Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

This week’s 200 bowlers: Pao, Somrak, Kran & La.

First place team Brother D won all four points from Diamond Shop and Café Kronborg moved into second place after winning four from Café Ole. Ooy bowled a 532 series and Konrad a 515 for Brother D and Dang knocked down 524 pins for Diamond Shop. Kran led Café Kronborg with games of 210, 213, 577 series.
VFW Post 9876 moved up to fourth place after beating Beaver Bar & Grill, knocking them down from second to third place. Three Sisters won all four points from Montana. All the Three Sisters Bowlers bowled good with La leading the way with a 208 game, 573 series, Teuvo rolled a 538 series and Lek had a 503.
Jack & Tar, led by Somrak’s 604 series, games of 183, 233, 188 and Mai’s 538 series, won all four points from Mai’s Thai Restaurant.

The Kiarti Thanee experience

PSC golf from The Peacock Place

Nigel Cannon
Monday, June 18, Kiarti Thanee, Stableford
A Flight
1st Jeff Wylie (9) 38pts
2nd Bob Wighton (10) 36pts
3rd Bernie Segrave (11) 35pts
4th Steve Murray (9) 32pts
B Flight
1st Tony Kitchen (18) 33pts
2nd Frank O’Neill (19) 32pts
3rd Alan Bishop (19) 32pts
4th Carl Lovatt (17) 31pts
C Flight
1st Gordon Everingham (28) 40pts
2nd Geoff Moodie (26) 34pts
3rd Barry Rotherberg (23) 32pts
4th Nigel Cannon (26) 32pts
Near Pins: Jack Moseley, Yukio Kikuchi, Gordon Everinham, Captain Bob.
2’s: Alan Bishop, Cathy Doody, Bernie Segrave, Ray Dell, Yukio Kikuchi, Capt Bob.
At 7am the gate of Peacock Place was open, and the first of the 44 golfers started to arrive. Just 2 ½ hours later and we were booking in at the elegant clubhouse at Kiarti Thanee. This was earlier than we had expected so we had a little time for some R & R before our allotted tee time of 11am.
The rounds took just over 4 hours with no other players noticeable on the course, which was itself in good condition and was found to be interesting and challenging with very good greens.
After the golf we enjoyed some cool beer and food and recriminations of what might have been then back on the coach for the return to Peacock Place where Capt Bob announced the 26 prize-winners.
There will be another ‘away day’ from Peacock Place next month. If you would like to join, watch out for the venue and date in the Pattaya Mail and sign up early at the Peacock as numbers are limited.
Wednesday, June 20, Phoenix, Stableford
Wednesday saw 27 intrepid golfers head for Phoenix for a Stableford round. The sky looked very ominous at the start but thankfully the rain stayed away and we had a great day.
The winners on the day were Bernie Segrave (11) with a fine 40 points on a count back from Capt Bob (8) also 40 points (I thought he would have known better than to give the Capt. a hiding but he will now have to get used to his new handicap). Third place on the day went to Ray Dell (12) with 36 points and in fourth was Barry Chadbourn with 35 points - great to see Barry in the circle, its usually his lovely wife!
The second division was won by Ian Dunkley (35) with 37 points, second was Mark Brenton (31) with 34 points, third came Mam Morel (26) with 32 points and fourth was Trudy Chadbourn (26) with 32 points also on a count back.
If you are looking for a game of golf with some friendly folk, call into the Peacock Place, 8km along Siam Country Club Road, or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474.

Charles enters the 2’s…and wins!

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, June 17, Green Valley –
White Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Paul Shaw (11) 38pts
2nd Ian Grout (12) 37pts
3rd Gareth Gill (10) 36pts c/b
Dell, Munns, Jacko, Kris
B Flight
1st Rodney Nabbe (13) 43pts
2nd Hester Vic (14) 40pts
3rd Colin Davis (15) 39pts
C Flight
1st Herb Pastor (28) 41pts
2nd Peter Emslie (20) 39pts
3rd Joe Tynan (21) 37pts
Near Pins: #2: Jim Brackett; #9: John Hillier, #12: Claus Birk Thomsen; #16: Jim Brackett
2’s: Jack Grindvold, Claus Birk Thomsen (2), Jim Brackett, Jeremy Masse, Nick Strasshine, John Hillier, Mike Craighead, Charles Sheppard.
The big story on the day was that Charles Sheppard, after squandering ten 2’s over the past couple of months by not putting in the additional 50 baht, finally entered and won! As they say “You have to be in it to win it”.
On a more serious note, if anything in this game is to be taken seriously, visiting Rodney Nabbe was MoM with a B Flight winning 43 points. Victor the Inflictor followed him with a fine 40 points, with The Donkey wrapping up the middle flight.
New member Herb Pastor got a little taste of the pay window, a location he is familiar with since he hails for Las Vegas, as he took the junior flight with an excellent 41-point effort. Venerable Peter Emslie continued his recent good form by taking second with 39 points. Joe Tynan, with the calm of a poet roaming the hills of his native Erin, rounded out the podium with 37 points.
Blackpool’s Paul Shaw topped out the premier flight with 38 points, one more than The Tile. A handful of luminaries tied for third with level to handicap 36-point efforts, but GiGi was the only one who left with lucre in his pocket as he had the count back better of “The Farmer in the”, Capt. Fogg, Wacko Jacko and Kris Krits.
Tuesday, June 19, Khao Kheow A & B – Yellow Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Dan Willits (9) 36pts
2nd Peter Hynard (10) 35pts
B Flight
1st Yui Duangkaew (35) 36pts
2nd Charles Sheppard (17) 35pts
2’s: Peter Hynard, Charles Sheppard
It was another day, and another two for the Chas Man. No wonder he is our Title Guy. That and he took second in B Flight, just one behind Mrs. Bietry, who this Scribe predicts will become another golfing success story by a Thai lady. They just make it look easy.
Newcomer from Down Under, Dan Willits, continues to perform well as his level to handicap 36 points topped out Peter Hynard in A Flight by a single digit.
Wednesday, June 20, Bangpra – White Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Liam Kenny (13) 39pts
2nd Joe McArdle (12) 38pts
B Flight
1st Charles Sheppard (18) 33pts
2nd Pierre Bietry (19) 31pts
2’s: Joe McArdle, Dan Williits, Marty Montry, Gareth Gill, Mick Golan
In a week of newcomers, Liam Kenny had the better of another Irishman, The Wee Leprechaun, to take A Flight. Our Title Guy was as it again this time with a top step in B Flight, a couple in front of Monsieur Pierre, who may soon only me known as Monsieur Duangkaew.
Friday, June 22, Crystal Bay B & C– White Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Marty Montry (2) 38pts
2nd Dan Willits (9) 37pts
B Flight
1st Nick Payne (16) 37pts
2nd Neil Cameron (16) 35pts
2’s: Marty Montry
Marty Montry went “WOLF” as he topped out A Flight with the best point total of the day and took all the 2’s loot. It should be noted that Marty’s 38 points required an underlying 72 off the stick, given his stingy two handicap! Congrats to the Phoenix, AZ resident! Dan Willits, Tuesday’s winner, had to settle for second.
On a further note, Neil’s handicap is now at 16.1, a comfortable cushion from the brink of Armageddon of 17.4 that he once was perched upon, just 0.1 from the stroke-a-hole handicap that would have drove him to retirement.

The Brylcreem Boy comes back to win

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, June 18, Khao Kheow,
Stableford
1st Rodney Nabbe 37pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer 36pts c/b
3rd Kenny Priddy 36pts c/b
Khao Kheow off the yellows is always a bit of a challenge, and this day’s competition was no exception with little run from the tee shots and greens that were rather difficult to master. Scoring well was therefore at a premium, with only the steady contestants lasting the pace and making it to the podium.
Rodney Nabbe was the best of the group with a solid one-under his handicap. Trevor Schirmer, as usual with a steady round, took second ahead of the improved Kenny Priddy by a tight count back.
Many others failed to keep it good to the end with a notable in Tony Barritt, who having played very tidily had an “Adolf” in the greenside bunker on the last and then of course three-putted to drop out of contention.
Mention should also be made of Ned Kelly who, after the last week’s surgery, had recovered enough to be just outside the top three with 35 points.
Rodney Nabbe had the only ‘2’ in the first division and B.J. Smith and Alan Griffiths had one each in the second.
Before the presentation The Doc welcomed new member Richard Dobson and welcomed back Paul Quodomine.
Wednesday, June 20, Mountain Shadow,
2 Person Scramble
1st Mark Wood & Brian Wilkinson 50
2nd Trevor Schirmer & B.J. Smith 49
3rd Al & La Keith 44
4th Barry Traynor & Tony Barritt 43 c/b
5th Alan Griffiths & Kenny Priddy 43
6th Mark Woods & Richard Dobson 42
Once again there were many new combinations on view, as the field tried to find an answer to the duo of Trevor Schirmer & B.J. Smith’s continual dominance of the day’s format.
Mark Wood teamed up with Brian Wilkinson and did just enough to take away the day’s top spot, albeit by just a single shot after the favourites took unprecedented bogies at both of the last two holes.
Al Keith and his wife La, playing with the winners, kept ahead of the chasing group of three other teams to secure their first placing as a couple by a single stroke.
Barry Traynor took charge of the putting while Tony Barritt added the strength of his tee to green game to take fourth ahead of Alan Griffiths and Kenny Priddy by count back whilst Mark Woods, who had almost despaired of any type of placing as a single, and Richard Dobson came in sixth.
There were no 2’s competitions due to the format.
Prior to the prize giving Terry Spicer, Mark Wood and Brian Wilkinson were welcomed back and also a farewell given to big Rodney Nabbe.
Friday, June 22, Eastern Star,
Stableford
1st John Desmond 36pts
2nd Lenard Commons 35pts
3rd Al Keith 34pts
Following our last outing at the course and the poor condition of the greens, it was no surprise to find a much smaller group than usual traveling to the normally popular venue in Bang Chang.
In the event however things had improved somewhat, although understandably with all the recent rain the greens were uncut and a little on the slow side, and in the absence of any runners from the “Badlands”, scoring was back to the normal levels at The Haven.
John Desmond slipped straight back into top gear, after several months away in old and tattered Blighty, with a solid level par round to deny the efforts of Lenard Commons and Al Keith, who were one and two shots adrift respectively in second and third places.
Back at The Haven The Doc welcomed back John Desmond and announced that Alan Griffiths was unfortunately being recalled under his retention clause to the Emirates Stadium, to refit the two seats in section D, row H that he had installed earlier in the year. It is hoped that he will be back in about 4 months time.
Just a final reminder for those not already signed up for the July 4th Independence Day and Richards Birthday team scramble at Phoenix, entries close on Monday 2nd at 5 pm. Entry forms are available at The Caddy Shack, The Haven, Jomtien Golf, Lewiinskis and the O.K. Corral.

Mills in the mood takes two in row

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

Monday, June 18, The Emerald, Stableford
Another hot and sultry day at this ever-improving course for our 24 starters before their three-day trip up to Nakhon Nayok begins.
There was some unusual high scoring coming in from the premier flight today with Andy Mills finishing with 39 points, beating Bruce Clark on a 22/21 back nine count back. Paddy Wilson was in third place with 38 points.
In the second tier, Tony Duthie’s 35 points just edged out Miss Nom with a back six count back of 13/11, while Jack Hinchey finished third with 32 points.
There was a double rollover from the previous two rounds in the 2’s for the second division and once again no winners. Andy Mills, playing his last game for four months, chipped in on the 15th for the only one of the day in division 1.
There are now 2 divisional prizes on each of the par threes to be won for nearest the pin; Mikael Andersson, Bruce Clark (2) and Chris Holmes all won in the higher division while Miss Nom (2) and Jack Hinchey won in the second flight.
Today also saw us bid ‘bon voyage’ to Tony and Joe Kubon before their return to the UK
Wednesday, June 20, The Emerald, Stableford
With the lads and lasses on tour, we cancelled Burapha and reverted back to Emerald for the second time this week, so there were only 17 players today.
Andy Mills decided to stay for a few more days before his return to the UK and this paid off with him winning division 1 with 37 points. He was closely followed home by David Howe on 35 points in second. In the lower division Glyn Evans’s 36 points pipped Dave Ross by two points to take first place.
Friday, June 22, Eastern Star, Stableford
Our regular outing every Friday and we had a depleted field today so we ran a single division with three prizes. Les Hall won with his 34 points beating Paul Quodomine on a back nine count back of 18/16. Two points behind and finishing in third place was Dave Ross.
Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Paweenas soi 5, Jomtien beach Rd. at around 9am for a 10.30 tee off time. Please sign up in the bar or ring Glyn on 086 837 5464.

Turner shoots 49 and Jacks wins at last

Phoenix Members Golf Group

Mike Gerrard
Wednesday, June 20, Stableford
After the trials and tribulations of organising the pairs comp last week, this week was a doddle. 16 players turned up on a day that threatened heavy rain, but thankfully kept away. Individual stapleford was the format over the Lakes and Ocean course; Ocean being perhaps most players favourite nine.

Sunday’s winners (L-R): Brian Jacks, Mayo Deane and Mr. Yang.

Scoring was not so easy today and only two players broke par, although with the course rating at 69 even they did not really break par.
Play was organized into two flights with the split at handicap 19 and above. The B flight winner with 39 points was Peter Herning with big Terry Turner coming in second with 36 points. In the A flight, the winner was our chairman Ron Bridge with 39 points and second was my new apprentice scribe Graham Hiskett with 36 points.
Technical prizes went to Jack Spencer, Norm Robinson, Peter Herning and Ron Bridge.
Friday, June 22, Pattaya C.C., Stableford
Due to a course closure at Phoenix, some of the boys went to Pattaya Country Club and big Terry Turner at last found true form and shot 49 (yes 49) points. Our chairman Ron Bridge assures me that our Terry has been cut 8 shots domestically (bout time!).
Sunday, June 24, Stableford
Another good turn out of 16 players for domestic handicap day. This time there were only 15 on the tee to start and our pal Doug Wilson came running down make a nice 4 x 4-balls.
Lakes and Ocean again today and there was nice cooling breeze across the course. We needed it as well as it was a very hot day.
Considering the way some of our players have been cut lately in this format, it has to be said there was some pretty good scores. However, it also has to said there were some players with some pretty horrible scores as well: I know, I was one of them.
One of our regular golfers is ex-Olympic judo man Brian Jacks. Brian has been giving us all a lot of ear bashing lately. He is playing some great golf but complains that he keeps getting knocked into second and third place by high scores from high handicappers. “I have never won”, is his regular comment. Well at last the spell is broken.
Brian Jacks was our winner this Sunday with 41 points, but only on count back from our other in-form member Mayo Deane, who also scored 41 points. This lass is playing some super golf at the moment. She must be one of the best swingers in Pattaya (I say that in the truest golfing sense). Third place on the day went to our fairly recent newcomer from Korea, Yang (I have not found out a last name yet) with 37 points.
We will be playing at a different course on July 4 due to a course closure at Phoenix. Then it’s back to normal with a pairs comp on Wednesday July 11, stroke play off blue tees on Friday July 13 and the monthly mug (stroke play) on Wednesday July 25.

Glen & Emmet gel in multiplier

I.P.G.C. golf with the Caddy Shack

Tuesday, June 19, Plutaluang
Playing the tough North/West combination for a stableford competition again proved to be a challenge for anybody to play to their handicap.

Glen Elsworth (left) & Emmet White, winners of the stableford multiplier at Green Valley.

The course was in very good condition despite rain early on and Kieron Keogh managed to post 27 points for third place; Dennis Byrne came second on 33 points and Bev Ewens took the honours with 34 points.
There were no 2’s claimed as once again the Navy Course came out on top
Friday, June 22, Green Valley, Stableford
Green Valley was the popular choice for a multiplier stableford event consisting of two players per team with the points being multiplied on each hole. Most players had never played this format before but all agreed that they thoroughly enjoyed it.
In second place came the pairing of Chris Platen & Ramsay Smith with 63 points whilst the winners were Emmet White & Glen Elsworth, only one point ahead with 64 points.
There were three 2’s scored by Bev Ewens, Philip Jacks and Aussie Darren. ‘Near pins’ were won by Phil Mitchell, Bev Ewens & Brian Jacks with nobody managing to hit the green on hole #2.
Back at the presentation, teammates were saying what could have been scored if their partner had only scored on one hole instead of a wipeout, but friendship was soon restored and all look forward to playing another multiplier stableford in the near future.

Brian & “Skinny” share the spoils

PSC golf from The Bunker;

Monday, June 18, Treasure Hill, Stableford
The first Stableford competition of the week was held at Treasure Hill on Monday where we saw Eddie Martin come out on top with 34 points, Roger Privett in second with 33 points and William Macey claiming third place with 32 points.
One of the near pin prizes also went to William and Kenneth Anderssen got in on the act winning one whilst Paul Smith won the other two.
Friday, June 22, Eastern Star, Stableford
The Bunker Boys had yet another washout at Crystal Bay on Wednesday, so it was off to Eastern Star for another Stableford comp on Friday hoping for the gods to be on their side.
It turned out to be a pretty good day weather wise with only a short delay for rain midway through the round temporarily halting play. After the restart we ended up with a tie for third place between Mashi Kaneta and William Macey, who both scored 32 points and we also had a tie for first place between Bryan Rought and “Skinny” Newton who shared first prize with 35 points.
Near pin prizes went to Stefan Hogey and Bryan Rought with Mashi Kaneta picking up the other two.

Mashi shows masterful touch around the greens

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook
Tuesday, June 19, Laem Chabang, Stableford
This day promised to be a cracker; off we were going to what is generally assumed to be the best course around, and all were looking forward to it. Mind, there had been some whispers of the Laem Chabang course being in its worst condition for some time, so we were a bit concerned.

Laem Chabang winner Mashi Kenata (right) with Gareth Weeks (left) and one of Pu’s finest.

On arrival we quickly booked in and were told we were to play A & B Nines, and whist out on the course we were informed that if we wanted we could substitute C for one of the ‘Nines’. Good what?
So off we went on A1 and while we were looking for our balls, some to the left and some to the right, we felt the first spots of rain. It couldn’t rain on our parade, could it? Well yes it could and yes it did. In fact it poured down, and of course the management stopped the use of carts on the course, which meant one of our less mobile players had to pack in.
Wet, bodily cold and miserably hot, we battled on. The golf deteriorated to such an extent that after 6 holes as we stopped at the first drinks stop, and the second group, now down to two, swapped notes with us, we found between 5 players there were 12 ‘No Returns’. The leading score was 8 points and the other 4 players had 6 points. Judging by the scores, we were looking at 4 players finishing with 18 points and one with 24.
Things did get better, it did continue to drizzle, but the players pulled themselves together a little, and some good holes were played. We could only hope that the players behind were having better luck, we were later to find that they were about the same, except for one. Although not getting the distance, he was chipping and putting like a demon.
Back at Bert’s we sat around for the presentation. The winner with 37 points was Mashi Kenata with Gareth Weeks in second with 31 points and Mick O’Meara in third with 29 points on count back over Perry McNeely. T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Bill Knight (2)

Boyd’s best ever at Bangpra

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

The most recent Pattaya Golf Society Sunday Stableford event was held at Bangpra on Sunday, June 17, on the well-presented course and under hot and humid skies. There was plenty of run on the fairways, the greens were slick and the conditions were perfect for some fine golf. For one player especially it would also be a day to remember.
The traditional single flight on Sundays had guaranteed a big payday and Scot Craig Boyd took advantage of it to produce his best ever round. He scored 43 points, his gross figures being 39 - 39, and took the course apart to win in style. It was a fitting way to bring down the curtain on his stay in the province.
In second place came new member Peter Masters, enjoying a day off from the trauma of the classroom, and his forty-point card contained some excellent individual hole scores. In third place was Paul Quodomine and his efforts were reflected by eight net birdies in a score of 37 points.
It was also a fine day for mine host Mr. Denis as his 36 points could have been so much better but for the inconsistencies that dog a thirty-handicapper.
The rolled over 2’s pot was shared by Craig Boyd, Yukio Kikuchi and Rick Schramm whilst the Booby Bevy could have gone to Carl Lovatt whose card showed 27 points on nine holes and only 7 on the remainder, or even Len Jones who held a rules seminar on the sixth hole after his ball was stolen by a playful monkey and dropped in the nearby jungle, instead of at the back of the green where it had landed. Instead however it went to Paul Quodomine for the embarrassment of a ricocheted tee shot on the third that rebounded fully thirty yards into “the drink” and he compounded the error by hitting the same tree with his “third off the tee”.
It had certainly been a memorable day at Bangpra.
Dobson dominates at Crystal Bay
Tuesday, June 19 and it was the turn of Crystal Bay to host a Pattaya Golf Society stableford event, over the “B” and “C” courses, which were well prepared as usual. The “B” course greens were recovering from coring but the rest of the course was well set up.
Even the surrounding thunderstorms held off as we witnessed an excellent competition. Sharing third place were Carl Lovatt and Stuart Thompson with hard earned scores of 35 points, just two behind winner Richard Dobson whose 37-point card took the victory on his first visit to the OK Corral.
The day’s only birdie ‘2’ was scored by Mikael Andersson on the “B” fourth hole. The Booby Bevy went to a decidedly off-key David Thomas whose eight-hole score of a mere six points embarrassed the consistent New Zealander in his efforts to retain his “Player of the Month” award.
Emiel makes a meal of Khao Kheow
Thursday, June 21 saw the Pattaya Golf Society revisit Khao Kheow for a medal round, the first there since September. This time the combination was the “A” and “B” nines and the course was very wet with the heavy clinging Bermuda rough even more vengeful than normal. It was a day when strong and accurate golf would be rewarded.
In third place was lady golfer Mod Churaiska whose net 73 was a good reward for accurate short play, and just ahead was Gilles Akoum whose level-par 72 was an excellent return from the high handicapper.
Shooting the best round of the day, and his best for months, was Emiel van der Wiele. A loss of form, a sore back and a break in his native Belgium have done nothing to improve his game but at Khao Kheow it all came together again in a rain-soaked round to give him a fine win.
The day’s birdie ‘2’ pot was shared by Ton Chaysa and Paul Quodomine, who had the honour of birdying the signature “island hole” at B8. Regular visitor Glyn Jenkins had the dubious pleasure of receiving the Booby Bevy for his high score and he accepted it with a smile, as always. Good stuff this golf!

“Megabreak” 9-Ball Handicap Pool League 2007

Barry Hooper
This is a newly formed 9-Ball league consisting of fifteen players.
The entrants are: Charlie, Olly, John Mega, Baz, Bob US, Oun, Chris, Jason, Ian, Nop, Billy, Chopper, Rich, Mark and Martin
Matches are played within a seven-day period and must be completed by the following Sunday evening. Handicapping is applied as used within other Megabreak events.
Play in round one is initially in five groups of three in a round robin format with cuts made after play. The top two players from each group together with the two highest scoring defeated players (12 players in total) will proceed to the following round.
A further 4 rounds will then be played to whittle the group down to two players to contest the final.
Full information on this league plus the regular “Sunday 9-Ball Competition” as sponsored by DSL (Deborah Services Limited) can be obtained at “Megabreak” Soy Diana Inn, Tel No 038 428 858, www.megabreakpool.com or email [email protected]
The next 9-Ball league is scheduled to start at the beginning of August. Anyone interested in taking part please submit your name as soon as possible as the entry is restricted and taken on a first come basis.
Results from June 23 (week 1)
Group A
Martin 2 v 3 Ian, Mark 1 v 3 Ian, Martin 2 v 3 Mark
Group B
John Mega 3 v 2 Chris, Chris 3 v 1 Rich, John Mega 1 v 3 Rich
Group C
Nop 3 v 1 Jason, Jason 3 v 1 Oun, Oun 3 v 2 Nop
Group D
Olly 3 v 1 Baz, Billy 1 v 3 Olly, Baz 3 v 1 Billy
Group E
Charlie 1 v 3 Bob, Chopper 2 v 3 Charlie, Bob 3 v 0 Chopper
Players moving forward to round two are: Group A - Jason, John (Mega) and Baz, Group B - Nop, Bob and Mark, Group C - Rich, Olly and Ian & Group D - Martin Chris and Charlie

The Royal Varuna Yacht Club: 50 years young

by Peter Cummins, Special Correspondent, “Pattaya Mail”
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club turns 50 years of age on the first of July 2007.
It joins the ranks of such illustrious 50 year-olds as the European Union and - a little closer home - the Pattana School. Even the Sydney Harbour Bridge is 75 this year. But, Royal Varuna is certainly not having a “mid-life crisis”; only some of the more ancient members are.

His Majesty the King in his OK TH 27 sailing off Varuna circa 1967.
Quite the contrary, Royal Varuna is thriving, with a new club-house, some 26 years to go with the present lease on the best piece of land on the entire Eastern Seaboard, a membership pushing 450 and a back-up of racing events, national and world championships.
This is the first part of a two-part story, tracing the establishment, history and development of this remarkable club.
But, let us start at the beginning. Prince Bhisadej Rajani was one of some 10 persons who answered Walter Meyer’s advertisement in the “Bangkok Post” in April, l957, seeking “Boating friends to form a boating club.” The elements for one of those ‘nationality’ jokes were in place as the group gathered, appropriately enough, at the then “Cosmopolitan” Restaurant (later, Charly’s), on Sathorn Road: an Australian, an Italian, two Swiss and a Thai, amongst others, did not sit down to joke however, for they had serious business on their minds.
By the end of that lunch 50 years ago, Prince Bhisadej, Sid Watkins, Robert (Rachiman) Gintzburger, Roberto Maestrini and Walter Meyer were the principal protagonists who, to use the correct nautical term, “launched” the Varuna Marine Club on the first of July, 1957, with the aim of “promoting all water sports, including power-boating, water-skiing, scuba diving and, of course, sailing, cruising and yacht-racing”.
Walter Meyer was elected Chairman of the Board (really, the first Flag Commodore) and called the inaugural meeting of the Marine Club committee on 7 August 1957. The first circular issued by secretary Sid Watkins on 22 August, 1957 pointed out that the entrance fee to the new club was a ‘staggering’ 250 baht, with monthly subscriptions all of 30 baht “payable in advance”. A Singha beer was then 12 baht per large bottle.
The major decision at the time was where to establish the club. Walter and his friends drove up and down a then little fishing village called Pattaya, which comprised some twenty fishing families and had a big tree in the middle of the road. Finally, a two-story wooden seaside house with a beach ideal for sail-boats was located on a site subsequently known as Barbos V, now the Nang Nual Restaurant.
A deal was struck with the owner - A Nai Samrit. However, these captains of industry did not have enough cash for the deposit of 2,000 baht. To the rescue came Walter’s wife with the amount and - Voila - the Varuna Marine Club had a home.
Why Varuna?
In Hindu theism, Varuna is one of the most important gods in the pantheon. In pre-Vedic times he was the supreme lord of the cosmos, the keeper of divine order, the bringer of rain, the enforcer of contracts. The god Varuna was thus believed to possess multiple powers, ruling the oceans and the winds, keeping under control the demons of the sea, from his abode in the western vector.

The first Varuna clubhouse was sited at the southern end of Pattaya Beach.
While still up there in the ether, a Varuna was discovered in December 2002, virtually, one of Pluto’s moons - a mere six billion kilometers away. Luckily, our earthly-bound Varuna is somewhat more accessible.
There have been at least four large craft that we know about, bearing the name “Varuna”, built from 1892 to 1907 in shipyards from Glasgow to Stockholm, according to the “Lloyds Register of Yachts”.
The “flagship” Varuna was designed by G.L. Watson who also designed the old “Britannica”. Built in Glasgow in 1892 for J.A. Mullhall, “Varuna”, a composite cutter, weighed in at 33.87 tonnes, was 71.5ft X 14.9ft and she drew 9.3 ft.
A list of entries in 2003 for the daunting annual North Atlantic Challenge from New York to Kiel featured an entry “Varuna”, a Farr IMX-40. The skipper, Jens Kellinghusen is a former Fireball National Champion of Thailand and certainly one of Varuna’s best sailors - ever!
There is even a road named after the Club, “Thanon Rajchawaroon”, which runs from the police box atop Khao Pratumnak right down to the Club property.
“You cannot imagine how wonderful Pattaya was then,” recounted Walter recently. “There was nothing there: no hotels, only two groups of bungalows, around what is now Soi Eight. My main regret is that today’s Varuna members do not know the old South Pattaya. You could leave your door open; there were no thieves. The water was as clear as at Koh Pai today. There were even shells on the beach from North to South Pattaya,” Walter added whimsically.
The Varuna Marine Club
The Varuna Marine Club was officially opened on the weekend of 15-16 February 1958, with a dinner-dance on Saturday night where “jackets and ties were forbidden”.
It was in fact a water sports club, with four sections: sailing, motor boating, water-skiing and fishing. Walter Meyer was the first Chairman of the board (read Flag Commodore), but Prince Bhisadej was the first Captain of Sailing, since Walter had no interest in this particular sport, being himself a fisherman. There continues to this day to be a friendly debate as to who was really the first Commodore of the club!
Indeed, the heart of Varuna was always sailing and Prince Bhisadej led its development.
Angelo Gualtieri, currently the Club’s Honorary Treasurer and Commodore from 1972-1974, recalls the first club facilities: one was a wooden two-storied house on the beach, and the other a wooden house across the road. The beach frontage was about 50 meters long, located next to the only bar/restaurant in Pattaya at the time called Barbos V, which has subsequently disappeared.
No doubt, the popularity of sailing and racing were greatly enhanced when His Majesty and some of the Royal Family participated, along with such luminaries as Prince Bhisadej and the late Prince Bhirabongse Bhanubandh, better known as Prince Bira.
In fact, it was the Crown Prince who donated and presented the permanent trophy for the Enterprise National Championship, the first national event recorded in the Kingdom, held off the Varuna Marine Club in l964. US sailors W. A. Gleason and K. R. Thomsen were the inaugural winners, beating Rachot Kanjanavanit/Narong and PrinceBira/Princess Lom.
The press ran such headlines as “25 yachts entered in first national regatta” (Bangkok World, 14 July, 1964); “Yachting in Thailand enters the big time” (Bangkok Post, 12 July, 1964).
His Majesty became an enthusiastic and skilful helmsman, tutored by Prince Bhisadej who assisted the King in building his own enterprise, the “Rajpatan”. One of the memorable outings was in March of l965 and consisted of a race from Varuna to Koh Larn, with the British Royal Consort, Prince Phillip as guest sailor.
The Prince, a Dragon sailor of great skills, was not exactly covered with glory, being the last to finish in this race to Koh Larn. Nevertheless, he so enjoyed the hospitality and the informality displayed by Their Majesties, the King and Queen, that upon his return to the UK he sent a catamaran as a gift to the King (the first multihull to enter Thailand). And what did His Majesty name the Cat? Pla Duek” (Thai for a Catfish, playing on the words Cat and Duke, a typical example of His Majesty’s sense of humour)
It was in March 1965 that the Varuna Marine Club membership was invited by His Majesty to the King’s own newly-established Royal Chitralada Yacht Squadron at the Klai Kangwol Palace at Hua Hin, to participate in a regatta celebrating the formation of the Yacht Squadron. There were - and still are - some 100 OK dinghies kept in mint condition, housed on the spacious lawns of Klai Kangwol.
On the Saturday after the race, when all the sailors and supporters were gathered at the large reception hall of the palace, Prince Bhisadej Rajani announced that His Majesty had conferred Royal Patronage upon the Varuna Marine Club. Thus, a month later on 26 April 1965, the Varuna Marine Club officially became the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, with His Majesty The King as the Patron.
An early member of the Club was Poul Weber, who has maintained a wonderful archive of club activities from those days. He has carefully recorded voluminous minutes of early meetings within the Club with the national authority, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Fleet Yacht Club, the Far East Yacht Racing Federation and numerous national associations.
Poul also has a definitive and comprehensive dossier of the voluminous press coverage of events from the early 1960s - an archive of great value.
The second part of this story relates to the move of the Club over Pratumnark Hill to its present site, trying to keep ahead of the steady march of concrete afflicting Pattaya, preserving its pristine environment and taking its place as a leading proponent of marine sports locally, regionally and in a world context.
(See Pattaya Mail next week for Part 2 of The Royal Varuna Yacht Club story).

‘Tigress’ still on the prowl

PSC golf from The Bowling Green

Saturday winners: Frank Kelly, Mick Folan, John Hefferman and Eamon Murtagh (Aprés Golf Fashion).

Barry Hooper
Tuesday, June 19, Crystal Bay, Medal
1st Tewin Lamthong (17) Net 70
2nd Ito Akitoshi (11) Net 72
3rd Parinya Rakthenksuk (28) Net 73
4th Per Rasmussen (20) Net 74
Near Pins: Ito Akitoshi (2)
2’s: Derek Eastham
Thursday, June 21, Emerald, Stableford
1st Fergus Brennan (11) 30pts c/b
2nd Ian Evans (26) 30pts
3rd Bob Dearnley (14) 29pts
4th John Hefferman (11) 28pts
Near Pins: Per Rasmussen, Alan Evans, Berni Segrave, Lekee Tan
2’s: Liam Ormsby and Alan Evans
Saturday, June 23, Greenwood, Stableford
1st Frank Kelly (15) 39pts
2nd Mick Folan (15) 38pts
3rd Per Rasmussen (20) 37pts c/b
4th Neil Duncan (15) 37pts c/b
5th Parunya Rakthenksuk (28) 37pts c/b
6th Mashi Kaneta (13) 37
Near Pins: Mick Folan, Liam Ormsby and Frank Kelly.
2’s: Liam Ormsby (2) Neil Duncan and Mick Folan
At the end of last week’s report I offered congratulations to Tewin Lamthong (Poopay) for her week’s efforts and said keep it coming. That is exactly what she did on our Tuesday outing to Crystal Bay, winning with a net 70, just two in front of Ito Akitoshi who was one up on third placed (Thomas) Parinya Rakthenksuk. Per Rasmussen was in fourth spot holding up the European end of things.
I had opportunity to actually go and play at two events this week and take a little time from my teaching. Thursday at Emerald was eventful with heavy rain stalling things just after my group reached the tenth hole. Deciding that enough was enough with lightning etc. several groups called it a day. But some hardened golfers amongst us carried on regardless.
Fergus Brennan won on count back with 30 points from Alan Evans, with Bob Dearnley taking third spot just one point back. I was impressed with the “Emerald” on what was my first visit to the club. It may be small by some standards but the service and treatment was excellent.
It was a very enjoyable outing despite play being curtailed. I understand that Emerald is going to be the new venue for our Saturday outings for a few months. A good decision I think judging by the comments that I have received from several players.
Saturday saw a change of venue this week to “Greenwood”. Once more I was able to play and again it was my first visit to the club. I was most impressed by what I found. In particular when we were on the back nine rain was seriously threatening and within seconds the caddies had all produced plastic covers for all the players bags and although this is a small thing it is an example of the efficiency of the staff.
We were very lucky with the weather as no sooner had we all returned to the clubhouse than the heavens opened up and carried on for a very long time all the way back to Pattaya.
The winner on the day was “Steady Eddy” Frank Kelly on 39 and fellow Irishman Mick Folan just one back on 38 second. Third place was decided on count back with four players all found on 37 points. Per Rasmussen was the lucky man over Neil Duncan, Thomas and Mashi Kaneta.
The ‘near pins’ was an Irish benevolence fund with three sharing the spoils. One was not claimed so went back into the pot.
The 2’s were very similar with Liam Ormsby taking two and Mick Folan one and only Neil Duncan prevented it being another all Irish affair.
The Aprés Golf theme of things was seen in play again with two of the large Irish contingent, John Hefferman and Eamon Murtagh seen sporting some very colourful attire: Nice to see, keep it up lads.
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 Bowling Green 038-720742 or send an email to [email protected].

Bob books a date with the axe-man

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar

As the year rolls along so does our golf. June has arrived with the weather turning slightly to the wetter side and the balls not carrying so far. The greens and fairways are better but running a bit slower.
The month started with Paul Kraft leading the way with 37 points to win the first week. Looking back through past scores, it was a little less than the normal winning average score of 40 points. It was a good score none-the-less with Sus Ige coming in second with 35 points.
In the second week scores were back to normal as Bob Benda came in with a scorching 41 points. In the last article I had Paul Kraft at 46 points but that was a mistake. Paul had scored only 40 - sorry Paul, I know you got cut a bit but the score was correct on the scorecard that was sent in. This week there is no mistake so the axe will be out for Bob Benda.
Dale Murphy was running hot again as he came in with 37 points to take second and Sus again near the top with 36 points.
See you all next week.

Three-way battle for Monthly Mug

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, June 18, Treasure Hill, Stableford
Treasure Hill Golf and Country Club was host to a Stableford competition in one flight. The course was in good condition and even the sand in the bunkers has firmed up.

Bjarne (right) presents the Monthly Mug to P. Singh Basi.

The scores on the day were good with only three golfers under 30 points. Dave Richardson took the win by a street with his best score of the year, 43 points. In second place was Doug Good on count back from Mike Winfield in third, both with 35 points.
Thursday, June 21, Pattaya Country Club, Monthly Mug – Medal
This not being the busiest time of the year, it was nice to see that we had a reasonable turn out. This is the only monthly competition of the year we return to ‘The Kronborg’ for the presentation, so a course close to Pattaya is ideal.
On this day Pattaya C.C. was in good condition, it seems to be recovering from problems earlier in the year, and now the fairways are grassed, greens quick and tricky and the holes a bit rounder.
It was also nice and empty, so we got around quickly, but a rising wind made conditions tricky, and it was with great relief that the last group finished and made the dash to the clubhouse as the weather broke and the rain hammered down.
Back at The Cafe Kronborg, as the results were worked out, it was obvious that the scores were not outstanding and that only one man had beaten his handicap. We had one flight only and all four winners were within one shot with a three-way count back for the winner. And so to the winner of the flight who was Mark Brenton with a net 73 on count back over Michael Winfield in second, Doug Good in third and in fourth was Bob Nelson with a net 74.
So to the ‘Mug’, and the winner on the day was P. Singh Basi, with a fine net 68, well done!

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

There once was a time, every four years in fact with the arrival of the Olympics, when fight fans actually used to pay some attention to the amateur boxers. Some might now make the connection between the demise of both amateur and professional boxing.
Much of the displeasure with the amateur sport was caused by questionable scoring and decisions: First there was the ‘never heard from again’ South Korean fighter named Park Si-Hun who beat Roy Jones jr. in the 1988 Seoul Games 3-2. Jones lost despite pummeling Park for three rounds, landing 86 punches to Park’s 32. Someone that was there contacted the Square Ring with the following tale of corruption.
“This bout had nothing to do with the competency of officials and their knowledge of scoring or the method of scoring. This was down right fraud and cheating. The organizing committee and President Anwar Chowdry were paid to give Korea two gold medals. They found three scum-bags to do the thievery in that and another bout.”
Allegedly, Park himself apologized to Jones afterwards. One judge shortly thereafter admitted the decision was a mistake, and all three judges who voted against Jones were eventually suspended.
Most observers still believe the judges were either bribed or otherwise coerced to vote for the local fighter by Korean officials. The Square Ring, through an unnamed source, can state categorically, “The fix was in.”
Cosmetically, amateur boxing tried to fix the problem with push button judges in which an old geezer (remember you don’t have to be “old” to be an “old geezer”) would push a button when a punch landed. In fact to help cover the skullduggery from the ’88 Olympics, it was mandated that no one could judge a fight when they reached the age of 60.
Like all amateur sports, boxing was corrupt not necessarily for money, although that was a factor, but mainly for power. Then a few months ago things began to change. The Square Ring e-mailed its source in regard to the changes. This was the response we received.
“This is an answer to your e-mail about the dictator Anwar Chowdry of Pakistan who was a tyrant who ruled amateur boxing as if it was his toy to play with ... No Longer!” At the world AIBA (the governing body for amateur boxing) convention, Ching-Kuo Wu of Taiwan ran for President against Chowdry. It is now a new ball game since he is ‘in’ and the world of amateur boxing will no longer be dictated to by the likes of Chowdry and his henchmen kiss-asses.”
The first really bold move of the new regime was the changing of the World Championships to the United States and taking it away from Russia. Now amateur boxing has also junked the push button scoring and will go to judges counting punches with the high and low scores tossed out. Kind of sounds like figure skating and we know how successful that was. Let’s all sing “Oh Canada”. But at least it’s a step.
With the demise of the Olympics as a proving ground for boxers working towards a professional career, many have taken the path of least resistance. For some that means playing in the wading pool and never learning how to swim. Then when thrown in the deep end they don’t have the skills to swim - so they drown.
A great example of this is Yoddamrong Sithyodthong (45-6-1) who reigned as the WBA super-bantam champ for three months. At 28-0 he won a unanimous decision over Yoder Ortega to capture the title. Three months later Yoddamrong traveled to Japan to defend against Osamu Sato, got knocked down three times and KO’d in 8.
After 12 meaningless wins Yoddamrong got another shot at the WBA super-bantam title against Mahyar Monshipour in Paris. This time he got clocked in 6. Since then Yoddamrong has never been the same or maybe his flaws just became more apparent.
Many, not familiar with Thai boxing, were surprised last September when Chonlatarn Or Piriyapinyo (15-0) handed Yoddamrong a fairly easy unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 117-117). The rematch came a week ago. In the intervening 9 months Chonlatarn had won 4 more matches while Yoddamrong did nothing. This time out Yoddamrong was down twice before referee Somsak Sirianan stopped it at 0:41 seconds of round 7.
Real big fights are few and far between. Last Sunday’s fight in Las Vegas between Ricky Hatton (40-0) vs. Jose Luis Castillo (55-7-1) was an authentic “major fight.”
A real major fight delivers it’s own PR without a lot of the “phony bologny” that permeates most fugazi fights. The fact that this was a “real’ fight is strange cause they were fighting for a fugazi” IBO title. The only IBO champions that a sports fan may recognize are Wlad Klitschko and Ricky Hatton.
World known referee Joe Cortez was the only person in the ring in shirt, slacks and tie when the opening bell rang. Hatton was a big favorite with the 11,000 Brits that traveled across the ‘big pond’ for the fight, betting US$1.80 to win a dollar.
Just days before the fight a Federal Judge granted an attachment to Castillo’s purse in the name of Gary Shaw Productions and the Diego Corrales’s Estate of up to $1.2 million. As with most things legal, there was a “but” attached. Shaw and the Corrales Estate had to post a bond and when they couldn’t the Judge removed the attachment. Then, just before the fight began in the pre fight blather it was revealed that promoter Bob Arum had paid Castillo’s US$250,000 fine to the Nevada Commission and supported the fight throughout his year of inactivity while on suspension. The purses for Castillo’s last two fights with the late Diego Corrales had been held up.
Last Sunday was a “major event” and not a major fight. If you watched the fight on TV the preceding paragraph would explain why the gentleman sitting in the second row in the brown suit had a face longer than the late Sea Biscuit. Bob Arum already knew what it took Hall of Fame trainer and boxing commentator Emanul Stewart almost half of round one to discover, “Castillo is a tired fighter.”
Being unkind, that means that Castillo’s was a “shot fighter”, in the ring for a pay day, which he may or may not get. As for Arum, it’s a case of kissing his investment good bye.
For those into records, the event ended at 2:17 of round 4 when Castillo went down from a left hook to the side. The punch, so we were told, “surprised” him and was “devastating”. Hogwash. The only surprised people were referee Joe Cortez who couldn’t believe that Castillo was down and Ricky Hatton thinking that maybe Castillo was complaining of a low blow. Of course the Hatton fans were over the moon.
The fight proved nothing in regard to those that have questions about Hatton’s ability. It was a win against a fighter that was not only ‘over the hill’, but well out in the desert. In true Mexican fashion Castillo tried to save himself with a couple of low blows but referee Joe Cortez said, “stop” which Castillo didn’t so he lost a point. That’s probably the time when Castillo decided to end the nonsense.
Actually, the fans that came to root for Hatton were the real show. They were in great form asking the question, “What American fighter could sell 11,000 tickets to a fight in England?” The answer of course is none. In fact there’s no American fighter that can sell 11,000 tickets for a fight anywhere.
When plied with lager the Brits do love to sing and they were in fine form. They opened with “Blue Moon” and ended with a Christmas song in June as they sang “Walking in a Hatton Wonderland.”
For those not familiar with English football (called soccer in civilized countries), “Blue Moon” is the signature song for Manchester City football (soccer) team. As all residents of Thailand know, that team is being purchased by Thailand’s deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (still with a warrant out for his arrest). Word is the new owner is trying to hire the equally flawed Sven Erickson, former England manager, as the headman. Could one expect any less?
“Your Lordship?”
Yes Jeeves what is it?
“Your Lordship, I have to toddle along, but first I’d like to give some results that you’ve missed. Fahsan 3K Battery (58-8-1) had no trouble last Friday at the Taweethapisek School in Bangkok when it took only 25 seconds into the second round to KO Yuvensius Laeande, who is either 2-4-2 or 13-2-2. 3K has won 13 in a row since he was sent to the ‘land of nod’ by Manny Pacquiao in 2004.
“Promoter Jimmy Chaichotchuang said before the fight, ‘Fahsung 3K Battery is chasing a shot at IBF jr featherweight champion Steve Molitor of Canada. I’m confident 3k Battery would defeat Molitor.’ Of course Your Lordship most everyone knows the result because the fight was carried nationally on Channel 7, but it’s never bad to be sure.
“Anyway, that aside Your Lordship I’ve laid in a copious supply of lager, your cigars have been brisked and there’s a rack of oldies in the record machine. I’m off for a night on the town with the lads and lasses.”