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Pattaya players fare well in Thai Open Darts Championships 2002
by Len Banfield, Pattaya Sports Club Darts Chairman
September 3rd, 4th and 5th saw the Thai Dart Association
host the Asia-Pacific Cup XI in the Ballroom of the Maxx Hotel in Bangkok.
Eight nations competed: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, with national teams of 4 men and 2
women.
Four
members of Jack’s Team warm up at the practice board.
Herbie Nathan of New Zealand won the final event, Men’s
Singles, to give his team first place. Australia was second on aggregate,
Philippines third and Thailand an honorable fourth.
For the record, the Thai team consisted of Chalor (Little
Big Man) Thongjitti, Somsak (Pu) Simphen, Thanawat (Yong) Gaveenuntavong,
Narong Sakulneemedet for the men and Chatsuda (Emma) Ruangari and Saowanee (Aed)
Na Lampoon supplying the distaff side. Vichai Govindani managed the men
while Supaporn (Aed) was the women’s manager. Both of these people worked
ceaselessly along with other members of the organizing committee through the
following days organizing the Beer Chang Thailand Darts Open 2002.
Pud
(left) from Pattaya Londoner and Tanya (right) from Tippy’s made a good
showing at the tournament.
The Open was exhilarating, exhausting and exciting for an
ex-player to watch. The quality of the darts varied as always but about an
ever increasing standard. In each event there was an initial round robin
match to qualify for the elimination rounds. The rules were with 3 players
on the board 1 qualified, with 4 or 5 players 2 qualified, for the final 64
or 32 or 16. This in a competition open to the world, where 48 of the
players had been selected for their national team!
Pattaya and the Pattaya Spots Club can be proud of the
performances of the players who went. Some sponsored by the P.S.C. and
others sponsored by Jack and Wicha, who deserve great praise for their
support of our local players.
Noi
(left) and Nee represented the Pattaya Sports Club well.
Almost all our players qualified for their events. Our
girls Nee, Noi, Pud and Tanya all qualified in their doubles while Nee
missed out in the singles because she and Noi were 3 on a board against a
Japanese girl they eliminated, had equal points but on count back Noi won.
Just an unlucky draw for Nee. Noi (Chanpen) ended up a semi-finalist with a
trophy to prove it. Pud (Puttasorn) and Tanya ended up in the final 16s and
8s.
Meanwhile, back at the lunch counter for sustenance and
relief of tensions on behalf of the players, I encountered Russell Stewart
(from the Australian team) who worked out for me that we last met in 1989 in
Exmouth when he was the world’s No. 2 behind Anderson, which was
absolutely no disgrace. He had a very good recollection for two reasons:
first there was no stage at the venue we had, so a stage was constructed
using Norcape Lodge’s spare cases of beer with a carpet on top. He was
never so high on beer in his life. The second: he played Garry Halse,
arguably the best Aussie player never to go to England and lost really
trying. He played about 1100 matches that trip and lost only 3. In darts
tempes fuget, just as in life.
Back to the game. The Pattaya men had in their midst a
PSC player called Id by us, but known to the World Dart Federation as
Damrongsak. He won the Singles at the last WDF National Open Championship
for Malaysia 2000. He played with Suraphol in the doubles and they ended in
the last 8. He played in the singles and became a semi-finalist by beating
Tony, the best of the happy Australians, but was beaten by Nathan by the odd
game after leaving 25 on a 170 peg, missing by a millimetre, which he did
not make on his last shot. Nathan went on to win, beating his compatriot
Warren in the final. Next year, Id will be going to defend his Malaysia
title. Chok dee, Id, do it again!
The experience is always more than the report can be. The people I talked
to from Hong Kong, Japan and N.Z. expressed such pleasure in the Thai
ability to be so nice and their ease in being happy and joking and smiling
and so friendly, leaving would hurt. The Australians I talked to and joked
with all want to come back. They have not had such a happy event before.
They loved the Pattaya Sports Club embroidered pocket I wore and swore to
come back to get one next year. I told them everything good in Bangkok was
better in Pattaya. If they believe me, then they are truly intelligent, just
like you and me.
British Club bangs Panthers in the first match of the season
The British Club defeated the Pattaya Panthers 32-5 in
the first match of the rugby season at the Panthers new home grounds at the
Horseshoe Point last weekend. Obviously suffering from a lack of fitness,
the home side, who played reasonably well in the first 20 minutes, lost some
their luster later in the game with Steve Turner berating the team during
the first break as they were down 2 tries to 1 in the first run.
Scrumming
for the first time this season, the Panthers didn’t exactly get off to a
great start - but hopes are still high for the near future.
The British Club, having trained out of the bar during
the off-season faired much better despite some confusion in subbing players.
However, they showed more or less better ball skills, making fewer errors
through the game and taking control of the try line through the final 20
minutes in which they scored another 2 tries and one conversion, taking the
total to 6 tries and one conversion at the full time whistle.
The Pattaya Panties fared better in the first match of the season, with
their game ending in a draw.
Freedman and Carnahoff walk it at Plutaluang
The re-appearance of Izzy Freedman in the Shenanigans
17th September fortnightly, with partner and newcomer Trevor Carnahoff, made
its mark with a combined Stableford score of eighty-one points. Izzy shot
the round of the day by carding forty-three points, with able support from
Trevor’s thirty-eight points contribution. Izzy also managed to take two
technical prizes with a nearest pin on E.2 and the longest first putt on
S.9.
Izzy
Freedman & Trevor Carnahoff, winners of the Shenanigans 17th September
fortnightly, received accolades from Beautiful and Mike Franklin.
Runners-up were the Traylings with a combined sixty-nine
points, Mam contributing thirty-eight and boosting the all-familiar winnings
with a near pin on S.7.
Malcolm and Peter Clare claimed third place with
sixty-seven points and Malcolm’s form won him a near pin on S.4 and the
long putt on E.9. With just one technical prize left, who else but Im
Woodruffe would be there to claim it, and she did on E.5.
The course was dry and hard, and play sometimes difficult
from the rough, but overall up to its usual high standard of presentation.
It was a fine day, breezy to windy, and a typical Shenanigans day out with
the little white ball. Back to Shenanigans afterwards for the ‘bargain’
100 baht meal, this week roast pork with Shenanigans potatoes and yummy
gravy.
Next outing is on Tuesday October 1st, providing the ideal warm-up for
the 2002 Shenanigans Irish Open on Friday the 4th, both at the Plutaluang
Thai Navy golf course. Complete information about Shenanigans golf, and all
the news, is on the web page www.shenanigans-pattaya.com
The kid’s are back in the kindergarten
Lawn Bowls Division One
Carlsberg Kids beer went flat when the all mighty
Yingyangs out played Martin of the Carlsberg Kids. It must have been his
long hair getting in his eyes. Come on Martin, get your hair cut and get on
with your winning ways again.
Tartan Bar escaped with a draw, picking up six shots on
the last end to ease the pressure of the Tartan Bar to stay in contention at
the top half of the league. Bill Jones face sunk like the Titanic when he
gave six shots away on the last end. Keep going Bill, you are getting there.
David from the Coral Reef, who must be playing billiards
these days, made a double cannon shot to take two on the twelfth end against
the Dream Team but still come out losing. Unlucky lads, keep going.
The Dutch duo has kick started the machines in the
Windmills again by beating The Cobblers. Cap in Hands carried on their ways
beating the rubber room boys from the Asylum to keep them on top of Division
One by two points. Keep going boys, you’re half way there.
Match of the week: Yingyangs
Team of the week: Cap in Hands
Player of the week: Thong of the Yingyangs
Results: Ying Yang 17 - Carlsberg kids 15, Cap In Hand 25 - Asylum 10,
Dream Team 19 - Coral Reef 13, Wind Mills 16 - The Cobblers 11, Tartan Bar
12 - Team Somtams 12.
Lawn Bowls
Division Two
Eddy the Eagle of the Teddy Bears marched to the top of
division two by beating the Asylum 2. Jan Bar carried on their streak
beating the BBs. Pete Dancer with his new girl player Ned in the team beat
the Likely Lads.
Match of the week: Jan Bar
Player of the week: Pete Dancer
Team of the week: Teddy Bears
Results: Asylum (2) 7 - Teddy Bears 22, Jan Bar 14 - BBs 12, Buriram
Stompers 18 - Likely Lads 6.
Mio’s challengers slipping away
Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League
This week the Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League had
some upsets and some close matches, but Mio’s team stayed firmly on top,
as the rest of the league begins to slip away.
Wan
(left) rolled a 214 string, whilst La (right) rolled a 203.
Mio’s team achieved a 2-2 draw against Bill’s team,
with Mio, as usual, bowling well. Mio rolled a 560 series, but against Bill’s
544 series, backed by Ooy’s 534, it was not enough to win.
Kran’s team lost 1-3 to Jeed’s team, with Wan as
captain for the day leading the way with a 214 string and 513 series.
Tue’s uninspired team also lost, 1-3 against La’s
team. La bowled well, rolling a 203 game and 506 series, and was helped by
Peter’s 525 series.
This all gives Mio’s team a further lead, but the fight
for 2nd is heating up as the bottom teams begin winning.
Another good turnout this week: 19, and it was good to
see Jan playing with us for the first time.
Team standings after 21 weeks
Won Lost Sept. 16
1. Mio 49 1/2 34 1/2 2-2
2. Kran 42 1/2 41 1/2 1-3
3. Tue 42 42 1-3
4. Bill 41 43 2-2
5. Jeed 40 44 3-1
6. La 37 46 3-1
Fitness Tips: Water Workouts
G’Day Readers, have you all recovered from the Jesters
bike ride? Congrats to all that participated and a big thank you to all the
supporters; you know our donations will go to helping to improve the quality
of life of many needy recipients in our area.
Anyone further interested in sporting events that involve
cycling, be it road, mountain bike or triathlon take a look at www.
bangkoksports.com It’s a website that is basically a notice board for
sporting events throughout Thailand and the people that run the site are
very helpful to all, beginners through to elite athletes.
This week I stumbled across an article on exercise in the
water. With the weather cooling off it’s time to get back in the pool, now
that it’s refreshing again, and I recalled several conversations over the
last 12 months with fit and unfit people alike. These people all told me
they don’t like to workout in the water, as they don’t feel like they
are working hard enough. Let’s take a look at the article first and I’ll
break it down for you afterwards.
Benefits of strength training in the water
Have you ever had a hard time convincing yourself that by
participating in aquatic exercise you are receiving a strength-training
workout as well?
Most people probably believe that to increase strength
they need to be on the gym floor pumping iron with the body builders, but
here’s how you can justify that water-based activities can be an effective
strength training workout. By using buoyant equipment or movement patterns
that utilise the water’s resistance, reasonable force will be generated
that the muscles must overcome; effectively you are strength training in the
water.
"So why don’t we have sore muscles the day after
our session in the pool?" you might ask. The reason: it all comes down
to concentric and eccentric contractions; when exercising in the water there
is resistance all around you so when you move, the muscles are primarily
performing concentric contractions. Research shows that, especially during
the first few weeks of training, training the muscles eccentrically only
produces more muscular soreness than training only concentrically.
A few definitions first: the two forces that we must
overcome in a strength training workout in the pool are drag and
differential specific gravity. Drag comes from trying to move an object,
e.g. you, through a liquid in this case. Specific gravity deals with, again
in this case, things that are lighter than water so it’s difficult for you
to hold them under and then even more so to move them around under the
water.
If you take these things, sealed but empty dish washing
liquid bottles for another example, hold them under water and move them
around in a prescribed manner for sufficient periods of time you will get a
hard workout. Training like this will go a long way to developing your
strength, specifically your strength endurance if you use the same item for
progressively longer periods of time.
An even greater benefit of performing this type of
training is that it must stimulate the muscles of the abdominal area and the
lower back to allow a strong support base. This strong support base is
crucial if you are hoping to control the movement of the ‘toy’ under
water.
So doing an upper body strength training workout in the
pool will help to narrow your waistline, relieve back problems and improve
trunk range of motion and flexibility.
Sounds good all of a sudden doesn’t it.
If you are interested in aquatic exercise please give me
a call or drop in to Dusit Resort Sports Club. I’ve just re-commenced the
club’s aquatics programme, so see you on Friday mornings at 0930.
Carpe’ Diem
The Admiral gets first A flight win
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday Sept 16
Treasure Hills
Stroke play
The popularity of this Treasure Hills Golf course was
attested to by the large turnout, for a Monday tournament, after a week of
golf every day in more major competitions the week before. Treasure Hills is
a fair drive from Pattaya but is in the peace and tranquilities of the real
Thai countryside, a real throwback to gentler times. The course played host
to a stroke play competition in two flights: A flight 0 to 19 and B flight
20 and above.
 John
McHugh
John McHugh won the A flight with a fine net 68. John is
in fine form of late. Second with a net 71 was Joe Sebastian, now firmly
ensconced in the A flight, and third with a net 72 was Kerry Jonsson.
The B flight was won by much ‘decorated’ Andy Spence
with a net 65, the round of the day. Second and third were decided on a
three way count back, all on net 73, with John Levy coming second, Dave
Richardson third and Tony Steele just losing out.
Two nearest the pins were put on and the winners were: #6
Andy Spence and # 17 Chris Fox.
Thursday Sept 19
Khao Kheow
Country Club
(Stableford)
Certain courses are designed by sadists and played by
masochists and to schedule it to be played every month makes the organisers
fall into both camps. To make the situation even harder the A & B nines
that were played in this competition were the hardest combination, but even
so only equate to a 70.9 off the yellow tees, and a slope index of 126.
When I used to visit here on holiday I used to rate
courses on the number of balls I lost on each course, this course was the
most difficult not to lose balls on and was a seven ball course, closely
followed by Green Valley as a five ball course, etc., so plenty of balls
were required to play these courses.
 Dave
Richardson
Despite the torture expected we always get a really good
turnout to visit the course, in expectation by the players that they can’t
do as bad as last month. Well, I have to say they are generally wrong and as
is usual this time it was Khao Kheow 16 the Kronborg 0.
However, all is not gloom and gloom as this is Pete Galle’s
second favourite course and as Pete is our own World Class ‘Trencherman’
- his speciality here is the beef dishes, and he classes them second to
none. Pete sat in the nice ‘Pagoda’ at the start of the ‘B’ course
and suffice to say after all those ‘Rainbow Sundaes and Khao Kheow Beef’
it gave up the ghost.
The course was in excellent condition and the ‘victims’
primed to go, a little wind but blustery rather than constant with as is
usual the fairways in excellent condition and the greens sneaky. The day
ahead looked full of promise, especially as we had with us golfers who in
their last competition at Burapha had shot 46 and 45 points respectively.
 Bob
Benda
I played with ‘Tower’ who shot 46 points at Burapha
but he was back to his crash helmet best; I hope it isn’t catching as it
seemed to be. Needless to say with 29 points there was no way he could be in
the shake up, was there?
The Admiral was thrashing along and had 6 points in the
last three holes for 34 points, maybe a chance of a last minute rush for a
place? Who knows here?
That most photographed man Bob Benda was struggling
along, only 32 points, and no chance! The 45 point man at Burapha Bryn
Jones, no comment, it’s the old saying: 24 hours in amateur golf.
So back to the restaurant and awaiting the results, the
two flights came out at A flight 0 to 20 and the B flight 21 upwards. As I
realised what the first few scores meant I tried desperately to make A
flight 0 to 19 as Dave is on 20, but a sense of misplaced honesty didn’t
allow me, so amidst amazement the winner of the A flight and best score of
the day went to Dave ‘The Admiral’ Richardson with 34 points. I believe
it was the first time Dave has won the A flight.
Second on 32 points was Derek Brook, The Honest, and
third on 30 points was a bemused Ebrahim, beating Bob Morrison on count
back. Bob could be heard bemoaning the fact he had just not concentrated the
last few holes as he thought he had no chance, and here a lesson for all:
never give up, it can cost you.
On to the B flight where the scores were not as good as
in the A flight, the winner with 32 points was Bob Benda, second with 30
points was Hwan Yong Hwan and Tyrone (Tower) Bridge was third with his
magnificent 29 points - a full 17 points less than his last round.
The lesson to be learned from this competition is that at golf you have
only to win the test on the day, and a win is a win, keep trying you never
know. One thing is certain, nearly all the players found it a great course
and will be back to challenge it again.
John King reigns at Ban Chang
I.P.G.C. Pattaya Golf Society with the Bunker
Tuesday September 17 had the Bunker Boys travel to the
ever-popular Century Ban Chang for their medal competition.
On a sweltering hot day, division two saw Icelandic Benny
with a net 75 coming third behind Englishmen Bill Chadwick 74 and the
transport manager John Preddy on level par. Mr John’s winnings are lately
catching up with his monthly salary.
Division one had the flying Scot Alex Alan on 73,
trailing Icelander Kerry Johnson on level par, with the winner John King
firing the only sub par net 70 of the day.
The tricky par threes proved too much for the Bunker boys
with nobody in the field getting the magic Super Sawng award.
The famous Bunker Bananas were awarded to 13 handicapper
Colin Wilkes for reasons that cannot be printed in this report.
Richard Lyne takes two
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday
September 16
Phoenix Golf Club
Monthly Medal
1st Division
1st: Arthur Hancock, 72
2nd: Stephen Beard, 76
3rd: Phil Groves, 80
2nd Division
1st: Randall Penrod, 70
2nd: Serge Straeten, 75
3rd: B.J. Smith, 77 cb9 36
4th: Jimmy Little, 77 cb9 36 5
As usual the monthly medal was held over the Mountain and
Ocean courses off the blue tees and as usual it proved to be a very good
test of golf with the greens playing fast and true, while the fairways
provided little run, making the course play its full length.
In the first division, Arthur Hancock took the honours by
a street from the "Doc" who has just returned from an extended
three week break following his recent stint on the whoopee cushion. Phil
Groves, the quiet Australian, for once was unable to contend with the
greens, failing to make one putt all day, which left him lagging even
further behind.
Randall Penrod, who as Arthur ran out an easy winner, due
to not realizing how difficult the course really was, headed the second
division. Serge Straeten took second, with B.J. and Jimmee needing to be
separated by count back for third.
It was no surprise to find that no one was able to score
a two and therefore the pot was carried forward to the following
competition. This brings to an end the current years qualifying competitions
for the Gold and Silver Medals to be held in December at Phoenix.
A list of the qualifiers can be found at The Haven on the
golf section notice board.
Wednesday
September 18
Century Ban Chan
Bogey
1st: Richard Lyne, 4 up
2nd: Christoph Vielle, 3 up
3rd: Richard Pietrzkiewiez, 2 up
4th: Jeff McLaury, all square
The rain threatened but never materialized and the round
was played in near perfect golfing conditions albeit over fairways with
little or no run and greens that were showing a five o’clock shadow,
although the course was in generally very good condition and continues to
benefit from the work put in by the ground staff.
Richard Lyne took the first of his two wins for the week
with a solid display of golf that saw him returning a four up against
"Old Man Par", no mean feat at this notoriously miserly track.
"The Baker", Christoph Vielle, making an infrequent visit, chased
him all the way, just failing over the closing holes to keep pace with the
hot pace that Richard had set for the field.
Richard "P", as he is known to all English
speaking players, also recorded a good score of two up to take third with
Jeff McLaury grabbing the last slot on the podium with another steady round
with his shiny new clubs.
The twos, including the carryover, were shared between
the "Doc", Richard Lyne and Dave Lee.
Back at The Haven Richard Livingston, the resident PGA
professional welcomed back Larry Ball for his bi-monthly holidays.
Friday September 20
Siam Country Club
Stableford
1st: Richard Lyne, 38 points
2nd: Serge Straeten, 37 cb9 21
3rd: Arthur Hancock, 37 cb9 17
An unusually quiet Siam Country Club was the venue for
the weekly Stableford competition, and with the greens also unusually quick,
fast would be pushing the use of the language a little over the top, it made
for a delightful round for all the contenders on the day.
Richard Lyne continued his good run of form and just
managed to keep ahead of the chasing pack lead by Serge Straeten, who has
come on in leaps and bounds following his additional coaching by "Pin
Eye". Indeed, so much so that playing with his mentor he managed to
recoup all of the lesson fees plus enough to live on for a week by beating
him off the stick. He is now offering a reciprocal arrangement to "Pin
Eye", who at the time of writing had not made up his mind whether to
accept.
Arthur Hancock, again playing very tidy golf, closed out
the last place on the podium.
The competition was also the first of the two counting
monthly order of merit games, and Serge’s second place was good enough to
ensure his first twelve pointer of the season, although it still leaves him
with much to do over the last three months. Moe Bertrand took ten points to
get himself into contention, whilst Jeff McLaury took eight points to keep
his hopes alive. Of the rest, only B.J. managed to improve on his previous
outings although it was only one point. Bob Lindborg, "Pin Eye"
and the "Doc" were there to make up the numbers.
For the second time in a week there were no takers in the
twos competition and the pool was therefore carried forward.
Some winners had to leave, some just arrived
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s - Orchid
Sunday
September 15
Green Valley - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Moe Deverdene - 40 points
2nd A Flight - Klaus Schackt - 39
3rd A Flight - George Jackson - 39 points
1st B Flight - Steve Donovan - 37 points
2nd B Flight - Tom Orton - 36 points
3rd B Flight - Colin Davis - 35 points
Near pins: #2 Mike May, #9 Emil Itin, #12 Ya Chaiyanont
and #16 Harry Riley
Like the true Canadian gunslinger that he is, Moe
Deverdene won A Flight and left town. Well the circumstances were not all
that suspicious as Moe was returning to Yemen for work. But it doesn’t
hurt to be a gunslinger in Yemen either. Moe’s best of the day 40 points
barely edged 2nd place finisher Klaus Schackt’s and 3rd place finisher
George Jackson’s 39 points. The latter fell to the bronze by virtue of one
point count back loss on the back nine holes.
Steve Donovan, who would have finished tied for fifth in
A Flight, used his managerial manipulation to make himself the B Flight
winner with a one-point victory over visitor Tom Orton (who did it with
rented clubs). One player’s comment echoed the sentiment of the field,
"@#$% Steve!" Like it needs mentioning but the Hee-Haw man sidled
off with third place in B. He might be losing his touch (don’t you hope)
because he had to stoop to the second level of count back, the last six
holes, to edge visitor Emil Itin. It would have been Emil’s first visit to
the pay window, but did the Donkey show any remorse? You know the answer.
Thank goodness Emil did have a nearest the pin to join
Mike May and Ya Chaiyanont (if my memory is correct) as first time winners
at Lewiinski’s-Orchid Golf Club. It cannot go without mention that Mike
Ryall, playing off 14 handicap and sporting the most prodigiously sliced
drive known to man, had 5 birdies on the day. The sad news is that,
apparently, FUAB’s (Foul-Ups [sic] After Birdies) were afoot as Mike
managed only 32 points on the day.
Tuesday
September 17
Laem Chabang - C & A - White Tees
Medal/Stroke
1st A Flight - Julian Clarke - net 68
2nd A Flight - Kevin Ward - net 70
3rd A Flight - Stan Fry - net 72
1st B Flight - Serge Straeten - net 71
2nd B Flight - Svein Visturg - net 71
3rd B Flight - Chicka Smith - net 73
It is a well-known rule amongst those who are resident in
Pattaya that we have to get to our friends, whether they are coming for long
holiday or returning from work, early. Get to them before they acclimate to
the Pattaya nightlife, in the case of the visitor, or before get the rust
out of swing, in the case of the working lads. Julian Clarke did not run
according to form as he opened his Pattaya stay with brilliant gross 74, net
68, and a victory in A Flight.
Kevin Ward, who is a 4 and stays out to at least 4,
matched Julian’s gross score but could only snatch second with his net 70.
Stan Fry led the rest of the field of mortals with a 72 net.
Serge Straeten beat his European Union compatriot (they
are all compatriots come Ryder Cup time) Svein Vistung on count back to
claim the top podium spot in A Flight. Chicka "Tom Thumb" Smith
did not find himself in a Blue (as our friends from Oz refer to a punch-up)
the night before this comp and discovered that this new-found health was
beneficial to his game, taking his first podium position as third place
winner in B Flight.
Wednesday
September 18
Khao Kheow - A & B - Yellow Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - John McHugh - 37 points
2nd A Flight - John Emmerson - 36 points
3rd A Flight - Chris Fox - 33 points
1st B Flight - Frank Sinclair - 35 points
2nd B Flight - Morton Esseth - 35 points
3rd B Flight - Norm Robinson - 30 points
In the above article I mentioned that you have to get to
guys early when they come to town. In the case of Johnny McHugh, who comes
to town for four months at a time, you have only the first three months to
get to him. But come that last month watch out! Johnny’s pic (the girl’s
love him) and name has appeared on these Sports Pages prodigiously of late
and he added today’s A Flight victory with 37 points on the long (yellow
tees), windy Khao Kheow.
Fellow long hitter "Wee Johnny" Emmerson
bettered the wind for second, and McHugh’s workmate (and yeah, another
Boston Bomber from Guam) came third.
So I told you it was long and windy, but if that it so,
what it heaven’s name was Frank "Papa" Sinclair doing standing
atop the B Flight podium? There were some disparaging remarks about
"him never hitting high enough to reach the wind", but trust me,
this former low handicapper still has those shots of yore rattling around in
his bag. Frank beat Morton Esseth who can shoot anywhere between 90 and 110
on consecutive days on a "last 6" count back. Norm Robinson, in
the spirit of Julian Clarke, strode into town and came third in B flight.
Etiquette reminder - When another golfer is playing
his/her shot remain well behind and out of the sightline of that golfer. Do
not move or make noise while the golfer is preparing and taking his shot.
Reminder: Stan Fry’s Birthday Bash is on Wednesday,
October 16th at Green Valley. Its individual Stableford followed by a fine
buffet and the award of numerous prizes at the Classroom A-Go-Go.
From bags to riches
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday the 16th brought the golfers from the Three
Sisters out to their regular venue, Siam CC. Chris John became the first
golfer in the group, since the group got together couple of years back, to
win one week, become the bag holder the next week, then become the winner
the third week. John shot 22 points on the first nine and finished off with
19 on the back to take the bragging rights with 41 points. That was the
quickest that anyone left the cellar.
Bob
Greenfield came in ‘holding the bag’ while Chris Johns won the ‘Bragging
Rights’ again during the 3 Sisters weekly Stableford competition at Siam
Country Club Monday Sep 16.
Coming in just back of Chris was Trevor Carnahoff with 39
points. Trevor, just back from work, shot one of his better games. Following
Trevor was Derek Brook with 37 points. Derek shot a better front nine but
faltered on the back.
Bob Greenfield joined the Three Sisters group of golfers on Monday after
not being seen on the golf course for quite a while, and the rust was
showing. Although Paul Kraft gave Bob a scare, Bob came up holding the bag
with 25 points. Bob won’t stay there for long.
The Square ring
by Howie Reed
It’s been many moons since there was a "real world
title" fight in the Kingdom between world class fighters. Thailand’s
not alone with this malady. This fight is different. In honor of and to
celebrate King Bhumipol’s birthday on December 5th, Yodsanan Nanthachai
3K-Battery (38-2) is set to defend his WBA Super featherweight title against
Joel Casamayor (27-1). Casamayor, who fights out of Miami Beach, Florida, is
one of five Cuban fighters that rode a raft from Cuba to the USA. Like all
Cubans he lives in Miami Beach. (Some say that Cancun Mexico is a lot like
Miami except in Cancun they speak English.) Fighting under the banner of
Team Freedom, Casamayor has been the most successful of the Ex-Cubans,
winning the WBA title from Antonio Hernandez (50-21).
The rap on Casamayor had always been that living in the
USA he’s gotten used to the good life. Never in shape to fight 12 rounds.
Always able to fight and win by doing as little as possible. That habit
caught up to him against Acelino Freitas (32-0, 20 KO’s). Thus his sixth
title defense was his last. Freitas fought 12 rounds and Casamayor didn’t.
This trait bodes well for K-Battery. When Freitas added the WBA title to his
WBO title, the WBA declared him a "Super Champion". The WBA then
named Yodsanan 3K-Battery the WBA Champion. Yodsanan has been one of the
most protected of all Thai fighters, never going out of the country while
fighting some opponents with suspect records. There’s the chance that
Yodsanan’s lack of quality opposition and Casamayor’s laziness will
balance off making for a great fight.
Last week the Square Ring reported that IBF#6 Fahlan
Sakkreerin (49-3-2, 18 KOs), through his manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang, has
expressed the desire to fight IBF Champion Ricardo Lopez (51-0-1). Lopez has
been recognized as the preeminent Jr. Flyweight over his 17 year career. In
1999 Lopez announced that he was retiring. NOT. Each time he’s come back
for just "One more fight". It must be that time of year because
Lopez has again announced that, "I will hang them up this year."
Does that preclude a fight with Sakkreerin? No way. Lopez has had his way
with Thai fighters including Ratanapol Sor Vorapin (38-6-1) who he KO’d
last year. Lopez has defeated 7 fighters from the Kingdom with only Mongkol
Charoen (25-8-3) going the full 12 rounds. Lopez one fight in Bangkok,
September 19, 1993, ended in an 11 round TKO of Toto Pongsawang. Lopez has
fought good fighters before they became "really" good. In Toto’s
case he was 3-0 at the time of the fight and had no business fighting for
any title. Add in a 1-1 (Singprasert Kittikasem) and a 4-0 (Surachai
Saengmorakot) and his Thai record is less impressive.
One of the most popular fighters, in any division, is
Wayne McCullough (25-3). He’s not only popular but in a class with the
elite of boxing. His three career losses come at the hands of Eric Morales
(41-1), Naseem (36-1) and Daniel Zaragoza (55-8-3). All were by decision.
Against Zaragoza it was a split decision and to a man that defended his
title 19 times finally losing to Eric Morales. McCullough is one of the
candidates for Irish Sportsman of the Year in the land of Guinnesses,
racehorses and good box fighters. All his fans in the Kingdom can give him
an "Attaboy Wayne" by logging on to www.bigbuzzire land.com and
casting their vote.
Action last week in Bangkok: Sod Looknongyangtoy (8-0, 4
KOs) successfully retained his WBO Asia-Pasific superbantam title for the
5th time, dropping Indonesian Danger Pasaribu three times in round 2, the
last at 1:45 for the "W". Former WBC 105-lb king Wande Chor
Charoen (38-3, 9 KOs) disposed of Filipino Vicente Adrales by
"surrender" at the end of round 4.
If you made travel plans for Madison Wisconsin to watch
Eric Morel (31-0) fight Denkaosaen Kaowitch (26-0) on October 12 for the WBA
Flyweight belt, cancel. The fight’s been moved to the Arrowhead Pond in
Anaheim, California where the Mighty Ducks do play. How about them apples?
“Games Day” hosted by UK Club of Pattaya big success
The UK Club of Pattaya recently held another delightful
Games Day for members and guests. The day began in Jomtien with eight teams
competing for poll position in the daylong event. Following a round of
bowling and a few mishaps on the lanes, the 60-strong crowd made their way
to the Sports Club Bar in Pattaya for the final rounds of competition
including sudden death snooker, darts and a quiz.
Steve
Manning from the Sportsman (left), receives the winning trophy from Peter
McCarthy Sr. of the Sports Club Bar (centre) and Ron Hall, president UK Club
of Pattaya.
The venue was packed, with everyone enjoying
participating in the games. The Pig & Whistle bolstered three teams
including the effervescent ‘Ron’s Angels’, led by Yuwadee Hall, who
were seen chiding the predominantly male teams into giving them a leading
edge.
However, this was not to be. The Sportsman’s team from
Soi 13 was the overall winner of the Games Day and achieved 34 points to
take the trophy.
Members
of the winning team are all smiles.
The Bar Fines from the Pig & Whistle were a very
close second with 32 points and took the runners up trophy. The only ladies
to enter, Ron’s Angels did not disgrace themselves and finished a close
7th in what was a fun filled day for all.
The UK Club of Pattaya will host their next event on October 28th - a
charity dinner at the Marriott Hotel. The Grand Raffle prize will be a
cruise for 2 people donated by Star Cruises valued at 32,000 baht. Call
Malcolm Boden 09 545 4185 for more information and tickets.
THA organizes the THA Sport Competition 2002 for the 12th time
The Thai Hotel Association of the Eastern Seaboard
organized their annual THA Sport Competition 2002 for the 12th time. The
competition lasted from August 5th to September 15th, during which time the
different hotels of the Eastern Seaboard participated in various sport
competitions.
Second
runners-up in the cheerleading competition - Dusit Resort
Sonthaya Khunpluem, Minister of Science, Technology and
Environment opened and closed the event together with Chachawal
Supachayanont, president of the THA for the Eastern Seaboard.
On the day of the opening ceremony the participating
hotels put together a parade and had a fun game of football, switching
around teams and including VIP’s, such as the mayor of Pattaya, Pairat
Suttithamrongsawat, to start off the sports events. Cheerleaders from the
Panichayarn School came to cheer on their teams, and were an eyesight for
spectators as well as for the athletes.
Football
champions from the Montien Hotel Pattaya.
The winner of this fun competition was the Montien Hotel
which beat Pattaya Park Beach Resort 4 to 1. That evening there was a dinner
and prizes were handed out to the winners.
The three goals of the THA Sport Competition 2002 were:
1) to build teamwork between the members of the hotels and the THA, 2) to
encourage better time management and health improvement, 3) to determine the
winners of the Eastern Seaboard who will participate in the THA Hotel Sport
Competition 2002.
The
grand opening parade featured beautiful maidens, plus costumes made out of
recycled material and even tour bus costumes.
For the full competition the winners were:
Football
1) Montien Hotel Pattaya
2) Pattaya Park Beach Resort
3) Royal Cliff Beach Resort
Women’s Volleyball
1) Dusit Resort
2) Town in Town
3) Siam Bayshore
Track events
1) Dusit Resort
2) Royal Cliff Beach Resort
3) Siam Bayshore
Cheerleading
1) Siam Bayview
2) Siam Bayshore
3) Dusit Resort
Parade Marching
1) Siam Bayshore
2) Siam Bayviewtion - Dusit Resort
“Two Fingers of Red Eye”
PH3 Run 967
"Two fingers of red eye" conjures up visions of
a dusty cowboy leant against a saloon bar, small shot glass of whisky in the
fingers of his right hand, which is immediately slugged down before he turns
around and shoots somebody, much like a quiet Tuesday afternoon in Soi 7.
What has that got to do with the Pattaya Monday Hash? Well, absolutely
nothing…
At approximately 16.30 I cruised into the now familiar
"A" site by the red hill on Phoenix Road. There were new faces
everywhere, as the Interhash travelers were arriving in town. The GM came
over "You are the scribe today OK." Yeh fine. I noticed his eyes
were a little red. I wandered over to chat to Vi Vi, well nod, smile and
mumble really, his eyes were red and puffy, maybe I should try one of today’s
hares, SS, his eyes were red and swollen, and then another Belgian in the
same condition. At first I surmised that they all must support Manchester
United and that it had all been too much recently and that emotions had
taken the better of them. However, that was unlikely as collectively the
Belgians would not be able to spell emotions. Collins English dictionary
states that Conjunctivitis is: inflammation of the membrane covering the
eye, passed between persons who share the same pillow. I quickly
re-surmised that this was either a huge case of rule 6 or bad timing in Soi
6.
Fact: You can not lick your own elbow.
We formed a circle, all 118 of us. Many of the visitors
were unfamiliar with the new shoes traditions and 7 were brought in to drink
from them. Hares for the day SS and Flying Sheep Sh…er came in and gave us
the run instructions and off we set, Charlie Manson leading the pack.
At the first check there were two false trails forward
and right, the trail went off to the left, through the tapioca past cattle
and on to the second check. We weaved through newly ploughed fields, the
third check and false trail had most of the pack together as we struggled to
break it, finally Tampax solved it, with two more forward checks and a big
loop we were back in 45 min - a good varied run.
The rain held off so there was a nice period of social
drinking before Fini called for a circle. The first item was the sale by
Obewan of his Interhash travel ticket and sign up, THB 142.50 for the lot.
Ewok on in for the raffle, no prizes for guessing which
was the last prize to go. Then there were 16 visitors all shackled together
in chains who had arrived together by boat. Now it was time for the RA, Sir
Airhead, he iced the hares but they were released early as it was a good
run. Next up was Quarter Pounder with Cheese who had returned from Yemen and
a PH3 runner from yesteryear the original Duke of Puke. Sir Airhead informed
us all that he used to drink beer and coke mixed which was the basis for his
predictable weekly chunder and hence his name. They were joined by T4 who
had been on a train journey, whilstcompetition - Dusit Resort sitting bored
had made from ring pulls taken from his refreshments, first a finger, then a
hand and finally an ankle, we should send him a little further next time and
we may eventually get one of the legs that we save for every week.
Missing Personality the hash trash was brought in
followed by Free Willy and Chicken Fellow who had left out a sign from last
week’s run; I believe the hash trash was transferred. The GM took back
control and brought in the Chicken Fellow again, he pointed out that CF had
shaved of his mustache but he had a nice black replacement for him. I should
add that it also had a extremely charismatic nose attached to it that
instantly attracted all the PooYing and had the majority of the circle
wishing they too could support such a facial feature.
Virgins and their sponsors were given a drink. Katoeys
B.B. was allowed to sit whilst the hares sung "Finger in". A..L
Bread Fruit came in as a new daddy to a bouncy 3KG daughter -
congratulations to him. Chicken Fellow took control as the good RA and
brought in Fini for stealing his flashlight from the beer truck. Katoeys B.
B. as a leaver and total abuse of rule 6 yet again.
The visiting Aussies were allowed to sit during the Yogi
Bear song, no circle would be complete without CF bringing in T4 for some
punishment, apparently he was a little sore as he had been on a 50 KM bike
ride but had first removed his bike seat. Finally it was the hash hymn and
back onto the new disco bus back to the TQ2 for food and a good time.
You tried to lick your elbow didn’t you?
On-On Big Nosed B
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