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Webb, Claas, Gregg and Torgusson win Camel Pub Charity Golf Tournament
Nearly 330,000 baht raised for St Camillus Foundation, Rayong, Home for Orphan Children with AIDS
Mark Webb, David Claas, David Gregg and Scott Torgusson
teamed up to win the inaugural Camel Pub and Restaurant Charity Golf
Tournament played at Century Ban Chang on Saturday, June 29. The foursome
shot a gross 70 and with a liberal handicap system favoring the higher
handicappers, finished with a net 50.3 to win by one tenth of a stroke.
 Father
Ernesto Nidini (right) of the St Camillus Foundation, Rayong, Home for
Orphan Children with AIDS, gratefully accepts a huge check from Ronnie
Coulson. Through donations and an auction, the amount was raised even
further than the amount written on the cheque, reaching an incredible
332,750 baht, which will be donated to the foundation. The center cares
for both adults and children who are HIV positive, as well as those with
full blown AIDS.
The foursome sealed the win with a chip-in for eagle on
the par five 18th, and duly let out a roar that could be heard ‘round
the course.
Alan Pearce, Jim Montgomery, Andy B. and Mike H.
finished second after carding a gross 68, net 50.4.
George Davis, Jerry C., Ian and Doug B. finished third
with a gross 66, net 50.9.
One hundred and forty one golfers signed up for the
event, an always fun four-man scramble. Somewhat loosely run, golfers set
off “whenever ready”, some beginning as early as 6:30 a.m., some as
late as after noon.
 The
winning team (L to R) Mark Webb, David Claas, David Gregg and Scott
Torgusson celebrate a good round that led to their being crowned champions
of the Camel Pub Charity Golf Tournament.
All were treated to an ample supply of Bloody Mary’s
on the course, and each golfer was provided with a commemorative hat,
which came in handy as, despite all the recent rains, Mother Nature saw
fit to take a rest and provided a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for golf.
The course, Century Ban Chang, was in good shape, and
although not a long course, its plethora of “moguls” and well placed
hazards provided an adequate defense. Any score under par should be
considered good, even for a four man scramble, and many teams did shoot
below par.
After the event, the Camel Pub and Restaurant outdid
themselves with a great buffet and prize giving ceremony. Preston McRae,
Simple Simon’s, and the Camel Pub and Restaurant supplied food fit for a
king and the biggest pig on a spit this scribe has ever seen.
Trophies were awarded to the champions, runners-up and
third place teams, nearest the pins, long drives, straight drives and long
putts. The pot was then sweetened with an auction, the prize item being a
gold chain that went to the pretty lady to the right, who kept the bidding
going up to 33,500 baht. Well done.
Organizers then planned to run a lucky draw next so
that no one would go home empty handed, but after a few names were drawn,
some of whom had already left, they thought, “this is gonna take too
long” and invited everyone to come up and grab whatever prize they
wanted. After a few moments of hesitation (no one wanted to be the first
to grab), donated prizes of golf balls, umbrellas, head covers, hats,
shirts, and more were scooped up by the happy participants. In the end,
everyone did go home a winner.
The true winners of the event, however, will be the
children at the St Camillus Foundation, Rayong, Home for Orphan Children
with AIDS. Through the 141 entry fees, individual and corporate
sponsorship and the after-golf auction, the event raised 332,750 baht for
the foundation.
Father Ernesto Nidini of the St Camillus Foundation
gave an impassioned speech, thanking all the golfers, sponsors and
organizers for helping this most worthy cause.
An emotional Ronnie Coulson presented him with the
cheque, and when the final amount raised was announced, the well-fed,
well-lubricated golfers let out a resounding applause. Terry, Glyn and
Dennis’s “idea” truly bore fruit - they and everyone involved in
organizing the event have cause to be proud. The money raised will go a
long way towards helping these unfortunate children who were born with a
deadly disease they had no part in receiving, and had no choice but to
accept.
Many thanks to the sponsors who opened their hearts and
wallets to help the children at the foundation: Chevron, Saturday Morning
Golfers, Khun Chusak, Pattaya Mail, George Davis, Ole Tiegen, Jesters MC,
Nigel, Mark Webb, Mark, Tony, Rod, ICE, UTSNCE, Deborah’s, Thames Water,
Tim Mc, EK Cranes, Jock Watt and the Boys from Site, Jack Ashline,
Nebraska Boiler Company, Blondy, Faces, BCSSC, Offshore, Dons, Dennis,
Century Golf, Rieckermann, Winchester Club, Asylum, Winchester Nightclub,
Wherehouse Bar, IMPACET, Thai-Gerline Golf, Scott, Bill Thompson and The
End Bar.
Results:
Champions: Mark Webb, David Claas, David Gregg and
Scott Torgusson, gross 70, net 50.3
Runners-up: Alan Pearce, Jim Montgomery, Andy B. and Mike H., gross 68,
net 50.4
3rd place: George Davis, Jerry C., Ian and Doug B., gross 66, net 50.9
Near pins: #5 J.U. Kim, #7 Roger Bartlett, #13 Norman Y. and #15 Gerry C.
Long drives: #9 & #18 Doi
Long drive ladies: Wattana
Straight drive: Steve Donnelly
Long putts: #9 Gary Gregory and #18 Da
Shenanigans Pairs Stableford Mystery Solved!
By Mike Franklin
The final two scorecards, drawn in Shenanigans Mystery
Pairs competition on June 25th at Eastern Star, turned out to be the
winning pair in the form of visitor Rick Jernigan and Mike Franklin with
79 Stableford points. Rick’s 42 points was almost the best of the day,
that honor going to Jampa Dumas who returned 44 points. Having been away
from golf for over a year, and playing off thirty-six, it is clear the old
form will be quick to return.
 The
mystery winning pair, Mike Franklin (left) and Rick Jernigan (right).
Runners-up were Noonit Tawapee drawn with Steve Ryser
and scoring 76 points, with the irrepressible Usa Chaiyusit and Mam
Trayling taking third spot with 74 points.
The weather was humid with overcast skies and some
early afternoon rain, but it was the course that presented more difficulty
than usual with many overgrown areas and the likelihood of losing a ball
just inches off of the fairway. Work, understandably, continues on some of
the greens, but there is clearly a need for more routine maintenance
‘through the green’.
The field of thirty included some new visitors who were
duly welcomed at the prize giving, namely Graham Rudd, John Boon, Rick
Jernigan, Alan Spetch, Chuck Choo, Garth Braun and Marv Jones, that was
held for the second time at Eastern Star due to excessive World Cup
activity at Shenanigans, although that did not stop the usual party
activity going on there later. Bill Hurd is back from the USA, and Richard
and Jampa Dumas are here for a couple of months.
Near pins were claimed by Steve Ryser, Harpic Bryant
(again), Usa Chaiyusit and Garth Braun. Steve Ryser and Mike Franklin sunk
a long putt each on holes nine and eighteen respectively.
Next outing is on Tuesday July 9th for a pairs
scramble, but probably at a different venue to be advised (watch the
Notice Board and web page at www.shenanigans-pattaya.com for news of
that).
However, Shenanigans Ladies Summer Stableford will take
place at Eastern Star Resort as advertised, on Friday July 12th. Entry
Form and details in this issue, on the web page and in Shenanigans.
More Fish Mr President
Last week’s annual general meeting of the Pattaya
Sports Club was quoted in the Pattaya Mail as being in need of more
fish!
J & M Bar took up the request and under Captain
Dang’s guidance brought home a fair feast of the required item.
After
a slow start, fishermen from the J & M Bar finished with a fine
day’s catch.
Fishing for most of the day without any success the
team rested and waited for the tide to turn. Arousing from their slumbers
the team headed for Ko Pi and at 3 p.m. started to catch.
Ray pulled in a queen of 10 lbs to start with and then
all the team provided the following: Jan a beauty of a queen at 20 lbs,
Big Steve a lovely nine pounder followed up with an eight pounder, and
closing the day off Tony had a four pound queen and big Des a three pound
golden emperor.
Your wish at the AGM was fulfilled Mr President.
Contacts for PSC fishing: Frank Collins, Fish &
Trips Bar, Middy Campbell at J & M Bar both located on Soi 6.
Last call for Shenanigans ‘Ladies Summer Stableford’
by Mike Franklin
Shenanigans Ladies Summer Stableford on Friday 12th
July at Eastern Star Resort Ban Chang, is an ‘Open’ tournament and all
lady golfers are welcome.
The field will play in two divisions, this time with a
long drive in each division, as well as long putts, straight drives and
near pins to compliment the performance trophies and prizes.
Ladies who are new to golf, or do not have an official
handicap, are also welcome to play as we have included a special division
for them.
Kim Fletcher and Mike Franklin, with the Shenanigans
very friendly staff, guarantee the now familiar ‘Royal Treatment’ for
the players at the course and afterwards back at Shenanigans, Pattaya, for
a Thai/Western buffet, prize giving party and lucky draw.
Free snacks will be served on the course, with the
usual glass of champagne at the turn, and a commemorative ‘OK’ Fashion
shirt by Kizwa ‘OK’ Golf Fashions.
The entry form, with full details, is in this issue of Pattaya
Mail, on our web page at www.shenanigans-pattaya.com and on the notice
board in Shenanigans.
This open tournament is exclusively for you ladies.
Sign-up now, and Shenanigans will take care of the rest
to ensure you have an enjoyable and fun day, both on the course and back
at Shenanigans.
You can also book direct with me, Mike Franklin on
(038) 731-144, or e-mail to [email protected]
Fourth Samui Tennis Tourney set to open
by Peter Cummins, Ko Samui
With Thailand’s outstanding performances at the
Wimbledon courts, the nation’s eyes are focused on tennis and, thus, the
timing of the Fourth Samui Tennis Open which will take place from
Thursday, the fourth until Sunday the seventh of July, is ideal to
continue the momentum. The tournament will be played at the splendid
facilities of the Santiburi Dusit Resort.
Following the most successful inaugural Koh Samui
International Regatta held in May, the tennis is another major event
destined to bring much positive publicity to the island. As in the case of
the regatta, there is also much support from both the private and public
sectors who regard such events as Samui’s window on the world.
 Paradorn
Srichaphan of Thailand stretches for a shot from Andre Agassi during their
Men’s Singles, second round match on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, last
Wednesday June 26. Paradorn won the match 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. (AP
Photo/Dave Caulkin)
Thailand, of course, has always been a ‘wild card’
in the big international tennis competitions, borne out by Paradorn
Srichaphan’s astounding performance last week at Wimbledon, when he
downed one of the world’s best, Andre Agassi in straight sets. Although
Paradorn was eliminated in the next (third) round, no doubt his ranking as
67th would move up a few notches after the Agassi drama. He has already
made his mark. So great was the Thai’s meteoric rise to be numbered
among the world’s tennis greats, that His Majesty the King telephoned
congratulations after the Agassi defeat.
Thai leading lady tennis player, 20th seeded Tamarine
Tanasugarn, at press time, had already advanced into the third round of
the women’s division, for the sixth successive year, and has gone to the
Wimbledon fourth round for the past four years. Furthermore, teaming up
with Australian Trudi Musgrave, this pair had already won their first
doubles game, as we went to press.
 Tamarine
Tanasguran of Thailand, returns to Meilen Tu of the U.S., during their
Women’s Singles, third round match at Wimbledon, last Saturday June 29.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Although one will not see Paradorn or Tamarine at the
Samui tournament, the organizers, according to Horst Hornung, owner and
publisher of the “Samui Journal & Real Estate Magazine”, one of
the tournament sponsors, “expect a high standard of competition, with
players from Bangkok, Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi and, of course, a large
contingent of local participants from Samui, including last year’s
champion, Nash Ladha.”
Principal sponsors for the 2002 competition are Bangkok
Airways, the Paradise Beach Resort, the Samui Journal and Real Estate
Magazine, the Santiburi Dusit Resort and Volkl Rackets.
Tournament organisation
& staff
Chairman of the organizing committee is Col. Yudthana
Sirisuka, deputy secretary general of the Lawn Tennis Association of
Thailand (LTAT) which gives the event full support. Prime Star will also
give vital support to LTAT which is providing the tournament director,
Nutthasak Laekhakul, the referee Wannawit Srirasa and chief umpire
Wongsiri Hoongsiri.
Commentator and emcee will be Channel Nine’s
Tetpithak Chansuthep and a number of sports writers and photographers will
record the action, including Capital TV for airing on its international
programmes, and local news media, including the Bangkok Post, the Pattaya
Mail and the Samui Journal.
The competition will
comprise:
Men’s Singles (Best of 3 sets), 32 participants
Men’s Doubles (Best of 3 sets), 16 teams
Consolation Tournament (8 games pro-set), 16 participants
Games will be played Thursday through Saturday, from 8
a.m. right up to 9 p.m., completing the singles & Doubles semi-finals,
by Saturday evening.
On Sunday, July 7, at 10 a.m. the Consolation Singles
Final will be held, followed by the Men’s Singles Final at 11. A
highlight of the four-day tourney will be the exhibition match between two
highly-seeded players of international standing, Danai Udomchoke Vs.
Vittaya Samrej, at 13.00, with the last match being the men’s doubles
final at 15.00.
Awards Ceremonies, including presentation of prize
money and trophies and a closing party will be held at the Paradise Beach
Resort at 17.00, followed by ‘happy hour’ and buffet.
The tournament promises to be very exciting and all
Samui residents, visitors and tennis buffs who are in the Samui area are
invited to attend all events. Admission is free.
Direct any enquiries for further information to: Horst Hornung e-mail
[email protected]
Ringnam, Allen & Short, winners in Diana Monthly
By Mike Franklin
Amphiew Ringnam, with 38 Stableford points, was just
one point ahead of Jampa Dumas to win the Ladies Division in the Diana
Group June Senior and Ladies Open at Pattaya Country Club.
Best Seniors score of the day came from Peter Allen
with 44 points off his 24 handicap, closely pursued by Terry Sylvester
with 41.
In the Super Seniors category, Bob Short claimed the
honors with 38 points, just one ahead of runner-up Dave Earthrowl. Near
pins went to Amphiew, Peter Allen, Nora Haugsjordet and Dave Earthrowl.
The long putt on the ninth was sunk by Tony Baker, with Bob Short chipping
in from a long way off the green and receiving a consolation prize for
that. Mike Franklin made the longest putt on the eighteenth, making it a
double for the week having done the same with Shenanigans earlier in the
week.
Back at the Green Bottle the newcomers were welcomed
– Amphiew, Jampa, Don Carter, Dave Bowers, Brian Kerr, Bob Short, Peter
Allen John Winsor and Keith Williams.
As there is a public holiday on the next scheduled
date, the July Seniors & Ladies Open will be a week later on Thursday
1 st August at Pattaya Country
Club.
Finally, Pattaya Country Club has added another offer
to its already attractive low season package (see last week’s Pattaya
Mail). During August and September you can buy a monthly golf
membership for just B.1,800, valid every day including weekends.
The Growlers join the big boys
Lawn Bowls Division One week 8 roundup
The Windmills won again, giving them a good chance of
winning the league again. Team Somtam played a great game beating The
Cobblers, Ned of Team Somtam played the game of her life to win 17 - 15.
Steve the Streak shouted a good game not giving Pete
the post a chance of getting a word in edge ways. Don’t be short Pete.
Bob of The Dream Team got 4 touchers on 1 end, great bowling Bob. It looks
like the league could go to any of 4 teams.
Match of the week: Team Somtam V The Cobblers
Team of the week: Buriram Stompers
Player of The week: Ned from Team Somtam
Lawn Bowls Division Two
week 8 roundup
It’s all over apart from the prizes, as the Tartan
Bar took first place, with The Growlers sneaking into second place on the
last bowl of the last end. Will they make the grade next season when they
play with the big boys (and girls)? Please come along to make new teams
for the new season starting 16th August, all you need is 2 players and a
silly team name.
Match of the week: Growlers V The Teddy Bears
Team of the week: The Chaplin Spam Heads
Player of The week: Peter from The Chaplin Spam Heads
Starting soon The Bowls World Cup, there are already 6
team entries but more are welcome. All you need is 4 players to represent
your country - come along to find out more or telephone (038) 720 741.
Double Scotch at Treasure Hill
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
The tranquil and eternally testing course at Treasure
Hill was the venue for the Bunker Boys’ weekly stroke play competition
on Tuesday, 25th June. It has always been a course for the Bravehearts of
the golfing fraternity and this time it held all the aces, as no-one
managed to break par on a day when the course proved extra long off the
white tees, pushed back to their furthest extent.
In division one the ever consistent ex-Royal Marine,
Alan Alexander, pocketed a Tam-o-Shanter of victories with his third in as
many outings. He hails from the country that gave us this wonderful game
and his canny net 74 was more than enough to Rob Roy and the other
competitors of victory.
Following in his wake, with net 77, was North
Oxford’s favourite son, John Hughes, who yet again failed to tame the
course that has become his “bete noir”.
In division two another bundle of Caledonian joviality,
Jon Wood, headed the field with his net 75, showing a clean pair of heels
to Colin Mathers (77) and Kevin Wilson (79).
Ashley Archibald managed to secure the only two of the
day and was presented with the Bunker Super Sawng award for his effort on
the par three sixth hole.
For the second time in as many weeks Paul Quodomine
picked up the Bunker Banana Booby for his twenty-five shots on the seventh
hole! This now stands as a Bunker record but he was not to be outdone by
Blair Newton (18), and Big “Two Ronnies” Millward (15) on hole number
one.
Treasure Hill won again but, as always, at the Bunker,
the game is about “fun”. The day’s victor, Alan Alexander, may have
walked away from the Bunker with a bulging sporran, but he is the epitome
of a Scottish gentleman - he knows how to play the bagpipes, but
doesn’t!
Andersson’s Fairy Tale
at Sattahip
The Royal Thai Navy course at Sattahip is one which
golfers either love or hate, depending on their previous experience with
the choice of fairway grasses. Some twenty-eight Bunker Boys ignored the
potential for frustration and went there for the Bunker’s weekly
Stableford competition on Friday, June 28. The choice of courses was the
North and difficult West nines and at the end of the day only one golfer
managed to fire a sub par round.
As the story of the day unfolded it became clear that
the happy ending would belong to Sweden’s Mikael Andersson who, putting
his World Cup frustration behind him, easily topped division two with his
score of 41 points.
In second place was Friday’s Man, Kevin Wilson, who
fired a very steady 35 points, whilst Patrick Bonnevier took third spot on
count back with a score of 32.
The tale of division one was a tighter affair and saw
John King’s current consistent form reward him with the score of 35
points, one ahead of George Meigh with 34 and last week’s hero Alan
Alexander, who fired 33.
Both winners also took a share of the Bunker Super
Sawng award for their accuracy in firing a two, as did Colin Morgan, but
pity the wayward long hitting of Dale Shier, for his reward, as the
villain of the piece with a meagre total of 21 points, was the legendary
Bunker Banana Booby.
All in all the course did not disappoint and when the
same venue is next chosen the Guru, Mick Jones, has promised to lead the
way and show all how to do it successfully!
John Emerson wins Monthly Mug
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday June 24 - Great
Lake (Stableford)
Great Lake was host to a Stableford competition in one
flight. Ebrahim was in fine form, taking first place with 39 points,
Aussie Tony Kelly was second on 37 points beating Rick Evans on count back
into third also 37 points and Wayne Koch took fourth with 36 points.
Thursday June 27 -
Phoenix (Stroke)
As the golfers flooded back into Pattaya the numbers
for the monthly mug continued to rise and we finally got back into the
40+. With such numbers and with Phoenix relatively defenceless, as most of
the tees were up, it was expected the scores would be very low as the
prime monthly prize at the Kronborg brought out the best in all.
 Papasan
Ray Rogers (left) presented the Kronborg Monthly Mug to John Emerson.
Phoenix very rarely roars like a lion, that is left to
courses like Natural Park Hills, Eastern Star, Bangpra when the greens are
slick and Khao Kheow when the winds blow; however, when the scores started
to come in it was obvious it had at least growled a little.
With the golfers split into two flights, A flight (0 to
16) and B flight (17 and up), organizers also looked for an overall
champion and for a while with mediocre scores and many count backs looming
it looked like a little luck on count back would win it, but at the end
practically the last card settled it. Cometh the hour cometh the man.
In the A flight John McHugh came through with a net 69
beating Ian Edwards into second, third with net 71 was Derek Brook,
beating Ebrahim on count back.
In the B flight Joe Sebastian, who must be one of the
PSC’s most improved golfers, won with a net 68, second was Dr Hans
Probst beating the ever sprightly Frank Sinclair into third place, both
with net 69.
When the scores were in, the winner of the Monthly Mug
with a net 65 was John Emerson, good score and well done. John was
presented with the Mug by Papasan Ray Rogers, and promptly went to the
K.S.M. for the start sheet so he could tick off the players as they filled
his Mug. Suffice to say John rang the bell so he is now allowed to win
again sometime, hopefully in the far future.
Near pins: M4 Tony Kelly, M8 Paul Sharples, but as Paul
got caught up in the premier ‘Sport’ in Pattaya and couldn’t make it
(perhaps an unfortunate phrase) Norman Robinson was the winner. O5 Paul
Kraft and O7 Dave Richardson.
Long putt proved a novelty as on M9 no name was put on
the pin. Someone was kicking themselves. O9 winner was Rusty Barfield.
Serge leads the field a gay dance
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 24th June -
Pattaya Country Club (Stableford)
1st: Serge Straeten, 40 points cb9 22
2nd: Mike Davies, 40 cb9 18
3rd: B.J. Smith, 38
4th: Bob Lindborg, 37 cb9 23
5th: Al Rolnik, 37 cb9 20
6th: Richard Lyne, 37 cb9 19
It was appropriate that the winner on the day hailed
from Paris where the gay mayor of that city recently lead a march of some
half a million gay activists, as the Pattaya Country Club was also hosting
the Pattaya Gay Festival tournament on the same day. In the event, the
golfers out of The Haven well outnumbered the participants of the
competing competition and without any defections from one tourney to the
other, which should give some cause for celebration as to the future of
the city.
It was not all easy riding for Serge, who had to rely
on a very good back nine to secure the winner’s position from an eager
Mike Davies, who unfortunately faded after a promising start. B.J. played
a rare steady round to take third, with Bob holding off “Big Al” and
Dick with a storming inward half, played at tremendous speed to keep his
group well ahead in the rush for the showers at the end of the game.
The twos were shared between Serge Straeten and Richard
Lyne.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional, welcomed new member Rusty Barfield and welcomed
back Wally Blackbrow, Glynn Nicholas and Steele Augustine.
Wednesday 26th - Burapha
East (Stroke play)
1st: Stephen Beard, 68
2nd: Jimmy Little, 69 cb9 33.5, cb6 18.7
3rd: Joe Sebastian, 69 cb9 33.5, cb6 26.3
4th: Amphiw Rimngam, 69 cb9 34.5
It is always a pleasure to be the guests at the private
Burapha layout, not only for the as usual good general course condition,
but also for a return to the old golf club traditions of etiquette and a
round played in a reasonable time due to not having to contend with a mass
of other golfers.
After a week in the doldrums, the “Doc” returned to
his earlier form to take the honours from his playing partner Jimmee, who
unfortunately tripled the seventeenth when the pressure was on and left
the door wide open. Jimmee did, however, manage to keep Joe and Amphiw at
bay by virtue of an outstanding back nine and a serious loss of
concentration by Joe on the back six after having scored a net 8.2 on the
first three holes.
Thanks to “Big Al” Rolnik missing twos from 2 feet
and four feet, Joe Sebastian cleaned up the twos pool on his own.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new member Norman
Robinson from the USA and welcomed back Paul Quodomine, John McHugh and
Chris Davisson. The latter sportingly declaring a lower handicap earned
whilst in England, which cut his handicap by four to seven and underlined
the spirit in which all competitions are played under at The Haven.
Friday 28th June -
Eastern Star (Bogey)
1st: Brian Kelly, 4 up
2nd: Jens Gunnarsson, 3 up
3rd: Mike Davies, 2 up
4th: Glynn Nicholas, 1 up
After many scare stories regarding the shape of the
course which deterred some of the potential field, the course was in as
good a condition as it has been for some considerable time, with the
fairways showing a lot more grass and the greens returning to a very
reasonable condition.
Brian kept up his great run of form and won for the
second Friday running and ensured a reduction of handicap just in time to
edge him into the first division for the upcoming July the Fourth
celebration of Richard’s birthday. A solid performance by “The
Bogeyman” saw him beat the course 2 up on both the front and back nines
and this was enough to put “The Iceman” into second in his last game
before returning to tinker with one of the big engines on the sea for a
couple of months.
Mike Davies took his second podium position of the week
to further underline his potential for membership of the higher echelons
of the golfers out of The Haven. Glynn, just recently returned from the
UK, closely trailed him but is still not quite able to be consistent
enough to take the leader’s spot, but this must only be a temporary
situation needing just a little more concentration at the critical
moments.
With the pins set in inaccessible positions it was no
surprise to find that nobody achieved a two and therefore a sizeable pot
was carried forward to the next competition.
All in all it was a very good week of golf with
thirteen different players taking their places on the podium and bodes
well for competitive golf in the future.
7th Annual Charity International Soccer Tournament this month
The 7th Annual Charity International Soccer Tournament
is scheduled to take place on Sunday July 21, Belgian National Day, at the
Pattaya Orphanage.
Six or seven international and national teams will be
taking place, including Belgium, France, England, Germany, Team Orphanage,
and team VIP’s Pattaya Business People.
Teams will be made up of 9 players on the smaller field
(8 players and 1 keeper) at the Orphanage off Sukhumvit Road. Each game
will have two 15 minute halves with a 10 minute rest.
In addition to the soccer tournament, other attractions
will include: blind children dancing show, wheelchair basketball, visit by
the MC Jesters and their big bikes, food stalls with Western and Thai
food, Carlsberg draft beer at 50 baht and other cool drinks.
Organizers are asking for a 100 baht fee per person
taking part.
Like every year, all profits go to the Orphanage Center
Funds for disabled children.
Program: opening ceremony and presentation of teams
9:30 a.m., soccer tournament 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., lunch 12 -1 p.m.,
trophies ceremony at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Patrick tel. (038) 720
300 or mobile (01) 687 24 10, or Fini (09) 803 22 09.
Every Thursday at 18.00 hours organizers hold a meeting
in Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant, off 2nd Road opposite Mike Shopping
Mall, tel. 038/720 300.
Bionic man rises to the occasion
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday the 24th was an excellent day for golfing. The
weather cooperated, as there were scattered clouds and sunshine. With a
slight breeze blowing, the golfers had a nice cool day without any rain.
Alan Pearce, the bionic man, rose to the occasion and
won the bragging rights once again with 39 points. It has been a while
since Alan stood on the podium to take the bragging rights.
 Allan
Pearce won the bragging rights at Siam Country Club on June 24. Mike May
came in holding the bag!
Close on Alan’s heels was old Jim Tully with 38
points. This was an unusual spot for Jim as he is normally looking from
the bottom up. It just goes to show you what can be done by practicing and
getting help from others. Jerry Lien said he gave Tully some instructions
which helped Tully’s game. It was evident by Tully’s excellent score.
Most of the scores posted were bunched near the mid
30’s. With excellent weather conditions, most of the golfers shot near
their handicaps.
The scores this week did not vary much. The low score
posted for the day was a generous 28 points. Not really that bad
considering other low scores from the previous weeks. Our bag holder for
the week was new to the position. Mike May, in from work, joined our
Monday golf and managed to somehow stumble into last place, which he
normally avoids.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
For USA expats yesterday, July 4th, was a big day.
Being a “farang” there were probably remembrances of hot dogs, apple
pie, baseball and Diana Shore singing about “See the USA in Your
Chevrolet”. The VFW and others held celebrations, as “Dance
Emporiums” like the TQ, Tim’s and Classroom were holding functions
with Patriotic Themes. (Wonder if any place had a “Strip One for the
Gipper” Day?) It was a day for getting together with friends. Same in
Las Vegas where July 4, as a holiday, ranks second only to Cinco de Mayo.
Boxing and the 4th of July have a long history in America.
The most famous fight on that date took place in Reno
Nevada between Jack Johnson (“The First Black Heavyweight Champion”)
and James J. Jeffries (“The Great White Hope”). Reno got the fight by
default. Much like Tyson-Lewis, when Las Vegas turned up their collective
noses, this fight was headed to San Francisco where the retired Jeffries
lived. San Francisco canceled the “brutal exhibition” of the “Fight
Of The Century” on moral grounds. Sound familiar? Of course the Century
was only 10 years old. Reno jumped at the chance while gaining world-wide
notoriety. Reno was a village of 12,000, yet over 30,000 showed up the day
of the fight with 22,000 packing the stadium on the corner of 4th Street,
which is now home to a construction company. Gentleman Jim was making his
second trip to the stadium. On July 3, 1906, which would have been July
4th in Pattaya, Jeffries refereed the Heavyweight Title match between
Marvin Hart and Jack Root. Hart won via a 12 round KO. “Every hotel room
in town was taken and miles of special trains with sleeping cars lined the
tracks” wrote Nevada Historian Robert Laxalt.
Jim Jeffries “The Great White Hope” had retired
undefeated (18-0-2) in 1905. He came out of retirement to face Johnson. As
if the Black vs. White angle wasn’t enough, Johnson was living openly
with his white wife in his training camp, which was considered scandalous
in 1910. “Johnson battered the aging Jeffries into a helpless pulp. The
fight was stopped in the 15th round of the scheduled 45 round fight, after
Jeffries was knocked down 3 times.”
There is a slight difference between Mr. Laxalt’s
version and a plaque that still stand at the site. “Jeffries trainers
called the fight in the fifteenth round to save their fighter the disgrace
of a knockout.”
“The crowd was stunned. A strange funeral like
silence pervaded the arena after the bout had been stopped. Remarkably,
there was no violence in Reno after this prize fight, but rioting did
break out in other cities across the U.S., as blacks began celebrating
Johnson’s victory and whites retaliated. At least seven people died in
the violence,” wrote Laxalt.
Jack Johnson (83-14-14) would hold on to the title
until losing to Jess Willard (21-7-1), April of 1915 in Havana Cuba.
Johnson, dodging warrants for his arrest on charges of violating the Mann
Act (taking a women across state lines for immoral purposes) confned his
boxing overseas from 1911-1920. He fought in Mexico, France, Spain and
Cuba. The photo of his being counted out in Havana has become the classic
boxing photo. In the center of the ring lay a prone Johnson with his hand
covering his eyes from the burning hot Cuban afternoon sun.
Eventually allowed back in the US, after a stay in the
Monkey House, the remarkable Johnson would fight his last fight in 1938 at
the age of 60. He died in 1946 at the age of 68. He was a pioneer who
lived by his own rules and “damn” the consequences. Now the rest of
the story.
Jess Willard would “officially” defend the title
only twice over the next 4 years. Fighting sometimes once a month to pay
bills, a big match was set up with a grizzled veteran name Jack Dempsey
(65-4-10) in Toledo Ohio. The account from Ring Magazine: “When Dempsey
unleashed his very first left to the head of 245-pound Willard in the
opening round, he broke Willard’s jaw and knocked him down. By the end
of that round, while Willard lay floored for the seventh time, Dempsey and
the crowd thought it was all over. Referee Pecord raised Dempsey’s hand
in victory and the world’s brand-new heavyweight boxing champion exited
the ring. But then Dempsey was rushed back to avoid a forfeit, as it had
been realized by time-keeper Barbour that Willard had been saved by the
bell at the count of seven. So they fought on. After having his jaw broken
in several places, a cheekbone crushed, two ribs cracked, and four to six
teeth knocked out, Willard simply had to give up. By then he was
“nothing but a mass of gore.” The date? July 4, 1919. How you like
them apples?
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