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Good Grips win Shenanigans Funhill Cup 2002
It was one of those days when “fore!” was probably
heard more often than “good shot”, and the most common refrain between
groups of golfers seemed to be, “You didn’t happen to see my ball land
over here somewhere, did you?”
Jesting aside, some very good golf was also played when
a veritable army (or should that be navy) of fun golfers turned out at the
new Plutaluang Navy Course layout for the annual Shenanigans Funhill Cup
on Friday, April 26. None had more fun than the Good Grips, “dancing”
Fabian Arp and partner Mike Franklin, who complemented each other
perfectly to card a 1 under par 71 off the sticks for a net 63.4 to win
the Shenanigans Funhill Cup 2002 championship.
 Keith
sinks the putt - although it was little consolation after optimistically
opting to play Jimmy’s shot, only to have his hopes dashed when finding
out Jimmy’s shot was actually in the leaves and branches, not the
fairway as he had thought.
Fabian’s long drives and hot putter combined with
Mike’s deadly accurate short game and equally hot putter gave the pair a
clear 2.4 shot victory over second place finishers, the Saubermans of
Steve Ryser and Peter Renggli in the pair’s scramble format.
Two of those shots were gained on a remarkable
finishing hole, the 544-yard, par 5 East Course #9. The Saubermans made
par, leaving the door open for the Good Grips. Fabian Arp let loose with a
booming 320 yard drive down the left center of the fairway, then, unfazed
by the distant cries of someone’s caddy falling off their golf cart,
Fabian crushed a 220 yard 3-wood to within about 8 feet of the pin. He
then calmly sank the putt for an eagle three.
The other .4 of a shot was, incredibly, the difference
in their handicaps - the Saubermans getting 7.2 shots and the Good Grips
getting 7.6.
The women golfers made a great showing, too, with team
Jaz Group of Mam Trayling and Keeratika Lohakoon carding birdies on 3 of
the first 4 holes of the South course to finish with an even par gross 72,
net 66 for the third place position on the podium.
The oddly named Gay Pants - Barry Winton and Paul
Davies - followed two birdies with a bogie, and two bogies with a birdie
to come in at 1 under par gross 71, net 66.2 to finish in 4th place.
At the other end of the golfing spectrum were Harmony
Duo, Harpic Bryant and Phil Dunn, who came last but were heard to say
that, “They are really pleased to have got round without actually
killing any body or getting lost.”
Then there was Keith and Jimmy, who knew it was going
to be a long day when Keith spied a ball sitting nicely in the fairway,
and thinking it was Jimmy’s picked up his own ball to play Jimmy’s
shot, only to find out that it wasn’t Jimmy’s ball at all, it was
someone else’s. Jimmy’s, meanwhile, was in the shiggy amongst the
leaves, branches and red ants. Doh!
 Shenanigans
(MD) Trevor Allen (center) awards the winners’ trophy to Good Grips Mike
Franklin (left) and Fabian Arp (right)
On a happier note, John Gibson was all smiles and
heaping praise on his playing partner Gordon McKnight who “allowed”
John to win the long putt on S#2. It seems Gordon’s approach was closer
to the pin, but he was willing to sacrifice the team score for the chance
of a technical prize. John went ahead and sank the putt and will no doubt
share his 500 baht voucher with Gordon.
Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, there were
some great prizes up for grabs in the technical categories. Jason Payne
and Ron Keeley of Odyssey International Ltd. sponsored a free Shenanigans
Carvery every week for a year for anyone who managed a hole-in-one on the
par 3 East #5. Alas, no one claimed the prize.
Roger Parry and Karl Flood of Professional Portfolio
International sponsored a keg of Heineken for nearest the pin on South #4,
won by Keeratika Lohakoon, who no doubt also won many friends on the night
to help her drink it.
And of course Shenanigans, who, along with everything
else, awarded 45 pints to the winner of the nearest the Heineken keg on
E#6, claimed by Ray Matti.
Shenanigans also kept all golfers’ thirst and hunger
at bay, providing plenty of beer and snacks on the course, then opening up
their delicious carvery for all golfers to eat as much as they could
during the prize giving ceremony back at Shenanigans.
Perhaps best catching the spirit of the competition,
CMB Design and Build Company wanted everyone to have fun, so generously
sponsored a free first drink for all players back at Shenanigans for the
carvery and prize giving, much appreciated by the golfing horde, who for
the rest of the night were brightly clad in their new Shenanigans Funhill
Cup 2002 golf shirts.
Results
Winning Team: Good Grips - Fabian Arp and Mike
Franklin, gross 71, H’cap 7.6, net 63.4.
Runners-up: The Saubermans - Steve Ryser and
Peter Renggli, gross 73, H’cap 7.2, net 65.8.
3rd Place: Jaz Group - Mam Trayling and
Keeratika Lohakoon, gross 72, H’cap 6, net 66.
4th Place: Gay Pants - Barry Winton and Paul
Davies, gross 71, H’cap 4.8, net 66.2.
Near pins: S #4 Keeratika Lohakoon (prize: a keg
of Heineken sponsored by Professional Portfolio International), S #7
Russell Finch, E #2 Fabian Arp, and E #5Steve Ryser. (Hole-in One E #5: A
Carvery every week for a year sponsored by Odyssey International - not
claimed.)
Straight drives: S #9Les Walsh and E #4 Dave
Hughes.
Long drives: S #1 Div. I Dennis Willett, S #1
Div. II Ken Leadstone, and Ladies Keeratika Lohakoon (290 yards).
Long putts: S #2 John Gibson and E #9 Mike
Howard.
Nearest Heineken Keg: E #6 Ray Matti (45 pints).
Highest net team score: Harmony Duo - Harpic
Bryant and Phil Dunn, gross 113, H’cap 12.8, net 100.2.
Santa Fe International 10’s Rugby Tournament kicks off this weekend
The Santa Fe International Pattaya Rugby 10’s and
Ladies Touch Tournaments 2002, hosted by the Pattaya Panthers, kicks off
this weekend, May 4th and 5th. The games will be played at the Horseshoe
Point Resort and Country Club.
 The
Pattaya Panthers are set to host the Santa Fe International Pattaya Rugby
10s and Ladies Touch Tournaments 2002 this weekend, May 4th and 5th at the
Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club.
Eleven teams in the Men’s Tournament and 10 teams in
the Ladies Competition will compete for the silverware. Teams have arrived
from as far away as Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan and England to compete
with the local favorites from Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Phuket, and of course
our own Pattaya Panthers.
The planned schedule of events are:
Friday 3rd May: welcome all teams and captains’
meeting, plus Care for Kids CD launch at Shenanigans from 7 p.m.
Saturday 4th May: Pattaya 10s 2002 ladies and men’s
tournament, matches will start 9 a.m.
Saturday 4th May: evening - Pattaya 10s 2002 Quake, 5
bars, 5 challenges, numerous teams, plenty of carnage.
Sunday 5th May: morning - ladies brunch at Shenanigans.
Sunday 5th May: Men’s finals and presentations at
Horseshoe Point.
Monday 6th May until further notice... R & R!
Nong Prue Cup 2002 soccer tournament begins May 4
Chanyut
Hengtrakul, the president of the Sports Club of Banglamung District,
Saksit Yamsri, the district mayor and Suwat Rattawatthanakul, president of
Nong Prue TAO announced the Nong Prue Cup 2002 will begin on May 4 and run
through to June 16.
Officials from the Nong Prue Tambon Administration
Organization announced that the Nong Prue Cup 2002 soccer tournament will
take place from May 4 to June 16 at the Nong Prue Central Field.
Games will be played every Saturday and Sunday. 16
teams from around the region, including Assumption College, Ban Ampur,
Thai-Honda Company will compete for the title.
The winning team will receive 60,000 baht. The second
place team will receive 30,000 baht. Many more trophies will also be given
away to players.
On May 4th, Wittaya Khunpluem, the Secretary to the
Ministry of Labor and Social Interest will preside over the opening
ceremony at 2 p.m.
The first day highlights will include lots of amusing
attractions and a football match between the Pattaya Press Association and
the Soccer Head Team.
The tournament is aimed at enhancing the sports skills
of young local athletes and to pull them away from drug addiction.
Wales wins Pattaya’s first Lawn Bowls World Cup
This weekend saw Pattaya’s first ever Lawn Bowls
“World Cup” held at The Bowling Green. There were teams from 6
different countries, including Holland who felt they needed to play in at
least one World Cup.
The first day of play was tense and tempers flared as
most of the hot favorites were knocked out, Thailand being one of them.
The second and final day was even better than the
first. Holland and The Rest of the World lost in the semi finals, leaving
Wales and The England All Stars to battle it out in a spectacular final.
It all came down to one man, the Ryan Giggs of the
bowling green, Rob Hall. He played like a man possessed (some think he
is). Wales claimed the final 2 games to zero.
All bowlers are looking forward to the next World Cup,
which will be sooner than one thinks. So polish your bowls and practice.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
It’s being called “The Fight No One Wanted”,
which isn’t true but in sports reporting there is always the “poetic
license” factor. Tyson-Lennox on June 8 th,
as reported in the Pattaya Mail and maybe somewhere else, will be
the biggest fight in the history of boxing. It has already distanced
itself for income for a live fight. Beat the record for Holyfiled-Lewis in
Vegas back in November 99 by 1.5 million dollars. In less than a day
20,000 tickets were sold resulting in a 19 million dollar windfall. The
good folks of Memphis ponied up 13 million to the fighters as a site fee.
They’ve recaptured that plus six million to the good and the fights more
than a month away. Not too Chablis.
Lots of big fights last weekend in America that were
supposed to alter the course of the sport. Didn’t happen. Snooze City
except one that may set something up. Johnny Tapia (52-2 with both losses
coming to Paulie Ayala) won the IBF featherweight crown with a 114-114,
115-113, 115-113 MD over former champ Manuel Medina (60-11). “Medina
started jabbing in round one and peppered Tapia with continuous jabs the
entire fight - compiling a huge lead in the punchstat numbers (1466-722 in
total punches thrown).” It was the largest number of recorded punches by
one fighter ever in a featherweight fight. Medina left the ring in a
“huff”. As in PO’d, not the “Monkey House Huff”, the sometimes
manager of the TQ. This sets up a Tapia-Prince Naseen fight later in the
summer.
Writing of London Wayne, “The Pocket Rocket”
McCullough (24-3) is due to sign with English promoter Frankie Warren
“soon”. That move will grease the skids for the British Boxing Control
Board to re issue the popular Irishman from Belfast a license.
MuCullough’s only three losses came at the hands of Prince Naseem
(30-1), Eric Morales (34-0) and one of the all time greats Danny Zaragoza
(53-7). Pencils out? Alrighty now, use them to write in McCullough against
someone in London in June.
Closer to home, if you live in Thailand, Fahlan
Sakkreerin 48-3 defeated Julio Dela Basez 39-7 via the MD route (117-113,
115-113 for Sakkreerin while “one blind mouse” had it 116-112 the
other way. Go figure.) With the win came the IBF Pan Pacific jr flyweight
title and all its glory. The fight was held at the Montree Studio in
Bangkok. Sakkreerin’s manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang said, “I am
confident that Sakkreerin has the tools to defeat Ricardo Lopez. In my
opinion Lopez could not cope with the power and aggression of my boxer.
Fahlan has been world champion (IBF mini flyweight) previously and I am
sure he can win a second world championship within twelve months.” Ever
notice the guy not getting hit always is “very confident”? Me too.
IBF intercontinental bantamweight champion Fahsung
“The New” 3K Battery 35-6 (19 KOs) looked impressive in scoring a one
sided points victory over Yani Maheldo 35-7 (20 KOs) of Indonesia in an
eight round contest. PABA superfly champ Meiji Cp Gym KO’d Kaldybek
Zhailaouv in round four. How you like them apples?
PH3 Run 946
Well here we are looking forward to another Monday hash
in the land of smiles. Arriving late at the Scandi Bar, AH and myself
found Dr. Pinky on his own so we signed up and much to my surprise I got
this lucky number ticket with the word scribe wrote on the back. He says
sorry, it wasn’t rigged, but do you think I believe that? Anyhow no
problem, maybe my last scribe was so good they wanted me to do another.
We arrived at the A-site a lot quicker than last week;
a good site apart from the gravel and dust. King Yao Yao called the
circle, no new shoes again this week. C. Face and G. tell us about the run
then we all set off. I myself went at a slower pace than usual, nice
scenery. I was stuck around F-Troop, nobody would ever get lost as he
loved playing his bugle to an Aussie note. I am not sure who the front
runners were but I guess Tampax and Charlie Manson were two of them.
The front runners started arriving back after 50
minutes, I myself came in after 55 minutes with my ears ringing from
F-Troop’s horn blowing. King Yao Yao called the circle and started off
Ewok’s last raffle for a while. The first lucky winner picked the book.
First on ice were SS and Sneak Out Sprout for leaning
on the beer truck. The hares were iced next and most everyone said great
run. Obewan was next into the circle for his 100th run today, well done
mate! It was now the turn of the bad RA Sir Airhead, he noticed straight
away something wasn’t quite right about the positioning of the ice.
Everyone refused to move it so yours truly gladly shifted the ice to let
the beer truck lights shine on it. Guess who was first on the ice then,
yes it was me as a hash hero for moving the ice.
The Hares were iced next, well done G. for his first
hared run; it must have been tough walking on his badly bruised ankle.
Next on ice which I reckon was hilarious were the two whinging Pom’s
Missing Personality and Miserable who is leaving us so he was awarded a
great prop for when he gets to his home, donated by the badman.
Next on ice were Spunk Bubble and Obewan with Tadpole
and Ewok on their knees; the girls are going on a trip to Belgium with
Obewan’s credit card. Ewok was awarded a nice trendy pair of Sunnies,
they shared a down down from a bed pan. Next on ice were A Breadfruit and
his lady Sleeping Beauty. When he goes out with the boys he must be home
before 1.30 a.m., which most guys wouldn’t tolerate. He got home, locked
all the doors and crashed out not noticing his lady wasn’t in the house.
She was unable to wake him so she spent the night out.
It was the turn of the hash crash people next, Sir
Chicken F for crashing the beer truck. Obewan for collapsing his small
stool. Karamba for crashing his flying fan machine into a tree. Finally
Evil Cow for falling off the dance floor.
Next was my mate KBB on ice, apparently he had a small
argument with a katoey and she/he hit him with a handbag in the eye
outside Linda Bar. Dr. Pinky next on ice saying what have I done wrong?
Sir Chicken F said your bag is quite heavy and he pulled out two unopened
cans of beer. Apparently Charlie Manson had planted them there so he
shared a set on the ice with Dr. Pinky, so much for beer security? Next on
ice two cheap Belgians who were not wearing hash shirts. King Yao Yao
called in those two whinging pom’s again, Miserable and Missing
Personality to take a seat whilst the virgins were called in. The hares’
song came next. Then it was time for the hash hymn. Finally the bus was
loaded up and back we went to the TQ 1 for some good food, thanks! I
behaved myself for a change. See you all next week for another great run.
On-On AH
James Flanagan wins Monthly Mug
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday April 22 -
Treasure Hills (Stableford)
A bakers dozen set forth to challenge the beautiful
layout of Treasure Hills, and on arrival it was situation normal as
reception was empty. As usual it was play now pay later. The course is
superb value and the peace and quiet worth every baht.
 Cafe
Kronborg host Bjarne Nielson presents James Flanagan (left) with the
Kronborg Monthly Mug, James’s first win.
The weather was normal for this time of year hot, hot
and even hotter, but it did not stop two golfers breaking net par: the
‘ever improving’ Mick O’Connor being beaten on the last 6 holes
count back by Philippe Berra.
Results: 1st Philippe Berra 37pts, 2nd Mick O’Connor
37 pts, 3rd Jim Boyd 34 pts.
Thursday April 25 -
Phoenix C.C. (Stroke)
Another Monthly Medal comes around and a chance for
another highly skilled golfer to win the mug and be entitled to free
refills; however, this month we had a twist in the tail.
Last week we had a trip to Soi Dao and amongst our
‘players’ was a gentleman who couldn’t play in the competitions, had
never played in any competition, and was building up cards for a handicap.
He is also a teetotaller.
The usual large field turned up for Phoenix, the
weather was at first hot but soon turned threatening and after a few holes
we expected the skies to open and spots of rain came down, but all
continued despite thunder from all directions, and somehow it missed us.
The scores came in and it soon became obvious that the
favourite had to be Herbie Ishinaga, who won last month. He had the
clubhouse lead with only a few scores to come in, including the man
playing his first competition with his first handicap.
And so back to the Kronborg, and the presentation where
A flight 0-18 was won by Herbie Ishinaga on net 68. Second was Dave Evans
on net 69 beating Ebrahim net 69 into 3rd place.
B flight 19 up was won by Mick O’Connor with net 71.
Second was Dave Richardson with net 72 and third was Frank Sinclair on net
76.
Near pins: M4 Rick Evans and L7 Herbie.
When the results had been announced, it left a gap who
had won the mug. Well our man in his first competition had shot a gross
96, and with his new 32 handicap, James Flanagan shot a net 64 and to his
utter amazement won his first ever competition in his life. He was totally
speechless, but the best part for his fellow competitors was that as he is
a teetotaller they only had to fill the mug up with water.
Kevin Mitch trashes the field with 45 points
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday April 22 brought out the best in golfers from
the Three Sisters. Don Ratcliffe and Erle Kershaw both came in with 40
points each, with Don Ratcliffe edging out Erle on count back.
Good scores, but it was not enough to win the bragging
rights as “Big” Kevin Mitch trashed the field with a huge 45 points.
Meanwhile, Erle and Kevin teamed up against Herb and
Moberg and clobbered them nine holes up. Kevin shot one of the best games
of his life, and with Erle right at his heels, Herb and Bob had no chance
in the match. One could hear Moberg mumbling to himself and everyone else
as the match turned into a disaster.
Paul Kraft also tried to make a run for the lead. He
left 3 open holes but still came in with 39 points.
Vying for the bottom post was none other than good ole
Ted Smith. Ted tried his best to make it three weeks in a row in the
bottom spot and to make it a record which would never be beaten, but Dick
Caggiano deprived Ted of that distinction. Dick tripped up and fell to the
bottom of the pile and ended up with 25 points. Dick has been in that
position before so he shouldered the position like an old hand. Fun was
had by all as the bragging and drinking went on for a few hours.
Dabber cleans up without using soap
IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday 22nd April -
Phoenix Lakes & Mountain (Bogey)
1st: Bob Lindborg, 6 up
2nd: Harry Riley, 3 up cb9 2 up
3rd: Mike Dabanovich, 3 up cb9 1 down
4th: Mo Bertrand, 2 up
Bob Lindborg started the week as he had finished off
the previous one, firing a round that easily broke his handicap, again out
of the watchful eyes of Lamud. His six up was highlighted by an inward
half of five under to take the days honours by three clear shots.
Wee Harry Riley also continued to excel, as he overtook
Dabber on the back nine with a very solid 2 under. Dabber had been four up
on the front, but wilted coming home to still record a creditable third
place. Mo Bertrand rounded out the winner’s podium also shooting under
par, scoring an even one up on both halves.
Julian Nield at last demonstrated that he could really
play to his 4 handicap by shooting a gross 75, but was still unable to get
into the prizes on the day.
Harry cleaned up on his own in the twos collecting the
whole pool and the carry forward to make a nice little pot.
Wednesday 24th April -
Burapha East (Stableford)
1st: Mike Dabanovich, 43 points
2nd: Klaus Schackt, 38 cb9 19
3rd: Arthur Hancock, 38 cb9 17, cb6 12
4th: Serge Straeten, 38 cb9 17, cb6 11
Mike “Dabber” Dabanovich shot the best round of his
life and recorded a gross seventy-seven to easily see off a very
competitive field. Having not started too well with a forty on the front,
he then took the course by the scruff of the neck scoring thirty-seven on
the inward half and erasing the memory of the previous outing over the
back nine. It cannot be long now before he is playing off single figures,
at least that is the fervent wish of most of the players out of The Haven.
Either that or the often threatened return to work. As usual this is
longer than expected. What the Arabians are doing without their buckets of
soap that he normally flogs them, with him being unable to supply their
needs is anyone’s guess.
Second place was closely contended as three players all
recorded a two under and had to be separated by count-back. Klaus Schackt
again showing dependability over the two nines, just took the honours from
Arthur Hancock and Serge Straeten, who had to be further decided on the
back six. Arthur proved to be the winner of that minor result.
Richard Lyne and newcomer John Hayes shared the twos.
Prior to the prize giving, Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional welcomed new member John Hayes, whilst welcoming
back returnees Keith Watson and Paul Tomie.
Dige delivers the goods at Khao Kheow
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
Tuesday, 23rd April, proved to be the hottest day of
the year so far when the Bunker Boys took on the challenge of Khao
Kheow’s A and B courses in their weekly medal competition. The
abnormally uncomfortable conditions were the prelude to a savage
thunderstorm which caught every group, except one, towards the end of
their tiring rounds.
As the thunder crashed around the course Pattaya’s
most consistent competitor, Danish lorry driver Michael Dige blew into the
lead in division one to deliver the goods with a net 71. It was his third
consecutive victory at the Bunker and his gross score of 76 even included
a six at the last.
Almost unnoticed, however, as the clouds gathered, John
McKeow had caught Michael and registered a similar net 71 score to share
the victory.
In third place was Frank Sinclair who shot a solid net
73.
In division two French visitor Jean-Claude L’Hoste
went straight to the top in his first Bunker visit and registered a score
of net 73, two ahead of an improving David Johnson on 75 and the
consistent Neil Griffin with 77.
Neil and Michael were in the same group and both
recorded two’s, as did playing mate, Keith Saunders, and the Bunker
Super Sawng award was shared.
An extremely uncomfortable transport manager, John
Preddy had abandoned his round after five holes and was belatedly awarded
the Bunker Banana Booby for his exhausted efforts, but all competitors
shared his feelings after a very tiring day at Khao Kheow.
The next big challenge for the Bunker Boys will be the
annual Bunker Four Man Team Scramble which is open to all and is being
played at the Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang, Sattahip, on Friday,
17th May. Entry forms are available now from all the usual golfing venues
in Pattaya.
For more details visit http://www.thebunkerboys.com
George Meigh and Arthur Bailey on a points spree
The April Diana Group Seniors & Ladies Open
produced some outstanding results from both Seniors and Super Seniors.
George (always in the frame) Meigh put in a welcome
appearance at the Green Bottle prize giving to collect prizes from the
February and March outings, as well as the Seniors winner’s trophy for
April after returning 45 Stableford points. Not to be outdone,
‘steady’ Arthur Bailey did even better with 46 Stableford points on
the card to win the Super Seniors Division. Runners-up were Arthur Hancock
(Seniors) with 42 points and a career best 79 gross. Philippe Berra, with
39 points, was Super Senior runner-up.
Mam Trayling, after a two week lay-off from golf, was
best in the Ladies Division with 38 points, and Lamud Chaidara runner-up
with 33 points.
Near pins were claimed by Eddie Blackwell, Michael
O’Meara, Ian Edwards and Bill Hewitt. The long putts were holed by Ed
Trayling (without a lay-off), and Arthur Hancock.
Mike Franklin welcomed newcomers Paul Horsting (41
points), Niels Maro, Jacques Tibault, Philippe Berra, Bernie Tuppin, Phil
Smith and Alex Blacklund.
John Cole and resident Diana Group PGA pro Richard
Livingston were as usual very efficient with the administration and
scoring, and Pattaya Country Club was helpful as always.
It was a thundery, windless and humid day with rain
never far away.
That, together with the damp conditions on the course,
obviously had no effect on the winning scores, which will no doubt have
some effect when the handicap committee sits next.
The next Diana Group Seniors & Ladies outing is on
Thursday 30th May - sign-up at the Green Bottle or Diana Driving Range.
House of the Golden Coin take league title
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Captain Mio once again led her team to victory and the
House of the Golden Coin is the winner of the 2001-2 PSC Bowling League.
 Otto
bowled a 225 game and Jeed had a 235 game in the final week of the league.
Bowling against second place VFW Post 9876, Mio’s
team lost the first two games and had to pull out a big 123 pin win in
game three to half the match at two points each, which was enough to take
first place in the 30 week long league. Otto, Golden Coin, bowled a great
225 string in the last game to lead the team.
VFW Post 9876 took the second place trophy.
Third place Sultan of Swing had a tough match against
fourth place Winchester Club and only won one point, but it was still
enough to clinch the third place trophy.
In other final week matches, Three Sisters took three
points from Shakey Pete’s, and Cafe Ole took three points from Cafe
Kronborg with Captain Jeed rolling a very good 235 first game.
Next Friday is a fun bowling day and new teams will be
drawn in a blind draw. The new league will start on Friday, May 10.
Final League Standings
| Team |
Points |
Points April 26 |
|
House of the Golden Coin
VFW Post 9876
Sultan of Swing
Winchester Club
Shakey Pete’s
Three Sisters
Cafe Ole
Cafe Kronborg |
74.5 - 45.5
72 - 48
61.5 - 58.5
58.5 - 61.5
57 - 63
55.5 - 64.5
52.5 - 67.5
48.5 - 71.5 |
2 - 2
2 - 2
1 - 3
3 - 1
1 - 3
3 - 1
3 - 1
1 - 3 |
Thai Navy ‘barges’ in to the Koh Samui Regatta
Story and photos by Peter Cummins
It was, indeed, an unusual sight off the Royal Varuna
Yacht Club, South Pattaya this week. There, out in mid-stream, was a
massive Royal Thai Navy landing barge. But there was no Steven Spielberg
around and there was no D-Day sixth of June, 1944 troop landings scenario
- as in “Saving Private Ryan” - to be filmed. Quite the contrary: the
Royal Thai Navy had stepped in to support of the First Koh Samui Regatta,
opening at the island resort last Sunday and came to Royal Varuna to take
aboard a consignment of nine Nacra catamarans for transport to Samui.
 Royal
Thai Navy teams - highly competitive at Samui.
The navy support is most timely to help launch this new
event and joins other first-time sponsors, Bangkok Airways, Central,
Coconut Land and House, Red Bull, Santiburi and Singha. Support in cash
and kind has also come forward from perennial regional regatta supporters,
Art Asia Press, QBE Insurance, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) the
Provincial Office and a number of resorts which, while promoting the
regatta, also look to the broader marine tourist potential of the island.
TAT, in fact, a long-time supporter of the King’s Cup
Regatta, and more recently of Pattaya’s own PC Classic (extensively
reported in successive issues of the Pattaya Mail), regards yacht
racing, and marine sports generally, as a major panacea for Pattaya’s
environmental ills as well as being a major draw-card for attracting more
tourists to our “City by the Sea”.
 Now
equipped with spinnaker, the Nacra super-fast racing machine - the focus
of attention at the Koh Samui regatta.
A number of the resorts on Samui also offered rooms for
the duration of the regatta and ensured a vigorous social programme for
which all the events on the Asian Yachting Circuit are justly famous.
The Royal Thai Navy’s gesture represents a dream come
true for Royal Varuna Yacht Club multi-hull stalwarts such as Gary Baguley,
Antony Chapman, Bob Gardham and Simon Makinson who, for the last two
years, have been lobbying to take a fleet of catamarans to Phuket to
re-join the King’s Cup Regatta.
But, alas, logistics have been the major obstacle and
now, at least they will go half-way, courtesy of the Royal Thai Navy. The
major difference is that the craft will be shipped intact and have not
been disassembled which the long land-trip to Phuket requires.
 Radab
Kanjanavanit’s multi-hull “Cedar Swan” trying to continue the
success of the last Phuket King’s Cup victory.
With its establishment, the Koh Samui Regatta joins the
Kingdom’s two major offshore events - the Phuket King’s Cup, coming up
for the sixteenth sailing and the Pang Nga Regatta, entering the sixth
year. The First Koh Samui Regatta is shaping up to be an ideal event, with
a similar format to the two in the south, combining inshore and offshore
racing, utilizing - and, exposing the beauty of - the coastlines and
adjacent islands, in the respective areas. The spectacular islands of Koh
Phangan and the smaller islands of Koh Tae Nai, Koh Tae Nok, Koh Kong Ok
and Hin Ang Wang, make ideal - and beautiful - rounding ‘marks’ in the
various courses which will be sailed off Koh Samui itself, with
start-finish lines set off Chaweng Beach, one of Samui’s most
spectacular and popular.
 Royal
Thai Navy landing barge takes on a ‘cargo’ of Nacras bound for Koh
Samui.
Actually, the regatta, along with the Phang Nga event,
adds a new dimension to the already well-established Asian Yachting
Circuit, a series of four regional regattas, being aggressively promoted
by Proteus Sports Limited. These four events - the Raja Muda International
in Malaysia in November, the Phuket King’s Cup in Thailand in December
and the Singapore Straits Regatta in January, culminating in the China Sea
Race in Hong Kong in March, receive maximum media attention. Andrew Owen,
managing director of Proteus Sports, estimates that that upwards of 140
million households view the best possible features of these respective
locations, under most favourable circumstances. The impact on tourist
potential in all four places is almost impossible to estimate.
Top
regional regatta performer, “Hocux Pocux” - a prominent contender at
Samui.
Of course, the regatta will be a great boon to Samui
where the waters and winds at this time of the year are ideal and,
according to Gasson, “will make spectacular racing and sailing
conditions in this part of the Gulf which has virtually been overlooked as
a yacht-racing venue.”
Formulating the embryo of a Samui Regatta idea almost
two years ago, four-times Phuket King’s Cup champion Bill Gasson
solicited the experience of long-term Samui - and former Pattaya -
resident John Stall, Peter Plant and others and has attracted the support
and interest of the private sector, the hotel and tourism industry and a
host of private individuals who wish to promote yacht racing at the resort
island.
 David
Bell’s King’s Cup champion “Graffiti” (NZ 4582).
The regatta will be opened officially with a press
briefing and reception and, at press time, there were an estimated 15
keelboats, including the two Royal Thai Navy Farr MRX yachts entered and,
with the Royal Varuna Yacht Club multihull consignment added to a few
catamarans from the beaches of Samui, an entry line-up of some 30 craft is
expected, auguring well for the new regatta.
Managed by the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Varuna
Yacht Club, the regatta was sailed under the aegis of the national
yachting authority, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand. The racing
took place every day for a week, with Thursday designated as a lay-day,
for team “R and R” or to re-sail any abandoned races. The racing
continued through Friday, closing Saturday with an awards ceremony and
closing party.
Further information regarding the regatta can be found
by searching the web-site: www.samuiregatta.com email: [email protected]
or [email protected]
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