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Equinox takes top awards in the MTB Super Challenge 24-hour endurance race
Songklod Kaewvisit
The agile Equinox 5 team won the Open Male category of
the non-stop 24-hour Mountain Bike (MTB) Super Challenge held on March 1 and
2 at the Pong Din Dam Reservoir at Khao Kheow.
The
agile Equinox 5 team won the Open Male category of the non-stop 24-hour
Mountain Bike (MTB) Super Challenge at Pong Din Dam Reservoir, Khao Kheow.
Sixty-five teams participated in the adventure where
riders had to track into the bushy and muddy jungle, using superb teamwork
to score the most number of times around a set course in 24 hours. Riders
had to jump off their bikes to collect a numbered tag as they completed each
lap. It was indeed a tough and cruel test of strength and will, but all made
it through the heat of day and cold of night.
The Power Play and Equinox 3 teams finished runners-up
and third respectively.
Race rules for the 24-hour endurance challenge allowed
each team to have three riders. Lights on the mountain bikes were mandatory
and equipment for maintenance and food and drinks had to be prepared in
advance.
Not
only did we make it, but we won! Cool Running won the Women’s Open
category.
Categories were Open Male, Open Female, Mixed (male and
female), and Master (total ages over 125 years). There was also a solo 24
hours non-stop session category that attracted 4 bicycle riders.
The top three finishers of the Open Female category were
the Cool Running team, Equinox 4 team, and Tri-Angles Nestle team
respectively.
A true
test of strength and will.
The winners of the mixed category were Itsara team, Bayer
Polymers team, and PS Sports team respectively.
The Master category winners were Pedro’s Lubricants
team, Equinox 1 team and PS Sports team respectively.
Garryck Hampton, member of Peace Peddlers, an association
that promotes peace worldwide, won the award for strength and honor.
Winners in each category received 25,000 baht and a
trophy. Runners-up received 12,500 baht and a trophy, and third place teams
received 7,000 baht and a trophy.
Nathee Chaisinthop, managing director of Pro-bike
Company, which, along with Adventure Racing (Thailand) Company were major
sponsors of the event, said they did not hesitate to organize the tournament
since the company is quite experienced in adventure. The sport is immensely
popular around the globe. This was, however, the first time Thailand.
Organized to provide opportunities for Thai mountain
bikers to show their strength, talent and sharpen their skills, the event
attracted both Thai and foreign marathon mountain bikers.
Chonburi MP Itthipol Khunpluem presided over the opening
ceremony.
Equinox teams graciously took home 4 prizes after a long and sunburning
race this year.
Morrison, Spence, Seely and Bennett win 7th TAGGS AM-AM
The seventh AM-AM was played on March 7 over the Mountain
and Ocean courses at Phoenix Golf and Country Club as usual. Also as usual
the course provided an excellent venue for the format of the best two
Stableford scores on each hole from the four man teams.
There was a difference this year, with the handicaps
restricted to a maximum of 24 per player, which resulted in the number of
teams being slightly less than on previous occasions. This was definitely to
the benefit of those that did play, as every team managed to complete their
rounds in less than four and a half hours. This was a major improvement on
recent tournaments.
As is also usual the organisation was impeccable with
Wayne Ogonoski and Richard Livingston taking care of the scoring after they
and Malcolm Clare had ensured that all the competitors had been registered
and apprised of the rules of the day prior to the start. With the starters
ensuring that there was a smooth change over after the first nine, without
any external groups allowed to get in-between, the day progressed without
any problems.
Quite a few players were disconcerted to find that most
of the out of bounds markers had been renewed, and in some cases re-sited,
making the course much tighter but certainly much clearer to define.
This or the reduction in handicap allowance may have had
something to do with the winning scores this year being not so good as last
year’s 105 points.
The defending champions Bob Morrison, Andy Spence and
Mike Seely made one change from last year, dropping Ross Nicholson and
bringing in Rob Bennett. Mike Seely again proved to be the anchor man, with
an excellent 45 points on his own, and figuring in all the scoring except
for four holes. The rest of the team managed to “ham and egg” it without
any of them playing below their handicaps. Which was a truly amazing feat
when amassing the winning score of 27 under, which equated 99 Stableford
points.
Second place went to the team of Paul Coutumas, John
Emmerson, John McHugh and Jim Munns, with a score of 23 under (95 points)
although they needed a good return by both Jim Munns, 44 points, and John
McHugh with 43 points, to beat off the strong challenge of the third and
fourth placed teams on count back.
The team comprising of Roy Mitchell, Wilf Latham, Bert
Guy and David Johnson secured third place, with David Johnson being the
star, scoring 39 points playing off of 24 instead of his usual 25 handicap,
with Bert Guy weighing in with 38, and finishing with a team total of 23
under and just losing in the count back by two points.
Losing out in the three-way count back by just two shots,
the team of Pasi Venalainen, Pertti Revilla, Mauno Pollari and Maria Hasila
turned in a very creditable performance, with Pasi taking a lot of the
strain in scoring 39 points off a reduced handicap and regretting the three
putt on the last that cost his side second place by a shot.
Although there was not a prize for the lowest gross,
mention must be made of Barry Winton’s fine effort of gross 73 that held
his team together throughout the round.
The prize giving at The Haven, presided over as usual by
Mike Franklin, as master of ceremonies, and the prizes presented by Richard
Livingston, followed the sumptuous buffet laid on by the tireless staff
controlled by “The Doc’s wife”, Lumyai.
At the end of the day, all agreed that once again the
AM-AM had been a roaring success with twenty-five different prizewinners,
plenty of food and even more beverages being drunk late into the night.
The only blight on the day was when “The Doc” unloaded the camera
that he used for the prize giving, to find that it contained no film, hence
the lack of pictures with this report.
Thailand selected as venue for
FIFA grand events
Thailand has been selected by the Federation
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to be the venue for its grand
events in 2003 and 2004.
The kingdom was chosen to host the FIFA World Players’
Gala late this year, and FIFA’s woman-youths football championship next
year.
Thailand successfully beat out rival countries and was
approved by the FIFA board.
The grand sport events will draw a large number of global
sports fans and celebrities, as well as world football players and stars
themselves into the country. Exact details have yet to be announced by
sporting authorities. (TNA)
Pattaya Pool League
P.S.C. Golf from The Cafe Kronborg
Monday March 3
Natural Park Resort
(Stroke)
This was to be an exciting week at the Kronborg for the
lovers of quality golf as at long last we were to play two thirds of our own
Golden Triangle of golf, starting with this course, my own personal
favourite, Natural Park Resort. It appears the courses have now become a lot
quieter and around about now the courses start to issue their deals, so you
can always contact the office for latest info.
John
Swanson
So a good field set fourth for this beautiful and restful
golf course to play a stroke play competition in two flights, A flight 0 to
18, B flight 19 upwards. Some good golf and some indifferent scores were to
contrast, as in the A flight John McHugh ran away with the flight with a net
68, way ahead of the count back for second which was won with a net 76 by
Jeff Wylie ahead of Ebrahim in third also net 76.
The A flight was a much tighter affair with lower scores
as the winner Alan Sullivan won with a fine net 65 ahead of Mick O’Connor
(goodbye 25 handicap) on net 66 and Dave Richardson third on count back with
net 68 ahead of Cees Bosman (also with a new handicap).
All the players enjoyed playing this superb course and
never fear, we shall return.
Near pins: #A5 John McHugh, #A8 Norie Whiter, #C4 Ted
Morris, and #C7 Rodney Beckett.
Thursday March 6
Bangpra
(Stableford)
They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so
when after trying to book the course throughout the high season we finally
booked it for this day I thought we would have a good turnout from the
Bangpra starved aficionado.
With the K.S.M. off on a three day deep sea fishing trip
the competition was left in the very capable hands of Mick O’Connor, and
his new handicap, to run the competition and to get the 50+ golfers
underway. Normally we have been limiting the field but with the flights full
going in a certain direction, we can look forward to a more ‘relaxed’
and friendly attitude by the courses and as said elsewhere a few new offers.
Bangpra has always been a beautiful course and a fine
test of golf, and so it proved on this day, with the field enjoying a fine
day out and producing some fine scores in both flights.
In the A flight that steady Finn Aku Aho won with a fine
41 points ahead of a count back for second on 39 points that was won by
Brian Holden from in third, also 39 points, Swiss Marcel Wittner, with
American John McHugh in fourth place with 36 points ahead of Ebrahim on
count back.
In the B flight the scores were, as they tend to be, a
little bit higher, with the winner ‘Jockey’ John Swanson coming back to
form after a long drought with a fine 45 points, ahead of Bob Bender,
playing with a bad back, on 42 points in second. In third place was ‘The
Admiral’ Dave Richards with 39 points and in fourth was Dutch Cees Bosman
on 37 points.
Back in the clubhouse the sighs of contentment could be
heard as our resident gourmet Pete Galle was able to get his fix, his ice
cream sundae, for the first time in months. So it was that a very happy
international field returned to Pattaya, happy once again to have played
Bangpra.
Near pins: #2 Jon Dean, #8 Jeff Whilly, #13 Alex Kazazis,
and #17 Brian Holden.
Long putts: # 9 John Swanson and #18 Maurice Herberge.
Lowest score (Last): Jim Hallet.
Winners of the second Pattaya Pool Knockout trophy
During
the Pattaya Pool League’s regular season, they ran a cup competition. The
final, over two legs, was between Duncan’s Bar and Lobby Bar, and was won
by the Lobby Bar. The winning team is shown here with their trophy, left
front to right and second row left to right: Brummie Graham, Golfing Mick,
Tim the General, Little Boy Blue, Pat the outlaw, John Boy, Unfit Mark,
Martin, Never Worked The Bar Ron, Steady Jason, Secret Pete, Benny The Ice,
Reggie Looking For Dave!
Tough time for top teams
Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League
For Monday Feb. 24th, the Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling
League had a good turnout of 25 players. Both top teams, though, had tough
days again.
Feb. 24
200+ bowlers, from left: Ooy 204, Jeed 209, and Nut 216.
March 3
200+ bowlers Mai 202, Jeed 212, and Tue 223, 201 (Nut 200 not shown).
Suraphan’s team only managed to draw 2-2 against
Mio’s team, even thought Suraphan and Mai bowled 529, 531 respectively,
and were backed by Jeed bowling 209. On Mio’s it was Nut doing the damage
with a 216 for 503.
Bill’s team got beaten again by La’s 4-0, and lost
2nd place in the league. La bowled a 513 series and was backed By Ooy’s
204 game and 545 series.
Kran’s team put more pressure on the leaders by drawing
2-2 against Tue’s team, with Kran bowling 514.
On Monday 3rd. March, Kran’s 2nd place team and
Suraphan’s 1st place team matched up and Kran’s team came out the big
winners in a 4-0 thrashing. Kran rolled a 550 series, backed by Mai 202,
530. For Suraphan’s it was Jeed with a 212 string and 514 series (200+ two
weeks in the row).
This week Bill’s team again lost, this time to Mio’s
1-3, Nut again was the best bowler for Mio’s team with her 200 game and
520 series.
Tue’s team beat La’s 4-0, with Tue rolling her best of the season,
223, 201 and total 615.
Top four teams in winning ways
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
There was no change in the top four places as House of
the Golden Coin won three points from Three Sisters, Cafe Ole won all four
points from Winchester Club, VFW Post 9876 won three points from Jack &
Tar, and Domicil took three from Cafe Kronborg.
200
bowlers Ken & Jeed.
Nice & Sleazy got out of last place after taking
three points from Shakey Pete’s.
The only 200 games of the day were rolled by Jeed, Nice & Sleazy and
Ken, Jack & Tar, both had 207 games. Gert bowling for House of the
Golden Coin had the best series of the day knocking down 526 pins and Ooy,
Three Sisters, bowling in the same match came second with 521 pins knocked
down.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
P.S.C. Golf from Bobby Joes 60’s Bar
Friday March 7
Century Bang Chang
(Stableford)
One of the good points of the morning, as we ate
breakfast before departure, was the number of married couples who joined us
for our trip to Century Bang Chang. Maybe they had heard the rumour that
Celia and Cees were due to go home for the summer, or maybe it saved cooking
breakfast.
Presentation
by Bobby: Cees (right) and Stephen (left).
We had a good turnout for our trip to Bang Chang, still
the favourite lower priced course of most of our players and the course did
not let us down as it was in fine condition and provided a very enjoyable
day for all the players. The course was also fairly quiet and our group of
variable ability, 3 to a lot more, was able to enjoy the peace and quiet of
a walk spoilt.
Back in the clubhouse the rush was to get into the
changing room and claim the one warm shower we remembered from last time;
unfortunately it didn’t work and so it was cold showers all around. Not
bad really as it was so warm on the course and the water was not too cold.
Sitting outside at Bang Chang is always a pleasure as the
cool winds usually blow across the open front and the view is excellent,
also you can see the later golfers coming in hot and bothered.
Back at the ranch, and arriving there first in style in
Tim’s new car, it was a pleasure to see our three man rush to the meats
and salad buffet, always my favourite as I am a sandwich man. Later the bus
arrived and the last of the cars and the hungry golfers were filled up ready
to put fluids back into their body.
Food over we could look at the results and it was no
surprise that despite being chopped 4 shots, before the next handicap
review, Cees Bosman (alias The Frog Prince) won once again but only a sort
jump ahead of the rest. As Cees and Celia now go home for the summer we wish
them a good trip and now at last we can have a new winner next time.
Bobby Joe did his usual job as presenter, and it was seen
that with 26 players we had 15 prizes, before wishing all a good night and
letting all get back to the job of having a good time, which they did with
gusto.
Winner: Cees Bosman
Last: Stephen Peters
Near pins: Hcp. 0-18: #5 Ted Morris, #7 Derek Brook, #13
Jim Russel, and #15 Marcel Wittner; Hcp. 19 up: #5 Cees Bosman, #7 Rod
Perrin, #13 Bob Benda, and #15 Judy Russel.
Long putts: #9 Bob Benda and #18 Ray Spurling.
Lucky Draw: Kevin Dunne, Andy Evans and Ian Edwards.
Harald Gruber continues
good run of form
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
A Worthwhile Drive
Monday 3rd March
Treasure Hill
Stableford
1 st: Al
Rolnik, 40 points
2 nd: Stephen
Beard, 39
3 rd: Harald
Gruber, 38
4 th: Pete
Murray, 37 cb9 21, cb6 16
5 th: Mark
Gorda, 37 cb9 21, cb6 15
Set among the hills some 55 kilometres from Pattaya,
Treasure Hill is a little gem that just needs a little polishing to make it
one of the best courses in the area. The fairways are overrun with ants at
the moment and the course is in danger of being renamed Ant Hill, but the
rest of the course is a delight to play with some of the nicest tee off
areas and greens to be found locally.
For the day’s competition, the weather stayed fine and
with a slight wind, it made for almost ideal conditions for golf and “Big
Al” Rolnik took advantage of this to record his first win for a little
while out of The Haven, with a very steady round four shots under his
handicap to just hold off “The Doc” by a shot.
Harald Gruber, who is figuring in most of the local
tournaments at the moment, just held off the challenge of “Shaky Pete”
Murray and “Guido” Gorda, to claim third place.
The twos were shared between Yazuo Suzuki, Pete Murray,
Bob Heath, Malcolm Clare, Mark Campbell, Bob Lindborg and Dan MacLean.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed back Yazuo Suzuki, Gordon Langtry, Mark
Campbell, Ken Johnson and Harald Gruber.
Wednesday 5th March
Century Chonburi
Bogey
1 st: Harald
Gruber, 4 up cb9 1 up
2 nd: Vance
Millar, 4 up cb9 1down
3 rd: Mark
Campbell, 2 up cb9 4 up
4 th: Pete
Murray, 2 up cb9 1 up
5 th: Stephen
Beard, all square cb9 3 up, cb6 3 up, cb3 1 up
6 th: George
Jackson, all square cb9 3 up, cb6 3 up, cb3 a/s
7 th: Bill
Kirkpatrick, all square cb9 2 up
8 th: Mikael
Andersson, all square cb9 3 down
Just down the road from Treasure Hill was the venue for
the week’s bogey competition and it is another diamond in the rough as
well as being the cheapest golf on the Eastern Seaboard. Some of the views
are breathtaking, especially if you happen to be standing in a bunker and it
is your shot next. At least it can make one gasp a little. But that aside,
the course is playing exceptionally well with very good fairways and pretty
fast and even greens.
Harald Gruber continued his good run of form and took the
honours from Vance Millar on count back.
“The Mangler” shook off the jet lag, occasioned by
his 24 hours of travel from Trinidad, and the effects of overindulgence of
the local delights following six months of abstinence, to edge out “Shaky
Pete” Murray into fourth place.
The minor placings were headed by “The Doc” who just
prevailed over the improving “One Ball” George Jackson, the latter now
equipped with water wings attached to his golf bag, and “Lawyer Bill”
and Mikael Andersson, all of whom had to be separated by the usual count
back.
Pete Murray took the twos on his own with an unlikely two
at the 215 yards par 3 on the front nine.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new member Phil
Mitchell.
Friday saw all the TAGGS members playing in the AM-Am, a
report of which can be found on the back page in this issue of the Pattaya
Mail.
Herb Schweiterman
buries the field
PSC Three Sisters Golf
The third of March brought a new winner to the fold. Herb
Schweiterman, who is a fairly newcomer to the group, got his act together
and shot 89 off the stick. It was one of his best rounds ever as he broke 90
and came in with 42 points. Herb’s driver was working well and his putts
were dropping in to bury the rest of the field.
Herb
Schwieterman won the bragging rights at the 3 Sisters competition on Monday
3 Mar 03. Bobby Clark (no picture) came in holding the bag.
Paul Kraft was again near the top with 41 points. As was
said last week, he has found his game again and his handicap will be
dropping like a rock. It is time for Paul to get below 20 on his handicap -
in fact 18 will be more like it.
Following close behind was Malcolm Mackenzie with 38
points. Malcolm had a hole in one last week at hole number four at Siam.
Since the drinks were already paid for that day, he volunteered to pay for
the drinks at Caddy Shack Two this session (thanks Malcolm). Just back of
Malcolm was Bob Benda and Paul Kinner - both previous winners but could not
come up with the goods for the day.
Vying for the bottom spot for the week was Herb Ishinaga and Bobby Clark.
I know that Herb had a bad hangover but I don’t know what Bobby’s excuse
was. Both golfers were tied at 26 six points but Bobby managed a better grip
on the bag to wrest it out of Herb’s reach. As it was, Bob managed a big 8
points on the back nine to be the bag holder of the week.
An Kaesavane scores pair of 42’s
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s - Orchid
Sunday - 2nd of March
St. Andrews - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Gavin Knox - 36 points
2nd A Flight - Jim Brackett - 36 points
3rd A Flight - Stan Fry - 35 points
1st B Flight - An Kaesavane - 42 points
2nd B Flight - John McHugh - 40 points
3rd B Flight - Seamus Brennan - 39 points
Diminutive An Kaesavane has only been playing the game
for less than two years and hardly a month goes by that she does not lower
her handicap a stroke. This week’s efforts may do more than that. An’s
lovely golf swing has now been supplemented by her growing confidence. An
example of that confidence was related by her significant other, Klaus
Schackt, a tough 9 handicap himself, when, for the first time, An made a
comment on how Klaus might improve his game! An’s 42-point, 81 gross
effort naturally stole the spotlight on the day, but her two fellow B Flight
competitors did not go down without a fight as John McHugh had 40 and
ever-improving Seamus Brennan had 39. A Flight was slightly more reserved as
Gavin Knox edged Jim Brackett by having 20 of his 36 points on the back nine
whilst Jim only managed 15. Stan Fry filled out the third spot in B Flight.
Monday - 3rd of March
Noble Place C & B - White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Flight - K. C. Johnson - 64 net
2nd Flight - Jeff Johnson - 71 net
3rd Flight - Risto Manerus - 73 net
Father and Son tandem, K.C. and Jeff Johnson, visiting
from Hawaii, garnered first and second on a hot day at Noble Place. K.C.
shot a blistering 81 off his 17 handicap! The field was rounded out by
Finnish visitor Risto Manerus.
Wednesday - 5th of March
Khao Kheow - A & B - Yellow Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Rick Sharp - 36 points
2nd A Flight - John Emmerson - 35 points
3rd A Flight - Paul Young - 35 points
1st B Flight - An Kaesavane - 42 points
2nd B Flight - Seamus Brennan - 37 points
3rd B Flight - Kurt-Erik Persson - 36 points
In the week that was, An Kaesavane took B Flight gold for
the second time with her 42-point, gross 79 effort. Other great athletes
have caused the rules of their respective game to be changed and it is no
different for An. In the past, Lewiinski’s-Orchid allowed the ladies to
play off the red tees regardless of where the men play. However, An’s
golfing acumen highlighted that the system needed some retooling.
Lewiinski’s-Orchid will now align itself with several of the other golfing
venues around town by having the ladies play off the tees in front of those
that the men use. That issue only arises, around here, at Khao Kheow and
Treasure Hill where the men usually play off the rear set of men’s tees.
The gals will now play off the forward set of men’s tees in those two
courses. But that is intended as high praise for An as she continues to
impress all those who have the opportunity to be in her fourball. Seamus
Brennan again fell short of An’s effort with his second 39 point effort of
the week. Kurt-Erik Persson finished off his Pattaya stay with the third
step in B Flight. Rick “The Hermit” Sharp had 36 points in winning A
Flight gold, with John Emmerson outlasting Paul Young on count back for the
second spot.
Blue Lagoon Windsurfing Club brings new world of sport to Pattaya
From wakeboarding, to kiteboarding, to windsurfing and
even sailing, the Blue Lagoon Windsurfing Club is brings a wide range of
water sports for people of all ages. Located just off Sukhumvit Road, right
next to the Ambassador Hotel, it’s a relaxing and friendly club to be a
part of.
Joshua
from Florida and 9 year-old Prik Kee Noor from Thailand get ready to go
wakeboarding.
Hardcore
kiteboarder, Oliver shows off his skills.
Pattaya Mail spoke to Darryl McClaskey, the marketing
manager and wakeboarding instructor for Blue Lagoon. Darryl works in a
company that makes bindings for wakeboards and kiteboards here in Thailand.
He brings 20 years of experience in water sports to the club, and he was
also World Wakeboarding Champion in 1996.
Darryl wants to work with the Pattaya orphanage and other
organizations in the community. Being fond of kids himself, he urges these
organizations to bring the children to the club and let them enjoy the water
sports on offer. He also emphasized that his main aim is to teach water
safety to all who join the club, as it is an essential component of all
water sports. Lifeguards and safety boats are on patrol at all times, to
ensure the safety of all members.
The main attractions at Blue Lagoon are wakeboarding and
kiteboarding - the new craze in Europe. The popularity of both in Thailand
is increasing at an astonishing rate. Neither sport has an age limit, and
can be enjoyed by all, regardless of physical ability.
Both wakeboarding and kiteboarding are linked to each
other in many ways. Similar boards are used and both involve a water start.
The two instructors for kiteboarding at Blue Lagoon are
James and Thierry, both professionals.
Windsurfing is also available at Blue Lagoon, and is
still very popular. All windsurfing instructors are certified by the WKO
Windsurfing Association of Thailand.
Blue Lagoon is planning a number of future developments,
including a playground for children. The club is not about “extreme”
sports, but about sports that everyone can take part in, and families can
enjoy.
Membership is only 5,000 baht per year; a fantastic deal for a lot of
fun.
Everything’s fine in the Enda
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
The weather is warm and the annual Asian invasion has
ended. Golf courses are free at last from the stifling masses of tourists.
What better time to take advantage of the tranquility and beauty of Siam
Country Club! So thought the Bunker Boys on Tuesday, 4th March, when they
descended on the course to play their weekly stroke play event.
Both divisions threw up their heroes and in the top
flight Martin Davis shot an excellent net 68 to take the top prize. He was
fully five shots ahead of nearest rival Keith Hector, returning from the
golfing doldrums, and John Clements took third place with net 76.
In division two Enda Naughton belied his handicap to fire
a net 68 also. Sharing second place were George Redgeway, who played some
clinical golf in his level par 72, Neil Griffin and welcome visitor Paul
Taylor.
Remy Guy shot the day’s only birdie two in an otherwise
frustratingly poor round to win the Bunker Super Sawng award and pity Ken
Sale, for his net 116 was without equal for the Bunker Banana Booby.
Good scores at Bangprakong
On Thursday, 6th March, the Bunker Boys undertook their
longest golfing journey to the beautifully presented course at Bangprakong
Riverside. On an extremely hot day they laboured on the lush fairways in
order to compete for the weekly Stableford prize. Their efforts were not in
vain for more than a quarter of the field returned scores of par or better.
This was not an indication of the difficulty of the course but rather proof
of the well maintained fairways where it was very difficult to find a bad
lie.
In division one the two elder statesmen, Mr. Loy and
Norman Brooks, both amassed 37 Stableford points, whilst the chasing group
included John Clements and Brian Kelly, both firing 36.
In division two Dick Worden (37) and Gary Austin (37) set
the early pace but were to be eclipsed by the high scoring Paul Taylor who
shot a fine 41 points of his 21 handicap.
The accuracy of Chris Davisson, Des Pearson and John
Randle was later rewarded with a share of the Bunker Super Sawng award for
their birdie twos whilst further down the field the hapless pairing of Ken
Sale and Bob Pritchard fired scores so low that, added together, they would
have been an embarrassment to most golfers! A glance at their cards meant
there would be no question of where the Bananas were heading!
But memories of the day will be pleasant for all,
especially Mr. Loy, whose first nine gross of 40, giving him 23 points,
almost matched his best ever nine hole total.
Clive and Noonit pair well to win
By Mike Franklin
Clive Bruce and Noonit Tawapee returned a gross 70 and
net 64.4 to win the March 4th Shenanigans Pairs Scramble at Plutaluang.
Clive
Bruce and Noonit Tawapee, shown here with Sai (left), returned a gross 70
and net 64.4 to win the March 4th Shenanigans Pairs Scramble at Plutaluang.
The South and East courses were in good condition, and in
fine weather some good scores were inevitable. Noonit, without husband Per,
as he is currently recovering from a hospital stay, clearly paired well with
Clive returning the best gross and net scores of the day. Surprising in a
way, as Clive had been in bed for six days with Asian flu and was still
sweating electrolyte. Noonit’s accuracy with the putter, however, saw them
through.
Less than a stroke behind were Nora Haugsjordet and Lamun
Hanley (also without husband John, now back at work), with a net 65.2 from a
gross 73. Graham Rudd and Michael Howard earned third place with a gross 74
and net 65.8, Graham no doubt enjoying their team handicap of 8.2 - two
shots more than his current 6 handicap.
Graham
Rudd and Michael Howard earned third place.
Near pins were won by Mam Trayling, Tony Stevens at S.4
and E.5 respectively, Graham Rudd claiming the other two at S.7 and E.2.
Ning Fletcher was in form with the putter to sink the
longest putt on S.9, and newcomer Gordon Kerr was best on E.9.
Yours truly was absent from playing and the prize giving
due to other duties with the opening of the new Diana Garden Resort, North
Pattaya. Thanks to Tony Stevens and Clive Bruce for doing the scoring, and
to Kim Fletcher ‘mike-less’ on this occasion, for announcing and
presenting the prizes assisted by Khun Sai.
Newcomers Richard Taylor and Gordon Kerr were given a
Shenanigans friendly welcome and Steve Ryser got a very friendly welcome
back from his trip to Switzerland.
The next competition, a pairs better ball, is on March
18th at Pattaya Country Club, and then on April 1st we are back to South
& East at Plutaluang for ‘Franklin’s Folly’ to celebrate the April
Fool’s birthday in a slightly silly way. It will be a pairs scramble with
everyone playing off the ladies tees. This is a once in a lifetime
opportunity for the men to find out how easy it is for the ladies off those
forward tees and there will be many technical prizes, including men’s and
ladies long drives and a mixed long drive, the result of which might prove
interesting!
No competition on April 15th as it is Songkran week, but we make up for
this by having two Tuesday outings on the 22nd and 29th April with the
Funhill Cup on Friday the 25th. Sign-up for all of these at Shenanigans in
pairs please, or contact me, Mike Franklin, direct.
Eastern Star goes all out for new greens
By Mike Franklin
Eastern Star Golf Resort is accelerating its work program
to bring the ailing greens up to the high standard that this Robert Trent
Jones Jnr. championship course deserves.
As the repair work is being carried out organically, as
is all other work on the course, the time factor is naturally greater and,
with just an 18-hole layout, there is no break from daily play thus making
progress with the greens slow.
Rather than close the course for an extended period to
the detriment of the regular golfers, over two hundred caddies and many
other ground and resort staff, a compromise solution has been reached.
Temporary greens are in play within the approach area to
fourteen of the greens, enabling work on the entire surface of those
fourteen greens to be carried out uninterrupted and without delay. The
remaining four normal greens have only minor work in progress and are being
left in play.
The use of temporary greens will be familiar to many
farang golfers who are accustomed to playing in icy winter conditions when
the normal greens need to be protected.
Here it is for expediency to get the renovation work
completed as quickly as possible to bring the greens up to the required
standard.
The course itself, clubhouse and resort facilities are
still open to be enjoyed seven days a week, but to compensate for the
temporary inconvenience, a reduced green fee of 200 baht weekday (valid all
day), and 300 baht weekend (18 holes) will apply until 30th April 2003.
Group bookings of 25 players or more may qualify for
additional benefits by contacting Khun Vanchai, the Eastern Star Golf Course
manager at 038 630 410, or direct on 01 633 8338.
For those golfers who are new to temporary greens, there
is an optional local rule that can be applied that allows a ‘gimme’ (add
one stroke) for a ball lying on a temporary green within one standard putter
length of the hole.
However, as the temporary greens have been cut on the
protected approach areas, the putting surface and speed should be generally
consistent and quite satisfactory for competitive putting as a temporary
measure.
Sky’s the limit
Pattaya Lawn Bowls
Division One
Likely Lads Steve the Streak and Mackem John must have
had rocket fuel in their bowls as they outgunned the mighty Dutch duo Dark
Destroyer Dennis and Big Frank of the Windmills. Dutch lads had no more wind
in their sails to keep up with the likely Lads, losing out on the last end,
keeping Steve and John odds on to win the first division for the first time.
Down at the bottom of the league, Fat Boy Slim Kev and
Mad Dog Bill carried on their losing streak when they came unstuck when they
played the Tartan Army Scots Willy and Diver Daz of the Tartan Bar.
The all girl team Yingyangs spanked the kids on the
block, Carlsberg Kids Dave the Rave and Blond Bomber Martin leaving the
Yingyangs Manager Tim with a smile on his face.
Chaplin Spam Heads started their engines and steamrolled
the bottom team The Cobblers.
Player of the week: Jeang of the Yingyangs
Team of the week: Likely Lads
Match of the week: Likely Lads v Windmills
Results March 6: Yingyangs 20 v 13 Carlsberg Kids, Tartan Bar 14 v 9
Dream Team, Windmills 14 v 16 Likely Lads, Chaplin Spam Heads 16 v 10 The
Cobblers.
Division Two
New guys Paul and Dennis have nearly pinched promotion to
Div one as they beat the Desert Rats Brendan and Andy. Lucky Chaplins Jeff
and Dave kept up the promotion race as they picked up five shots on the last
end to beat Jan Bar by three.
Division Two results March 7: T. Ten Thistle 29 v 11 Musketeers, Lucky
Chaplins 19 v 16 Jan Bar, Desert Rats 8 v 17 Newguys, Asylum 2 24 v 11 Coral
Reef.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
I’m so happy when there’s a mistake in The Square
Ring and it’s not my fault. That happens about as often as a demimondaine
say’s, “No I pay. U good heart always pay. It my treat Teelock.” In my
description of last week’s W. Klitchscko-Sanders encounter I wanted to
describe Sanders as a “tomato can”. But not wanting to use tried old
phrases I tried to be clever. Bad idea. The bit read in the Mail,
“He has an English breakfast of eggs, beans, sausage and canned tomatoes.
Without the eggs, beans or sausages.” Reading that on the web I said,
“That makes no sense.” Then checking the original copy I find that I
wrote, “He’s an English breakfast of eggs, beans, sausage and canned
tomatoes. Without the eggs, beans or sausages.” Try to be clever, lost
cause. Fooled the heck out of the proofreader. So for once, “Not my
fault.”
Whoops wrong again. Corrie Sanders was anything but a
tomato can or a warm up for W. Klitschko as he awaited L. Lewis. With about
30 seconds in the first round Klitschko hit the deck, got up and was
deposited again. The second time he was cut over his right eye. In the
second he made two more trips to “kiss canvas” until the referee stopped
the fight at 33 seconds of the second stanza. The left-handed Sanders did
all the damage with his left that Klitschko either didn’t see coming or
couldn’t stop.
Who is Corrie Sanders? He’s a South African who’s
fought three rounds in three years. He’s a one handicapper at his local
golf course where he just won the club championship. He took this fight
mostly because no one else wanted any part of Klitschko. In preparation for
the fight Sanders hired Ross Purity (who was the only person to beat
Klitschko) as a sparing partner, shaved off his mustache and visited a
sports psychologist for confidence. Before the fight Sanders got a phone
call from Lennox Lewis. “If you put pressure on Klitschko you can beat
him. He’s afraid.” Give Sanders the WBO heavyweight title and an assist
to Lennox Lewis.
As any old geezer will tell you, at the drop of a
question, there are few things that truly surprise them. Being an old geezer
I fall into that category. I’m not only surprised but shocked to the core
of my being that such a “BFD” is being made about Roy Jones beating John
Ruiz for a heavyweight title that doesn’t amount to much. The title, WBA,
has been pretty useless since Ruiz somehow beat Evandler Holyfield with the
help of a local judge who not only missed a real fight but probably
misplaced his white cane as well.
The facts of the Jones-Ruiz fight are simple. Roy Jones
at 199 totally dominated John Ruiz at 236 to win the title. The betting had
Jones a 2-1 favorite until just before the opening bell. It was no surprise.
Ruiz was and is a one dimensional fighter who’s only claim to fame is
faking low blows while getting every break in the world from a “fellow”
Puerto Rican who just happens to be a referee. His skills are minimal.
The press, boxing and otherwise, is now going bananas
over Jones. He’s being treated as royalty, the next coming, the Messiah.
It just ain’t so. Yes it was an interesting fight but not nearly the
instant classic that some believe. The fight drew about 15,000 fans to a
facility that seats 18,500 for boxing. That crowd included about 2,000
tickets given out a the local Air Force Base. The PPV was 520,000 which
yielded about 26 million USD. That pails in comparison to Lewis-Tyson of
last summer with 1.9 million buys and a gross of 119 Million USD. Jones,
always in love with himself, is saying, “If you want me to fight Tyson
it’s going to cost you 50 million.” Yea right!
Former WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (40-2,
37 KOs) expected Corrie Sanders (39-2, 29 KOs) to be very aggressive on
Saturday in their heavyweight clash in Hanover, Germany. Boy was he ever.
“Sanders has 18 first-round knockouts so I look for him to come out very
strong and try to win by early knockout. But I will be ready for anything he
has to offer and, of course, am confident I will win.” Well for the ex
champ one out of two isn’t good enough.
Klitschko also had some comments on new WBA heavyweight
champion Roy Jones Jr. He praised Jones as a “very good entertainer and
show businessman,” however, he added, “Against the real heavyweight guys
like [Lennox] Lewis or Michael Grant or with me, he has no chance.” Guess
being in Germany where there seems to be something in the air Wladimir
hasn’t been notified that Michael Grant like himself can be knocked out by
a strong wind.
OK POM’s your guy gets another chance. Olympic Champion
Audley Harrison (9-0) next gets Ratko Draskovic (27-3-2) in the Wembley
Conference Centre on March 29th. As honesty is good for the soul I admit
that the only thing I know about Draskovic is that he didn’t star in a
Rocky film. Oh yes, he’s 37 years old and holds the Balkan heavyweight
championship.
The locals were engaged in a little box fighting since
last we met. In Nakornsawan WBA #7 Prawet Victorygym (17-2-1, 10KOs) easily
stopped PABA #10 Dedy Suwandana, retaining his PABA lightweight title. The
visitor from Indonesia got in the deep water via the right hook route and
was KO’d at 1:31 of the second stanza. Prawet retained his PABA title for
the eighth time.
Thai superfeather champ Muangfahlek Kiatwichean (9-1,
6KOs) KO’d Paya-insee Sithkriengkrai in 2 while former Muay Thai 122-lb
champ Saenghiran Lookbanyai (1-0) looked impressive in winning a 6 round UD
over Boy Guevarra.
In a Lawrence Welk Match (“a one ana two”) Thai
feather champ Saengsi Por Chaiwat out pointed Thai #1 superfeather Vichit
Chuwatana. True fact.
Referees are always right. Frequent Pattaya visitor and
the best referee in Asia Bruce McAlaster took me to task in a very pleasant
way via e-mail last week. This response was dictated by my story on Bob
Fitzsimmons, the first fighter to win the heavyweight title while holding
the middleweight title. I wrote, “His first 40 fights were in and about
Sydney Australia.” The Referee wrote, “His first 26 fights were in and
around Sydney.” Hummmmmmmm, thought I. I went to Boxrec.com and counted up
his first 40 fights. All in and around Sydney. “Got him” cheered I.
Finally right. As they say in the NFL, “Upon further review, I find we
were both right.” How can that be? Ruby Bob’s first 40 fights were in
Aussie BUT 14 of them were probably exhibitions as the results were reported
“D PTS O” Decision, points, NO ROUNDS. How about them apples?
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