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Pattaya Sports Club celebrates Christmas in style in the ballroom at Town in Town Hotel
The Pattaya Sports Club (PSC) has two big parties a year:
after the Annual General Meeting and the end-of-year Christmas party. This
year’s Christmas party was billed as the biggest ever with over 430 people
in attendance to partake in plenty of Christmas cheer.
PSC
President Carl Engel and his helpers hand over this raffle prize to one of
the lucky winners.
The ballroom and the poolside area were bursting at the
seams as PSC members, their spouses and guests turned out for what has
become a PSC institution.
Ken Crow and Jim Montgomery took their stations at the
door. Tickets were sold out 2 weeks before the event so many people had to
be turned away due to the lack of space. (Ken Crow told Pattaya Mail,
“We wish to apologize for that.”)
However, the hundreds who did attend enjoyed the evening
greatly. All consumed plenty of food and partook in the free-flowing liquid
refreshments. Revelers danced the night away. The ladies’ golf crowd
turned up in force. Having traded their sporty golf clothes for seductive
evening gowns the women displayed real elegance on the dance floor.
Ken
Crow (2nd
from right) and the winner of a one baht gold chain, Lew Myers (far right)
pose as the two beautiful young ladies helping out in the raffle prepare to
hand over the gold.
Plenty of familiar faces were seen during the evening,
including PSC executive committee members, President Carl Engel; Frank
Collins, fishing chairman, and Bobby Joe were seen enjoying the refreshments
and promising that their next fishing trip will be better than ever.
George Bennison, PSC secretary and Bernie Tuppin, charity
chairman were notably milling about and definitely enjoying the evening’s
entertainment.
President Carl Engel formally welcomed everyone to the
event. Carl said the Pattaya Sports Club has enjoyed a fruitful year in
supporting local charities in a number of projects around region and has
grown substantially, reaching a membership base of almost 15,000 members
worldwide.
Frank
Collins (front) and Bobby Joe (back) clown around.
Ken Crow - the man with best job of all, party chairman -
announced the moment everybody had been waiting for, the PSC’s famous
raffle with a 1st prize of 1 baht-weight in gold.
The draw came thick and fast. Lots of door prizes were up
for grabs, including rice cookers, blenders and of course, the much awaited
gold prizes. First up were the 1/2 baht-weight gold chains. The grand finale
of the night was sought after by the ladies - the one baht-weight gold chain
necklace, which was a real beauty.
But the ladies missed out and the gorgeous chain went to
Lew Myers of Ocean Springs, Miss, who strolled up from the middle of the
room to stake his claim.
The evening continued with drinks flowing and food being
eaten until late in the evening, as eventually the crowd thinned down to the
hardcore partygoers; most of whom were found to be nursing heavy heads the
next day, including this scribe.
Yet another successful year and another booming party for
the Pattaya Sports Club. Can’t wait till next year!
The next major activity organized by the PSC will be the 2003 Pattaya
Sports Club Charity Classic scheduled in January. Sponsors are still
required. Interested parties can contact the PSC office on Pattaya Third
Road. All sponsorship will be greatly appreciated.
Varuna Cup: Seaboard sailors, visitors share the honours
The highly-successful Varuna Cup rounded out a great year
of yacht racing in the Kingdom. Held over last weekend, out off the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort, organized and hosted by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club,
this year’s regatta comprised a fleet of 76 craft - a record for yacht
racing in South Pattaya.
It was sailed in perfect conditions as the
north-easterly, at a light-to-moderate 10-knot average, with relatively
smooth seas, blew fairly steadily throughout the five-race competition.
A new
breed of champions: Optimist sailors relax after the regatta
A large number of entries from Australia, Hong Kong and
Singapore came to Pattaya to race against the big fleets from Thailand.
Thanks to the usual co-operation of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand
and the Royal Thai Navy, more than 30 Optimists participated, with the
Sattahip boys and girls working their Royal Varuna counterparts very hard,
hauling off the top seven places, before a Varunian was sighted. Needless to
say, Royal Varuna’s hard-working junior sailing officer, Linden Phanpho
and her trusty colleague Brunhilde were highly pleased with the showing of
the juniors.
Event
organizer, Antony Chapman has a little bother with his spinnaker.
With excellent race management under international race
officer, Lawnin Crawford and ever-green Gilbert Leemann manning the
finishing vessel, while David Wales soldiered on in the regatta room,
sifting through a mountain of scores, the event was a sailor’s - and
spectator’s - delight.
Principal sponsor SIG Combibloc Ltd. were joined by the
Alabat Resort in the Philippines, Lawton Asia Co. Ltd. and Nestle, ensuring
the success of the Varuna Cup. It was unfortunate that the Combibloc CEO,
Peter Ole Herning - himself a fine Nacra 16 Sq. helmsman - was not able to
participate but, rather, he left the field to youngsters like Gary Baguley,
Frank Teeuwen and Les Nyerges, who finished in that order.
Peter Bates, who was unbeatable as the Hobie Cat king
during his years in the Kingdom, came back straight to his appointed place:
at the top of the Hobie Cat 16 fleet, winning all five races. Varunians
Alain Brancart, Bud Rockey, Henk de Boon and Flag Commodore Robert England
finished second-to-fifth, respectively, wallowing in the master’s wake.
It was in the Open Multihull Class also where the
visitors kept out the local sailors, with multiple Phuket King’s Cup
Catamaran champion, Singapore’s Scott McCook also “clean-sweeping” the
big fleet with five straight wins, from Aussie Nacra national champion and
boat builder Warren Guinea second, while Alberto Cassio brought the home-towners
into some prominence finishing third.
Marcel Dubbelman raised high the Royal Varuna flag,
convincingly winning the Laser class from Royal Thai Navy’s Pontap
Sookudom, with Varuna’s Kevin Whitcraft, finishing very well, indeed, in
third place after missing two races.
The under-16-year-olds Optimist sailors (many as young as
nine) were fearless - not only of the north-easterly, but the awesome speed
of the multihulls zooming in and out of their fleet of tiny craft.
Results, 2002 Varuna Cup
Nacra 16 Square (first five only): 1. Gary Baguley; 2.
Frank Leeuwen; 3. Les Nyerges; 4. Hamish McNicol; 5. Alex Skaria.
Hobie 16 (first seven only): 1. Peter Bates; 2. Alain
Brancart; 3. Bud Rockey; 4. Henk de Boon; 5. Robert England; 6. Bernhard
Lehman; 7. Simon Carey.
Multihull Open (first eight): 1. Scott McCook; 2. Warren
Guineea; 3. Alberto Cassio; 4. Claire; 5. Antony Chapman; 6. Jan Holldorff;
7. Bob Garner; 8. Stephen de Vos.
Laser (first 12): 1. Marcel Dubbelman; 2. Pontap Sookudom;
3. Kevin Whitcraft; 4. Aaron Frankel; 5. Siri Chandler (Laser Radial); 6.
Thom Kleiss; 7. Sam Phanpho; 8. Charlie Zbinden; 9. Peter Fischer; 10. Sunti;
11. Paul England; 12. Andrew Connelly.
Optimists (first 12): 1. Pupis; 2. Srai; 3. Dounghathin; 4. Kodchai; 5.
Banjamas; 6. YRAT competitor (no name supplied); 7. Navee; 8. Antoine; 9.
Oliver; 10. Joe; 11. Pongphet; 12. Thanakan.
The Pattaya Sports Club crosses yet another milestone
On Friday, December 20, PSC charity chairman, Bernie
Tuppin presented Pastor Fred Doell of the Mercy Ministries with 8 new
bicycles, tipping Pattaya Sports Club donations over the 5 million baht
mark!
The bicycles will be used as part of a points and rewards
system set up by the Mercy Ministries. Children of varying ages are given
points for completing tasks, doing chores, and for studying hard in school.
After achieving a certain number of points, the children are rewarded with
bicycles which allow them to ride, rather than walk to school. These are
children from poverty stricken areas, children who otherwise would not be
able to afford bicycles.
Mercy Ministries gives these children the opportunity to
earn the things they need, things which enhance their quality of life. These
are not handouts. The children must earn their bicycles by doing a wide
range of chores such as shopping and carrying groceries for the elderly,
running errands, and picking up trash in designated areas. They are taught
the value and the benefits of honest, hard work, the importance of helping
others, and the need to keep the community clean.
The Pattaya Sports Club readily supports programs such as
these, so when Pastor Doell came with a request for the five bicycles, the
expense was approved unanimously at the executive committee meeting on
December 8. Pastor Doell can be contacted at 038-300-612. Mercy Ministries
is located on Thepprasit Soi 8.
For years now, the Pattaya Sports Club has been helping
many different charities and supporting programs such as the one mentioned
above. The PSC has given over 5 million baht to local schools and charities
over the years and hope to be able to give more as memberships and donations
grow. Some PSC funds come from membership fees, but the main fundraiser is
the annual Charity Classic Tournament. Since its inception, each Charity
Classic Tournament has raised hundreds of thousands of baht for various
projects. With help from businesses and members of the community, PSC hopes
to break all records with the 2003 Charity Classic.
There are parts of Pattaya and the surrounding areas that
many of us never see. People live in terrible conditions that we never get
exposed to … yet they do exist, and the people who live there do need
assistance. There are also many schools in dire need of funds and equipment.
US$35 may not seem a whole lot to spend for some of us, and we may think,
“How could US$35 possibly help?” Well, US$35, which is approximately
1,500 baht, allows one child to go to school for one full year. This
includes uniform, shoes, and tuition. US$10 is 435 baht. It may not seem
like much – until you consider that there are many places where a person
can get a full meal for only 12 to 20 baht. Every little bit helps – and
PSC hopes that you will consider making even a small donation towards the
Charity Classic. There will be many projects throughout the year 2003. The
following are only a few that we hope to raise funds for:
Mercy Ministries - One-year sponsorship for primary
school children. This provides school uniforms, shoes, and tuition. 45,000
Baht for 30 children, 1,500 baht for each child.
Ban Bung School: Installation of playground equipment
for younger students. 20,000 baht.
Ban Mab Fug Thong School: Installation of six
ablution stations (for washing hands, drinking, etc.) 50,000 baht.
Ban Pong Saket School: Modify an existing classroom
to accommodate a computer instruction class. 250,000 baht.
Banglamung Kindergarten (Ban Roong Poe): This is an
education facility with 940 students. They require the replacement of
furnishings in the school dining hall. 90 sets of tables and long stools to
be used by the children as well as the local community. 135,000 baht.
Ban Thoong Kha School: 10 volleyballs, 10 takraw
balls, 2 volleyball nets & posts, 2 takraw nets and posts, 18 sets of
sportswear, 5 dozen table tennis balls, 15 pairs of running shoes, 4
petanque sets. 40,095 baht.
If you would like to make a donation, please visit the
PSC clubhouse on Pattaya Third Road, behind the Pattaya Driving Range. The
clubhouse is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If that isn’t
convenient for you, please contact Herbie at (06) 143-3173. You can also
leave your name and contact number with the Pattaya Sports Club office (038)
361-167 and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
For more details regarding the Charity Classic, please
visit the PSC website at www.pattayasports.org
The Pattaya Sports Club is a government approved
non-profit association. PSC is completely transparent and all donations are
fully accounted for. Thank you in advance for your support.
The 2003 PSC Charity Classic Tournament will be held on
Friday, January 24 at Khao Kheow Golf & Country Club. Shotgun start at
11:30 a.m. Entry fee is 2,500 baht per person and you can sign up at the
following PSC venues: Three Sisters, Cafe Kronborg, Shenanigan’s, 60’s
Bar and the PSC Clubhouse. Entries are limited to 144 players so sign up now
to secure your place.
Flying Scots Man
Pattaya Lawn Bowls Division One
The boys from the Tartan Bar, Willie and Lee railway-ed
through top of the league boys Carlsberg Kids, outplaying them in every
department. Dave the Rave and the Blonde Bomber Martin had faces like they
had a bad pint. John and Steve the Streak Lake from the Likely Lads had luck
on their side to beat the Cobblers team by picking up 4 shots on the last
end to keep up their 100 percent winning ways. Team Somtams, captained by
Ned, hammered the gout boys Kev and BSB. Ned and Dancing Peter now back to
their winning ways - look out you teams up top they are coming. Chaplin Spam
Heads carried on their winning streak by beating the almighty Yingyangs
giving them 2nd spot in Div 1 (keep going you Spam Heads you are the talk of
the league).
Team of the Week: Tartan Bar
Player of the Week: Ned
Match of the Week: Likely Lads v The Cobblers
Results: Likely Lads 16 - The Cobblers 15, Carlsberg Kids 13 - Tartan Bar
18, Team Somtams 24 - Dream Team 10, Chaplin Spam Heads 19 - Yingyangs 16.
Lawn Bowls Division Two
Lucky Chaplins Jeff and Dave have won their first game in
two seasons since coming up from the conference league from Soi 3. Well done
boys, now that you have a taste of winning, hopefully it wont be 2 more
seasons before your next win. Andy Eagles is back in town after being away
for a couple of seasons and is now playing for Winchester, with Mr. Bobby
Pampers Carol by beating the Jan Bar. Thepprasit Ten Thistle beat the top of
the league boys the New Guys on the last end to stop their 100 percent
record (I hope the bubble has not burst boys). Coral Reef also won their
first game of the season beating the skillful team Harvey and Graham of the
Musketeers but still keeps Coral Boys rock bottom so far.
Results: Thepprasit Ten Thistle 17 - New Guys 15, Winchester 14 - Jan
Bar 11, Lucky Chaplins 12 - Asylum (2) 21, Musketeers 16 - Coral Reef 17.
Joe St. Laurent and Paul Sharples are this week’s best of the average golfers
P.S.C. Golf From Bobby Joe’s 60s Bar
Friday the 13th
Green Valley
A record 60’s Bar crowd with a lot of new faces arrived
at Green Valley for a fine Friday the 13th day out. The day was cooler than
last week and everybody was pleased with that. Scores were a little better
this week thanks to even green speeds.
Bobby
Joe presents to Paul Sharples.
Overall winner was Joe St. Laurent for the second
straight week. Closest to the pin honors went to Gery Wedi, Bob Moberg, Bob
Benda and Joe St. Laurent. Longest puts were scored by Neal Huges and Rew
Berri. Lucky draw winners were Ian Edwards, Alan Pearce, Hoste Jean-Claude
and Brent Guy.
Friday December 20
Eastern Star
Be warned David (the K.S.M.) Bailey is back with tales of
valour and magnificent deeds from the mediocrity of all of us who play golf
here in Pattaya for most of the year, all hoping for that once in a lifetime
round. And why not? We are all human, and now and then we all like our time
in the Sun and one thing about Bobby Joe’s competitions is that all the
players are so ‘average’ that any one can play if they can hit a ball
and can buy a round, they can even win. Most important of all is for the
players to really enjoy their day out, there are enough problems in the
world without our adding to it.
Bobby
Joe presents to Charlie Creed.
This is the ‘friendly’ day when it doesn’t matter
if you are a ‘real’ golfer or a person who wants to play golf to enjoy
themselves, on a day like this you enjoy your round; no ‘ego’ golf
allowed.
Eastern Star was in fine condition and quiet with the
only drawback as usual being the quality of the greens, if the management
could sort out this one major problem it would move the course into the
front line of courses. The layout of the course is superb, and whilst to a
bunch of ‘hackers’ like us not that important, to a quality golfer it is
a crying shame.
Bobby
Joe presents to Ian Edwards.
So the day was great, Bobby Joe’s breakfast was super
and as I had a hangover most appreciated, and the golf was so ‘average’
that a blind man would have had a chance. However, we had to have a winner
and as it panned out one of our sand players came in and won the day. Whilst
we never give the winning score at Bobby Joes, suffice to say the winner,
Paul Sharples won again, and as he only plays when he needs his photo in the
paper we must grit our teeth and say ‘Well Done’. Maybe we should make
him play off a mat!
A really good day was had by all and I have to note also we had a few
near pins. No 6 Paul Sharples, but one win is enough, the rest is rubbing it
in, No 13 Ian Edwards and no 17 Charlie Creed. The near pins are real luck,
why when I go to Church don’t I get more. Maybe somebody up there is a
little bit playing favourites.
Bob Edwards pars for victory at Ban Chang
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
The largest Bunker Boys field of the year, forty-three
eager souls, took on Century Ban Chang in their weekly medal event on
Tuesday, 17th December. A deliciously warm day was tempered by a fresh
breeze and with the white tees set right back the course was to play longer
than for many a day.
In division one America’s Bob Edwards played controlled
golf to shoot the only par round of the day and take victory from fellow
countryman Bob Morrison and Doug Campbell, who both shot net 74.
In division two the same score was recorded by a trio of
players, Norm Robinson, Dickie Barbe and Martin Davis and they tied for the
leadership.
The accuracy of Doug Campbell was rewarded with a share
of the Bunker Super Sawng award with Anders Petersen, whilst several red
faces anticipated the last award of the day, the Bunker Banana Booby. It
went to a flustered Peter MacKay for his high net score of 97 as Robbie
Bennett and Julian Hickery visibly breathed heavy sighs of relief! More news
and details of the festive Bunker Four Man Team Scramble can be found at
http://www.the bunkerboys.com
Schulze shoots par to win
The Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang is always a
wonderfully scenic venue and the Bunker Boys reacquainted themselves with
the testing North and West nines on Friday, 20th December, for their weekly
Stableford event. The chosen combination is by far the best of the choices
at this course and the large field set about their task manfully in perfect
conditions.
In division one Martin Davis showed his consistency by
topping the list with a creditable 33 points, easily heading Mr. Loy and
Harry Cowling, just returned from the UK, with their 30 point tallies.
Division two saw the best scores of the day with Gerhard
Schulze shooting level par 36 points to win, just heading off the challenge
of the Scandi strongman Mikael Andersson, with 34 and a breathless Len Jones
with 33.
The only two of the day was recorded by Colin Morgan and
he received the Bunker Super Sawng Award, whilst a hero of the previous
week, Keith Hector, plumbed the depths, firing only 19 points and he was to
be a deserving winner of the Bunker Banana Booby.
Morris and Robinson win at Treasure Hill
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday December 16 saw a good crowd leave the Kronborg
for a day in the countryside at Treasure Hill Golf. 2 flights played a
Stableford match with the split at 0-19 and over 20.
Geordie Ted Morris took the A flight with 38 points,
Phillipe Berra finished second with 37, Andre Barrie third with 36 and Wayne
Koch 4th on count back.
B Flight was won by Norman Robinson at 39, Koji 2nd with
38, Bjorn Kristjohansen 3rd on 36 on count back from the admiral (back from
sea) and the Flying Dutchman Cees Bosman in 4th.
Near pins were won by-Steve Nowell, Bjorn Kristjohansen,
Rick Bevington and Ebrahim.
Long first putts were won by Kevin Dunne and Ted Morris.
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
Barry Traynor Holes in One
IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday December 16
Burapha East
Bogey
1st: Gordon Langtry, 5 up
2nd: Jeff McLaury, 3 up cb9 3 up
3rd: Mo Bertrand, 3 up cb9 2 up
4th: Stephen Beard, 3 up cb9 all square
5th: Paul Taylor, 3 up cb9 1 down
Gordon Langtry, playing his last game before returning to
the winter in Canada, scored his first win on this trip to “The Land Of
Smiles” with a polished performance that left the rest of the field two
shots back.
It was no surprise to find “The Doc”, Mo Bertrand and
Jeff McLaury on the podium as they were contesting the penultimate Order of
Merit as well as the day’s competition. Indeed it was a closely run affair
that had to be settled by count back with Jeff proving to be the strongest
over the back nine followed by Mo and “The Doc” for once trailing
behind.
With one round to go in the Order of Merit “The Doc”
leads by just four points from Serge Straeten with Jeff McLaury a further
four points back and Brian Kelly and B.J Smith another two back from him. It
all hangs on the last round to be held at Plutaluang on December 27.
The twos were shared between Paul Taylor, Jeff McLaury,
Stephen Beard and Richard Garland with two.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new member Michael Billingham from
Australia and welcomed back Jack Thorne from the USA and Doug and Wendy
Hollingsworth from Scotland.
It was also a farewell to Yazuo Suzuki, returning to
Japan to clean his two Harley Davidson motorcycles and earn enough money to
carry out the monthly repairs to keep them in running order. In celebration
of this, he provided the day’s contenders with copious amounts of saki
which left them reeling and rocking in the aisles well before the bottles
were consumed.
Wednesday
December 18
Khao Kheow
Stableford
1st Division
1st: Barry Traynor, 39 points cb9 21
2nd: Al Rolnik, 39 cb9 20
3rd: Michael Dige, 38
2nd Division
1st: Mo Bertrand, 38
2nd: Paul Taylor, 36 cb9 18
3rd: Trevor Edge, 36 cb9 14
Khao Kheow off the yellow tees with little run can
usually be expected to exact some punishment on the field but Wednesday’s
outing proved to be the exception to the rule as both divisions scored well.
Barry Traynor took the first division honours in a tight
count back from “Big Al” Rolnik and an in form Michael Dige in close
attendance one shot back.
Mo Bertrand had things a little easier in division two
and left Paul Taylor and Trevor Edge to contend the count back a couple of
shots adrift.
The twos were shared between Bill Bennett, Karl Holm, Al
Rolnik and Stephen Beard.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new members Chuck
Mellon, Mikael Anderson, Bill Bennett, Sam Hill, Frank Boyd, Tony Quaid and
Rob Morrison and welcomed back Lawrence Anderson and Kenny Chung.
Friday December 20
Century Ban Chan
Stroke Play
1st: Michael Dige, 67
2nd: Doug Campbell, 69 cb9 34
3rd: Bob Van Mol, 69 cb9 35
4th: Barry Traynor, 71
5th: Arthur Hancock, 72
6th: Mick Spear, 75
Century Ban Chan is never an easy course to tackle and on
a hot and humid day, which made playing conditions more like the height of
the heat waves in April, and with the course allowing very little run, it
was surprising that the day’s scores were so low. Although it was very
noticeable that only the lower handicappers were really able to score
freely.
None more so than the winner, Michael Dige, who continued
a fine run of form completing the course in a gross 72 which was good enough
to keep Doug Campbell and Bob Van Mol well back in second and third place
respectively. At the pace he is going, Michael can expect to be nearer to
scratch when he next takes the long road back to Denmark in around two
months time.
Overshadowing Michael’s fine round, one of his playing
partners, Barry Traynor stepped to the seventh hole and calmly knocked a
nine wood over the big dip and straight into the hole to record his first
hole in one in Thailand. The feat, which normally goes unseen by all but
those in the same playing group, was loudly cheered by an enthusiastic mob
of green keepers that were camped on the hill behind the hole. The applause
and shouting brought out even more of the locals to witness the event for
the first time in their lives.
The management of the course were on the scene before the
group cleared the green, to take note of Barry’s name and address, as
there was a prize of a one baht gold chain on offer for all those completing
an ace.
The twos would have been shared by Doug Hollingsworth and
Arthur Hancock, who had two including an eagle two on the par four 2nd hole,
if it had not been for Barry’s outstanding achievement at the seventh.
Richard welcomed back Peter Christianssen, Bob Van Mol,
Mark Gorda and Brent Philp prior to the prize giving at The Haven.
Bob Patterson looks down on the
field from atop Soi Dao
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s - Orchid
Soi Dao Highland Tour
December 15 - 18
Overall Champion - Bob Patterson - 49 points
2nd Place - Barry Brooks - 48 points
3rd Place - Rusty Boysen - 45 points
4th Place - Barry Tregurtha - 41 points
Eighteen competitors took the rather comfortable two and
one-half hour journey to the scenic and serene confines of Soi Dao Highland
Golf Club. Any golfer who has not ventured off to play this demanding course
nestled in a National Park is missing one of the finest golf courses and one
of the most beautiful settings. It offers several demanding driving holes,
where a mistake is not punished with a bogie, but rather with a best-case
double bogie and where the greens offer challenging undulations.
Overall Tour Points, as always, were awarded in declining
increments, with first place on the day receiving 19 point, second receiving
17, third 16 and so on with place sixteen through eighteen each receiving 3
points. The format is Day One and Three Stableford and Day Two Medal. A
practice round was played upon arrival on Sunday and each day’s comp was
followed by an “emergency nine” contest featuring some form of team play
to lighten the competitive grind.
This scribe, who has been questioned as to why he even
owns golf clubs given his recent play, broke from the gate on Day One on a
course where he has inexplicably had prior success. He was to regain his
lack of form and thread his way off the final awards podium as the tour
progressed. Bob Patterson followed an indifferent Day One with a best on the
Day Two gross 80, net 72 performance that put him joint second with
consistent Rusty Boysen, just a stroke off the low handicapper in the field,
Barry Brooks.
Playing together in the final fourball, Bob showed
excellent form as he toured the front side in 21 points. Although the he
leaked a bit of oil on the mid-backside he held it together to win Day Three
and the Overall with a 38-point showing.
Barry Brooks fought off missed putts and a demanding two
handicap to manage an excellent gross 75, 35 point round, good for second on
the day and second in the Overall. Rusty Boysen and Barry Tregurtha rounded
out the Overall awards.
Special recognition to Lamud Chiadara, Bob Lindborg’s
significant other, for putting up with the male rabble as she was the sole
female competitor in the field. Condolences to An Kaesavane, Klaus
Schackt’s significant other, both of who missed the comp due to the
passing of her grandmother.
Daily winners: Day One - Stableford - white tees - 1st
Steve Donovan (38 pts), 2nd Rusty Boysen (36 pts), 3rd Risk Sharp (35 pts).
Day Two - Stroke/Medal - white tees - 1st Bob Patterson (net 72), 2nd Barry
Tregurtha (net 74), 3rd Barry Brooks (net 74). Day Three - Stableford -
white tees - 1st Bob Patterson (38 pts), 2nd Barry Brooks (35 pts), 3rd Rick
Sharp (35 pts). Practice Round - Rusty Boysen (39 pts), John Emmerson (36
pts), Graham Johnson (35 pts).
Sunday
December 15
Green Valley - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Kevin Taylor - 37 points
2nd A Flight - Ian Ashenden - 37 points
3rd A Flight - George Jackson - 36 points
1st B Flight - Ian Pike - 41 points
2nd B Flight - Frank Sinclair - 34 points
3rd B Flight - Colin Davis - 34 points
The size of the field might have been impacted by the
lads being on tour but the quality of the play was certainly not affected.
Ian Pike stole the show and the top step in B Flight with a sizzling 41
points. A classic match up was afoot as both Pops Sinclair and Donkey Davis
effectively garnered a podium position while still adding 0.1 to their
handicap. It is a thing of beauty to watch. On the accomplished side of the
flights, Kevin Taylor edged teaching pro Ian Ashenden on count back. It was
hard luck for Ian who shot a gross 71, but kudos to Kevin nonetheless.
One-ball Jackson shot level to his handicap to round out A Flight.
Monday
December 16
Natural Park Resort - C & A - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Gerry Power - 37 points
2nd A Flight - Paddy Wilson - 34 points
1st B Flight - Jim Munns - 37 points
2nd B Flight - Tore Eliassen - 34 points
Interestingly enough, both A and B Flight had identical
first and second place scores. Irish visitor Gerry Power and Pattaya
resident Jim Munns both bettered their handicap on the day and set atop A
and B respectively. Their respective bridesmaids were Paddy Wilson and Tore
Eliassen, similarly having 34 points.
Wednesday December 18
Century Banchang - White Tees
Stableford
1st Place - Brent Merron - 38 points
2nd Place - Tore Eliassen - 37 points
3rd Place - Gordon Kerr - 34 points
Brent Merron started showing the form we expect of this
wintering caddy from the U.S. as he shot what might be his best score of
this winter stay. Brent, along with a couple of other mates who appear in
these columns from time-to-time, spend the U.S. spring, summer and fall
caddying at the elite Whistling Straits Country Club, the site of the 2004
PGA Championship. Tore Eliassen left the course with winnings for the second
straight competition as he bettered his handicap and all but Brent with a
37-point showing. Gordon Kerr, a friend of the Donkey, showed he was
learning from the master as he took the bronze with 34 points.
Friday December 20
Treasure Hill - Yellow Tees for some people, White Tees for others
Stableford
Competition suspended due to mental illness - Well, I
won’t say it for sure but strange things happen when the golf manager
decides to take the day off from golf as he did this day. Somehow, a fair
percentage of the field managed to sort out that the competition was off the
yellow tees, while the balance took a short detour to the Land of Zog and
hit off the white tees. Not to be outdone, one foursome teed off from the
Yellow (since the starting sheet was pinned there - good work lads) and then
after a couple of holes switched to the Whites (?), then back to the Yellows
(????!!!). In the end, it was agreed by all that it would just be better if
we pretended like this trip never happened. It should be noted, however,
that “Barry the B” did garner 40 points despite a blob on the 18th, that
his eldest son Edward had 37, while Stan Fry’s lad, Andrew, had 36, the
latter two both off the Whites. Special mention to: Billy Brooks (38), Rick
Sharp (38), Vincent Smyth (37), David Porter (37) and Eddie Blackwell (36)
all off the yellows.
Jacques Thibault surges to the front of the pack
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday the 16th brought Jacques Thibault to the front of
the pack. Jacques, striking the ball well and doing well around the greens
came in with a great score of 42 points. In back of Jacques with 39 points
was Erle Kershaw. Following closely was Doug Douglas with 38 points. As it
was no one could catch Jacques as he hobbled around the course shooting a
great game.
Jacques
Thibault (left) won the bragging rights at SCC Dec 16. Herbi (right) came in
holding the bag.
With the course in better shape, except for a few greens that were being
sanded, all golfers had a good day. Almost all anyway. One golfer did not
have a good day was Herb I. Holding the bag this week with a massive
hangover, Herb came in with a miserable 21 points. That card can be thrown
out the window. You can bet that he won’t be there next week.
Tue rolls best series of the new league with a 615 pin count
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Only two weeks into the new league, VFW Post 9876 player
Tue set a series total that the rest of the ladies will have to match to win
the high series trophy. Tue rolled games of 195, 220, 200 for a 615-pin
count to lead her team to a four point whitewash over the Winchester Club.
Captain Bill also had a good series of 509 pins knocked down in this match.
Tue
bowled the best series of the new league.
Domicil, led by Suphan, 507, and Suraphan, 505, took all
four points from Three Sisters. Aun had a very good series for Three Sisters
knocking down 503 pins.
House of the Golden Coin, led by Mio with a 509 series,
took three points from Cafe Ole.
Shakey Pete’s took three from Cafe Kronborg as Doug
rolled the best series for men on the day with a 534-pin fall.
Nice & Sleazy won three points beating Jack & Tar in there
closely faugh match.
Bill and Kran’s teams off to flying start
Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League
Monday Dec 2 the new Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League
season got away to a good start after the new teams were selected. Once
again six teams are playing for the title.
The
winning team (from left): Tukata, Otto, and Mio.
Bill’s new team (Bill, Porn, Tui, Wan, Keaw) got off to
a flying start, beating Tue’s team (Tue, Toy, Sven, Nual) by 4-0, with
Porn bowling a 561 total.
Suraphan’s team (Suraphan, Jeed, Lada, Udom) also had a
good start with a 3-1 win against La’s Team (La, Otto, Gert, Ooy). In this
match Gert had the first 200+ game of the season with 219.
In the last match Kran’s team (Kran, Suphan, Konrad,
Peter) also got a 3-1 win against Mio’s team (Mio, Tukata, Nut, Pin) -
here Kran had a 201 game and 545 total.
Runners
up (from left): Kran, Gert, Sven, Tue.
The following night the league celebrated the season
ending party and prize giving at Cafe Kronborg, with Kran and Bjarne putting
on a great buffet as usual. The winning teams and the high bowlers of the
season were all presented with their gold prizes.
Porn
rolled a 232 game in week two.
Winning team: Capt. Mio, Otto, Tukata.
Runner up team: Tue, Sven, Gert.
High game: Kran.
High series: Suraphan.
High game w/H’cap: Otto.
High series w/H’cap: Peter.
After the prize giving the party lasted well into the
night, and all had fun, a good finish to the season.
On Monday Dec. 9 Bill’s team won again, this time
beating Suraphan’s team by 3-1. Porn rolled a 232 game for Bill’s team.
Kran’s team then thrashed La’s team 4-0, in a very
scrappy match.
Mio’s team came back with a win 3-1 against Tue’s
team, with all members of Mio’s team bowling well above their normal
average.
The turnout of the first two weeks was 21 and 20 players, at Pattaya
Bowl, North Pattaya. New bowlers are welcome.
Third Bunker Four-Man Team Scramble tees off this week
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
Wild weekend at the beach
Earlier this month, visitors to Jomtien Beach once again
had the chance to observe a beautiful scene on the water. This year the
finals for the 2nd DTAC Windsurfing Competition and the Siam Cup collided on
the same weekend, which gave viewers a spectacular sight during the races,
since more than 130 windsurfers were out on the water for most of two days.
Many people commented that it was like looking at butterflies all over the
ocean, because of the many different colors and the swarms hanging around
the starting line waiting for the starting shot.
Winners
and their trophies.
On the Saturday morning, DTAC once again organized a
‘special race’ where all boards took to the water at the same time,
circled a buoy and raced back to the beach. The winner received a Japanese
watch, which could be used right away to help count down the minutes to
start.
Then a cheerleading competition took place on the stage
at the beach, which gave spectators, as well as competitors, something to
look at while waiting for the wind to pick up. By 2 p.m. it had done so and
the 100 Mistral One Design competitors, who were all competing in the Siam
Cup, some also in the DTAC finals, took to the water. The Formula class
followed shortly after, starting from the beach, which proved to be an
interesting sight, when an unknowing tourist suddenly walked across the
starting line 10 seconds before start. Thankfully nobody was hurt, and no
boards were broken. Races took place all day until about 5 p.m., when the
equipment was brought up and stored for the night.
Sunday also featured a full day of races, since the wind
was on the side of the windsurfers, compared to normal race days when it
usually disappears after 1 day. The windsurfers took great advantage of
this, but some could be seen trying to catch their breath or quickly getting
a gulp of water before the next race started. By 4 p.m. the wind had died
and it could be seen that a rain shower was on the way. However, for the
first time, many competitors were thankful for the rain because it meant
there were no more races, and they could catch a quick nap to refuel energy
before the beach party in the evening.
By 7 p.m. everybody was back out on the beach where DTAC sponsored an
amazing buffet dinner and some spectacular Thai dance shows performed which
left our international visitors transformed but also impressed the national
visitors. The prize giving ceremony was held and the evening ended pretty
quickly since nobody had energy left to dance.
Christmas Cheer for Slender Sloman and HSC
MBMG International League Week 7
As Christmas comes closer many of the teams in the MBMG
International League were already being flown out to secluded holiday
retreats to prepare for the hectic New Year program and thus only four games
took place over the weekend.
The Mighty Warbler welcomed back Steve Sloman to the
squad after a month in a health farm. The club had been concerned about
Sloman’s alarming weight increase due to his addiction to hot dogs and
cream cakes. Yet it was a slender Sloman, looking to prove a point against
Bangkok United, who gobbled up two chances in the 3-1 win. After the game
Sloman said, “It was hard graft in that hell hole, but I’m through the
worst of it now and I can say honestly I’m looking forward to my next
carrot.”
Elsewhere in Conference A the Bullshead drew 1-1 away
against the Scandinavian Vikings. The Vikings have won every game at home
this season and started the game with great determination, led by the
brilliant Nicas Udman; however, the Bullshead showed the resilience of
champions by grinding out what could prove to be a massive point for them at
the end of the season. Talking to reporters at the end of the game, Nick
Smart, charismatic captain of the Bullshead said, “It was a great result
for us. This season, there’s a smell of success around the club.”
Also Conference A SOHO kick started their season with a
comprehensive 4-0 win over the slumping Bangkok Blitz. Khun O smashing in a
hat trick.
In Conference B there was a surprising result with the
High School Casualz gaining a 2-2 draw against the powerful Germans. Under
fire manager of HSC Aki A, told the press, “After last week’s caning I
kept the boys behind and told them they could do better. And today they
passed with flying colours.”
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
“Sawasdee Pee Mai”, which of course is Happy New Year
in a few days. There is a rule in this column writing business that the last
column of the year be devoted to a “trip down memory lane”. A trip
devoted to last year and all the wondrous events it presented. But first, in
the tradition of all great news journalists, I write, “Stop the
presses. Flash… Mr. and Mrs. Pattaya”. Now that I got your
attention, last week I reported that Holyfield said after his fight for the
IBF Title, “I had chances to throw the left hook, my best punch, but I
couldn’t get my shoulder up.” Asked about a possible injured shoulder,
former champ George Foreman said, “Byrd hit him on the heart with some
very strong jabs. You get hit there long enough and you’ll think your
shoulder hurts.” Holyfield right. Foreman wrong. Evander had an MRI on his
should done late in the week. The results? Holyfield did suffer an “acute
tear in his rotator cuff, specifically the super spinatis tendon. It’s a
wonder he was able to walk let alone fight”. Holyfield has never been one
to make excuses. Some dummies, like myself, should have listened. He was
operated on last Saturday.
Now forward to the past. Locally 2002, or “Ought 2”
as old timers can say (like Untall Paul who’s Mug appeared in last
week’s Mail), Patrick the Fighting Belgium finally hung up the
gloves. He had one last fight on the drawing board but an elbow injury
during a contest in his “other” home country put the kibosh on that
plan. Now he’ll just continue to jump from airplanes and serve great food
at “Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant” Moo 10 off 2nd Rd. The food is
highly recommended and the skydiving only after many “adult beverages”
and or lack of baht for other activities.
The past year saw no new or old face emerge to take
charge of the heavyweight division. There is an old saying that as the
heavyweights go ... so goes boxing. The heavyweights have been in a state of
limbo. As things look now that isn’t going to change anytime soon. The
emergence, such as it is, of the Klitschko Brothers may have some positive
effect. They are both articulate, big and can punch. The fact that they are
Caucasian, which is important if indeed the world is crying out for a great
White Hope which I doubt, is seen as a big plus also. The current crop of
heavyweights will continue to posture and act like fighters. Don King, old
“fuzzy wazzy”, is trying to pump some life into the division with his
“unofficial” heavyweight tournament, half of which has been completed.
Don’t discount Chris Byrd as a major player.
The absence for the past year of Prince Naseem didn’t
help the lower weight divisions internationally. He has the ability, like
DeLaHoya and Tyson, of putting people in front of their TV’s and buying
tickets. This year Oscar DeLaHoya maintained his super star status while
Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley and even Bernard Hopkins disappeared from the
radar screens. Mosley and Hopkins will fight next year, but there is little
interest.
Kostya Tzysu, the Thunder from Down Under, continued to
be the best known of the international fighters who is not a heavyweight.
Tzysu just needs to find someone to bring out his true abilities and there
isn’t anyone around. He’s proud of his three titles and pretty much
keeps himself busy doing mandatory defenses.
British Super Heavyweight Audley Harrison was a major
disappointment. As, I might interject, were all the fighters that came out
of the Olympics. The best of the bunch may be Middleweight Yank Jeff Lacy.
Harrison did absolutely nothing to indicate that he can become a quality
professional fighter. From day one he fought a parade of stiffs. That would
have been OK if there had been some improvement in his performance. But alas
there was none.
There are a number of fighters from the Realm that for
one reason or another are very good but are never going to make a major
impact on the sport internationally. The most oft thought of reasons is that
they fight at home against opponents that have no chance of winning. Truly
this is a case of This Is Thailand.
WBC Bantamweight Champion Veeraphol Sahapron (39-1-1) is
one of those fighters. This year he went 4 and nil but against the likes of
Alex Escaner (4-5, TKO 6) Dawin Bermudez (4-6, KO 3), Julio Coronell
(21-16-1, UD 12), Noel Sungahid (9-4-3, K) and Sergio Perez (23-9-0 UD 12).
The fights against Coronell and Perez were for the WBC title. In a perfect
world Sahapron would get in the ring with the likes of Johnny Bredahl
(53-2), Tim Austin (25-0-1) or Rafael Marquez (28-3-0) to command
international attention. But the world isn’t perfect so how about Sahapron
against Japan’s Joichiro Tatsuyoshi who just a week ago destroyed Saen Sor
Ploenchit (43-2) in 6 in his comeback fight? Sahapron has fought him twice,
1988 and 1999, winning both times by KO. As they say, a win by Veerphol
would help his “bone’ fides”.
WBA Super Featherweight Champ Yodsanan Nanthachai 3-K
Battery (39-2) had a very good year and capped it off with his defeat of the
Punching Postman. At 28 he’s young enough to make some impact on the
division but unless he steps outside Thailand he’ll never get it done. The
really big names of the division won’t come calling unless he agrees to
meets them on their home turf. It is something with the management of Thai
fighters where never a chance is taken. That’s OK in North America where
reputation can earn big television money. Until a Thai fighter makes the
commitment to visit North America and stay there for an extended period of
time they will never be as good or as rich as they can be. True fact.
The greatest potential for international acclaim is WBC
Flyweight Champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (46-2). He’s young, physically
tall and has experience in the ring. He had a good year by Thai standards
but in the great book of boxing it wasn’t a lot to write home about. He
had three fights, all wins, against people he should and did beat. His KO of
Daisuke Naito last April in 34 seconds put him in the record books for
whatever that’s worth. His upside and future is bright. Denkaosan
Kaoyichit (20-0-0) fighting for the rival WBA got a title shot against Champ
Eric Morel in California. He lost but didn’t disgrace himself. Morel and
Wonjongkam would be a dream match up but it won’t happen.
A Super Bantam that showed some promise was Fahprakorb
Rakkiatgym (35-3). He was 35-2 going into his IBF title fight with Manny
Pacquino (34-2-1). He was destroyed in one round which would indicate that
his time on the international stage is questionable.
How about them apples?
Pattaya Pool League
Fitness Tips: Happy New Year!
G’day Readers,
I hope Santa was good to all you kids out there and
everyone got the chance to do something special for not only their loved
ones but for themselves as well.
It’s time to start thinking seriously about what you
are going to do for yourself in 2003.
This
was my Christmas present to me, a holiday in Phuket for 4 days. It was a
great trip, heaps of fun! Did a bit of sight seeing, some swimming, a little
bike riding and a lot of running. This is a photo of our tour group. I’m
the fat, white bloke at the back on the left hand side, looking very nervous
about competing in my first real triathlon.
Most of us would like to get a bit fitter and lose a bit
of weight/fat but many of us use age as an excuse. If you are past your
prime take a look and see that age is not an excuse. For those of you in
your prime and still on the way there, no excuses not to start taking care
of yourself a little better.
Strength training benefits seniors - it’s not age that
wearies you. A new study on the effects of resistance training in older
adults may encourage you to incorporate some type of strength training into
your own regime.
The study, published in the January (2002) edition of
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, reported that older adults who
participated in six months of resistance training significantly increased
and helped to preserve their bone density.
Sixty-two healthy seniors aged between 60 and 83 were
divided into three groups and analysed over a six-month period. The first
group participated in high-intensity resistance training. The second group
engaged in low-intensity training and the third group was controlled so as
not to change their lifestyle habits throughout the study. Participants were
involved in three supervised strength sessions per week, which included
machine exercises.
The study revealed that the high-intensity group
increased their bone density by an average 2% in the hip area by the end of
the six-month period. The second group also showed significant increases in
bone mass throughout the study. It was also found that leg presses, overhead
presses and a variety of back exercises had the most significant effects on
bone density. It’s my job to teach you exercises like these.
While the study reveals that high-intensity weight training has the most
positive effect on bone mass in seniors, significant changes were noted in
the low-intensity group. Incorporating light weights, such as hand weights,
modified squats and pushups into your classes will at least help to preserve
bone density if not to promote positive increases. Again, my job is to teach
things like this and to show you all how easy it is to increase you health
and well being, regardless of age.
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