Sports Quiz

Unfortunately nobody was able to correctly answer all 3 questions for last week’s quiz. Thanks to all who tried and in case you were wondering about the answers, here they are:
1) Theoretically, what is the maximum score you can achieve through one shot in a game of snooker?
Answer: 16 -a free ball plus all 15 reds. (Ed note: This feat is almost physically impossible, as you would need to hit the ball with the strength of Superman and then enjoy the luck of the Devil)
2) Who is the only player to score for 2 different nations in 2 separate World Cup finals tournaments?
Answer: Robert Prosinecki (Yugoslavia 1990 and Croatia 1998)
3) Which player recorded the first ‘live’ televised perfect 9-dart finish?
Answer: Shaun Greatbatch at the 2002 Dutch Open. John Lowe achieved the first televised one but it was not shown ‘live’.
This weeks Questions are:
1) Which American basketball team has won the most NBA championships?
2) Which team holds the record for the most Formula 1 Constructors World Championship titles?
3) How many countries have played host to the FIFA World Cup finals?

Dene goes ‘hearless’ to win with Wireless

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, June 25,
Green Valley White Tees - Stableford
A Flight
1st Jim Brackett, 41 points
2nd Roy Thornton, 38 points
3rd Jeremy Masse, 38 points
B Flight
1st Mike Shrosbree, 38 points
2nd Dave Porter, 36 points
3rd Don Lehmer, 35 points
C Flight
1st Chris Poggetti, 40 points
2nd John Ginnane, 38 points
3rd Jez Lees, 38 points
Near Pins: #2 - Seamus Cotter; #9 - Dene Airey; #16 - John Pegrum
2’s: Roy Thornton, Jeremy Masse (2), Brian Wilkinson; J.J. Wright; Seamus Cotter; Emiel Van de Wiele
Jim Brackett, a micro-economy with the town’s working staff, was the MoM instead of his usual status of MoS (“..the Soi) with an exemplary 41 points off his rather miserly 7 handicap. The supporting gross 74 was also best on the day. Roy Thornton (MBE), who was to claim limited notoriety by week’s end bettered the Masse Shot via count back to take the #2 slot in the Premier Flight.
Chris Foggetti, part of the Rear French Guard (Hey! Maybe they let Italians in!) bettered the junior circuit with a fine 40 points, two more than the duet of Johnny Ginnane and The Principal. The low profile Mr.Ginnane had the better of the math.
Micheal Shrosbree, Esq.cleared Dave Porter by a pair in the Klang Flight with his even to Standard Scratch 38 points. The Lady’s Man edged Capt. J.J. and our Title Guy via the order of the day, the count back.
Tuesday June 27,
Khao Kheow A & C Yellow Tees - Stableford
1st Gareth Gill, 38 points
2nd Don Lehmer, 36 points
3rd Dave Porter, 36 points
2’s: Don Lehmer, Pierre Bietry, Peter Hynard (2)
With a gang of 20+ off to Soi Dao for the middle of the week, a small, but quality, and spirited, field took on Pete Dye’s local design. Big Gareth Gill had the top notch in the one flight day, with The Lady’s Man reversing Sunday’s standings on The Valet’s Best Friend for the remaining two slots.
In a calm week, such as this was, The Scribe is able to accentuate the more sublime anecdotes of each competition, and in this case the light shone on Peter Hynard who had two “2’s” and then had only 28 points. Apparently he had two holes “that keep you coming back” and sixteen holes “that make you want to sell your equipment”.
Wednesday, June 28,
Eastern Star White Tees - 2-person Scramble Stroke/Medal
1st Mikael Anderson & David Stockman, net 61.8
2nd Dene Airey & Brian Wilkinson, net 63.5
2’s: None
A couple of Ban Chang bandits in the persons of friends Mikael Anderson and Dave Stockman rode off with the day’s loot with a 61.8. That bettered the title-referenced duo of Deaf Dene and Wireless. Now there is no medical evidence of Dene’s auditory impairment, but how else do you explain making it through a round with Brian as your teammate. (You know we love you Wireless! After all, you are “Our Wireless!”)
Friday June 30,
Burpaha A & B White Tees - Stableford
1st Dene Airey, 38 points
2nd John Emmerson, 37 points
3rd Larry Watson, 37 points
2’s: Roy Thornton (3), John Hillier, Vic Hester
Soi Dao and forty days and forty nights of rain both contributed to a quiet week as another one flight field took on the American Wood and British Link nines. Dene, now able to take the cotton wool out, showed the field his heels with 38 points. That left the GM having to work the pencil to edge Irish Larry Watson.
I mentioned that Roy Thornton’s had a run at immortality. Roy amassed three (2’s) for what this Scribe believes is the first time in Society history, only to finish out of the Place money.

Wet, Wet, Wet!

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, June 26,
Green Valley - Stableford
1st Russell Exley, 38
2nd Yasuo Suzuki, 33
3rd Fred Land, 31 c/b9 15 c/b6 11
4th Trevor Schirmer, 31 c/b9 15 c/b6 10
It takes an act of real faith to leave the comfort of a nice cup of tea and toast, (made with bread straight from the oven), when the wind is howling and the rain is lashing down so much that just getting to the cars in the car park was a recipe for a total drenching. But it all turned out well for those that took the plunge, in some cases literally, and traveled to what proved to be an area of beautiful and tranquil weather at Green Valley.
The playing conditions were a little difficult, with no run on extremely wet fairways, and the scores reflected the problem with only Russell Exley able to play better than his handicap. Indeed the day turned out to be non-counting for going up and with the CSS moving up three strokes Russell took a rather larger cut in his handicap than he was expecting.
Yasuo Suzuki had the consolation of second place after he missed out on his primary objective for the day. Fred Land just pipped Trevor Schirmer on count back for third place.
There were no “twos” in the second division and Brian Henderson slotted in the only one in the first division.
Before presenting the prizes Richard Livingston, the resident PGA teaching professional, welcomed new members Brian Henderson, Michael Hill, Patrick Scullion and John Wilson and also welcomed back as foretold in last weeks report, Yasuo Suzuki, who after reading the Pattaya Mail on line, traveled from Japan in a vain search for the end of the rainbow in the form of the 1st division “twos”. Micky Moore was unable to get a flight back from England to compete in the second division but now says it is almost better to be in London working on the Olympics construction, but added that he will be watching developments closely and may change his mind if the pot continues to grow.
Wednesday, June 28,
Khao Kheow - Monthly Medal
First Division:
1st Al Rolnik, 72
2nd Barry Traynor, 77
3rd Serge Straeten, 80
Second Division:
1st Daniel Lalande, 77
2nd Dave Spendley, 78
3rd Tom McCarthy, 81
Once again the hopefuls left The Haven in very rainy conditions but after the good result on the previous outing confidence was high that play would be possible. It was indeed but playing from the yellow tees on an extremely damp track makes for a very long and difficult day under medal conditions, and again the CSS moved up but this time only by two to 74.
Al Rolnik was the only player to equal his handicap as he cruised in five ahead of the nearest challenger who turned out to be Barry Traynor, making an infrequent visit after opening his new beauty salon, with Serge Straeten another three shots back in third.
Daniel Lalande was quite surprised to find himself being presented with the second division honours with a disappointing five over but it was still good enough to see off Dave Spendley and Tom McCarthy, who finished second and third respectively.
Once again there were no “twos” in the second division but Rodney Nabbe had the only one in the first division to sweep the pool. Unfortunately it was just a day too late.
Prior to the prize giving Richard welcomed back Dave Spendley who is making a flying visit to see what his contractor hasn’t done on his new home in the last few weeks.
Friday, June 30,
Phoenix - Stableford
1st Barry Winton, 38
2nd Rodney Nabbe, 36
3rd Tom McCarthy, 34 c/b9 18 c/b6 13
4th Trevor Schirmer, 34 c/b9 18 c/b6 12
5th Randy Haupt, 34 c/b9 17
The final tournament of the week was a last chance to practice in competition before the upcoming Independence Day, due to be played over the same course on the following Tuesday.
Again there was zero roll to be found as the course played every inch of its distance and maybe a few more and it was quite an achievement for Barry Winton to get it round in two over gross as he continues to build towards the upcoming Club Championship.
Rodney Nabbe also had a very commendable round to equal par and take second place ahead of Tom McCarthy, the latter collecting his second podium placing of the week, both achieved without troubling the handicappers.
Rand Haupt also took another podium placing and again it was with a score that usually would not be in contention at Phoenix, but with the conditions as hard as they were, just getting around was no small victory in the end.
So at the end of a week when all the competitions had been played under very difficult conditions necessitating the implementation of lift clean and place local rules, it was gratifying to have been able to play three times against all the indications to the contrary.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed back John Desmond, Gary Bingham and Ken Priddy.
Once again there were no “twos” in the second division whilst Barry Winton scored the only one in the first division and went very close with three others.

A three-way tie at Emerald

IPGC golf from The Caddy Shack

Thursday June 29 saw the Caddy Shack golfers take a trip to the ever popular Emerald Golf Course in Ban Chang. We found the layout to still be in a state of ongoing repairs and this resulted in us employing a ‘pick and place’ rule on the fairways for the day’s event. Possibly next time we play there we will advise all the golfers to take along their own piece of grass.
There were three joint winners; Brian Jacks, Nile Sheehan and Don Francis, all firing 32 stableford points. The “twos” were won outright by Al McGrory and the ‘Bananas’ were awarded to Brian Clarke for his 21 points.

Triple Crown at Bangpra

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

The Pattaya Golf Society shrugged of the effects of late night football and visited beautiful Bangpra International Golf Club on Tuesday, June 27 for their weekly medal event. The course was found to be damp after heavy rains but in otherwise excellent condition, with the exception of the bunkers.

June’s Player of the Month, David Thomas, right, is congratulated by Mr. Denis
With the course playing long it was anticipated that the lower handicappers in the field would hold all the aces. Even the legendary monkeys were keeping their heads down however, as the first group returned to the clubhouse bearing nothing better than a net 78 and it was only later that the better cards arrived.
Aussie Stuart Thompson, manfully overcoming his disappointment at the previous evening’s football, posted a net 75 to join playing partner Dave Thomas at the top of the leader board and two groups later another fine card was returned as Ben Findon, playing the course for the second consecutive day, found that local knowledge worked to his advantage in also posting 75.
Stuart and the returning Yasuo Suzuki shared the “two’s” pot for their excellent efforts on the immaculate par-three eighth and those at the presentation found great amusement in the “ball-by-ball” description of one of Carl Lovatt’s holes as he savoured the ‘Booby Bevy’ with his customary good humour and infectious smile. The golf had again been enjoyable and after that it was back to the football!
Findon & McCarthy tops at Burapha
On Thursday it was the turn of Burapha Golf Club to host the Pattaya Golf Society for its weekly stableford event, this time over the picturesque and shorter “A” and “B” nines. As usual the golfers resorted to the longer blue tees and found that these were placed at their furthest extent, thereby making the exquisitely well manicured course a tough challenge on a cloudy and humid day.
The two flights were cut at nineteen and under and in division two “newbie” Ray Underwood nailed his first podium place with the PGS with a hard won 29 stableford points. He was pipped for second by Len Jones’ 30 points but was a long way behind the flight winner, Tom McCarthy, playing his first PGC round for a year, on this, his annual holiday from teaching in Florida. His 37 points signalled his arrival in style.
A quality division one field had Stuart Thompson in third place with 31 points, Harry Riley in second with 34 points and Ben Findon taking the honours with an excellent 38 points to conform his current status as a player very much in form.
There were no winners of the “twos” pot and amongst the “also rans” there were a clutch of players vying for the ‘Booby Bevy’ but it found its way into the hands of Andy Haycox whose points score marked the low point of his PGS career so far. Burapha is a quality track and the day had been a good one for the Pattaya Golf Society.

Kevin hammers the field - then scarpers

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Thursday, June 26, Pattana - Stableford
You may have noticed there is no report for Monday ... well done, and take 5 Brownie points, and quite surprisingly, there is no report because there was no golf. It was the weather you see, it rained, heavily, in fact really heavily. So on Monday it was back to bed.

Flight winners Kevin Dinan (standing) and Brian Wilkinson
However on this particular day off we went to a nice course, even if it was wet. We played the A & C nines, and to me they were fine. Mind there were those spoil sports who said the greens were too difficult. Must be getting the leg irons off that does it.
So on this fine day on this lovely course we had some firsts: Brian played off what ever tees he felt like and still won, and Derek played in the B Flight for the first time this century. Is this progress or just old age? If I could remember I would tell you.
Back to the plot: in the A Flight, 0 to 14, Brian Wilkinson won, despite playing off the wrong tee once. He had 36 points and was closely followed by a count back on 34 points that saw Donald Hendry in second and Gene Rooney in third.
In the B Flight, Kevin Dinan won with the obscene score of 46 points, however as he left for home the next day, we will have to wait until he returns to raise his voice by a couple of octaves. In second was Chris Platten with 38 points and in third was Derek Brook with 36 points, who beat Dave Richardson on count back.
One last point, some work has been done by the course to lower prices in the restaurant, and it is now cheaper than at least one other course that shall remain nameless, till we play it in this month’s Monthly Tournament.
T.T.F.N.

Marty sets the Phoenix on fire

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Tuesday, June 27, Phoenix - Stableford
This will not be a long write up as we all know Phoenix, love it or hate it, it is nice and close with great views. On this day we were to play the Lakes and Ocean, probably the easiest 18 holes, and actually the course was in fine condition.

Marty Allred (L) and Pete King (R) with the ‘rose’ in between

Round over we sat in the rest stop between Lake 9 and Ocean 1, not only is it cheaper than the restaurant, but the views are better and you can see the players on the green.
Showered and ready to go we stopped off in the restaurant to find most people had gone straight back to Bert’s, or elsewhere.
On our return to Bert’s we were to be treated with a ‘special’, as we were presented with some really fine cut meats and Bert’s special potatoes.
Anyway, enough about food and on to the presentation: I usually make a point not to declare scores, as this is first and foremost a fun competition. However, on this day the scores were so good I will mention a couple.
In the A Div, the winner with a gross 69, and 41 points was Marty Allred off a 2 handicap; a very fine round indeed. Close behind were Ian Covill and Donald Hendry with 40 points.
In the B Div, the winner was Pete King with 43 points, ahead of a count back on 39 points that saw, Pete Harris in second, Bob Sutterfield in third and John Christie just losing out.
Near Pin: Marty Allred, Kevin Callaghan (2), Donald Hendry, Mike Wing, Dick Warberg, John Christie, Colin Cronin.
Long Put: Kevin Callaghan, Ian Covill, Jerry Hough, Mike Wing.

The Beautiful Game?: Same old story for Eriksson and England

Riz Taylor
A little difficult to preview the final of the World Cup when you’re writing before the semi-finals, but I’m just hoping for a watchable game between two attacking teams. Not that I hold out much hope on that front. There have been too many matches decided by penalty kicks during the knockout rounds, and although games have shown snippets of excitement it’s been largely dull and defensive during the knockout rounds.
Talking of penalties, it’s also hard to write an article when you’re still bitterly disappointed after seeing your side crash out at the quarter final stage AGAIN, and once more from the dreaded shootout. So you’ll excuse me for getting on my soap box this week.
England’s tournament came to an end in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, and what a hapless, pathetic whimper of a campaign it turned out to be. Three lacklustre group games and another against Ecuador in the second round meant Sven Goran Eriksson would once again face his old foe in Phil Scolari.
History was to repeat itself yet again as Eriksson had nothing to offer his side in terms of leadership and continuity, and for the third occasion his side would be unsuccessful at the crucial quarterfinal stage. Neither manager was born in his country of employment, but comparing Scolari’s hopping up and down in the Portuguese technical area kicking every ball with Eriksson’s headmasterly composure told the whole story.
But now it’s over for England, as it is for Eriksson. As the Swede departed his post and handed over the reigns to deputy Steve McLaren early in the week, he pleaded with the English public not to castigate Wayne Rooney, who got himself sent off after a clash with Ricardo Carvalho.
Don’t worry, Sven. We won’t be getting on Rooney’s back. Yes he’s was an extremely stupid boy for getting involved in a pushing match with Cristiano Ronaldo after fouling Carvalho, but what we’re really seething over is the shocking lack of cohesion in England’s play again and yet again.
Eriksson had no less than 28 friendly matches to settle on his tactics and personnel, but was still tinkering with formations right up until the very last. After several flirtations with different systems he settled on 4-1-4-1 for the Portugal tie, leaving Rooney to play on his own up front.
Rooney’s natural inclination is to drop into deeper areas and cause havoc running at defenders, so asking a barely fit 20-year-old to play out of position with his back to goal in such a crucial game was a disgrace. So no, Sven, it won’t be Rooney that gets the treatment. Instead it will be your ridiculous decision-making at crucial moments.
If nothing else, Eriksson was consistent to the last. Shoe-horning Gerrard and Lampard into the midfield again failed to pay off, Lampard in particular having a shocking tournament by his own high standards. The penalty miss in the shootout summed up his World Cup, and the Chelsea man trudged back to the centre circle looking a shadow of the Premiership winning hero of Stamford Bridge.
As if persisting with a clearly out of form Lampard wasn’t enough, why was Theo Walcott taken to the finals ahead of Jermain Defoe, James Beattie, Darren Bent or even Andy Johnson? The FA could have taken Walcott along as a guest had they wanted the youngster to sample the World Cup ‘experience’, but to select a 17-year-old that has yet to play a senior level game in the 23-man squad ahead of proven Premiership performers and to then leave him warming the bench was an absolute outrage. To nobody’s surprise England were found wanting when injuries took their toll.
Sven Goran Eriksson will be remembered, but for all the wrong reasons. He was the man to lead England to three consecutive quarter finals of major competitions only to be outwitted by Scolari; the man who pandered to his senior players perhaps like no other before him; and the man that walked away from five years of employment 24 million pounds richer having done a job that, let’s face it, you or I could have done.
I’m serious. Whilst few of us could really explain the tactical merits of playing 4-4-2 versus 4-5-1, the key ingredients of any successful national team are obvious to just about anybody. At the highest level you don’t leave your players guessing which formation they’ll be asked to play until the last moment, you take players to the tournament that can actually contend for a place and aren’t just there to make up the numbers, and most obviously you position your players where they perform best for their clubs week after week throughout the season. Sven’s baffling decisions would be like employing me to write about football and then instead assign me with ‘Heart to Heart with Hillary’. It simply wouldn’t work, Petals.
David Beckham was in tears on the bench after being substituted. Perhaps it was the thought of defeat, perhaps the prospect of missing the rest of the tournament through injury. Or maybe it was because he was witnessing the end of an era for England as his replacement Aaron Lennon immediately struck fear into the Portuguese defenders with his pace and unpredictability. Sadly it was the predictable nature of England’s play that ultimately undid their chances in this World Cup, not helped a jot by Eriksson’s lack of guts to bring in the required replacements for his under-performing first eleven when things got tough. After Beckham’s decision to stand down as skipper it looks like they’re both gone, and whilst ‘Goldenballs’ has produced countless moments of magic for England over the last five years, who can say the same for Sven? The end of an era indeed, but not one that this England fan will ever hanker for.
Chinese lead the way
Think you’re a football addict? If so, ask yourselves if you’d go to the same lengths as one man in Beijing who refused to allow the small matter of a house fire disturb his concentration during a tense match between France and Spain last week. The fire spread quickly and began to gut the courtyard dwelling, according to the Beijing Daily Messenger.
“When the neighbours shouted “‘Fire!” I took my little baby and ran out in my nightclothes,” the man’s wife told the paper. “My husband paid no attention to the danger, just grabbed the television and put it under his arm. After getting out of the house, he then set about finding an electric socket to plug in and continue watching his game.”
Saddam has last laugh
Finally, former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been found guilty and sentenced to the death penalty. His last wish was that he could pick his own firing squad.
His choice? Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher to take the shots from 12 yards.

House of the Golden Coin back in first place again

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers - Rich, Mio, Somrak, Bill, Nual & Tui

House of the Golden Coin moved back into first place after taking three points from Jack & Tar and Grape Vine dropped to second after only winning one point and losing three to France. Caf้ Kronborg moved back into third place after beating Three Sisters three points to one. Friends took all four points from Montana and Montana dropped from third to fourth. Domicil took three points from Shenanigans, Caf้ Ole got three from VFW Post 9876 and Brother D won all four points from Mai’s Thai Restaurant. House of the Golden Coin’s Captain Mio bowled the best series of the week again as she knocked down 584 pins with games of 235, 158, and 191.

The Square Ring

by Howie Reed
I always like to recognize the readers’ contribution to this effort. One of the greats of the boxing game anywhere was the late Eddie Futch. Many of the top trainers in the game learned their craft at the knee of Mr. Futch. His love and devotion to the sport is carried on now through his wife, the “Lady Eva”. Thank you most sincerely for taking a stand on the issues of boxers’ safety Lady Eva.
Got a note from my pal Patrick the Flying Frog (of Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant in Pattaya). It was short and to the point:
“How can they allow this??”
What follows is the report that former “world lightweight challenger Hiroyuki Sakamoto (39-7, 29 KOs), dropped unranked Thai Samrong Wor Surapol (reportedly 3-3-1 with no KO’s), twice with his trade-mark left hooks prior to his quick KO win at 2:27 of the opening session.
Now to answer the question, “How can they allow this??” Easy. They, being the people that control Sakamoto, are following an agenda that worked for them before. In 1997 Sakamoto fights for the WBC lightweight title against Stevie Johnson and loses a “split decision”. No problem. He gets three wins against guys with a combined record of 29-46-9 so gets another WBC shot against Cesar Bazon only to loose a UD. How one sided was it? Maybe the best boxing judge Nevada’s Tony Castellano had it 117-111. That was in 1998.
Still no problem: Five rehab fights with average competition of 42-29-1 and comes yet another title shot against Gilberto Serrano for the WBA title. Appears that the WBC has finally seen the light. He drops Serrano twice in the first but the bout is stopped in the 5th as Sakamoto’s eye is closed. Going to the scorecards gave Serrano the win. Serrano then loses to Takanori Hatakeyama and guess who gets another title shot? Yep good old Hiroyuki Sakamoto, but alas he gets KO’d in 10. So in answer to the question, “How can they allow this??” Simple. The Sakamoto camp gets him fights against warm bodies and some ranking organization gives him a championship fight. Title fight equals money. Oh by the way, Thai Surapol had no “official” record and no KO’s - so at least some of his “reported” record was correct.
Figured out what fight actually took place on the Nonthaburi Pier. Undefeated David Nakomlung got to 13-0 and defended his ABCO super-fly title with a “UD” over Yuki Murai (11-8-4). The local news reported that, “both fighters excitingly exchanged blows for most of the 12-round bout and finally, for his more accurate punches, the Thai won 117-111 on all scorecards. David retained his regional crown for the eighth time.”
The math will tell you that Nakomlung won the title in his 6th fight. Heck of a title that.
While most believe that “as goes the heavyweight division, so goes boxing”, in this era of average heavyweights that is anything but fact. The current crop being harvested in the heavyweight field for champion status is either not ready for “prime time”, “overly ripe” or “been found wanting” on prevision occasions.
There is a ‘mashing of the teeth’ in the USA at present about the lack of Yank heavyweight champions, and them Yanks do the ‘mashing of the teeth’ thing really well. It’s gotten so bad that when Hasim Rahman (41-5-2) steps into the ring on August 12 in Las Vegas against Oleg Maskaev (32-5), he’ll be carrying the hopes of the USA. As a Yank of good standing, the thought of that is scary. The other alternative is Calvin Brock (29-0) whose win a couple of weeks ago against Timor Ibragimov (21-1-1) sent boxing fans running from the venue to hit the gaming halls of Las Vegas is an attempt to fight off boredom.
Now there are three heavyweight fights in the offing that while not in danger of changing the heavyweight landscape, may be of interest in their own way.
On the 26th of next month David Tua gets back in the ring again against ‘TBA’, which in ‘box talk’ means someone he can look good against. Tua does get trainer Roger Bloodworth who was there early in his career.
Evandler Holyfield, who won’t go away, like knock-off Rolex’s on the streets of Pattaya, fights in Dallas on August 21 against Jeremy “Master” Bates (21-11-1, 18 KOs). This is a battle of guys on losing streaks. Holyfield is 2-51 in this century while Bates is 8-10 last 18 and 0-2 recently. The best match-up on the horizon is only a rumor but it would bring together Samuel Peter against James Toney. With the current crop this fight would have ‘star power’.
Hope you got a chance to see Manny Pacquiao (42-3-2) vs. Oscar Larios (56-5-1) from Manila on Sunday morning. I watched with friends, even paying for the privilege. This ‘paying for the privilege’ thing violates one of my basic principles ... ‘Paying for anything.’
The days leading up to the fight had been filled with stories about Pacquiao not training as seriously as he should. Trainer Freddie Roach at one point said, “If he’s not here by Monday I’m going back to LA”. If you took away the cheering throng of Filipinos that packed the Ataneta Coliseum at 8am on Sunday morning, it was a disappointing performance for one of the most exciting boxers in the sport. He won an easy decision (117-110, 118-108, 120-106) with 2 knockdowns but it was not a stellar performance.
The Square Ring had it 119-108. Larios had Pacquiao in trouble early in the 3rd but then backed off. “I know he’s strong”, said Larios... Wrong answer. On this performance, if Pacquaio approached his fight with Morales in November in Vegas like he did this outing, look for the Mexican to wipe the floor with the “Pac Man”. Third man in the ring Bruce McTavish was brilliant in controlling the action but never being a part of the fight.
As everyone knows by now Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (62-2, 32 Ko’s) successfully defended his WBC flyweight title for the 15th time last Friday in Bangkok. As predicted, the win against Everardo Morales (27-11) didn’t call for a lot of ‘heavy lifting’. Morales was down twice and had a badly cut eye when the referee Bill Clancy of the USA stopped it at 55 seconds of the 4th.
Damrong Simakajornboon at ringside wrote: “The bout was very exciting from the opening bell as Wonjongkam wildly stalked Morales and weakened the Mexican with many tough body shots. In round two, Morales tried to counter the world champion by exchanging toe-to-toe, but there was no effect, moreover, he was sent to the canvas by a vicious left hook by the WBC king.”
It was almost the fight that wasn’t as Morales was 5 pounds over weight just days before. At the weigh-in he was “spot on” which means he either went on a crash diet or changed scales.
Jeeves: “Master I have a communiqu้ from a John M. Shall I read it?”
His Lordship: “Proceed Jeeves”
Jeeves: “He e-mails, ‘Receiving your stuff at this new address and I love it and I love you... hope to see you again before one of us dies’. What now Master?”
His Lordship: “I believe I’ll have a beverage, a cigar and a nap Jeeves.”

Roger ‘rocking’ with 2 wins for the week

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, June 26,
Green Valley - Stableford
Monday saw the Bunker Boy’s go to Green Valley for a Stableford competition. With thunderclouds rumbling all around Roger Privett didn’t let it put him off as he came into the clubhouse with a fine 40 points to win ahead of William Macey, who was four points behind with 36 points and a further point behind was Mashi Kaneta who took third place.

Roger Privett - A Flight winner at Pattaya Country Club
Near pin prizes were shared between Mashi Kaneta, Matty Anderson, Mikita Homma and William Macey.
Wednesday, June 28,
Mountain Shadow, Medal
On a windy day which played havoc with the golfers we played a Medal competition at Mountain Shadow Golf Course.
William Macey continued his run of good form, winning with a very credible net 77 considering the conditions. Mashi Kaneta claimed second spot with net 78 and Mick Ramshaw came third with net 82.
Only three par 3 greens were hit again because of the windy conditions so the prizes were shared between Bryan Rought, Mikita Homma and Mick Ramshaw and no near pin prize for William Macey for a change!
Pattaya Country Club
Pattaya Country Club was the venue for the second Stableford competition of the week for the Bunker Boys and again with rain threatening but never really materialising the round was completed successfully.
The cut was 17 and under and in the A Flight Roger Privett pipped his arch rival William Macey to take first prize finishing with 40 and 38 points respectively and Brian Bellis took third place with 36 points. In the B Flight Tony Geeland was third with 29 points, Arnold Van De Graaf came second with 30 points but nobody could get near Mick Ramshaw who shot his best round ever, finishing with a best score of the day 43 points!
Near pin prizes went to Donald Hendry, PJ Redmond, William Macey and Mick Ramshaw took the last one with the help of a ricochet off a tree to make it a memorable day for him!

Bowers - Best of the day

Diana Seniors & Ladies June Open

Mike Franklin
Geoff Bowers kept it under the wind to return an impressive 43 Stableford points in the Seniors category of the June Diana Seniors & Ladies Open at Pattaya Country Club. Thursday, June 29 was the day to remember with a fine round of golf played off his 12 handicap. Chris John took the Seniors runner-up spot with a creditable 38 points.

L-R June winners: John Hurst, Toy Theobald and Geoff Bowers.
Toy Theobald, playing off 30, had an equally memorable day scoring 41 points in the Ladies category, with mam Trayling runner-up on 35 points.
John Hurst popped up again for the Super Seniors, winning with 39 points, closely followed by Roy Pimblett with 37 points.
The technical prizes were well distributed amongst the 30 strong field. Near pins being claimed by Basil Foley #5, Mashi Kaneta #7, Fred Theobald #12 and Chris John #16. Mam Trayling sank the longest first putt on #9 and Graham Buckingham was longest on #18.
The weather was kind - overcast, warm and windy with (as is often the case at this course) a lot of rain the other side of Route 36.
Thursday, July 27 is the next Diana Seniors & Ladies Open playing Singles Stableford as usual at Pattaya Country Club. Sign up at the Green Bottle or at Diana Garden Resort Driving Range.

Keith Whittle wins big at Emerald

PSC golf from McAllister’s Bar & Grill

Friday, June 30,
The Emerald (handicaps in parentheses)
The wet weather was not enough to keep 24 hardy golfers away from Emerald last Friday where almost everyone played their round in showery conditions. The course is still undergoing some serious maintenance with most of the greens having been cored, and the fairways yielding many bare lies necessitating a lift clean and place rule to be in effect.

Winners: Moggy, Keith, Paul and Larry with the McAllister’s elves

The difficult conditions made Keith Whittle’s efforts even more outstanding, recording 39 points off his handicap of 25 to take first place. Moggy Morris (13) took second prize on count back with 36 points, followed by Paul Kraft (30) also with 36 points. Carl Baumann (27) came in fourth with 35 points on count back from Larry Ball (24). Those of us who have the pleasure of having a side-game with Carl can only hope that he does not find his putting stroke.
Back at McAllister Bar & Grill, Larry Willett continues to keep things running smoothly while Don continues to recover. The complimentary buffet accompanied by the drinks served by the ever-friendly staff made for a pleasurable afternoon as the golfers told of their heroic deeds on the course. Keith Whittle put his success down to the twelve months of hard slogging in Banchang making house calls up and down the street. We wish him a safe and happy holiday.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next Friday - tee off before 8:30 if possible at The Emerald and be assured of a great day of golf and merriment.