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Chris John out-duels Pat Donnelan for TAGGS Invitational 2002 Championships
Chris John scored 41 Stableford points, but more
importantly he scored 14 over the last 6 holes to edge out Pat Donnelan in a
count back to win the 2002 TAGGS Invitational Golf Tournament played at
Phoenix Country Club on Friday, December 6.
Dream
Teamer Ernie Bakke proudly shows off his long drive trophy.
Chris, a 24 handicapper playing out of Division 3, shot a
91 off the sticks to earn the knotted putter trophy, the sweep and a whole
lot of accolades from friends.
Pat Donnelan, who plays off 13 in Division 1, shot a
credible gross 80 for 41 points to finish second overall and first in
Division 1. Both Chris and Pat scored 20 points on the back nine, but Pat
faded down the stretch, scoring 11 points over the last six to just lose out
on count back.
This annual event is held to celebrate TAGGS mogul
“Dr” Stephen Beard’s birthday, and this year 122 of his closest
friends joined the party. And what a party it was, as a remarkable 33
golfers, exactly 1/4 of the field, equaled or bettered their handicap. The
benevolent Doc also made sure that 30 golfers went home with a trophy.
One of the trophy winners was none other than Ernie Bakke
of the Dream Team who won the Rabbits long drive contest. What’s becoming
of the Dream Team? Another Dream Teamer, Kurt Farnham even scored 20 points
on the front nine. Alas, Kurt faded down the stretch and posted a more Dream
Team-like 10 points over the back nine.
Kurt, however, was not alone when fading down the
stretch, as the unseasonably hot weather took its toll on much of the field.
It also became obvious that the busy season is upon us, as hordes of Asian
golfers managed to get out onto the course before the first tournament
groups teed off, which in turn managed to slow play, sometimes to a halt. To
his credit, though, once the course marshal learned of the situation, he did
manage to speed things up a bit.
Birthday
boy Stephen “Doc” Beard (left) presents the coveted knotted putter
trophy to TAGGS Invitational 2002 champion Chris John.
The opening of the busy season does have its advantages,
as many a happy returnee could be seen back on the course. The winners’
list was an eclectic mixture of nationalities, residents and returning
visitors.
Regular man-about-town Malcolm Clare won Division 2 with
40 points on a count back after scoring 23 points on the back nine. Malcolm
also won the Division 2 long drive competition.
Passi Venalainen earned Division 3 honors, also with 40
points. Greg Schulze won the Rabbits Division with 41 points, and Nuan
Feaungoi won the Ladies Division with 40 points. Graham Johnson shot a 75
off the sticks to earn low gross honors.
Lots of smiling faces returned to the
presentation/birthday party back at The Haven and were treated to another of
Lamyai’s great buffets. Emcee Mike Franklin called out the winners for the
Doc to present their trophies, and after a rousing rendition of the “Happy
Birthday song”, the Doc sounded the horn to treat all to another round. It
was fuel on the fire, for in the spirit of friendship, the party lasted long
into the night.
Big thanks for the hard work done by PGA professional
Richard Livingston, Wayne Ogonoski, Mike Franklin, and of course Stephen and
his crew at the Haven, without whom this popular “major” on the golfing
calendar would not be possible.
Overall Champion
Chris John, 41 points (count back)
Low Gross
Graham Johnson, 75
Division I
1st: Pat Donnelan, 41
2nd: Graham Holmes, 40
Division II
1st: Malcolm Clare, 40 (cb9 23)
2nd: Pertti Reivila, 40 (cb9 20)
Division III
1st: Passi Venalainen, 40
2nd: Des Pearson, 36
Rabbits
1st: Greg Schulze, 41
2nd: Dave Lee, 36
Ladies
1st: Nuan Feaungoi, 40
2nd: An Drader, 39 (cb over Pid Ovegren)
Near pins: M4: 3rd Div Neil Griffen, 2nd Div Serge
Stratten, 1st Div Arthur Hancock. M8: 3rd Div Tai Kennedy, 2nd Div Roy
Mitchell, 1st Div John Emmerson. O5: 3rd Div Klaus Lukarsch, 2nd Div Bob
Lindborg, 1st Div Rick Sharp. O7: 3rd Div Gerhard Schulze, 2nd Div Pertti
Reivile, 1st Div Pete Murray.
Long drives: Ladies Noonit Tawapee, Rabbits Ernie Bakke, 3rd Div Len
Jones, 2nd Div Malcolm Clare, 1st Div Hans Collett.
Thai racers take 3 out of 4 major prizes at the 7th King’s Cup Jet Ski Competition
Flamingos and Sharks spotted off Jomtien Beach
Songklod Kaewvisit
Thai riders took 3 out of the four major prizes in a
field of international competitors at the 7th King’s Cup Jet Ski
Competition held off Jomtien Beach last weekend.
Chokuthit
Molee raises his trophy in elation after winning the Pro-Am Runabout 1200
Superstock championship.
Cheered on by the home crowds, Chaowalit Kuajaroon riding
for Flamingo took the top spot in the Pro-Am Runabout 800 Superstock
category, narrowly defeating current champion Chris ‘The Flying Fish’
Fischetti from the Ford Thailand team, while fellow countrymen Satakorn
Srisawad from the Happy Time Jet Sports won the Pro-Am Sport 800 Superstock
class and Chokuthit Molee from Flamingo sped in to win the Pro-Am Runabout
1200 Superstock class.
Jeff Jacobs proved why he is 10 times world champ taking
out the top prize in the Pro-Am Ski 800 Superstock category in an action
packed weekend on the water.
Last weekend’s competition hosted in Pattaya by
Thailand Jet Sports Boating Association (TJSBA) and the international body,
IJSBA drew riders from around the world to compete in the East Asian leg of
worldwide competition.
Conditions were fine on Saturday morning for the start of
competition racing. However, the first race didn’t go off without a hitch,
as a local fisherman decided he wanted to cross the race course rather than
go around. The crowd cheered as race commentators urged him, in Thai, to get
a move on, which he eventually did but at a slovenly pace.
Leading
the race has its advantages, not the least of which is being able to see
where you’re going.
Late afternoon showers luckily did not dampen the spirits
of the competitors, who continued to jockey for positions for the next
day’s finals.
The second day of racing saw the best of the field engage
in a heated battle for the right to be called best of the best. The
competition was broadcast around the nation, once again placing Pattaya and
Jomtien in the spotlight.
Vira Susangkornkanj, head of the TJSBA said, “The TJSBA
has received a great deal of cooperation from both the government and
private sectors as well as the Thai National team in hosting the event. The
King’s Cup can only boost Thailand’s position (as a host of) world
competition. This year we are very happy to welcome the IJSBA, which have
accepted the King’s Cup as part of their international series. The race
has developed through the last 6 years; it can only further develop
Thailand’s sporting ability and promote further opportunity for
tourism.”
Mayor Pairat added, “This is another outstanding
success for Pattaya and the TJSBA as we are very honored to present these
trophies under the auspices of HM the King of Thailand. Pattaya should be
proud to host such a sporting event, which can only benefit the city, the
sport and the country as a whole.”
General Surayuth Julanont, chief of the supreme command, who is also an
advisor to the TJSBA, presented the top four class winners their King’s
Cup.
Final rounds of King Powers Mistral World Championships 2002 this weekend off Jomtien Beach
Songklod Kaewvisit
Over 200 world-class windsurfers from 30 countries will
be competing in the King Powers Mistral World Championships 2002 this
weekend off the shores of Pattaya Park Hotel.
The competition is the first of four qualifying rounds to
earn places in the next Olympic Games to take place in Greece in 2004. The
world’s best windsurfers will be compiling points over the four qualifying
rounds, and only 12 national teams will qualify for the Olympics.
Thailand’s number one windsurfer, Aran Homraruen,
expressed confidence that the home waters advantage will enable Thailand to
earn serious points in both men’s and women’s categories and enable the
Thai national team to qualify for the next Olympics.
Aran, a Sea Games gold medal winner and an experienced
Olympic athlete, expressed confidence in Thailand’s performance in the
first round of qualifying, despite it being the most difficult stage.
“We have to work as a team, even if it is home
territory, because we will still have to compete in another 3 rounds to
qualify. We are racing against world-class athletes and champions.”
In all, a total of 9 Thai team members will be selected
if they qualify to race in Greece.
The King Powers Mistral World Championships 2002 are
being held off the shores of Pattaya Park Hotel in Jomtien. The races began
on December 8, and will continue through to the finals this Sunday, December
15.
Varuna Cup ready to sail: sponsors line up
Story and photo by Peter
Cummins
A long list of entries, with several from Australia and
Hong Kong, will ascertain that the 2002 Varuna Cup, to be raced off the
Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya, over the weekend of 14 & 15
December, will be a “full house”.
The
Hobies and Nacras will be making their presence felt in the Varuna Cup this
weekend.
Principal sponsor SIG Combibloc Ltd. has been joined by
the Alabat Resort in the Philippines, Lawton Asia Co. Ltd. and Nestle which
will make sure that the big fleet of juniors will, literally, wallow in ice
cream.
Royal Varuna sailor Antony Chapman, the driving force
behind this Varuna Cup revival, expects a team from Hong Kong Hobie Cat
strong -hold at Lantau Island and perennial visitors to the Kingdom, Aussie
National Nacra Champions - and Nacra builders, Mike and Warren Guinea who
take every possible opportunity to come to Pattaya.
There will be tough competition among the Hobie Cats
where David and Susan Race have ruled supreme at Royal Varuna for many
years. Alain Brancart too is always there giving the leaders a hard time and
there are many other good sailors straddling the Hobie pontoons.
In the Nacra Division, supremo Gary Baguley will take on
all-comers, with the new breed of single-handed 16 Squares, now carrying
gennikers - or, should that read, spinnakers. Alberto Cassio, sponsor’s
CEO Peter Ole Herning and other top helmsmen in this burgeoning class, will
be battling it out.
In the Open Catamaran Class, little, agile and
multi-talented Pouk Mackinson, honed up after the Koh Samui Regatta earlier
this year and constantly racing off Royal Varuna, will not give any quarter
to anyone.
A large fleet of Lasers is anticipated and this
highly-competitive single-hander, will be very evident around the course.
Other classes may include Wind-surfers, Mods and Platus,
though in the case of the first, it may be difficult to attract many
entries, for there is a World Championship Wind-surfing competition being
raced off Jomtien over the same weekend.
Last - and, by no means least - are the Optimists, under
Varuna junior sailing manager, Linden Phanpho and the little folk will also
have their own battles and then, of course, they will wolf down their Nestle
ice cream. I will bet that there will be a lot of adults, too, lurking
around the Nestle freezer.
Royal Varuna sailing secretary and web-master supreme,
Dick van den Heuvel will be in charge of the racing which will consist of a
minimum of five races - wind permitting, spread over Saturday, 14 and
Sunday, 15.
Dick announced that registration and measurement will be
at the Varuna Club from 0730 - 0900 Saturday morning, with a pre-race
briefing at 0900 and the first warning signal will be at 10:30.
There will, of course, also be a vigorous social programme and it looks
like being a great weekend of sailing - and, oh, what is that other Royal
Varuna occupation? Perhaps a beer or three at the sea-side bar after the
racing.
New Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League starts on December 13
Blind draws were held on December 6 and the new 30-week
league will start on December 13. This league will consist of ten teams of
three players per team with the team captain selected by the sponsor and the
remaining two players selected in the draw. The two new teams that have
joined the league are Domicile Restaurant and Jack & Tar Bar/Restaurant.
Fun
week winners: Otto, Tukata and Morn (Sven not shown).
Winners of this week’s fun week bowling that were
bowled with handicap were: Morn, Three Sisters, women high series 623,
Tukata, VFW Post 9876, women high game 231, Sven, Winchester Club, men high
series 562 and Otto, Cafe Ole, men high game 227.
Winners of the just completed 30-week league are:
First Place Team: Shakey Pete’s, Captain La, Jon, Tui
and Tukata.
Second Place Team: VFW Post 9876, Captain Jim, Pin, Peter
and Lek.
Third Place Team: Nice & Sleazy, Captain Tony, Tue,
Lada and Porn
High Game Scratch Women: Kran - 247 - Cafe Kronborg
High Game Scratch Men: Tony - 243 - Nice & Sleazy
High Series Scratch Women: Mio - 616 - House of the
Golden Coin
High Series Scratch Men: Gert - 572 - Three Sisters
High Game with Handicap Women: Mai - 256 - Winchester
Club
High Game with Handicap Men: Peter - 244 - VFW Post 9876
High Series with Handicap Women: Tukata - 681 - Shakey
Pete’s
High Series with Handicap Men: Suraphan - 661 - Cafe
Kronborg
The Bowling Party and awards presentation will be held in early January
2003 - time and place to be announced.
A day at the races
Sonthaya
Khunpluem (3rd from right), Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Chanyut
Hengtrakul (left), the minister’s advisor recently attended the opening
ceremony of “5th Thailand Touring Car Championship” at Bira Circuit.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
On Dec. 6, Rising Sun took match and beer over Lobby,
Palmer’s swept match and beer from Bulls Eye, Pleasure Dome won the match
but lost the beer to Mick’s Place, Devonshire won match and beer over
Cheers, and Bunker won match and beer over Smugglers Rest.
Dec 13 sees Palmer’s v Devonshire, Cheers v Rising Sun, Lobby v
Mick’s Place, Pleasure Dome v Smugglers Rest, Bunker v Bulls Eye.
Fitness Tips: Holiday!
G’day readers,
Yep it’s holiday time and I threw that headline at you
to catch your eye. Christmas is upon us again (he writes with a very large
smile on his dial) and the season of giving and general good will turns hard
hearts soft for, not only, our loved ones but those less fortunate than
ourselves. Be nice to someone. Just because you can be, enjoy the smile you
put on their face.
David -
looking fast in his mountain bike competition gear.
Eat breakfast to lose weight - yet another part of the fabulous Dusit
diet
A new study presented by the American Society for
Clinical Nutrition may be all you need to convince your clients of the
importance of eating a regular and healthy breakfast. The study revealed
that a vast majority of the people who successfully lose weight and manage
to keep it off eat a daily, healthy breakfast.
The National Weight Control Registry, USA, looked at
3,000 people who had each lost and kept off at least 13kg over a one year
period or more. Only 114 (4%) of the 3,000 participants claimed they never
ate breakfast while an impressive 78% ate breakfast every day.
Researchers believe that starting the day with a healthy
breakfast prevents people from getting hunger pains later in the day, which
can lead to overeating. Eating breakfast helps you better manage your food
intake throughout the day by spreading out your hunger.
Let’s take this thought another step further; a study
conducted by researchers at Cardiff University in the UK found that eating a
regular healthy breakfast significantly reduces the chance of contracting
colds or the flu.
The 500 healthy volunteers were required to keep a
ten-week diary of illness, noting any physical symptoms and affects on
memory, attention span and general mood.
Researchers found that those who had developed more than
one illness throughout the study were less likely to have eaten a regular
healthy breakfast. The 188 participants who developed colds were more likely
to drink and smoke than those who lead (enjoy) a healthy lifestyle,
including eating a regular breakfast, throughout the ten-week program. They
also found that smokers and participants who had a lot of stress in their
lives developed illnesses much quicker than non-smokers.
The study also demonstrated a link between eating a
regular healthy breakfast and a reduction in stress levels and stress
related illnesses
Helping Osteoporosis patients through Aqua
Many arthritis sufferers will undoubtedly boast the
benefits they have enjoyed from participating in aquatic exercise. Aquatic
exercise for arthritis sufferers has proved to be valuable physical therapy
for individuals with arthritic and related conditions such as rheumatoid
arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and ankylosing
spondylitis.
The benefits of aquatic exercise for the arthritis
sufferer are endless but include the following:
* Temperature-controlled aquatic therapy pools, which
provide a comfortable environment for arthritis patients.
* Depending on water depth, participants may only need to
move one-sixth of their body weight to receive benefits, which allows for
greater mobility without the risk of injury.
* Aqua therapy allows for a more rapid recovery following
surgery.
* Aquatic exercise is fun! Therefore, participants will
be more likely to maintain regular attendance and enjoy increased health and
physical as well as mental well being. They are also likely to form new
friendships with like minded people.
Dusit Resort Sports Club is currently offering Aqua
Aerobics classes once a week at 0930 on Friday’s, check it out!
Carpe’ Diem
Malcolm and Mo take the honours
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 2nd
December
Burapha East
Bogey
1st: Malcolm Clare, 4 up
2nd: Chris Davisson, 1 up cb9 1 up
3rd: Dave Lee, 1 up cb9 all square
4th: Peter Emslie, 1 up cb9 1 down
Playing from the blue tees over the East Course at
Burapha is usually a fair test of golf and with the extremely heavy rain
that fell the night before the competition that left trees uprooted and
washed away and the fairways giving zero run to the ball, it was surprising
that so many of the contenders played so well. Indeed on some of the
fairways relief had to be taken from dead fish that were unable to find
their way to safety during the previous night’s deluge.
Malcolm Clare ran away with first place, no doubt due
somewhat to his years of experience working at sea surrounded by water, by
three clear shots, as he continues his quest to reduce his handicap to one
shot a hole. A target that gets closer week by week at the moment.
Chris Davisson led the chasing pack on 1 under, with Dave
Lee and Peter Emslie just losing out on count back.
This was Dave Lee’s fifth visit to the podium in seven
competitions and it cannot be long before he comes to the attention of the
club handicappers.
The twos were shared between Mike Morris, Dave Spendley
and Bernard Laffey.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new member Bernard Laffey from England
and welcomed back Ray Hurd and Dave Spendley also both from the England.
Wednesday 4th December
Century Ban Chan
Stableford
1st: Mo Bertrand, 39 points
2nd: Paul Taylor, 38 cb9 22
3rd: Michael Dige, 38 cb9 20
4th: Barry Traynor, 37 cb9 21
5th: Bob Lindborg, 37 cb9 20
6th: Doug Campbell, 37 cb9 14
The Nick Faldo designed course at Ban Chan continues to
benefit from the expenditure on fairway sprinklers and new drainage works
and with the greens also improving month by month, it is now one of the most
enjoyable courses to play in the area, with its spectacular views of the
surrounding tree covered hills.
Mo Bertrand improved on his recent form to claim a narrow
one-shot victory over playing partner Paul Taylor and returnee Michael Dige.
Michael putted sixteen times for birdie but was unable to convert one and is
now considering whether to use one of the famed knotted putters rather than
the 18" stick that he currently employs.
One shot back were Barry Traynor, Bob Lindborg and Doug
Campbell who had to be separated by the usual count back. Doug Campbell
could so easily have won if his back nine had been even halfway decent, but
that was not the case and Doug will have to wait a little longer to get back
his single figure handicap that he held for so many years that he can’t
remember when he didn’t have one.
The twos were shared between Barry Traynor and Karl Holm.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new members Eric
Ahlswede and Joe Bolinger both from Costa Rica, whilst welcoming back Tom
Sathrum from the USA, and Karl Holm, Kristin Helgason and Michael Dige all
from Denmark.
Friday found the entire Haven players at the TAGGS
Invitation, a report of which can be found on the back page of this issue of
the Pattaya Mail.
Diana Group Golf
Seniors & Ladies December Open
The next tournament, exclusively for Seniors (50-64),
Super Seniors (65+) & Ladies (any age) will be held at Pattaya Country
Club on Thursday January 2. The change in date from December 26 to a week
later on Thursday January 2 is due to the Christmas holiday. The January
fixture will be back on schedule, on Thursday January 30.
Program
* Booked tee-off times from 10 a.m.
* Format: Stableford (handicap qualifying)
* Transport leaves Diana Inn, 9 a.m. (B.100 return fare)
* Prize presentation & buffet at the Green Bottle 6
p.m.
* Trophy and prize for best score in each division
* Prize for runner-up in each division
* Technical hole prizes for near pins & long putts
* Sign-up at:
* The Green Bottle or
* Diana Group Driving Range
All Seniors, Super Seniors and Ladies welcome
Shenanigans Golf Society Extra Friendly at Christmas
by Mike Franklin
Shenanigans landlord Kim Fletcher, seasonally assisted by
Shenanigans director of golf, Mike Franklin, have added festive elements to
the pairs scramble taking place on Tuesday December 17 at Plutaluang,
playing the North and South courses.
The ‘Santa Scramble’, exclusively for Shenanigans
Very Friendly Golf Society members, will feature additional technical prizes
- four long putts and four near pins with men’s and ladies long drives.
The winning pair will receive a ‘Free Carvery for Two’ every week for a
year, together with the ‘Santa Superstars’ Trophy for 2002.
The runners-up will receive champagne, and third place
winners, bottles of Jameson’s.
An additional ‘pairs’ prize will go to the best
ladies pair - most likely a jug of margaritas, and something for the best
men’s and mixed pairs.
The entry for all members will be 200 baht (instead of
150 baht), but that does includes a free Irish Coffee back at Shenanigans.
The ‘Santa Superstar’ winning pair will naturally
have privileged access on the night, to the exclusive Superstars Table,
which usually props up the landlord between his welcoming sorties round the
pub.
This is a fun and extra friendly event to wind up the
year’s golf at Shenanigans, so sign-up early, in pairs please at
Shenanigans.
Spot plays like anything but a dog
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s - Orchid
Sunday - December 1
Green Valley - White Tees
Medal
1st A Flight - Pat Donnellan - net 68
2nd A Flight - Barry Tregurtha - net 68
3rd A Flight - John Emmerson - net 68
4th A Flight - Stan Fry - net 69
1st B Flight - Paul Ovens - net 62 - Monthly Medal Winner
2nd B Flight - Jim Munns - net 71
3rd B Flight - John Dilstein - net 71
4th B Flight - Lee Adelly - net 71
38 players squared off to contest the last Lewiinski’s-Orchid
Monthly Medal of 2002 at the traditional Sunday venue of Green Valley Rayong.
To say that Spot the Dog (a/k/a Paul Ovens) vanquished the field is putting
in lightly. He was a Tigeresque 6 shots clear of the field! He is fortunate
that he has an alias because the field might be after him following his
brilliant gross 82, net 62 performance.
The mere mortals in A Flight were closely grouped with
first through third all shooting net 68’s and only a count back separating
them. Pat Donnellan, a visitor from Ireland was the A Flight winner thanks
to his net 31 back nine.
Spot’s B flight podium companions were 9 strokes behind
at net 71. Jim Munns garnered the silver with a victory in a three-way count
back.
Monday - December 2
Great Lake - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Ian Ashenden - 35 points
2nd A Flight - Barry Tregurtha - 35 points
3rd A Flight - Pete Stonebridge - 35 points
1st B Flight - An Kaesavane - 37 points
2nd B Flight - Nigel Canon - 35 points
3rd B Flight - John Horton - 31 points
A good-sized field trekked off to play an old favorite,
Great Lake. Boasting what some consider the best par fours, as a group, the
course has been plagued from time to time with falling out of playable nick.
It is getting closer to its old form but the rough is prohibitively high and
further work is needed on course maintenance. However, the potential is
there that it returns to its rightful place as one of Pattaya’s favorites.
Certainly new Pattaya teaching professional, Ian Ashenden nor the only lady
in the field, An Kaesavane, had any problems with course conditions as they
won A and B Flight, respectively. Ian fashioned a blistering gross 33, 21
point back nine to win a four-way count back. Following him were Barry
Tregurtha and Pete Stonebridge. Left out in the cold of A Flight was Gordon
Kerr who fell out to unrewarded fourth place.
An’s best on the day 37 points led Nigel Cannon and
John Horton in B Flight. John sent Robert Sellick packing off to podium
oblivion by edging him 16 points to 15 points on the final nine.
Wednesday -
December 4
Natural Park Hill - White Tees
Medal
1st A Flight - Graham Johnson - net 70
2nd A Flight - Klaus Schackt - net 70
3rd A Flight - Barry Brooks - net 72
4th A Flight - Stan Fry - net 72
1st B Flight - Bill Borta - net 70
2nd B Flight - Ken Gillatt - net 71
3rd B Flight - An Kaesavane - net 72
Because of the difficulty of the course, and in the
interest of not denigrating the grand old game too severely, Lewiinski’s-Orchid
usually plays Stableford when it visits Natural Park Hill. Management threw
the lads a curve by playing medal on the day. Halfway through the
competition some of the lads became confused or were misled that the comp
was Stableford. Fortunately, most players doing well in Stableford don’t
have any “wipes” and have played out all the holes, thereby making
conversion to medal an easy matter.
Once the dust from that gaffe settled, Graham Johnson won
a backside count back in A Flight over Klaus Schackt, as both carded net
70’s. A count back was also required to sort out the last two podium
positions in A Flight, with Barry Brooks edging Stan Fry. Barry had low
gross on the day with 74 which included two three putts and a “9”!
Bill Borta edged Bangkok resident Ken Gillatt by a stroke
shooting net 70. An Kaesavane garnered her second payday of the week with
third in B Flight.
One curiosity, amongst a field of them, is that Dhaka
resident Bill Collis shot a less than brilliant net 92 off 12 handicap. In
adjusting his score for handicap purposes, his adjusted score of 94 nearly
equaled his net. He had a little three-hole stretch of 9, 9 and 11 to thank
for that.
It’s that Guy Remy!
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
Treasure Hill was, once again, the venue for the Bunker
Boys and their monthly dose of masochism on Tuesday, 3rd December. The
course was looking very jaded with “bearded” greens and heavily sanded
fairways and what is normally an extreme test of golf became a much sterner
task.
The two large divisions followed the old Bunker formula
of medal for division one and Stableford for division two. The very steamy
conditions conspired with the state of the course to keep scores high and in
division one Remy Guy showed his class with an excellent net 74, three shots
ahead of a trio of players, Ciano Glavinia, Bill Hewitt and Colin Wilkes.
Division two saw no player getting within six shots of
par but Norman Brooks and Neil Griffin performed well enough to share the
top place with 29 points each. Norm Robinson and Denis Palmer took the minor
places with scores of 28.
Three players shared the Bunker Super Sawng award with
returning Michael Dige, Yasuo Suzuki and Terry Phur firing birdie two’s.
There was no louder cheer than when Mr. Loy awarded himself the Bunker
Banana Booby for his high gross of 106 shots.
Visit http://www.thebunker boys.com for more news and
details of the forthcoming Bunker Four-Man Team Scramble, which is being
held at Eastern Star Golf Resort on Monday, 30th December.
Paul Kraft beats 38-point foursome on count back
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Paul Kraft, Ian Edwards, Jerry Lien and Alan Pearce all
shot 38 points on Monday. Winning on count back was Paul Kraft who shot 18
on the front and 20 on the back, which all the others found more difficult.
Paul
Kraft won the bragging rights with 38 points on a count back at SCC on Dec
2. Intira was left holding the bag with 22. Guess who is ogling the bag
holder in the rear?
Newcomer Intira Anuchon had the honor of holding the bag
for the week as she came in with 22 points, beating out Paul Donohue. Paul
had a better back nine to ease out of being last place on count back.
It was a good day as the weather held up without any rain. The heat and
humidity was bad for a while but it finally got a little better towards the
end of play as a breeze picked up. The scores reflect a pretty even field,
as there were many scores within distance of catching the winner. A new
winner of the bragging rights should be there next week.
PSC fishing team has a good day
On Friday November 29, the Pattaya Sports Club fishing
team of Carl Engel (PSC president) and Frank Collins (PSC fishing chairman)
were out deep-sea fishing. For the past two weeks the fishing has been
excellent. The “queen mackerel fish” have been running and some boats
have been catching up to 30 and 40 fish a day. The fish have been running
mostly 2 to 3 kilos each with some larger ones up to 8 or 9 kilos.
PSC
President Carl Engel admires the day’s catch.
The Pattaya Sports Club organizes a fishing tournament
each month open to all who enjoy the sport of deep-sea fishing. For more
information contact Frank Collins PSC fishing chairman at phone 01-987-5116,
or e-mail [email protected]
Or go by Bobby Joe’s 60’s Bar Soi “0” just behind Henry J Beans
and talk some fishing.
The Third Bunker Four-Man Team Scramble
The Bunker, in association with the International Pattaya
Golf Club (I.P.G.C.), presents the Third Bunker Four-Man Team Scramble on
Monday, December 30 at Eastern Star Golf Resort. First tee time 9 a.m.
Teams of four. Maximum 28 Handicap. Team handicap 10% of
total.
Entry fee 1400 baht per player includes trophies for
winner, second and third placed teams, long drives (two divisions and
ladies), 4 near pins, green fee, caddy fee, commemorative bunker golf shirt,
buffet and prize-giving at the Bunker.
Sign up by entry form available from The Bunker, The Haven, Lewiinski’s,
Shenanigan’s, Scandic Hotel and the Diana Driving Range. Online entry
forms are also available at the Bunker Boys website: www.thebunkerboys.com
MFC Tennis Champions gather at Montien
Winners
and dignitaries at the ‘Tennis Montien Hotel, Pattaya Fitness Club
Championship’ tournament gathered for a group photo. Pakorn Srisook,
executive assistant manager of Montien Hotel, Pattaya was the guest of
honor.
Gross 72, net 65 not good enough to win
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday November 25
Plutaluang
Stableford
A goodly crowd visited the Admiral’s favourite haunt -
the Plutaluang course and, of course, his old home from home, the clubhouse
(ala the mess!).
It was a very hot and humid day, and, in the absence of
the regular scribe (who’s doing what all ex militaries do - visiting old
haunts) we’re a bit short of observances!
So, all we’re left with are the results of a closely
fought Stableford Comp.
A flight was won by Kris Helgason on 37 points. The
KSM’s friend Bob Benda kept up the running in 2nd place with an admiral
(sic) 36 followed by Phillipe Berra on 35 and Barril Founde on 33.
B flight was won by - would you believe - complete with 2
Thai knees -Norrie Whiter on 46 points! Well done, Norrie and all congrats
to the Military Hospital at Sattahip! They must be proud of you and your
achievements.
John (Jockey) Swanson was 2nd with 36 followed by Hwang
Yong Hwan on 34 and the irrepressible Koji on 33 (count back from Barry Kerr
and Mick O’Connor).
Near pins were won by Bob Benda, Bob Nelson, Hwang Yong
and Ebrahim (always in the list).
The putts were won by TS Stockinger (nice to see you
back!) and Bill Plath.
Monday December 2
Green Valley
Stroke Play
A happy crowd of campers went to one of their favourite
venues - Green Valley Golf. The weather welcomed them and the course
rewarded them with some fine (incredible) scores.
Rick Evan’s gross 72, net 65, was only good enough for
2nd place in the A Flight! Wayne Koch took star spot with a gross 79, net
64. Third and fourth places went to Ebrahim (gross 83, net 67) and Mike
Winfield gross 87 net 70.
B flight - not to be outdone - went to the effervescent
Koje (John Daly) Yamadawith a gross 86, net 63. Barry Kerr finished 2nd with
gross 90, net 65, in 3rd was Hwang Yong Hwan with 90 / 66 and, last but not
least in the prizes was Pete Galle 90 / 66.
Per Kobbelko won the latest offering of a golf lesson at
the Tommy’s Driving Range (high net score on the day).
Dave Richardson / Per Kobbelko / Hwang and Mike (the
bike) Dige won the near pins.
Longest putts were won by Jimmy Flanagan and Mike Dige.
Sadly, due to the absence of David (KSM) Bailey, -there
are no photos this week. Look up the fixture list in the Cafe Kronborg, and
in the Pattaya Mail, for next week’s happenings.
What happened to winter?
PSC Golf From the 60s Bar
It was a beautiful day at Khow Kheow last Friday, a
little too beautiful. No clouds. Every refreshment stand seemed like an
oases in the desert. “What happened to winter this year,” demanded Joe
St Larent, the competition winner. Even though golfers are a tough lot, 2 of
our number headed for the clubhouse bar after playing 16. However, just as
we were finishing a light cooling drizzle arrived. Could have used that a
couple of hours earlier.
Overall winner was Joe St Laurent. Nearest the pin prizes
went to Brendan Kelly, John Gibson, Bob Benda and Doug Maiko. Putting woes
continued for most of the group, as greens were fast and difficult to read.
But some were able to overcome the difficulties, and long putt prizes were
awarded to Alan Pearce, Andy Evens and Mark Lamb.
This week we will be gracing Green Valley with our
smiling faces. T-off at 10:00 with transportation leaving the 60’s bar at
9:00 after breakfast served at 8:00. If going direct to the course book with
Bobby Joe at 06-0044344.
Mercurial Murphy returns - Scans win again
MBMG International League Week 5
In today’s world of player power, exorbitant wages and
inflated transfer fees, loyalty and honour are words of a bygone age but in
the MGMB International league one man is a shining example to all those
young players aiming, to one day, play football at the very highest level.
Paul ‘Scholsey’ Murphy of SCI is that person. Injured for much of last
season he could only look on as many of his team mates left small town team,
SCI, who under the crafty stewardship of John McGuigan had nurtured them,
and succumbed to the lure of money and the scent of greed. But not the
honourable Murphy. He resisted all these temptations to stay with his mentor
McGuigan and last week the fairy tale was complete when the talented Murphy,
injury healed, came off the bench to score the winner in last week’s 17-2
victory over Paradise. In a world exclusive, Scotsman Murphy was asked why
he had shown loyalty when many of those around him did not know the meaning
of the word. The mercurial midfielder replied, “Money means nothing to me.
All I ask for is a wee dram of whiskey and a roof over my head.” It is
hoped that this loyal man can achieve the heights of mid-table mediocrity
with SCI this season, a success that has so far eluded the team in their
short history; however, an away win over UNOCAL this week has boosted the
SCI squad to second in the table behind the ever powerful RC Pattaya.
In conference A the Scans showed the form of champions by
grinding out a close 1-0 win against a determined SOHO team. Elsewhere
Bangkok United gained their second successive win against slumping Bangkok
Blitz and look good for a playoff place in an increasingly competitive
Conference A.
Latest Results
Scandinavian Vikings 1 - 0 SOHO
Bangkok United 5 - 1 Bangkok Blitz
UNOCAL 1 - 3 SCI Hunters
New Guys make good
Lawn Bowls Division two
New Guys Paul and reserve player Ken who has been playing
only a handful of games, outplayed the very powerful Musketeers. Paul for
the first time played captain with some fantastic bowls. Ken with his knees
trembling at the start of the game came good and out bowled experienced
bowler Graham. Well done, boys, keep this performance up and you will be
stars at the end of the season.
Jan Bar with their powerful weapon (scud missiles Howard)
shot some scuds to blow away team Desert Rats. Come on Brendan don’t
desert now, keep going; it’s early days in the league.
Lucky (or unlucky) Chaplins fell to the hands of Big Kev
and Man City Bob. Kev with his new bowls played out of his skin to help his
partner out to finish the game and the Lucky Chaplins.
Division One had a week off to wish His Majesty the King
A Happy Birthday.
Player of the Week: Paul of the New Guys
Match of the Week: Jan Bar
Team of the Week: New Guys
Results: Thepprasit Ten Thistle void 2pts Teddy Bears, Winchester 20
- 12 Lucky Chaplins, Musketeers 10 - 17 New Guys, Desert Rats 12 - 16 Jan
Bar
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
Heavyweight title fights bring out a special type of
audience. The crowd is a little more festive as the gladiators take on a
larger than life persona. The words “World Heavyweight Championship
Fight” can do that even to a grizzled old boxing writer. This one for the
occasion donned a purple velvet smoking jacket, black raw silk trousers,
white “Fruit of the Looms” (which is probably more than you need to
know), purple silk shirt, white silk tie with matching pocket handkerchief.
Most of the attire from Will’s Tailor of Soi 6. The crowing glory on this
dandy’s cake was a velvet red rose and an Al Capone type fedora.
All week long the Mandalay Bay press office was telling
anyone that would listen that, “Two of the best four heavyweights in the
world are fighting here.” A little hype is allowed, especially until WBO
Champ Wladimir Klitschko (40-1) and Jameel McCline (28-3-3) met last
Saturday night, and who was to say they were wrong? Now it’s over and
I’ll write it, “If they are the future of the heavyweight division,
enjoy what we have now cause it’s going to get ugly.” Wladimir Klitschko
won when Jameel McCline quite on his tool after the tenth round in which he
was surprisingly knocked down.
How bad was the fight? After watching Floyd Mayweather
jr. (29-0) defend his WBC Lightweight title against Jose Luis Castillo
(46-6-1) the paying customers were praying for some action. Mayweather jr
won a unanimous decision (115-113, 115-113, 116-113) which was roundly booed
by the predominately Hispanic crowd and the blond lady in front of me. By
the third round of the heavyweight fight the “guests” were leaving. By 6
all those that had even a promise of some action were walking up the isles.
By the 8th even the empty seats were booing.
It came as a surprise when McCline went down towards the
end of the 10th that there was a cheer. At first I thought empty seats were
cheering but then I remembered that there was a Volkswagen mechanics
convention in town. The difference between the two heavyweights in the ring
and Lennox Lewis or Evander Holyfield is night and day. They were simply
dreadful.
Next week Evander Holyfield (38-5-2) gets a shot at the
IBF Title when he meets Chris Byrd (35-2) in Atlantic City in the last
meaningful fight of the year. Byrd is favored but people have gone to the
poor house betting against Evander Holyfield. In the UK Joe Calzaghe (34-0)
will defend his WBO Super Middleweight Crown against Tocker Pudwill (39-4)
who, if nothing else, has a great name. Why would you hate a child so much
you would name him “Tocker Pudwill”?
I have never hidden the fact that if I was the only light
in the lamp things would be pretty dark. But bet you didn’t know that
Lovemore Ndou (32-6-1, 20 Kos - I have the urge to place a question mark
after the name “Lovemore Ndou?”, which is a question asked by a
demimondaine), scored a fourth round knockout over Saknirun Twins Gym (15-6,
7 KOs) to win the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Jr welterweight title. Bet you also
didn’t know that the fight was held in Melbourne. True fact. Kinda sad
when a young Thai, obviously over matched, is tossed to the lions in the
name of money. Might this be one of those This Is Thailand?
Another who suffered the same fate was Loedsiam
Kiatkriengkrai (4-4, 1 KO). He got a trip to Japan and a match with ex-WBA
115-pound champ Hideki Todaka (20-3-1, 10 KOs). The young Thai fought well
but lost the one-sided decision (99-91, 99-94 and 100-93). But all in all it
was not a good trip for the guys from Siam. Japanese 140-pound champ Tadashi
Yuba (20-1-2, 13 KOs) scored a one-punch KO over Thailander Chodchoi 13 Coin
Tower (5-3, 3 KOs), 138, at 1:59 of the first stanza. Japanese #9
super-bantam Yasuo Kunimi (11-4-4, 5 KOs) dropped previously unbeaten Thai
#4 122-pounder Lookai Sishsoe-I (3-1, 1 KO), at 1:47 of the first round.
But as I predicted, Yodsanan Nanthachai 3K-Battery
(39-2-1) had little trouble with Lamont Person (19-2-1) impressively
retaining his WBA superfeather crown. It was his first defense, and lasted 9
rounds before Armando Garcia the referee stepped in. Knocked the Yank down
twice he did. But you know that as you watched it on TV. Crowd was rather
disappointing as only “60,000 showed up for a free day of Thai’s beating
up on the world.” That is if your world consists of the USA and
Philippines. Next for 3K should be Joel Casamayor. The Thai will have to
fight at a higher level and on the road. It won’t be another “walk in
the park.”
After the heavyweight fight a pal said, “Heck I could
have had more fun staying home with my wife and getting nekked”. My reply?
“I didn’t know that was a option. If I had, I would have dressed
different.” How about them apples?
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