HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

SEA Games medal winners honored at ceremony

Macey holds the aces in December

Thai windsurfing team goes to NZ

Fearless? Flawless? Frank does the double

Keith & Bev win divisional monthly medals

Alan Griffiths has a golden week

The Driving Range Golf Society

Marrit makes his mark at Bangpakong

Graham edges it on count back

Cotton heads the field at Burapha

The Beautiful Game?

Czernie comes of age in last game of the year

Neil romps home with 40 points at Plutaluang

The Square Ring

Frank Kelly makes it two in a row

The Road to Superbowl XLII – Part 1

Match-Play League kicks off with wins for Storm and Caddyshack

Diamond Shop & Canada move into a tie for second

Graham & Masters ring in New Year

Happy New Year for Moodie and Oakes!

Bob clings on to take monthly ladder

SEA Games medal winners honored at ceremony

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City held a ceremony on December 28 to honor the local competitors who had won gold and silver medals at the 24th SEA Games.

Prawan Aromchoun presents an honorary certificate to Sattayanan Abdulgari (left) who won a gold medal for Thailand last month in the Sea Games women’s mountain biking competition.

Five gold medals and two silver medals were won by the combined efforts of the Windsurfing Association and the Thai Cycling Association.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn led the ceremony, which was held at the Welcome Jomtien Hotel.
Thirty athletes from Pattaya had taken part in 12 events in the SEA Games. The Windsurfing Association had won four gold medals (Ek Bunyasawat, Aran Hormraruen, Navin Singsart, Ratthapong Photinoparat) and one silver (Panutat Ruamsap). Sattayanan Abdulgari of the Pattaya Mountain Bike Club won a gold medal, and Utsanee Pradabyad won a silver medal.
Other local associations taking part in the Games were the Pattaya Jet Ski Club (which had included Supadet Thansai, the current world champion), Pattaya Soccer Club, Pattaya Takraw Club, Pattaya Table Tennis Club, Pattaya Badminton Club, Pattaya Running for Health Club, Pattaya Cycling and Triathlon Club, Pattaya Tennis Association, Pattaya Professional Boxing Association, and Chonburi Boxing Association.

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, December 31,
Plutaluang S & E, Stableford
It was New Years Eve Stableford at Plutaluang and the course was very busy. It seemed that every gardener, pineapple picker and noodle cart vendor had been pressed into service as caddies. It was very slow going too, the first nine holes at least, but we finally got around in five hours.

John Marrit scored a fine 44 points at Bangpakong on Thursday.
Mike Winfield took the A Flight with 39 points ahead of Guy Fraser in second with 37 points and the ever-steady Ebrahim in third with 36 points. In the B Flight the winner was big Bent Agerbo with 41 points, ahead of Jan Lovgren in second with 39 points and Peter Hammond in third with 35 points.
Near Pins: Ebrahim; Jan Lovgren; Jan Jensen; Hugh O’Donnel
Long Putt: Greg King; Graham Buckingham
Thursday, January 3,
Bangpakong, Stableford
A new start to the year meant a long trip to Bangpakong. Of course a trip like this (the longest on the regular list) means the quality of the roads are most important and the good news is that the journey is now really smooth.
So with good roads we arrived on time and were soon on the first tee, in fact a little early for our 10am tee-off. Of course, this being Bangpakong I knew there was no chance of starting on time, so it was a nice wait in the sun for 30+ minutes until it was our time.
This really is a pleasant course to play, with stacks of water to watch the ball disappear into, but fine flat fairways to walk and seats by every tee. The best course to walk and if you smell the roses, a great walk not spoilt.
With a late start, and a slow round it was late as we sat in the restaurant, still after a short while the results were ready. In the A Flight, 0 to 16, the winner was Elias Magnusson won with 38 points ahead of a count back on 36 points that saw yours truly (Derek Brook) in second and Kevin Dunne in third.
In the B Flight the winner was John Marrit with a fine 44 points ahead of a good round of 41 points from Jan Lovgren that saw him in second and Bent Agerbo in third with 37 points.
Then it was time for the drive back in the dark. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Skul Skulasson; Einar Utoft; Karlotta Einarsdottar; Walter Bachl (as close as 2 inches)
Long Putt: Kris Helgasson; Graham Buchingham

Graham edges it on count back

PSC golf from the Caddyshack

Wednesday, January 2,
Green Valley, Stableford
Today was the first game of the New Year from the Caddyshack, and with a full turnout of golfers we headed to Green Valley for a stableford competition.

Graham Dietrich was the Division 1 winner at Green Valley on Wednesday.

In Division 2 Joey Clines scored 33 points to take third place, Peter Henderson, fresh back from a short trip back to the UK was straight back to the podium in second with 34 points, and with the same points but just doing enough on the back nine was Doug Carysforth in first.
In the premier flight Jeff North came in third place with 35 points, whilst the only two golfers to break par on the day were Graham Dietrich and Marcus Simmons, both shooting 38 points. Marcus, who was going for his first win at the Caddyshack had to settle for second place again after losing the count back to Graham, who himself scored 22 points on the back nine.
The two runners up in each division, Marcus Simmons and Peter Henderson, both managed a ‘2’ each and shared the prize.
Friday was our first match in the new MBMG Match-play League against Angkan House at The Emerald.
Ed Note: For details of the match turn to page 51.

Cotton heads the field at Burapha

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook
Wednesday, January 2, Burapha, Stableford
Fortunately, this was a great day. The reason I say this is because there was some discussion whether this was in fact a ‘Holiday’. Reality was, it was not.

The first four on the podium: Tom Cotton, Stan Dare, Paul Sharples and Marcus Inazula.
So with a great course and ideal conditions, and a smaller group, and in fact a great price, what would happen? Well, Bert was having his ‘staff party’ so we had the presentation at the course.
With only a limited field we had only one flight. The winner, and playing out of his skin, was Tom Cotton with 41 points ahead of Stan Dare in second with 38 points. All the players ‘did good’, however, and in third was Paul Sharples with 37 points ahead of Marcus Inazula in fourth on count back, whilst in fifth was Joel Flor with 36 points beating Brian Downey on count back. T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Mick O’Meara; Rick Evans (2); Kevin Dunne
Long Putt: Mark Pritz; Mike Gosden

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Football is the winner

A terrible headline I know, but true none the less. Call me a romantic, call me sexy man if you really must, but I do love a good FA Cup story. Whatever era you’re from you’re sure to have a favourite upset in mind. Hereford’s victory over Newcastle anyone? What about a Harry Redknapp led Bournemouth side beating holders Manchester United in 1984? Or Sutton United doing the same thing to Coventry City?
More on Coventry later along with a number of surprising other results, but the most surprising and perhaps pleasing result of the weekend was Liverpool’s draw at Luton Town.
Not that I’ve much against Liverpool. Yes they bore me to within an inch of my life every time I have the misfortune to settle down in front of one of their matches on the gogglebox, and yes I believe that Rafa Benitez is actually Gerard Houllier in disguise, such is the brand of football the club has consistently played over the last six or even years, but then doesn’t everybody feel the same way?
Another shot at the league title looks a million miles away, as it usually does at this time of year. The side are too lacklustre going forward and are never going to win any leagues whilst they continue to devote around 97% of their energy ensuring they don’t concede a goal. Who on earth plays 4-5-1 at home to Wigan?
Whilst that approach is hardly likely to break the barren spell of league titles that looks like continuing on to surpass Manchester United’s 26 years without claiming the same prize, the brand of football is particularly suited to the cup competitions. You don’t need me to tell you about the 2005 European Champions League campaign, or last year’s either for that matter. They have an astonishing record in the competition, but don’t let their fans convince you that anything other than the league is what matters now.
Poor old Liverpool, I can hear you thinking, particularly you fans of some of the less illustrious sides in football. Try supporting Stoke, Norwich, Queens Park Rangers or indeed pretty much any of the hundreds of other sides achieving considerably less than the Mighty Reds at the moment. Then you’ll have a right to complain.
Look at Luton Town. “I had 15 minutes to get hold of all the players before it was announced,” said manager Kevin Blackwell to a newspaper last week after being asked about the moment he discovered that the club were to be hit with 55 disciplinary charges concerning payments to agents. Two directors were about to resign from the board and the club fell into administration.
“I told them there was nothing we could do about it, but that’s not what they wanted to hear,” he continued. “A lot of these lads aren’t on the money that people assume. I’ve got lads on 7,000 [pounds] a week but others on 175 or 400. They weren’t paid in November and, overall, in the last nine weeks they’ve had two and a half weeks’ wages - under 30%. These lads have got mortgages and bills and it doesn’t take a genius to work out they’re going to be under a lot of pressure at home. One or two of their wives were crying, and understandably so. It’s unnerving for everyone.”
It doesn’t end there. A company that provided footballs to the club were demanding them back after failing to receive payment. The club is also appealing against one of their three red cards from a 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.
“The problem was we couldn’t afford the 500 pound fee,” says Blackwell. “We chipped in together because we thought it was important. But the FA upheld the ban and added another game because, in their words, it was frivolous and we were wasting their time. That was another 500 pounds gone.”
It sounds like non-league – even Sunday league – stuff, yet this is a club from League One. Granted, a lot of mismanagement of the club has gone on, but for things to reach this level is a sorry state of affairs for fans who a few years ago were celebrating their continued top flight status and marching to Wembley for cup finals. Even if a great deal of the success came on the back of playing on a plastic pitch.
What the side needed was a draw. Saturday’s game with Liverpool brought the club a much-need half million pounds, but a stalemate would ensure another payday for the Hertfordshire side. And that’s exactly what they got after John Arne Riise’s own goal locked the sides at a goal apiece to ensure a trip to Anfield for the Hatters.
I know it’s only a draw but it could barely happen to a more needy club. And as for Liverpool, they’ll even be losing their cup specialist tag at this rate. Expect Rafa Benitez to be shown the door anytime soon.
Moving onto some genuine upsets then, and where on earth to start? In more recent years it’s been something of a surprise to see more than one top flight side get turned over by outsiders, but the scent of giant-killing seemed to be in the air all over the place on Saturday. Even as far as Toulouse who lost 2-1 at home to third division Paris FC, becoming the third Ligue 1 side to fall prey to lower league opposition.
Back to the English version and I’m gloating after predicting a Birmingham slip-up against another League One side in the shape of Huddersfield. Hardly earth shattering news though, given Birmingham’s more important battle to stay in the Premier League.
The two biggest shocks came at Goodison Park, where an under-strength Everton side were turned over by Oldham Athletic, and at Ewood Park, where Blackburn looked a safe bet against Coventry City.
Dele Adebola had put the visitors 3-0 up in the 83rd minute before Bentley gave Blackburn the faintest hope of escaping embarrassment. But it was the impact of Michael Mifsud that caught the eye. Mifsud’s 15 goals this season have earned the 5ft 5in forward the unwanted nickname of “Mosquito” and Adebola hopes that the club can hang onto him.
“He’s got real quality and I’m surprised more people haven’t shown an interest in him,” Adebola said.
Bristol Rovers impressed on their visit to top flight opposition, earning a 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage, but the final word goes to Havant and Waterlooville, who managed a draw at Swansea. Fantastic stuff, and news sure to please the army of the mid-table Blue Square Conference South side’s fans here in Pattaya. They were the only remaining non-league team to still be in the hat for Round Four.
If anyone knows where I can pick up a Havant and Waterlooville shirt in Pattaya, drop me a line. I’d like the away shirt really, but perhaps I’m being fussy?
This weekend
A few decent Premier League ties over the weekend. Manchester United could seal Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce’s fate on Saturday, and Everton against Manchester City could be worth a watch. There’s a Lancashire derby as Bolton and Blackburn face each other on Sunday, whilst Tottenham play Chelsea late on Monday (that’s early Tuesday here, sports fans).
Absurd
Staying at White Hart Lane, Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov has criticised continued media speculation linking him with a move away from the club. Speaking to Bulgarian television, Berbatov said: “It’s getting absurd. I’m fed up of seeing my name in the papers all the time. I think the papers went too far. It’s obvious that the speculation will continue to the end but I wish the press would leave me alone. I just want to play my game.”
That’s all very well, but Chelsea, Manchester United and even Manchester City have been linked with the Bulgarian who has scored 13 goals so far this season, including six in the last three games. “The worst thing is that I see ‘my’ quotes which I’ve never said and it’s something that makes me feel bad,” he continued. “Such hysteria seems to me stupid, I’m not worth so much money.
“I’m happy at the moment, we’ll see what will happen,” he continued. “I know I can win trophies with Spurs. We are working to correct our mistakes and I think Juande Ramos is the man who can change things. He’s very good as a man and as an expert, he can see details which are hidden from other people’s view.”
In the currently open transfer window, Spurs are trailing Rangers right back Alan Hutton, who is hoping Manchester United come in for him. Derby want to sign Aston Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen according the Daily Mirror, whilst Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor will decide this week whether to move to Sunderland or Bolton, as both ‘glamour’ sides have had 3.5 million pound bids accepted. See you next week!

Czernie comes of age in last game of the year

Phoenix Golf Club Members Group

Mike Gerrard
Sunday December 30, Members Stableford
So we reached the last competition of 2007: a beautiful sunny day, with a brisk, cooling wind - yes a wind rather than a breeze.

Sunday’s winners pose for a photo with a Phoenix lady staff member.

Considering it is holiday time (in terms of most folk being slightly fragile in the mornings) we had a good turnout of 23 players for the challenge of the Mountain and Lakes course.
With my right leg still in plaster I decided to have a ride round the course with me old mate Paul Sharples, it’s so much less frustrating going round a golf course without hitting a lot of bad shots. I may think about a non-playing role in the future. I was such a nicer person after the game? No comments please.
Without any rain in the last month the playing conditions are now getting slightly tougher, but at least there is a little more run on the ball. However, this is not needed on the greens. At this time of the year it is so easy to 3-putt and even 4-putt on some greens.
The scores on the day reflected these conditions. Our winner, and I may be right in saying, shooting his best gross score of the year was David Czernie. In second was Prakong Robinson and third was Ben Hogstrom.
Technical prizes went to Lennart Loquist, Nick Jacobson and Hans Collet. With one technical not won, we had 2 lucky draw prizes and Kitty Stor pulled her own card out and the other one went to new member Stuart Gordon.

Ron Bridge
Wednesday,January 2,“Three Clubs and a Putter” - Stableford
It’s Official - ladies are better at improvisation and adaptation than men! The Phoenix Members Group decided to welcome the New Year by playing a “Three Clubs and a Putter” competition on Wednesday, January 2. Any three clubs were allowed plus a putter - and every combination seemed to be evident. Some went for a 5-wood, 7-iron and a wedge, others preferred a Driver, 6-iron and a sand wedge. Some others just went with any old club as long as a cold beer was available at all times.
Phoenix was tough. A stiff breeze, fast greens and some bizarre pin placements (is the green keeper a comedian?) made scoring truly difficult - that and never really having the right club for the job. Nevertheless some players could handle it.
In fourth place was David Smith with 34 points; one point better in third was Sunday’s winner David Czernie with 35 points, just losing the runner-up spot on count back to Margarta Neilsson, also with 35 points, and our winner was yet another lady, Annette Haraldsson with 36 points.
So, well done the ladies who - because Phoenix is short off the red tees - play the par threes from yellows. This is under review since Phoenix seems to be moving the red tees back, thus creating a fair distinction between Mens and Ladies general play tees.
Normal Competition resumes next week and it will be interesting to see how many players score worse with all the clubs in the bag available to them.

Neil romps home with 40 points at Plutaluang

PSC golf from P J Pool Bar

Thursday, January 3, Plutaluang S & E - White tees, Stableford
Twenty-one golfers entered our first competition of the year (and only one of the week) at Navy, which as usual was in tip-top condition. Does anyone know why the lake has turned milky?
In the lower handicap flight for under19 handicap players, Neil Duncan (14) somehow found top gear and had a scorcher accumulating 40 points and being closely followed by runner-up David Gardner (7) with 37 points. Allan Cassim (10) and Frank Waterhouse (13) came in third and fourth with 34 and 30 points respectively.
It seems likely that at next PSC revision Neil will be saying Happy New Year to a happy new handicap. Rats!
In the higher handicap flight for 19 and above handicap players, Joel Flor (25) took first place with 32 points with the runner-up being Jim Walton (22), yes the man with the black and white vinyl Century 2000 kit bag, on back nine count back with 31 points. Willie Nachbur (23) and Mike Brooke (25) took third and fourth places with 31 and 29 points respectively.
Near pins were won by Dennis Jaycock (S4), Jeff Wylie (E2) and Peter Fitham (E5). The longest 1st putt on the 18th green was also won by Neil Duncan, somewhat embarrassingly because his 18 inches was only 2 inches longer than Ian Campbell’s, the same gentleman who lifted the Paradise Bar golf shirt with a score possibly reflecting the shock and dismay brought on by his now more appropriate but much reduced handicap.
Note: Any golfers seeking to play with our group that wish to know about the group’s format please visit P J Pool Bar & Restaurant on Soi Watboonsamphan (Soi Kanoi) or phone Neil on 089 511 0575.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

Each new-year brings the promise of changes in boxing, but usually it’s more of the same old thing. If you listen closely you can hear Dolly Parton singing, “Here we go again.” Enough magic elixir and maybe she’ll even visit you in your dreams. Could happen.
Once knew a couple of good old boys that were known to have a sip or two. One night they’d had two too many: “Do you ever hear things when you’ve had too much?” one said “No but I see things,” came the reply. In this business you do both.
It has been reported that Kwanthai Chornor Pattalung (17-0-1) retained his PABA “No Weight” title. In his first defense he hung a 116-112, 116-111, 115-112 UD on Sofyan Efendi (7-4-1) at the Chamuang Restaurant in Bangkok, though the champ did hit the deck in the 5th. Also been reported that Terdkiat Jandaeng (8-5-1) stopped a Japanese whose name was given as Oshino Kaito in round six in a “tune-up” bout. Tune up for what?
Boxing is a dangerous sport. For those of us that cover it that fact is never far from the surface. On Christmas Day former WBC light featherweight champ Yo-Sam Choi (32-5) would face Heri Amol (22-7) in a Seoul, South Korea ring. He would be in total control of the fight until the last 5 seconds of the12th and final round when Choi would hit the deck.
Choi beat the count, would hear his name announced as the unanimous decision winner, and then collapse. Choi was rushed from the ring directly to the hospital where brain surgery was performed. Seven days later Choi was declared brain dead and pulled from all life support systems to become the first ring fatality of 2008.
As is often the case it appears that Choi’s 37-fight career was the villain here rather than any damage received in the Christmas Day contest. Pino Bahari was in Amol’s corner during the fight: “Choi didn’t receive any fatal punches during the fight. He won 9 or 10 rounds. Also, in perhaps rounds five and above, Choi did several head butts for which he was warned by the referee several times. Those head butts maybe also have been the trigger of the injury.”
Even though Choi fought a vast majority of his fights in Korea he had a direct Thailand connection. He won his WBC title by beating Thailand’s Saman Sorjaturong (45-08) over 12 rounds in 1999. Choi would defend the title successfully three times including a rematch win against Sorjaturong. Choi would lose the title in July of 2002 when he got KO’d in 6 by Jorge Arce, and eventually he would lose his life on January 1, 2008.
It didn’t take long for Thais to learn that going to Japan to fight is not a good deal. Last Saturday there were five Japan-Thailand matches in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ - Japan won the day going 3-1-1.
One Thai, Parinya Jockey-Gym (8-3), got off the deck to get a dodgy split draw with Daigoro Yamamoto (12-4). “Dodgy split draw”? Each boxer got the nod of one judge while one judge had it dead even. Boxing writer Joe Koisumi had it 95-94 for the Thai so that’s the way it was.
In the other bouts, Thaminkhao Sor (7-3) decked Ryo Miyazaki (5-0) in the first but then got demolished at 1:40 of the second; Thailander Jampathong Polsongkram got crushed at 2:36 of round 1 by Kosuke Takeichi; and former ex-WBC/WBA 105-pound champ Katsunari Takayama (20-3,) took the main event by stopping Thai national titlist Ngaophrajantr Sishtradrakarn (6-6) at 1:24 of the 9th stanza.
The one Thailand winner was Suriya Khlongphajon (10-5, 3) who got an easy majority decision (97-92, 97-94, 95-95) over Noriyuki Komatsu (22-5-6). Khlongphajon scored 2 knockdowns in the first and one in the third. How could a judge score this fight 95-95? Guess which judge had a cousin fighting in the ring?
The new center of boxing corruption, Cancun (Mexico), gets the WBA/IBF/WBO lightweight title fight between champion Juan Diaz and Nate Campbell (31-5-2). No doubt Diaz, from nearby Houston (which is in ‘Middle Mexico’) will be treated like the hometown lad. The location of the fight could spell more trouble for Campbell than Diaz’s 33-0 record.
One only has to ask Japan’s Naoki Matsuda how this “vacation resort” treats ‘farangs.’ Mr. Campbell should look back on the words of former big-time heavyweight fighter Tommy “Two Guns—No Bullets” Morrison. Like Campbell he was managed by Don “Only in America” King. An inquiring reporter (are there any other kind) asked Morrison, “Aren’t you afraid about being managed by King?” “Naw,” drawled Morrison, “I’m not afraid of being in a room full of rattlesnakes as long as the lights on.”
Obliviously not all Morrison’s lights were burning brightly. Note to Mr. Campbell – “Welcome to boxing’s newest snake house of Cancun. Keep the light on.”
Not many fight fans are familiar with the name Paul Malignaggi who is currently the IBF welterweight champion. He has a record of 23-1 but that one loss came at the hands of Miguel Angel Cotto (26-0) who administered a severe beating back in June of ’06. Malignaggo took off 8 months to regroup then came back with two relative easy fights last year.
Last Sunday Malignaggo got back in the ring in Atlantic City defending against Canadian Herman Ngoudjo (16-1) whose only loss came against well-traveled veteran Jose’ Luis Castillo on a split decision. The stakes were high for Malignaggi with a tentative big money fight on the table against Ricky Hatton this year.
Please note that Malignaggo is from Brooklyn, New York, the fight was in New Jersey (which is Cancun North) and the three judges were from New Jersey. Malignaggo won a unanimous decision (117-111, 116-113, 115-113) over the Canadian. Unlike the three judges, the Square Ring actually watched the fight and scored it 115-114 for Nagoudjo.
Malignaggo looked terrible against an awkward challenger who he should have handled with ease. Hatton-Malignaggo? Hatton wouldn’t even break a sweat.
Just after the New Year, former world champion Mikkel Kessler was visiting the Kingdom from his home in Monaco. He’s one of those international guys: fights in Denmark, lives in Monaco and visits Thailand. Sound like a pretty good schedule to “Moi”.
One of the stops he made during his Pattaya visit was to Patrick “The Flying Frog’s” fine Belgium Restaurant. Chatting with “The Frog” he commented about the Calzaghe fight: “No 1, he’s the best out there in the super middleweight division. I could have beat him, boxed very well for 12 rounds but just had a bad day at the office. He is very technical and very fast but doesn’t hit hard, he never hurt me in any round.”
Kessler is surely the second best super middleweight in the world as he lost to the best last November. That was the first blemish on Kessler’s record but then 39-1 is pretty darn good.
The Calzaghe fight was for the WBC/WBA belts that belonged to Kessler. There is reason to believe that maybe Calzaghe will choose not to defend one of those and Kessler will again reign as champion. The WBO belt held by Calzaghe seems to be the most likely, especially if the WBO doesn’t recognize “Joltin Joe’s upcoming tussle with Bernard Hopkins sometime in the late spring.
The #1 contender for the WBO title is German Jurgen Braehmer at 30-1. Nice record but the only quality win was against Mario Veit (49-3) last year, not exactly a world-class name. Kessler-Braehmer in either Denmark or Germany would be a money-maker. But Kessler thinks he may have another option: “Maybe I will go up in weight class into the light heavyweight division and face a long-time rival from Denmark, that’s what many people are waiting for.”
For those outside Denmark this would have to be a ‘mystery man’ as there is no light heavyweight from that country in the top 80 in the world. Another question, “Does the champ like Pattaya?”
“Yes very much, it’s my third time here and I love it, the friendly people, the sun, the food and relaxing, here I don’t do boxing training, just keep myself in shape with some running and weight-lifting.”
So there it is - straight from the horse’s mouth.
In keeping with my latest New Year’s resolution, I will take as the gospel according to promoter Bob Arum anything he says. Well now Arum has “revealed” that Ricky Hatton has talked to cable giant HBO about a fight with Manny Pacquiao sometime this year. Arum made the statement when being interviewed on the daily Philippine radio show called “Sports Chat” hosted by Dennis Principle.
Of course that makes the assumption that Top Rank and Arum can speak for Pacquiao, which it can’t. In a court settlement Arum can talk all he wants about Pacquiao, but can do nothing except with the consent of “arch rival” Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy promotions. True fact.
And now here’s my trusty manservant.
“Your Lordship, I’ve been thinking about becoming a Yank expat, as I want to be able to hang with Monkey House, Paul and OR.”
Jeeves I hate to tell you this but you aren’t a Yank.
“I know your Lordship, but with America’s wide-open borders, I can walk right in, sit right down and become a proper Yank. Plus I’ve been studying Yank stuff. Ask me a question?”
OK Jeeves, in the final verse of the national anthem (booed by Ricky Hatton hooligans) are the words, “And the land of the free and home of the -??? What’s the last word?
“Home of the Whopper, your Lordship?”
Jeeves - the lager, cigars and music please!

Frank Kelly makes it two in a row

Travellers Rest Golf Society

Barry Hooper
Monday, December 31, Plutaluang, Stableford
A Flight (0-14)
1st Frank Kelly (14) 39pts
2nd Paul Jones (6) 38pts
3rd German Odermatt (12) 36pts
4th Brendan Moore (13) 34pts
B Flight (15 up)
1st Lars Strom (23) 37pts
2nd Mod Chaviraksa (20) 34pts
3rd Tony Perry (15) 33pts
4th Andy Turner (25) 32pts
Near Pins: Kemjila Pawapho, Andy Turner, Paul Jones , Danny Whelan
2’s: Mike Gosden
The result of our outing on New Year’s Eve was to finalise who would win the December “Golfer of the Month” award. Frank Kelly made sure of this for the second month in a row with an emphatic 39-point win in the A flight over Paul Jones, who took second spot with 38.

December’s “Golfer of the Month” Frank Kelly with fellow Saturday 2’s winner, Amphan North.
However the venue of the battle between Frank & Fergus was not that which was planned. Some anonymous “person” who is unknown to the organiser for the TRGG decided for whatever reason to try and spoil our day by ringing up the arranged course and cancelling our booking. But we were not thwarted after some hasty re-arrangements we played the day at Plutaluang, who I must say rallied round despite their being very busy to accommodate us, albeit with caddies who’s ages ranged from eleven to sixty two years old.
It was a long days play but resulted in a very good end to the year.
Tuesday, January 1, Phoenix, Stableford
1st Fergus Brennan (9) 34pts
2nd David Thomas (6) 33pts
3rd Jack Robertson (22) 33pts
Tuesday “New Years Day” we took a trip to Phoenix. I personally had never played this course before due to my golf having usually to be played at weekends, but I was not disappointed. We may have been small in numbers, mainly due to many of the previous nights revellers not being able to get up, but the day was enjoyed by all who attended.
Some consternation during play was caused when a brush fire appeared to get out of control and the Phoenix water bowsers were seen rushing from all quarters around the course to attend to the problem and the visibility over the last few holes was somewhat restricted by the smoke.
Thursday, January 3, Emerald, Stableford
A Flight (0-13)
1st John Merritt (13) 35pts
2nd Mike Gosden (5) 35pts
3rd Fergus Brennan (9) 33pts
4th Ray Trembath (11) 32pts
B Flight (14-20)
1st Mod Chaviraksa (20) 33pts
2nd Neil Allison (20) 33pts
3rd Steve Gould (18) 30pts
4th Amphan North (16) 29pts
C Flight (20 up)
1st Tony Burnett (23) 39pts
2nd Bob Short (23) 36pts
3rd Lars Strom (22) 30pts
4th Geoff Beckett (27) 27pts
Near Pins: Stuart Rogers, Danny Whelan, Ray Trembath, German Odermatt
2’s: Danny Whelan, Stuart Rogers, Ray Trembath, Koji Yamada
Thursday, and a very large contingency made their way to Emerald where two of the three flights (A & B) were to be decided on count back scores.
In A Flight John Merritt took top spot from Mike Gosden, both with 35-point totals. In the B Flight Mod Chaviraksa won a count back over Neil Allison after both came in with 33 points. Tony Burnett topped out the C Flight with a three-point gap, 39 points over Bob Short on 36.
Saturday, January 5, Eastern Star, Stableford
A Flight (0-16)
1st Roger Wilkinson (16) 37pts
2nd Amphan North (16) 35pts
3rd David Thomas (6) 34pts
B Flight (17-up)
1st Alan Evans (24) 38pts
2nd Neil Allison (20) 35pts
3rd Lars Strom (22) 32pts
Near Pins: Ray Trembath, Geoff Beckett, David Thomas, Roger Wilkinson
2’s: Amphan North, Frank Kelly
Saturday, and our regular weekend visit to Eastern Star. I was unable to play so have no first hand knowledge of the day. I was also unable to pick up any stories of the day when the players returned as they all seemed somewhat jaded by what had obviously been a hard days play.
The highlight of the evening was when Frank Kelly was presented with his second set of hand cut crystal glasses for “Decembers Golfer of the Month.” Roger Wilkinson was the A Flight winner on the day with Alan Evans taking the B Flight.
Reminder: If anyone is interested in golfing with the “Travellers Rest” we play every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at 7:45am for breakfast and transportation and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 for further information.

The Road to Superbowl XLII – Part 1

by Howie Reed
There are two really silly seasons in the USA. One is during the NFL playoffs, which arrive every year regular as clockwork. The other really silly season is when politicians vie for their party’s nominations to run for Presidency of the United States.
Both seasons are now in full swing with all the pomp, ceremony and ridiculous behavior one has come to expect. Eventually the winners will surface. Both seasons are overrun with “conventional wisdom.” But “CW” while often “conventional” seldom contains much wisdom.
Jacksonville 31 - Pittsburgh 29
Entering the first round of the NFL playoffs the word was, “You don’t want to play the Jacksonville Jaguars.” In this case the “CW” was right. The Jags, after blowing an 18-point 4th quarter lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers, rode the legs of QB David Garrard.
With a 4th and 2 from the Pittsburgh 43, Garrard went up the middle for 32 yards, which set up a winning Josh Scobee 25-yard field goal with 37 seconds left.
The 31 - 29 Jaguars win was the first time in 75 years that a team had beaten the Steelers twice in the same year at home.
What was the Jags secret?
“Right before we went out, I pulled the guys together and said, ‘Guys, you got to love it, this is what we’re here for. Now let’s go out and make some plays and win it,’” Jaguars’ coach Jack Del Rio said. It worked!
Seattle 35 -
Washington 14
The Washington Redskins were the Cinderella team entering the playoffs. Against the Seattle Seahawks they went from Cinderella to the last girl standing on a navy weekend in Pattaya in the wink of an eye. The final score of Seattle 35-14 doesn’t indicate it but the Skins had the game won, then collapsed like a punter’s heart.
Washington had pulled ahead 14-13 early in the 4th quarter. The Seahawks muffed the ensuing kickoff with the Redskins recovering on the Seattle 13. With 3rd and 8, little used running back Mike Sellers, from Walla Walla Jr. College, lined up incorrectly. When QB Collins motioned Sellers to the correct position, Sellers argued which necessitated a time out. Following the time out, with Sellers positioned correctly, Collins went back to pass but was hurried because Sellers threw a “look out block.” Colljns rushed the pass which fell incomplete. The Skins then missed a “chip shot” 30-yard field goal and Cinderella became the ugly sister with the great personality.
The Seahawks would then score 22 unanswered points, winning a trip to play the Green Bay Packers on the “frozen tundra” of Lambeau field this coming Sunday morning at 4:30am.
New York Giants 24 - Tampa Bay 14
The New York football Giants unceremoniously marched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down the playoff plank then pushed them into the “wait till next year” sea.
After falling behind 7 nothing in a first quarter that the Bucs dominated the Giant took over, scoring 17 points and winning 24-14. That sets up a Monday morning 4:30am meeting with the Dallas Cowboys.
San Diego Chargers 17 - Tennessee Titians 6
Two myths were put to rest during this game. In 1972 Albert Hammond wrote and sang the song “It never rains in Southern California.” Wrong Al. It rained from the opening kickoff, a fact that seemed to bother neither team.
The other myth was that the Chargers couldn’t win a play-off game at home. For the first 41 minutes they trailed as Tennessee got two first-half field goals. The Charges trailed 6-3 until the 3:54 mark of the 3rd quarter when QB Philip Rivers hit Vincent Jackson with a 25-yard TD pass. It was a lead they wouldn’t lose.
This week’s up-coming games
There are big favorites all the way around, which is to expected, as the division winners now enter the fray. For those team visiting Green Bay and New England the problem won’t be the inclement weather but the really good football teams.
Sunday Jan. 13, Seattle at Green Bay (4:30am)
Senator H. Clinton is running for the nomination of her party for President of the United States. “It’s my experience in the White House that counts.” Some would argue that Monica has more experience in the Oval office so should be running but that’s a debate for another day.
Using the Senator Clinton logic, Packers QB Brett Favre’s wife Deanna should be starting against this aggressive Seahawk defense. Not going to happen. While Farve’s regular season success is a feel good story there will be a very unhappy ending if the Packers running game can’t slow down the “Hawks” pass rush.
For Seattle it’s a case of “don’t make mistakes, protect the ball and dress warm for the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.”
Sunday Jan. 13, Jacksonville at New England (8:00am)
Jacksonville was labeled as the team “no one wants to play.” Hard to believe that the 16-0 New England Patriots feel that way. Their QB Tom Brady was named MVP this year playing for a team that went through the regular season like “corn through a seagull.”
The Jaguars only chance is to put a great pass rush on Tom Brady, control the clock, find the true meaning of life and of course score more points than the Pats. A tall order for a team that has been on the road for three weeks.
Monday Jan. 14,
San Diego at Indianapolis (1am)
This will be the second meeting of these two teams this year. The first in San Diego saw the Chargers score 23 first half points then hold on for a 23-21 win. Indy was not 100% healthy at that time but for this meeting indoors they’re in better shape.
The Chargers come off an emotional win over Tennessee for first-year coach Norv Turner. Both star QB Philip Rivers and RB LaDainian Tomlinson had good days and will have to do the same again.
The Colts ? They are Peyton Manning. As Manning goes, so go the Colts.
Monday Jan 14, NY Giants - Dallas Cowboys (4:30am)
For the third time this year the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys will square off for a game of football. The Cowboys won the first two meetings 45-35 on opening day and 31-20 in New York.
The Giants come off a big win at Tampa Bay and the Cowboys haven’t played very good offense lately. The Cowboys have been hurt by inconsistent play by QB Tony Romo and an injury to “bad boy” receiver Terrell Owens.
The Giants have to do exactly what they did against Tampa and Ely Manning must have a good day at QB. “Iffy” situation.

Match-Play League kicks off with wins for Storm and Caddyshack

MBMG Pattaya Golf Match-Play League 2008

The first two matches of this brand new golf league were played between Tony’s Storm Troopers & Café Kronborg at Greenwood and Angkana House & Caddyshack at The Emerald.
Welcome to one-on-one golf (match-play), where you play each other, not the course. This is competitive golf at it’s very best.
The Café Kronborg has been synonymous with golf in Pattaya for years but they were up against a newly formed team from ‘Storm’ in Soi LK Metro.

Friday, January 4, Greenwood - Storm Team (Home) v Café Kronborg (Away) Home 5                                  v Away 4 Chris Holmes (won 3 & 1)        v Kris Helgason Dave Smith (lost by 1 hole)      v Elias Magnason Bill Hewitt (won 4 & 2)             v Mike Winfield Allan Duffus (won 6 & 5)          v Patrick Pousier Ben Findon (won 3 & 1)           v David Richardson Les Hall (lost 4 & 2)                v Peter Hammond Kari Arnio (lost 4 & 3)             v Graham Buckingham Tony Duthie (lost by 1 hole)     v Kevin Dinan Keith Hector (won 4 & 3)         v Jan Jenson

Led by Captain Tony Duthie, this spirited team locked horns with Kronborg on this wonderful golf course. It was all to play for with the advantage going to the home side (Storm) in the early stages but Kronborg fought back to four matches all, only to lose eventually with the last match going to Keith Hector over Jan Jenson.
Back at Storm’s bar everybody shared drinks & conversation about the good & bad shots of the day and new friends were made, which is what this competition is all about. Everybody went home happy & were all looking forward to the return leg in the near future.
The Caddyshack also found themselves up against a newly formed team led by Clive Robinson & Bob Rasmussen out of Angkana House off 2nd Road, opposite Bangkok Bank. It was a tough match for the new side against the might of the well-established Caddyshack.
A convincing win for Marty over Clive, equalled by John Murdoch’s win over the Angkana Captain set the day up for a close match with the ‘away’ team finally squeezing home by half a point, with the scores at 5 ½ - 4 ½.
Note: The MBMG Matchplay league comprises of teams from nine golfing venues in Pattaya who want to play individual match-play golf against each other. The participating bars are: Outback Golf Bar, The Golf Club, Caddyshack, Kronberg, Tropical Berts, Angkana House, Storm, The Driving Range and The Bunker. For further information or if you would like to play, please contact Jack at the Outback Golf Bar or email [email protected]

Friday, January 4, The Emerald - Angkana House (Home) v Caddyshack (Away) Home 4½                                         v Away 5½ Marty Allred (won 5 & 4)                    v Clive Bruce Clive Robinson (lost 5 & 4)                 v John Murdoch Barry James (won 4 & 3)                    v Jeff North Bob Rasmussen (halved)                    v Graham Beaumont Roger Strine (lost 2 & 1)                     v Paul Wella Dennis Bailey (lost 3 & 2)                   v Brian Orr Terry Tucker (lost by 1 hole)               v Bruce Tollit Peter Harris (won 3 & 2)                     v Peter Henderson Brian Cooke (lost 5 & 4)                     v Chris Patten Arthur Barrett (won 3 & 2)                   v Ramsay Smith

Diamond Shop & Canada move into a tie for second

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

Friday’s 200 Bowlers: Tiger, Kran, Mai, Su, Konrad & Nual.

House of the Golden Coin remains in first place but they lost points to the field as they managed to win only one point from Canada. Ooy bowled a 543 and Teuvo a 537 to help Canada jump up to a tie for second place.
Diamond Shop knocked Café Kronborg out of second and down to sixth as they replaced Kronborg in co-second. Nual led Diamond Shop with games of 171, 213 and 205, 589 series and Su had a 209 game, 578 series. Kran was best for Café Kronborg with a 202 game and 525 series.
Beaver Bar & Grill took 3 points from Balls Galore to move into fourth place all alone while Konrad bowled a 209 game, 524 series to lead Brother D to a 3 point win over Café Ole.
Jack Tar and VFW Post 9876 split their match with each team getting 2 points. Lance rolled a 236 game, 549 series for VFW and Mai bowled a 203 game, 531 series for Jack Tar.
SaBai Friday won 3 points from Montana with Pao leading the way with a 519 series and Tiger added a 202 game, 510 series. Paul knocked down 529 pins and Klaus a 539 bowling as pacers.

Graham & Masters ring in New Year

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

The new golfing year began in fine style at the OK Corral on Thursday, January 3rd, as the popular Pattaya Golf Society took to Greenwood for its pipe-opener, a pairs stableford event under the “South African” formula, multiplying partners’ scores per hole together. Beware the dreaded zero of course!
The course was in magnificent shape with greens as fast as anyone could remember and it was in the face of this challenge that the nineteen teams set out.
From the outset it became clear that the scores would be far better than in previous events of this nature as four teams raised high standards of forty plus points for the first nine, over the relatively easy “A” track at Greenwood. Could the standard be maintained over the tougher “C” nine?
Eventually five teams posted scores of sixty-plus with Ian Wilson and Simon Kendall notching up a New Year podium place with 67 points. First-footing in fine style ahead of them were Len Jones and Andy Parkinson and their 69 points could have been so much better if they had come to grips with the racing greens sooner in their round.
Lording it with a tremendous back nine of 48 points was the pairing of Peter Masters and Mark Graham, whose golf at times belied their ranking, and if their 79 points were to be a taste of things to come in the next twelve months, roll on 2008!
The first birdie 2’s of the year went to Peter Duncan on A6, Len Jones on C3 and Helene Lindberg on C6, whilst the hapless newbie pairing of Andy and Lee took the first Booby Bevy of the year with their paltry score punctuated with seven scratched holes. A stuttering start for a first run-out with the PGS.
It had been a wonderful and good-humoured start to the new golfing year from the OK Corral.

Happy New Year for Moodie and Oakes!

PSC Golf from Beaver Bar and Grill

Nigel Cannon
A Flight
1st Tony Oakes (10) 40pts
2nd Vance Millar (18) 37pts
3rd Rick Evans (7) 36pts
B Flight
1st Geoff Moodie (26) 36pts
2nd Dene Mundy (28) 34pts
3rd Steve Black (27) 33pts
Near Pins: #5 Tony Oakes; #15 Paul Kraft
Early morning golfers arriving at The Emerald on Friday January 4th were surprised to find no Dennis! He was away with some Beaver golfers at Soi Dao enjoying some R and R after the festive season! So it was yours truly who was the organiser for the day.
Arriving at 07:10 the course and clubhouse were deserted, apart from the staff. However, in the next 30 minutes some 26 golfers arrived and by 08:10 the last of the 7 groups were off.

Friday’s winners with a pair of Beaverettes.

The course was in its usual fine condition but with some tricky pin positions.
The Emerald - in its wisdom has installed red hazard marker alongside many of the fairways - meaning if you hit off the fairway into these lengthy hazards you cannot play a provisional ball. This has caught some players out and could have serious consequences if the same were to happen in the PSC Club Championship later this month.
It was a quick round today with all 7 groups taking no longer than 4 hours and 10 minutes. Time for a beer and a chat in the clubhouse before setting off to The Beaver Bar, where food and beverage were consumed whilst with help from Bill Thomson the results were calculated.
Note: We meet every Friday at The Emerald from 07:30 (arrive no later than 08:00). No need to book before - just turn up and see Dennis then you are on your way to a friendly day on the fairways!

Bob clings on to take monthly ladder

PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s Column
Monday, December 31, Burapha, Stableford
Div A (0-12)
1st Jack Moseley (10) 39pts
2nd Bob Philp (8) 33pts
3rd Rick Evans (7) 33pts
4th Dave Smith (10) 32pts
Div B (13-18)
1st Les Easton (15) 37pts
2nd Don Frances (13) 34pts
3rd Dave Wood (18) 34pts
4th Bob Bellini (16) 33pts
Div C (19+)
1st Mam Morel (25) 42pts
2nd Rob Gandley (22) 38pts
3rd Les Hall (19) 35pts
4th Harvey Samuel (19) 35pts
Although it was a national holiday, 47 Outbackers joined us at our regular Monday course. It was worth every satang of the extra 400 Baht, not to be confronted with the 5 & 6 balls often found at the traditional holiday courses.
This was the December ladder showdown, leader Barry Chadbourn on 8pts, Jack Spencer 7pts and Bob Philp & Don Frances both on 6pts going out as a four-ball.
Barry tried to hang on but could only manage 27pts; 1pt less than he needed to win the ladder. Jack, on his new handicap of 6, ground out 31pts, 2 less than he needed to win; but Don & Bob came in with 34 & 33 respectively, enough to earn them 1pt each. So the final result was a surprise to all, as the scoring system left all four of them on 7pts each. However, Bob Philp took the win by virtue of playing one more round than his rivals.
The rest of the competition produced another set of good results on the A & B course from the blue tees and a spectacular result from one of our ladies, Mam Morel scoring 42pts from the reds. Well played Mam!
There were four 2’s today, coming from Jack Moseley, Ben Findon, Frank O’Neill & Rob Gandley.
An Outback Golf Bar shirt was awarded to Mick Moore as “our most improved golfer”.
Wednesday, January 2, Khao Kheow, Stableford
Div A (0–17)
1st Mike Waltschek (8) 37pts
2nd Don Frances (13) 37pts
3rd Jack Spencer (6) 36pts
4th Bob Philp (8) 34pts
Div B (18+)
1st John Lawton (18) 31pts
2nd Paul Crosland (18) 29pts
3rd Steve Black (27) 29pts
4th Barry Chadbourn (18) 28pts
What a way to start golf for the New Year, 19 degrees this morning, brrrrr, and when we arrived at the course probably the strongest wind I can remember at any time in Thailand.
Courses A & B with the greens measuring 10 on the stimpmeter, and where was the wind blowing? Yes you’ve guessed it, straight down those opening holes on course A. It was tough, not only battling with the wind but also keeping it on those slick greens.
Great course, wish I could play it. Some outbackers did, and extremely well too, with some fantastic scores coming from Mike Waltschek , Don Frances & Jack Spencer.
There were three 2’s today coming from Mike Waltschek, Don Frances & Bob Van Mol.
Nigel Cannon was awarded the Outback Golf Bar Hat for his unmentionable score & his scorer’s inability to count!
Friday, January 4, Plutaluang, Stableford
Div A (0–12)
1st Ken Little (12) 34pts
2nd Jack Moseley (9) 34pts
3rd Bob Philp (8) 33pts
Div B (13-18)
1st Sugar Ray (16) 38pts
2nd Carl Luke (13) 35pts
3rd Barry Chadbourn (18) 34pts
Div C (19+)
1st John Ayres (20) 31pts
2nd Jeff McLaury (21) 30pts
3rd Dennis Persson (20) 27pts
Still watering all over the place, but an improvement over last week and the course less busy and better organised, we actually teed off only 6 minutes late.
North and West again with the West course greens being extremely slow and difficult. The monkeys were there again, big ones at that, made me keep my head down.
After Khao Kheow destroying most of us monthly ladder players, anybody joining the ladder today was starting halfway up it, without having played. Dennis Persson thought that he might just take that advantage by signing up today, but only for it to backfire as he repeatedly left his putts short of the hole. Twenty-seven points (-1 on the ladder) is all he could manage. Welcome back Dennis.
Our captain, Bob Philp was in the winners circle for the third time this week, but the rest of the outbackers did not score particularly well. However Carl Luke, who won the “longest drive” at Khao Kheow, had a respectable 35pts with only Sugar Ray, now off 16, bettering his handicap.
There were four 2’s today, coming from Nick Falconer, Stan (with his new clubs) Stoker, Steve Morton & John Ayres.
That’s all for now. If you have any thoughts, scandalous stories or suggestions, why not drop me a line at [email protected]. The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down on the list or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474. More information can be found on our website www. outbackgolfbar.com.
Note: The Bus Trip is back in January 2008, Ban Pakong on Weds. 30th.