Fred prevails in rain-affected ‘Monthly Mug’

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Monday, May 14, Khao Kheow, Stableford
It was fine weather at the start, but for the third round on the trot we had rain at the turn. Being Khao Kheow the course itself is difficult enough without the rain pouring down, and the test for the day, the B & C Nines, not easy.

Bjarne (right) presents the ‘Monthly Mug’ to Fred Theobald.

The format for the day was to be a stableford competition in two flights, with the cut at Handicap 15. The course was in good condition but after halfway it got very difficult as the rain poured down: As is usual here, the course won.
Marty Allred won the A Flight with 33 points, ahead of Akitoshi Ito with 32 points who took second on a count back from Rick Evans in third. In the B Flight the winner was Ebrahim with 32 points ahead of Dave Richardson in second with 30 points and Mike Winfield in third with 27 points.
Thursday, May 17, Pattaya C.C., Stroke / Monthly Mug
Well, didn’t it rain Noah. We have constantly of late had the rain come down heavily on the way around and had to take cover, but on this morning we didn’t even get started.
All seemed well as we drove up to the ‘Country Club’ and booked in; sure it was a bit overcast but we are wet weather players of late, so we shall overcome.
Booked in and off to the first nice and early, and being ‘gentlemen’ we let the two-ball who were not with us go off so they didn’t get held up. Of course before they got half way up the first fairway the heavens opened, and it hammered it down for at least one hour solid.
We all took cover in the starters hut, but still the rain swirled in, and the fairway became a river. The paths were under water and still it came down. Eventually the rain eased and a decision had to be made. So with the first fairway still waterlogged we decided to give it a go. It was either that or go back to bed and a warm blanket!
The front nine was hard work, with waterlogged fairways and worst of all, sodden greens. But these golfers are tough, or stupid, and on they ploughed, or maybe water skied.
Reaching the back nine, the rain had held off, and despite the fact the fairways and greens were very wet, the weather was cool and pleasant so we managed to finish in overcast conditions, and all in all it was better than not playing at all. Just!!
Back at the Café Kronborg all were sitting expectantly, and when the results were read out, only one person had played to his handicap. The winner of the flight was Ebrahim with a net 73 on count back over Ted Morris in second. In third was Homicide Hank, with a net 75 and in fourth was Derek Brook with a net 76 on count back over Dave Richardson. The winner of the Mug with a Net 71 was that ‘Golf Warrior’ Fred Theobald. Well-done Fred.
T.T.F.N.

Big Benny triumphs at Treasure Hill

I.P.G.C. Golf with the caddy shack

Tuesday, May 15, Phoenix, Medal
On a perfect day for golf, with cloudy skies, no sun and gentle breezes throughout the day, Phoenix golf club provided the ideal scene for a medal round over the Mountain & Lakes courses.
The tees were as far back as possible and with no run on the fairways due to the recent rains the course played very long indeed.
In third place came Michael Brennan with net 77; second was Mark Ryan on 76 whilst Mike Allidi, playing off 1 handicap, fired a net 75 for first place. Peter Glynn recorded the only two of the day to take the rollover by himself.
Friday, May 18, Treasure Hill, Stableford
Treasure Hill once again proved a tough challenge for a stableford competition on a layout that was well presented apart from some work on a few of the greens. The course was empty and a 4-hour round was a bonus.
Roy Mitchell came in third with 31 points, Mike Allidi was second on 32 points and the winner, firing 37 points, was Big Benny. There were no 2’s recorded so everyone can look forward to a rollover at the Navy course.

Ladies take the honours

PSC golf from the Bowling Green

Barry Hooper
This week was to be in the main a ladies week, with both the Tuesday and Saturday events won by the female entries on the day.
Tuesday, May 15, Crystal Bay, Stableford
1st Tewin Lamthong (25) 43pts
2nd Bernie Segrave (12) 37pts
3rd Alan Evans (26) 36pts
Near Pins: Thomas Johansson, Joe Kubon, Brendan Abbott, Harvey Samuel
2’s: Alan Evans

Saturday’s winners: (L-R) David Thomas, Mod Chauraksa and the 2’s winner Donald Pearson.

A single flight competed off the white Tees using the B & C courses, and it was to be a Tewin Lamthong taking the top honours for the second time in three weeks.
The 2’s pot was a three-event rollover and Brendan Abbott must be kicking himself for not entering on the day as only two players achieved a ‘2’ but Brendan’s non-entry left Alan Evans to take the funds. He went on to ring the bell when back at the club. It just shows that you have to be in it to win it.
Thursday, May 17, Greenwood, Stableford
1st Roger Wilkinson (16) 38pts
2nd Tony Geeland (24) 36pts
3rd Harvey Samuel (21) 34pts
4th Fergus Brennan (10) 33pts
Near Pins: Grant Dawson (2) Mark Evans, Frank Kelly
2’s: Mark Evans
Again a single flight of players took to the fairways on a course in very good condition. Roger Wilkinson came out on top with a solid round of 38 points followed by in order Tony Geeland, Harvey Samuel and Fergus Brennan. Meanwhile the Evans family made it a week of 2’s for them with Alan being a winner on Tuesday, and now son Mark getting in on the act.
Saturday, May19, Eastern Star, Stableford
1st Mod Chauraksu (26) 35pts c/b
2nd Harvey Samuel (21) 35pts
3rd David Thomas (7) 33pts
4th Alan Evans (26) 30pts
Near Pins: None
2’s: Donald Pearson
Another lady winner today: this time it was Mod Chauraksa’s turn with her boyfriend David Thomas taking third place. Harvey Samuel was again to be the bridesmaid with his second runner-up spot this week.
But the happiest person on the day has to be Donald Pearson who at the 172yd 17th hole produced a 50yd chip in for his first 2’s win. Well-done Donald.
Reminder - If anyone is interested in golfing with the Bowling Green we play every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at Bowling Green at 7:45am 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].

Perseverance pays dividends for Chris

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

New stadium fails to breathe life into dreary Cup Final

We won’t be discussing the FA Cup Final in this week’s issue. It’s not that this column is written before the big day - unlike the Champions League Final, which will get its moment in the spotlight next week - but because the tripe served up on Saturday, my football-loving friends of Pattaya, was one of the most tortuous 90 minutes I’ve spent since…well…forever.
I think I’ve had more enjoyment during the couple of times I’ve found myself hurtling towards Cambodia at six o’clock in the morning in a tiny metal box on a visa run, centimetres behind the vehicle in front. Scary stuff, but whilst they’re doing their best to relieve your knuckles of any remaining red blood cells they do at least provide entertainment along the way. That’s a lot more than can be said for the inaugural FA Cup Final at the new Wembley stadium at the weekend, which, unlike the horrors of a visa run, will soon be but a distant memory in my mind.
And what of the home of football? The overpriced and possibly over-hyped new Wembley looks beautiful in the promotional pictures with its triumphant arch or whatever it’s called, and the changing rooms are nothing short of space age. Whilst the players and staff will love the futuristic interior, the fans have also been looked after. They say that legroom for the fans exceeds that which was previously available in the old Wembley’s royal box. Great for tall folks, but I’m not so sure that this is such a wonderful thing when you’re trying to create anything approaching an atmosphere for one of football’s biggest occasions.
There was a noticeable lack of noise on Saturday. Alright, so even the most excitable of football fans would have found it hard to raise themselves during the yawn-inducing tactical battle that was unfolding on the pitch, but other than predictably attacking the 40,000 odd corporate guests, tourists and competition winners that were lucky enough to get a seat alongside the real fans, I’m blaming the actual seats themselves.
Yes the seats. They’re just too comfortable. I’m a firm believer that the noise made by football fans is directly related to their level of discomfort. Does anyone remember the ‘good’ old days? I certainly felt like shouting a bit more when I was tossed around the terraces by a huge swarm of uncontrollable fans, wondering if the following 90 minutes would be my last. But it’s a different story nowadays. It might come as a shock to anyone that hasn’t been to a game since the seventies, but stadiums of the modern era are actually designed with the spectator in mind. Like an evening at the opera you approach a steward who points you to your moderately comfortable plastic chair, and you even get an unhindered view of the pitch. Other spectators actually turn around and stare at you if you’re common enough to start singing songs, and unlike in days gone by people actually read matchday programmes. What’s going on?
No, give me two hours standing around hoping nobody decides to use the back of my legs as a urinal any day of the week, thanks very much. With everyone in so much comfort it’s a wonder that anybody can muster up the energy to start making any noise at all, save for slurping their drinks and rustling around their popcorn buckets.
So that’s enough of the FA Cup. There’ll be no mention of any darting runs, sublime finishes or mazy dribbles, purely because nothing of the sort ever once looked like happening. Instead it was without a doubt the most boring cup final I’ve ever had the displeasure to witness, even making Liverpool and United’s 1996 bore-a-thon resemble something closer to Italy against Brazil in 1970.
I blame the big four. It’s about 12 years since anyone other than the usual suspects got their poverty-stricken mits on the famous old trophy, and I’ve just about had my fill of it. I’m also bored rigid with the negative tactics they use against each other and it’s about time something was done. Let’s start by banning ‘holding midfielders’ who mosey around in front of the back four doing nothing in particular other than ‘screening’ their side’s already world class defenders, and whilst we’re at it let’s just ban Chelsea altogether. I mean really, if I were investing the hard-earned cash of countless millions of unfortunate and desperately poor Russian workers into a football team I would at least demand that my boys play with at least a smattering of attractive football. Chelsea may have won the cup, but they won’t have won any new friends on Saturday’s performance.
United weren’t any better. To get tactical for a moment, am I the only person who finds it blatantly obvious that the loveable Wayne Rooney is hopelessly lost when shoved up front by himself, taking on two central defenders twice his size? Where’s the sense in that?
So no, we won’t be mentioning the FA Cup final this week in a kind of silent protest over what it has come to represent. The occasion was let down by two supremely negative sides, neither of whom deserved to win, and if this is the future of the FA Cup I might just have to consider finding something else to busy myself with next May. Perhaps a neatly timed visa run would do the trick.
Sevilla win again
The UEFA Cup, meanwhile, produced a thrilling conclusion to another exciting year. Espanyol came back twice against countrymen and cup holders Sevilla at Hampden Park, before…oh, who am I kidding here? Sevilla won on penalties, for anyone that cares.
Round-up
Some chap called Thaksin Shinawatra looks likely to pick up Manchester City in the summer sales, according to reports. “There is not any official conclusion yet at this moment, but everything is proceeding well. By the end of this month, everything will be clear,” said the former PM’s lawyer Noppadon Pattama during the week.
Desperate to stay in the news, City have also sacked manager Stuart Pearce, who’ll no doubt keep himself busy this week explaining to his wife exactly why he turned down the opportunity for compensation for this very scenario during his contract negotiations last year.
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has decided to leave the club after Wigan manager Paul Jewell, who has also hit the road after a stressful season, talked Warnock into a three-month lads trip to Pattaya. Bryan Robson will take over at Bramall Lane.
Meanwhile, in news that will horrify upstanding Pattaya residents who abhor the thought of women taking their clothes off, actress Sophia Loren has promised a striptease if Napoli achieve promotion to Serie A this year. “I hope that Napoli win these last few games. You watch, if we go up I will do a striptease,” she told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview last week. “The fans have a total passion, the city deserves promotion.”
But do they deserve the prospect of a 72-year-old woman doing a striptease? Whatever floats your boat, I suppose. See you next week.

Kitchen does it again!

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Low season really set in for the Pattaya Golf Society on Sunday, May 13, as “home” visits and the seasonal unreliable weather allowed the group’s smallest turnout for a year to play a stableford tournament over the South and East nines at Plutaluang. However, it is the quality not the quantity that counts and at the Navy course it was in abundance.
Give a golfer a track he likes and he’ll have a feast and such was Tony Kitchen’s performance that once again he carded a sub-par round to add to the many he has produced on this course, his 38 points taking the day in style.
David Thomas tried hard to match the standard of his golf from the previous week, but he finished five points back in second place and in a distant third were Don Nellis and Denis Smith.
One of the highlights of the day was a glimpse of the improvement in the performance of “rabbit” Ray Thirtle, but his bright start was to fade as the midday humidity set in. There were no birdie 2’s on the sluggish greens and Len Jones managed to avoid the Booby Bevy by virtue of him being detained by a convenient ‘domestic’ phone call. Mothers always know best it seems!
None but the brave
Cyclonic rain was with us but the call of the game is so strong that the Pattaya Golf Society packed their oilskins and sou’westers and travelled to Greenwood on Tuesday, May 15 for a stableford event over the “A” and “C” nines.
Playing the tough “C” track first, the storm chose to strike on the early holes making the conditions, on the fairways especially, almost farcical with no relief from the soggy stance, plugged balls in abundance and much frustration. After nine holes a third of the field had chosen the sanctuary of the clubhouse but those who chose to continue found that conditions gradually improved and the course responded to the rain easing and a drying breeze taking its place.
As a result none but the brave were rewarded with a tight finish as Mod Churaiska finished on 32 points in third behind David Thomas on 35 points in second. The winner however was Tony Kitchen, taking his second successive victory, and his level par 36 point score was testimony to his rapid improvement and consistency.
Tony also scored the only birdie ‘2’ of the day, on A6, and his reward was a substantial rolled-over purse, some of which was destined for the nearest laundry. It would have been churlish to award the Booby Bevy on such a day when those who finished were all winners.
Stu leads the few
For the second successive round the Pattaya Golf Society saw almost half the field retire as a result of the stormy conditions, this time without hitting a ball at Eastern Star on Thursday, May 17, when a heavy downpour made the course almost unplayable.
Those who remained saw conditions improve after three holes and by the end the course was relatively unscathed. The winner was Aussie Stuart Thompson and his victory marked a successful return to form after a three-month absence with a shoulder injury. His 35 points was also a reflection of his concentration on a difficult day. In second place was Margaret Wilkinson whose 33 points was a fine score with which to end her current stay before returning to UK.
Elsewhere the rest of the field trooped in bedraggled with the best scores being the 31-point cards returned by David Thomas and Tony Kitchen. Not surprisingly there were no birdie 2’s, with a rollover heading for Mountain Shadow in the next event. Roll on the dry season!

The President gives himself the Medal

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, May 13,
Green Valley - White Tees,
Monthly Medal
A Flight
1st Steve Mascari (7) net 66 (Medal Winner)
2nd Jack Grindvbold (6) net 67
3rd Klaus Schackt (9) net 70
B Flight
1st Dene Airey (13) net 70
2nd Dave Porter (13) net 71
3rd Ian Grout (13) net 71
C Flight
1st Charles Sheppard (19) net 70
2nd John Dearden (22) net 72
3rd Dave Shelling (20) net 73
Near Pins: #2 Chaten Patel #9 John Dearden, #12 Raspie Matzie; #16 Frank Pilkington
2’s: Jack Grindvold, Dene Airey, Stan Dismuke, John Hillier, Roy Thornton
The last couple of years for Steve Mascari, the owner of Lewiinski’s and President of the Society, have been fraught with shoulder injuries. Two extended periods of layoff and rehab, each nearly a year in duration have seen Steve, long considered one of Pattaya’s finest players and certainly toughest competitor, rise from his normal 5 handicap to a 7. Now while that would still be a blessed fate for most of us, if was significant to Steve and certainly significant to Wacko Jacko who tied Steve for Low Gross but was nipped for the Medal..
It should not be lost in all of this that the Volkscomputer, not playing as much as before, but still carrying a 9 handicap had one of the four 70’s on the day and garnered the bronze in A Flight, thanks to a count back over The Demon Deacon.
I have long referred to Dene Airey as a fast improving player. Forget that. He is now just a good player. A 23 Handicapper in 2004, he is a very competitive 13 as he showed Sunday when he edged the Valet’s Best Friend and The Tile by a single swipe to take B Flight. David had the better of Ian on count back.
Charlie “No 2’s” Sheppard topped out C Flight by two strokes over John the B*st*rd and yet another over Dave Schelling.
Special thanks to Simon Philbrook of MBMG who sponsored the Near Pins on the day, as he does for every Monthly Medal.
Tuesday, May 15,
Laem Chabang A & C - Blue or White Tees, Stroke/Medal
Blue Flight
1st Steve Mulberry (11) 27pts
White A Flight
1st Brian Dunbar (13) 40pts
2nd Joe McArdle (13) 38ptss
3rd Lindsay Semple (12) 37pts
White B Flight
1st Andreas Grunenberg (15) 36pts
2nd Peter Ring (22) 33ptss
3rd Adam Schoenfeld (16) 32pts
2’s: Brian Dunbar
A half dozen took on the Blues on a wet day and soggy Laem Chabang’s Mountain and Valley courses. Blackpool Steve was the winner of the survival contest with a modest 27 points..
Brian Dunbar found the Whites a little more forgiving as he racked up 40 points to edge The Leprechaun by two points in the A Flight off the shorter tees. Lindsay Semple was another point in arrears. Andreas stood atop B Flight of the Whites with a level to par 36 points. Peter Ring, very competitive this past 6 months took second, one point ahead of New York Slim.
Special thanks and Happy Birthday to Bob Lindborg who sponsored the Near Pins on the day.
Wednesday, May 16,
Bangpra - White Tees, Stableford
1st John McHugh (9) 38pts
2nd Dene Airey (13) 38ptss
3rd Andreas Grunenberg (15) 37pts
2’s: None
Big Hitting Johnny McHugh nipped Dene the Dream on count back to take the day at Bangpra. Andreas was but a point back at 37 points on the single flight day.
Friday, May 18,
The Emerald - White Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Peter Hynard (10) 40pts
2nd Roy Thonton (13) 38pts
B Flight
1st Charles Sheppard (19) 37pts
2nd Oddvar Rykke (22) 35pts
2’s: Don Maclean
Non-counting 2’s: Charles Sheppardd
Peter Hynard left Roy Thornton, MBE and Rick Zanoni two points adrift in A Flight with his fine 40-point effort. Roy, MBE edged Rick on count back.
Charles Sheppard, who would bet on whether the sun rises in the east or not, once again eschewed the 2’s honey pot and thereby left the entire pot to Don Maclean (data compiled by Elias Sports indicate that is the first 2 Don has ever had). That same source reveals that Chas has left about 7k on the table over the last month in 2’s money. At least Charles was assuaged by the fact that he won B Flight with 38 points, one better than Oddvar the Tent Maker.
NOTE: The Society would like to send its sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Larry Watson of Ireland who succumbed on Khao Kheow Country Club on 8 May 2007. He was a fine golfer and a fine friend.

Bah! Bah! pulls the wool over everyone’s eyes

PSC Golf from the Peacock Place

Monday, April 14,
Green Valley, Stableford
Green Valley, otherwise known as ‘the never ending construction course’ - one day I am going to go there and they will have a new entrance, and I will end up in Bang Chang. The greens today were very poor and have been that way a long time now. But we did not get wet, a wee bonus.
Thirty-three players took part in four divisions that included a ‘lassies’ division, what next Lady Boys? The A Flight was won by Bob Wighton (11) with 39 points from John Murdoch (9) 35pts in second and Gary Blackburne (6) 33pts in third. Bob Drumm (15) 38 points was top of the heap in the second tier with Terry Phur (15) 37pts second and Alan Bishop (20) 34pts in third. C Flight saw David Johnson (24) 39 points prevail over Harvey Samuel (21) 37pts and Grant Davidson (23) 36pts in second and third respectively.
In the ‘fairer’ division, Sompong Netsri triumphed over Trudy Chadbourne whilst Jack Moseley, Terry Phur, Alan Bishop, Neil Hughes shard the 2’s pot.
Wednesday, April 15,
Bangpra, Stableford
Great course, a real jewel in Pattaya but a poor road to get there. A small turn out of 15 players took part in today’s stableford competition.
Capt of the sheep Bob Philp (8) 36 points took away the day’s top honours with Bob Pearce (10) 35pts in second, Doug Campbell (13) 35pts third and Neil Hughes (14) 30pts in fourth.
Bob Pearce and Ray Dell recorded the only 2’s of the day.
Come and join us for a friendly game of golf with the players from the Peacock Place on Siam Country Club Road where we meet every Monday & Wednesday. Contact the golf organizer Capt Bob Philp on 087 941 2474.

Tony Barritt stumbles

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, May 14,
Green Valley, Stableford
1st Tony Barritt 37pts
2nd Roar Berger 36pts
3rd Dave Thomas 35pts
4th Rick Holmes 33pts
Tony Barritt took the opening fixture of the week with a very competent one-under score. The recent rains had prevented the green keepers from cutting almost the whole course, making a visit to the rough a very difficult proposition while also adding another dimension to chipping from around the fringes from very deep lies. In the circumstances a one-under round against a CSS of 73 was an excellent result.
Roar Berger continues to improve his form in front of his imminent return to Norway and it is hoped that he may have time to practice when he arrives there to keep up the recent progress.
Dave Thomas did enough to ensure that he got onto the podium without ever really getting to grips with a fairly tough course on the day, whilst Rick Holmes also struggled but was better than most and just did enough for a mention in fourth place.
For the umpteenth time there were no 2’s in the first division but Russell Exley used all the knowledge recently gained in lining up the aisles to slip one in for the second division pool.
Before presenting the prizes the Doc welcomed new member Arthur Clapson and also welcomed back Andreas Grunenberg and Jim Parkinson.
Wednesday, May 16,
Eastern Star, Stableford
1st Tony Barritt 36pts c/b
2nd B.J. Smith 36pts
3rd Roar Berger 35pts c/b
4th Alan Griffiths 35pts
Eastern Sahara was how most of the competitors described the day’s course after it had been “lightly sprinkled” according to the management and “covered with more sand than is on Morecomb Beach” according to Captain Roy, who has had considerable experience in the deserts of the world and is thought to be an expert in this field.
Whichever, it certainly made putting a very interesting exercise and added considerably to each players score for the day until they realised it was better to miss the green and chip than try for two putts.
Tony Barritt reveled in the conditions as for once they made him a titan among mere mortals on the greens, and he got even better as the round progressed with the best back nine to win the day from B.J. Smith, whose forte is chipping and so also benefited from the greens.
Roar Berger took his second podium placing of the week with a stunning back nine to consign Alan Griffiths to last spot for the day.
John Harris had the only ‘2’ in the second division and at long last Rick Holmes managed to cobble one in by taking the sand out of play and chipping directly into the hole from the edge to take the huge roll over pot in the first division.
Before the presentation Mark Brenton was welcomed as a new member and Tony Quaid was welcomed back.
Friday, May 18,
Greenwood, Stableford
1st Barry Traynor 36pts
2nd Fred Land 34pts
3rd John Harris 32pts
A much reduced field took the trip up the 331 to Greenwood to find the course in absolutely tip-top condition. All eyes were on Tony Barritt who was vying to be a triple winner in the week, but he found the limelight and pressure just too much as he slumped to an extremely weak effort of eleven over for the day and needing a wallet refill on the way back to the presentation for a couple of consolation beers.
Barry Traynor was again in top form and an excellent round on a tough day, with the CSS moving out to 74, will see another reduction in his handicap. This could possibly be the saving of Rick from the Pot Hunters selection knife, as it now puts Barry in the “too low to be of use category” and could mean that he will be the oranges man at the next outing of the team.
Fred Land showed good promise after spending four months in England grinding out a two-day week and spending the proceeds on dozens of lessons and hundreds of hours of practicing, and the smart money is on several wins during the Thailand leg of his Asian tour. John Harris did enough to get a mention with a higher than normal score in third place.
Barry Traynor took the first division 2’s with the only one and Fred Land matched that to take the second division.
Back at The Haven the Doc welcomed back Fred Land Ken Priddy and John Teague prior to presenting the prizes.

Miss Am keeps on winning

Jomtien Golf with the I.P.G.C.

Monday 14th May, Khao Kheow - Stableford
Our first visit for six months owing to the road works on 7, and with a reasonable green fee today, 29 players set out to play the B and C courses at this ever popular venue.
There were a few rolling clouds in the distance and the caddies expected rain sometime during the round, they were not wrong, the first groups out experienced a few showers on the fourth and fifth holes but these soon dwindled away and the rest of the round was dry.
The stableford scoring was still remarkably low in both divisions. Andy Mills won division 1 with 32 points and Ted Morris finished second on 29 with Lee Buil in third with 28pts. Miss Am, now playing off 20, took the top podium position in division 2 with her 34 points whilst Les Hall just beat Russell Benson on a 18/14 count back for second after both finished with 32pts.
Jack Spencer and Alan Duckett both won in the 2’s competition for each division, while Miss Am, Tony Duthie, Gerhardt and John McLoone all won bottles in the nearest the pin encounters.
The ladies tipple was awarded to a certain young lady whose umbrella was repaired with some copper wire, but then with the thunder and lightning she thought it was too dangerous to open, well done Miss Oam.
Wednesday, May 16, Eastern Star, Stableford
Our last game before ‘The Golden Elephant tour’ took off for Hua Hin and still a remarkable turnout of 7 four-balls at this time of the year. A warm welcome back after a six-month lay off due to ill health was given to Jack Hinchey.
The majority of players were not impressed today with the heavy sanding on most of the greens, but it is the low season after all. This was highlighted by there being no 2’s in either division, so the rollover is carried forward to Emerald on May 28.
Andy Mills and Mikael Andersson both finished with 32 points in div1 but Andy’s 19/17 count back took first place. Lee Buil’s 31pts took third place. Three people contended for second and third place in div 2 on 33 points, with Les Hall finishing third with a back nine count back of 14, Burnie Sinclair second with 17 and commiserations to Rick Newman. Meanwhile the ever-improving Miss Am, now playing off 19, won with a very respectable 36 points.
Nearest the pin bottle winners today were Roger Hill, Glyn Evans, Alan Bissell and Andy Mills.
Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Paweenas on Soi 5, Jomtien Beach road at around 9am for a 10.30 tee off with the exception on Fridays as we tee off every week at Eastern Star at 9.30am. Please sign up in the bar or call Glyn on 086 837 5464. Next weeks fixtures

Richard takes 2-day title at Soi Dao

Phoenix Members Golf Society

Thursday & Friday, May 17-18,
2-Day Event at
Soi Dao Golf Club
This event had been planned for some time now due to the fact that Phoenix was closed for a tournament and so 19 players and a few ‘better halves’ started out at about 8am, hopefully to arrive in time for our 12.30pm tee times for the first day.

Three prize-winners from the Soi Dao 2-Day competition.
Half way, I think everybody who was travelling that day had thoughts of turning round and going home. It lashed down with rain nearly all the way. Luckily, one of our group (Brian Jacks) did go there the day before and he called the convoy to assure them that the conditions were fine and sunny at the course. And he was right!
We all arrived safely (just about) and checked in and gathered in the restaurant for team selections. After an enjoyable round of golf, the overnight leader in the clubhouse was Uli Leuenberger on 38 points with Ning Morris just one point behind and Richard Tzereskieviche very much in contention on 36 points.
Technical prizes on the day went to Thomas Kjellgren, Terry O’Conner (2), and Ian Dunkley.
We all met in the restaurant for dinner and a little sing-song on the Karaoke and headed for an early night to prepare for the next day’s round.
At 8.30am the following morning, all the teams arranged themselves into a seeded place from the day before (best scores out last). Again the weather was reasonably kind to us and we sped round the course in good time.
The scores from the second day saw Richard Tzereskieviche post the best round with 41 points, second was John David Hall on 38 points and third Ian Dunkley with 37 points.
The day’s technical prizes went to Ning Morris, Ron Bridge (2) & Brian Jacks.
Two other prizes were awarded; one for the overall winner of the two-day event, this being Richard Tzereskieviche with a combined stableford score of 77 points, and the other being for the best Eclectic score which went to John David Hall with a Net 61 for the better hole by hole score over the 2 days.
Out of the 19 players that attended, only 3 did not get any reward after we had concluded with a lucky draw.
Prize-giving over, it was time to return to Pattaya and reality. Thanks must go out to the players who helped with the organisation for this event, in particular Brian Jacks, Mike Poustie and Graham Hiskett.

Koh Samui Regatta: A vital link in Thailand’s burgeoning marine sector

Frank Pong’s “Jelik” will once again be the fastest craft on show at this year’s Koh Samui Regatta.

by Peter Cummins, Special Correspondent, Pattaya Mail
The Sixth Koh Samui Regatta, about to be sailed off the Island, marks the fourth major yacht-racing event to be held in the Kingdom since the start of 2007, linking the many marinas, sailing schools, charter companies and centres of sailing excellence appearing up, down and across the Kingdom which is undergoing an exponential rise in marine sports, tourism and yacht racing.
Image Asia Events, under the able direction of Grenville Fordham, based in Phuket, has announced some details of the forthcoming Sixth Koh Samui Regatta-justly known as the “Tropical Island Regatta” which will be held off the island from 27th of May until the 2nd of June.

Grenville Fordham of Image Asia Events will be hoping to find time to race his craft (seen right in picture) at this year’s event.
Somehow, between running his publishing empire, writing, organizing PIMEX (the Phuket International Marine Exhibition) and other regattas such as the Phuket Race Week, to be sailed off the splendid Evason Resort and Six Senses Spa in July, Grenville finds the time to even compete in some of the regattas.
As usual, the whole island of Samui, both the private and the public sectors, continues to support the regatta: Perennial co-sponsor the Central Samui Beach Resort which again will be the regatta nerve centre, Land Rover Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), will be joined by the major yacht racing beneficiary in the Kingdom, Raimon Land and, this year, Rodenstock, the german manufacturer of up-market eye-wear, will ‘come aboard’ for the first time.
Such Samui Island business and tourist entities which offer support in cash and kind, include Dhevatara Properties, Samui Villas and Homes, the newly-opened Kandaburi Resort, owned by the Kata Group, long the host for successive Phuket King’s Cup Regattas, and Tropical Living in Thailand magazine.
Andy Dowden, Chairman of the Race Committee, pointed out that more than 20 entries at press time, included craft from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, with a new Enigma 34, already on the high seas, being shipped, hopefully in time for the Regatta’s opening. Some of the top craft from around the region will include Frank Pong’s “Jelik”, “Abraxus”, “FreeFire”, “Foxy Lady lll”, “Happy Endings”, “Mandrake”, Yasooda” and “Panic!”
The fleets will be divided into some eight classes and this year, for the first time, will include the first-ever Firefly 850 one-design racing class. This spectacular and speedy craft, designed, built and developed in Phuket, is now one of the most sought-after craft in the region.
Frank Pong is undoubtedly one of the stalwarts of the Koh Samui Regatta, having entered all of them, and he will be back again this year with his Magnificent Maxi, “Jelik” which will be the fastest machine out there.
Frank, an industrial millionaire entrepreneur from Hong Kong, not only supports the burgeoning marine sector in Thailand, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia, but his expertise and knowledge - not to mention his generosity - have created an aura of “royalty” around Frank, with the inevitable corollary, “La Noblesse Oblige”!
And, with China appearing in regattas more frequently, culminating with an entry in this year’s 32nd America’s Cup Challenge, being raced off Valencia, Spain, in Europe for the first time in the Cup’s 150-year history.
Frank plays a major role in training the Chinese mavericks. At the urging of the Chinese team manager, Wang Chaoyung, Frank accepted the role of Honorary Chairman of the America’s Cup China team, being “considered’, by Wang, “as one of the most important figures in world sailing today”.
Lending one of his 75-footers as a “trial horse”, to hone up the Chinese teams, Frank is also heavily concerned in the forthcoming Olympics where the sailing divisions will be held in Qingdao.
Race management will again be first-class, with Australia’s Tony Denham as the Principal Race Officer, ably supported by Sunsail’s Simon James, with Howard Elliot head of the International Jury.
And, it is not just the on-water action which makes the Koh Samui week so exciting. With the amicable ambience created by the Regatta supporters, there will be on-beach parties every night, starting with the traditional opening gambit at Central Samui’s Zico’s Brazilian Bar and Grill, with not just food and drink to please the palate, but some exotic Brazilian dancers, to provide what perennial regatta MC Bill O’Leary would call “eye candy!!!”
The Lay Day, scheduled for Thursday, 31 May, will feature a Land Rover Driving Experience, while a daily Happy Hour will be provided at Central’s Regatta Tavern, courtesy of Raimon Land.
According to Grenville, there will be a plethora of national and international publicity, showing the astounding beauty of Koh Samui and a team of media and news-hounds will record everything: Media Partners Action Asia, Asian-Pacific Boating, China Boating, CNN Traveller - Asia Pacific, Fah Thai, SailWorld.com, Seaspray, 98.5 Breeze FM and, of course, the national press, the Bangkok Post, the Nation, the Pattaya Mail and the Pattaya Blatt et al.
“As a participant and also manager of the Koh Samui Regatta”, said Grenville Fordham, “we love the event and have no intention of breaking a winning formula, except, based on past experience and participant feed-back, we can, perhaps, make it even better”.
For further information, please visit the web-site: www.samuiregatta.com.
See you in Samui!

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

It’s difficult when covering sports at times, and especially boxing, to realize when a significant event occurs. As Mom always said: “Hindsight is always 20-20.” Little did any boxing fan realize that on the evening of May 7, 2005, one of the great boxing matches of the last 25 years was about to take place.
There is no argument that the Diego Corrales - Jose Luis Castillo contest was a great fight. Two years to the day that the fight occurred, Diego Corrales’ life came to an end in a horrific motorcycle accident. He was laid to rest a week later in Las Vegas.
The funeral home was jammed with friends, family and fans. One that couldn’t be there was the great American author Budd Schulberg. Schulberg wrote the books, “What Makes Sammy Run”, “The Harder They Fall”, “Faces in The Crowd” and the screen play to “On The Waterfront”. Schulberg was also one of the quintessential chroniclers of the sport of boxing. He released an “In Memory of Diego Corrales” for the boxing world to share. ‘The Square Ring’ has received permission from Mr. Schulberg and www.boxinginlasvegas.com to use exerts from that tribute.
“I have lost a dear friend, and the boxing world has lost one of its fiercest competitors with the violent passing of ex-lightweight champion Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales,” said Schulberg. “In the ring, setbacks that would have discouraged ninety-nine out of one hundred fighters seemed instead to only inspire him to still one more die-hard effort. He was like a racehorse that comes on in the stretch all the way from last place to win the Derby. The words of surrender would never be heard from Chico Corrales. There would never be any easy way out for this lightweight warrior.
Schulberg continued: “He had come from the streets, and there was always that side of him that was reckless, as if he always had to test himself. What the Mexicans call machismo. It was machismo that pushed the speedometer on his motorcycle to 100 miles per hour. No more unforgettable Corrales/Castillo fights, ‘Chico’ Corrales has lost his last fight, when he was overmatched against a motorcycle with an open throttle. ‘Chico’ had become famous for getting up from devastating blows. But this time he met a force against which even he was unable to rise again. Sad to say, ‘Chico’ Corrales had run out of miracles.
“The body of the champion is gone. But the spirit of Diego Corrales will live on as long as fight fans remember his get-up-and-fight-on, indomitable fistic character. Hail and Farewell! As the Roman citizens saluted their prized gladiators. And so we say as we tearfully and fittingly take a leave of Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales. ‘Hail and farewell, brave Chico.’”
The service itself was refereed by the Reverend Richard Steele who also did the eulogy for the fallen warrior. Steele had been the referee for the 2001 bout between Corrales and Floyd Mayweather jr. Steele remembered that contest with his final remarks: “He (Corrales) went down and I started the count. At 7 he stood up and said, ‘I’m OK Mr. Steele’. So I let him continue. He went down again and at 7 he got up and again said, ‘I’m OK Mr. Steele’, so I let him continue. After each of his 5 knockdowns he got up and said, ‘I’m OK Mr. Steele.’ Last Monday as he lay in the street, I’m sure he looked up, saw God counting and said ‘I’m Ok God’. God probably replied, ‘I know but this time you’re coming with me.’ Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales, never to be forgotten.”
Last Sunday at the Fed EX Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, it was Jermain Taylor (27-0-1) and Cory Spinks (36-4) fighting for the WBA, WBC, WBO middleweight titles. The fight, if you could call it that, turned Memphis from the ‘City of Blues’ to the ‘City of Boos’. It was a stinker as Spinks ran for 12 rounds.
“I ran everyday training hard for this fight”, said Taylor. “And Spinks ran all night”, chimed in HBO’s Larry Merchant. How on God’s green earth it became a split decision for Taylor 117-111, 115-113 and 111-117 can only be explained by the fact that Judge Dick Flaherty’s seeing eye dog is not up to the job of judging a boxing match. No human with even one good eye could have called Spinks a winner.
This came in from the ‘Flying Frog’ at the Belgian Restaurant in Pattaya: “The Taylor-Spinks fight was the most boring fight I saw in years. My girlfriend had to wake me up to see the scorecard results (little role reversal there).
“Taylor playing cat and mousse”, (little French lingo there) “trying to catch Spinks on the ropes, but Spinks too fast and too afraid to fight, runs away all the time, he sure did a half marathon in the ring that day (written like a member of the Hash).
“They should take away points for running, especially in world title fights. If you’re the challenger, then you should try to make the fight, no?” (Yes, Larry Merchant of HBO has an equation for boxing: smaller rings, lighter gloves and reward aggressiveness).
The ‘Frog’ wrapped up: “Scorecard results in favor to Taylor? My scorecard was a draw (But hang on, weren’t you asleep?) but the attacker Taylor gets the favor, which I agree with. I think when the Taylor v Pavlik fight goes on, Taylor won’t be the cat but the mousse!”
The semi main, which was really the main event with Taylor-Spinks being the “Walk Out”, between Edison Miranda (28-2) vs. Kelly Pavlik (31-0) was a throwback to days of old.
Pavlik came out from the opening bell throwing punches in bunches while smothering any attempt by Miranda to build a sustainable offense. In the sixth round Miranda went down twice and probably wouldn’t have made it out of the round but for Referee Steve Smoger. Getting up at the count of 6 or 7, Miranda then spit out his mouthpiece. Smoger ‘stopped’ the action, which was already stopped, giving Miranda another 15 seconds to recover. The fight should have been halted at that time but Smoger let it continue for one more knockdown and a minute and 6 seconds of beating in the 7th.
That should set up a dream fight between Pavlik and Taylor. Will it happen? Well probably not, as Pavlik promoter Buffalo Bob Arum was quick to ask for a title fight sanctioned by the WBO saying, “I would take it as far as the Supreme Court if Pavlik is overlooked.”
Taylor could probably give up the WBO Belt and keep those from the WBC and WBA, as both those sanctioning organizations have a little more clout. Heck, when you got three titles, a loss of one is not a big deal.
The King of the Second Road, Scotland’s ‘Dapper” Dave Stewart (19-1) was in action at the Docklands in London last Saturday. You might remember ‘The Dapper One’ lost a British Lightweight title shot to stable mate Lee Meager last May. He came back 5 months later with a win over Kpakpo Allotey in what was supposed to be a title eliminator. It wasn’t. So to keep busy he was to get a payday against 9-49 Billy Smith. Whoops, change of plan again. Instead Stewart faced Jason Nesbit at 7-69-2. Of course Mr. Nesbitt’s record is now 6-70-2 after losing on points.
“With this fight I can continue to build on my momentum and hopefully something big will come along after that because I’m in pole position,” said Stewart.
The best thing about the payday is that Stewart can buy a few rounds for his pal, “The Flying Frog” on his next visit to Pattaya at Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant. True fact.
Jeeves, you know reporters ask stupid questions because they have to at times. Then there are some that are basically idiots who think their readers or listeners share that same trait. They talk just to hear the sound of their own voice or write to read their pearls of wisdom.
Some, when writing a story, will quote a person who thinks that all people are stupid and will believe anything in print. For example from last week’s Pattaya Mail the quote of a police person concerning a raid: “Complaints had been received from tourists that many beer bars and other entertainment establishments were operating without a license, and that they were employing staff members who were under the age of 20.”
Yeah right! “Tourists complained”?? Finding a “tourist” that complained about a lack of a license or under age staff working in a beer bar would be tougher than finding Bin Laden in the hills of Pakistan.
There are some well-known media figures who display their ‘intelligence’ daily on the television news in America. One of those is CBS News Anchor the “Perky” Katie Couric, who could be called a “braying ass”, except sometimes even a braying ass makes some sense. She was recently interviewing a United States Marine sniper just returned from Iraq. “What do you feel when you shoot an Arab Terrorist?” she asked. The Marine shrugged and replied, “A slight recoil.”
“Your Lordship, I think a little liquid refreshment, a cigar and some sounds on the music machine are in order.”