Early boarders from Bangkok for Shenanigans Irish Open

Shenanigans 2002 Irish Open is at Plutaluang Navy Golf Course on Friday 4th October, playing South & East courses. Full details with entry form are featured in this issue of Pattaya Mail.

Be sure to sign-up early as the field is limited to 128 players and early sign-ups have already come in from Bangkok. The format is singles Stableford with three divisions, plus ladies, and a wide variety of technical prizes on offer. Prize giving and lucky draw is back at Shenanigans with the renowned Carvery Buffet to get the party going.

Sign-up at Shenanigans. More information at the web site www.shenanigans-pattya.com

Sleepless nights for the Windmills

Lawn Bowls
Division One

Big Frank and Dennis of the Windmills are now having sleepless nights, going down to the Tartan army as the upcoming star Willy continued his winning form with that god dam Yank Jeep, who played some fantastic bowls to win the match.

The Dream Team who led 11/1 lost to the deserving Cap In Hand team, who made a great comeback.

The Carlsberg Kids carried on their winning ways beating the Coral Reef. This week the Yingyangs beat the Team Somtams. Come on boys and girls carry on trying you will get there in the end. The Cobblers went down to the up and coming Asylum 1 team with a great new player Chris from South Africa. Come back lads and get on your winning ways again and be happy.

Team of the Week: Tartan Bar

Player of the week: Bob from the Asylum

Results: Ying Yangs 21 - Team Somtams 10, Cap In Hand 18 - Dream Team 16, Carlsberg kids 30 - Coral Reef 7, Wind Mills 13 - Tartan Bar 19, The Cobblers 11 - Asylum 18.

Lawn Bowls
Division Two

Likely Lads captained by John and the new kid on the block Dave beat the top of the league team Eddy the Eagle’s Teddy Bears on the last two ends to come out winners.

Desert Rats carried on their hundred percent winning streak by beating the Buriram Stompers captained by their new skip Phil. Piow who plays for the Buriram Stompers must have wedding nerves now her boyfriend has proposed to her. Come on Piow, get over your nerves and start winning again.

Team of the week: Likely Lads

Player of the week: Dave of the Likely Lads

Results: Likely Lads 19 - Teddy Bears 13, Jan Bar 14 - Asylum (2) 19, Winchester 17 - Lucky Chaplains 13, Desert Rats 14 - Buriram Stompers 13.

Mio stretches out a commanding lead

Shakey Pete’s extend first place lead

Fitness Tips Returns

G’Day Readers,

Something for all on the exercise front this week and while we are opening, it was great to see so many of you out supporting the Jester’s in their tireless work caring for the local unfortunate kids. That “saddle soreness” should have gone away by now from last Sunday morning’s bike ride. No, that will not happen every time you get on a bike; your rear end will become accustomed to it if you ride regularly and often.

Fitness levels determined by genetics

The choice is yours - anyone can get fit if they really want to. Apparently not. According to a group of scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, this is not entirely true. Fitness, like weight, is determined by genetics. The elements of fitness are also independent, so those who genetically have the ability to increase muscle strength may not be able to increase muscle size. And those who easily increase cardiovascular fitness may be let down in the weights room.

Scientists are now conducting studies to identify the particular genes that determine potential levels of fitness. While the studies do not answer questions regarding the effects of exercise on overall health, rather they are focused on looking at certain health-related questions, i.e., finding better ways to increase weakened muscles in the elderly to prevent injuries from falls.

Questions scientists are asking are: is there a way of deciding who needs extra help in maintaining muscle strength? Or can we develop strength in people who are genetically programmed to be weak? Could this research lead to better treatments in illnesses such as Muscular Dystrophy which causes muscles to decrease rapidly then waste away?

I stole this little gem from an industry publication written for trainers of elite athletes, what it neglects to clarify is that this is talking about podium finishers in international events. So let’s take it a step further for average people like us, training of the body WILL help you to improve your general physical function, exercise and other. Specifically for sports or exercise related practices, physical training will help you to improve to your genetic potential if you want to and actually do work hard enough to enjoy the benefits.

Exercise won’t stunt your growth

This one is more for the parents of young ones, girls more specifically. Are you worried about young girls attending group fitness classes or exercise to music classes, especially PUMP and other classes involving lifting weights and high intensity exercise?

Recent studies by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada have found that intensive training in sports does not delay the growth and development of pre-pubescent girls. The researchers looked at nearly 20 studies, none of which found convincing evidence to support the view that regular training slows the growth in height of female athletes.

Dr Maffulli, author of the report, claims that children ‘self-select’ into a sport. The sport itself does not directly affect the growth and development of female athletes. “It is more likely that young athletes select themselves, or are selected by coaches and sport systems, into their specific sports,” Dr Maffulli said. “Delayed sexual maturation is inherited from a girl’s mother and even intensive physical training will have very little effect on it.”

Young female basketball players, rowers and swimmers are generally equal to or taller than their peers of average height, while gymnasts are usually smaller, but previous studies have also shown that they tend to have shorter parents. Their shorter adult height predicted during puberty is a result of slow or late maturation rather than the result of intense physical training. The research concludes that there is no evidence to support the view that intensive sports training at a young age has any effect on the skeletal or sexual maturation of female athletes.

Don’t hold them back if they want to work hard but do make sure they have sufficient supervision from qualified professionals. Give them plenty of support and love.

Carpe’ Diem

Monthly Medal Goes to Wild Walter

B.J. just misses the triple

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday 9th September Green Valley Stableford

1st: B.J. Smith, 38 points (cb9 19)

2nd: Phil Groves, 38 (cb9 17)

3rd: Max Arlen, 37

4th: Randall Penrod, 36

Green Valley, which is always a challenge during the week due to the back placing of the tees, again proved to be difficult to master for the majority of the day’s contenders, with B.J. just running out the winner over the back nine by count back from Phil. The latter again scored a sub 80 round to continue his great run of form.

Max Arlen and newcomer Randall Penrod squabbled over the minor placings with Max proving to be the stronger on the closing holes.

Lamud who managed the only one of the day won the twos including the carryover.

Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the resident PGA professional, welcomed new members Randall Penrod from the USA, Brian Phillips, Dave Ford and Andrew Moriarty all from the UK. It was also a sad farewell for a short time to John Clements, who is returning to London for a rest.

Wednesday 11th September
Burapha East
Bogey

1st: B.J. Smith, 8 up

2nd: James Maloney, 5 up

3rd: J.J. Wright, 3 up

4th: Richard Lyne, 2 up

5th: Dave Nance, 1 up

The well maintained private course at Burapha always seems to encourage good scoring, with its wide-open fairways and relatively short par fives. Today proved to be no exception with almost all the field playing to their handicaps or better.

B.J. took his second win of the week with a fine display of golf from the tee, finding the fairway on every attempt and in the end, running out an easy winner.

James Maloney must have thought he had done enough to secure his first win at The Haven, but this turned out to be a false premise with B.J. in such good form. He did, however, have his best round for a little while and in finishing second was content.

J.J. Wright and Richard Lyne battled through the whole round with J.J. just getting the edge over the last two holes.

Dave Nance rounded out the podium with another steady round.

The twos were shared between Peter Clare, Mark Campbell and J.J. Wright.

Friday 13th September Siam Country Club Stroke play

1st: Phil Groves, 69

2nd: Derek Reaper, 70

3rd: Stefan Hoge, 75 cb9 37.5

4th: Bob Lindborg, 75 cb9 39.5

At an unusually quiet Siam Golf Club the weather conditions were good and the course was playing as well as it has for some considerable time, with even the greens getting very little slagging from the usually critical players.

B.J. Smith was vying for his third win of the week to equal the “Doc’s” record, but in the end found it to be a hill too great with pressure being applied by his playing partner and eventual winner Phil Groves.

Again Phil shot low, recording a gross 76, and keeping Derek Reaper in second place by one shot. Although placing second, Derek was well pleased with his return to form so soon after returning from work and without the benefit of the usual hours of practice at the driving range.

Stefan Hoge and Bob Lindborg took the last places, having to be separated by count back with Stefan just getting the nod.

The twos were shared between Bob Lindborg and Phil Groves.

Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new member Tom Orton from the USA, whilst welcoming back Stefan Hoge, Russell Finch and Derek Reaper and said farewell to Mark Campbell and Bill Hurd.

The Icelanders turn up the heat

IPGC Golf Society with the Bunker

Tuesday September 10 had the Bunker Boys and girls travel the short distance to the ever popular Phoenix Mountain and Ocean course. On a very hot day scores were hotter than the weather. The last placed Bunker Boys were Bill Jones with a net 74 and Mr. Loy net 73.

In the ladies group there was a tie between Im Woodruffe and Lamud Chaidara with net 71, Im winning on a count back.

The men’s competition saw Ray Woodruffe, John Preddy and Norman Brooks shooting sub par rounds and not even getting on the winners’ podium. Therry Phur with his magic putter fired a net 66 to join Benny, who broke 100 for his best round ever in second place behind fellow Icelandic friend Kerry Jonsson who had a magnificent 65. Kerry was so happy he wanted to ring the bell all night.

The Bunker Super Sawng was won by Lamud Chaidara and Norman Brooks on Mountain 8. The Bunker cannot remember the entire field playing so well. Welcome back Ed and Mam Trayling with Ed receiving the bananas for getting his wife disqualified for picking up when he insisted they were playing Stableford. Needless to say Mam was not very happy with Ed.

Friday 13 - nightmare at Sattahip?

Friday 13 saw the bunker boys and girls have a nightmare at Sattahip when they played the north and west courses. On a very hot and humid day scores plummeted compared with the previous competition at the relatively easy Phoenix.

In division one Terry Phur and Ken Lill shared second place with 31 points following Norman Brooks with a modest 33 points.

As always at the navy course division two scored better at Stableford with Mam Trayling and Icelandic Kerry Jonsson sharing second place with 35 points. The winner of the day was the transport manager John Preddy who recorded 37 points which could have been much more if he had not wilted over the last few holes.

The Bunker Super Sawng Award was not won and Friday 13 proved to be a real nightmare for Mr Loy who recorded the low score of 24 points to receive his own bunker banana booby.

22nd P.S.C. Members Open

Red tees or white tees? Keep your crash helmet on

Bob Moberg claims the bragging rights

The Square Ring

by Howie Reed

It was the fight that finally lived up to its billing. It was an 11 round bloody war that many had even going into round 10. Towards the end of the 10th, with both fighters bleeding, DeLaHoya landed a left hook that had Vargas doing the “closing time shuffle.” Early in the 11th, DeLaHoya landed another huge left hook that sent Vargas to the canvas for the first and last time. Vargas beat the count but could not withstand the flurry of punches that forced Referee Joe Cortez to stop the fight at 1:48.

Oscar DeLaHoya (35-2) proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that skill, a great jab, intelligence and heart will beat heart every time. For Fernando Vargas (22-2) the loss might just be the best thing that could have happened. For the second time in his career he’s let his “mouth overload his brain”. He may have won the battle of East LA by showing heart but lost his last chance at a legitimate title. He does walk away with about 7-10 million reasons to say “Thank You” to Oscar DeLaHoya every night. He’s young, can hit like a mule and has heart. The downside is that his mind is also mule like. Unless he learns to box and think at the same time he will be regulated to the pile of “I could of’s.” Oscar’s next will be against either Shane Mosley or the retired Felix Trinidad.

Meanwhile, at York Hall in Merry Ole London, Ireland & Classroom Scott’s favorite Wayne McCullough (24-3) got back in action after a forced layoff by stopping a very tough Hurricane Johannes Maisa (17-3) in four. Maisa made a gallant effort to keep McCullough at bay but his efforts came to naught.

A bloody and swollen Dariusz Michalczewski overcame an early assault by Richard Hall to successfully defend his WBO light heavyweight title with a tenth round TKO (1:12) in Braunschweig, Germany. Michalczewski, who was cut over the right eye and under the left in the first round, took control for his 22nd title defense.

Wasn’t it Julie Andrews that sang, “The Hills are alive with the sound of music?” Yes, it was, as she reprised the role made famous on stage by Mary Martin. Andrews starred in the 1965 movie The Sound of Music. Where is this going? Well the Hills of Thailand are alive wth the sound of jr. flyweights wanting to fight for championships. True fact. IBF#6 Fahlan Sakkreerin (49–3–2, 18 KOs) filled out his entry in the sweepstakes when he got a 12-round split decision over Mun Jong Min (11-3–2, 6 KOs) of North Korea last Thursday. Sakkreerin was the aggressor scoring a knockdown in the 6th which was the result of a solid left. Without the 10-8 knockdown round Sakkreerin would have come out with a draw at best (114-113, 115-112 Sakkreerin and 119-113 for Mun Jong Min). Bet the judge that had the Korean wasn’t from the Land of Smiles.

After the fight Jimmy Chaichotchuang, the promoter and manager of Sakkreerin said, “I would like to challenge Ricardo Lopez for the IBF Jr. Flyweight title”. I’m sure he would. The question is would Sakkreerin?

In a supporting bout, IBF Intercontinental bantamweight champion Fahsung 3K Battery (36-6) scored a fourth round knockout over Andy Pardede of Indonesia.

Moving right along, Saman Sorjaturong (46-5-1-) has been one of the better Jr. Flyweights in the world for a long time. He became the IBF and WBC champion when he went to the Forum in Los Angeles to beat champion Humbuerto “Chiquita” Gonzales (42-3-0). That was in 1995. He was named Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine that same year. He defended the title 10 times before he went to Korea for a match with Yo-Sam Choi. He would lose a 12-round decision. The rematch, also in Korea, resulted in Sorjaturong being TKO’d in 7.

The Thai gets another chance at the title this time against Choi conqueror Jorge Acra (30-3-1) on November 16th in Las Vegas. Arce took the title away from Choi with a 7 round TKO. Sorjaturong is coming off a loss in Cambodia to an unheralded fighter which doesn’t bode well for his chances of getting the title back. He does, though, get a nice payday.

Maybe Ms. Andrews will be singing ‘Where Have All Thailand’s Jr. Flyweights gone?” Not to worry, there’s more where these came from. How about them apples?