IPGC Golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, November 23
Green Valley - White Tees
Stroke/Medal

1st Place A Flight: Eddie Blackwell, net 64
2nd Place A Flight: Brian Holden, net 68
3rd Place A Flight: Jay Nakagawa, net 68
4th Place A Flight: Joe Mooneyham, net 71
1st Place B Flight: George Jackson, net 67
2nd Place B Flight: Bill Broschart, net 68
3rd Place B Flight: Steve Donovan, net 71
4th Place B Flight: Kevin Bowman, net 71
Nearest the Pin: #5 Alan Stewart, #8 Scott Jaconetty

Eddie Blackwell had set a goal to be a “single figure” handicap by Christmas. When the handicap posting for November 22 came out Eddie had gone out to 10.5 and the goal looked unattainable, that is, until Sunday’s round. Eddie shot a personal record 75 on Peter Thompson’s since altered design at Green Valley for a four-clear-on-the-day 64 net. Hello single figures!

Brian Holden, already a single figure handicap edged the scourge of Sapporo, Jay Nakagawa-San, on count back to take second. Joe “I’m barely in the Money” Mooneyham filled out the A Flight rostrum. George “One Ball” showed he had more than that by edging Bill Broschart by a stroke for the B Flight top spot.

This round scribe served notice that there still might me a couple shots left in the old golf bag as he nicked Kevin Bowman on count back for the B bronze, a count back he conducted himself. Hmmm. Alan Stewart and Scott Jaconetty garnered the Near Pin awards.

Monday, November 24
Burapha - A & B - White Tees
Stroke/Medal

1st Place A Flight: Rick Sharp, net 64
2nd Place A Flight: Norm Adre, net 66
3rd Place A Flight: Cory Neurohr, net 67
4th Place A Flight: Rick Summers, net 67
1st Place B Flight: Peter Ingham, net 63
2nd Place B Flight: Keith Bell, net 68
3rd Place B Flight: Sean Murphy, net 68
4th Place B Flight: Mike Gaussa, net 69

Nearest the Pin: #A6 Dudley Newstead, #B3 Joe Mooneyham. #B6 Bill Collis

While local area pros were qualifying for the Cotto Open on the C and D course, the lads were busy taking on the A and B. Peter Ingham, net 63, are you kidding me? No we’re not! Peter Ingham who has to play down a stroke to compete in the maximum 28-handicap competition, showed he was up to it by bettering his true handicap by 10 strokes! Lefty Keith Bell, playing rented clubs, edged Irishman and long stay visitor Sean Murphy on count back. Mike Gaussa who seems to keep his nose in every comp was the fourth best in B Flight. Rick Sharp, perhaps inspired by Eddie’s effort of the previous day, shot his own net 64, albeit from the forgiving white tees, to take the A Flight field. Portland’s Norm Adre came second while Whistling Straits caddy, Cory Neurohr, took the penultimate spot.

It should be noted that Whistling Straits will be the site of the 2004 PGA Championship.

Rick Summers took the short climb to fourth place on the A Flight stairs. Dudley Newstead, Joe Mooneyham and Dhaka’s own Bill Collis nestled the ball close for the Near Pins.

Wednesday,
November 26
Noble Place -
White Tees
Stableford

1st Place A Flight: Keith Bell, 39 points
2nd Place A Flight: Scott Jaconetty, 37 points
1st Place B Flight: Colin Davis, 38 points
2nd Place B Flight: John Nightengale, 37 points
Nearest the Pin: #C6 Kevin Bowman

With determination akin to settlers heading out on the Old Oregon Trail during the western expansion of the United States, the Lewiinski’s Golf Society set out for Noble Place on the Old Ammunition Road, a/k/a Hwy 331. Braving potholes and tire ruts suitably large to swallow a minivan, they arrived at Peter Thompson’s layout at the remotest edge of the Eastern Seaboard family of courses.

Keith Bell, again with rented clubs, and Colin Davis topped their respective flights with 39 and 38 points respectively. Both second placeholders won on count backs with their 37 points, as Scott Jaconetty edged Brian Holden and John Nightengale nipped Mike Gaussa. Resident Kevin Bowman snatched the sole Near Pin.

Friday November 28
Treasure Hill -
Blue & Yellow Tees
Stroke/Medal

1st Place Blue Flight: Mike Gaussa, net 79
2nd Place Blue Flight: Norm Adre, net 83
1st Place White Flight: Chicka Smith, net 71
2nd Place White Flight: Cory Neurohr, net 72
3rd Place White Flight: Terrell Buck, net 72
4th Place White Flight: Greg Schulze, net 73

Nearest the Pin: #17 (White Flight) Terrell Buck

Blue/White Friday provided players with an election between the 7,241-yard back tees and the 6,726-yard men’s white tees. Most of the field felt the whites were plenty long enough. Those intrepid soles that dared the Blues were led home by Mike Gaussa and Norm Adre, both with scores significantly above their handicap. Chicka Smith gave the whites a “thumbs up”, something he could not do on his last visit to Pattaya, as he led the White Division with a one under handicap 71.

Visitors Cory Neurohr and Terrell Buck were separated by a count back, as were Greg Schulze and Kurt Erik Persson, the latter being forced off the podium. Terrell Buck assuaged the pain of losing his count back by adding the Near Pin award to his booty.

Monday November 24
Plutaluang Royal Thai Navy Golf Course
Stableford

The Golf Course was host to a Stableford Competition on the South and East layouts in two flights. A flight, 0 to 17, and B flight, 18 and above. As usual the course only improves month on month with a vast improvement in service in the Restaurant.

Bent Moeller having a quiet rest.

John Healy took the A flight with 40 points on countback over Marty Allred in second. Third place was also decided on countback with Roger Pidcock third with 37 points just beating out Bob Pearce.

Bent Moeller took the B flight with 40 points ahead of a countback for second on 36 points won by Ebrahim with J.C. Lhoste in third.

Near Pins: #S4 Rolf Edlund, #S7 Roger Pidcock, #E2 Leif Kingard, #E6 John Healy

Long Putts: #S9 Roger Pidcock, #E9 Cees Bosman

November 24 brought approximately 10 groups of golfers to Siam for our end of the month tournament. The winner for the day, Sus Ige, will have his name put on the Three Sisters Trophy as the end of the month winner. Coming in with 40 points, Sus managed to slip past the rest of the field. Hitting his drives far and straight and putting extremely well, Sus was hard to beat.

Winner Sus Ige (right) and Jim Tully (left) holding the bag.

Eddie Kristianson, just back from work, managed to secure second place with 39 points. Although he did not score any points on a few holes, Eddie still managed to shoot a good score.

Saen Jaroenwong who started playing golf last year managed 38 points to come in third. Her game has improved tremendously over the past few months. Sean has a beautiful swing and is now putting much better. Watch out guys, Miss Jaroenwong will be at the top shortly.

Jim Tully back from his travels to Hawaii made it back to the fold. As a matter of fact he folded completely as he tripped into the cellar for the week with 24 points. Marvin Smith playing a much better game managed to stay out of the last position passing the bag on to Jim. Trying to snatch the bag were two unusual characters who are normally near the top. Bob Benda and Bobby Clark almost made it to the cellar but managed to stay out as Jim slipped on past.

Friday November 28
Century Bang Chang
Stableford

With Max in the chair breakfast was quickly disposed of and shortly before 09:00 hrs. the players jumped into cars and departed for Bang Chang.

Pleasant drive down with the traffic pretty light allowed us to reach there in a good mood expecting a fine day out. But on arrival for many the bubble burst, when it was found that a later group had booked all the carts. This unfortunately lead to the move on of several players down to Eastern Star, whilst the fit and young stayed on to play. Nice day, nice course, pity about the hangover, maybe those who went to Eastern Star were the clever one’s.

“Nearly my Birthday”.

The course being in fine condition we finally got around and sat in the clubhouse(?), kiosk(?), for several quick beers before heading into a freezing cold shower. Not bad once in, but quite surprisingly nobody stopped in long.

So, Tim says last month, and every month, “I hate this course, I am not going to play it again. I can’t play off down hill lies, up hill lies, side hill lies, never again.” Well with the scores in, despite not beating his handicap he had triumphed again, and guess what, he enjoyed the course. Amazing how playing well changes a persons perspectives.

Max presents to Tim Hold, Mala and Martin Juda.

Back at Bobby Joe’s we were treated to crispy rolls, turkey slices, green salad, and potato salad and it was super, meal of the week. Then we did the presentations, hosted by Max as Bobby had decided to follow us to Bang Chang, but seemingly and inexplicably missed the golf course and ended up in the town.

With the presentation over we tested the ‘Happy Hour’ and were presently pleasantly surprised when Paul Sharples arrived back and poured Bobby Joe out of the car. Good times and no photo.

Technical Winners.

Winner: Tim (The Photo) Holt

Near Pins: Martin Juda, Tim Holt, Cees Bosman

Long Putts: Frank Pilkington, Alastair McManus

Lucky Draw: Derek Brook, Mala Juda, Tony Harris

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker

On Tuesday, November 25, the Bunker Boys chose Century Ban Chang as the venue for their weekly medal event and found the green fees hiked and the money seemingly spent on a full set of locker keys and new blue hats for the male caddies. Nothing else was new on the course and the challenge of the tight fairways and raised greens was still very evident. The course was to play long in the strong breeze, which blew all day.

The two divisions were cut at sixteen and in division two Len Jones transformed his woeful chipping and putting to post a winning score of net 77, just one shot ahead of Saranya Chaiyanont, David Exley and the returning Gary Austin.

Division one saw the better scores as Parry McNeely shot net 75, and Bill Hewitt scored 73. Alongside the sixth fairway the rough was being burnt and as it crackled and sizzled so did Mikael Andersson’s game and he ended the day with a fine level par 72. German newcomer Uwe Schr๖der, playing off ten, shot the day’s only birdie two and received the Bunker Super Sawng award on his first visit whilst hapless Eddie Grogan fared badly on his first visit to the course and took home the Bunker Banana Booby for his net 95.

McGee weaves his magic at Noble Place

A smaller-than-usual group of Bunker Boys took the “highway to Hell” to Noble Place on Thursday, November 27, for their weekly stableford tournament, whilst wiser heads prevailed and kept some of the “regulars” nearer home. Those who went were treated to a course in excellent condition and fine golfing weather. Generally the scores were very good with two-thirds of the field posting 36 points or better, and in division one Mikael Andersson proved he has now found his golfing feet again with a fine round of 39 points.

This was good enough to rope in golfing “tearaway” Perry McNeely and tie with him for second place. One point ahead was Gene Scalf who shot 40 points. Keith Smithson, playing off scratch, posted the day’s best gross score with his enviable level par 72.

Division two threw up its heroes as well and David Johnson battled it out with Paul Rose for the minor placings, both recording 37 points. The best round of the day, however, was recorded by Duncan McGee who shot a splendid 41 points to take the top prize.

There were no birdie two’s but Keith Smithson, who navigated the course so well, lost his way on the return journey and brought his passengers back to the Bunker via Green Valley! His reward? You’ve guessed it! The Bunker Banana Booby.

PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg

Thursday November 27
Pattaya Country Club, Scramble

Father time catches up with all of us, but Papa Ray seems to go on forever, however getting up and cooking for 100+ twice a year, for year after year is a bit much for a person half his age. So it was decided that this ‘Ray Rogers Turkey Day’ not only would be run as usual from the Cafe Kronborg, but the after golf function would also be there. Ever thought you would like to know how a Sardine felt.

A fine buffet was spread out at the Cafe Kronborg after a good day’s of golf.

The morning started as normal, nice bimble up to Pattaya Country Club, and the pleasant book in for the 116 or so scramble experts waiting to destroy the course. Most people like a scramble, you can hit three good shots all day and win, on the other hand you can be the star of your team and lose miserably. Most of us are neither.

Family fun with Papa Ray and Dave Richardson.

Then came the wind, to most of us it was pretty strong, and the round became a struggle. Still this being a scramble there was usually one shot that didn’t make us look too bad and so the round progressed. Course good, greens in good nick and so the results were pretty good.

Lost on a countback: Kevin Riddle, Al Laury, Doug Jeffrey and John Murdoch, with Papa Ray in the foreground.

Back at the Cafe Kronborg it was so full Dave had nowhere to put the prizes, so he had to wait till people fell by the wayside to move in and that was after the fine buffet put on by the Cafe Kronborg that had queues around the room, with the same faces quickest to react. Experience counts at these functions.

Food consumed Dave managed to set up a place to work from and it was soon time to find the victors and the nearly men. Meanwhile Papa Ray for the first time in years sat at the round table and surveyed his legacy, looking in fine fettle.

An elephant dropped by to say “Happy Thanksgiving”. Bjarne acts as an interpreter.

Dave finally got things sorted out and declared the winning team in a countback on net 57.8. as Richard Steadman, Joe Russel, Lumpy Russel and Noodle. Second on 57.8 was the team of Kevin Riddle, Al Laury, Doug Jeffrey and John Murdoch. In third place with a score of 59.3 was the team of Ray Lepard, Dave Drader, Gary Baxter and Ken Cooke. In fourth place close behind with 59.9 was the team of Herb Schweiterman, Andres Milore, Eve Westerton and Hans H Probst.

Of course we still had the main event for most people as Dave proceeded to hold the lucky draw and after many people stayed on to see the star attraction of the night. This occurred much later as the doors opened and our friend ‘The Elephant’ walked in through the door. And no Ladies and Gentlemen, he was not pink. Where else in the World can this happen?

Winners: Richard Steadman, Joe Russel, Lumpy Russel, Noodle

Second: Kevin Riddle, Al Laurie, Doug Jeffreys, John Murdoch

Third: Ray Lepard, Dave Drader, Gary Baxter, Ken Cooke

Fourth: Herb Schweiterman, Andres Milore, Eve Westesson, Hans H Probst

Long Drive: Lumpy Russel

Near Pin: #5 John Herr, #7 Don Richardson, #12 Herb Schweiterman, #16 Doug Craysforth

Long Putts: #9 Egon Nielson, #18 Kim Fletcher

by Howie Reed

This issue of the Pattaya Mail, as you know, is dedicated to His Majesty the King of Thailand. HM the King has ties with not only the sport of boxing but with the United States. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in the United States on December 5, 1927 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His father was a student at Harvard. HM the King has been honored for his efforts on behalf of boxing where he maintains more than a passing knowledge. In December of 2001 prior to the WBC Convention in Pattaya the president of the World Boxing Council, Dr Jose Sulaiman, bestowed upon His Majesty the WBC’s “Golden Shining Symbol of World Leadership Award”. The King had some advice for Sulaiman, “promote boxing not only as a sport ... but also as an art of self-defense.” (Some would say that Sulaiman took that advice when he filed for bankruptcy after loosing a $35 million dollar judgment). Then in August of 2003, through the Embassy in Mexico, His Majesty bestowed the title of “Second Class Knight Commander of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn” on Dr Sulaiman - one of the highest Royal Awards ever to be conferred on a sports official.”

A Happy Birthday to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Well who would have thought it but tomorrow seems to have been declared fight night around the world. There are fights of international interest taking place in New York at Madison Square Garden, in Puerto Rico and at the Cardiff Ice Rink in Wales. If that’s not an eclectic kettle of fish, then none exists in the world. In good old New York, New York, Vitali Klitschko (32-2) gets back in the ring for the first time since he gave the Imperial One, that would be Lennox Lewis what for, against underachieving Canadian Kirk Johnson (34-1-1). He had a shot at the title held by John Ruiz in 02 and came up empty getting himself DQ’d. Against Ruiz that takes some work. On the same card is the exciting “Baby” Joe Mesi (27-0). It’s easy to write “exciting” about Mesi as he comes in, throws punches and gives 200%. He’s got veteran Monte Barrett (29-2) who has talent and he is a step up for the popular Mesi.

Eric Morel (33-0) either is or is not the king of the Flyweights. He holds the WBA title and can count as one his victims Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaovichit who entered his match with Morel at 20-2 and exited with a record of 20-1. That was back in 02. Since then Morel has only been in the right once which might indicate some physical problem.

Also on the card in Morel’s home country of Puerto Rico is WBO Straw Champ Ivan Calderon (17-0) against Alex Sanchez (29-3-1). On the Ice Rink in Cardiff WBO Super Middleweight Champ Joe Calzaghe was suppose to put his undefeated record, 36-0, on the line against Mger Mkrtchyan (18-1) of whom “I know nothing”. Not going to happen. Calzaghe KO’d by the flu. But still noteworthy, so I’ll note it, is that former champ “The Pocket Rocket” Wayne McCullough (26-4) gets back in the ring for the first time since his loss to Scott Harrison. A loss that was predicted by frequent Pattaya visitor and professional Scottish fighter Dave Stewart.

WBO Featherweight Champion Manuel Medina (63-13) spoke ahead of his return match with former champion Scott Harrison (19-2-1) in Glasgow on Saturday and stressed the importance of winning again in Harrison’s home town. He said, “My aim is to show I am the best featherweight in the world and not that I had a lucky day. Only by coming back to Glasgow and fighting Harrison in his own backyard can I prove that my 5th world title win was worthy of its achievement.” Twas not to be. Scotland’s Scott Harrison regained the WBO featherweight title by dropping Medina in the first and then stopping him in the 11th. Fighting with a pair of eye cuts Harrison dominated scoring knockdowns in the 1st, 3rd and the 10th.

If I wrote “WBC #20 Saenghiran Lookbanyai (5-0, 4 KOs) impressively knocked out Rommel Libradilla in round three in a non-title bout. The bout supported a Muay Thai at Rachadamnern Stadium in Bangkok,” would that impress the heck out of you with my vast fund of knowledge? Didn’t think so. Ok, how about this. WBA #5 Denkaosan Kaovichit (24-1, 11 KOs) captured PABA interim 112 lb title after stopping PABA #9 Roger Jack Maldecir (18-10-3, 11 KOs) in Patumthanee, Thailand. The Thai fighter had challenged WBA 112 lb titleholder Eric Morel last year. In the 3rd a right hook to the head of Maldecir dropped him on the canvas. Referee Fran Marty stopped the bout at 1:40.

Former WBA superbantam king Yoddamrong Sithyodthong (37-1-1,18KOs) KO’d Nonoy Villaflor at 1:45 of the opening stanza with a right hook to the bread basket. Former WBA lightfly king Pichit Siriwat (30-2,13KOs) took the better part of 6 rounds before getting the TKO over Indonesian Yongkie Afrizal. Both fights took place in Lopburi. Still not impressed? OK, how about this. WBA #3 Somsak Sithchatchawal (35-1-1, 28KOs) successfully retained his PABA superbantam title by stopping TKO of PABA#10 Ibragimov Takhir on Friday at Pan District, Chiang Rai Thailand.

This is my last try of the week: “Manny Pacquiao was paraded through the streets of Manila and he starts shooting a movie on Monday. Plus he got a medal and $20,000 USD from the President of the Philippines. In return? He gave Madame President a T-shirt. What a guy.” That didn’t impress you either? Heck, that’s my best shot for the week. Do I get an “A” for effort? Close enough. I’ll drink to that!