Golf Professional Glyn Jenkins, a man that so many of us
knew and respected, passed away on Tuesday, the 23rd of July 2002. He was
43.
Glyn
Jenkins
1957 - 2002
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Glyn began showing a
natural talent for golf when he was only 14 years old, achieving a 4
handicap within a year of starting the game. In his early teens, he served
his apprenticeship as an Assistant Pro at Longniddry Golf Club, and at the
age of 23, he qualified at the Belfry and received his PGA Certificate.
An ‘A’ class professional, Glyn was formerly a pro
at Richmond Park, London. He was the Head Professional at Merchants of
Edinburgh, Scotland as well as the former coach to the Scottish Ladies and
Youth Teams.
Glyn remained in Scotland for a few years after that,
but his desire for change, for something new and exciting, led him to
Thailand.
Glyn’s association with Thailand began during 1987
when he formed Professional Golf Tours specialising in accompanied tours
for European Golfers. During 1991 he submitted to the enchantment of
Thailand where he became the resident pro at the beautiful Rayong Green
Valley, to where his golfing soul remained for many years. Glyn had been
living in Ban Chang, Rayong since. In September 2000, the St Andrews Golf
Academy opened under Glyn’s tuition, at that time was a golf
professional of 25 years teaching experience.
In the past decade, Glyn has taught golf to the
residents of Thailand and visitors from all around the world. He was once
a regular contributor to the Pattaya Mail, writing a series of “golf
tips” that were published in the sports section.
Glyn also gave much of his time to charity work,
especially when involved with golf. Glyn supervised rounds and gave advice
on Rules and Etiquette to children golfers during the Anand Panyarachun
Charity Golf Invitational for UNICEF, and most recently was a driving
force behind the Camel Charity Golf Tournament in Ban Chang at the end of
June this year, which raised 330,000 baht for the St Camillus Foundations,
Rayong, Home for Orphan Children with AIDS.
In the thirteen years has lived in Thailand he has made
numerous friends and has deeply touched so many of our lives. Glyn will be
fondly remembered and terribly missed by us all.
Glyn is survived by his mother Louisa, his father
Thomas, and his younger brother Llew. Our hearts and prayers go out to his
family.
Glyn’s funeral was held on Thursday August 1 at the
Suwanrungsan Temple in Ban Chang, better known by the locals as Wat Yairah,
on the way to Green Valley.
His friends remember Glyn as the lovable character he
was, with his commitment to enjoying life to the full. He was always the
‘Gentleman Pro’ as is the way with golf professionals.
Rest in peace friend.
Saturday, August 3 marks the 3rd year of the untimely passing
of Wayne “Groupie” Tischbern. Gone, but not forgotten. On Saturday evening,
the Tahitian Queen on Beach Road will be holding a toast to his memory. Many of
his friends will be there - those who can’t make it will be there in spirit,
as will Wayne’s spirit.
Wayne
“Groupie” Tischbern - RIP friend
Last year, long time friend Howie Reed succinctly summed up
last year’s toast when he wrote:
“It was 7:23 on a Friday evening, August 3rd when the
Tahitian Queen fell silent. No girls on stage doing the Pattaya Two Step, no
rock and roll blaring, no conversations among friends new or old. It was silent,
except for one chap whose backside would soon accept a quick nudge by a size 10.
They had gathered in t-shirts to remember an old friend of theirs that would be
attending the moment in spirit only.
“‘Three years ago to the day our friend Wayne Tischbern
passed away. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes like ten years,’
spoke Lewis Underwood (aka Woody). ‘We’re here to remember you and to let
you know that we still care. We still think about you old friend. Here’s to
you.’ A toast to a missing friend.
“The music then started to play, and the ladies returned to
the Pattaya Two Step as friends wandered around offering their personal toast to
one that was gone in spirit but is very much remembered by the community he
loved.
“As the strobe light flashed on the picture of
‘Groupie’ it was appropriate that the music of the 60’s played on: Little
Richard, Chuck Berry and a young Bob Dylan. He was a child of the 60’s whose
memory will live on whenever good fellows meet in friendship. For a moment
though, the silence was deafening.”
Louis
Fassbind back in 1995 with then 106-year-old resident of the Home for the Aged,
Khun Phun Tongpliew.
