Polo action this weekend

The 2008 Ambassador’s Cup International Polo tournament will be held at Polo Escape, Pattaya from Thursday November 20 through Saturday November 22, with the first matches starting at 2:45 pm each day.

The Ambassador’s Cup International Polo tournament takes place November 20-22.

This event is open to the general public who can bring their own picnic basket or buy drinks and hot-dogs from the stands set up. Alternatively VIP tickets are being sold for the finals: Champagne Hi-tea at the VIP tents (1,500 Baht or 800 Baht for TPA members) and Finals Dinner Dance tickets (2,500 Baht each or 1,500 Baht for TPA members).
The gates open on Finals day at 1:00pm, with the first match of the finals starting at 2:45pm. The asado will be after the final on Saturday and Ambassador Tawatchai will be presenting the trophies.
For more information on the tournament call Carolina at 081 000 6757, email polo@poloescape .com or for directions to the polo field go to www.siam polonews.com.

Sriracha FC to spend 12 million baht on new Thai Premier League campaign

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Sriracha FC have announced they will spend up to 12 million baht on new players to compete in next season’s Thai Premier League.
Weerayot Srisawat, the Secretary of Sriracha FC, revealed that the finance would be made available by Sriracha Municipality and that choosing the right players and coach was now the top priority.
“Right now the club is trying out a German coach for several upcoming matches,” said Weerayot. “In the event of him having good results, the club will immediately offer him a contact to replace ‘Coach Tu’ Krongpol Daoruang as head coach of the team. If the results and performances are not favourable however, and it is decided not to offer a contract, then Daoruang will continue in his current role.”
Weerayot added that currently all of the Sriracha FC players are at a zero value with regards to selection and that everyone has the same opportunity, with the coach given full freedom to choose his own players and any new signings.
There are currently three Egyptian football players training with the team and discussions are underway to secure them on contracts for the coming season. Weerayot said they would all be paid a minimum of 100,000 baht per month, and said he was confident this would be a worthwhile investment for the club.

Siam Bayshore pull of shock cup win at Pattaya Sports Fest 2008

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The annual Sports Fest sponsored by the Thai Hotels Association-Eastern Chapter (THA-E) held its closing ceremonies Sunday, November 2 at the Pattaya Muang 7 Sports Stadium. This was the 18th Eastern Thai Hotel Association Sports competition in which hotel staff members were given the chance to show off their sporting prowess and have some fun along the way. The Sports Fest began on September 22 and held competitions in football, volleyball, cheerleading, local sports and athletics.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh speaks at the official closing ceremony.
Going into the final game as underdogs, the Siam Bay View Hotel football team pulled off a surprise victory in the Eastern Hotel Football Cup with a 4-2 win over Pattaya Park in a tense penalty shoot-out. By doing so the team obtained a ticket to compete in the THA competition at the national level.
This game was followed by a special football match played between the Bailey Team, composed of TV Channel 3 celebrities, and a Pattaya City team incorporating players from THA-E.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and the Dusit Thani’s Chatchawal Supachayanont, THA-E President, were on hand to preside over the official closing ceremony and both gentlemen congratulated all the competitors for their efforts during the tournament.
In the evening the prizes were distributed for each sport at a special presentation and a party was held at Muang Pattaya School 7 to round off a tiring but healthy and fun day.
The Sports Fest is held every year to build rapport and camaraderie among member hotels and to encourage their employees to participate in sports activities to maintain Pattaya’s image as a sports city.

Siam Bay View battle it out with Pattaya Park in the football final.

A smooth baton change and a race for the line in the women’s relay.

Some snazzy outfits on display by the Horseshoe Point cheerleaders.

Ally Paterson ‘hat trick’ gets City back to winning ways

As a mark of respect to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana on the day of her funeral, the players and match officials observe a minute’s silence before Saturday’s game.

Rick Bryant
Following thir disappointing defeat in Bangkok last time out, Pattaya City took to the field at Horseshoe Point last Saturday to face a Woodstock FC side on a high following an impressive 9-2 victory in their last fixture.
Previous encounters between the two sides have always been entertaining affairs and this game was to prove no exception.
Pattaya City manager Alan Mulberry’s positive attacking team selection was clear to see as early as the first minute when Paul Derbyshire held the ball up well before laying it into the path of Ally Paterson whose low drive from 20 yards was well held by the Woodstock keeper.
A minute later it was Derbyshire’s turn to strike the ball goal wards, with McGuire deflecting the ball out for a corner. Following a slick passing move Danny Stevens did find the Woodstock net but was correctly flagged offside.
Pattaya continued to press and on 10 minutes a delightful 50-yard pass from Lee Homer found Mark Brittain who tested the Woodstock keeper again.
Pattaya were now dominating the midfield area with Kai Heckman in particular pulling the strings. Stevens was again to sting the keeper’s hands with a rasping volley from 20 yards on 17 minutes.
The chances kept coming with Derbyshire only managing to hit the side netting when well placed.
Pattaya should have taken the lead midway through the half when the Woodstock keeper failed to hold onto a speculative shot from distance with Brittain collecting the ball and going round the keeper only to hit the post from an acute angle.
Pattaya finally got on the score sheet on 36 minutes when Dave Brown stepped up to take a free kick some 25 yards out following a foul on Heckman. His first attempt struck the wall and he was handed a yellow card for taking the free kick before the referee’s whistle. However, his second attempt at the kick was far better with the ball screaming into the top left hand corner of the net, 1-0 Pattaya.
Two minutes later however, Pattaya were caught napping and a well placed ball over the top was excellently controlled first time by the Woodstock forward whose touch took the ball past Anuruk Ananthakul in the Pattaya goal to level the scores.
This was the last incident of note of a half that Pattaya should have made more of their chances and territorial advantage.
Half Time: Pattaya City 1, Woodstock FC 1.
The second half started much the same as the first with Pattaya enjoying the majority of the possession and Woodstock forwards Anders Schmidt and Aiden Hamill were surprisingly subdued.
However it was Woodstock who were to take the lead 11 minutes into the second period when Hamill’s cross was fired home at the far post giving the Pattaya keeper no chance.
This proved to be the wake up call that Pattaya needed and Brittain almost leveled the scores 2 minutes later with a low drive from just outside the box following some good work from Emmanuel Tshuma.
Pattaya had now got into their passing game and it was no surprise when Paterson, who had been a thorn in the side of the Woodstock defence all afternoon, received the ball out wide on the left before cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Pattaya continued to press and Homer was unlucky to see his effort from a free kick go just wide following a foul on Paterson.
Tshuma was starting to cause the Woodstock defence many problems with his pace, and it was from one of his runs that saw him play a quick one-two with Derbyshire before squaring the ball unselfishly to Paterson to easily tap in at the far post.
However, rather than taking control of the game at this point, Pattaya now proceeded to give the ball away cheaply and allow Woodstock more possession. The visitors thought they had equalized 3 minutes from time but the goal was ruled out for offside. Woodstock continued to press and Hamill was unlucky to see his effort drift just wide.
But it was down to Paterson to have the last say of the afternoon when his shot from distance hit the crossbar with the ball striking the keeper before bouncing back into the empty net. A fortunate goal but one he deserved for his afternoon’s efforts.
The final whistle was soon to follow with Pattaya running out 4-2 winners against a Woodstock side that never really got going and would have been disappointed with their contribution to the game.
Pattaya City can now look forward to an away fixture this weekend in Bangkok against newly promoted Bangkok United.
Pattaya City FC have been fortunate enough to secure the sponsorship of AGS Four Winds International Movers for this season and would like to thank them for their continued support.
Anybody who could be interested in joining Pattaya City FC, whether there stay in Thailand is for a long or short period is more than welcome to come down to the training sessions at Horseshoe Point on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00pm or call Rick on 086 150 8799.

Raimon Land Varuna Cup this weekend

The annual Raimon Land Varuna Cup will take place over the weekend November 22-23 at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya. This is one of the major events of the year for RVYC and sailors are cordially invited to join the racing.
The first race will be at 12:30 on Saturday, November 22 off RVYC and racing will continue on Sunday. On Saturday night another of the famous Raimon Land Parties will take place at the RVYC lawn for all sailors and their guests. The entrance fee to the party for both sailors and guests is 300 baht.

Normal service resumed as scores go up

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Saturday’s winners, Larry Simpson, Jimmy Woulfe, Bill McGarvie, Kevin Read, Alan Evans and Peter Morris along with Div 1 winner from Tuesday, Matt Gibbons, pose with one of the Travellers Rest staff members.

Barry Hooper
As the headline states, things got back to normal this week with the weather behaving itself for the most part. In fact the conditions were very pleasant, at times it was a little cooler and not so humid.
This was reflected in the scores, particularly on Thursday at Phoenix with Stuart Tinkler making thirty nine points for the A division win and Hugh Byrne going one better with forty for his second division victory. Saturday was the same when we returned to the Emerald after a long time away. Both divisions were taken with forty-two pointers from Larry Simpson and Kevin Read.
I must report that the condition of the course at the Emerald was very good indeed. The recent rain has obviously helped in allowing for some good growth on the fairways and the greens with the better weather enabling staff to do some good cutting and preparation. Numbers participating are still on the move so do not forget to book in early if you want to join us.
Monday, November 10, St. Andrews - Stableford
1st Paul Mades (18) 31pts
2nd Gerald Thwaites (10) 30pts
3rd Brendan Devlin (13) 29pts
4th Phil Knight (10) 27pts
5th Mod Chaviraksa (12) 27pts
2’s: Alan Walker, Fergus Brennan.
Monday saw us take a trip to St Andrews: this is a class course and not for the faint hearted. Good scores were hard to make and the winning efforts illustrate this.
Paul Mades was top dog with thirty-one points, Gerald Thwaites was second with thirty, Brendan Devlin third with twenty-nine and fourth at twenty-seven was that Aussie Phil Knight after a count back over Mod Chaviraksa.
Alan Walker and Fergus Brennan divided up the 2’s pot.
Tuesday, November 11, Pattana A & B - Stableford
Division 1
1st Matt Gibbons (10) 36pts
2nd Brendan Devlin (13) 34pts
3rd Ray Trembath (10) 33pts
Division 2
1st Gary Leigh (17) 36pts
2nd Dane O’Brian (14) 35pts
3rd G. Williams (16) 34pts
Division 3
1st Neill Allison (19) 37pts
2nd Alan Evans (26) 34pts
3rd Gary Hall (23) 32pts
Pattana Golf Club was the venue for the day on Tuesday where a large turnout, split into three divisions, took to the A & B courses.
The top score posted was a third division winning thirty-seven points for Neil Allison. In division two, Gary Leigh was number one with thirty-six while division one went to Matt Gibbons, also with thirty-six.
There were no 2’s were recorded on the day.
Thursday, November 13, Phoenix (Lakes and Ocean) - Stableford
Division 1
1st Stuart Tinkler (13) 39pts
2nd Matt Gibbons (9) 37pts
3rd Ray Allison (12) 36pts
Division 2
1st Hugh Byrne (14) 40pts
2nd Ted Senior (16) 37pts
3rd Jimmy Woulfe (15) 36pts
Division 3
1st Kevin Read (19) 37pts
2nd Paul Mades (18) 30pts
3rd Alan Evans (2) 30pts
2’s: Paul Mades (2), Brendan Devlin, Ted Senior, Frank Kelly, Mod Chaviraksa.
Thursday, and it was back yet again for our regular weekly visit to Phoenix (Lakes and Ocean). The entry was just as big as last week so three flights again.
Kevin Read won Division 3 (19 up) with thirty-seven points, pushing Paul Mades back to second on thirty and in third was Alan Evans, also on thirty, but beaten on the count back.
Division 2 (14-19) saw a win for Hugh Byrne with a big score of forty three points, second was Ted Senior at thirty-seven (nice to see him with us again) and in third was Jimmy Woulfe on thirty-six after beating Frank Kelly on the count back.
The premier division (0-13) had the second highest score on the day with a thirty-nine pointer from Stuart Tinkler. Matt Gibbons found himself the same as last week just two back on thirty-seven for second while Ray Allison was third at thirty-six.
Five 2’s were recorded from Brendan Devlin and Ted Senior at the second, Frank Kelly at the seventh, Paul Mades at the fourteenth and Mod Chaviraksa and Paul Mades again at the sixteenth.
Saturday, November 15, Emerald - Stableford
Division 1
1st Larry Simpson (10) 42pts
2nd Jimmy Woulfe (15) 35pts
3rd John Hefferman (11) 35pts
4th Bill McGarvie (12) 34pts
Division 2
1st Kevin Read (18) 42pts
2nd Alan Evans (26) 36pts
3rd Peter Morris (24) 35pts
4th David McFeely (17) 33pts
2’s: David McFeely, Larry Simpson, Mod Chaviraksa, Frank Kelly, Kevin Read.
Near Pins: Larry Simpson, Bill McGarvie.
November 15 we went to Emerald as part of our rescheduled Saturday programme. We had a very good participation despite many golfers advising me that they do not find this course particularly their liking. As I pointed out at the start of the report, the course was in very good condition and this was reflected in the scores as both divisions were won with forty-two point returns.
Division 1 went to Larry Simpson while Jimmy Woulfe came second on thirty-five after a count back win over John Hefferman. Bill McGarvie was fourth with thirty-four.
The Division 2 spoils went to Kevin Read with Alan Evans second at thirty-six and in third on thirty-five was Peter Morris. Fourth place went to David McFeely who has just returned back from Ireland – good to see him again.
There were five 2’s recorded by David McFeely and Larry Simpson at the fifth, Mod Chaviraksa and Frank Kelly at the seventh, and Kevin Read at the fifteenth.

Winfield makes it two in a row

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, November 10, Plutaluang – Stableford
Plutaluang Navy Golf Course was host to a stableford competition in two flights with the cut at Handicap 19. The course on the day was not as wet as expected, but there was a lot of grass off the fairway that was in the process of being cut.

Mike Winfield (left) receives the monthly mug from Bjarne.
Neil Allison took the A Flight with 32 points while Johan Reynisson finished second on count back over Mike Sanders in third and Elias Magnusson in fourth, all three with 29 points.
Wolfgang Bade took the B Flight with 40 points ahead of Mike Winfield in second with 36 points, Jean Claude Lhoste in third with 35 and Svend Gaarde in fourth with 33.
Near Pins: Erik Hansen, Mike Sanders, Brenden Byrne.
Thursday, November 14, Phoenix - The Monthly Mug
It seems that the peace and quiet of the ‘low season’ has ended, as here for the first time we had over 40 players, so I suppose that officially the high season is here. However, I wonder how ‘high’ it is likely to be once the devastation from the worldwide financial crisis hits home? I suspect that many people and businesses will have a bad time. Of course I include the golf courses in that and many of the people here who live on a pension.
Now back to the plot, and Dave had to call in another minibus at the Kronborg to get all the players onto transport, then off to Phoenix where the test was to be the Ocean and Mountain ‘nines’. These are to my way of thinking, the best 18 holes.
Phoenix was reasonably quiet and we were able to get around quickly, and for once it did not rain. The course itself was not in bad condition, despite the heavy rains of late, and we were able to play normal golf. I say that because of late we have been forced to play ‘winter rules’ with the heavy rains.
With the course having been booked earlier by other outlets we were not able to tee off until 11:30 a.m., so with such a large group it meant we were not able to get back to the Cafe Kronborg until late. However, late as it was, a good turnout was there for the presentation.
In the A Flight, 0 to 18, the winner was Mashi Kenata with a net 72, ahead of Alan Taddei with a net 73 in second place and Mike Rushant in third with a net 74.
In the B Flight the winner was Laurence Harding with a net 73 ahead of a count back on net 74 that saw Daryl Evans in second, Po Reilly in third and Tom Cotton just losing out.
So to the winner, and for the second time on the trot, the winner of the Monthly Mug was Mike Winfield with a net 69. Well done Mike. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Mike Gerrard, Dave Richardson, Larry Simpson, Mike Sanders.
Long Putt: Mike Lam, Neil Allison.
Note: We have Ray Rogers Turkey Day Scramble coming up on November 27 (Thanksgiving Day) at Burapha. The sign up sheet is already up in the Café Kronborg.

All’s well that ends well

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

The Pattaya Golf Society travelled to Century Chonburi on Sunday, November 9, for yet another stableford event on the course where punters get just a little more value for their money than at first thought. The layout is a good one, the greens are good and even the bunkers showed signs of having been raked at sometime during the week, but the fairways still need a trim.

“Rabbi” (left), host at the Elephant Bar, congratulates October’s “Player of the Month” David Thomas.

A stiff breeze blew all day and the course seemed long by comparison. At the halfway stage it appeared to be anyone’s game as the highest points total was well above par and a thirty minute hiatus for the insertion of a not-unexpected local six-ball on the tenth gave the PGS golfers time to reassess their game plan.
A dearth of good scores meant that the otherwise embarrassing totals of 28 points by Tony Thorne and Evan Millar went unchallenged for third place whilst Ray Jackson’s final round before returning to Oz yielded 30 points for second place. Organiser Len Jones’s back nine was exceptional: His last eight holes brought him 22 points, fourteen coming on the final four, and his total of 32 points was enough to win the day.
Elsewhere, Chris Voller and Tony Thorne took shares of the 2’s pot for their efforts on the fourth and seventeenth holes respectively and David Thomas was lined up for the Booby Bevy for failing to “honour the slut”, the quaint Aussie celebration of buying the group a beer for failing to pass the ladies tee! He immediately withdrew to a darkened room and failed to surface for the presentation. It had certainly been cheap and cheerful at Century Chonburi.
Kermit’s killer
Phoenix played the perfect host to the Pattaya Golf Society on Tuesday, November 11, when the popular group called to play their monthly Order of Merit medal round. The Mountain and Lakes course was well set up, even though a little damp, and it was refreshing to notice the absence of other large groups on the track and more so the absence of the over fussy course marshalls hastening everyone up to squeeze more golfers in.
The group got underway promptly and scores were difficult to maintain in the strong breeze. However Len Jones and Hisahiko Makino finished with net 71’s each for a share of second place, the former needing a par on the last for a 67 and then proceeding to register a nine after visiting trees bunkers and three putting!
The leading group saw David Thomas putting a brave face on his chest condition and registering net 73 for third place. Playing partner, “Kermit”, from Ban Chang showed his Championship winning form of the week before had not deserted him and bludgeoned a gross 73 out of the course for a tasty net 67. Included in that was a birdie ‘2’ on Lakes 7 and Kiwi Thomas took some comfort in his brace of birdies on the Mountain nine par threes.
Afterwards a crowded presentation party back at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar on Soi Buakhao enjoyed the sight of a belated Booby Bevy being awarded to David Thomas for his failure to “honour the slut” on Sunday, choosing to hasten to his sickbed instead. Phoenix had been a pleasure to play once again.
Jones on top
form again
High Season and Korean cancellations meant that the Pattaya Golf Society virtually had the course at Green Valley to themselves on Thursday, November 13, when they played a stableford event in two flights cut at nineteen and under.
Course conditions are not good at the moment because the impending Asian Tour Qualifying event in January has necessitated a lot of course maintenance including cored and sanded greens and the thickening of the rough.
The top flight saw a very tight tussle between the usual contenders and Tony Thorne produced 32 points for third place. October’s “Player of the Month”, David Thomas, shook off the remnants of a chest virus to come second with 33 points, posting the day’s best gross figures of 80, whilst the flight went to Chris Voller and his very creditable 34 points score. The secret of Chris’s game at present is his ball-striking and when he readjusts his club distances he will be a threat once again.
In the second flight Evan Millar stuttered on the back nine after turning at level par to finish third with 30 points, one behind Finnish golfer Matti Lindholm, gaining his first podium place with the group.
The best points score of the day was recorded by Len Jones, currently enjoying his best spell in four years or more and his impressive 40-point haul belied the course conditions. Having sorted out his sad short game with a “belly chipper” he is now hellbent on muscling his way down the handicap list. His score was helped by an “almost” ace on the seventeenth and he shared the 2’s pot with Evan Millar and Tony Dixon after their fine efforts on the second and twelfth holes respectively.
The Booby Bevy found its way into the hands of Freddy Braun for playing the wrong ball whilst Rabbi’s Slammer went to Roy Mann for his very entertaining indiscretion in a Ban Chang bar later in the day! Needless to say that was the main talking point back at the Elephant Bar, leaving the winners to reflect on a fine day earlier at Green Valley.

The ‘Bandit’ returns

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar & Grill

About the weather gods? They don’t give advance warning of changes. From rain, rain, rain to clear, chilly and windy. Great weather for golf at the Pattaya Country Club on Tuesday, November 11, Veterans Day for US service members.

Tuesday winner Bob Benda (left) with runner-up Dale Murphy.

The weather was the good news. The bad news was that everyone had become acclimated to wet or dew covered greens that were very slow. Well the same putt today seemed to zip past the hole and then some. One recent returnee from the islands, who shall remain anonymous, has been coming up with scores in the “teens”. Nonetheless, Bob Benda managed to come in with a 32-point haul today. Dale Murphy and Paul Kraft squeaked in with 29s but Dale took second on the count back.
The remainder of the field followed until the final card of “19”. The players retired to Caddy Shack II where Herbie provided some nice sandwiches and beverages.

‘Big Guns’ warm up for John Preddy tournament

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, November 10, Greenwood - Medal
A Flight
1st John McDonald (7) net 71
2nd Gerry Cooney (10) net 76
3rd William Maey (11) net 76
B Flight
1st Geoff Williams (16) net 74
2nd Peter Habgood (17) net 75
3rd Charlie Gooch (16) net 78
The John Preddy Memorial Tournament will be played at this course next week time so the golfers used this as a bit of a warm up for that event.
Three of the favourites for that competition took the first three places in the A Flight and it was John McDonald who had the best round of the day, John won the A Flight with a one under par net 71, a huge 5 shots ahead of Gerry Cooney taking second place on a count back over William Macey.
Geoff Williams won the B Flight with a decent two-over par round while Peter Habgood and Charlie Gooch both found themselves unusually in the B Flight (because the cut was set at 14) taking second and third places respectively.
Near pin prizes went to Steve Lane, Charlie, John McDonald and William Macey.
Wednesday, November 12, Mountain Shadow - Stableford
A Flight
1st John Hughes (15) 33pts
2nd Stuart Tinkler (13) 32pts
3rd Gerry Cooney (10) 30pts
B Flight
1st “Yoo” (28) 33pts
2nd Dave Booton (21) 32pts
3rd Colin Stokes (20) 32pts
As usual Mountain Shadow proved a tough nut to crack with nobody in either flight playing to their handicaps: the cut was set at 16 and the scores were very close in both flights.
John Hughes just won the A Flight by one shot ahead of Stuart Tinkler while Gerry Cooney came third two shots further back. In the B Flight, Japanese golfer “Yoo” also won by one shot ahead of Dave Booton who beat Colin Stokes on a count back. Poor old PJ Redmond had 32 points too but his back nine was the worst of the three so he lost out on any winnings.
Near pin prizes went to John Hughes, Gerry Cooney, Dave Booton and Geoff Hart.
Friday, November 14, The Emerald - Medal
A Flight
1st Gerry Cooney (10) net 71
2nd Roger Privett (15) net 72
3rd Koji Yamada (16) net 76
B Flight
1st Jack Gayer (19) net 76
2nd Brian Walker (18) net 78
3rd Lawrence Harding (21) net 78
Playing a medal round at Emerald we had a big turn out for this popular course. The cut was set at handicap 16 and we had a new winner in the B Flight where Irishman Jack Gayer took the honours with a net 76. Brian Walker took second place on a count back ahead of Lawrence Harding.
Gerry Cooney is getting into his stride in time for next week’s John Preddy Memorial Tournament and with the annual Bunker Championship coming up in December it’s a good time to find some form. Gerry won the A Flight with a one under par net 71, with Roger Privett getting the runner up spot ahead of Japanese golfer Koji Yamada in third place.
Koji won a near pin prize along with Steve Wallace, Gerry Cooney and Mike Lloyd.
The John Preddy Memorial Golf
Tournament
Your last chance to sign up for this popular tournament will be this weekend as it takes place on Monday November 24. To sign up call Mick on 086 002 6762 or call into The Bunker Bar on Soi Chaiyapoon (off Soi Buakhao).

Jan ‘the man’ takes weekly double

PSC golf from the Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s Column
Monday, November 10, Burapha - Stableford
Forty-two Outbackers played from the blue tees on the A & B nines at Burapha on Monday. The numbers were a little lower than usual for this fixture, perhaps a reflection of the poor exchange rates for the Aussie & Brit boys together with the high season hike in green fees. It is too early to say if there will be a high season, but the course certainly was not busy.

Birthday Boy Norm Martin with Wednesday’s overall winner Jan Slotten.
Des Scott found some form after a very lean spell that saw his handicap drift out from 9 to 11. His 39 points was the best score of the day and enough to win Div A by 4 from Paul Greenaway in second and Paul Bourke two points further back.
Dave Porter took Div B with a fine 38 points, just edging the ever improving and lovely Pimusa on 36, who back in April 2008 was playing off of 21 and today played off 14. Her good man Jan Slotten, also with 36 points, won Div C and Patrick Browne completed the four divisions with another 36 to win Div D.
There were five ‘2’s today coming from Rosco, Richard Garland, Rick Sharp & Chris Davisson had 2.
Div A (0-12)
1st Des Scott (11) 39pts
2nd Paul Greenaway (9) 35pts
3rd Paul Bourke (11) 33pts
Div B (13-14)
1st Dave Porter (13) 38pts
2nd Pimusa Tonkhoksoong (14) 36pts
3rd Steve Plant (14) 35pts
Div C (15-20)
1st Jan Slotten (17) 36pts
2nd Campbell Potts (19) 35pts
3rd John Cogan (20) 33pts
Div D (21+)
1st Patrick Browne (24) 36pts
2nd Peter Gibson (28) 33pts
3rd John Scott (24) 31pts
Wednesday, November 12, The Emerald - Stableford
Where has the sun been so long? It was out there today, just as it should be this time of year to help brighten the world economic doom and gloom. It was the best weather for a couple of months, a lovely breeze, a pleasant temperature, about 30oC and a clear blue sky.
Thirty-eight Outbackers enjoyed these wonderful golfing conditions and played in Norm Martin’s Outbacker Birthday Cup event, which not only included an outright winner and runner up, but also three divisions and 500 Baht nearest the pin vouchers.
It was welcome back to some Aussie mates of Bob’s who were looking forward to a game with him, namely Tony McDonagh, Roy Barrell and Col Flaherty. Tony said upon arrival, “I’ve heard of somebody walking out the pub when I come in, but I’ve never come across somebody leaving the country!” Good timing Tony. Welcome also to a good friend of Norm’s from the UK and a regular visitor to the bar, John Spiller.
Jan Slotten followed up his win on Monday at Burapha by taking the overall first place with an excellent 38 points. He won on count back (22 pts back nine) from Dave Arrowsmith, who was having his last game here in Thailand before moving to work in Australia, where his family will be joining him in about six weeks time. Keep in touch Dave and you’ll always be welcome back for a hit. Good Luck mate!
Capt’ Jack, who won at Plantation last Friday, put his dismal performance on Monday behind him; to run out the winner of Div A on 37 points. Second was Mike Holmes (36) and third was first time on the podium, Laurie McBride with 35. Familiar faces were seen elsewhere in the other two divisions, Bruce Milner again winning Div B with 34 and Barry Chadbourn winning Div C with 36.
The four near pins were as follows: 5th Rick Evans, 7th Pat Regan, 13th Jack Moseley and the 15th Jum. That was a very special near pin for Jum; not only was it the first time she’s won a near pin prize but she also holed the putt to record her first ever birdie. Well played Jum!
There were seven ‘2’s from Bruce Milner, Ray Dell, Jum, Jack Moseley, Rick Evans, Barry Chadbourn and Henry O’Brien.
Back at the ranch, there was some excellent food courtesy of Norm, who afterwards stood up to do his own presentation of prizes. Congratulations Norm and thank you from everybody for the day.
Overall
1st Jan Slotten (17) 38pts
2nd David Arrowsmith (4) 38pts
Div A (0-12)
1st Jack Moseley (10) 37pts
2nd Mike Holmes (10) 36pts
3rd Laurie McBride (12) 35pts
Div B (13-19)
1st Bruce Milner (14) 34pts
2nd Sugar Ray Handford (18) 33pts
3rd Wayne Challis (14) 32pts
Div C (20+)
1st Barry Chadbourn (21) 36pts
2nd Joachim Oestreicher (23) 35pts
3rd Nigel Cannon (23) 31pts
Friday, November 14, Plantation - Stableford
This immaculate course played host to 41 Outbackers on the Sugarcane and most tricky, Tapioca nines. Fantastic weather again with a pleasant two-club wind contributing to a brilliant day out, even if it was a little slow with some 170 players having a hit; and probably some of them having more hits than they planned!
It’s difficult to break handicap here and today was no exception, the best of the day being Paul Greenaway with a fighting 34 to win the premier division. He pipped his mate, John Emmerson by one and another group of three on 32, headed on count back by Dave Skelton, who had an eagle on Sugarcane’s par-5 fifth. Capt’ Jack blew his chances of finishing on the podium with a double bogey on the last, missing a 3ft putt.
Joe Mooneyham played brilliantly on Tapioca (his front nine), parring the first four holes and completing the nine with 19 stableford points. He wavered a bit at the start of Sugarcane but then his birdie ‘2’ on the very difficult par-3 third kick started him again to finish with 33 points, enough to win Div B. There was a big gap back to the next placed Peter Speetzen and Wayne Challis both with 29.
Tom Noonan followed his surprise second place last week with another second place in Div C, but this time with only 30 points. Papa Alan won with 32 and the Shilton brothers took third and fourth.
There were only two ‘2’s from Joe Mooneyham & Dave Skelton.
Div A (0-12)
1st Paul Greenaway (9) 34pts
2nd John Emmerson (9) 33pts
3rd Dave Skelton (7) 32pts
4th Briany Christie (1) 32pts
Div B (13-19)
1st Joe Mooneyham (13) 33
2nd Peter Speetzen (19) 29
3rd Wayne Challis (14) 29
4th Dave (16) 28
Div C (20+)
1st Alan Papa (26) 32pts
2nd Tom Noonan (20) 30pts
3rd Jack Shilton (30) 29pts
4th Donald Shilton (32) 29pts
Friday, November 14, Phoenix - Stableford
Phoenix is now one of the regular courses for the Outback Golf Bar and today’s alternate Friday venue. Nineteen Outbackers played in beautiful conditions on the Lake & Ocean nines with some faster than usual greens. There were a lot of golfers on the course but it all ran quite smoothly with just a two-ball ‘jumping in’ at the turn.
Only the winner, Ken Little, broke handicap with a fine 38 points, beating club member and course specialist Alan Bishop by three. Bruce McAdam struck the ball better today to score 34 points for third, getting the better of Alan Campbell and Paul Challis on count back. Steve Durey rounded off the prize money places, taking sixth with 33.
There were two ‘2’s from Des Scott & Bruce McAdam.
1st Ken Little (12) 38pts
2nd Alan Bishop (17) 35pts
3rd Bruce McAdam (17) 34pts
4th Alan Campbell (6) 34pts
5th Paul Challis (24) 34pts
6th Steve Durey (22) 33pts
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.

Welsh wizard Aled stays cool

PSC golf with the Phoenix Tuesday Group (Members & Guests)

Mike Gerrard
A Flight
1st Aled Hughes (4) 36pts
2nd Graham Dietrich (9) 35pts
3rd Hugh Byrne (10) 34pts
B Flight.
1st Ken Hole (16) 37pts
2nd Steven Mayer (20) 31pts
3rd Rick Bevington (19) 31pts
Technicals: Mike Gerrard, Georgio Baccioli, Aled Hughes, Hugh Byrne
After all the heavy rain we have had of late, at last the course was been rain free for a few of days and is now starting to dry out a little. The Ocean course is still a little boggy in places, but the shorter cut areas are now dry enough to have a shorter cut of grass. The Mountain course is not far from perfect and the greens generally are also getting back to true speed and run.
Now the high season is in full swing there is still a quieter than normal feeling around the course, no hold ups at all - yet again millionaire’s golf.
We welcomed quite a few visitors this week and with our list full we decided to break the group up into 2 flights and spread the wealth around. Out of 19 players we had a total of 13 different prizes for the day, including a very welcome restaurant voucher for 500 baht. For the foreseeable future we appear to have one for the next few weeks from different sources - this being one of the benefits of playing under the PSC banner. The winner of the voucher this week was the tall, lean leprechaun himself Hugh Byrne.
The headline boy, Aled Hughes, started off on the first hole with a bogey followed by a ‘blob’ on the second, but the other 16 holes produced 35 points – that’s some golf! It proves the old saying “no substitute for youth”, or maybe he is not doing the right things whilst on holiday?
Finally, and sorry to go on, but now the high season is in full swing the playing lists are filling up very quickly. If you wish to join our competition please call me, Mike Gerrard, on 087 091 7565 to be sure of a place.

Tuesday’s winners Aled Hughes and Ken Hole
pose with some of the girls from Toy’s Music Bar.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

This edition of The Square Ring begins with a Happy Thanksgiving Day, that’s next Thursday, to all those Yank ex-pats living in Thailand.  Also to those Yanks that wished they were ex-pats living in Thailand.
Boxer update - King Arthur
King Arthur Abraham, fresh off his big win over Raul Marquez, seems to have his ducks all in a row.  Manager Sauerland stated: “We are still very interested in making the Sturm fight happen.  But it would have to happen either in February or March because Arthur wants to fight Kelly Pavlik next summer to determine the super-champion.”  This was after Abraham said he wasn’t sure that Pavlik had the courage to fight him.
There may though be a bigger problem though.  It’s fine to be a “super-champion”, whatever that means, if both boxers are champions.  Some refer to a bout of this nature as a “unification bout.”  There are currently no “unified champions” and Pavlik could have lost his WBC title by the time this story rolls down the press line.  He owes the WBC sanctioning fees for his last two fights.  He had 15 days to pay or the title goes “bye-bye”.
Speaking for Felix Strum, Promoter Klaus-Peter started his trash talking by uttering pure rubbish.  In doing so everything else he might want to say should be taken with a grain of salt, expertly prepared fava beans and a nice chilled Chianti.  (Ed note: Be sure to save the Chianti bottle to use as a candle holder to impress the in-laws on their next and hopefully last visit for an “Italian Night” dinner with “him”.)
Klaus-Peter stated: “Felix fought the multiple world champion and U.S. superstar Oscar De La Hoya at the height of his career in Las Vegas and defeated him according to all the experts.”
Wrong.  The only “experts” that thought Strum won the fight think ‘Uncle Adolph’ was a great guy cause he came up with the Volkswagen Beetle.  Strum was never in the fight, losing via a unanimous decision 115-113 all around in Las Vegas, which has never been kind to De La Hoya.  TSR viewed the fight live and had it 116-112 for Oscar.  So zip it Klaus-Peter and anyway the VW Beetle was overrated, to say nothing of Ringo, John, George and Paul.
Boxer update - Manny Pacquiao
As Manny Pacquiao prepares for his December 6 showdown with Oscar De La Hoya, he’s found himself in yet another financial “SNAFU”.  Anyone who’s ever served in the military or worked for any government will be familiar with that term.
The hallmark of Manny Pacquiao, besides being maybe one of the most exciting fighters of the last 20 years, is his ability to act like a financial moron.  Ok so it’s not acting.  It’s either that or he’s a manipulative lying weasel which should also be factored into the equation.  It could also be that Manny’s a combination of the two.  Seems that Pacquiao still owes the 1.5% sanctioning fee from his fight against David Diaz last June.  One reason that he may not be paying up is that the fight was a box office flop – A real “stinkeroo”.
Pacquiao holds the WBC lightweight title.  His team asked the WBC to put the title on hold while he fights De La Hoya for upwards of $10 million.  Permission granted but there is a cost.  That cost would be $100,000.  To that full cocktail toss in the ingredients of maybe Pacquiao, if he wins, fighting Ricky Hatton and or Floyd Mayweather jr. with the WBC title still on hold.  That would put the WBC lightweight title on ice for 12-18 months.  In addition the WBC has an able and willing #1 in the division in Edwin Valero who is 24-0 with all his wins coming by KO.
Boxer update - Edwin Valero
Ed Valero has been absent from the North American boxing scene for some time.  He’s a native of Venezuela but now fights for Mr. Han out of Japan and lives in Las Vegas.
Valero has a medical problem, head injury caused, not by boxing, but a major car accident.  Since then he’s been unable to meet medical requirement to obtain a boxing license in the USA.  Now according to trainer Kenny Adams, “He’s fine.  He’s been cleared to fight.”
Valero is currently in the De La Hoya camp at Big Bear, California working with Oscar as he prepares for his December 6 meeting with Pacquiao.  A move that Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach sees as wrong.
“Valero’s probably nothing like Manny Pacquiao,” says Roach.  “He punches hard, 24 KO’s from 20 fights, but he’s slow as molasses.  And I think they got the wrong guy.”
Of course no one in the De La Hoya camp asked Roach what he thought.  Valero is the WBA super-featherweight champ but would more than welcome a move up to 135lbs to challenge Pacquiao.
One of those working with Manny Pacquiao in Los Angeles is ‘wunderkind on hold’ Amir Kahn.  He thinks that Manny has a chance to beat Oscar.  Dah!!
Boxer update – ‘Joltin Joe’
Darts legend John Lowe emailed TSR with his opinion of the Calzaghe-Jones fight.  “In Barbados for the darts festival, watched the fight last night, what a show the Welsh guy put on!  I thought Jones looked great when the fight started, and he did get off to a flyer.  What went wrong?  He looked a sorry state when the bell ended it at the end of the 12th.  Bet he thought he had been in with a Mexican.”
Calzaghe is “special” in the words of Emanuel Steward.  Jones meanwhile is way past his due date.  As one boxing writer put it, “Jones left his DNA all over the ring at Madison Square Garden.”
Also ready with his 2 baht opinion is promoter Frankie Warren.  “Before the fight he was saying it was his last fight and now he’s saying he’s not sure.  They say that fighters are the last people to know when it’s time to give up but I think they’re the last ones to admit it and that’s what he needs to do.”  Guess who doesn’t promote Joe Cagazhe?
The stage is set for Joe Calzaghe to “un-retire” and to fight before the home fans next year.  Chad Dawson may be the opponent but it darn sure won’t be Bernard Hopkins.  Speaking to the Mirror in London after a good “think,” Calzaghe didn’t mince his words.  “Screw Hopkins, man.  He got his a*** kicked by a white boy.  He’s got to accept that.  He’s an idiot. A complete a*******.  I don’t want to give him a rematch.  It wouldn’t be a good fight.  The guy’s a racist.  He was never going to give me any credit.  The way he fought against me in Las Vegas was cowardly because he held on all night and feigned being hit by low blows.  He tried to steal the fight.”
C’mon Joe, just tell us how you really feel.
Results - Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN
Jermain Taylor (28-2-1) and Jeff Lacy (24-2) waited a long time for this match-up.  Roommates while competing in the Olympics it was a “win or go home “ fight for both.
It turned out to be a totally one-sided affair as Taylor led from the opening bell, coming just a round short of sweeping the deck.  Clearly the only round that went to Lacy was the second when he put Taylor on the deck.  “They scored a knockdown?”  Nope.  Referee Lawrence “The Clown” Cole missed a knockdown that Stevie Wonder would have seen.
Taylor was faster with his hands (always important) beating Lacy to the punch while at the same time asserting more effective power.  The scores were 119-109 twice and 118-110 for Taylor.
One of the undercard matches involved Adam “The Swamp Donkey” Richards.  He stopped Chazz Witherspoon (24-2) in the 8th on cuts in this heavyweight class.  The “Swamp Donkey” is now 21-2.  TSR is officially adopting “The Swamp Donkey”.
The O2 Arena,
London, England
David Haye (22-1) made his entrance into the heavyweight division a “smashing” one as he decked Monte “No Guns” Barrett (34-5) four times before a fifth knockdown got the job done.  For Haye it was a message sent to other heavyweights that he would be a factor in any title equation.
The record will show that Barrett was a 2-time losing world title challenger.  It will also show that Barrett has been KO’d in three of his last 6 fights.  Nevertheless the win, shown on Setanta TV, will probably enable the English sporting public to pronounce the heavyweight crowing of King David Haye shortly.  They may be right.
Castlebar, Ireland
Super-Bantam Bernard Dunne (27-1) continued his comeback, this time with a 7th round TKO over Cristian Faccio (16-5).  Dunne achieved this result when a clash of heads opened a vertical cut on his forehead and he was deemed not able to continue.  Ahead at the time on points, 70-65 (referee scoring), Dunne got the TKO.
Irish boxing fans will remember that Dunne was the greatest thing since the locals found potatoes in the ground while they were digging for apples those many years ago.  At 23-0 he took an ill-advised match with hard punching Kiko Martinez.  Dunne was a “really” big favorite only to get KO’d at 1:26 of the 1st.  That first loss will do things to a boxer.  Since then 3 wins but about time he stepped it up a notch.
Coming up this week
Hatton- Malignaggi in Las Vegas, NV: Manchester’s Ricky Hatton (44-1) steps into a Las Vegas Nevada ring for the second time in three fights.  This time the opponent is Brooklyn New York’s Paulie “Motor Mouth” Malignaggi (25-1).  The question is “why?”
In the grand scheme of things a win over the overrated and under-talented Malignaggi means nothing except to enhance Hatton’s bank account.  Maybe that’s reason enough.  Last out both boxers appeared at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24; Hatton, coming off the loss to Floyd Mayweather jr., looked ordinary in disposing of out-manned Juan Lazcano in 12.  Malignaggi got an equally unimpressive SD win over a fading Lovemore “Not Less” N’dou who lost again on Sunday to Kermit Clinton.
If the real “Blue Moon” Ricky shows up this should be a blowout.  If not?  It could be ugly.  Regardless, Pattaya boxing fans can mosey on down to Jameson’s Irish Pub for the 10am telecast.  In Patong Beach in Phuket, drop by the Yorkshire Inn.  In both places the singing of “Blue Moon” and cries of “come on son” will ring out between bits of breakfast washed down by a beverage or 2 or more.  The management hopes for the “or more” option.
Jeeves Time
“Your Lordship, I would like to set the record straight.  Joe Calzaghe’s first round knockdown against Roy Jones wasn’t really a “legal” knockdown.  Jones hit him not with the fist but with a part of the arm between the wrist and the forearm.  It looked like a knockdown but wasn’t.  And no you can’t blame referee Hubert Earle as he couldn’t have seen the “blow” without slow-mo TV.
“Anyway, here’s you lager, cigars and entertainment, I’m off to find ‘Ms. Right,’ whatever her name may be.  Cheewit dee khrap.”

Morel shoots 41-pointer at windswept Khao Kheow

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, November 10, Phoenix – Stableford
Our maximum field of 36 players has been raised by 4 to cope with the influx of our regular six-month arrivals, and this will be the limit now for the high season.
Surprisingly it was a very quiet course at Phoenix on arrival and the first tee time got off before our allocated slot. There were rollovers in the 2’s in both divisions; Srithong and Vambola both got bidies on the Mountain course while Les Hall snagged a ‘2’ on the 7th hole on the Lakes course to win the purse in Division 2.
Four places in both divisions were up for grabs in the stableford competition: Paddy Wilson came in fourth in division 1 with 36 points, two points better was Mam Morel, who beat Srithong Tann on a 20/19 count back to claim second, and the winner was Andy Mills with 40 points.
Andy Oz’s 31 points secured fourth place in the second division, one point better was Jack Hinchey in third, in second with 33 points was Roger Ribbins and the winner with 39 points was Alan Bissell.
Near Pins: (Div 1.) Srithong, Vambola, Kevin Walsh and Paddy Wilson; (Div 2.) Les Hall, Mam Morel (2) and Miss Nom.
Wednesday, November 12, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Normally there are rolling clouds all around this course as you approach it, but today it was a clear blue sky in every direction.
The B and A courses were open today and as the first group teed off the wind built up to a formidable force which none of us had ever encountered here before.
The par-three island green on the B course was so difficult to judge that between them the 38 players lost 27 balls on this hole alone. Srithong, playing off 9, put her ball three feet from the pin but missed the ‘2’, while Jimmy Johnson in Division 2 sank his 12ft putt only to share the pot with Alan Bissell and Tony Duthie as they both birdied the 5A hole. Fred Duffy also got a two in Division 1 on the same hole.
Some remarkably low scores in Division 1 in the stableford competition with Raivo Velberg finishing fourth with 30 points, two points ahead in third place and losing out to Ted Morris on a back 9 count back of 18/17 was Jim Connelly, and the winner with 33 points was Fred Duffy.
Forty-one points won Division 2 for Jean Morel, with Miss Oam second on 36, Jimmy Johnson third with 34 and in fourth spot was Mam Morel on 32.
The ladies tipple was awarded to Rick Newman on the par 5 second hole on the A course for taking 6/7 shots to get out of the bunker and then finally, as it rested on a steep bank 1ft from the sand, there were many other angry shots before it was picked up. Well done Ricky.
Near Pins: (Div 1.) Fred Duffy, Georges Faber (2) Srithong, and (Div 2.) Les Hall, Jack Hinchey, Mam Morel and Rick Newman.
Saturday, November 15, Eastern Star – Stableford
A one off switch to Saturday from our normal Friday routine and there were still 30 players out.
In the 2’s today, no rollover in either division and no winners in Division 1; Miss Nom birdied the 6th to take the only prize in the second division.
Thirty-eight points won both divisions with Mark Harrison coming in first in the premier flight, 1 point adrift was Jim Connelly and a further point back in third was Tom Sathrum with. In Division 2, Miss Nom also scored 38 points to take the top podium position with Jean Morel beating Jim Lane 8/5 on a back three count back for second after they both finished on 35 points.
The presentation was held at the clubhouse and everyone was invited down to Tom Sathrum and Ya’s new restaurant just down the road on Phala Beach. In a glorious setting the ‘Old Pala Beach House’ is a 100year old teak house that has been converted and everyone enjoyed the food and drink. Many thanks Tom and Ya.
Near Pins: (Div 1.) Jim Connelly (2), Mark Harrison and Srithong; and (Div 2.) Jimmy Johnson, Jim Lane and Miss Nom.

Ole Stamnes breaks his duck

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, December 10, Green Valley - Stableford
Division 1
1st Paul Taylor 36pts
2nd Rick Holmes 35pts
3rd Alan Griffiths 33pts
Division 2
1st Paul Hartley 38pts
2nd John Kendall 35pts
3rd Geoff Picken 35pts
On a day when scoring was at a premium, due to the condition of the course which is undergoing major renovations in preparation for January’s Asian Tour Qualifying, it was unsurprising that the CSS went out one to 73 with only two players making par or better from the two divisions. This serves to underline the value of the CONGU system of handicapping.
Paul Taylor led in the first division with a solid level par round that ensured that he remains a first division player for at least another week. Rick Holmes continued on the recovery road with what turned out to be a level par round against the day’s standard scratch to claim second place ahead of Alan Griffiths in third a couple of points behind.
The second division top spot was taken by Paul Hartley, aided by a large contribution of two 2’s that accounted for eight of the points. Paul was followed in by John Kendall who won his first count back of the week with 17 on the back 9 and 12 on the last six to edge out Geoff Picken who could only scrape in with 11 over the final six holes.
Paul Taylor and Al Keith each had a ‘2’ in the first division and the second division pool was shared by Roar Berger and Paul Hartley who had a two.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed new members Jim Swandle and Craig Mc Donald and also welcomed back Grant Cadell, Shane Heavey, Bob Morrissey, Rodney Howett, John Harris and Paul Simpson.
Wednesday, November 12, Crystal Bay - Stableford
Division 1
1st Hisahiko Makino 38pts
2nd Frank Hughes 38pts
3rd Erik Donnestad 38pts
4th Peter Sumner 37pts
Division 2
1st Stephen Beard 38pts
2nd Roar Berger 38pts
3rd Bubbles Davies 37pts
4th John Kendall 37pts
Once again there were sufficient numbers to require two divisions and even requiring four placings in each.
Hisahiko Makino took the honours in the first division by virtue of a better count back of 20 to Frank Hughes’ 18 points over the back nine holes and Erik Donnestad’ s 17. Erik had gone out in a gross two-under but was unable to keep up the pressure and teach at the same time.
Stephen Beard made a return to the top step in the second division with a very steady round that just saw him beat off the challenge of Roar Berger with a better last six of 15 points against Roar’s 13, after they both had 19 on the inward half.
Bubbles Davies must have thought that Crystal Bay was a jinxed course as he once again let a winning lead slip over the last four holes to finish only one under handicap when he had looked good for a heavy scoring day after the first twelve holes. In the end he just kept John Kendal from winning his second count back in succession with 17 to John’s 13, albeit the other way round as the course was played in C, A order.
Hisahiko Makino slipped in the only ‘2’ in the first division whilst Stuart Hutchings, getting his first lifetime birdie, shared the second division pot with John Kendal. Incidentally Stuart’s ‘2’ netted him 5 points which was over a third of his total for the day and earned an extra and very generous round of applause.
Back at The Haven, Dennis Scougall was welcomed as a new member and David Knight, Reg Sillence, Rodney Nabbe and Barry Winton were welcomed back.
Friday, November 14, Emerald - Stableford
Division 1
1st Yasuo Suzuki 38pts
2nd Hisahiko Makino 37pts
3rd Dennis Scougall 35pts
4th Peter Sumner 33pts
Division 2
1st Ole Stamnes 38pts
2nd Chris Knapp 38pts
3rd Brian Kelly 36pts
4th Bob Morrissey 35pts
Yasuo Suzuki rounded off a very successful week’s golf and tour operating with a welcome win in the first division by a single point over one of his punters, Hisahiko Makino, who had nearly as good a week as Yasuo.
Dennis Scougall slipped right into the Pattaya mood as he took his first podium placing after only his second game in Thailand, with a steady one over handicap to edge out Peter Sumner by a couple.
Ole Stamnes won his very first competition out of The Haven since starting out in January 2003. It also equaled his best ever score during that time, but as he still looks forward to that magic “under 100” day on the course, it was a very happy day after he just took the count back by 23 points to 20. Chris Knapp was the unfortunate player to have found Ole in sparkling form as he had to be satisfied with second with a score and count back that would usually be a winner. Brian Kelly took third place a shot ahead of Bob Morrissey after a steady round.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Yasuo Suzuki, Kaneo Watanabe, Tony Barrit, Marty Rock, Dave Thomas, Alan Griffiths Shane Heavey all doubled their money with one each and Rick Schramm quadrupled his with two in the first division.
Prior to the prize giving The Doc welcomed back Rick Schramm and Reed Welch and gave a farewell to YuKaHiYa tours on their way to the airport. They will be sadly missed by their tour guide, Yasuo.

Low scores the order of the day at Navy

PSC Golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Tuesday, November 11, Greenwood - Stableford
Half a dozen stalwarts turned out for another good day at Greenwood.
David Johnson took the honors with 37 points and two near pin bonuses and Dennis Jaycock was runner-up two points behind after slotting the longest putt on the 18th green. Returnee Peter Coombs was straight back into the money with a near pin bonus.
Thursday, November 13, Plutaluang N & E - Stableford
A Flight (0–16)
1st David Gardner (9) 35pts
2nd Ken Hole (16) 32pts
3rd Neil Duncan (15) 30pts
B Flight (17-up)
1st Jim Walton (23) 33pts
2nd Mick Heatley (29) 32pts
3rd Chas Raj (17) 29pts
Nineteen of us including newcomers and returnees were sufficient numbers to cause Good ‘Ol’ David to split us into two divisions this day with the results posted above.

Thursday winners, David Gardner (left) and Jim Walton.

Near pin bonuses went to Bob Drumm (x 2), Neil Duncan and Ken Hole whilst Peter Wilson canned the longest first putt on the 18th green.
The average score overall was 26.6 indicating that the unusual North and East combination together with lush rough was a tough test of playing skill.
Our chum Aka O’Reilly reckons that Pattaya is probably not a good place to learn to ride a motorcycle particularly a manual one with a dodgy throttle, on the public roads, at night, without lights or crash helmet. Mike Jack recently returned from Beautiful British Columbia sort of confirmed this view when leaving the bar on Thursday by riding his motorcycle into the trunk of a large tree directly opposite, resulting in a nasty bump to his bonnet.
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 0895110575.

A breezy day at Khao Kheow

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Thomas Cotton
Tuesday, November 11, Khao Kheow – Stableford
A Flight:
1st Phil Barnsley 31pts
2nd Steve Hamstad 29pts
3rd Perry McNeely 28pts
B Flight:
1st Grant Dawson 31pts
2nd Thomas Cotton 30pts
3rd Lawrence Harding 29pts
Near Pins: Steve Hamstad, Tony Scrambler, Dick Kerr.
Long Putts: Tony Scrambler, Derek Brook.
Our “in-tepid” band of golfers who hail from Tropical Bert’s were prepared for rain, which had been lashing our Tuesdays for the last month or so, so we were unprepared for the conditions which greeted our start.
A Boreal north wind, it was, which heralded the Thai winter. It howled in our faces bringing both cooling refreshment and a formidable challenge to our shots. This was the stiffest wind most of us had encountered in Thailand for some time. We struggled to keep our tee shots under the wind and with the wind behind to keep chip shots low. For myself, it was sometimes an effort to avoid being blown over while facing the gale.
The wind really tested the golfers’ mettles and nettled their scores. This was reflected in the overall results, which one senior member suggested go unreported. But we must report both the good and the bad news and usually bad news is much more interesting than good news anyway. Wouldn’t it be fun to report the low scores instead of the high ones?
After the round we scuttled back to Tropical Bert’s, which is also the Pattaya headquarters of the British Legion. There we watched the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the service at the London Cenotaph. It was a moving ceremony, which was attended by the last three surviving British veterans, the oldest being 112.
In that sombre setting we presented a special award to Stan Dare as one of our most consistent golfers, his consistency being his low scores, which on this day was even lower, but justifiably so. Salutes to Bert for providing such an appropriate setting for the day’s denouement.

Tuesday’s winners: TC, “Badger”, Grant Dawson, L. Harding and S. Hamstad.

Ted Lodge bags a brace

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, November 9, Green Valley - Stableford
A Flight
1st Ted Lodge (12) 40pts
2nd Mike Holmes (11) 38pts
3rd Des Griffith (5) 37pts
B Flight
1st Colm Mullen (16) 35pts
2nd Yui Bietry (16) 35pts
3rd Pete Emslie (18) 34pts
Near Pins: #2 Max Wilson, #9 Kevin Mcentee, #12 Colin Davis and #16 Eddie Beilby.
2’s: Mike Holmes, Jack Spencer and Eddie Beilby.
Baan Jing Jai Hidden Six: 1st Kevin Hamilton, 2nd Colin Davis, 3rd Ben O’Connor.
In what was scheduled as a warm up for the monthly medal, a large contingent of golfers battled through the cored greens and the essential maintenance work on the bunkers.
Ted Lodge emerged triumphant to take A Flight and man of the match with a well-earned 40 points. Mike Holmes was two shots adrift in second on 38, himself one just ahead of Des Griffith in third.
Lower scores in B Flight saw Colm Mullen win with 35 points on a count back over the Magician’s missus, Yui. Rounding out the podium with 34 points was Pete Emslie.
Eddie Beilby, Mike Holmes and Jack Spencer shared the handsome 2’s pot.
Back at Lewiinski’s, Eddie Beilby was elected Captain of the Lewiinski’s Golf Society, The Right Honorable Shamus Cotter was appointed Vice Captain and Peter Henshaw the President.
Monday, November 10, Mountain Shadow - Stableford
A Flight
1st Peter Lenoury (8) 35pts
2nd Mark Wood (7) 34pts
B Flight
1st Matt Doyle (17) 37pts
2nd Colm Mullen (16) 36pts
Mountain Shadow was in its usual pristine condition as Matt Doyle emerged as the only golfer to break par with 37 points to take the junior flight by one stroke over the in-form Colm Mullen, who shot an even par 36.
The premier flight was a low scoring affair, Peter Lenoury winning on 35 points by one over Aberdeen’s pride and joy, Mark Wood.
Mark also got involved in the 2’s along with Andrew Byrne and Vic Nesbitt.
Wednesday, November 12, Royal Lakeside - Stableford
A Flight
1st Ted Lodge (12) 37pts
2nd Nick Payne (14) 36pts
3rd Lindsay Semple (13) 35pts
B Flight
1st Michael Cosgrave (15) 38pts
2nd Geoff Kubas (21) 36pts
3rd Peter Henshaw (16) 36pts
The long journey to Royal Lakeside led to a very enjoyable day on an immaculate course.
Coming out on top in A Flight for the second time in as many days was Ted Lodge with a solid 37 points. The runner up was Nicky “Two gloves” Payne with an even par 36 and three other competitors were tied on 35 points for third place: Lindsay Semple tidying up the flight via a count back.
B Flight winner and man of the match was Michael Cosgrave on 38 points while four players were tied on 36 for second and third places. Geoff Kubas had the best back nine for second place, and never far away for sure was Peter Henshaw taking third. The count back victims were Ireland’s Peter Ring and Robert Hanson.
Victor Nesbitt, big Ben O’Connor and The Right Honourable Seamus Cotter shared the 2’s pot.
Friday, November 14, Phoenix - Stableford
A Flight
1st Lindsay Semple (12) 36pts
2nd Alec Hughes (4) 36pts
3rd Nick Payne (14) 36pts
B Flight
1st Brian Wood (16) 36pts
2nd Joe Tynan (16) 36pts
3rd Christy Knight (21) 36pts
After Wednesday’s long trek to the Lakeside, it was only fitting that the society should follow it up with a much shorter journey to play Phoenix, which was in splendid condition.
There was however a strong breeze blowing in from the north to make life difficult for the contestants, and also keep the scores very reasonable.
Brian Wood prevailed in B Flight with an even-par 36 points. He was followed on the podium by Ireland’s own “Freddie Finton,” Joe Tynan, with 35 points on a count back over Christy Knight, leaving Christy to take third place.
A Flight was a mathematician’s nightmare as five contestants tied on 36 points each. Lindsay Semple came out on top of the heap via the count back system, Aled Hughes was placed second, and Nicky “Two Gloves” third. Two of Ireland’s best were left scratching their heads, Benny O’Connor and The R H Vice captain Seamus Cotter.
Note: Lewiinski’s is situated on Pattaya Land Soi 1, Beach Road Soi 13/3 near to Walking Street. Anyone wishing to play with us just pop in and add your name to the list or call Bob on 080 096 8232. Transport is provided

Toeing the Oche

Houston Hartwell II
Dutch Darts Trophy
Norfolk’s Mervyn King got his second PDC Tour win of the year when he strolled away with £5,000 and the Dutch Darts Trophy’s Saturday event. He got the win when he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 3 sets to 2.

Bob Anderson will have the chance to defend his title in the 2009 ‘League of Legends.’ (Photo/Betfred.com)

King took the first set with “RE”, ridiculous ease, only to have van Barneveld level it at 1 all. King took the third set 2-1 and had a chance to win it 3-1 after a 118 check out put him ahead in the 4th. King squandered the advantage with two missed match darts. Van Barneveld, given a second chance, scored then took the set with a 156 finish. King took the opening leg of the decider helped by his fourth maximum. With King up in legs 1-0, van Barneveld missed double 14 and his opponent pounced: Game, set and match.
The Sunday Dutch Darts Trophy winner was James Wade who picks up his third Players championship of 2008. He took home the £5,000 first place check after winning in what was described as a “shoot out.”
The final was a rematch from the Scottish Players event last month against Mark Walsh. Not the shoot out from High Noon, but filled with drama none the less. In a best of 5 sets match, Walsh took a 2-1 lead. Wade then came back with a 2-0 set to level the score at 2 all. When the final set was tied at 1, the 3rd leg would be for the “sudden death” win. Wade also had a ‘final leg’ win against Denis Ovens in the semis. Walsh was in the drivers seat, missing double top on a 120 finish. He then had another three to win but missed tops and double 10. Given a chance, Wade made 40 disappear for the title.
Party Poker Grand Slam of Darts
The group play of the opening round of the Party Poker Grand Slam provided few surprises although there were some. Most expected Women’s World Champion Anastasia Dobromyslova to be in deep water against World Champ John Part but in the first two legs it was Part that was swimming for his life. The Russian Miss threw him a pair of water wings when she had 9 darts at doubles but failed to finish. Given new life Part went on to cruise to a 5-1 win.
Phil Taylor was smoking in his first match as he laid a 5-0 whipping on Phil Nixon. Mark Webster, the BDO World Champion, went out 5-4 to Colin McGarry. As expected Raymond van Barneveld moved on with an easy 5-1 win over Kirk Shepherd.
One of the big surprises of early play was the 5-0 “snyder” laid on Wayne Mardle by Kevin McDine. Mardle would come back in loser’s play, beating Anastasia 5-4. Mardle was up 4-0 in that one when the Russian Lass battled back.
Shock waves were then sent through the venue when Andy Jenkins beat defending champion Phil Taylor 5-4. It was the first time in his career as a professional that Jenkins had beaten “The Power”. Taylor out scored Jenkins but missed doubles and as the Old Dart Coach says, “You score for show and finish for dough.”
Jenkins led 2-0 and 3-2 only to have Taylor come back to tie it at 3-all, and then move ahead 4-3. Jenkins leveled it at 4 with a nifty 12-darter and then started the final leg with a T80 and T40 to set up 104. Jenkins made that go away as Taylor watched helplessly at 68.
Play was continuing at press time in a ‘modified round-robin’ format that is slightly more complicated than Chinese arithmetic. There are 8 groups of 4 with two players moving to the knockout round from each group. The players with the most wins and the player with the second most wins in each group advances.
League of Legends
Word out of the ‘Mother Country’ is that the League of Legends is alive and well. After a successful 2008, both sponsors Betfred and Setanta Sports have given the “thumbs up” for 2009. The prize fund has been increased to £100,000 for the field that will include at least the same 8 players from 2008. The prize fund increase is £10,000 over 2008.
At the end of the 2008 league, champion Bob Anderson said, “I look forward to defending my title next year.” Now he’ll have the chance. He’ll once again lock horns John Lowe, Eric Bristow, Clif Lazarenko, Peter Eveson, Bobby George, Keith Deller and runner-up Dave Whitcombe. At the conclusion of the 2008 event Dave Whitcombe, the early leader, vowed to be in “better shape’ for 2009. No additional players have been named to play in the event but that option is still open.

VFW Post 9876 moves into a tie at the top

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

First place Montana lost 3 points to Sabai Sabai Friday who moved from fourth to third place. Second place VFW Post 9876 could only split their match 2-2 against Jack Tar but still moved up into joint first place.
Café Kronborg dropped from third to fourth place after losing 3 points to Bavaria. Café Ole remains in fifth place as they split their match 2-2 with Brother D, Montgomery took all 4 points from Canada and Sala Thai won 3 points from House of the Golden Coin.
Best bowlers of the day: La (Montgomery), 205, 225, 173 - 603 series; Nok (Sabai Sabai Friday), 223. 202, 180 - 605 series; Mio (House of the Golden Coin), 180, 180, 213 - 573 series; Kaew, 187, 175, 203 - 565 series.

Results & Standings November 14 (week 18) Team                                         Points        Standings Montana                                      1 – 3             46 - 26 VFW Post 9876                           2 - 2              46 - 26 Sabai Sabai Friday                       3 – 1           42.5 - 29.5 Café Kronborg                             1 - 3              39 - 33 Café Ole                                     2 – 2             37 - 35 Montgomery                               4 – 0            35.5 - 36.5 Brother D                                    2 - 2           33.5 - 38.5 Bavaria                                       3 - 1           32.5 - 39.5 House of the Golden Coin            1 – 3                32 - 40 Sala Thai Restaurant                   3 - 1                 32 - 40 Jack Tar                                     2 – 2             31 - 41 Canada                                       0 - 4              25 - 47