The event drew some of the world’s top beach
volleyball teams.
The TAT All-Stars Challenge drew high ranking
international teams from China, Australia, Japan and Thailand.
The TAT All-Stars Women’s Beach Volleyball Challenge
was sponsored by the TAT and held in conjunction with the Thailand
Volleyball Association as part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
“Summer Music and Sports” theme, encouraging Thais and visitors to
“tour Thailand every month”.
The prize giving held on the beach at Pattaya Park was
presided over by Chanasak Yuaboon, president of Thai Volleyball
Association. Manit Boonchim, director of the TAT Office Central Region 3,
and Pattaya’s mayor, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat joined Chansak in the
opening and the prize giving ceremonies.
Chris Kwon and Silvana Bauer win Amata Cup tennis titles
 Silvana
Bauer from the Netherlands, shown here receiving her trophy from Vichit
Yaemboonruang, won the women’s singles title at the Amata Cup. She then
teamed with compatriot Elise Tamaela to win the women’s doubles
championship.
American Chris Kwon won the men’s title, while
Silvana Bauer of the Netherlands won the women’s title in the Amata Cup
Thailand International Junior Tennis Championships held last week at the
Siam Bayshore Resort.
In the men’s singles final on Sunday, March 31,
Englishman Nicky Crawley, ranked #58 in the world junior rankings, got off
to a fast start, winning the first set 6-4. But the heat and tenacity of
the higher ranked American eventually wore him down, and world #39 Chris
Kwon eventually defeated Crawley, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in a match that took
nearly two hours.
World #31 Silvana Bauer of the Netherlands had a
somewhat easier finals match against compatriot Elise Tamaela (world #32).
Tamaela kept it close in the first set, but the heat seemed to get to her
as well. After 1 hour 10 minutes, Bauer earned a 6-3, 6-0 victory and the
women’s title.
Silvana Bauer then teamed up with Elise Tamaela to win
the women’s doubles title.
Michel Konning and Bas Van der Valk of the Netherlands
defeated Adam Finney and Chris Guccione to claim the men’s doubles
honors and make it a doubles sweep for the Netherlands.
Thailand’s favorite, 16-year-old Pitsaya Laosrichon,
ranked world #83, was able to reach the quarterfinals, but she was then
defeated by Zsuzsana Babos of Hungary.
The Amata Cup was held under the auspices of the
International Youth Lawn Tennis Championships, and received cooperation
from the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of
H.M. the King. The tournament, held from March 25 through March 31 at the
tennis courts of the Siam Bayshore Hotel and Resort, was an ITF Junior
Circuit Group 1 event.
 Men’s
Amata Cup doubles winners Michel Konning and Bas Van der Valk and the
runners-up Adam Finney and Chris Guccione receive their trophies last week
at the Siam Bayshore Resort.
The event was sponsored for the first time by the Amata
Corporation Co. Ltd., owners of the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estates. In
former years the annual International Youth Tennis Tournament came under
the ‘Mali Cup’ banner.
This year players from more than 30 countries
participated, including USA, India, England, Australia, Netherlands,
Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Croatia, Switzerland, South Korea,
Vietnam, Yugoslavia and Thailand.
Suwat Limptapallop, minister attached to the prime
minister’s office and minister of university affairs, Dr. Vichit
Yaemboonruang, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand and
Vichai Klomdit managing director of Amata Corporation officiated at the
opening ceremony.
Shenanigans sets sail for the ‘Funhill Cup’ 2002
By Mike Franklin
Innovation has always been part of the golf policy at
Shenanigans, Pattaya, so the Funhill Cup this year moves location to
Plutaluang Royal Thai Navy Golf Course.
The South and East courses set the scene for the
traditional Funhill Pairs Scramble on Friday April 26th and a Starboard
Canon start at 10 a.m. The South and East nines present a friendlier
challenge than the more difficult and intimidating holes on the North and
West courses.
A highlight of the day will be to experience the
excellent new clubhouse facilities, officially opened by the president of
the Privy Council, Gen Prem Tinsulanonda on Saturday March 16. This
splendid occasion also featured a celebratory stroke-play golf tournament
with a ‘Broadside Start’ using all four courses for the two flights,
necessary to accommodate the many admirals and senior officers from the
Royal Thai Navy and other distinguished guests.
Led by ‘Anchorman’ Trevor Allen, there will be many
celebrities and friends of Shenanigans Bangkok taking part in this
year’s Funhill Cup on April 26th, so an early sign-up by local Pattaya
golfers is recommended with the field limited to 120 players.
Entries, only with entry fee please, to Kim Fletcher at
Shenanigans Pattaya, or see me, Mike Franklin. Entry forms with full
details are available on Shenanigans Very Friendly Golf Society notice
board, to the right just inside Shenanigans entrance, and available at the
bar.
Team 008 wins Premier’s Cup
Lions Club of Naklua charity bowling tournament raises funds for charity
The
winners and dignitaries at the Lions Club of Naklua charity bowling
tournament held to raise funds for Lions Club’s charities.
Saravudh, Wanchai and Kostia from ‘Team 008’ won
the much-coveted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Trophy last Sunday at
the P.S. Bowl in the Lions Club of Naklua Charity Bowling Tournament to
raise funds for the club’s charity projects.
Most noted amongst the Lions Club projects is the
campaign against drug abuse and to assist underprivileged children.
Santsak Ngampiches, advisor to the minister of Science,
Technology and Environment, presided at the event. Many other trophies and
prizes were won by participating teams.
Amongst the dignitaries who witnessed the event were
Lion Naris Petcharat, the district governor of Lions District 310C,
Chansak Chavalitnititham, MP for Chonburi and Lion Pramot Phatanasin,
president of the Lions Club of Naklua.
Many members of the community supported the event, and
the competition and prize presentations were held in an atmosphere of good
cheer.
Windmills wind up top spot in Lawn Bowls First Division
New lawn bowling season begins
The Windmills’ Frank and Dennis took top position in
first division of the just finished Lawn Bowls League season at the
Bowling Green. Piow and Peter from the Buriram Stompers won the Second
Division championship.
In a separate competition, Peter and Derek won the
League Cup.
At the end of season celebration last Sunday, winners
and runners up were awarded numerous trophies, medals and vouchers for
their participation in the bowling league, held regularly at the Bowling
Green on Soi Drarin (next to X-zyte disco).
 Winners
and runners-up displays the spoils of victory at the end of season awards
presentation party at the Bowling Green on Sunday, March 31.
The Bowling Green’s Martin Stapnill said, “The
quality of bowlers has drastically improved ... many of Pattaya’s
players have defeated visiting county players from England.”
The only ‘yank’, Glenn ‘Jeep’ Holthaus, who
plays regularly, remarked that, “This is a great sport, especially for
an old fart like me.” Well Jeep, you may be right, but the number of
younger players has also increased, and some of the young lady players
also took trophies and medals home from the league.
Jeep won a consolation prize, along with Frank in the
Bill Maitland Trophy competition.
The Bowling Green begins its new season this week with
more new avid bowlers than ever before trying their hand at this old
sport.
Coming soon to the Bowling Green, players from England,
Australia, Philippines, Malaysia and the rest of the world will be
competing for the first ever Pattaya Lawn Bowls “World Cup”.
Results:
First Division
Winners: Dennis and Frank, The Windmills
R/up: Peter and Derek, The Cobblers
Second Division
Winners: Piow and Peter, The Buriram Stompers
R/up: Tong and Upa, The Bowling Green
League Cup
Winners: Peter and Derek
R/up: Martin and Dave
The William (Bill) Maitland Memorial Cup
Winners: Nit and Brendan
R/up: Gerry and Dave
Consolation prize: Jeep and Frank
Singles Club Champion
Frank
R/up: Nit
B.J. Smith, Waroon Taranski and Brian “The Bogeyman” Kelly win the week
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 25th March -
Phoenix Lakes & Ocean (Bogey)
1st: B.J. Smith, 5 up, cb9 4 up, cb6 5 up
2nd: Mark Gorda, 5 up, cb9 4 up, cb6 3 up
3rd: Rick Bevington, 5 up, cb9 3 up
As usual the normally benign Ocean course proved to be
the basis of heavy scoring, with over half the field scoring better than
par, even though the hardest of the three nines, The Lakes, played its’
usual length and difficulty.
B.J., with a fine show of golf over the back nine,
having held the course to even at the turn, headed home a field of which
at least four other players thought they had done enough to win. The count
back was a mere formality with B.J. winning the last five holes and Mark
unable to sustain the pressure over the back six, Rick having been
eliminated at the first hurdle.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed back Chris John
from Soi Chaipoom and Dave Ball from Wolverhampton.
Al Rolnik, Robin Edinboro, Mark Gorda, Dabber, Andy
Pedlar and Dave Ball shared the twos.
Wednesday 27th
March - Eastern Star (Stableford)
1st: Waroon Taranski, 38 pts
2nd: Saranya Chaiyanont, 35
3rd: Russell Finch, 34, cb9 18
4th: Mike Dabanovich, 34, cb9 17
5th: Ann Edinboro, 33
With a good field of low handicappers, it was a
surprise to see the CSS go up three shots to 74 even though the wind was
blowing quite strongly, but the main reason was due to the very uneven
condition of the greens that putted like eight or nine different courses.
Waroon swept all before him shooting nineteen points on both nines and
making it a happy return to The Haven golfing circle. Saranya continues to
improve with every passing week, due no doubt to taking little or no
notice of Harry’s advice on set up and swing plane, or his truck
driving.
After firing a gross 104 on his previous outing at
Phoenix, Russell cleaned up the twos pool on his own.
Prior to the prize giving, Richard welcomed back Paul
Hartley, Michael Izzo and the winner Waroon.
Friday 29th March - Siam
Country Club (stroke play)
1st: Brian Kelly, 69
2nd: Chris John, 71
3rd: Mark Gorda, 72
Brian “The Bogeyman” took the day’s honours,
courtesy of an exceptional homeward nine of 38, which include two birdies,
to leave the rest of the golfers gasping in his wake and record his first
win for some time. Unfortunately he will shortly be returning to The
Channel Islands where the extreme cold and wind will play havoc with his
game.
Chris played well enough to win on any other day, but
was unable to sustain his effort over the last three holes. Mark Gorda
took his second prize of the week with a solid performance.
Dave Spendley, Mark Adair and B.J. shared the twos on
the day.
Prior to the presentations, Richard welcomed new
members Trevor Maloney and Wira Siduang whilst welcoming back Richard Lyne
and Einar Widness. It was also sad to say farewell, even though perhaps
for just a short time, to Big Al who is returning to the USA for a
well-earned rest.
Herbie Ishinaga stays in form, wins Monthly Mug
P.S.C. Golf from Cafe Kronborg
Monday March 25 -
Sattahip North & West Courses (Stableford)
Amongst fair skies and very hot conditions,
twenty-seven golfers travelled to the Royal Thai Navy’s Sattahip layout
for a Stableford competition in two flights: A 0-19 & B 20 upwards.
 Herbie
Ishinaga won this month’s Kronborg Monthly Mug, shown here being
presented by host Bjarne.
Icelander Kris Helgason took the A flight with 38
points, second was Mike Dige with 34 points, Howie Forrest with 30 points
was third beating Kjartan Palsson into fourth place on count back.
B.A. Triple Seven captain Steve Cooper Reade took the B
flight with 39 points, Cees Bosman was second with 36 points, Mick
O’Connor was third with 34 points and fourth was Peter Sorenson with 32
points.
Near pins: N3 Ebrahim, N6 Steve Cooper Reade, W3 Gert
Hanson, and W8 Kris Helgason.
Thursday 28 March -
Phoenix Lake & Ocean (Stableford)
Hot and humid it may have been but it didn’t stop
Herbie Ishinaga’s continued return to form and after last week’s win
at Siam C.C. he played what he described as his best golf for a year to
convincingly win the Kronborg Mug. He put it down to two things, firstly
he had lost 5 kilos by the simple diet of giving up food & every time
he was hungry having another beer, secondly his good friend Brian had
passed on during the week and Herbie was convinced Brian was looking down
on him. Our condolences to Brian’s family.
The rest of the field all played well and it is quite
interesting to see the different atmosphere at the end of a competition
when all have had a good score. Phoenix makes people smile and whilst it
may not be the most difficult course around it is most certainly one of
the most user friendly. It was interesting to note our ‘nearly man’
nearly made it again losing third on count back.
Winner of A flight (0 to 19) was Arthur Hancock with a
net 69, second was Bob Morrison net 70 and third on net 72 was Wayne Koch,
beating Howie Forrest (the nearly man) and Maurice Herberge on count back.
Winner of B flight (20 upwards) was Paul Kraft with a
net 68 ahead of Dave (The Admiral) Richardson on a net 69. In third place
was Frank Sinclair defying the years and beating a young Katri Albrecht on
count back, both with net 71.
The overall winner and winner of the Kronborg Mug was
Herbie Ishinaga, who shot a magnificent net 65 and spent the rest of the
night keeping to his diet with the help of the free refills his win
entitles him to.
Near pins: L2 & L7 Maurice Herberge, O5 Arthur
Hancock, and O7 Dave Richardson.
John Hughes and Alan Alexander win at Noble Place
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
On Tuesday, 26th March, the rejuvenated course at Noble
Place was the perfect host for the Bunker Boys second visit there in the
space of five days. The course is a typical example of Peter Thompson’s
design with a large number of pot bunkers subtly positioned to catch the
wayward or extravagant drive and accuracy is at a premium.
The large field was divided into two divisions with the
cut at 18 and under. The inclusion of the tricky “C” course made
scoring a little more difficult but in division one John Hughes showed his
consistency in shooting a fine net 71, just edging out Colin Wilkes, on 72
and David Wilkinson and Keith Smithson on 75.
In division two the canny Scot, Alan Alexander, fired
the top score with his net 71, pipping the returning Dutch Dandy, Sander
“Sunny” Ruthsip on level par 72. Australian Colin Mathers and Bunker
regular Bill Jones, both with 74, shared third place.
The Bunker Super Sawng award went to Keith Smithson for
his two at the sixth hole on the “C” course. Thirty-six handicapper
Bryn Jones practices for four hours every day and has invested wisely in a
one-iron. He was even spotted trying out a 7.5 degree driver! When his
score reached 130 shots he sensibly tore up his card and proved to be a
suitable recipient of the Bunker Banana Booby award.
A Good Friday for
Wilf Latham and David Smith
The start of the Easter weekend saw the Bunker Boys
travel to the always welcoming Century Ban Chang course for their weekly
Stableford thrash.
The day was overwhelmingly hot and it proved to be a
Good Friday for the joint division one leaders, Wilf Latham and David
Smith. They carded excellent scores of 39 points each, way ahead of third
placed Hannu Kemila on 34. It was to be a day for Wilf to remember as he
makes the weary flight home to England in a few days time.
In division two the returning Derby player, Neil
Griffin, posed a threat to his division with his 37 points and posted
notice that he intends to make the others struggle for the honours over
the next three months! Gordon McKnight and Duncan Lee were tied for
runners-up with 35 points each.
The Bunker Super Sawng award was shared by Neil
Griffin, John McKeown and Wilf Latham and another two was recorded by
Gordon McKnight but his fellow players all chorused “You have to be in
it to win it!” when he received the consolation of the Bunker Banana
Booby for his valiant effort. All in all it was another pleasant day at
the often underestimated course at Ban Chang.
Follow the Bunker Boys regularly at http://www.thebun
kerboys.com
Kevin Mitch can brag for a week
PSC Three Sisters Golf
On Monday the 25th, “things” got pretty hectic for
the Three Sisters contingent of golfers. Due to problems over the weekend,
things did not go as smooth as they should have. Leading the pack was
Kevin Mitch out of the Blue Parrot, who came in with a whopping 43 points.
Jerry Lien put chase with 40, but the rest of the field was out of the
picture.
 Jerry
Lien (left) came in a close 2nd with 40 points, but Kevin Mitch (right)
from the ‘Blue Parrot’ claimed the bragging rights with a whopping 43
points at the 3 Sisters weekly golf competition at Siam CC March 25.
Like the drinks and food out of the Blue Parrot
(excellent), Kevin played an excellent game. He hammered the course and
his opponents and left no prisoners. Jerry was the only golfer close to
Kevin and it was only because he played with a new driver. (How many
drivers do you have now Jerry?)
The man at the top last week fell off a cliff and went
head first to the bottom of the pile. Vic Cross, who was the winner last
week, could not put up with the pressure for two weeks in a row and
tumbled to 23 points. Vic made a quick exit after the game and the meeting
at Caddy Shack Two, expertly escaping having his picture taken. Ian
Edwards tried to take Vic’s place but could not quite get low enough.
As the bragging went on about what shots were made and
missed, Jacque Thibaut and his girls put on a brilliant Thai spread for
the golfers. Thank you Jacque.
Asian-Pacific Laser Regatta comes to Pattaya
Story and photos by Peter Cummins
The 2002 Asian-Pacific Laser Open Championship, to
incorporate a Youth Championship, an Asian-Pacific Laser Radial Open
Championship, and a Women’s Championship, will be sailed off the Royal
Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya, from Saturday April 6, finishing on
Songkran, Saturday, April 13.
 HRH
Batcharakittiyapa, grand-daughter of Royal Varuna Royal Patron, HM the
King, tries a Laser at Varuna recently.
Actually, this highly-prestigious regional championship
is coming to Thailand “by default”: by ‘de fault” of Qatar which,
due to the ongoing tension around the Middle Eastern region, the Laser
International and the Qatar organizing team decided it was not a good idea
to hold the championships there at this time. Thus, it is a great tribute
to Thailand – and particularly to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club – to be
able to take on this event at such short notice. International
championships of these dimensions require many months of intensive
preparation – not just for the host country, but also – and especially
– to co-ordinate the world-wide network of national Laser Associations.
Thailand has “risen to the occasion” in just four months.
 Brendan
puts on the pressure down-wind: back to Pattaya for more.
At press time, eight countries, totaling more than 50
entries, have been received, including Australia (7), Guam (1), Hong Kong
(7), India (5), Japan (6), Malaysia (2), Myanmar (2), Singapore (5) and
host country, Thailand (11). In addition, there are such countries as
Uganda, outside of the region, which is entering but which will not be
awarded placings in the Laser Worlds. Other countries such as Korea, Macao
and New Zealand are likely to join also.
Some countries such as Indonesia will probably join the
pre-regatta training clinic, but not the championships. Out of these also,
there will be entries in other categories, such as the Youth and Women’s
Divisions, the Radials and, of course, the International Laser
Association’s age groupings of Apprentices, Masters and Grand Masters.
 (L
to R) Laser man Paul Millson, former Royal Varuna Flag Commodore Lawnin
Crawford and Japan’s Laser man Takeo Otani: all back for the 2002 event.
Immediately prior to the championship, Paul Millsom,
Laser International man in Australia, will hold a “Laser Clinic” from
the first to the fifth of April. This represents Paul’s third time
around, having come to Thailand for the first in 1984, four years ago for
the second in 1998 and now, this year. Paul runs clinics, prepares the
craft for the championships – a meticulously-planned programme and, not
the least, to participate.
“There is only one major change,” said Paul
recently “and that is with Paul. I first came here as a ‘youngster’,
competing in the big event. Now, as you can see by my hair colour, I am
relegated to the ranks of the ‘Gray-hounds of the Gulf’, one of the
white heads competing among the white caps,” he added with a broad
Aussie grin - and, I must say - a nicely-turned piece of poesie.
 Albert
T. Chandler, driving force behind yacht racing in the Kingdom, will try
his luck at the Asian-Pacifics next week.
In the 1984 event, the Antipodean teams cleaned up in
all categories, with Australians and New Zealanders dominating every
division, right up to the Grand Masters.
Then, four years ago, in the event which became known
as the “Loy Krathong” Asia-Pacifics - sponsored by the Pattaya Mail
- it was the dreaded Australian Casey siblings from Queensland who
dominated: Brendan easily winning the Open “Gold” Division and sister
Alison taking out the Radials. But, Alison’s road to victory was not
easy at all. The ‘rising sons’ – and daughters – of the
Asian-Pacific yacht racing scene, the Japanese, pushed the Aussies to the
limit. It was really only when the wind rose above 15-knots that the
bigger-boned southerners took charge.
Japan’s fortunes were elevated somewhat by veteran
sailor, silver-topped Eiji Hirao who, appropriately, won the “Silver”
Division.
 Alison
blasts to the start line – and the Radial title, last time around.
Thus, the Japanese have moved into contention in the
yacht-racing stakes – even taking on the America’s Cup Challenge –
and, undoubtedly, will be high-profile with the six-strong team entered
for the 2002 championships.
Much will depend on the wind conditions which are
expected to be light-to-moderate (8 – 12 knots) south-westerlies,
suiting the smaller Asian frames. But, of course, anything can happen.
The Laser
For the uninitiated, the Laser ‘Radial’ is a
smaller rig, designed for the lighter sailor who cannot handle the regular
craft, especially in stronger winds when the Laser is not all that
user-friendly. The radial consists of a 5.76 square metre sail area
compared to the regular rig of 7.06. It is thus ideal for females who,
thank goodness, are rather petite.
 Lasers
in contention off Royal Varuna last week: ready for the Asian-Pacifics.
The Laser itself, the small (4.5 m.), light (63kg.),
single-handed dinghy, designed and launched by yachting journal editor
Bruce Kirby in January, 1971, is now one of the world’s most numerous
classes.
The Laser made its debut as an Olympic single-handed
class for both men and women at the Atlanta (Savannah) Olympiad in 1996.
Then, in the Sydney Olympiad of 2000, Thailand’s wild-card entry,
Veerasit Puagnak, five-time Laser National Champion of Thailand, placed
very well among the world’s best from Australia, Great Britain and
Brazil.
International management
committee
Once again, Olympic Judge and the major force behind
the development of yacht racing in the Kingdom for several decades, Albert
T. Chandler has been the motivating factor behind yet another great event
for Thailand, and the people he recruits to ensure professional race
management include Laser International men Paul Millsom and Michael Mills,
Royal Varuna Flag Commodore Don MacKenzie, and Royal Varuna luminaries
Richard van den Heuvel, Charlie Zbinden, Simon Carey, Angelo Gualtieri,
Lawnin Crawford, Jens Overgaard and U Thiha. Royal Thai Navy and members
of the authorizing body, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Adm.
Varong Songcharoen and Radm Sunan Montharapalin, perennial and
enthusiastic supporters of the Kingdom’s yacht racing scene over the
years, will lend their considerable expertise and prestige to the event.
Every international yacht race is required to have an
international jury of not less than five persons, two of whom may be
nationals of the host country. For the regatta, Chodagam S. Pradipak (Ind),
Takao Otani (Jpn), Swee Hung Tan (Sin), Rut Subniran (Tha) and Keith
Wilkins (Gbr), all qualified jurors, will ensure a fair competition.
Former Royal Varuna Yacht Club Commodore, Lawnin Crawford, will be
Principal Race Officer.
Mr Chandler pointed out that the organisers will
provide approximately 30 used Lasers, which Paul Milssom and his team will
enhance up to the strict high standards which the association requires for
such a regatta.
The championship format ensures that both the 2002
Laser and Laser Radial Championships will be contested using the pool of
organiser-supplied used Lasers. To ensure total fairness and, thus, true
competitiveness, all competitors will sail a different boat each day.
The 2002 Laser Championship will be sailed in a round
robin format, (two races per day) for four days (minimum four races
completed for each group), followed by two days of finals. The 2002 Laser
Radial Championship will, depending on entry numbers, be sailed in a
straight 12-race series.
For the Youth and Women’s categories, a minimum of 10
entries will be required before it will be classified as a championship.
If there are less than 10 entries in the category, it shall be regarded as
a division only.
The schedule will follow the usual format: Saturday, 6 th
April, registration and practice races; Sunday, 7, welcome
function/opening ceremony; Monday 8 – Wednesday, round
robin/championship heats; Thursday, 11, lay-day (re-sails/social events);
Friday, 12 Saturday, 13, championship heats/finals, awards dinner and au
revoir.
World Championship placings will be awarded to the
first three Asian and the first three Oceanian competitors in the
Championship who have not already qualified for the 2002 Laser Worlds.
Countries from outside the Asian-Pacific region will not qualify for
places in the Worlds.
Prizes will be awarded in accordance with the
Association’s by-laws for the following: Asian Pacific Laser
Championship, Asian Pacific Laser Championship - Youth, Asian Pacific
Laser Radial Championship, Asian Pacific Laser Radial Championship -
Youth, Asian Pacific Laser Radial Championship – Women. The Youth
category shall be open to competitors who must be under 19 years of age on
the 7 th April, 2002
All enquires regarding the championship should be
directed to: Al Chandler or Mona Ramasoot: The Laser Association of
Thailand, c/o Chandler and Thong-Ek, 7 th
Floor Buphajit Building, 20 North Sathorn Road, Thailand 10500, phone 662
266 6485; fax 662 266 6, email: [email protected]
Or Paul Millsom, Asian Pacific Laser Championship co-ordinator,
phone 61 3 9598 9775; fax 61 3 9598 9786 email: [email protected]
Bull’s Eye Bar to host 2nd darts tournament
Because of the success of the tournament held by the
Bull’s Eye Bar in the first week of the New Year, the sponsors have
decided to do it again this month.
The Pattaya Fight Night and Bull’s Eye Open 2002 will
take place April 19 -21 in the Fight Night bar complex off 2nd Road,
across from Soi 13.
 (L
to R) Dr. Carl Burgess, Noi, Ian and Nee are gearing up for the next
Bull’s Eye Darts Open.
April 19 will feature a Lucky Draw competition
beginning at 9 p.m. Registration for the Open Doubles will also take place
on the 19th.
On April 20, the Open Doubles Championship will be held
beginning at 1 p.m. Registration for the Open Singles will also take place
on the 20th.
April 21, the Open Singles will start at 11 a.m., and
the Ladies Singles will start at 3 p.m. The Finals will begin at 7 p.m.,
followed by the presentations.
The entry fee is 200 baht per person for each event.
Organizers and sponsors have announced a prize pool of 60,000 baht.
Trophies will be awarded for 1st and 2nd places in each event, plus prize
money for the first four places in the Doubles and Ladies Singles, and the
top eight finishers in the Open Singles.
Sponsors of the event are Kob, Dr. Carl Burgess, Mark
Spencer, Payong Sridougboub, Dominic Cromie, Carlsberg Beer, Chang Beer
and Shark Cool Bite.
For more information contact Alan 038-361105, Nee
01-870-8058, Chon 09-831-1580, or at the Bull’s Eye Bar in Pattaya
Shopping Plaza.
Suda, Meigh & Earthrowl winners in March Diana Seniors and Ladies Open
by Mike Franklin
Suda claimed her first win with 38 Stableford points to
take the Ladies prize in the Diana Group Golf March Seniors & Ladies
Open at Pattaya Country Club on Thursday 28th March. Lamun Hanley just
fell short with 36 points to finish runner-up, but was compensated by
winning the long putt on the ninth.
The elusive George Meigh won the Senior’s category
with 35 points and also claimed the long putt on the eighteenth. George
was absent from the prizegiving once again, clearly too shy to take the
honors for the second month in succession. We hope to see him next time
even if he doesn’t win anything, unusual as that may be for George.
Just one stroke behind in the Senior’s was Ian
Edwards with 34 points.
The Super Senior ‘over 65s’ featured Dave Earthrowl
as this month’s winner, returning a neat 36 points, and the never
trailing Ed Trayling a creditable second with 33 points. Not satisfied
with that, quiet, retiring Ed took a few moments off commentating on the
pool games in progress at the Green Bottle to collect two near pin prizes
on holes five and seven. The others were claimed by Michael O’Meara and
Noonit Tapawee, on holes twelve and sixteen respectively.
John Cole and Richard Livingston were persistently
efficient throughout the day and Mike Franklin, without the usual PA
system to hand, announced the results having first welcomed newcomers to
the monthly Seniors & Ladies Open. Namely: Suda and John Hall; Helmut
and Noonit; Ake and Pid Ovegren and the two ‘Bills’ Hurd and Macey. He
also announced a special April discount of ’20% off’ traditional
massage for golfers at the Baan Thai Massage Salon, located behind the
Diana Inn opposite the coffee shop.
Thursday, April 25 is the next Seniors & Ladies
Open and you can sign-up for that at the Green Bottle or at the Diana
Group Driving Range - all Seniors, Super Seniors and Ladies are very
welcome to join.
800 international runners participate in Thailand Temple Run
Amari
Watergate Hotel’s GM Thomas Tapken (right) congratulates the winners of
the Thailand Temple Run 2002.
The Thailand Temple Run held in Samutsongkram Province
on March 24th was a marvelous success. More than 800 marathon runners from
overseas flew into the province for this run. All marathoners enjoyed the
exotic Thai culture and the many temples for which the area is famous.
They were extremely impressed with the warm welcome extended to them by
the local people which lined the 42 kilometer route of the run.
Congratulations go to the Amari Watergate Hotel’s
Thomas Tapken, Sport Vision’s Bamrung Duangpummet, Go Thailand’s
Raimund Wellenhofer, and the Tourist Authority of Thailand for their
tremendous support and vital help. All supporters, organizers, the
spectators who turned out to watch the run want to extend sincere thanks
to the marathoners for making this event the talk of the town. Everyone is
looking forward to seeing them again next year.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
As reported here, it seems like eons ago, the Mike
Tyson (49-3) - Lennox Lewis (39-2-1) fight will take place on June 8th in
Memphis Tennessee. (That of course is Sunday morning June 9th in Pattaya.)
The Pyramid, with a seating capacity of over 22,000, will provide the
venue with the fighters probably training in the nearby casino city of
Tunica Mississippi. Needless to say there are a lot of pundits wiping egg
from their collective face’s as they prepare to dine on a meal of
“crow with fava beans and a nice Chianti”. First they said, “The
bout would never be signed.” Now the tune has changed but the arrogant
demeanor of “know-it-alls” the world over remains, “It’ll never
happen.” These, by-the-by, are the same good folks that have made Lennox
a big favorite at -200 and Mike Tyson the “dog” at +160. In real talk
that means that you have to bet 2 on Lewis to get one. Conversely a bet of
1 on Tyson gets 1.60. The odds reflect that the “wise guys” have made
Lewis the early big favorite. “Me no think so ... maybe.”
In title fights Lewis is 13-2-1. He lost to Oliver
“Lights On But No One’s Home” McCall (9/24/94) and Hasim Rahman
(4/22/01) both by KOs. Lennox got a draw against Evander Holyfield
(3/13/99) which he avenged by wining a majority decision on 11/13 of the
same year. (The Pattaya Mail had Lewis losing the second fight.)
Tyson is 11-3 in title fights. He lost twice to Holyfield and once to
Buster “The Blob” Douglas. Since the last lost to Holyfield, Tyson is
4-0 except when it comes to judicial courts. There he is “O fir” which
includes doing some time in the monkey house. The two will fight for the
IBF/IBO/WBC titles, which are actually inconsequential. Here is a case of
“The fight’s the thing”.
For the first time ever, kick boxers were matched up
against Muay Thai fighters in Nevada in a sanctioned event. The event drew
a very good crowd to the Stardust Hotel on the Strip. I couldn’t attend
as I was covering a fight card promoted by the husband of Lalia Ali.
Knowing that she would be there I went. Never pass up the chance to ogle
Lalia Ali. So I sent my hardly paid assistant to the Stardust. Here’s
part of his report.
“Super Middleweight Champion, Jong Sana Fairtex of
Thailand took on tough Daniel Dawson in a non-title bout. Both fighters
received cuts, but Jong Sana Fairtex was just too skilled. He won a UD
before an excited crowd that loved the action.
Suriya Thasaharak of Thailand won a split decision over
the very popular Vegas fighter Melchor Menor. Judges scored it 49-46,
48-47 and 47-48. “Master Toddy” (Thohsaphor Sitiwatjana), who owns
several Muay Thai boxing gyms in Las Vegas and is well known in Thailand,
was the man in charge. Aaron Wade Dixon of Pattaya was to have fought
James Cook. Mr. Dixon passed his medical, received his Nevada license and
was ready to go, but Mr. Cook pulled out and Aaron took the night off.”
WBC bantamweight champion Veeraphol Nakornluang
(36-1-1) easily stopped Filipino Joel Sungahed at 2:40 of round four in
Nonthaburi. Veeraphol is planning on his 9th title defense against WBC #8
Abner Cordero in May. Also, former WBC bantam king and WBC #1 superfeather
Sirimongkol Singmanassak (36-1) stopped former IBC title challenger
Isagani Pumar at 0:55 of in round 3. Multi ranked superbantam Napapol
Kiatisakchokchai (27-2) employed Filipino Joseph Paden with a left hand to
the belly for a KO at 1:30 of the opening round to retain his WBC
international 122-lb title.
Unbeaten PABA bantamweight champ Poonsawat
Kratingdanggym (7-0, 5 KOs) outclassed PABA #1 Joel Junio scoring a 3rd
round TKO in Samutsakorn. The Thai fighter sent the Filipino boxer to the
canvas three times in round three before the referee stopped the bout at
2:57. This was Poonsawat’s third title defense. So a 7-0 fighter won the
title when he was 4-0. Tells you all you need to know about being the PABA
Champ. How you like them apples?
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