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Aho, Sullivan, Kassameir, John, and Nattaporn seize the month
27th PSC Members Monthly Tournament
Friday March 14
Burapha
(Stableford)
The competition was started under grey cloudy skies on
both the 1st and 10th tees and with a relatively light start list of 66
competitors, most of the competitors were soon underway. As the golfers were
underway the rain ceased but the grey skies remained. It appears Herbie had
had a word with the Rain Gods. The weather remained cool, and all enjoyed a
very pleasurable round, in cool conditions on a course that had been well
prepared for the competition and was a pleasure to play.
B
Flight winner Alan Sullivan (right) received a handsome trophy from Gerry
Carpenter.
Aku Aho
(right) won the A flight and received his trophy from Gerry Carpenter.
This is a tough 18 holes and the players were subjected
to a real test of golf, so as the results started to come in, apart from the
odd blip, the scores were found to be in the realistic area.
In the A flight the winner with a good 43 points was Aku
Aho continuing his good form of recent weeks and only a minor blip, but he
was 5 shots ahead of the count back for second place in which Alex Kazasis
won second with 38 points ahead of Ted Morris in third, also 38 points, and
Yasuo Suzuki just losing out.
In the B flight the winner was Alan Sullivan with a good
39 points ahead of Reg Warner with 37 points and Ebrahim, always there or
there about, in third with 36 points.
The C flight caused the big blip of the day as Tom
Kassameir ran away with the flight by eleven shots. His 47 points was the
best round of the day by 4 shots. Somebody had a big breakfast. Several
miles behind there was a count back for second place on 36 points that was
won by Bob Benda ahead of in third Matt Kirkland. At least when the gap is
so big you don’t have to worry about the putt that lipped out on the 18th
hole.
C
Flight winner Tom Kassameir (right) gathers in the spoils of victory from
Gerry Carpenter.
Chris
John (right), D Flight winner was presented his trophy by Gerry Carpenter.
The
losers dig in.
The D flight most often provides the best points of the
day, but not this time as the scores were quite average. Chris John won with
41 points, finishing ahead of Alan Bishop in second with 40 points and Andy
Evans third with 38 points.
The ladies flight was won by Thongpen Nattaporn with 37
points ahead of Hanni Moller in second with 33 points.
In the clubhouse golfers were given a private room for
the presentation that as usual went off very smoothly under M.C. Alan
Pearce, and the vice president of PSC Gerry Carpenter ‘volunteered’ to
present the prizes. Alan presented a special prize to the ‘losers’ a
plastic shovel, use your own imagination what they were for.
Once again we were indebted to the sponsors, mainly
Shenanigans, PSC, McAllisters, Harley Bar, Cafe Kronborg, Tequila Reef,
Green Bottle, Blue Parrot and The Golf Shot. Also to be thanked were the
people who spend so much of their time to organise the competition.
Myself, with all the rain around, and not finding a bag
cover in the shop, I was more than pleased to win a bag cover for my near
the pin, donated by The Golf Shop.
Results
A Flight
Winner: Aku Aho, 43 points
Second: Alex Kazasis, 38 points
Third: Ted Morris, 38 points
Last: Larry Evans
B Flight
Winner: Alan Sullivan, 39 points
Second: Reg Warner, 37 points
Third Ebrahim, 36 points
Last Marcel Wittner
C Flight
Winner: Tom Kassameir, 47 points
Second: Bob Benda, 36 points
Third: Matt Kirkland
Last: Trevor Carnahoff
D Flight
Winner: Chris John, 41 points
Second: A Bishop, 40 points
Third: Andy Evans, 38 points
Last: Ray Spurling
Ladies
Winner: Thongpen Nattaporn, 37 points
Second: Hanni Moller, 33 points
Last: Judy Russel
Near Pins A & B Flights: #5 Yasuo Suzuki, #8 Derek
Brook, #11 Yasuo Suzuki and #17 Aku Aho. C & D Flights: #5 Alan Pearce,
#8 Herb Schweiterman, and #11 Andy Evans.
Long putts A & B Flights: #9 Gary Blackbourne and #18 Ian Edwards. C
& D: #9 Pete Galle and #18 Ray Spurling.
British Airways Interline Tennis Tournament 2003 serves
an ace for airlines in Thailand
Suchada Tupchai
The British Airlines Interline Tennis tournament held at
the Royal Cliff Beach Resort last weekend served an ace for the country’s
branch airline and local charity organizations.
Going
for the overhand smash.
David
Guppy (left) and Ian Pullin (right), winners of the Men’s Doubles 4.5 are
awarded their trophies by China, emcee of the presentation ceremony.
With over 100 people from British Airways, American
Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, SAS, Cargolux, Singapore
Airlines and Cathay Pacific visiting Pattaya for the 4 day tournament, the
aim was to improve relations between each company and benefit their staff.
They also visited the Pattaya Orphanage and donated funds as part their
activities.
The prize giving, held at the Royal Cliff’s Supper
Club, was enjoyed by all, with winners receiving trophies for their sporting
prowess in the Men’s Singles and Doubles, Women’s Singles and Doubles
and Mixed Doubles categories. Tournament director Arnie Tullett announced
the winners in each category.
Tennis and charity weren’t the only things focused on during the
four-day period; participants visited a number of local tourist destinations
and relaxed by the pool. The evening’s prize giving dinner also featured
plenty of fun activities and lucky draws.
Pattaya Pool League
City announces upcoming charity bowling tournament in honor of
HRH Princess Sirindhorn
Suchada Tupchai
A charity bowling tournament will be held on March 30th
in honor of HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s 48th birthday. Mayor Pairat Sutti-
thamrongsawat and tournament organizers recently announced the charity
bowling tournament will be graced by the presence of H.E Sonthaya Khunpluem,
Minister for Tourism and Sports as part of the birthday celebrations.
Mayor Pairat said, “Pattaya is ready in all facets
including tourism and a variety of sports to host such a competition. The
charity bowling tournament will raise funds for HRH the Princess’s
projects and will also improve bowling standards in the city. Proceeds from
the tournament will be handed over to projects looking after those with
cancer and other serious medical conditions.”
The tournament opens on March 30 at 10 a.m. at the P.S
Bowl above Tops Supermarket on Pattaya Central Road. Registration is still
possible. For more details please call 038-420965-7.
Pattaya Sports Club Thursday Night Darts
Pattaya Lawn Bowls
Division One
Results: Yingyangs 21 v 9 Tartan Bar, Cobblers 9 v 24
Dream Team, Team Somtams 10 v 26 Carlsberg Kids, Likely Lads 17 v 17 Chaplin
Spam Heads.
Player of the week: Mad Dog Bill of the Dream Team
Team of the week: Chaplin Spam Heads
Match of the week: Yingyangs v Tartan Bar
Division Two
Results: 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.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
Diana Group Golf
Seniors & Ladies March Open
The next tournament, exclusively for Seniors (50-64),
Super Seniors (65+) & Ladies (any age) will be held at Pattaya Country
Club on Thursday March 27.
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
Domicil moves into third place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Domicil took three points from VFW Post 9876 and moved
into third place and dropped VFW into fourth. Suraphan rolled a 525 series
for Domicil, Tue knocked down 542 pins for VFW and Bill toppled 508.
House of the Golden Coin split their match with Nice
& Sleazy at two points each. Mio rolled a 514 series for Golden Coin and
Somrak tipped over 509 for Nice & Sleazy.
Cafe Ole managed to win two points from Shakey Pete’s
with Jim rolling a 516 series.
Three Sisters took three points from Jack & Tar
behind Ooy’s 510 series. Porn led Jack & Tar with a 506-pin count.
Winchester got out of the cellar after taking three points from Cafe
Kronborg. Captain Kran knocked down 533 pins for Cafe Kronborg.
Fitness Tips
G’day Readers,
Apologies for being remiss in my column writing for the
last few weeks, that’s something that will happen from time to time as a
contributing writer, work must come first and things here at the gym have
been keeping me away from the computer.
2 or 3 guilt trips from the senior staff at the paper and
I’m back behind the machine with something for all above the legal age.
It does refer to Valentine’s Day, which was a month ago
but the info is valid nonetheless.
If you haven’t planned anything special for
Valentine’s Day (or any other day for that matter) why not head to the
gym? Studies have shown that exercise may be the best remedy to spice up
your love life! Stop thinking about that little blue pill and read on, this
is better for your entire body function.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) recently published
a report that identified numerous studies showing a direct correlation
between exercise and an improved sex life.
According to a study conducted at the Howard School of
Public Health, men who exercised for 20 to 30 minutes each day were half as
likely to suffer from erection problems than those who did no exercise. At
the University of California scientists found that sedentary healthy
middle-aged men who began exercising, reported more frequent sexual activity
and orgasms, more reliable function during sex, and more satisfying orgasms
than those who remained sedentary.
A study of athletes at the University of North Carolina
found that those who exercised at 70% of their VO2 max increased levels of
the hormones free-testosterone, cortisol, and epinephrine, which contribute
to increased sexual arousal. 70% of VO2 max is an exercise intensity that
has you unable to hold a conversation whilst working out for a period of at
least 20 minutes. Yes, you are working hard but not so hard that you feel as
though you are killing yourself.
The Massachusetts Male Aging Study, a ten-year study on
erectile dysfunction, found that sedentary men had the highest risk of
impotence, while those who participated in regular exercise had the lowest.
A study conducted by the University of Texas measured the sexual response of
35 young women while watching a travel film and an X-rated film. The study
was conducted twice, the first time the women cycled vigorously for 20
minutes and the second time they did not. Using a device that measures blood
flow to genital tissue the researchers found that after exercising the women
experienced a 169% increase in vaginal responses.
Finally, a study published in The Journal of Sports
Medicine and Physical Fitness revealed that married couples who voluntarily
began a supervised fitness program together were more likely to stick with
the program than those who joined without their spouses.
“Regular exercise appears to enhance sexuality through
a variety of mechanisms that affect both the mind and body,” said Dr
Cedric Bryant, chief executive physiologist for ACE. “These studies help
document that regular, moderate exercise may help prevent, reduce or
possibly reverse major sexual problems, from erectile dysfunction to low
libido, in both sexes.”
Carpe’ Diem
Dave celebrates his birthday
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 10th March
Pattaya Country Club
Stroke play
1st: Dave Lee, 65
2nd: Stephen Beard, 67
3rd: Derek Reaper, 70
4th: Arthur Hancock, 71 cb9 36
5th: Trevor Edge, 71 cb9 38.5
Unfazed by a disruption at the start, Dave Lee had the
round of his life, as he cruised round in seven under his handicap and
consigned “The Doc” to second place with a score that would usually have
taken the day’s honours.
In the process Dave managed to shoot his age and to cap
it all, it was his birthday! This led to a frenzy of horn blowing back at
The Haven led of course by Dave and taken up by “The Doc” as one of the
best and frequent losers in town.
Derek Reaper, making one of his infrequent appearances,
led the chasing pack and secured third place from “Mr Steady” and the
RSM.
The twos were shared between “Lawyer Bill”
Kirkpatrick and Daryl Blair.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed back Don and Greg Grisham, David Lacey
and Trevor Edge.
Wednesday 12th March
Century Ban Chan
Bogey
1st: Michael Dige, 6 up
2nd: Stephen Beard, 1 up
3rd: Achim Mueller, all square cb9 a/s, cb9 1 up
4th: Paul Taylor, all square cb9 a/s, cb6 1 down
Undeterred by the gathering storm clouds, the golfers
from TAGGS set off for the Nick Faldo designed Century course in Ban Chan.
They managed to complete nine holes before the thunder and lightning drove
them to seek shelter for about forty-five minutes at the halfway house. The
hiatus caused some of the field to lose a little of their concentration, but
not Michael Dige, who stroked it round the sodden course in a gross 71 and
easily beat off the challenging pack.
In second place was the in-form “Doc”, just ahead of
returnee Achim Mueller and Paul Taylor, but way, way back from
“Superman”.
The twos were shared between Gordon Langtry, Rick
Bevington, Peter Cerny and “The Doc”.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new member Manerus
Risto and also welcomed back Achim Mueller and Walter Ottl.
Friday 14th March
Khao Kheow
Stableford
1st Division
1st: Phil Groves, 38
2nd: Brian Kelly, 37
3rd: Moe Deverdenne 35 cb9 19
4th: Mark Campbell, 35 cb9 17
2nd Division
1st: Achim Mueller, 40
2nd: Dave Lee, 38
3rd: Frank Sinclair, 36 cb9 18, cb6 13
4th: Michael Brennan, 36 cb9 18, cb6 11
Khao Kheow can rightly boast that it is in the forefront
of the local courses in respect of the quality of the course and the value
for money and subsequently attracts the greatest number of golfers to it’s
27 hole layout. Once again the storm clouds loomed but this time they did
not materialise into anything and the competition went on without any delays
or stoppages, although the attendant wind was a major factor.
Phil Groves led home the first division, albeit by just
one shot from Brian Kelly, with Moe Deverdenne and “The Mangler” a
couple of more shots back in third and fourth places respectively.
Achim Mueller headed the second division from Dave Lee,
who is now embarking on a completely new golf career following his recent
birthday, and now threatens the podium on every outing.
Phil Groves, who had the only one of the day, won the
twos.
Before the prize giving, Richard welcomed new member
Michael Brennan whilst welcoming back Dave Stockman.
Easy win for favourites
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
Two-day golf is always an interesting format and the
regular monthly Bunker Boys’ thirty six hole tournament took its road show
to the wonderful Green Valley Golf & Country Club. Despite the thousands
of feet pounding the course and greens over the last few months the course
was impeccably set up and the stage was set for some fine golf.
This time there were eight three-ball teams entered for a
simple two score better ball event, with all scores counting on the final
two holes each day. This twist in the tail was to prove costly to many of
the teams but pre-tournament favourites Roy Mitchell, Wilf Latham and Bert
“Remy” Guy avoided the pitfall to head the list at the end of the first
day, posting an excellent score of 148, three shots ahead of Harry Riley,
Ciano Glavinia and Saranya Chaiyanont, and the team of Bob Lindborg, Lamud
Chaidara and Ian Middlemiss.
The second day dawned with the leaders not daring to look
over their shoulders and their consistent golf and unerring accuracy won the
day with a shot less than the first day.
The scrap for second place was won by Bob, Lamud and Ian
leaving the third placed Harry, Ciano and Saranya rueing their missed
opportunities on many of the greens.
Next month’s extravaganza is planned for the same
course on 10-11th April, with the format being the ever popular three-ball
scramble. A footnote: as Eastern Star is now using temporary greens the
Bunker Boys’ fixture there on Thursday, 27th March has been moved to Green
Valley.
Plain sailing for Keith Hector at Plutaluang
On Thursday, 13th March, the Bunker Boys charted a course
for the beautiful Royal Thai Navy golf course at Plutaluang. This club is
rapidly becoming a favourite amongst Pattaya’s golfers, all a result of
the assured warm welcome and fastidious care of the course.
The South and East nines were devoid of other golfers as
the Bunker Boys took to the first tee for their weekly Stableford
competition and the two divisions were cut at 18.
In division one Keith Hector fired the best score of the
day, recording 37 points, easily holding off the challenge of both Norman
Brooks and Duncan Lee, who tallied 35 points.
In division two cheerful Des Pearson smiled and
“heinekened” his way to victory with a level-par 36 point total, three
points ahead of nearest challengers Brian Maddox and Nick Berner.
Des also had a share of the Bunker Super Sawng award,
along with PJ Redmond, as they both recorded birdie twos, Des on East 5 and
PJ on South 4.
Kevin Sheppard returned to golf after a time-out in
Chiang Mai and his lack of golf assured him of at least a share of the
Bunker Banana Booby with Sweden’s Robert Knutsson whose golf matched his
ability to handle a motorcycle! Both players managed only a meagre 25
points. However, for Keith Hector and Des Pearson, it was smiles all the way
home from peaceful Plutaluang.
Bob Benda shows his metal
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Always steady, always near the top, Bob Benda showed his
metal as he garnered the bragging rights for the day. Playing off a 19
handicap, Bob came in with 39 points to beat the field by a single stroke.
Our bionic man, Alan Pearce (both knees replaced) was
tied for the second spot with Donald Ratcliffe. Both were one stroke back at
38 - not enough to win the day. They played well but made a few mistakes to
falter back to second place.
Holding up the bottom this week was Paul Kinner. I
believe that he was a winner just a short time ago. Just goes to show how
the mighty can fall. Paul had a bad day coming in with 20 points - it must
have been a bad hangover. Better luck next week.
The Monthly Medal has Wee Johnny Emmerson’s name on it
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s - Orchid
Sunday - 9th of March
Green Valley - White Tees
Monthly Medal
1st Place A Flight - John Emmerson - net 67 - Monthly
Medal Winner
2nd Place A Flight - Pete Stonebridge - net 70
3rd Place A Flight - Jim Wickstrom - net 72
4th Place A Flight - Tom Meeboer - net 72
1st Place B Flight - Dr. Raimund Cerney - net 69
2nd Place B Flight - Steve Mulberry - net 73
3rd Place B Flight - Jim Munns - net 73
4th Place B Flight - Ian Halfpenny - net 74
Twice the bridesmaid in recent months, even despite a
similar net 67 effort, John Emmerson finally prevailed and positioned
himself for the chance to be the 2003 Gold Medal winner with his fine effort
in the Monthly Medal. John, who consistently plays well at the Peter
Thompson designed Green Valley, left nothing to chance as he cleared the
field by two shots. His closer competitor, and the winner on B Flight, was
the golf mag journalist, Dr. Raimund Cerny, who had been competing favorably
throughout this Pattaya holiday. Next in line was Pete Stonebridge, 2nd A
Flight, who was the only other player in the field to better his handicap.
Jim Wickstrom, who has a storied golf career that saw him compete at the PGA
level, edged Tom Meeboer for the final two A Flight positions. Poor Tom fell
victim to Jim’s extraordinary gross two-under 33 on the final nine. The
odd man out on the three-way count back was Thai-Ger Line owner Fabian Arp.
The Sugar Shack’s Steve Mulberry edged Jim Munns on count back for second
while Ian Halfpenny edged Mulligans Larry Nicholas for the last spot on the
B rostrum.
Monday - 10th of March
St. Andrews 2000 - White Tees
Stableford
1st Place - Pete Murray - 37 points
2nd Place - Serge Straeten - 36 points
3rd Place - Klaus Schackt - 36 points
The only other player besides Jim Wickstrom to play at
Lewiinski’s-Orchid with PGA experience, at least in the scribe’s
recollection, is Pete Murray. Pete added to his career PGA earnings of
$56.00 by taking the top rung in the comp at St. Andrew’s. Pete, whose
golf and personality give little hint of his septuagenarian status, left the
flat bellies (well maybe not that flat) behind as he matched his 11 handicap
on the demanding Muirfield par 74 layout. Serge Straeten, a Frenchman who is
always willing to go to war, copped the silver beating Klaus Shackt and club
maker to the stars, Neil Cameron on three-way count back. Hard luck Neil had
23 points on the outward nine but went missing on the way in.
Wednesday - 12th of March
Bangpra - White Tees
Stableford
1st Place - Bob Patterson - 35 points
2nd Place - Mark Wood - 35 points
3rd Place - Mick O’Connor - 31 points
Bob Patterson used his 19 points on the inward nine to
edge Scottish visitor Mark Woods’ 17 points on count back. Both players
are off 7 handicap so the playing field was certainly level. One can never
predict how the scores will go and certainly this day at lovely Bangpra was
no exception. Not a player equaled his handicap and the third place
finisher, the Cafe Kronborg’s Thursday MC, Mick O’Connor, edged a gaggle
(five) of golfers at 31 points. Go figure.
Friday - 14th of March
Royal Lakeside - White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place A Flight - Rick Sharp - net 67
2nd Place A Flight - John McHugh - net 69
1st Place B Flight - Natsuda Hietmann - net 66
2nd Place B Flight - Colin Davis - net 66
Although our collective mindset is that there are 19
Pattaya-area courses, the opening of the No. 7 Motorway a couple of years
ago has actually brought the south Bangkok area courses into equal
proximity. The condition of those courses is exemplified by Royal Lakeside
where every fairway lie appears to be on a velvet tee. That quality of
conditioning coupled with the sublime terrain is expected to yield low
numbers and it did not disappoint.
Low on the day came out of B Flight where Natsuda
Heitmann edged the Donkey on count back, both firing brilliant 66s. Natsuda
showed herself to be no stranger to golf etiquette as she strode confidently
to the Lewiinski gong and bought the boys a round. Cheers Natsuda!
This column, which is routinely hard on The Donkey, must
give credit where credit is due as Colin was only several days removed from
surgery on his hand. The Hermit went low at 67 to edge Johnny “The Mad
Bomber” McHuge.
Pattaya Sports Club Goes Fishing
Part 1
There is something special, even primeval, about going on
a fishing expedition into the centre of The Gulf of Thailand for days on
end. When you are hundreds of miles from shore, only have you and your
companions, fishing rods, and of course a boat, the sense of peace and
tranquillity at times is very fulfilling.
Andre
Waiting
Frank
Waiting
Carl
building
up strength
Bjarne
lands a Mahi Mahi
So, I was filled with a sense of anticipation when I was
informed by P.S.C. Fishing Chairman Frank Collins that P.S.C President Carl
Engel had booked a boat for 3 days and intended to invite P.S.C. members to
fish with him.
I was informed departure was scheduled for Monday at
0630, which was good because it gave me time to buy the Dramamine. It also
gave me time to get Frank to buy me a beer, after all we were sat at the
60’s Bar.
Sunday dragged slowly on and it was a surprise when Frank
phoned and told me we were going to leave early, as the captain had seen a
big shoal of mackerel whilst on the way in. We were to meet at the Cafe
Kronborg to leave at 1230 for Samae San.
In the dark at the correct time I pushed the door open
and entered the dimmed interior of the Cafe Kronborg to meet my companions
for the next few days: Carl Engel, Frank Collins, Bjarne Nielsen and Andre
Verdoodt, expert fisherman and mien host at The Wonderful Bar on Road Two. I
made up the ‘Famous Five’, Derek Brook, alias the K.S.M., ‘L’ plate
fisherman and sometime scribe.
Beers finished it was time to leave and start the
adventure. As Frank said he knew the way to Samae San I drove his car and he
navigated. Now this is a man who can take a boat to a wreck in the middle of
the Gulf, so it was no surprise that one hour later we were totally lost in
the dark and running out of fuel. Time for emergency action, so we let the
other car lead, and as the aromas of Samae San came through the window we
arrived at the boat with vapour in the tank.
Within minutes we were loaded, cast off, and on our way
to the first mark where the captain had seen the shoals of mackerel. This
would take about 5 to 6 hours so we may as well enjoy the calmish seas or
get our heads down. Each to his own, but several crates of beer had been
loaded so why not open them?
Daylight loomed and at various times heads were raised,
gently, and breakfast partaken of, as Carl had brought a 7 lb ham and the
eggs were plentiful. This, along with the peace and quiet, passed the time
until we anchored over the spot we had headed to, dropped anchor and dropped
the fishing lines. Then we waited, and waited, for hours without a bite. Now
we know this happens but this was a real setback and as the hours passed it
was decided to up anchor and go to the second mark to fish the night there.
Some hours later, as dusk started to come in, we anchored
over ‘The Wreck’ and prepared to fish through the night. The fun started
when Bjarne pulled in a jackfish, and gradually through the night we
constantly struck into fish and the freezers started to fill up. Jackfish,
many 4-5 kilo red snapper, barracuda, grouper, golden snappers, a whole
panorama of fish went onto the lines as the night went on, and as each
decided on his sleep time the night passed until we all slept and the boat
got underway to our next stop with enough fish to already call the trip a
success.
Those of us who went to bed at daybreak went down late in
the morning to find the ship anchored and Frank and the early risers with
the light tackle out catching small baitfish 3 and 4 at a time.
The thing with fishing - always expect the unexpected,
and as we fished on light lines we were hit by a shoal of Mahi Mahi. The
first fish, a male, went onto the light tackle and we, who hadn’t seen it
before, were privileged to see a magnificent display. This male leapt from
the sea constantly in dazzling jumps and walked on the water, ran the angler
all around the boat and we really learned what this was all about.
In a preview of part two, the shoal of Mahi Mahi stops
with us for a good while and we all catch one, the night produces a lot of
fish and we take home half a pickup load to fill our freezers.
Until then ‘good fishing’ and I am informed the next
few months will be spectacular.
Shenanigans Friendly Golf Society gets very silly on April 1st
By Mike Franklin
Shenanigans landlord, Kim Fletcher, encouraged by
Shenanigans director of golf, Mike Franklin, added silly elements to the
Pairs Scramble taking place on 1st April, April Fool’s Day at Plutaluang,
playing the South & East courses.
‘Franklin’s Folly’, so named as it is Mike’s
Birthday on April 1st, is exclusively for Shenanigans Very Friendly Golf
Society, but all are welcome to join. The tournament will feature eleven
technical prizes - four long putts, four near pins, men’s and ladies long
drives and a mixed long drive. That should prove particularly interesting,
as everyone will be playing off the ladies forward tees.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the men to
find out just how easy it is for the ladies playing from the forward
tee-box. With such a distance bonus for the men there should be some really
silly low scores.
The winning pair with the best net score will each
receive ‘A Free Carvery Every Week for a Year’, together with the
‘Franklin’s Follystars’ Trophy for 2003.
The runners-up will receive bottles of champagne, and
third place bottles of Jameson.
Additional ‘pairs’ prizes will go to the best ladies
pair - jugs of margaritas; jugs of Heineken to the best men’s pair and
bottles of wine to the best mixed pair.
The tournament entry fee for members and non-members will
be 200 baht and that includes a free Irish coffee back at Shenanigans. The
green fee & caddy fee at Plutaluang will be 580 baht.
The ‘Franklin’s Follystars’ winning pair will also
be granted privileged access on the night to the exclusive Shenanigans
superstars table which, with the landlord present, exudes congeniality,
abundant super chat, some silliness and free flowing consumption of assorted
beverages.
This is a foolish and unusually silly event to kick off
April with Shenanigans, so sign-up early, in pairs please at Shenanigans.
Scots waa hae
Tuesday 11/3/03
Green Valley
A popular winner, this scribe at last managed to get
under my handicap. 1st Matt Anderson (13) 38 pts, no blobs and a birdie at
the 16th. 2nd Bob Morrison (14) 36 pts. Again a new face from the US of A,
for me anyway.
Thursday 6/3/03
Bangpra White
Great course, good value, conditions were excellent, and
like last week hot, including the tub after the game. The greens were very
difficult, and it showed, with two low handicappers taking the prizes. Both
from the financial institutions got a moderate return on their investments -
winner John O’Reily (9) 35 pts with two blobs, from the Emerald Isle. 2nd
Jerry Cooney (9) 34pts.
PSC Golf From The Cafe Kronborg
Monday March 10
Pattaya Country Club
(Stroke)
A nostalgic return was made to Pattaya Country Club, and
Pattaya, by Maurice Herberge who on his last visit to this course, on his
last trip to Thailand, managed that rarest of feats when he had an Albatross
on the par 5 8th, a feat of a lifetime of golf. The only other person I know
well who has done it had a hole in one at a par four, but this day was not
to produce such feats, just fine golf on a sunny day, that turned into a
downpour just as the last group finished. Lucky us.
John
Swanson
Doug
Caulkin
Jim
Russel
Dave
Richardson
So it was that a large field turned out to play a stroke
play competition in two flights, A flight 0 to 18 and B flight 19 upwards.
The winner of the A flight was Doug Caulkins with a fine net 67 ahead of in
second with an excellent gross 73 and net 70 Jim Russel beating Rod Beckett,
also net 70, into third on count back and fourth with net 71 Koji Yamada.
In the B flight ‘Slammin’ John Swanson continued his
fine form and won with net 67 ahead of the ‘Admiral’ Dave Richardson in
second with net 70. In third and completing a fine golfing couple was Judy
Russel with net 72 ahead of in fourth Alan Lord with a net 73.
Near pins: #5 Maurice Herberge, #7 Ebrahim, #12 Brian
Holden, and #16 Dave Richardson.
Thursday March 13
Siam Country Club
(Stroke)
The programme for playing the courses has to be booked
and finalised several weeks before the day arrives and so it is no surprise
that every now and then a ‘slight’ problem arises.
Siam is not usually a ‘problem’ but as I went down in
the lift on the night previous on my way to make the start sheets out, I
happened to mention that we were playing Siam on the morrow only to be met
with the comment they had played it the day before and it was in terrible
condition as all the greens had been cored and the grass had not been cut
for days or the holes relocated.
Sitting in the Kronborg wondering what to do, we have
several players who go directly to the course, in walked George Bennison,
P.S.C. secretary who said he had just played the course and it was in a bad
state. After discussion, as we had 40 players signed up for next day, George
volunteered to go to Siam early the next day and check out the course and if
we ‘relocated’ to redirect the players going there.
Early next morning as I sat in the Kronborg I informed
all of the situation, and sat with the phone numbers of several courses
hoping to get a start at one. The call came from George neither good nor too
bad, so off we went to Siam.
On the course the situation was not good but a bad day on
the golf course is better than a good day at work so off we went. The front
nine was heavily sanded and a trial but on the back nine an effort had been
made and the greens whilst not good were at least not really bad. Then we
met the 18th which had been dug up for a new sprinkler system, still not to
worry the sun was shining and the birds were singing and we know in a couple
of weeks the continued improvement of the greens we have noticed of late
will continue.
This surely would be a day of higher scores and I suppose
really it proved to be, but in the conditions special mention must be made
of the gross 73 from Jim Russel, fine golf indeed.
In the A flight, 0 to 17, the winner with a net 70 was
Jim Russel, ahead of Aku Aho in second with net 71 and in a count back for
third on net 74 Michael Allandam beat Reg Warner into fourth place.
In the B flight, 18 up, the winner was Dave Richardson
with a net 69 ahead of Barry Kerr on net 70 and in a count back for third
Doug Caulkins won and Laura Brinn was in fourth.
At the end of the day despite the conditions all had a
good time but when the new improvements take place it should make for a
better Siam.
Near pins: #4 Maurice Herberge, #8 Jim Russel, #12 John
Swanson, and #16 Jim Russel.
Long putts: #9 Bob Benda and #18 Dave Richardson.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
Last week was a little unusual around the boxing world as
there were a lot of fights in a lot of different countries that could affect
the landscape. In Berlin more than 10,000 showed up as Sven Ottke (30-0)
added another hide to the wall with a “squeaker majority decision”
(116-114, 115-113, 112-116) over Yank Byron Mitchell (24-2-1).
Prior to the fight the Ottke camp lodged an official
protest against the use of Puerto Rican judge Samuel Conde-Lopez, who was
assigned by the IBF despite having worked mostly with the WBA in recent
assignments. Conde-Lopez had it 116-112 for Mitchell while his seeing eye
dog had a similar score.
It’s a shame if they didn’t televise the Acelino
“Popo” Freitas (32-0) WBA/WBO Jr. Lightweight Champ’s Sunday fight
with Juan Carlos Ramirez (29-5). It was a corker. Not to worry if you missed
it; so did the worst referee in boxing. Geno Rodriques could not have done
more wrong. No wonder he didn’t get Ramirez seriously hurt.
In the third after each fighter scored “a questionable
knockdown” Freitas landed a picture perfect right hand that dropped
Ramirez. The fight should have been stopped then and there. Referee
Rodriques instead allowed them to finish the round and start the 4th. That
stanza lasted only 19 seconds.
The perfect fight next would be against Yodsanan
Nathachai, better known as 3-K Battery. The Battery is 40-2 and could
actually be one of the Thai fighters that could travel outside the friendly
borders of the Kingdom and get a win. Maybe not against Freitas but he’d
give a darn good account of himself.
Anybody remember former WBC light heavyweight champion
Donny Lalonde? He was the toast of Canada many years ago. He’s back at age
43 getting an easy Unanimous Decision (98-92 times 2 and 99-92) over the
weekend to up his record to (41-4-1). He hopes the win will propel him into
a fight with former champ Virgil Hill.
Another Canadian got some redemption when heavyweight
Kirk Johnson scored a spectacular KO over Lou Savarese at 1:52 of the 4th.
The fight was for a meaningless title but more importantly it may make up
for Johnson’s lackluster performance against former heavyweight champ John
Ruiz last time out.
Not to be outdone a couple of Thai fighters had a pretty
good Friday at Roi-Et. WBC #7 Medgoen Singsurat (30-2-1) stopped former PABA
fly champ Archie Villamor at 2:45 of round 4. The WBC fly king between
1999-2000, Medgoen destroyed the Filipino with a vicious right hook, scoring
a one-punch KO. Next up? WBC superfly titleholder Masamori Tokuyama.
Just back from a visit to Pattaya and especially Scot’s
Corner Bar, pro fighter ‘Scottish” Dave Stewart informs the Square Ring
that, “I’m boxing again on April 26th in Coventry against a Jamaican guy
called Chill John. It’s a step up to eight rounds and a win over him will
get me some acclaim as he’s well respected.
“They’re saying here in the UK that the forthcoming
Harrison-McCullough fight is the most eagerly awaited since Benn-Eubank II.
The pundits seem to be split down the middle on who will win. My opinion,
for what it’s worth, is that Scott’s size, strength and determination
will take him to a points decision but it might be close. Are you still
picking Wayne?”
It’s been a long hard road for good guy Wayne
McCullough (26-3) who finally gets another shot at a world title. This trip
to the post he gets Scott Harrison (18-1-1) who won the WBO Featherweight
title last October with a UD over champ Julio Pablo Chacon. Harrison has
been made a slight betting favorite which is somewhat surprising as two of
McCullough’s loses are to Prince Naseem and Eric Morales. These fighters
were a combined 66-1. Harrison has showed some power with 5 KOs from 6 wins.
But I’ll stick with the Pocket Rocket to do the business.
Pattaya Nash Hash & 1000th run coming 2nd-5th May 2003
PH3 History
The 1st run took place here in Pattaya on 2nd January
1984. The founders were Molly Kirgis, who now lives in Germany, and Bill
Jones who’s still here in Pattaya. There were approximately 20 people on
the run.
The Present
Today the Pattaya Hash is a large family with usually
well over 100 runners each Monday. Hashers sign up at the Scandi Bar each
Monday at 15:00 and the bus leaves at 16:00. All are welcome from beginners
to serious runners. Come and join the largest hash in Asia.
Pattaya Nash Hash & 1000th run weekend
PH3 is getting ready to
make history in May.
This will be a huge event for with Hashers from all over
the world coming to join in on a weekend of running, fun and lot’s of beer
consumption. It is such a big event, there is a full time committee in place
to organize the festivities. The venue will be Diana Golf Range.
Friday (2nd May) - sign up at the Scandi Bar from 11:00 -
18:00hrs followed by a pub-crawl around town. Rumor has it there will also
be a thinking & drinking run!
Saturday (3rd May) - three runs followed by a buffet,
party and live music back at Diana Golf Range. The party kicks off at
19:00hrs and will continue until very late. This will be the party were all
the Hashers come together and swap memorabilia.
Sunday (4th May) - Hangover Day, and there will be two
hangover runs and a hunny bunny for the girls. The evening BBQ will be back
at Diana Golf Range and again much beer, music and fun.
Monday (5th May) of course is the big one. This is the
big 1000th and 20 years of Hashing in Pattaya and again the party will be
back at Diana Golf Range. Further details to be announced soon.
For more information contact: Grand Master Fini on: (038) 420071 or
Mobile 09-8032209, or e-mail either Blowfly, Banjo or any of the committee
members or visit the PH3 web at: http://members.tripod.com/The_Nerd/1000Run/1000.html
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