SPORTS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Supaleuk wins arm-wrestling championship for 4th straight year

Pattaya Beach Soccer 2007 kicks-off this Sunday

New, sensational flexibility aid for senior golfers

Ian Ashenden is getting married

Dave Spendley breaks the bank

Tough going at Eastern Star

Honesty abounds at Greenwood

Prakong back to form with a bang

The Beautiful Game?

The ‘Organiser’ storms to 46 points at The Emerald

Buckland braves the storm to beat a depleted field

Evans above, Andy returns to form

Smith & Barr pass stiff test

Neil and Wayne triumph in the rain

When you’re Hot, you’re Hot!

Montana clinches first place trophy

The Square Ring

PATTAPA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Supaleuk wins arm-wrestling championship for 4th straight year

Vimolrat Singnikorn

Supaleuk Sonprasert won the lightweight category arm wrestling contest for the fourth year in succession during the International Arm Wrestling Championships held at Royal Garden Plaza on March 17.

Royal Garden Plaza Manager Suwit Wattana (left) presents the winning prize to Supaleuk Somprasert, who won the lightweight (75kg) category for the fourth consecutive year.

Chairman of the event Chanyuth Hengtrakul, a former member of parliament for Chonburi Province Region 7, presented the prizes to all the category winners.

Now in its fourth year, the tournament was organized by the ‘Born to Be’ organization in conjunction with Royal Garden Plaza.

Royal Garden Plaza manager Suwit Wattana said that the competition had drawn a substantial field of overseas competitors, with Canada, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Russia, England, Finland, Sweden, the USA, Japan and Korea all well represented, in addition to a large attendance of local and visiting Thai arm wrestling enthusiasts

Supaleuk (right) gets ready to take on another opponent on his way to the title.

The lightweight category was for contestants of 75 kilograms and under, and the middleweight was for 95 kilograms and under. This year, in response to public demand, a heavyweight category of over 95 kilograms had also been added. The three classes between them resulted in a total of more than 30 bouts.

Three-times winner of the lightweight category Supaleuk Somprasert, from the Samutsakorn arm wrestling association, was cheered on as he squared up to Pornanan Juanjang, a freshman university student from Bangkok University. Supaleuk won the bout outright when Pornanan was unable to go into the second round because of a wrist injury.

The tournament drew many competitors from overseas, all eager to claim the mantle of being this year’s ‘strongman.’

In the middleweight competition, Jasaeb (a.k.a. Pol. Sgt Maj. Duangthong Kijyoschaipakorn) defeated Will Abney from the USA. Meanwhile, in the new heavyweight division Vladimir Bondarenko of Russia defeated Srinual Klinkularp, the heavyweight champion of Thailand.

The winners in the three weight classes received a purse of 15,000 baht each along with trophies, whilst the runners-up were awarded 5,000 baht for their efforts.


Pattaya Beach Soccer 2007 kicks-off this Sunday

The 2007 Pattaya Beach Soccer tournament gets underway at Jomtien this weekend with 27 teams battling it out on the sand.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Pattaya City Hall announced at a meeting held March 23 that this year’s Pattaya Beach Soccer 2007 tournament will kick-off this Sunday, April 1, with the week long competition reaching its climax the following Sunday, April 8.

The tournament will take place at the multipurpose field on Jomtien Beach and will be divided into 3 categories: youth under 12 years of age, 15 year-olds, and adults.

This year there will be 27 teams participating with the Khrua Serf A and B teams earmarked as the early favourites. The Pattaya Mass Media Club will also be taking part for the first time this year.

The winners in the adult category will receive 10,000 Baht and a trophy; the runner up will receive 7,000 Baht, whilst the third and fourth placed teams will pick up 5,000 Baht and 3,000 Baht respectively.

Both of the winning youth teams will receive 5,000 Baht and a trophy, with the minor placed teams picking up in order 3,000 Baht, 2,500 Baht and 2,000 Baht along with trophies.


New, sensational flexibility aid for senior golfers

Mike Franklin

Sventi Tumi, President of Tumi Ergonomics, has announced the launch of a sensational flexibility aid for senior and aging golfers.

The Baktumi SS 90 golf ball and ‘High 5’ glove look set to revolutionize the game of golf for senior players.

Senior golfers, generally categorized at an age of 60 years or more, inevitably suffer a loss of agility and flexibility the older they get. Most golf clubs compensate for loss of distance by providing forward tees that help in one respect. However, stooping to pick up, clean and replace the ball under ‘winter rules’ can be an effort. Lining up and placing the ball on the putting green requires similar effort, and the euphoria of sinking the putt can be diminished by the effort of having to bend to retrieve the ball from the cup.

The legendary Sam Snead, who died on the eve of his 90th Birthday in May 2002, was able to stoop to retrieve his ball from the cup without bending his knees. An amazing athlete, ‘Slamming Sam’ is the inspiration behind Tumi Ergonomics coming up with a revolutionary aid that compensates for loss of flexibility, namely the Baktumi SS 90 golf ball.

So, if physical retrieval is difficult with the advancing years, then why not get the ball to come to you.

Thus evolved the sensational Baktumi SS 90 golf ball, containing an electro-magnetic micro-chip at its core. However, that in itself was not enough as the ball needed to react to something, so a special golf glove was devised - the Baktumi ‘High 5’ glove. It is a conventional design golf glove in a choice of leather or synthetic material, with a non-removable stud ball marker on the wrist, but containing a tiny electro-magnetic switch. By pointing the glove stud, (on, or off the hand like the professionals), at a distance of up to 2 feet above the cup between glove stud and ball, and firmly depressing the stud, the ball will react magnetically and jump from the cup to be caught in the hand. If not caught first time, just repeat the process again.

The operational height of up to 2 feet should allow ball retrieval with just a slight bending at the waist and with the knees kept straight ‘Snead style. Clearly the stud must not be depressed when lining up the ball to putt, as it will ‘jump into play’ and incur a two-stroke penalty.

Searching for a Baktumi SS 90 ball in the rough or a hazard is also helped considerably by this technology. Slight pressure on the Baktumi ‘High 5’ glove stud will react with the ball within a distance of 2 yards, emitting a quietly audible ‘beep-beep’ signal that will increase in frequency the closer to the ball you are. A red pin-point in the stud flashes at the same frequency, as the quietly audible signal may be a problem for the hard of hearing. Hearing aids are best switched off when playing with Baktumi aids, to avoid the possibility of annoying feed-back

Once found, the ball, if appropriate within the Rules of Golf, can be retrieved by the same process as applied on the green. A wooden Baktumi tee peg will also be available for location and retrieval on the teeing ground using the Baktumi ‘High 5’ glove stud.

Tumi Ergonomics has yet to seek USGA and R&A approval for the Baktumi SS 90 ball and the Baktumi ‘High 5’ golf glove ranges. The Baktumi tee peg will not require approval as it is not in play.

However, the Baktumi SS 90 ball and Baktumi ‘High 5’ glove combination is ideal for social golf that probably makes up the majority of senior golfer outings. The ball and glove can, of course, be used independently as normal equipment.

Baktumi balls will be available in packs of two-dozen together with a Baktumi ‘High 5’ glove and a dedicated electronic signal. Further supplies of the ball will be available from the factory with the same dedicated signal applied.

Generously offering a playing partner a Baktumi SS 90 ball to play with, or a Baktumi tee peg on which to place a normal ball, does open up opportunities for the more creative mind to have a little fun during a social round! However, care is advised in this regard.

Further details of this exciting new product can be found at www.tumiergonomics.com or e-mail [email protected]


Ian Ashenden is getting married

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, March 18, Green Valley – White Tees, Stableford
A Flight

1
st Bob Patterson (8) 43 points
2
nd Jack Grindvold (7) 43 points
3
rd Peter LeNoury (10) 41 points
B Flight
1
st Ian Grout (14) 40 points
2
nd Jim Munns (12) 40 points
3
rd Seamus Cotter (14) 38 points
C Flight
1
st Geoff Kubas (20) 42 points
2
nd Pete Stonebrige (16) 39 points
3
rd Dave Porter (16) 39 points
D Flight
1
st Robbie Bennett (21) 42 points
2
nd Pierre Bietry (22) 42 points
3
rd Oddvar Rykke (22) 39 points
NP’s:
Rick Sharp, Jim Wickstrom, Paul Shaw, Mark Wood
2’s:
Bob Patterson, Graham Holmes, Jim Wickstrom, Adi Mayer, Mark Wood, Kris Kritsanajootha, Jim Munns, Seamus Cotter, J.J. Wright, Paul Shaw, Brain Prudden

I realize the title has nothing to do with golf but it was the most remarkable thing about the week. The word is that because former Pattaya teaching pro Ian broke his hand on his last visit to Pattaya, he had to get hitched to have any companionship. Anyway that is what somebody said.

On to golf: The co-MoM of the day on the nearly defenseless Sunday-set-up at Green Valley was the newly retired Golf Manager, the Senator. Bob’s performance galvanized how much easier it is to play if you don’t spend the morning herding cats. Bob still needed a count back, however, to claim the A Flight top step, from the day’s Medalist, Jack Grinvold who shot gross 72. Hard luck Jack!

Peter LeNoury’s magnificent 41 points was only good for third, whilst Graham Holmes went home with nothing but the 40 points in his hand. Eleven of the seventeen players in A Flight were in the 70’s, gross!

Big scores continued in the junior flight as Robbie Bennett’s 42 points had a more favorable inward split than did Pierre Bietry’s. Oddvar the Tent Maker came third with 39.

Geoff Kubas topped out C Flight with 42 points, three clear of foursome mates Pete Stonebridge and Dave Porter. Turnabout is fair play, as the Headmaster reversed last Sunday’s count back loss to the Valet’s Best Friend to take the silver.

Ian “The Tile” Grout tied Capt. Fogg for B Flight gold, but then prevailed in the count back. Seamus Cotter needed a count back as well to grab third from the Hermit. Seamus’ 38 points was the lowest paying score of the day!

Monday, March 19,
Bangpra – White Tees, Stableford

A Flight

1
st Steve Mulberry (11) 42 points
2
nd Bob St. Aubin (11) 41 points
3
rd Kris Kritsanajootha (9) 38 points
B Flight
1
st Brian Prudden (19) 41 points
2
nd Pierre Bietry (22) 39 points
3
rd David Driscoll (24) 38 points
2’s:
Steve Mulberry, Gary Blackburne, Peter LeNoury, Gary Blackburne, Peter LeNoury, Tony Molloy, Bob Patterson, Pierre Bietry (2), Eddy Beilby

Steve Mulberry picked up the cue from Sunday and decided to emasculate the tough Bangpra greens with 42 points, one clear of A Flight mate Bob St. Aubin. Kris Krits tossed in 38 points to round out the premier Flight.

Brian Prudden, in one of his last rounds of this visit, made it worthwhile as his 41 points were two clear in B Flight of Monsieur Pierre and David “The Eskimo” Driscoll.

Wednesday, March 21,
Royal Lakeside – White Tees, Stableford

A Flight

1
st Tik Mayer (14) 40 points
2
nd Doug Williams (1) 38 points
3
rd Adi Mayer (5) 36 points
B Flight
1
st Dave Schelling (22) 43 points
2
nd David Driscoll (22) 42 points
3
rd Yui Duangkaew (36) 41 points
2’s:
Dave Schelling
The gang took the always-intriguing drive up the freeway to Royal Lakeside. Each journey there seems to provide some grist for the weekly article. The comic relief this time was provided by three Irish rovers in the persons of Pat Regan, Dave McFeely and Mossy Quaid. Although there were recriminations and cross-recriminations as to whether it was navigator error or pilot error, suffice it to say that when the lads reached the outskirts of Chaing Mai there was consensus that they missed the turn off.

Dave Shelling topped the one point waterfall that was to make up the B Flight podium . The Eskimo was next, with the divine Ms Yui coming third with 41 points.

In what was a day of better looking podiums than usual, Tik Mayer topped out A Flight with her masterful 40 points, two more than single handicapper Doug Williams, who shot gross 71, and four more than her husband, Adi.

Friday, March 23,
Crystal Bay A & B – White Tees, Stableford

A Flight

1
st Hugh Byrne (9) 39 points
2
nd Brett Chan (10) 37 points
3
rd John Haugen (9) 34 points
B Flight
1
st Bob Lindborg (19) 37 points
2
nd Brian Prudden (19) 35 points
3
rd Dave Driscoll (22) 35 points
2’s:
Brett Chan, Gary Blackburne, Bob Lindborg, Dave Driscoll, Dave McFeely, Colin Davis

Irishman Hugh Byrne edged Canadian, and first time player, Brett Chan by two points to take A Flight. John Haugen needed a count back to separate himself from Aussie Dave Palmer and Brit Ray Dell.

In B Flight, The Guru of Green Valley showed he was more than a one trick pony as his 37 points on the A and B courses of Crystal Bay topped B Flight. Brian Prudden edged the Eskimo on count back to sort out the B Flight silver and bronze.


Dave Spendley breaks the bank

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, March 19,
Green Valley, Stableford

1st Dave Thomas, 39pts
2nd Alan Griffiths, 38 (c/b)
3rd Konrad Klama, 38pts
4th Peter Ingham, 36pts

Dave Thomas made an infrequent but welcome visit to The Haven and walked away with the day’s top honours. Dave shot an excellent round of three-under to deny the on-form but seemingly always bridesmaid Alan Griffiths, who had to be happy with second place ahead of Konrad Klama on count back, with Peter Ingham another couple of strokes behind in fourth spot.
There were no 2’s in the Second Division but Phil Groves and Dave Thomas shared the pool in the First Division.
Before presenting the prizes, The Doc, standing in for the still ailing Richard, welcomed back Davis Wolstencraft, Martin Hayes and Yves Phillibert.

Wednesday, March 21,
Crystal Bay, Stableford

1st Dave Spendley, 42pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer, 41pts
3rd Bob Heath, 39pts
4th Paul Hartley, 36pts (c/b)
5th David Kim, 36pts

It is not often at The Haven that someone scores 41 points and it is even rarer when that player does not win, but that was the case at Crystal Bay, not usually numbered among the easiest of courses, as Dave Spendley put all his construction worries behind him to record his best score by far since work on his new home commenced some 4 years ago.
The unlucky second placed man was Trevor Schirmer, who has also been going through a bit of a lull in his recent performances, although 34 and 35 points have been securing him a few podium places in the singles competitions.
Captain Bob Heath also counted himself to be unfortunate in having to take third place with a usually good enough score of 39 points, but he had a comfortable three shot cushion over Paul Hartley and David Kim who had to be separated by count back.
Once again there were no 2’s in the Second Division and also none in the First Division.
Prior to the prize giving The Doc welcomed back Koji Yamada, David Kim, Gary Crutchfield and Tony Quaid.

Friday, March 23,
Pattaya C.C., Stableford

1st Serge Straeten, 35pts (c/b)
2nd Alan Griffiths, 35pts (c/b)
3rd Trevor Schirmer, 35pts

Serge Straeten emerged from a long period in the doldrums to record an unlikely win with only 35 points over the benign Pattaya layout. Serge had an outstand back nine of 20 to easily see off the much weaker efforts of Alan Griffiths and Trevor Schirmer, both of whom looked very good on the outward half but proved less than adequate over the closing holes.
Serge also took the rollover in the First Division 2’s pool whilst there was once again a dearth in the Second Division, making it three times this week without a winner.
Back at the Haven The Doc welcomed back Walt Straub.


Tough going at Eastern Star

PSC golf from The CaféKronborg

Thursday, March 22, Eastern Star, Stableford

You may have noticed there is no write up for Monday, and also guessed why. Yes, the boys were rained off. It seems that there is a lot of rain about at present.

Thursday’s A Flight winner Rob Brown

On Thursday we were off to Eastern Star, and we gathered at the first tee under dark skies, hoping the rain would stay away. It was obvious on the course that the area had seen plenty of recent rain, as there was lots of green grass growth and the rough was not brown and dry as it has been of late.

This is always a difficult course to score on and most players find this a tough 18 holes. On this day the scores were also as expected. In the A Flight (0-15) the winner was Rob Brown with 36 points ahead of Johan Reynisson in second with 35 points and Ebrahim in third with 32 points.

In the B Flight the winner was Peter Hammond with 37 points, ahead of Koji Yamada with 35 points and Michael Winfield in third with 34 points.
T.T.F.N.

Near Pin:
Ebrahim, Derek Brook, Kevin Dunne (2)
Long Put:
Lotte Baskov, Johan Reynisson


Honesty abounds at Greenwood

PSC golf from the Bowling Green

Barry Hooper

Tuesday, March 20, Plutaluang, Stableford
Play Abandoned due to torrential rain and heavy mist

Thursday, March 22, Greenwood, Stableford

A Flight (0-20)

1
st Dick Warberg (19) 40pts
2
nd Tom Herrington (16) 39pts
3
rd Mashi Kaneta (11) 38pts
B Flight (21 up)
1
st Cary Clark (22) 38pts
2
nd Greg Mason (23) 37pts c/b
3
rd Terry Hopkins (23) 37pts
Near Pins:
Mike Wardman, Fergus Brennan, Mashi Kaneta, Bob Short
2’s:
John Merritt, Bob Short, Bernie Segrave.

Petter Anderson penalised himself four shots after having discovered that he played the wrong ball, and Tom Herrington penalised himself two shots for a practise swing that hit a branch. It did not stop him taking second place in the “A” flight though

Two flights this week played of the white tees on A & B with Dick Warberg and Cary Clark taking the top honours in each flight.

Saturday, March 17, Eastern Star, Stableford
A Flight (0-21)

1
st Joe O’Driscoll (15) 36pts
2
nd Bob St. Aubin (13) 35pts
3
rd Brian Gabe (21) 35pts
B Flight B (21 up)
1
st Mod Chauraksa (30) 37pts
2
nd Naders Lindmark (25) 37pts
3
rd Graham Buckingham (23) 36pts
Near Pins
: David Thomas, David Wood, Pat Regan, Bob St.Aubin
2’s
: Bernie Segrave, David Thomas
Two flights off the white tees saw some good golf in tough conditions.

Joe O’Driscoll rose to the top in the premier flight with Bob St. Aubin taking second spot and Brian Gabe third.

Mod Chauraksa won the “B” flight from Anders Lindmark on count back with Graham Buckingham a point further adrift in third.

If any one is interested in golfing with the Bowling Green we play every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at Bowling Green at 7:45am for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 or the Bowling Green on 038-720742 or send an email to [email protected].


Prakong back to form with a bang

Phoenix Members Golf Society

Wednesday,
March 21, Stableford

Today we had 24 players (16 members and 8 guests) on the Mountain and Lakes course. The day started off nice and sunny but after 4 or 5 holes the heavens opened. After about 40 minutes the rain abated and by the time we had finished even the caddies had dried out.

Friday’s winners Prakong Robinson (center) and Nigel Irvine (left) with Mike Gerrard.

Terry Turner returned our best guest score with 32 points with Paul Buckland coming a close second on 31 points.

For the members it was nice to see Prakong Robinson back in form, shooting 40 points to win the day. Second with 36 points was our Members Chairman Ron Bridge, just easing out (on count back) Geoff Bowers in third place, also with 36 points.

Technical prizes went to Neils Johanssen, Geoff Bowers, Mike Poustie (2) and Mike Gerrard whilst the only ‘2’ on the day was recorded by Uli Leuenberger (73 years old and still walking the course). Meanwhile a special short putt prize went to young Chazzie Poustie (only 6 yrs old).

Friday, March 23, Stableford

Prakong Robinson secured her second victory of the week with a fine 39-point haul. Playing off the yellow tees, this was a good performance. Mike Gerrard, also hitting a bit of form lately came in second with 38 points from the back tees and third was a new member to the group, Dennis Choo scoring a fine 35 points,

The Guests’ winner was Nigel Irvine with 29 points and second was Patrick Martin with 27 points. Both were gob-smacked to learn they had won the first two places.

Technicals went to Alan Collinge (2), Nigel Irvine, Terry Oconner, Geoff Bowers and Patrick Martin.

Sunday, March 25, Stableford

It was a strange day today with many regulars missing, and especially after having such a full field on Friday. Only 10 players showed up on a fine and clear day.

First place in the sole flight went to newly established member David Czernie with 40 points. I think if my calculations under the Mike Poustie system are correct David will be cut 6 or 7 shots for next week. Second was Annette Haraldsson with 37 points and third was Niels Johannessen with 36 points.

Technical prizes were claimed by John Cargill, Steen Poulsen and Lasse Eriksson.


The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Premiership Returns

Sometimes I really, REALLY wish I could practice what I preach. Only seven short days ago I suggested in these very pages that painting the fence or watching grass grow would be more enticing than another weekend of international football. Unfortunately that was proved to be all too accurate (unlike the strikers of a particular nation).

I say unfortunately because rather than take satisfaction about having predicted another round of dross, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be proved wrong and have good reason to get excited about international fixtures. Put some flags up, maybe. Paint my face. But instead it was the usual story of doom and gloom, just as it always seems to be.

Whilst the audience of this newspaper is an international one which will hold me back from giving England the full treatment they deserve, there’s a lot of space to cover and one paragraph won’t do any harm. England were appalling in Israel, and writing before Wednesday’s fixture against a ski resort nestling in between France and Spain (sorry Andorrans) the English side hadn’t won in five games and scored just once in those fixtures. Yes it’s time for second-choice Steve to do the decent thing, but you can’t blame him entirely and I wonder about the player’s commitment to the cause.

Oh alright, two paragraphs and that’s it. The English team are supposedly a ‘golden generation’ that should be competing for world honours, but for all I can see they’re a bunch of clueless primadonnas who can’t string three passes together and who seem happy thumping long balls up to pint-sized Andy Johnson. Fantastic.

Well anyway, let’s move on with congratulations to Scotland, who gave new boss Alex McLeish something to cheer about with a late win against Georgia to move top of their group. At least someone’s doing well and the Jocks can also take heart from moving into the top 16 of the FIFA rankings, if you believe in that kind of thing.

And that’s not all. I heard a curious footballing tale the other day which may or may not have any truth behind it. Back when football began England would play against Scotland on a fairly frequent basis and the winner took away with them the title of ‘World Champions’, as they had every right to do as the only two nations playing the game. This cosy little world order continued for some time until ‘Johnny Foreigner’ wanted a piece of the action and began playing football himself, which of course meant that the title was passed around from nation to nation whenever the current champs were beaten.

They tell me that were you to follow the results of the international fixtures since then - and of course someone with nothing better to do has done just that - then until the weekend it was Georgia who could claim themselves as unlikely World Champs, before unfortunately coming a cropper against the Scots at the weekend. So even if you’re reading this after your boys have lost in Italy on Wednesday, the Scots amongst you can at least take solace from having stood at the top of world football for a few days.

Right, so before I take a running jump off the nearest hotel roof it’s time to put international football back into its box for the last time before June, when I’ll suddenly develop a love for the beautiful international game as there’ll be no domestic soccer to keep us busy. Until then, though, the focus will remain on a diet of mostly European football sprinkled with the odd story from around the globe when we’re running low on stories, just as it always should be.

Just before we move on though, and not because it’s a slow news week, spare a thought for the players of Trinidad and Tobago. The ‘Soca Warriors’ squad all retired from international football last week after being offered just 485 pounds each (31,000 baht) for their efforts at last year’s World Cup, despite the belief that a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal had been signed with sportswear company Adidas. The squad later retracted their retirements but pressed ahead with court action against the Trindad and Tobago Football Association. Good luck to them - being paid less than the cost of two weeks in Pattaya for a month’s outdoor work in a foreign country just ain’t good enough.

“What have we got this weekend then?” I hear you ask. Well it’s back to the Premiership this weekend, and what’s more the start of British Summer Time means that kick-offs are an hour earlier, which sounds like an excuse to watch more football if ever you needed one. And that’s not all, because Saturday’s early game - at 6:45pm Pattaya time - features what could be a humdinger between Arsenal and Liverpool. Or at least it should be a humdinger, but with both sides looking safe for a top four finish it could turn into a bit of a damp squib. Still, even if it does there’s still a whole load of other matches to whet the appetite this weekend, and after the tosh served up last week it’s a welcome return for the domestic game. With just six weeks of the season remaining, enjoy it while it lasts.

Saints fans get ‘Krankie’

A bronze statue of former Southampton footballer and manager Ted Bates was removed from outside the club’s St.Mary’s ground last week, just days after it had been unveiled.

The statue had been greeted with dismay from the club’s supporters, many of whom contributed towards the cost of the 112,000 pound figure. They say the statue’s arms are too long, legs are too short and the head too large. The statue has been compared to former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric and even the cheeky schoolboy character Jimmy Krankie played by a stumpy middle-aged woman.

During his time in charge at Southampton, Bates took the side into the First Division for the first time in 1965, and also presided over their first European matches.

‘Quote of the Week’

“It’s not the crucial game for Championship qualification. But it is a very, very crucial game. The whole qualification goes one way or the other with this result.” - Glenn Hoddle offers his unique insight on international football management after England’s draw with Israel.


The ‘Organiser’ storms to 46 points at The Emerald

IPGC Jomtien Golf

Monday, March 19,
The Emerald, Stableford

Monday saw a trip to The Emerald for a Stableford competition.
After a few months in the golfing doldrums, a remarkable and embarrassing 46-point total was recorded by the organiser to take the top position in Division 2. This sort of score is normally unheard of in an I.P.G.C. competition, but it happens. 10 points behind in second place was Chris Knapp, and in third with 33 points was Ken Foster beating Richard Baldotto on count back.

Ben Findon’s 36 points secured first place in Division 1 with Adrian Shelley second on 34 and Yasuo’s 33 points beating four others on count back for third.

Paddy (Del Boy) Wilson, Bob Martin and Raivo Velsberg shared the 2’s pot in Division 1 and there were no winners in Division 2. Near pins were scored by Richard Baldotto. Ted Morris and Raivo Velsberg

Wednesday, March 21,
Greenwood, Stableford

In today’s Stableford competition in Division 2, the ever-improving Bob Lathwell scored 38 points to beat Les Hall on count back for the top honours. Glyn Evans finished third with 35 points. The same winning score was recorded in Division 1 with John McLoone taking the top place ahead of Ben Findon in second with 35 points and Andy Shelley third with 33.

John Mcloone and Jan Sordal both had birdie 2’s on the A6 hole to win the Division 1 pot, but there were no winners in Division 2 yet again.

Grenville Hill, Les Hall, John McLoone and Miss Oam all won near pin prizes.

Friday, March 23,
Eastern Star, Stableford

A larger field than normal arrived for our regular Friday outing at Eastern Star.

A second 38-point score of the week secured Bob Lathwell first position in Division 2 with the Windmill’s Alan Duckett second on 34, Miss Nom third with 31 and the old man fourth with 29 on a count back.

A meagre 33 points for Ken Lill won the higher division first prize; beating Mikael Andersson’s identical score on a back three count back. There were 4 players tying for third and fourth positions with 32 points; the mathematics sided with Grenville who took third and Jan who took fourth on count back.

Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at Paweenas in Soi 5 Jomtien Beach Road at around 9.00pm for a 10.30 tee off time. Please sign up in the bar or ring Glyn on 0868375464.


Buckland braves the storm to beat a depleted field

IPGC golf from The Caddy Shack

Tuesday, March 20,
Pattaya C.C., Medal

A Medal comp was held at Pattaya C.C. on what turned out to be a very frustrating day. Minutes after teeing off the thunder and lightning struck and everyone fled for cover. After one hour we returned but when the bad weather came back again, most of the players called it a day after completing only 9 holes.

The few remaining who finished the course saw Paul Buckland take first place with a net 70, Steve Nowell in second with net 75 and Bev Evans third with net 77.

The 2’s were shared between Emmet White, Damian Trant and Steve Nowell.

Friday, March 23,
The Emerald, Stableford

Friday saw a trip to Ban Chang on a very hot and humid day.

The cut was made at handicap 14 and under and in Division One, Al McGrory’s 40-point total proved to strong for the rest of the flight, with Steve Nowell finishing second two points adrift. Division Two saw Roy Mitchell take top honours with 40 points and Brian Kelly in second with 35 points.

Dave Smith and Al McGrory both recorded a ‘2’ to share the pot between them.


Evans above, Andy returns to form

PSC golf from Tropical Berts

Tuesday, March 20,
Greenwood, Stableford

As is well known to all the golfers, this is a fine course, at a fine rate, with the only draw back being its distance from Pattaya. Mind if you are a golfer and are on the bus it really does not matter, except you have to be awake to get off the bus. On this day the bus was full as the players relaxed before the hard work to come.

Andy Evans enjoyed a fine day both on and off the course.

Stood on the first tee it was obvious there had been quite a lot of rain in the last few days as the course looked lush and in fine condition. The fairways were green, and as we found out during the round so were the greens and most of the rough.

Under dark skies we started the round on a course that was lightly populated and we went around A & B at a brisk pace. This was good because as we entered the B nine, it started to drizzle and the winds started to rise but we still got around without any dramas.

Back at Bert’s with a few of his cold ones inside, the winner was declared as Andy Evans, who came back to form to with a fine 39 points. Rob Brown came in second with 37 points and Derek Brook was in third with 36 points.

T.T.F.N.
Near Pin:
Derek Brook (2) Rob Brown, Don Carmody
Long Put: Kevin Dunne, Andy Evans.


Smith & Barr pass stiff test

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Sunday, March 18, the Pattaya Golf Society paid a call on the Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang for another of its Sunday “Specials”, this time a stableford competition over the North and West nines. The course was very dry with hard fairways and firm greens, all of which posed a tough assignment to the golfers.

It was to be a day when the thinking golfers would make their impact and Ray Underwood set the initial pace with a finely crafted 34 points to eventually give him third place. Leading the field was the indomitable pair of Keith Barr and Denis Smith. For Keith his level par 36 points was a sign of his increasing consistency and for Denis, the “gaffer”, his similar score was a bonus for tolerance and perseverance. Who said “Nice guys don’t win”? They certainly did on this occasion.

Surprisingly there were no birdie 2’s on the par threes, even Kasu Agune breaking his winning habit of late, but the ‘Booby Bevy’ was still lurking back at the OK Corral, and it found an appropriate winner in Andy Bardill, making his debut with the group and shooting the day’s worst score. Welcome Andy, good times still lie ahead.

Multinational leaderboard at stormy Emerald

A heavily overcast day dawned on Tuesday, March 20 as the Pattaya Golf Society set out for Emerald to play a stableford competition and the heavens duly opened as the third group took to the tee, to the accompaniment of rolling thunder and flashing forks of lightning.

The two flights would have been forgiven if they had abandoned their efforts there and then but, with the exception of four players, they completed their task in style, to return saturated scorecards to the recorder. It was a memorable day as seven nations were represented on the leaderboard across the two flights with some extremely creditable performances given the conditions.

In the second flight, cut at 22 and over, England’s Ian Hart took third place with a score of 32 points, three behind Canada’s Keith Barr, so consistent of late, and a further shot behind American Paul Quodomine whose level par 36 points heralded a very welcome return to form.

In the top flight, Dutchman Joop Medze tied with Thai lady Saranya Chaiyanont for third with 32 points, only one behind Sweden’s Mikael Andersson whilst Finn Erik Anttonen took the flight honours with a steady 36 points, sharing the day’s best gross figures with the aforementioned Mikael.

Erik also had the honour of a birdie ‘2’ on the seventh whilst Saranaya did likewise on the fifteenth to share the 2’s pot.

Celebrating three eventual years of golf at the OK Corral, Mr. Denis had very kindly donated two “nearest-the-pin” prizes and these were won by David Thomas on the seventh and John Mason on the fifteenth. The ‘Booby Bevy’ went to Japanese golfer Kasu Agune for failing to register his trademark birdie ‘2’ in a round of stunning mediocrity.

The true winners on the day were the bedraggled golfers who had weathered the worst that Emerald and the elements could throw at them.

Greenwood, Underwood, 44!

Three years ago Pattaya golfers could be forgiven for thinking that Noble Place was definitely in the “Land that Time Forgot.” They rarely went there because of the horrors of the drive and the general condition of the course. But how things have changed. A little investment in the right places has brought about a transformation and the Greenwood course is now one of the Pattaya Golf Society’s favourites.

The group visited there on Thursday for a stableford competition over the B and A nines. Two flights were divided at 23 and under and the day was to throw up some pleasant surprises.

In a competitive top flight, David Thomas fired the day’s best gross figure of 78 to give him third place with a score of 36 points, whilst Erik Anttonen went two-under with 38 points for second place. The flight winner was Joop Medze and his 39 points marked his best return with the PGS.

In the second flight Paul Quodomine, Andy Bardill and ladies Margaret Wilkinson and Mod Churaiska all shared third place with their 32 point returns, three behind the 35 points of Tony Kitchen. Lording it at the top was Ray Underwood who massacred the course with some deft and at times fortunate golf to amass 44 points and set the best score record with the group for 2007.

Such was the enormity of his score that his net return was four less than his age and promises a large cut in his handicap. It could not have happened to a finer competitor and if the truth be known it has been coming for the last few weeks. Well done Ray!

There were three birdie 2’s, Erik Anttonen managing the feat on A6 and B2 and a blushing Margaret Wilkinson took the third with her birdie on the long par-three “A” second.

The ‘Booby Bevy’ went to Rob Hill for the only nil return of the day and would serve to remind him that in stableford such events are rare, except when a caddy runs off with one’s golf bag! Greenwood had been a treat and for Ray Underwood it was certainly a day to remember.


Neil and Wayne triumph in the rain

PSC golf from the Oohsa Bar

Tuesday, March 20,
Eastern Star, Stableford
This week was a story of rain followed by more rain.

(L-R): Wayne Farrell, Bah (waitress Oohsa Bar), Yves Philibert and Neil Duncan.

Our Tuesday outing to Eastern Star on the 20th promised much at the start. When we arrived, the course looked good and the weather was hot. But by the middle of the first nine the heavens opened. Within minutes everything was under water, lightning was flashing all around and everyone was exceedingly wet. In short, a complete wash-out, competition cancelled.
Thursday, March 22,
Plutaluang, Stableford
Having dried ourselves out after Tuesday’s wash-out, 19 players set off for Plutaluang. Again the day started well and we were assigned to the difficult North and West nines.
With the round well under way, guess what? Rain again! It wasn’t as severe as the lightning storm on Tuesday so we pressed on. Some manage better in the rain than others and the winning scores were excellent under the circumstances.
Two of this month’s in-form players, Neil Duncan and Wayne Farrell fared best with 36 points apiece. Neil took first place narrowly on count back 17 to Wayne’s 16 in the worst of the conditions.
Well done also to Yves Philibert in third place with 35 points on this difficult course on a very difficult day.
Near Pins:
Mick Heatley, Peter Mills, Yves Philibert, Paul Smylie
Long Putt:
Phil Dwyer
Next week we will play at Emerald on Tuesday, April 3 and Plutaluang on Thursday, April 5, Call in tot the Oohsa Bar and sign up.


When you’re Hot, you’re Hot!

Beaver Bar Golf

Pictured from left-right: Sus, Gordon, Apple, Herb and Bob

Amazing is the only description that can be used in commentary on the play of Phanom Jitchana, better known as Apple, at the weekly Friday Beaver outing at Emerald.

This has been the norm of late, and many players were left wondering if “it’s the humidity” or “the heat generated from the smoking shots from Apple’s clubs” causing the perspiration to flow. With back-to-back birdies on the tough 6th and 7th holes and a lone dropped shot on number 8, Apple maneuvered the front nine with a stupendous 35 gross. A brief spring shower at the turn failed to cool her off as Apple, playing off a 12 handicap, shot a 78 on the day to account for 42 stableford points, easily outdistancing the nearest competitors in the A Flight.

Calvin “Sus” Ige and Roy Thorton each managed 37 points with 19 of them on the back nine, but Sus outscored Roy 16 - 12 on the final six holes to claim the 2nd place money.

Aussie Bob Laurence handily won the B Flight with an equally impressive 42 stableford points, while Gordon Everingham scored 38 points and Herb Schwieterman 35 to capture 2nd and 3rd places respectively. The cut-off was 18+ for the B Flight and golfers with handicaps of 17 or less comprised the A Flight.

A special “Thank You” needs to go out to Jimmy Little for placing the near pin makers on the correct par 3’s. This is the first time this has happened in over a month. The winners were Apple on hole #5 and Dave Wolstencroft on hole #13. As predicted Apple was able to draw out the maximum 500 Baht Beaver discount voucher, while Dave could only manage a 100 Baht voucher. When you’re hot, etc.

Back at the Beaver, Dennis Willett was the source of much of the entertainment well into the evening. He may well heed the advice of those with more acute eyesight in the future rather than face that type of abuse again. Each Friday the Beaver plays at the Emerald with a 7:45 starting time.


Montana clinches first place trophy

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers – Mai, Tien, Leo, Ooy, Leen, Dang & Tui

Montana clinched the first place trophy with one week to go after they took all four points in their match against last place Domicil. VFW Post 9876 won all four points from House of the Golden Coin and remain in second place.

Diamond Shop also won four points in their match against Café Kronborg. Diamond Shop moved up to third place and Café Kronborg dropped down to a tie for sixth. Jack & Tar moved up to fifth place after they took three points from Shenanigans. Café Ole won all four points from Mai’s Thai Restaurant and Brother D took three points from Three Sisters.

Leo led all bowlers with a 598 series, games of 230, 168 & 200, Mai – 583 series, Rich – 564, La – 532, Leen 527, Dang 523 and Konrad – 523.


The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

“M’lord, is it possible that the gentleman you called a moron last week, i.e. promoter Dennis Rappaport, is a lot smarter than his lordship? “I know I shouldn’t bring this up, but last week you made fun of Mr. Rappaport when he announced that Oleg Maskaev would defend his title against Vitali Klitschko in Moscow on June 2 and that Samuel Peter drank the Kool Aid in taking ‘step aside money’ with the promise of a kiss and cigarette later.”

It would appear Jeeves that you are correct, and I, as rare as it may be, was wrong. It’s interesting though that while the Briggs-Ibragimov has a venue in the 12,000 seat Lizhniki Sports Palace in Moscow on that date, no TV deal is set. On the other hand, TV Cable giant HBO is said to have been the driving force for Maskaev-Klitschko.

For those outside the USA, the first Saturday of each month (Sunday in LOS) features matching boxing cards on HBO and Showtime. Both Biggs and Maskaev have fought on HBO. There’s a news report from ‘inside’ the Maskaev camp that HBO will televise his meeting with Klitschko.

The ‘insider’ reported: “Subject to finalizing some details, it looks like there’s a good chance we’re going to go June 2nd in Moscow. If we had the opportunity (to move the date) we would, but we’re committed to June 2nd. There are some things that need to be finalized but it looks like we’re going on that date.”

Anyone that covers boxing in print and refers to a person as a “boxing expert” can be sure of one thing: - that the so-called “expert” will invariably agree with the writer. That makes them both smart. It was the Square Ring that first mentioned when picking Marquez over Barrera that maybe the latter (that would be Barrera) was getting a little long in the tooth. Now two other “boxing experts” have expressed the same view. They have asked though that their identities be kept secret.

Two weeks later the fight still draws fan interest. It should, as it was action filled the way professional boxing is supposed to be. With the exception of Barrera whining about the judges, both boxers have acted like professionals.

“Barrera is a great champion,” said Marquez.

“This is boxing, we are Mexicans, this is a sport,” said Barrera.

Re-match? You bet, with a target date of September 16, which just happens to be Mexican Independence Day. Remember the first fight took place on St. Patrick’s Day, or as Jay Leno called it “Cinco de Gringo”.

There is little argument that WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (64-2) is the best Thai fighter around. He’s defended his title 16 times. You just can’t argue with facts. That is except that all of those title defenses came in Thailand, with many against bodies that were this close to entering the ‘Riga Mortis Zone’.

On April 6, Wonjongkam will defend for the 17th time against Japan’s Tomonobu Shimizu who has a professional record of 10-1. Toss out that Shimizu just beat Fahpetchnoi Sor Chitpattana at 13-1 and somehow ranked 8th; the record of Shimizu’s opponents is 38-52-5 for goodness sake! The current rankings have the Japanese boxer ranked at #14. Way to go Wonjongkam - keep building that record that means nothing.

Amorn Supyuwittaya village in the Nongjork district of Bangkok had some box fight action recently. The reason for the card was to showcase Sataporn Singwancha (17-4-1) and also provide a payday for a couple of former champs.

The showcase part didn’t work as Singwancha only managed a draw with Fernando Montilla (32-20-4). WBC Super Feather champ, Sirimongkol Singwancha (55-2) took all 6 rounds against Jesus Muzaka (2-6), who was able to stretch his losing streak to 5 in a row. Former WBC Bantam Champ Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (70-9,46 KOs) got a six-round unanimous decision over a Filipino whose name was reported as Roger Monserto. Mr. Monserto now has a record of 0-3.

Back to the future moment, and tomorrow night Virgil Hill (50-5) and Henry Maske (30-1) meet at the Olympiahalle in Munchen, Germany in a rematch of their 1996 tussle. On that occasion Hill captured the IBF light heavyweight title to add to his WBA crown. It was a majority/split decision with Hill winning 116-113, 116-112 on two cards and hometown ‘fave’ Maske winning on the third 116-112.

After that fight Maske said, “I quit.” He was a man of his word as he did quit - until tomorrow night that is.

After he won the title, Hill only held it till his next fight when he got taken to the woodshed by Dariusz Michalczewski. Michalczewski would run his record to 48-0 before losing back to back to against Julio Cesar Gonzales (10-18-03) and Frabrice Tiozzo (2-26-05). After the second loss Dariusz retired. “Boxing is over for me”, he stated. “I am an ex-boxer.”

Dariusz’s take on tomorrow’s fight? “Maske will lose early. The condition will not be there. The psyche will not be there. The expectations are too big. And Henry can’t have better reflexes than eleven years ago. For me it’s very courageous what Maske is doing. After eleven years, you can play tennis, swim, kick the ball a little ... boxing is the only sport you can’t do anymore after such a long break. When he gets hit in the nose, Maske will wake up in the ring.” Or not.

There are things that occur in boxing that drive people crazy. Next Monday at the new headquarters of the WBA there will be a purse bid for a match between champion lightweight Juan Diaz (31-0) and Thailand’s Prawet Singwancha (30-2). The bid starts at US$150,000 with the champion getting 70% and the challenger 30% of the final amount.

Here’s the slight problem. The champion Juan Diaz is boxing Acelino Freitas and defending his title on April 29 at Foxwood’s Resort Casino in Connecticut, USA. What happens if Diaz should lose? Whoever won the rights to the Diaz- Singwancha title fight is now like the punter with lots of blue pills and no Baht!

Jack Sharkey was a great heavyweight with a record of 37-13. He fought the best - winning some and losing others. He captured the world heavyweight title by winning a split decision over Max Schmeling on June 21, 1932. He defended once, losing to Primo Carnera a year later. Sharkey - not noted for his eloquence - penned a piece called “The Lonesome Spot”. It went like this: “The lonesomest spot in the world is the center of the ring after the bell has clanged to start a fight. Your seconds climb out of the corner - and there you are. Nobody but you and the referee and the other guy. The referee can’t help you and the other guy is in there strictly to hurt you.”

Nowhere could Sharkey’s words be more appropriately used than when referring to the boxing killing zone that is Indonesia. There have been 27 deaths in Indonesian boxing since 1948, which on the surface doesn’t sound as bad as it might. But in the last three years there has been at least one death a year.

The country kept its record going on March 15 with the death of Dwi Mulya (1-5) from injuries received in the ring. The first question that anyone with one iota of intelligence should ask is, “What the hell was Dwi Mulya doing in any ring?”

Mulya was a boxer that had only fought once a year since 2001, taking 2006 off completely. Too many sanctioning organizations are taking the money from Indonesia and turning a blind eye to the corruption that makes the country a modern day killing field for boxing.

Jeeves my good man, you’re right on time with a couple of pints of the magic elixir, a finely cured cigar and the new Rod Stewart CD.

“Your lordship, I’ve had another communication from Richard McGinnis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He sends the world’s shortest fairy tale. May I read it?”

Oh course Jeeves, proceed.

“Very well your lordship: ‘Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl ‘Will you marry me?’ The girl said, ‘NO!!!’ And the guy lived happily ever after and went fishing, hunting, played a lot of golf, drank a lot of beer, watched girls that walked to music with brief costumes, and broke wind whenever he wanted. The end.’”