IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, June 24, Green Valley –
White Tees,
Stableford
A Flight
1st Simon Philbrook (6) 43pts
2nd Jeremy Masse (10) 42pts
3rd Ian Grout (12) 40pts
B Flight
1st Jez Lees (18) 40pts
2nd Pete Stonebridge (17) 38pts
3rd John Hillier (15) 37pts
C Flight
1st Nok Samporn (36) 38pts
2nd David Foulk (21) 36pts
3rd Mike Craighead (22) 35pts
Near Pins: #2: Keith Brooks; #9: An Kaesavane, #12: Simon Philbrook; #16: Mark Wood
2’s: Simon Philbrook, Jeremy Masse, Kris Kritsanajootha, Mark Wood, Klaus Schackt, Jim Brackettt, John Hillier, Colin Davis, Charles Sheppard.
Simon of Philbrook garnered the title slot with a bristling gross 71 which racked up 43 points to take A Flight. The rest of the low handicappers showed well on the day with Jeremy Masse having to settle for second despite 42 points, and The Tile having to go to a count back to have his 40 points better those of Kris Krits.
B Flight had a 40 Man in the shape of The Principal who topped out the Headmaster by two points. Nice Guy Johnny and the Divine Ms. K were knotted at 37 points, but the former cited age before beauty and took the count back.
Ms. Hester, a/k/a Nok Somporn, continued her improvement which will undoubtedly continue until her handicap joins her Society sisters in the teens. She nipped David Foulk by two with her 28 points. The Mechanic, using the guile commensurate with his age, took the count back from good friend of all, Mo Lamki.
Tuesday, June 26, Laem Chabang B & C – White Tees, Stableford
1st Dan Willits (8) 36pts
2nd Joe McArdle (12) 36pts
3rd Bob Lindborg (16) 34pts
2’s: Dan Willits, Nick Payne
Dan Willits who has been with us only a couple of weeks continued to show well as he bettered The Leprechaun on count back. In like manner, The Guru shows he can travel as he pipped Sid Ottaway by the same devilish tool, the count back.
Wednesday, June 27, Crystal Bay B & C – White Tees,
Stableford
1st Phil Groves (5) 33pts
2nd Joe McArdle (6) 33pts
2’s: Mossy Quaid, Jules Lang
Big Phil, f/k/a The Swimming Instructor, gave The Leprechaun his second count back loss of the week: So much for Luck of the Irish. A road trip to Soi Dao by a number of the society members contributed to the light turnout for the last couple of days.
Friday, June 29, Greenwood B & C – White Tees,
Stableford
A Flight
1st Colin Davis (15) 40pts
2nd Jim Brackett (6) 36pts
3rd Kenneth Anderson (5) 35pts
B Flight
1st Mo Lamki (23) 41pts
2nd Neil Cameron (16) 36pts
3rd Pierre Bietry (20) 35pts
2’s: Colin Davis, Jack Grindvold, Joe Tynan, Jez Lees
With The Society back at full strength, a good-sized field took on the layout at Greenwood, (f/k/a Noble Place). Mo Lamki was MoM on the day with 41 points to also top out B Flight. The Club Maker to the Stars, who wanted this Scribe to pass on that he had a couple of Flight winners on the week playing the Neil Cameron line of clubs, came second with an even to handicap 36 points. Monsieur Pierre tidied up the second flight with a good for third place 35 points.
The Donkey showed why he put the well-conditioned Greenwood on the monthly calendar as he spun around the B and & C layout with 40 points to take A Flight. Jimbo Brackett nabbed the silver, with Kenny Anderson, playing his second to the last match of this stay, assembling 35 points off his stingy 4 handicap.

Benson & Novak share in doubles win

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

Monday, June 25,
Pattaya C.C.,
2-man scramble
Sixteen teams today playing in the competition and with a green fee of 1,800 baht for four persons, we all hope this will continue for some time into the future.
With an I.P.G.C. recommended format, it was a 40% combined handicap system in this medal event that was deducted from the gross scores.
After a two-week absence due to ill health, Ben Findon and his partner Les Hall recorded a score of 60.6 to take third place. Paul Quodomine and David Thomas finished just ahead with a net 60.2, but the winners on the day were Russell Benson and Tom Novak with a score of net 58.
Tom Novak and Burnie Sinclair, Mikael Andersson and Jack Hinchey, Miss Am and Glyn, and Oam and Paddy all took home Near Pin prizes.
Wednesday, June 27,
Eastern Star,
Stableford
With another small influx of members returning to the UK, and even more next week, there were only 18 of us out today.
We have been informed by the management that the greens here at Eastern Star will be back to their normal condition by August, we will keep you updated.
In division 2 Miss Nom beat Glyn Evans on count back 17/15 after they both finished with 33 points to claim the top position. Mikael Andersson’s 35 point beat Ben Findon’s 29 to take the 1st division prize.
In form Mikael also won two nearest the pin prizes while Ton Sathrum took the other.
Friday, June 29,
Emerald,
Stableford
With one more starter than Wednesday, it was our basic two divisional game today and with a deserted course it was a three and a half hour round.
The cut was made at 1-20 for division 1 and three people all tied for first place on 34 points. Russell Benson ended up third with a back nine score of 17, Les Hall second with 19, but with 20 points David Howe was declared the winner.
A remarkable 29 points was good enough in the lower division to earn Rick Newman third place, Ken Foster on a greater count back was in second, but the other half, Miss Nom won the division with 35 points.
Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Paweenas soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd. for a 10.30 tee off time. Please sign up in the bar or call Glyn on 086 837 5464.

Ed’s the star at Century

PSC golf from The PJ Pool Bar

David Gardner
Tuesday, June 26, Century Chonburi, Stableford
1st Ed Horrocks (30) 42pts
2nd Barry Quirk (15) 34pts
3rd Ian Campbell (28) 33pts c/b
Near Pins: Barry Quirk, Bob Pearce

Ed Horrocks (right) and Barry Quirk - first and second at Century Chonburi.
We only had nine players for today - not a huge turnout but enough. Century is not everyone’s favourite partly due to the distance but mainly the condition of the course and facilities. But for all that it is a well-designed course and well worth playing.
Despite the small field it was a successful outing, particularly for our star performer Ed Horrocks who returned one of the best scores of the month, 42 points. A long way back in second was Barry Quirk. Ordinarily he would have been very pleased with his 34 points.
Ian Campbell and Neil Ormsby were one point behind Barry, tied on 33. Ian took third place with a better back nine, which was unfortunate for Neil who was awarded his first handicap last week. But it still gives him every hope of a podium finish next week.
Thursday, June 28, Plutaluang N&W, Stableford
1st Jeff Wylie (9) 39pts
2nd Roy Pimblett (21) 36pts
3rd Barry Quirk (15) 35pts
4th Bruce Lawrence (10) 34pts
Near Pins: Ron Bullock, Bruce Lawrence, Ian Campbell, Barry Quirk
Long Putt: Neil Duncan
With advanced warning of hollow tyning of the greens on South and East, we asked to play North and West even though it was the same eighteen as last week. Reports from a group playing the other course seemed to justify our choice.
With no heavy rain in the last few days North and West was in good shape. The rough had been cut, the fairways weren’t quite so heavy and it didn’t seem such a long way round as last week.
Scoring was much improved also. Considering that 31 points was enough to win three weeks ago, today you didn’t feature in the prizes with less than 34.
Jeff Wylie returned to form in style with 39 points in first place which on this course is probably five better than handicap. Roy Pimblett, whose excellent 36 points would have won comfortably in the past had to settle for second. Barry Quirk rounded off another good week taking third place, adding to his second place finish at Century on Tuesday.

Eddie Martin is the man for June

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, June 25, Bangpra, Medal
Monday saw The Bunker Boys play a Medal competition at Bangpra, with play going off the slightly easier white tees.

Eddie Martin - ‘Golfer of the Month’ for June.
Rain clouds were swirling around and looking menacing as the game got underway and it wasn’t long before there was a hold up as the heavens opened, but the downpour was short-lived and the round was completed without any further dalays.
Mashi Kaneta and Peter Habgood came out on top, sharing first place with two-under par net 70’s, whilst Paul Smith finished one shot back on net 71.
Near pin prizes went to Mike Lloyd, Paul Smith, Eddie Martin and Geoff Hart.
This win put Mashi hot on the heels of Eddie Martin for the ‘Golfer of the Month’ trophy, which had to be decided by Friday at Phoenix.
Wednesday, June 27, Khaow Kheow, Stableford
A Stableford competition was next on the agenda at Khaow Kheow on the Wednesday. Mike Lloyd took the honours with 34 points whilst Paul Smith and “Skinny” Newton shared second prize, one shot behind on 33 points.
Paul Smith won two of the near pin prizes with the other two going to Roger Privett and William Macey.
Friday, June 29, Phoenix, Medal
The second Medal comp of the week was held at Phoenix Golf and Country Club and it would decide who won the ‘Golfer of the Month’ trophy for June.
As it turned out it was Eddie Martin who came through with his second placed net 73 proving enough to clinch the title. Dewey Augustsson took the day’s honours with a one-under par net 71 and third place went to John King with a net 74.
The same three players collected a near pin prize each along with “Skinny” Newton.

Rich Montana steals the show at Pattana

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, June 25, Crystal Bay, Stableford
The Crystal Bay Resort and Country Club was host to a Stableford competition on the A & C layouts. The weather was fine and hot with just a few threatening clouds around.
The course in general was in good condition with most greens being cored and sanded recently, and there was even hot water in the showers for the first time in two years.
Steady Ebrahim took the first place with 39 points ahead of Morton Gausla in second with 38 points, Kevin Dinan in third with 36 points, Joel Flor in fourth with 35 points and Martyn Topham in fifth with 33 points.
Thursday, June 28, Pattana, Stableford
Whilst this is not my favourite course it has to be up there amongst the best, and certainly the facilities are the best at any venue, mind you do pay for the luxury

Rich Montana was in fine form at Pattana last Thursday, winning the A Flight with 41 points.
Arriving at Pattana the first thing you see is the magnificent clubhouse. After a protracted booking in procedure it is then down to the very fine changing facilities and from there, only a short trip to the caddy area.
On this day the test was the A & C Nines, which meant we did not have the truly terrifying drive into the wind on B1, and on the day it was windy. If you are a big hitter this is a course you will appreciate, once you get to know the line of shot, and it is fairly forgiving of the wayward drive. So belt it, find it, and knock it on the green. This is an easy game!
With the wind up it was still difficult although the fairways were good, the greens fast and the rough not too bad. So it was a bit of a tricky one to guess at the winning scores.
Round over and up in the excellent restaurant the results were announced. The winner in the A Flight (0-18) was Rich Montana with 41 points ahead of Graham Houston with 39 points in second and yours truly in third with 36 points.
In the B Flight the winner was Mark Brenton, having a good week, with 38 points ahead of a three-way count back on 35 points that saw Willy Cellis in second, Kevin Dinan in third and Mike Winfield just losing out.

Tony Kitchen has the best of the year

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, June 25,
Green Valley, Stableford
1st Alan Duckett 40pts
2nd Chris Knapp 39pts c/b
3rd Chris Davisson 39pts
4th Al Keith 37pts c/b
5th Rick Holmes 37pts
Alan Duckett made it a happy return to The Haven with an excellent round of four-under his handicap to squeeze Chris Knapp and Chris Davisson into second and third places respectively. The latter two had to be separated by count back with Captain Chris getting the nod with an outstanding 23 points on the back, after Chris Davisson had the same on the front nine.
Al Keith and Rick Holmes in fourth and fifth places also had to go to a count back with Al taking it on the last 3.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Trevor Schirmer and Chris Davisson had one each in the first division.
Before presenting the prizes “The Doc” welcomed new member John Parker and also welcomed back Michael English, Brian Henderson, Michael Hill, John Wilson, Walt Straub, Kenneth Andersen, Alan Duckett and Paul Hartley.
Wednesday, June 27,
The Emerald, Stableford
1st Roy Thornton 35pts c/b
2nd Brian Kelly 35pts
3rd Dave Stockman 34pts
4th Yasuo Suzuki 32pts c/b
5th Chris Knapp 32pts
Roy Thornton continues to defy his doctors orders and even manages to get it round in fairly good figures, which is amazing when one considers that he is presently almost totally unable to walk. On this day however, with a very good back nine that won him the count back over Brian Kelly, he was good enough to take the top honours.
Dave Stockman also had a steady round and whilst he never quite got into the groove, he did just enough to take third place ahead of Yasuo Suzuki and the in-form Chris Knapp.
Roy Thornton had the lone ‘2’ in the first division whilst Brian Kelly swept the board to claim the triple rollover in the second division. He was so grateful that he blew the horn to add to the participants’ line of drinks after Captain Roy had already done the same for topping the podium.
Friday, June 29,
Phoenix - Blue Tees, Monthly Medal
Division One
1st Yasuo Suzuki net 69
2nd Al Keith net 70
3rd John Desmond net 71
Division Two
1st Tony Kitchen net 66
2nd Chris Knapp net 69
3rd Suichi Kodaka net 72
Tony Kitchen had the best Monthly Medal round of the year so far over the Lakes and Ocean courses at Phoenix playing off the blue tees, which on this day were about as far back as they could be. Tony thus reserved his place in the Gold and Silver competitions to be held at the end of the year, and in doing so also took the second division medal ahead of Chris Knapp, who must have thought that he was a certainty to cap off and excellent week with a well deserved win after his return of three-under.
Suichi Kodaka also had a good day with a level par round assisted by a very nice ‘2’ to take third spot.
In the first division things were even tighter as Yasuo Suzuki threw caution to the wind with a three-under round that proved to be just enough to edge out Al Keith into second, with John Desmond continuing his run of from in third place.
Suichi Kodaka had the only ‘2’ in the second division and Al Keith, John Desmond and Barry Traynor had one each in the first division.
Back at The Haven “The Doc” welcomed new member Harry Vinceza and also welcomed back Kinya Akiyama and Suichi Kodaka.

Rick rips it up at Phoenix

Phoenix Members Golf

Mike Gerrard
Wednesday, June 27, Medal
Just before our registered tee-off we had 10 names signed up and I’m thinking how easy it will be to sort it all out quickly and go and prepare for my own round of golf. Ha, think again MacDuff.
Ten minutes later we had 24 players and I had already sent a 3-ball out. Never mind, it was all sorted out - with a lot of help from Ron and Graham.
With this being a medal day playing off the back tees on the Lakes/Ocean course, the last thing you want is confusion on the tee. I started off with a 4-putt first hole to record an 8 and that was about the end of my challenge for the honours.
Despite all this we managed to get round fairly quickly and with the threat of rain staying away we all looked forward to the 19th.
The course is now in magnificent condition and the greens are very fast and tricky.
Being off the back tees there were some bad scores for the round, but the boys at the top did exceedingly well..
Only two ladies were with us on the day and the mini mug went to Noi Jenvuthida with a net 74 off the yellow tees.
‘B’ flight winner was Kevin Bird with a net 72 playing off 18, with Norm Robinson in second place on count back with a net 75 playing off 17.
‘A’ flight winner was Clive Robinson with a net 71 playing off 8 and second was Ron Bridge with a net 75 playing off 9. Ron came second on count back from myself and when I checked the scores back at home I discovered that I had actually pipped him for second place on count back. You owe me a drink Ron!
Saving the best till last was our mug winner with a fantastic gross 78 playing off 12 to give a net 66 off the blue tees. Rick Delaney had a super knock and the good news for the rest of us is that Rick will be playing off a much lower handicap next time out.
Technical prizes went to Graham Hiskett and the days champion Rick Delaney who got three!
Wednesday, July 11, will be a pairs competition at Phoenix so please phone your 2-ball team to me as soon as possible.

Tewin stays on top

PSC golf from the Bowling

Barry Hooper
Tuesday, June 26, Phoenix, Stableford
1st Neil Duncan (15) 43pts
2nd Tewin lamthong (17) 42pts
3rd Frank Kelly (15) 40pts
4th Barry Rothberg (23) 37pts
5th Tony Geeland (24) 35pts
6th Fergus Brennan (11) 33pts
Near Pins: Barry Rothberg, Tewin Lamthong, Frank Kelly, Neil Duncan
2’s: Frank Kelly and Barry Rothberg
Thursday, June 28, Plutaluang, Stableford
1st Tewin Lamthong (15) 35pts c/b
2nd Alan Evans (26) 35pts
3rd Jay Perrin (20) 34pts
4th Dick Warberg (15) 32pts
Near Pins: Lee Kee Tan, Dick Warberg, Amphan North, Takeshi Hakazaki
2’s: None
Saturday, June 30, Emerald, Stableford
1st David Thomas (8) 35pts c/b
2nd Derek Eastham (14) 35pts
3rd Lee Kee Tan (28) 33pts c/b
4th Stuart Thompson (6) 33pts
Near Pins: Ann Haranya, Carl Lovatt, Ian Kidd, Walter Baechli
2’s: Ann Haranya and Carl Lovatt

Saturday’s prize winners: Walter Baechli, Ann Haranya, Lee Kee Tan and Derek Eastham.
I thought after last week’s report I was going to find a new headline for this week, but Tewin the “Tigress” remains on the prowl after another second place and near pin on Tuesday at Phoenix and then topping that with a win at Plutaluang on Thursday.
I wonder what Saturday at Emerald might have brought had she been able to play, but her schooling commitments prevented her from taking part.
However the ladies were still taking prizes all week with visiting Philipino “Lee Kee Tan” having a near pin at Plutaluang and taking third place on count back from Stuart Thompson at Emerald. And another new Thai face on the local scene, Ann Haranya, in her first ever competition event took half the 2’s pot and a near pin at Emerald whilst Amphan North shared a near pin win at Plutaluang. Congratulation ladies.
Tuesday’s golf saw the only clear win of the week as Neil Duncan triumphed over Tewin by just one point with the other two outings both being won on count back.
At Plutaluang, Tewin got the nod overAlan Evans after both finished with 35 points a piece and David Thomas took it from Derek Eastham on Saturday with the same score line.
Fergus apologised to all our golfers on Saturday because he had to change the planned trip to Emerald for Saturday and revert to Greenwood due to a weekend comp being held for the youngsters at Emerald. But it is back to Emerald for the week after.
We were to see a new 2’s record on Saturday when yours truly scored only two points for the whole round and was politely presented with a booby prize by event organiser Fergus on return to the club. Maybe I should stick to my report writing and give up the golf.
Reminder: If anyone is interested in golfing with the Bowling Green call Tewin on 086 056 7019 or Bowling Green 038-720742.

Royal Varuna Yacht Club: An oasis in the Pattaya concrete

(From left): His Majesty the King with Dr. Rachot, Prince Philip and Prince Bira on the shorefront at Varuna.

by Peter Cummins, Special Correspondent “Pattaya Mail”
This is the second part of a scheduled three-part series of the history of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club which reached the half century last week.
The first story examined the founding and early days of the then Varuna Marine Club culminating in His Majesty the King conferring Royal Patronage on the club. Thus, on April 26, 1965, the Marine Club became the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. His Majesty the King remains the Royal Patron, and, during those exhilarating years, the King, members of the Royal Family, other visiting Royalty and diplomats were all enthusiastic and skilful sailors at the club.

His Majesty the King (TH72) and HSH Price Bhisatej sailing hard on a beat. The Varuna Marine Club was bestowed Royal Patronage on April 26, 1965 and officially became the Royal Varuna Yacht Club on that day.
Slowly, but inexorably, development started to overtake Walter Meyer’s pristine Pattaya and Royal Varuna stalwart Poul Weber, for one, saw the inevitability of the club re-locating or being engulfed by the all-conquering march of concrete.
Second Commodore, Sid Watkins (l964-l966), was inclined to agree with Poul and a number of the members who feared being engulfed by Pattaya developments, as the concrete marched up Pratumnak Hill and up and down the Pattaya shoreline.
It soon became apparent that Pattaya Bay was developing as a weekend resort for Bangkokians. The bridge across the Bang Pakong River was improved and cut almost two hours off the trip from Bangkok, so Pattaya was filling up on weekends. The first resort hotel, the Nipa Lodge had opened, another, the Chalet Hotel at Wongse Amat had just started and the Bay was rapidly filling with power craft.
In 1967, the owner of the land then occupied by the club wanted to double the rent to about Baht 24,000 per year, which was considered a great imposition and the members were very indignant. It was becoming clear that the club needed to move. It was during third Flag Commodore Denis Lowry’s tenure (l966-l967), that the contentious issue of leaving South Pattaya became confrontational and eventually split the club.
Fourth Commodore, Rachot Kanjanavanit (l967-l970), secured the present site - no doubt one of the best on the Eastern Seaboard - designed the club-house and, in October, l967, led the move “over the hill,” to what many thought at the time was a “wilderness, with no power, no water supply and no amenities.”
Dr. Rachot never failed to tell newer members that some of the membership at the time, thought “we (the Committee) were a bunch of madmen”.
Dr. Rachot, an active member who sailed an OK, announced that he had discovered a plot of land suitable for a new clubhouse just around the corner of the headland south of Pattaya Bay, and in typically fractious Varuna fashion, the great debate began.
One group was keen to move the club to the middle of Pattaya Bay, where a site was available. The other group wanted to move to the new site over Pratumnak Hill. There were furious debates and, when it was learned that the rent for the proposed new site would be Baht 2,000 per year, a great cry of ‘We can’t afford it!’ went up.
Eventually at the Annual General Meeting it was finally decided to take a 10-year lease on the newly-identified plot of land (the present site), with an option to renew for a further 10 years. Dr. Rachot undertook to design the new clubhouse and commission the construction.
One fateful Sunday at the new site, before anything had been built, the only approach was a dirt road down from the hill, deeply rutted by rain in some places. Rachot stood on the beach looking up the hill, and said, “Now I’m going to site the clubhouse.” He walked up towards the north side of the area, stood on a hillock, looked round and said “Here!”
Noting the relative isolation of the site, Dr Rachot also incorporated the first of the accommodations behind the clubhouse. That is how the old clubhouse came to be positioned, facing west south-west overlooking the lawn and the beach. The new clubhouse has followed the same approach.
In fact, many did not join the move to the new site but rather broke away to form a fishing club at Bang Saray. This is still relatively active. But, at the new location, Royal Varuna quickly consolidated its position as the premier sailing club in the Kingdom.
HM officially opens the club house
On September 14, 1968, The Royal Patron, His Majesty the King, accompanied by HM the Queen, the Crown Prince and the Princesses, officially opened the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. It was to be almost 40 years later when HRH the Crown Prince opened the splendid new clubhouse, still located on the same prime site at Kasetsin Beach, South Pattaya.
It was a festive occasion with racing, and Her Majesty graciously presented the prizes. In the late afternoon it was announced that His Majesty would like to meet and talk with the members, who were told not to be shy but approach and talk to the King.
Club Treasurer Angelo Gualtieri still remembers the occasion well: “A crowd of us was gathered on the upper floor with the King in the centre of the group talking animatedly with the members. We knew that the King had personally built his own dinghies, an Enterprise, and an OK, and was building his own design of an International Moth, called Mod.
“One of our Swiss members asked His Majesty if he was planning to go into production with these boats. He smiled and said no, but that he would lead the way by showing it could be done in Thailand and then leave it to others to develop.
“Dr. Rachot produced a large photograph of His Majesty sailing his OK. He asked the King to sign the photo, which he did with a felt pen. The picture has hung on the wall of the staircase ever since. Unfortunately the ink of the felt pen faded until it can no longer be seen. However, there is a photograph showing the King signing the picture.”
The Vega Rudder Trophy Race:
genesis of a regatta
To commemorate the occasion when His Majesty the King sailed his OK dinghy solo across the Gulf from Hua Hin to Sattahip, on 19 April, 1966, Dr. Rachot proposed a Trans-Gulf race from the club to Klai Kangwol Palace at Hua Hin. This would be 64 nautical miles in length on course 248 from the club, past Koh Rin and across the gulf, out of sight of land (mooted, at the time, as the world’s longest race in an open dinghy).
Dr. Rachot asked for the King’s approval for the landing at his Palace and His Majesty agreed, offered a trophy, and asked Rachot what he would like.
Rachot asked the King if he would be kind enough to donate the rudder of his OK Dinghy. His Majesty was baffled, “Why do you ask for that? It is only a piece of wood. I can give you a large silver cup.””
“Please, Your Majesty,” replied Rachot, “we ask for your rudder blade because you have made it with your own hands, and it is therefore very precious to us. It would give us great honour and pleasure.”
“Well, I suppose I can always make another,” the King conceded. “So if you really are sure that is what you want, I will donate my rudder blade, but I repeat, it really is only a piece of wood!”
That was the genesis of the famous Vega Rudder Trophy Race which again, with the King’s advice, was eventually discontinued as a Trans-Gulf race.
Angelo Gualtieri recalls the inaugural race which started at 6 am in front of the club just as dawn was breaking. The winds were very light south westerly, and the aim was to make as much distance to the south as one could. By the time the fleet had passed Koh Rin, the wind dropped and in the middle of the Gulf the fleet was almost becalmed. Then gradually the wind filled in from the south and soon was reaching towards Hua Hin.
As the boats approached Hua Hin, His Majesty came out from the palace flying past on a Tornado Catamaran – a gift from Prince Philip to commemorate his great day with the Royal Family and the race-picnic to Koh Larn, several years before. Prince Bhisatej Rajani was crewing for His Majesty on the “Pla Duek” Tornado.
The Trans-Gulf race was repeated twice more, but subsequent races saw the fleet spread out across the Gulf and along the coastline, to the point at which it was judged too risky to repeat. Indeed, on greeting the exhausted sailors on their eventual arrival in Hua Hin, His Majesty himself said that this was dangerous, and that the sailors had better not do it again.
So the Trans-Gulf, as a true crossing of the Gulf, came to an end. The race and its name continue each year to this date, and for the same trophy, the Royal OK Dinghy rudder, but it is now sailed in sight of the coastline. It has been run from Paknam to the club, from the club to Sattahip, from Sattahip to the club and round some of the Gulf islands, but no longer out of sight of land. More recently, since 1989, it has been included as an integral division of the annual Hua Hin Regatta.
The third part of this saga, will report the Varuna Club’s rapid rise as the Kingdom’s – and the region’s – prime yacht club, becoming a chosen venue for numerous world and regional championships, right up until this year.

Gareth makes it at last

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook
Tuesday, June 26, Green Valley,
Stableford
I like this time of the year, that is apart from the flies, rain, wind and heat ... hang on I have to rethink this. Well we can play the best courses, and they are empty and we do play them at good rates. Yes, all in all this is definitely the best time for the serious golfer, if he can afford a cart and an umbrella.

Monthly winner Gareth Weeks (right) and Steve Carleton of Alan Bolton Property Consultants (ABPC), or two ‘Big Boys.’
This being the last day of the month, the ‘Alan Bolton Property Consultants (ABPC) Golfer of the Month’ award was to be decided, and this month, as has become normal, the race was tight.
In the lead was Mashi, but with Gareth only two points behind and Perry a point behind him. Gareth was chomping at the bit as we met in the morning; he had finished as runner up so often (many times on count back) it was starting to get to him. He knew he had to finish ahead of Mashi on this day to win.
The test for the day was to be the tough track at Green Valley and on this day the course was fairly quiet with not many other players out. The weather was a little hot, but the wind was ever present and at times troublesome. The course itself was in good condition and was as trying as expected.
I played with Gareth who was really keyed up, and he gave it his all. He had been on the practice range all week and his long game was excellent, with 300-yard plus drives down every fairway, which I admired from the bunkers.
After the first nine he had 20 points, and continued to play well on the back to amass another 19 points to total 39 points. Would it be enough to win?
Back at Bert’s we all sat around a couple of tables and I had the results. Gareth had to come in the first two and beat Mashi to win the Golfer of the Month title. Well Mashi had a bad day and the winner on the day was Mark Brenton with 40 points, but we then had a count back on 39 points for second, which thankfully for the furniture Gareth won with Bill Knight in third.
So at last the winner of ‘The Alan Bolton Property Consultants (ABPC) Golfer of the Month’ was Gareth Weeks, and we can all utter a sigh of relief.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Mashi Kenata, Homicide Hank, Gareth Weeks, Anders Pederson
Long Put: Bill Knight, Perry McNeely

“Megabreak” 9-Ball Handicap Pool League 2007

Barry Hooper
This newly formed 9-ball league originally consisted of fifteen players and has now reached round three.

Barrie (Baz) Sherman breaks off in one of his second round matches.
In the second round last week, Group D saw Chris beat both his opponents by a 3-0 margin and everyone was left wondering if Martin and Charlie actually turned up!
The Group A draw for the next round also proves interesting with the competitors, Rich, John Mega and Mark all owners of pool establishments: so we are to have a “Battle of the Bosses.”
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 July 1 (week 2)
Group A
Jason 1 v 3 John Mega, John Mega 2 v 3 Baz, Baz 1 v 3 Jason
Group B
Nop 3 v 0 Bob, Bob 0 v 3 Mark, Mark 3 v 2 Nop
Group C
Rich 1 v 3 Ian, Ian 0 v 3 Olly, Olly 1 v 3 Rich
Group D
Martin 0 v 3 Chris, Chris 3 v 0 Charlie, Martin 0 v 3 Charlie 0-3
Players moving forward to round three are: Group A - Rich, John (Mega) and Mark; Group B - Nop, Charlie and Jason; Group C -Bas, Olly and Chris.

Tight at the top at Bangpra

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

The Pattaya Golf Society continued its Sunday adventures at Bangpra on June 24 with the usual stableford competition for a single large field representing nine different nations.

June’s PGS “Player of the Month”, Chris Hardy (right) receives his award from Mr. Denis.
The course was in excellent condition and the day remained fair throughout, giving the prospect of a tight competition. Even the resident monkeys behaved themselves this week as they merely watched the field go by, not daring to interfere as on previous occasions.
This was the backdrop to the day and it ended with Carl Lovatt, currently very much the man to beat, vying for third place with Chris Hardy, who is enjoying a welcome return to form, both scoring 35 points. The victory was shared by Gilles Akoum and lady golfer Umalai “Ton” Chaysa and both fired creditable scores of 36 points.
The 2’s pot was shared by Geda Goodridge, Ian Hart and David Thomas (two). Daz Martindale had the annoyance of a detached sole on his golf shoe to contend with and he became the automatic choice for the Booby Bevy, as he ended his round barefoot.
Bangpra continues to provide a wonderful welcome to the group on Sundays and even with a full course the day can be a very enjoyable one.
Freddy Stars at Greenwood
Tuesday, June 26, the Pattaya Golf Society visited the ever-improving course at Greenwood and found it empty and in excellent condition - perfect for a competitive stableford competition over the “C” and “B” nines.
The day was excessively cloudy and, but for the briefest of showers, remained so giving the golfers a cool day for their exercise.
It was a day when new faces were to dominate, with Alain Demont stamping his mark on proceedings for the first time since joining IPGC and coming up with a very creditable 35 points to take third place. In second was the June “Player of the Month” apparent Chris Hardy, whose round of 37 points was another step on the road to excellent progress. The day’s best score was that recorded by Freddy Jones, no relation to the gaffer, and he found the conditions perfect for his game of power and precision.
The day’s two birdie 2’s appeared on the same hole, B5, the lucky recipients being David Thomas, again, and Alain Demont and newbie Bill Pickersgill received the usual OK Corral welcome with the Booby Bevy heralding his struggle over the two nines on his first round in the kingdom. All in all a good day for fresh faces.
TK Masters Phoenix
Thursday, June 28, saw the Pattaya Golf Society draw a veil on the month’s fixtures with a visit to Phoenix for a stableford event over the Lakes and Ocean Nines. The day was set fair at the start but by the ninth hole the seasonal rains had set in, refreshing an already well-presented course.
The single flight saw some excellent golf with the principals all enjoying sub-par rounds.
Sharing third place were Carl Lovatt and Freddy Jones, with 37 points. Lady golfer Mod Churaiska was having the best round of her short career with an excellent 40 points which took her to second place, one behind the winner Tony Kitchen, whose 41 points was one of his best ever performances. Twenty-two points on the Ocean back nine, after a soaking, speaks for itself and the quality of the genial Englishman’s golf.
Stuart Thompson birdied the Ocean fifth for a share of the 2’s pot with the ubiquitous David Thomas, who copied the feat two holes later. Meanwhile, Paul Quodomine’s day began with a confrontation with the Highway Police three miles from the course and later saw him hit eight Phoenix bunkers and one Phoenix house under construction, and ended with the award of the Booby Bevy.
The day concluded with congratulations for Chris Hardy who capped a fine month by capturing the PGS “Player of the Month” award after a string of excellent performances. Well done Chris, here’s to the next one.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

As Ricky Hatton’s biggest fan that doesn’t sing either “Blue Moon” or “Walking in a Hatton Wonderland”, the Square Ring would suggest caution on the part of both Hatton and his Hattonatics.
His victory over Jose Luis Castillo was a win that signified nothing in the grand scheme of all things boxing. The mistake would be to put a lot of importance on his success against a “questionable” opponent.
One Yank reader emailed me: “Howard that fight Hatton had was a farce. I saw it and Castillo was a joke. (Paul) Spadafora has been talking to Hatton and if his (Spadafora’s) legal problems are solved, that would be a better opponent. Paul is 41-0-1. He has been stronger at welterweight. Signed Ken.”
The Hatton Camp seem to have been over-playing his win. “If I fought Mayweather he would run like Forrest Gump,” said Hatton. Forget “Blue Moon”, this is Blue Sky.
Hatton has gotten into the habit of throwing one punch and then holding on. With Mayweather he’d miss the first punch and be grabbing air like a service girl chasing the baht of an escaping punter. Hatton was noticeably faster than Castillo but then everything is relative in life.
There is a possibility that Ricky Hatton can become a “big time free agent” in boxing. Hatton’s dad, Ray, was being sued by Frank Warren for libel, which is hard to figure as how could he libel a promoter? Usually by telling the truth one would think.
That’s now history though as the two have settled the suit. As part of the settling confidential agreement, Warren and the Hattons will sit down to talk about working together in the future. Two major American promoters, Don King and Golden Boy (Oscar De La Hoya), have contacted the Hattons. Looks like a bidding war for Hatton and his next fight.
One fight that might be interesting would be Hatton - Cassamayor, as the latter has stated that he would move up to 140lbs. “I challenged Juan Diaz at the Freitas fight but he is hiding behind his promoter’s skirt. I’m running out of patience waiting for this boy to grow into a man,” said Cassamayor. “Ricky Hatton says he wants big fights. I’ll give up the weight and fight him.”
Styles make fights and this would be a good one depending on which Cassamayor showed up. He sometimes ‘mails it in’.
The big fight though would be Mayweather jr. - Hatton. Lowlife (though he doesn’t realize it) Floyd Mayweather jr. has opened his yapper yet again. “Ricky Hatton has talked nonstop about fighting me for the last two weeks,” said the ‘retired’ Mayweather. “He has disrespected me and my accomplishments in the ring, and I take that very seriously. I’m going to give him the opportunity to step up and fight the best in the world. I don’t think this punk will take the challenge.
“Now that Hatton has opened up his big mouth, he might start to think about what he has been asking for,” continued Mayweather. “Does he really want to step into the ring with the best fighter of this era and embarrass himself? Being the coward that he is, I doubt he’ll get in the ring. We’ll see what his excuse will be this time.”
Yea right Floyd, Hatton’s a coward cause he doesn’t assault women, old men or try and run the mother of his child and her child off the road.
This fight would stage itself, which is what will be needed because Mayweather jr. doesn’t sell tickets. Of the 13,044 that attended the Hatton - Castillo fight, over 11,000 of the tickets were bought in the UK. Can Hatton empty the pubs of Peckham and Manchester twice a year for a trip across the pond? Yes, for a Mayweather jr. match.
Without the UK “Hatton” fans, the Vegas fight was a bust. It’s clear that anyone calling Las Vegas the boxing capital of the world should be forced to take a test for substance abuse. Here was a major fight that sold less than 2,000 tickets in the ‘boxing capital of the world’.
The big difference might have been that “Mexicans” knew that Castillo was a shot fighter or they couldn’t stand to hear a bunch of drunken Brits singing “Blue Moon”. Me? Loved it. Boxing is about fans having fun, drinking a pint with pals and singing off key “Rule Britannica.”
The news last week that the AIBA (Amateur International Boxing Association) had made some changes in scoring was just the tip of the iceberg. Disgraced and ousted President Anway Chowdhry has been banned for life, which at 83 when buying green bananas is risky - it can’t be that long.
The ethics report says of the ‘Chowdhry years’ that they “constitute a saga of bad or poor management, dereliction of duty, total lack of governance, greed, breach of rules and law, gross negligence and possibly criminal acts cascading down from the very top of AIBA’s former administration.” Could be the description of some countries I could name.
Other heads it seems are also on the chopping block. One is Chowdry’s pal, auditor Akhtar Syed, also of Pakistan. The AIBA auditor since 1986, he couldn’t present the latest financial report because “he had lost his baggage” en-route. Well, maybe better than “the dog ate my homework”, but not much.
Not named was another crook who is an assistant to the “business commission” and used his AIBA credit card to loose US$57,059, mostly on gambling.
Second-in-command, general secretary Caner Doganeli of Turkey, put in for inappropriate expense claims, according to the report compiled by the federation’s ethics commission. The International Olympic Committee has held up more than US$1.1 million from the 2004 Olympics. With the reforms to this point, $700,000 of that money has now been released. IOC President Jacques Rogge issued a statement to the AIBA that “The IOC will always be by your side.” Hate to mention this but the IOC has got a few skeletons in their closet also.
From a source inside the camp of Humberto Soto it was learned that promoter Bob Arum has given Soto’s manager Nacho Huizar two proposed fights and dates. Juan Manuel Marquez on September 15 or Manny Pacquiao on October 6.
The website www.boxin grecords.com tells a different story however. They have Juan Manuel Marquez facing Jorge Rodrigo Barrios on September 15, defending the WBC super-feather title that he won from Marco Antonio Barrera in March. The same website has Soto and Pacquiao on October 6 at the GM Place in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Bet someone’s right. Maybe.
As with all things Bob “I was lying yesterday but today I’m telling the truth” Arum, the only truth he was telling was the date. On October 6, 2007, Manny Pacquiao will fight against Marco Antonio Barrera. Barrera is promoted by Arum’s arch-rival Oscar De La Hoya. Huh? Yep, this arrangement follows an agreement that forces Arum and Golden Boy to work together promoting Pacquiao. The ruling came from the court appointed arbitrator. Left out in the cold is Humberto Soto (again)!
With the first Saturday of the month comes a couple of what might be good box fights. Of course in Thailand that’s Sunday and that’s as it should be.
At The Koln Arena in Germany, IBF (I be fixin) heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko (48-3) defends against Lamon “Lemon” Brewster (33-3) in a case of “de-ja-vu”. The two fought in 2004 with Brewster getting a 5th round KO. Since that loss Klitschko has 6 wins on the trot, including winning the IBF title from Chris Byrd. Brewster defended the WBO title three times before losing to Serguei Lyankhovich last out in April of 2006.
My Dad use to say, “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”. Dad may have been wrong because trainer Emanual Stewart has actually built Klitschko into a decent fighter. This one may get ugly early and stay that way. Get up early on Sunday for this one? You’re kidding.
The IBF flyweight title fight from the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut will be a heck of a lot more entertaining. Armenian Vic Darchinyan (28-0), who fights out of Sydney, is as exciting a fighter as there is in the world today. Last time out Darchinyan sent Victor Burgos to the hospital where he stayed for over a month. Of his 28 wins, 22 have come via knockout and 9 of his last 10. The only man not to exit via a KO is Glenn Donaire whose brother Nonito will be Sunday’s victim. This one will be a ‘Pier 9er’.
It had to happen sometime and last week was that time. The scheduled fight between IBF mandatory challenger Dmitriy Kirillov and TBA for the vacant IBF 115-pound world super flyweight belt was finally cancelled. What does that tell you about the IBF? Hell, even their fights against ‘To Be Announced’ get cancelled. Boxing, you gotta luv it.
“Your Lordship, did you know that many Hatton fans cancelled the trip across the pond because Wayne Rooney of Manchester United carried Hatton’s belt into the ring.”
You’re kidding me Jeeves. A Hatton fan would be so petty as to cancel a trip to Las Vegas and a Hatton fight just because Man U’s star player carried Hatton’s belt into the ring?
“Well we are British you know. Lager, cigars and music at the ready Your Lordship.”