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Next stop St. Andrews, Scotland,
for T-Zoom Junior Open Champions
Mike Franklin
The weekend of May 31st & June 1st saw the
culmination of the 2003 T-Zoom Junior Open Championships at Eastern Star
Resort, Ban Chang.
Former
tournament winner Patrick Sookmanus, who missed out on the Cup by one shot
with a 136, but had the 2nd best overall score. (photo by Khun Pakawat ESR)
The Championships, sponsored by T-Zoom and organized by
the Thai Students Golf Union, are played over ten two-day tournaments at
various championship standard golf courses, with the players accumulating
performance points as well as competing for prestigious trophies at each of
the venues. Fields of up to 160 junior boy & girl golfers from Thailand
and Korea participate in these events with the ages ranging from 17 years
down to 8 years of age and below, organized in five age-group categories for
both boys and girls. Handicaps are not a factor as all play off scratch with
hole yardages adjusted according to each age category.
So, for example, at the 4th par-five hole at Eastern Star
the ‘A’ 15-17 age category played to 535 yards whilst the ‘E’
category, 8 years and below, played to 320 yards. The other three categories
having yardages appropriately set in between.
Khun
Anand Cup winners Nisanart Mankongsittichai (left) and Meechai
Padungsirisert (right) show off their beautiful trophies in front of William
Cheng, CEO Eastern Star, and Khun Seksan, the TSGU Organiser. (photo by Khun
Pakawat ESR)
The standard of some of these junior golfers is awesome,
and is evident throughout the age ranges. In the ‘8 years and under’
category, there are players that are barely the height of their driver,
applying skills that show an intense love of golf and a serious work
application to the game. They are enthusiastically supported by parents who
finance a high level of professional tuition and tournament participation.
Great credit to the Thai Students Golf Union, under the
skilful direction of Khun Seksan and his efficient team, for calmly handling
the extrovert enthusiasm of up to 160 golfers on any one occasion and
managing a high standard of organization. T-Zoom, title sponsors to the
Junior Open Championships, provide the main financial support for the
program.
At Eastern Star Resort on June 1st, trophies were in
abundance. The overall boy & girl winners each received the Khun Anand
Panyarachun ESR Junior Cup, and the boy & girl winners in each of the
five age categories were presented with the P.M. Thaksin Shinawatra trophy.
Meechai Padungsirisert in the 8 years and below category
won the Khun Anand Boys Junior Cup with an outstanding gross 135 over 72
holes. Patrick Sookmanus just missed out with a gross 136, but took
consolation in the knowledge he shot the tournament’s 2nd best overall
score.
Nisanart Mankongsittichai, in the 15-17 year category,
won the Khun Anand Girls Junior Cup with a gross 144.
Runners-up in each category were honored with a trophy
from General Tamalak, Minister of Defense. The 2nd runners-up also got a
trophy and 3rd & 4th place winners were awarded a certificate. William
Cheng, CEO Eastern Star, presented the trophies and certificates.
With the series of ten tournaments finally over, the
highlight of the 2003 T-Zoom Junior Open Championships is the series
winner’s trip to St. Andrews, Scotland. Nine junior golfers have qualified
for the trip in July 2003 to experience playing at the ‘Home of Golf’.
In 2002 it was a trip to San Diego, California, and in
2004 both the UK and South Africa are options under consideration.
Details of the winners at Eastern Star are:
Pattaya readies itself to host the 2003 Pattaya Marathon on July 20
Songklod Kaewvisit
The Pattaya Marathon 2003 organizing committee recently
met to discuss ways to improve this year’s event. Runners from around the
country and the world will line up on Beach Road to compete in the marathon,
half marathon, and mini-marathon and once again this year they will be
joined by wheelchair marathon competitors from around the world.
Pol.
Col Siroj Piasakul, president of the Thai Athletics Association said,
“This year will be bigger and better than ever.”
To improve the quality of time participants spend here in
Pattaya, organizers are planning a number of cultural shows and displays for
runners and support crews at various points along the course.
The 9th Pattaya Marathon is being held in cooperation
with the Thai Athletics Association and Pattaya City. The event draws
thousands of runners from around the globe, all of whom will line up at the
starting line between Soi 4 and 5 on Beach Road to partake in the respective
distant events. The course has been set and entrants will make their way
from Pattaya Beach Road, along North Pattaya Road to Sukhumvit before
splitting up into their respective courses.
Marathon runners will take to Sukhumvit Highway
southbound towards Sattahip before returning to the finish line. The
organizing committee has stated that extra conveniences and mobile toilets
will be placed on route to provide comfort for runners.
Pol. Col. Siroj Piasakul, vice president of the Thai Athletics
Association said, “This year’s marathon will be better than all the
previous years. With the recent downturn in tourism due to SARS, we can use
this international event as an opportunity to improve the travel industry
and promote tourism. Once again this year we have invited wheelchair
athletes from around the globe to join in the 2003 marathon and many have
accepted. With the addition of these competitors we will also add more
spirit and life to the event with displays of Thai culture along the
route.”
City officially hands over new 2 million baht football field to Banglamung School
International standard sports venue has bright future for major events
Songklod Kaewvisit
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat in a small ceremony on
June 5 officially handed over the new football pitch at Banglamung School to
the school administrators. Attending the event were city officials, the
press and community leaders.
Mayor
Pairat Suthithamrongsawat cuts the ribbon to officially hand over the pitch.
The new pitch, finished in May this year, took 6 months
to complete at a cost of 2 million baht. It is the first high standard
football pitch built within Pattaya City and will serve as the major
sporting venue for city sporting events.
The mayor said, “This is the first field in Pattaya
that is up to the standard and we can use it for all major tournaments as
well as to benefit the city’s youth. I hope that everyone takes good care
of the sports field so that it can be used for generations to come.”
After the formalities were completed, a special football match was held
on the new pitch. City administrators and local politicians met the press
for an inaugural friendly game of soccer, all in the name of good fun.
P.S.C. 30th Members Open
Friday June 13
Pattaya Country Club
(2BBB)
The format looks like a chemical formula, and the number
of people who had to be told what it meant is legion; however, once told the
rate of sign up increased like a snowball rolling down hill. For the
uninitiated it is the best score on a hole for either partner against
handicap, and run over the 18 holes. The object is to find a good partner
and make certain he plays well. After all what have you to lose, if your
partner plays bad he buys the beers, if he plays well you can win.
Herbie
says thanks.
Partners selected, the play started and as is usual at
Pattaya the course was in good condition and the final moment for Herbie as
golf chairman was underway. I reckon he’s got a weird sense of humour,
after 11 months of playing the game straight we finally find out what he
wanted as his swansong. And people seemed to have a great day, so it must
have been fine. However, it did tax the maths of one or two of the
competitors and the abacus was in wide evidence.
This was a bit of a fun day but the old competitive
juices were flowing and some superb scores were recorded, and none more so
than by some of the regulars who played out of their skins.
The list of winners was long with the technical prizes, 2
balls and Uncle Tom Cobley and all, but the real focus of the day was in the
main competition and this was tight and hard fought with 3 shots separating
the top 5 teams and a few count backs thrown in.
So the winners of the competition were that well known
double act Richardson and Berra (Dave and Philippe to the uninformed) who
shot a magnificent net 58 and make me proud to call them friends.
In second place with a fine net 60 were Roy Kapeil and
Claes Ernlund ahead of a roadblock in the next three places, all on net 61,
that had to be worked out on count back. In third with 27 on the back 9 were
Mick O’Connor and James Flanagan, as fine a pair and a half as exists. In
fourth were Phillip Martin and Ali Kirkwood with 32 back nine and with Ken
Ince and Brian Ellis with 33 back nine in fifth.
The presentation got underway with Herbie saying a big
thank you to all the people who had helped him throughout the year, and
whilst we will not name them as the paper is relatively short on space, it
has to be said they all put in a lot of effort and I am certain Herbie would
like to buy them a beer back at the Three Sisters.
Herbie also thanked the sponsors and I will name them as
they are most important to the presentation of golf by P.S.C. First and
foremost are P.S.C. themselves who are the biggest sponsors. Then in no
particular order, Green Bottle, Shenanigans, 60’s Bar, Harley Bar,
McAllisters, Tequila Reef, Blue Parrot, Pattaya Country Club, Papa Ray, and
last but not least Cafe Kronborg. Thanks to all.
Presentation over it was time for the important part, the lucky draw,
then all departed for home after wishing Herbie all the best for the future.
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Results:
Winners: Dave Richardson & Philippe Berra, net 58.
Second: Roy Capeil & Claes Ernlund, net 60.
Third: Mick O’Connor & James Flanagan, net 61 c/b.
Fourth: Philip Martin & Ali Kirkwood, net 61 c/b.
Fifth: Ken Ince & Brian Ellis, net 61.
Last: Andy Bettany & Terry Curtis, no comment.
Lucky 21st: Alan Pearce & Ian Edwards.
Technical Prizes
Flights A & B
Long drive: Onto Kilnonen
Long putts: #9 Andy Bettany and #18 Jeff Wylie.
Near Pins: #5 Colin Mathers, #7 Marcel Mitwer, #12 John
Sinclair and #16 Bob Jess.
Flights C & D
Long putts: #9: Kevin Mitch and #18: Jerry Lien.
Near Pins: #5 Ken Mau, #7 Gerry Carpenter, #12 Mick
O’Connor, and #16 Gordon McKnight.
Ladies
Long drive: Nora Haugstedt.
Near Pins: #5 Mam Trayling and #12 Qiant Schwulera. |
Winchester Club does it again
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Winchester Club won all four points again and moved from
eighth to fifth place and is now only two points behind third and 7 1/2
points behind second place. They have now won 23.5 points out of a possible
24 in the last 6 weeks of bowling. Winchester Club jumped on Shakey Pete’s
for this week’s big win and Shakey Pete’s Captain La’s 526 series did
not help her team win a single point.
Mio,
the only bowler to roll a 200 game this week, maintained her league best 179
average.
Three Sisters took three points from Cafe Kronborg and
moved up one in the standings to sixth place. Captain Morn rolled a 526
series and Ooy knocked down 531 pins in a good bowling day for Three
Sisters.
House of the Golden Coin was led once again by their
Captain Mio who had the only 200 game of the day as she rolled a first game
210 and 555 series and was aided by Jon’s 506 series, to take three points
from Jack & Tar.
Cafe Ole increased their lead for second place by taking
three points from Domicil. Otto and Pin both knocked down 512 pins for Cafe
Ole and Suraphan led Domicil with a 539 series.
VFW Post 9876 led by Captain Bill’s 523 series and Tukata’s 503
series took three points from Nice & Sleazy. Tony led his Nice &
Sleazy team with a 504-pin count, which is pretty good as he just returned
from a long absence in England.
Pattaya Lawn Bowls
Bill
Maitland winners Steve “the Streak” Lake and “Mad Dog” Bill Jones
pick up the cup on presentation night.
Wednesday Quiz League
Sunday Quiz League
Includes 8th June 2003
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday June 9
Bangpakong
Riverside Course
(Stableford)
A fairly new venue for the boys of the Kronborg saw a
fairly large field make the slightly longer trip than usual to test
themselves on this course that a lot of them had not played before.
Ebrahim
Barry
Kerr
Big Pete
Galle
The course proved to be in pristine condition and the
experience was enjoyed by the entire field and there is no doubt if the
course was closer to Pattaya it would be visited more often.
In the circumstances the scores proved quite respectable
with the A Flight, 0 to 19, being won by Steady Ebrahim with a good 40
points. Second was Aussie Jeff Wylie with 38 points, third was Anders
Grunenberg with 37 points and fourth John Simpson with 36 points on count
back ahead of Bob Benda and Claus Thomsen.
In the B Flight, 20 upwards, Aussie Barry Kerr won with
40 points ahead of in second Jay Perrin who had 38 points, in third Seamus
Brennan with 36 points and in fourth ‘Old’ Frank Sinclair with 35
points.
Near pins: #4 Mick O’Connor, #7 & #13 & #16
Jeff Wylie
Thursday June 12
Burapha
‘Old Course’
(Stableford)
It’s always a pleasure to play this course and
particularly the old course when it is at its best. It is also at this time
of the year when the ‘deals’ are around so not only do you get to play
this fine course but to play it at a very fine rate.
The golfers arrived there knowing they were in for a fine
day, but they were also to be tested to the full as this can be a toughie,
and so it proved. As the scores came in it became apparent that it had been
a hard day and in the A flight Sue Hough, a Korean lady playing with us for
the first time off a handicap of 8, produced the round of the day to shoot
39 points and win. In second place was the old stager Bob Benda with 36
points ahead of a count back for third on 35 points which was won by John
Emerson ahead of Philippe Berra.
In the B flight big Pete Galle came on strongly to shoot 38 points and
win ahead of Tim Holt in second with 36 points and in third with 33 points
was Mick O’Connor.
P.S.C. Golf from the 60’s Bar
Friday June 13
Green Valley
(Stableford)
This is the day when all is peace and quiet, when we play
good courses for the fun of it and simply to relax. Nothing exceptional is
expected to happen on days such as this and it very rarely does, but just
occasionally, despite all, someone does something he will remember for the
rest of his life, as the highpoint of his golfing life and I was privileged
to play along and see it. I have played golf with this man for at least 15
years and never seen him even approach this feat.
Bobby
and Tim celebrate.
Back to the beginning where all good tales start, and for
us it was a breakfast at Bobby Joes, where after eating we all set off for
Green Valley to try and play this most difficult of courses well, even
though it is at present in the process of having several of its holes
redesigned making it even more difficult.
My three ball, consisting of myself, Paul Sharples, just
back for his ‘relax session’, and Tim Holt who has won the last two
60’s competitions and was going for a hat trick. Suffice to say the course
was empty for us, although a 5 ball was slipped between us and the second
group. We finished in under 3 hours and that was 1 hr 15 mins in front,
indeed so fast did we go we were held up by two one balls in front for the
last few holes.
The reason for most of our speed took a little time to
sink in, but Paul and I started to realise that our playing partner Tim
wasn’t putting an awful lot. He wasn’t playing too well to the green but
he was getting up and down nearly every time. Indeed when the ball was on
the green it invariably went into the hole, he couldn’t miss. Typical was
the par 3 16th where he played short, chipped just onto the green and sank a
putt the length of the green. The hole must have looked like a dustbin.
At the finish we totalled up his putts and it came to 22.
That is awesome and as Tim said he felt he couldn’t miss. A pleasure to
see. Naturally he won the day but I suspect he will never see another day
like this.
This naturally overshadowed the rest of the day, but all
who played had a great day and returned to Bobby Joes 60’s Bar for the
free chilly hot dogs. Naturally as Bobby Joe was getting withdrawal symptoms
he did the presentation, and proudly presented his new line in shirts.
Bobby
with Matt (L) and John Jarvis (R).
Bobby
with Frank and John Emmerson.
Presentation over we could all listen to how Tim did it
and of course we had a drink to celebrate.
Winner: Tim Holt
Near pins: #2 John Emmerson, #9 Matt Swire, #12 Frank
Sinclair and #16 John Jarvis.
Long putts: #18 Matt Swire.
Jerry and Sue Hough best on the West at Burapha
Mike Franklin
Jerry and Sue Hough, newcomers to Shenanigans Very
Friendly Golf Society, made a successful debut by winning the June 10th
Pairs Scramble at Burapha. Playing off handicaps of 15 and 8 respectively,
and a team handicap of 4.6, their gross 70 on the West (C & D) course
produced an excellent net 65.4.
Shenanigans
newcomers Jerry and Sue Hough, split by Mike Franklin, won the June 10 Pairs
Scramble at Burapha.
However, this tied with another net 65.4 from runners-up
Moon Schwelera and Terry Phur with a handicap of 7.6 and a gross 73. The
resulting back nine count-back favored Jerry and Sue by just one shot.
Sue Hough was nearest the pin on the 5th par 3, Nora
Haugsjordet on the 8th, Steve Ryser on the 11th and Usa Chaiyosit on the
17th. Philippe Berra made his mark before returning to Switzerland by
sinking both the longest first putts on 9 & 18.
The course was in fine shape and the weather good, but
course management on the West was definitely the order of the day.
Back at Shenanigans, newcomers Jerry & Sue Hough were
welcomed and it was welcome back to Jerry Lien, Eddie Kristianson, Trevor
Carnahoff and Saen.
The usual party atmosphere prevailed back at Shenanigans
and the tasty Tuesday 100 baht special of chicken drumsticks and fries
proved popular as always.
A ‘Mystery Pairs’ competition is next on Tuesday June
24 at Plutaluang playing South and East, with some of the players no doubt
having warmed up at the BCCT Bangkok vs Pattaya match there on Saturday the
21st.
Sign-up for Tuesday June 24 at Shenanigans.
Fast Eddie quick off the mark
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday June 9 brought a slew of golfers out to Siam for
the Three Sisters regular competition. Fast Eddie Kristianson was quick off
the mark and came in with the winning score of 40 points. Eddie’s game is
improving all the time and his handicap is also dropping like a rock. In the
couple of years that he has taken up golf, his game has improved
tremendously. Although working offshore on the oil rigs and soaking up the
suds on the course does not help his game, he still turns in some good
scores.
Winner
Eddie Kristianson (right) smiles as Jim Tully (left) was left holding the
bag.
Following one stroke back was Derek Brook, Paul Kinner,
and Kevin Mitch. All had 39 points but failed to catch the leader. A lot of
good scores were posted for the day as the weather stayed nice and
comfortable for golfing.
Last week the geriatrics managed to stay out of the cellar, but Tully
being the only one playing this week managed to trip and fall back in it.
Old Marvin Smith and Rollie Weese were making back to the U.S. so were not
able to help Tully along this week. Ole Tully came in with 21 points, with
no one else in sight to give him any competition as the bag holder for the
week.
Diana Group Golf
Seniors & Ladies June Open
The next tournament, exclusively for Seniors (50-64),
Super Seniors (65+) & Ladies (any age) will be held at Pattaya Country
Club on Thursday June 26.
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 giving at Pattaya Country Club
* 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
OK Treasure Hill, You Win!
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
On Tuesday, 10th June, sixteen hardy souls left the
Bunker for the superb golfing challenge at Treasure Hill, surely one of the
toughest courses on the Bunker Boys’ circuit. Notable amongst the
absentees was Mr. Loy, rejecting his favourite course in favour of a visa
run.
The day was hot and the course was dry. Conditions proved
to be such that no one came anywhere near par in the Stableford event. The
single division saw Hๅkan Widestedt take top place with a meagre 29
points, one point ahead of PJ Redmond, on 28, and another consistent round
by John Preddy, on 26 points.
No birdie two’s were recorded and there were not enough
bananas to go around back at the Bunker. Treasure Hill does that to one, on
occasions!
Success for Saranya at Natural Park Hill
On Thursday, 12th June a smaller than usual group of
Bunker Boys travelled to the deliciously testing course at Natural Park Hill
for their weekly Stableford competition. As usual, the course was
immaculately presented and the consistently fresh breeze added to the
complexities of the challenge.
From the start good scores were difficult to maintain but
Saranya Chaiyanont, playing there for only the second time, showed the
lessons she had learnt previously, keeping the ball on the fairway and away
from the many trees. Her score of 37 points was enough to secure victory on
a day when the men struggled.
In second place, on 36 points, was the accurate PJ
Redmond, finding his form at last, whilst a trio of players, Mike Allidi,
George Redgewell and Terry Phur all shot 33 points to share third place.
Harry Riley managed the day’s only birdie two to win
the Bunker Super Sawng award outright whilst everyone sighed with relief
when it was known that Mr. Loy’s return from a visa run was delayed and
the Bunker Banana Booby was held up somewhere on the train from Penang!
Trevor Schirmer goes 9 under in the week
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
With one win and two placings Trevor Schirmer fought
desperately in his personal struggle to keep control of his leisure time and
golf equipment, returning two, three and finally four under consecutively to
ensure a few more days of freedom, and without the tittering in the
background, on his way to a two shot reduction in handicap. Perhaps the
secret lessons from Richard, which he takes every day that he is not
involved in golf competitions, is the answer and possibly a good pointer for
others.
Monday 9th June
Green Valley
Stroke Play
1st: Trevor Schirmer, 70
2nd: Bob Lindborg, 72
3rd: Steve Mathews, 73 cb9 34.5
4th: Anders Karlsson, 73 cb9 36
The renovations and redesign (surely some mistake)
continue at the once well thought out Peter Thompson course at Green Valley,
with no indication as to whys or by whoms. They did not unduly worry Trevor
Schirmer who started what was to be an excellent week by heading the field
by two shots. Bob Lindborg, who always plays well over the course of which
he is a member, just kept ahead of Steve Mathews and Anders Karlsson who in
their turn had to be separated by count back.
The twos were shared between Roy Thornton and Trevor
Schirmer.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new member Peter Johansson and welcomed
back Roy Thornton.
Wednesday
11th June
Bangpra
Bogey
1st: Jimmy Little, 7 up
2nd: B.J. Smith, 4 up
3rd: Trevor Schirmer, 3 up cb9 6 up
4th: Unto Kilvonen, 3 up cb9 1 up
5th: Barry Winton, 3 up cb9 all square
The once notorious greens at Bangpra are now only a fond
memory as they continue to provide slow and bumpy putts that do nothing to
assist the lower handicappers.
Little Jimmee swept the competition away with a personal
best gross score of 83 and had the magic 79 in sight at 9 up with four holes
to play, only to drop holes to the course and finish with a victory that was
tinged with regret for what might have been. B.J., after dropping behind in
the quest for the lowest on Monday, came back with a bang only to find that
Trevor was equally determined one shot behind in third place. Unto Kilvonen
lost out by count back for third with “Noddy” Winton left scratching his
head in fifth after a round of seventy-three gross.
Darrell Paull and Karl Holm shared the twos pool.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new member John
Hillier and welcomed back Peter Emslie, Karl Holm and Unto Kilvonen.
Friday 13th June
Burapha East
Stableford
1st: Mark Rozil, 42 points
2nd: Darrell Paull, 40 cb9 20
3rd: Trevor Schirmer, 40 cb9 19
4th: Bob Lindborg, 39 cb9 20
5th: Jeff McLaury, 39 cb9 17
It was a day for the Aussies as they filled the first
three positions, led by new member Mark Rozil recording a very creditable
six under his 18 handicap. Darrell Paull secured second on his last outing
before returning home to Perth and the week’s ever-present Trevor Schirmer
just losing out on the count back. Bob Linborg and Jeff McLaury ensured that
it was not a complete sweep for the boys from down under with scores that
have normally been good enough to win with the blue tees set as far back as
possible on the day.
The twos were shared between B.J. Smith, Jimmy Little,
David Knight and Stephen Beard.
Before the prize giving Richard welcomed new members
Steve Ely, Gary Knapp, Paul Joyce, Barry Elphick and the winner Mark Rozil,
and also welcomed back David Knight.
No more Moores, please
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s
Sunday
June 8
Green Valley
White Tees
Monthly Medal
Monthly Medal Winner: Rick Sharp, net 66
2nd Place A Flight: Robert Pineas, net 67
3rd Place A Flight: Julian Clarke, net 70
4thPlace B Flight: Andy Moore, net 72
1st Place B Flight: John Love, net 69
2nd Place B Flight: Jim Munns, net 72
3rd Place B Flight: Andreas Grunenburg, net 74
4th Place B Flight: Mark Grygeil, net 75
Normally the headline is reserved for the Monthly Medal
winner but since The Hermit is no stranger to capturing the monthly honor it
has been appropriated for other use. This month Rick did it with one of the
finest scores in the three-year history of the Medal as he fashioned a
brilliant gross 77, net 66.
As our frequent players and readers are aware all the
monthly winners, and ties, qualify for the 2003 Gold Medal competition
typically scheduled for just after year-end. Rick now has two
non-transferable tickets to that gala.
The field was bolstered by the addition of 14 players who
were visiting Pattaya on the GolfAsia Tour. This scribe breathed a sigh of
relief when Rick’s score stood up against the brilliant gross 79, net 67
of visitor Robert Prineas who had to settle for second in A. Take our money
but not our Medal!
Joint 5 handicappers Julian Clarke and Andy Moore (to be
heard from more [pun] later) rounded out the premier flight. Taking my words
“Take our Money” too literally, fellow GolfAsia mate John Love walked
off with the top loot in B Flight. Aren’t guests supposed to be a little
more grateful than that?
Jim Munns “The Word” started a week of form by
shooting level to his handicap for second. Andreas Grunenburg, who is a
grand addition to the gang when he visits from Germany/Philippines, edged
Bangkok resident Mark “The Madman” Grygeil to complete the B podium.
Tuesday
June 10
St. Andrews 2000
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight, Pete Murray, 36 points
2nd Place A Flight, Roger Bell, 35 points
3rd Place A Flight, Rick Harris, 35 points
1st Place B Flight, Norm Robinson, 38 points
2nd Place B Flight, Peter Barathy, 34 points
3rd Place B Flight, Seamus Brennan, 34 points
Stormin’ Norman Robinson served notice that he is back
in town. Hitting the ground running, Norm was man of the match and winner of
A Flight with 38 points. That was four clear of visitor Peter Barathy and
the wily Shameless, the former winning second on count back. Chalk another
one up for the AARP. Pete Murray, who moved to Pattaya primarily so he could
use his Kentucky Fried Chicken Senior Discount Card, showed that he could
out course-manage the youngins (can’t call them “flat bellies”). Roger
Bell weathered a count back to make his 35 better than Okinawa visitor Rick
Harris’s.
Wednesday
June 11
Plutaluang
W & S, White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place, Kyle Moore, net 73
2nd Place, Julian Clarke, net 73
3rd Place, Eddie Blackwell, net 74
The boys made good time around the initial West nine at
Plutaluang but were thwarted by the landing of the Thai Navy (complete with
Admiral) on the South first tee. The Task Force replete with six-balls and
escort five-balls reduced the pace to what could most favorably be referred
to as leisurely. That may not have been the term the returning lads used, I
can’t recall.
Showing patience beyond his years, 14 year, six month and
8 day-old Kyle Moore garnered first place, thanks to a count back victory
over Julian Clarke, and in so doing became the youngest golfer ever to stand
atop the podium (edging 16-year-old Alex Tregurtha’s victory on 27 August
2002). The day’s winnings conveniently, and exactly, offset Kyle’s
previous day loss of his pocket money on a baht bus. Good thing he won,
didn’t look like dad was going to give him any more money soon. Eddie
Blackwell rounded out the winners.
Friday
June 13
Natural Park Resort
B & A, White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place A Flight, Andy Moore, net 65
2nd Place A Flight, Lee Lepper, net 67
3rd Place A Flight, Rick Sharp, net 67
1st Place B Flight, An Kaesavane, net 69
2nd Place B Flight, Jim Munns, net 69
3rd Place B Flight, Pete Stonebridge, net 72
Well here’s the reason for the title. First the kid,
now the old man. Tired of being only “the dad of a winner”, Andy Moore
left nothing to chance when he threw a 69 gross, 64 net, effort at the B and
A course of Natural Park Resort. It was his last chance at Lewiinski’s
before the Travelin’ Moores conclude this Thailand visit with a trip to
Phuket. The company will be missed, but at least the local income might
increase. Lee Lepper’s gross 75, net 67, bettered, on count back, Rick
Sharp’s gross 78, net 67 to round out A Flight.
Hard luck story of the day, month ... maybe year, is that
Ian Ashenden’s gross and, therefore net, 68 wasn’t good for a satang! In
all, six of the thirteen players in A Flight shot in the 70’s or better!
In the junior circuit beauty won over height (can’t
really say brawn) in B Flight as An Kaesavane bettered Jimmy Munns on count
back (and beauty). The Classroom’s headmaster claimed the last step on the
junior podium.
Pattaya Sports Club Thursday Night Darts
Week 5 of the Summer Season 2003
PH3 Run 1005
It seems that every time I have been away for a while and
return to this beautiful country and the PH3, I notice things that would
simply fade into the background if you were here on a more permanent basis.
The beauty of the jungle; the sounds; the smells; the insects feeding on
you; but above all else, the constant ringing, buzzing, screeching and
vibrating (to the pleasure of some) of cell phones. It never fails that our
rotating GM Sir Chicken F always appoints a scribe who has just returned
from any far away place and is totally “F’ed”; and in my case, more so
than usual. Why me? They always ask, but somehow they carry on with their
appointed duties. This time, as fate would have it, the GM spotted a far
more capable candidate for the job, even as I was taking copious notes from
the ice. The hash scribe kit changed hands and she began her task in
earnest.
Gee my daddy looks stupid sitting on that big block of
ice and why would he want a beer at the same time? I like the a-site, horses
with big eyes and horse flies with big mouths that say, “All the better to
eat you with my dear”. But I am not afraid! My daddy told me not to worry
about mosquitos and flies and the like. “Just pretend you are a Gecko and
eat them” - Yummy!
I found out that people can’t wear new shoes in the
jungle. It’s a big no- no! Daddy had a nice walk with Uncle Pervy and
Alien D, somehow they didn’t get lost. They said it was a good run and by
the end of the evening everyone agreed. Charlie Manson and SS had gotten
away with a 30 minute run. Every one was happy that it was not the usual
Bataan Death March. Lots of different people kept standing inside a circle
of runners. Some had to sit on the ice and some just stood there and sang a
song and drank a beer. Some were given presents from the not so sexy Dr.
Pinky. I liked the people sitting on the ice until a large whale-like
creature tried to break the ice with his rear - Gross!
My daddy said he saw lots of familiar faces called
returners and some unfamiliar faces called Virgins. Every now and then daddy
would moan about cell phones in the circle. Even C. Face stood in the middle
of the circle yakking away. Daddy said, “It must be nice to be
connected”.
V.V. (he is kinda cute) got a beautiful trophy for the
Belgian victory in the French open tennis. Terminal 4 was considering
changing his name to Baboon A but he decided that it was too personal. SS
had fun trying to sing. To think that he is a former Eurovision Song Contest
winner. Shows you what too much time in Pattaya will do.
Hearing that the happy hour was at the TQ, some of the
elder statesmen were heard asking if the TQ had wheelchair access. I wanted
to go to the TQ happy hour but my daddy was afraid I might like it.
Everything came to an end with a medley of songs from the hares, the hash
hymn led by the marines and a bumpy bus ride home. Anyway I sure had a good
time, especially getting to hang with Chicken Nugget for a couple of hours,
which was kool. It sure was fun playing in the jungle. The best thing about
all this hashing is that people from all over the world seem to get along
with each other, That’s Neat.
On-On Sandi Dumas for D.L.I.D.
Singha Beer sings
the winning notes at Bira
The Singha Beer Racing Team scooped the top spots at the
AIM Motor Sports Thailand Grand Touring Car meeting at Bira last Sunday. In
the main event, pole sitter Sant Bhirombakdi led for more than half the
race, doggedly followed by his team mate Piti Bhirombakdi, but quicker work
in the pits by Piti’s crew during the compulsory pit stop saw Piti take a
narrow lead which he was not to relinquish, the two cars finishing less than
0.25 seconds apart.
Hot day
at Bira, Voraset with twin overhead brollies.
From the crowd’s point of view, the race of the day was
the Group N, Class C sedans, with almost 30 Honda Civics lined up before the
starter. On the first lap there was a disagreement over who owned which
piece of bitumen, ending up with one of the front runners spending the race
stuck in the kitty litter at the first of the chicanes, praying that nobody
would run into it. Numerous lead changes took place over the 25 lap event,
but at the flag it was Komkrit who took a narrow win over Visalut and
Voraset (all Honda Civics).
In the main sedan race, Group N, classes A+B, no quarter
was given by any drivers and there was good scrapping all the way down the
field. The eventual winner was Apatron (Civic), who was called through by
his team mate Grant Supapongs (Civic), who was having drive shaft problems,
but managed to hold on to second position from a fast finishing Nattavud in
the Toyota Altis. Nattavud’s team mate, “Pete” Pantakarn, the movie
heart-throb, had a busy race, finishing 7th outright, complaining that the
120 kg penalty that the Toyotas have to carry makes braking very difficult
at the end of a long race.
The opening event was the Sport Challenge, for novices and the
inexperienced. The all the way winner was Narongchai, who was almost half a
minute ahead of 2nd placed Chaivut shadowed by Opars in the Sizzler entry.
Pattaya Pool League
The Square Ring
Howie Reed
Big deal prize box fight this day at Grandsport Park in
Bangkok. I kid thee not that Fahsang 3K Battery (37-6), currently IBF Pan
Pacific Junior Featherweight will defend that title against Joebar Damosmog.
3-K is a decent fighter. Damosmog? He’d have to improve as if by magic to
be lousy. He’s 12-18-6. Last 12? 2-7-3. A sure win by the local lad. 3-K
“wants” a shot at the 118 title with Manny Pacquiao. Last gentleman from
Land of Smiles that tried that got knocked “catywampus”.
“Catywamopus” translates to Fahprkorb Rakkiatgym (35-2) kissing canvas 4
times.
With the expected win of 3-K the local lads have been
doing AOK. WBA#3/WBO#5 superbantam Somsak Sithchatchawal (32-1-1, 26 KOs)
won a twelve round unanimous decision over Filipino Alex Escaner, retaining
his PABA crown for the fifth time on Thursday in Uttaradit, Thailand.
Scores: 118-110, 118-110 and 117-112. Somsak proved the better man with his
quick jabs and some solid hooks, but he failed to take out his opponent.
After the bout, Somsak said that he could not show his total power because
he was bothered by a sore shoulder after round three.
In other action, 2-time IBF title challenger, current WBO#3/IBF#9
bantam Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (51-8, 35 KOs) impressively destroyed South
African Jacob Mohlabi with a left hook at the opening round. WBO#3 superfly
Pramuansak Phosuwan (12-0, 7 KOs) displayed his superior skill to outclass
South African Malusi Bongco (11-4-3, 6 KOs) in a six round unanimous
decision win.
The excitement must be unbearable as you await with wild
anticipation Sunday’s (Pattaya time) heavyweight battle between “The
Imperial One”, Lennox Lewis (39-2-1), and Vitali Klitschko (32-1) from the
Staples Center in Los Angeles USA. For those of you that may have forgotten,
Klitschko has something in common with the Tin Man from “The Wizard of
Oz”. He’s got no heart. Of course Lennox has something in common with
Alice but that’s another story. Almost no one that speaks English as a
first language gives a rodent’s posterior who wins the fight. That is
except for a few Brits who are still beating their chest cause they finally
have a world champion, along with Germans and friends who have had a win
lately.
That aside, it’s something to do on a Sunday morning.
For the Imperial One, Mr. Lewis, it’s a payday against a fighter that he
should handle easily. For the Ruskie (now living in Beverly Hills) it’s a
gigantic step up in class. To this point Vitali has fought only the “usual
suspects” with the exception of Chris Byrd who he was beating when he quit
at the end of the 9th round with a hurt shoulder. Klitschko has no heart and
will prove it on Sunday. Both he and his brother are boxing frauds. Lewis in
4.
From pro boxer and Pattaya visitor Scottish Dave:
“Brief thoughts; Lewis will destroy Klitschko inside 3 rounds. Like
another Michael Grant. Not saying that just because he’s my promoter!
(Lion Promotions). Dave. P.S. By the way, I’m now 9-0 as I beat super
journeyman Peter Buckley 2 weeks ago. Again.” Free beer at Scotch Corner
on 2nd Road?
When in Land of Smiles and not tossing them down at
Tim’s, TQ, Classroom or other assorted watering holes, I usually can be
found at the Silver Dollar in Bangkok. The man in charge, Ned likes Lewis:
“Lennox Lewis will come out a little slow with Lewis making a few good
tags to the head. Vitali will decide in the 4th round he had better going
and do something before those head tags take their toll. That’s what Lewis
is waiting on. When Vitali moves in Lewis then nails him for the KO 4.”
If anyone knows boxing it’s the Flying Frog
(Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant). “Here the Flying Frog, the Lewis-
Klitschko fight has come at last, after a lot of problems Klitschko has
succeeded his goal, fighting the King of heavyweights Lewis. I hope Lewis
takes Klitschko not too lightly, cause he has a hammer right hand twice as
strong as Rahman. I go for Klitschko - he deserved it, at last maybe the big
mouth of King Lewis will be closed forever pretending being the King of
heavyweight boxing which Joe Louis was for me! Patrick.” I’ll drink to
that.
In the end one has to go to experience and knowledge in
matters of boxing. Vic “OR” Cross has his name grace these pages with
his golf exploits. He’s a boxing fan par excellent. “If that contest is
half as good as the Ward/Gatti fight it would be fantastic but why would I
expect anything dramatic from the heavyweights? The mutual respect and
sportsmanship between the two junior welterweights. I almost had tears in my
eyes, like I do when Huff (TQ) offers to buy me a drink. I haven’t seen
much of Klitschko but feel that Lewis would have a pretty good edge against
him or any of the other characters in that division. I’ll go out on a limb
and bet you a cold one that Lewis will get him within five. OR Cross.” How
about them apples?
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