Thai-Ger Line celebrates its 6th Anniversary with a tournament at Phoenix

Fabian, to mark the 6th Anniversary of Thai-Ger Line Golf, is staging his annual tournament at Phoenix on Friday August 27, playing the Mountain & Ocean courses, teeing-off from 10.30 am

Then it’s back to the Moon River Pub at Thai Garden Resort, for the prize-giving party. No-nonsense Fabian promises a great German Style Buffet, with free Beer, Wine and soft drinks and lots of performance trophies and technical hole prizes to be awarded.

Details with Entry Form are to be found at all the Golf Venues in Pattaya, in Pattaya Mail and Pattaya Blatt next week, or just call and see Fabian at the Thai-Ger Line Golf Shop, Soi Chaiyapoom between Soi Bukhao and No. 3 Road.

It will be a typical Thai-Ger Line fun day, so be sure to sign-up early.

How green is Ben’s valley?

PSC golf from The Bunker

Tuesday July 20 saw the Bunker Boys depart from The Bunker Bar and head for Green Valley Golf Course for their weekly Medal competition. Once again the course was in first class condition - a pat on the back for the Green Valley ground staff.

Although the white tees were placed well back on the boxes (especially on the 10th, which now strikes terror into the minds of many Bunker golfer’s) there were some excellent scores returned. Top of the tree was Ben Findon who has been in fine form of late and his net 67 reflected this.

Jim Payne (still playing off his high handicap - but not for much longer!) came second with net 68 while arch rival Keith Smithson just failed to catch Jim over the last few holes coming in with net 69 (gross 71). The popular ‘nearest the pins’ prizes were won by Jim Payne, Lez Hall and Seamus Brennan and Richard Feltham was awarded The Bananas.

Keith Smithson gets revenge

On Thursday July 22 The Boys from The Bunker travelled to Bangpra International Golf Course to play their regular stableford competition. The course was in great shape with the greens playing tricky and fast. Keith Smithson took revenge over Jim Payne for the week’s earlier defeat by winning with a good score of 37 stableford points whilst Jim was way down the field returning to the clubhouse with a paltry 28 points. Keith is consistently in the hunt for prizes but loses out to low handicapper’s who all too often play ‘blinders’ to pip him at the post -.but not today. Well played Keith!

Jim’s bad day was summed up when one of the monkey’s tried to run off with his golf cap at the 7th hole, only an eagle-eyed caddy saved his blushes! Joint second came John Hughes and Lez Hall who seems to be re-capturing a bit of form, both with 36 stableford points. Nearest the pins went to Jim Payne (scant consolation), Keith Smithson and Mick Ramshaw whilst The Bunker Banana Booby prize went to the ever-present Vic Simmons.

Don’t forget, you can get the latest golf schedules for The Bunker Boys and information about all other sporting activities at The Bunker Bar by visiting our website @ www.bunkerboysgolf.com.

Big Week for Barry Pethig

IPGC Bunker Boys from the OK Corral

The latest Bunker Boys’ golfing week began on Tuesday, July 20, when a large group of golfers travelled the short road to the gorgeous Phoenix Golf Club for their weekly medal event. It was the start of a week to remember for Barry Pethig, as the two divisions cut at seventeen and under fought it out over the Lakes and Ocean nines. In division one Terry Lockhart produced some good golf to record a net score of 75, trailing one behind Harry Riley and his consistent net 74. The day belonged to visiting IPGC member Delafield ‘Duffy’ Kribben and his net 71 was too good for the rest of the flight and he took the honours in style. In the second flight Tony Duthie managed a net 76 for third place and the two winners were Hank de Bock and Barry Pethig who both shot a steady net 74. There was more to come for Barry before the week was out. Harry Riley fired the day’s only birdie two and took the rolled-over king’s ransom whilst Wilf Latham and Dale Shier, soon to be sharing business class on the flight home, took possession of the Banana Booby and had nothing to declare, politely that is!

On Thursday, July 22, the same group of players took the journey to the David Graham designed Burapha Golf Club for the Bunker Boys’ first taste of the sumptuous course. They played the ‘easier’ A and B nines whilst the Volvo event took place on the other two nines.

The day was overcast when the first group teed off but thankfully the clouds kept moving throughout the day. In the stableford event the division one players were headed by the third placed pairing of Wilf Latham and Dale Shier, on 36 points, who had departed the OK Corral the evening before for the airport but as Wilf had forgotten his tickets, passport and money there last evening was spent travelling a five hour round trip in Harry Riley’s taxi! Not the best preparation for a day’s golf.

More of the intrepid travellers later. Aussie Bob Philp held control in the flight with a finely honed 40 points using his long hitting to excellent effect. In division two the winner two days previously, Barry Pethig, continued his fine form to post the year’s best result with the Bunker Boys, a mind-boggling 45 points. His joy was to be restrained later when he heard a large handicap cut would be his certain reward. It was, nevertheless, a round of undoubted excellence and everyone was delighted at his achievement. There were six players sharing the Super Sawng award for their birdie two’s, namely Bob Wighton, William Macey, Ken Graham, Terry Phur, Steve Nowell and Bob Philp and the loudest applause of the presentation accompanied the award of the feared bananas to the well-travelled pairing of Wilf ‘Phileas’ Latham and his sidekick Dale ‘Passepartout’ Shier whose journey later that evening, seated in the ‘bubble’, would be made all the more enjoyable by a banana split. It was a memorable day for many reasons but for Barry Pethig it was a certainly a week to remember.

The grand reopening of the new OK Corral Bar - the home of the IPGC Bunker Boys - will take place in Rungland Village, South Pattaya Road, opposite the international telecommunications centre, on Friday, 30th July. The OK Corral is moving from its current home in Soi Skaw Beach and invites its old and new customers to join the party from 8pm onwards. All the bar’s current activities, including the popular Bunker Boys’ golf, quiz, pool and darts will be organised from the new base from Saturday, July 31 and everyone is welcome.

Japanese Typhoon Hits Haven

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday July 19
Eastern Star
Bogey

1st Yasuo Suzuki, 4Up
2nd Tom Gingerich, 2Up
3rd Dave Lee, 1Up
4th Al Rolnick, A/S

A great course with such challenging holes, but sadly, in yet another state of neglect, hard fairways with many areas of unmarked but obvious GUR patches and poorly maintained slow bumpy greens. Despite the conditions, Yasuo, in great form, managed to shoot a 79 off the stick to easily win with a splendid 4up. Tom, making a welcome return and coming straight off a lesson with Richard, chased him all the way but had to settle for second spot, leaving the steady Dave Lee and Al Rolnick to complete the podium positions. With the poor condition of the greens it was perhaps not surprising that no 2s were recorded on the day. So a nice rollover for Wednesday. Prior to the prize giving, Richard Livingston, the resident PGA professional, welcomed back Peter Hall, Dave Fitzpatrick, Tom Gingerich and Derek Reaper.

Wednesday July 21
Bangphra
Stableford

1st Trevor Edge, 38
2nd Carl Luke, 35
3rd Guy Billings, 34

Once again, Bangpra was found to be in excellent condition and perhaps a good example to all the other courses as the greens on the back 9 were all sanded but remained fast and true! The day’s honours went to Trevor and once again the ATM is truly shut. Carl and Guy both enjoyed good solid rounds and Guy just managed to pip Yasuo Suzuki & Al Rolnick on countback for 3rd spot. Trevor Schirmer started brightly and may have mounted a challenge, but faded somewhat, when the monkeys stole his lunch from the buggy. Rather surprisingly, there were no 2s recorded again, so a double rollover for Siam on Friday. Back at The Haven, Richard Livingston, welcomed back Barry Traynor from a short break in the UK.

Friday July 23
Siam Country Club
Monthly Medal

First Division (0-14)
1st Takeshi Hakozaki, 69
2nd Barry Traynor, 70
3rd John Desmond, 73
Second Division (15 plus)
1st Phillip Cass, 72
2nd Dave Lee, 74
3rd Peter Emslie, 76

Despite the early morning rain, there was, as usual, a large turnout for the monthly medal and everyone was well rewarded by the popular Siam layout being in probably the best condition for a very long while. But the wind was really gusting on the front 9, which caused some havoc and generally scores were better on the back 9 as the wind abated.

In the 1st Division, Takeshi, who declared a 2 shot lower handicap at sign-up, cruised around the course in fine style to take a narrow victory over Barry, leaving John in 3rd spot with a host of 74s and 75s trailing behind. In 2nd Division, Phillip Cass shot a superb 42 gross on the back 9 to make amends for his poor start and comfortably take the medal from Dave and Peter. The 2s, the double rollover with the huge pot was finally won by Yasuo Suzuki, with a chip-in on the 12th and true to form, Yasuo celebrated by ringing the bell to huge applause. Prior to the presentations, Richard Livingston, welcomed back Takeshi Hakozaki and Richard Lyne before saying farewell to Carl Luke.

Bruce and Ginnane enjoy a nice pair of 44s

IPGC Golf From Lewiinksi’s

Sunday July 18
Green Valley
White Tees
Stableford

1st Place A Flight: Clive Bruce, 44 points
2nd Place A Flight: Steve Mascari, 42 points
3rd Place A Flight: Eyad Subei, 40 points
4th Place A Flight: John Hillier, 40 points
1st Place B Flight: John Ginnane, 44 points
2nd Place B Flight: J.P. Labrousse, 42 points
3rd Place B Flight: Oddvar Rykke, 39 points
4th Place B Flight: Kevin Bowman, 39 points
Near Pins: #5 J.P. Labrousse; #8 Pete Stonebridge

Portends of a good-sized field when the purse is large enough to play more than 6 places plus two near pins and such was the case on this continuingly popular Green Valley Sunday. Clive Bruce, who has now returned from a protracted stay in Hua Hin, shot 73 off the stick and amassed 44 points to take the top rung in the premier flight. Owner/Proprietor Steve Mascari showed his new 5 handicap was no source of intimidation as he shot 72 off the stick good for 41 points. Eyad Subei saw the pay window at Lewiinski’s for at least the second time of this, his initial Pattaya visit, when he edged Johnny Hillier on count back. The typically forgiving Sunday layout of Green Valley found the entire A Flight podium, and the top two B’s, at 40 points or better!

As an aside, Johnny Hillier’s mind may have been elsewhere as he had the only 5 member team of pro golfers to make the cut at Royal Troon, out of a field of 81. What farthings missed his pocket due to count back loss in A Flight finish paled next to his haul in the Open Championship

As to that junior circuit, John Ginnane matched his A Flight equivalent by garnering 44 points himself. J.P. Labrousse continued the mimickery as he came second with 42 points. Oddvar Rykee sent Kevin Bowman to the last step of the B victory stand by utilizing the count back after both had very creditable 39 points on the day.

Tuesday July 20
Laem Chabang
A & B White Tees
Stableford

1st Place A Flight: Yasou Susuki, 40 points
2nd Place A Flight: Rick Sharp, 38 points
1st Place B Flight: Dave Blakey, 40 points
2nd Place B Flight: Jay Nakagawa, 36 points

With twenty members heading northwest for a week’s tournament in Kanchanaburi the daily entry list was somewhat shorter, albeit still excellent for Low Season. A couple of old friends hailing from the Land of Cherry Blossoms took first in A Flight and second in B Flight. Yasou Suzuki tied best on the day with his A Flight winning 40 points and Jay Nakagawi used his Heineken meditation technique to secure a level to handicap, second place in B Flight, 36 points. ‘The Hermit’, ending a bit of a hiatus from the podium, seeing his 38 points better Mamason Steve’s on count back for second in A. Dave Blakey matched Yasou’s A Flight winning total with his own B Flight winning 40 points.

Wednesday July 21
Burapha
A & C Blue Tees
Stroke/Medal

1st Place A Flight: Jack Grindvold, net 69
2nd Place A Flight: Scott Jaconetty, net 70
3rd Place A Flight: Steve Mascari, net 73
1st Place B Flight: Hans Rehm, net 65
2nd Place B Flight: Seamus Brennan, net 68
3rd Place B Flight: Kevin Bowman, net 71

Vas dis? Hans Rehm shatters the field with a very impressive net 65 to take a three shot margined B Flight victory. Seamus Brennan, coming off a yellow card, showed no ill effects with a net 68 masterpiece. Countryman Kevin Bowman rounded out the killer B’s with a net 71. Wacko Jacko took a midweek break from the cargo game and Starbuck’s coffee to take the A Flight with net 69. Long-hitting Jack, now playing off 9, threatens to take it even lower. Scott Jaconetty snuck into town for a short visit and snuck out with a little loot as his net 70 was good for second in A. But for a count back loss on Tuesday, Steve would have had three places in three days. The fine performance, of course, is directly related to his brother Dave’s arrival from Houston. Steve has to give his brother such a preferential room rate that hotel income must be supplemented with golf winnings

Friday July 23
Phoenix Lake & Ocean White Tees
Stableford

1st Place A Flight: Julian Clarke, 40 points
2nd Place A Flight: Jim Brackett, 38 points
1st Place B Flight: Serge Straeten, 40 points
2nd Place B Flight: Norm Robinson, 36 points

Julian had a plan, find his Pattaya swing the first week of his visit, get his handicap up to a 6 and then fleece Jim Brackett and fellow Houstonian Dave Mascari on the second week. But Jim Brackett wouldn’t allow him the luxury as Jim forced Julian’s hand early with a 38 point effort. Julian, acknowledging that the first causality of war is the plan, adapted and scored 40 thanks to a gross 73 performance. The downside is that he remains a 5 for next week, but the upside is Jim and Dave’s first week money will spend as well as their second week money. Serge Straeten, taking umbrage, as only the French can, from American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s pending 6th consecutive victory in the Tour de France, decided to exact some greenback revenge. And so he did, with a best on the day equaling 40 points. Serge was joined in B Flight by Norm Robinson’s second place 36 points.

Road Trip to Kanchanaburi
Nichigo Resort & Country Club, July 19 to July 23

9-hole Match Play Competition and Stableford
Match Play Champion: John Emmerson
1st Runner-up; Phil Mitchell
2nd Runner-up: Joe Mooneyham

The lads and their lasses were itching for a road trip so golf manager John Emmerson took on the logistical challenge of taking a 16 player match play tournament to the fine 27-hole layout of Nichigo Resort and Country Club in Kanchanaburi. The focal point of the tour utilized a previously used format that had broad acceptance with the attendees. It was, in essence, a standard 16 man, double elimination draw with each ‘match’ comprising of 9 holes. By the third round, four of the field had been eliminated from the Match Play Tournament. In order to keep their interest, a series of 9-hole Stableford events were co-scheduled with the remaining rounds of match play.

The stableford tournaments, which had natural growth with the addition of continually being eliminated players were further augmented by four late additions, which were content to bypass the already fully booked match play event.

The Ol’ Silverback, who was able to ignore the burdens of tour organization, edged long hitting Phil Mitchell for the match play championship. Phil had ensured himself of at least a First Runner-up position as he edged Joe Mooneyham in the penultimate match.

The rigors of 27 holes of golf were offset by relaxing meals and River Kwai float trips which were attended by all participants. Everyone had a great time in this lovely section of Thailand and on a golf course/restaurant/hotel complex many rank among the best in country.

Cafe Ole moves into fourth as teams battle for first place

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

Only four points separate first place from fourth place in a very close bowling league. Cafe Ole took four points from first place Brother D. Cafe Ole was led by Dang’s 545 series, Jim’s 202 game, 528 series and Somrak’s 503-pin count. Bill bowled a great series for Brother D with games of 202, 285 and 222 for a 609 series. Three Sisters moved back up to second place behind Paul’s (P.K.) 215 game, 561 series and Tien’s 521 pin total, as they took three points from VFW Post 9876 and knocking them down to fifth place.

200 bowlers: Lenz, Jon, Bill Key, P.K., Bill, Tukata, Jim, Nual, Rich and Leo.

Captain Bill Key led his VFW team again with games of 180, 203, 182, 565 series and Jon rolled a 207 game and knocked down 515 pins. Captain Kran led her Cafe Kronborg team to a four point sweep over Jack & Tar with games of 192, 186, 182, 560 series and Tui added a 509 pin count. Mai was best for Jack & Tar knocking down 514 pins.

Bowling as a spare, Rich bowled the best series of the league with games of 190, 198 and 265 for a 653 series. Second place Q Cars split their series with House of the Golden Coin at two points each. Lenz rolled a 225 game and 543 series for Q Cars as Nual had a 237 game, 546 series and Leo rolled a 210 game, 537 series for Golden Coin.

Nam Tip grabbed three points from Alt Koelle as both teams struggled on lanes 17 and 18.

Week 19

Team Standings Points (July 23)
Brother D. 45 - 31 0 - 4
Three Sisters 44.5 - 31.5 3 - 1
Q Cars 44 - 32 2 - 2
Cafe Ole 41 - 35 4 - 0
VFW Post 9876 38.5 - 37.5 1 - 3
Cafe Kronborg 36 - 40 4 - 0
Jack & Tar 35 - 41 0 - 4
House of the Golden Coin 33.5 - 42.5 2 - 2
Nam Tip 33 - 43 3 - 1
Alt Koelle 29.5 - 46.5 1 - 3

by Howie Reed

As usual I’ve forgotten a birthday. So a belated Happy Birthday and best wishes to HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as he celebrated his royal birthday on Wednesday past. Would he read this column? That’s one of those ‘could go either way’ deals. As everyone knows His Majesty the King is a big boxing fan. The Crown Prince reached the young age of 52, which I reached a couple of years ago. The Crown Prince is the only son of their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Queen Sirikit.

There’s a lot going on in the world of boxing this week but most is rendered useless as Iron Mike Tyson (50-4) takes on Danny Williams (31-3) for the coveted “W Something-Something” heavyweight championship. Unlike folks in America and Europe the lads and lasses that live in the Land of Smiles probably will get the bout free on the telly tomorrow morning sometime. If you do and it’s only in Thai, no problem as it won’t take words to describe ‘what’s going on’. While this one may be a little short on the ‘nuances of the sweet science’, it will draw attention that the next days (Sunday Morning, Pattaya time), Erik Morales (46-1) vs. Carlos Hernandez (40-3-1) for the IBF lightweight belt and Rafael Marquez (31-3) vs. Heriberto Ruiz (31-2-2) for the IBF Bantam crown could only dream about.

Promoter Bob Arum has got to feel a little empty after coming up with Morales/Marquez only to see Tyson shove it to the back burner. Tyson is the 2 thousand bull that causally strolls into the china shop. The up side is, if Tyson doesn’t implode before the fight (as he did prior to his last) it will be a shot in the arm for all boxing. Of course if he does implode it will be a shot in the arm for ‘cheap yellow journalist’ like myself. It’s a win-win situation.

The joke around boxing for years is that there are rules and then are Thai rules. Remember, ‘This Is Thailand’. Times may be a changing. When the list of top boxing referee’s of the last 20 years is compiled, the name of Richard Steele is always included. He was the consummate professional. If there was a rap on him it was his stopping of Chavez-Taylor fight with less than 2 seconds to go. That was back on March 17, 1990 at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. At the time Taylor was 24-0-1. Julio Cesar Chavez was 68-0. Taylor had been in control of the fight leading on two of the three cards (108-101, 107-102). In the 12th and final round Chavez scored a knockdown with less than 15 seconds left. Taylor beat the count but referee Steele stopped the fight protecting Chavez unbeaten record. Taylor would go and spend time in the hospital after the fight. He never recovered from the loss, going 13 and 8 in his last 21. Some claim that it broke his spirit. There are those that still claim Steele’s action ruined a great fighter. There are more that support Steele’s stoppage.

The first week in August, Steele will be in Thailand as a lecturer at the ‘International Referee and Judging Training Program.’ This is a joint program among the WBC, Asian Boxing Council and the Sports Authority of Thailand. The training will cover topics of the code of ethics, the rules and regulations of professional referee’s, the duties of the official referee/judge, physical condition of the referee/judge and the uniform and appearance of referee/judge. Must always look in shape. Like me...

Since last we met, there were some box fights for the local lads. Only one bares mentioning. WBO bantam king Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (57-8, 39 KOs) got a paid workout as he easily took care of Tanzanian Rashid Ally (2-2-3). He did the business with a “vicious right hook” in the second. Next question. “What the hell was a world champion doing fighting a boxer with a 2-2-3 record? Getting a paid workout?” Been there done that.

There were some fights of consequence last week as a table setter to next weeks action. WBC featherweight Champion Injin Chi (29-2) successfully defended his title with a KO of Japanese opponent Eiichi Sugama (26-4) before a howling mob at the Marriott Hotel in Seoul. “How do I know they were howling?” Cause the home town guy won. Whoops, “Time out for a minute.” Got an e-mail that asks, “When you include records after a fight do those records include the fight reported on?” After admonishing the writer to never end a sentence with a “proposition” I wrote, “The numbers, wins-losses-draws, after the fighters name indicate the record after the bout. The Square Ring readers are up to date. Dam straight. Back to Chi. He had the devils own time making weight. No problem. The end for the challenger came in the 10th with a right uppercut that caused the initial knockdown. Sugama beat the count only to be greeted with a plethora of punches that spelled “KO.” I know like me, punches can’t spell but cut me some slack... Chi won the title last April with a KO of Michael Brodie if any one cares.

Meanwhile on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City (USA) the human ‘highlight video’ WBC super lightweight champion Arturo Gatti (38-6) landed a left hook to the liver (without fava beans or a nice Chianti) following a drum like tattoo job on Leonard Dorin’s (22-1-1) head to score a second round KO at 2:55. It was the first time that Dorin had ever been down let along knocked out. When asked after the bout when he was going to fight some of the premier fighters in the division Gatti said, “Bring ‘em on”. The 140 lb division is loaded with Kostya Tszyu, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shamba Mitchell, Vivian Harris and the little weasel Floyd Mayweather Jr.

One name eliminated from that list was Francisco ‘Panchito’ Bojado (22-1-0). Always thought of as the next coming, the 21 year old got a lesson in boxing from old warhorse Jesse James Leija (47-6-2). Leija got decked in the 2nd but in many eyes dominated from that point on to win a split decision. Actually you could also call it a “major decision” as a majority of the judges gave it to Leija (96-93, 95-94, 94-95). The win probably sets up a Leija-Gatti fight and sends Bojado back to the school for more lesson on “How to beat a wily old veteran....par dux”. I’ll drink to that.

Peter Cummins, Phuket

Although a number of countries entered the just-finished first Phuket Race Week regatta, sailed out of the host venue, the Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa, on Phuket’s south-east coast. It was local Phuket sailors who led the way, in all four classes featured in the weeklong event. Scott Duncanson won the premier racing class, helming one of the new breeds of sports boats, the Phuket Eight, designed and built in Phuket. Mick Kealy won the IRC Class, Stuart Crow, the Club Class and Mark Pescott won the Multi-hull Class.

Alisdair Junor Evason general manager (right) and Bill O’Leary (left) present the awards.

Nevertheless, very close racing was the feature of the event, with just one point separating winners of the racing class, an equal-first, one point ahead of third placing in the IRC Division and one point separating the first two in the club class division. Mark Pescott was the only skipper to dominate totally, making a ‘clean sweep’ with five first placings. Local knowledge was, certainly, an advantage to the Phuket sailors, when huge wind shifts and fairly frequent rainsqualls made the conditions quite difficult to read.

The ‘regatta men’ hard at work.

Scott Duncanson, fresh from his victory in another Phuket Regatta recently, the Naga Cup (reported in the Pattaya Mail issue 27, July 2) made no mistake as to who was the top Phuket Eight sailor, winning the Racing Class of the Phuket Race Week Regatta - albeit it very closely, from Stuart Harrison who had dogged him around the course for the five days of racing.

In the IRC Class, Mick Kealy beat John Vause. Although the two were equal on 10 points each, Mick won on a countback, with Pattaya’s Royal Varuna Yacht Club sailor, Viroj Nualkair one point behind, third.

In the Club Class, Stuart Crow consolidated his lead, also by a scant one point from veteran Al Boone, to win that division while, in the Multi-hull Division, Mark Pescott drove ‘Ceberus’ to an easy victory over Chris Sieber’s ‘Kilo’, with five straight wins.

The “Foster’s Beauties”: a great beer, well packaged!

The inaugural Phuket Race Week was sailed around, between and alongside the myriad beautiful islands of Laem Kha, on the southern coast of Phuket, out off the host sponsor, the equally-beautiful Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa, opened - not with a flourish, but with a promise. Winds on the first day were woefully light, resulting in the abandonment of two of the four classes competing, leaving only the Racing Class One and the IRC Class to record results.

But the promise was loud and clear. With an unseasonal northerly to start race two and a storm front guaranteeing a south-westerly later, principal race officer John McLennan sent the fleets on long reaching courses around the bay, not chancing standard windward-leeward courses. It was the correct decision and the fleets made a marvellous sight in this relatively little-used waterway - at least in terms of an international regatta.

A spectacular Phuket Eight blasts down wind.

As race day three opened, 30 pairs of eyes - especially those of the organizers, Image Asia’s managers - scanned the sky and the horizon, searching for that elusive wind. It was a clear day but hardly a ripple on the water - most unusual conditions for this time of the year when, the locals assured us, the South-westerly Monsoon should be dominating.

At least by mid-day, there was a little wind (around five-knots) and it was from the south-west, so principal race officer John McLennan sent the fleets away. Storm clouds built from the south, eventually dampening down the wind, but the race was finished and no amount of rain - or lack of wind - could ever spoil a good beachside party.

The wind obliged for the last two days and action there was “a-plenty”, with entry ‘Forest’ in the club class category, being the star performer. Crewed by a well-known writer, the first race saw ‘Forest’ have about five attempts to cross the start line, while in a later race three breaches, including “premature start” and plowing in to the committee (start) boat saw ‘Forest’ disqualified and caused one crew member (not our journo, of course), to abandon ship, rather precipitously. ‘Forest’ soon received a number of sobriquets and was branded as ‘Forest Gump’ and ‘Forest Grump’. Then, the collision with the committee boat and the ‘desertion’ of a crew member, the nemes ‘Forest Bump’ and ‘Forest Dump’, became somewhat voguish.

Duncanson’s ‘Securicor Som Tam Express’ heads to the start line.

Yet, in spite of minor irritations like light, shifting and unreliable winds, this regatta was definitely up-market in terms of technology. Results were called in from the committee boat to Aussie Mark Pryke waiting on-shore, who immediately emailed the finishing times down to Howard Elliott in Sydney who converted them to his special programme which incorporated the allocated handicaps and then transmitted the results back to printers at the Evason.

Thus, within minutes of the last boat to cross the line, the results were up on the regatta website and printed copies were distributed to the eager newshounds and, of course, to the participants milling - and swilling - at the Evason’s ‘Into the Beach’ bar.

Recently renovated, the splendid Evason Phuket Resort, located at Rawai Beach on the south-eastern coast of Phuket, occupies 64 acres (approximately 160 rai, 260 sq metres, 30 hectares) of beautifully-landscaped lawns and gardens, in a tropical setting of thousands of trees, with some seven levels sloping down to the Andaman Sea fore-shore and the Evason Pier. The area is so huge that motorized trams commute from the main lobby to the sea-front and other parts of the complex.

Managed by the Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas, the Evason, hosting this inaugural Phuket Race Week Regatta, reflects the casual but very elegant standards of the old world, re-born as a 21st century five-star hotel.

A long list of supporters and sponsors contributed to the success of the regatta. One who was certainly a front-runner in the “sponsor stakes” was Pasi Seppanen. Managing Director of the Ausbia Company who placed Aussie’s famous Foster’s Beer as a major supporter, looking “for a bigger and better regatta next year”.

There was a bevy of “Foster’s Beauties” who made sure that Foster’s always flowed as a ‘flood tide’ not an ‘ebb tide’ - as was the condition of the gulf every evening.

Foster’s was joined by such co-sponsors and supporters as Sunsail, QBE Insurance, Quantum Sails, Phuket International Hospital, Electrical Marine and Simrad, to mention a few of the large numbers who supported the regatta.

Phuket Race Week was a joint effort of the Image Asia directors, the folks who brought us the first - and highly- successful - Phuket International Marine Expo, late last year and are already well ahead with plans for this year’s second showing, during the 18th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta from December4 to 11.

Racking up many years of experience in maritime and yacht-racing promotion between them, both men see this event as an ideal mid-year link in the chain of regattas on and along Thailand and Malaysia’s waterways.

The Regatta closed with an awards ceremony and a grande finale dance party at the sea-front facilities of the host sponsor, The Evason Resort and Six Senses Spa.

It had been a great week of sailing, racing and socializing at the edge of the Andaman Sea, with prize-giving and parties every night. An added bonus was the highly-entertaining patois of emcee Bill O’Leary who was on top form every night, even resorting to some Aussie folk(sy) ballads on the closing night.

The sailors were happy, the huge number of sponsors - especially Foster’s - were happy and the managers, Andy Dowden and Grenville Fordham were able to breathe collective sighs of relief, when everything went according to plan. Both men were just a little disappointed at the lower-than-expected number of entries; nevertheless, for a first time event, it was still an impressive line-up and Phuket Regatta Week will fit in very nicely with the big number of regattas now being held up and down Thailand and into neighbouring Malaysia.

Andy Dowden noted that, with so many other regattas during the year, a week was probably too long for many skippers and announced that next year’s Phuket Week would be cut to basically a ‘long week-end’ spread over four days, at the end of May.

Simultaneously, Alasdair Junor, Evason Resort general manager, informed the delighted gathering that the Resort “was aboard” again next year for the second event. Likewise for Foster’s and many other of the supporters.

Top race management, under New Zealander John McLennan, with great logistics support from Olympic juror, Aussie Mark Pryke, ensured that the races were fair and the results were accurate and swiftly delivered to the ever-conscientious press corps.

Full results (best placings, with one discard, and total Points).

Racing Class (best four out of five sailed):

1. Scott Duncanson, ‘Securicor Som Tam Express’ (1-1-2-1= 5 points); 2. Stuart Harrison, ‘Panic’ (2-2-1-1 = 6); 3. Keith Moore, ‘Skiff Asia Pla Loma’ (3-3-3-2 = 11); 4. Mark Horwood, ‘Image Asia Attitude’ (4-3-4-4 = 15).

IRC Class (best five of six races sailed):

1. Mick Kealy, ‘Minx’ (4-1-1-4-2 = 10); 2. John Vause, ‘Ruby Tuesday’ (3-2-1-1-1 = 10); 3. Viroj Nualkair, ‘Octopussy’ (2-2-3-1-3 = 11); 4. Richard Grimes, ‘Yendys’ (1-4-2-4-3 = 14).

Club Class (Best 4 out of 5):

1. Stuart Crow, ‘Cinders’ (1-2-2-1 = 5); 2. Al Boone, ‘Blue Moon’ (2-1-1-2= 6); 3. John Fenn, ‘Four Winds’ (3-3-3-3 = 12); 4. Bobby Golding, ‘Forest’ (6-6-4-6 = 20); 5. A. C. Edwards, ‘La Croisette’ (6-6-6-6 = 24); 6. Douglas Walling, ‘Calliste’ (6-6-6-6 = 24).

Multi-hull (Best 4 of 5):

1. Mark Pescott, ‘Ceberus’ (1-1-1-1 = 4); 2. Chris Sieber, ‘Kilo’ (2-2-2-3 = 9); 3. Matthew and Kids, ‘Chimera’ (2-3-3-2 = 10); 4. Bob Mott, ‘Cameleon’ (5-5-5-5 = 20); 5. Wolfgang (Amadeus?), ‘Mozart’ (5-5-5-5 = 20).