Pattaya United defeat former champions

Pattaya United earned a moral boosting 2:0 home victory over last season’s champions, the Provincial Electricity Authority-PEA team, at the Nongprue Municipality field in Pattaya last Saturday evening.
Atthipol Poolsap opened the scoring for the home team on the 36 minute mark with a firm left foot shot. The second half had to be suspended for 25 minutes midway through following a power outage, but when the lights finally came back on Poolsap scored his and Pattaya’s second and decisive goal with an 82nd minute header to seal the victory for the home team. There was just time later in the game for one of the United defenders to receive his marching orders for a second bookable offence before the referee blew the final whistle.
United have now moved up to 10th place in the league with 11 points from their opening 10 fixtures. Their next match is on Saturday, May 23 against Osotsapa M150 at the M 150 Tanarom Field. Kick off is 4:00 p.m.

Asian vote casts football in bad light

John Leicester
Tick a box, pick a candidate to represent Asian football on the world stage. You’d think it would be clean and simple.
Not so at the Asian Football Confederation.
Even with just 46 voters and two candidates to choose from, it still made a hash of an election that culminated in a ballot last week to fill an Asian seat on the powerful executive committee of FIFA, which for better or worse oversees the most popular sport on the planet. Among the important decisions pending on the committee’s agenda is one next year on selecting hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Never underestimate football administrators’ uncanny talent for messing things up. These people, too often, have proved to be whizzes at casting themselves in the worst possible light, at injecting their own personal rivalries into a sport founded on teamwork, at bickering over the mounds of cash in football and the power that it brings, and for appearing underhanded even when they insist they are strictly adhering by their own rules.
Vote-buying allegations, mudslinging, dirty tricks - the Asian election had it all. Judging from how freely the venom flowed during the campaign there’s more House of Borgia than “Little House on the Prairie” in what FIFA president Sepp Blatter sometimes calls his “football family.”
The bitterness got so out of hand that Blatter intervened with an appeal for “fair play and ethics” - which, given the controversies that have marked elections at FIFA, including his own, is a bit like China’s autocratic Communist Party tut-tutting Florida for its recounts in the U.S. presidential election of 2000.
Who can forget - perhaps forgive is a better word - FIFA’s vote in 2000 that gave the 2006 World Cup to Germany. South Africa likely would have won had the beleaguered soccer boss of Oceania, the late Charles Dempsey, not crumbled under the pressure of what he said were threats from “influential European interests.” Rather than make enemies by voting, he felt compelled to abstain.
Football, frankly, deserves better.
The catfight in Asia between Mohamed Bin Hammam and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa for the FIFA post was high drama but hardly an encouraging sign that the sport is in the best possible hands. It reflects poorly on football that some of its senior administrators, such as FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon, see nothing wrong with laundering their squabbles so publicly. On the eve of last Friday’s vote, the wealthy scion of South Korea’s Hyundai conglomerate accused Hammam of “acting like the head of a crime organization.”
“It looks like Mr. Hammam is suffering from mental problems,” said Chung, who backed Hammam’s rival, Salman, for the FIFA post. “I want to advise him to consider going to hospital.”
Hammam was equally undiplomatic. “This man knows nothing about football,” he said of Chung.
Nice. And this is the so-called “beautiful” game?
In the end, Hammam won the vote, by the narrowest possible margin - 23 to 21. Two ballots were spoiled - but by whom or why, no one seems to know.
The confederation’s communications director, Sean Tohidi, says voting delegates - one from each of the 46 Asian football associations that make up the AFC - were repeatedly and clearly briefed on how to tick the box for their candidate of choice. Yet one still managed to tick two boxes; the other put scratch marks on both names.
FIFA monitors validated the outcome, and Salman didn’t contest it. “These were clearly honest mistakes,” Tohidi says of the invalid ballots.
Perhaps. Or did the two voters simply resent having to take sides or were they protesting how Asian football has been held hostage by all of this?
“We have taken a step back with all this petty quarreling,” says Peter Velappan, the AFC’s secretary-general from 1978-2007 who came out strongly against Hammam. “I told Blatter that I was in a state of shock about what has happened to Asian football.”
It’s not as if the world’s most populous region doesn’t have other, genuine football questions to deal with, foremost of which is why it still underperforms on the world stage.
Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Australia are doing fine, but what about India or China? The Chinese Super League has been so woeful that that even the country’s main state-run TV network, CCTV, stopped broadcasting matches last season. Match-fixing and illegal gambling are other blights on Asian games.
But Blatter was all blinkers after AFC president Hammam - the two men’s ties go back years - was re-elected to the FIFA post. Rather than interpret Hammam’s razor-thin victory as a sign of a region deeply divided, Blatter declared: “I like close votes as it shows that football’s democratic system is working.”
“Asian football is in safe hands,” he said.
If only we could be so sure.

Blood, sweat and tears: where do we sign up?

The Chiang Mai Challenge 2009 Adventure Race from a competitor’s perspective

Lynda Sharp
As I lie dozing, a glimmer of early morning sunlight shining through the curtains, I hear a loud thump from the room next door. It occurs to me that I’m in Chiang Mai and that I have been talked into doing another race after swearing at the last one ‘never again, I’m getting too old for this!’ The team in the next room are already starting their own preparations for the race.
And what exactly is an adventure race? A multi-discipline event normally comprising of trail running and scrambling, mountain biking, swimming and kayaking. Of course, if the Organisers can manage it, there will be something else as well. All of it is off road and it’s usually in wild country. The Chiang Mai Challenge 2009 would be all of this and more besides, but let’s go through this race in the order we met the various challenges.

A competitor traverses a tree lined Mountain Bike section of the 2009 Chiang Mai Challenge Adventure Race.
Before we start, the race is made up of 2-person teams in various categories; Men’s, Women’s, Mixed, Masters and Seniors. New for 2009, the race was split into two divisions of Adventure and Extreme.
Competitors come in all shapes and sizes, ages and physical ability, knowing that an Adventure Race isn’t just about coming first. It’s also about having the will to complete a difficult course when one is exhausted as well as helping your teammate through the tough parts. Each team must go through checkpoints together or else be disqualified so, there is no advantage in one of the team rushing ahead to register with the timing marshalls.
The Start
Some may say I am foolhardy, others may be impressed by my physical prowess and sheer ‘bloody mindedness’. The truth is that the challenge is not just to do well in a race of this kind, but to complete a demanding course that lesser mortals would give up trying. My partner, Nikki, and I have decided to do the Extreme Race, a decision we may regret later!
Having placed our mountain bikes at a transition point, competitors mass on the start line. There is nervous tension as we wait for the opening speeches to be made. Last minute dashes to the nearby toilets are made as nerves turn bowels to jelly. We laugh and joke with each other as we wait. Lots of nervous laughter, fidgeting, minute adjustments to already perfectly arranged clothing and equipment. We all wear hydration systems as the start time draws near, sipping water and electrolytes, while nervous bowel movements send many of to the nearest toilet.
We are given last minute instructions from the race director Mr Serge Henkens. After a bit of jostling for position on the start line, we’re off on the first leg of the race. We make a circuit of Chiang Mai’s 700 Year Stadium and then it’s into the rough stuff for a long uphill climb through the forest. This was a run along some beautiful open forest trails which climb high above the city.
We soon spread out and as I climb up the steep forest path, my partner bounces along encouraging me to climb faster. We skip down the hill again back towards the stadium along rock strewn paths. It’s already getting hot and I’m very pleased that I have thought to carry the 3 litres of fluid in my pack. The trail is rough and we frequently have to duck around low hanging branches. Already some teams are struggling. This is much harder than they thought it would be. But, doggedly, they go on and overcome their difficulties.

Teamwork is the name of the game in this sport.
A common problem for inexperienced teams is that they go out at the start at way too fast a pace to maintain. This first running leg of the race took us about an hour to complete. Already tired, we re-enter the stadium and pick up our bikes.
The second leg of the race required us to cycle a fairly technical bike course. Our strategy is for me to go first so that so that Nikki can see which line to cycle over the rougher parts. We start to make up time on some of the teams in front. We traverse this leg quite well, careful not to take unnecessary risks, though bike helmets are mandatory.
We completed the bike section and emerged on the shore of a small lake. We dropped our bikes and immediately ran into the lake to start a swim section. The swim wasn’t long but, wearing all our clothes, shoes, hydration packs and now a life jacket as well, swimming isn’t easy. Nikki had to scull a large inner-tube across as I swam. We collected our token and then reversed the swim back to our bikes.
Many teams were having problems and again, Nikki and I, who are strong swimmers, did well. Getting out of the cool water proved a problem for some teams as hot limbs succumbed to cramps.
Then it was back on the Mountain Bikes for a very technical forest ride. We spent as much time carrying our bikes as riding them. Part of the challenge here is to know what you and your partner are capable of, then not trying to exceed your skills – or lack of them. Many teams had problems here trying to ride over obstacles they were clearly not able to.
We emerged from the forest on the shore of Lake Huay Tueng Taew. We swam/waded through the about 200m of tepid water, though it was a relief to cool down a bit.
The start of the kayak section has a twist. Our task was to get to 3 separate points along the shore and pick up tokens. It’s great that my poor legs can rest for a while, whilst Nikki has to climb a cargo net to get the first token, haul herself up a tree to get the second one and then use a catapult to hit targets to get the third, whilst I position the kayak for a fast getaway.
The teams are all very well spread out now and it’s starting to get tough. The end of the kayak section beckons and we hand in our tokens, run up to the check point on the bank.
The next section of the race was another run. We set off from the edge of the lake through the low forest trails and then up to the mountain! This was an incredibly hard section. It was getting very warm now as the morning progressed, this made worse because of the humidity under the trees. Now the muscles are starting to scream. It’s hard to get my breath. I want this to end.
Then we cross a small stream and a waterfall and are faced with a number of wooden ladders to climb. A grinning face above me. The Thai marshal probably just can’t understand why we’re doing such a stupid thing as climbing the mountain, the hard way, in the middle of the day. He’s right. We are quite mad!
Over the ladders and the long descent back to the lake shore. If the leg muscles were protesting before, they are agony now. Finally the run is over; we can see the next check point.
We load up with water again. The heat is intense and we are very, very tired by now. Nikki plods on and we enter the lake again for a swim back to our bikes.
Again, it’s fairly rough and the hills though small, sap what little energy we have left. Amazingly we find ourselves back at the stadium and the finish line is in sight. Teams already there are quick to congratulate us as we do the same.
This isn’t a race about winning but having achieved something very special. We have been racing for nearly 6 hours and are pretty exhausted. The exhilaration of having completed and not given up is immense however. This is why we do it.
Of course I have vowed never to do such a race again. I have refused to put myself through the sweat and pain of another event like this. Inevitably however, the pain wears off and, after a couple of beers with other teams; I know that I’ll be back for more next time.
Well done to the Active Management Asia team for another superb event. Now, where do I sign up for The Ibis Koh Samui Challenge in September?
The Next race part of the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series will take place in Koh Samui on September 19, 2009. For more information: www.kohsamuitrophy.com, Tel: 02 7189581-2, Email: [email protected].

English Premier League fixtures

(All kick-off times listed are Thai local times)

Sunday, 24 May 2009
Arsenal v Stoke, 22:00
Aston Villa v Newcastle, 22:00
Blackburn v West Brom, 22:00
Fulham v Everton, 22:00
Hull v Man United, 22:00
Liverpool v Tottenham, 22:00
Man City v Bolton, 22:00
Sunderland v Chelsea, 22:00
West Ham v Middlesbrough, 22:00
Wigan v Portsmouth, 22:00
Scottish Premier League fixtures
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Aberdeen v Hibernian, 19:00
Celtic v Hearts, 19:00
Dundee United v Rangers, 19:00

Andy Oz triumphs on Golden Elephant Tour

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Jomtin Golf recently held its 13th annual trip to Hua Hin to play a 72-hole stableford competition with an individual game each day at four different courses.

Golden Elephant winner Andy Oz (left) with runner up Steve Ironside.

After a few emails to people living there we opted for the Majestic course rather than the new Banyan Tree. After departing at 10.00am from Siam Cats and using the new 9 motorway avoiding Bangkok completely, we arrived in four hours with a very comfortable drive.
Monday, May 11 - Palm Hills
As always, this course was in excellent condition and with very fast greens indeed. Just 34 points was the score that contested for first place between Ken Foster and Andy Oz, but the old man won on a 17/16 back nine count back. Terry Cowell came in third with 31 points.
Tuesday, May 12 - Majestic Creek
A few patchy fairways in places on the course but this is still a wonderful layout and a favourite choice every year we are here. Some very heavy black clouds rolled in after six holes bur they dispersed within the next hour to leave us with a dry round.
With his best round ever, Martin Anderton won today’s contest with 41 points, Terry Cowell came in second position 5 points behind and Andy Oz took third with 35 points.
Thursday, May 14 - Springfield
Our third round and another totally deserted course yet again, and with rounds being completed in under three and a half hours this is hard to believe for this area at this time of the year. It was a true test of golf on this Jack Nicklaus course and the first time we have ever played the C nine since it opened over two years ago.
This reflected in the scores today with Steve Ironside taking the top podium position with 35 points, and Ken Foster beating his arch rival John McLoone on a 17/13 back nine count back for second after they both came in with 33 points.
So with one round to play there were at least six people in the running for the trophy.
Friday, May 15 - Black Mountain
We always save the best course till last and with a few players who had not played in this area before they rated this as one of the best in Thailand. In absolute pristine condition with outstanding views everyone enjoyed their last round. Everyone that is apart from one person who fell in the bathroom at 2.00 a.m. earlier that morning and had to be taken to the local hospital to be treated for a broken wrist, that is the end of that story.
After a hectic social week, somehow, Jimmy Johnson came in with 34 points to beat Andy Oz on a back six count back of 11/9 to win the last day. Steve Ironside finished third on 30 points.
So with the old man leading after three rounds and not playing today, Andy Oz won the Golden Elephant with 132 points, with Steve Ironside in second position and John McLoone in third.
Many thanks to Naeng at AGP Golf Tours for arranging everything.

Whitehead wins by three at Green Valley

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Thomas Cotton
Tuesday, May 12, Green Valley – Stableford
If it is Tuesday, it must be Bert’s so there we were, a motley assortment of mostly ageing over-the-hill and outside the pale golfers, raring to tackle Green Valley once again.

Bill Knight with DB (holding likeness of Perry McNeely) and the day’s winner Peter Whitehead.

Our dauntless and effusive Golf Chairman, Perry McNeely, had arranged for vouchers enabling the most impecunious golfers to partake this day. But he hadn’t fixed the weather and we started playing in a gentle drizzle, which eventually ceased giving way to cloudy skies that cleared partially as the day wore on. The fairways remained damp and slow, so we didn’t get as much run to our drives and this forced longer second shots, which added to the challenge.
Reports were that Bill Knight had complained a lot about this and that, but it didn’t seem to hamper his play and he finished second behind fellow-Aussie Peter Whitehead and only Perry McNeely prevented an Australian sweep of the top three places. Perry’s office duties delayed his return back to Bert’s, so he was unable to pose with the winners, but we found a good substitute!
1st Peter Whitehead 39pts
2nd Bill Knight 36pts
3rd Perry McNeely 33pts
Near Pins: Mashi Kenata, Derek Brook

Ken turns rocks in to diamonds at Emerald

PSC golf from Mulligans Lakeside

Tuesday, May 12, we made a long awaited return to Emerald Ban Chang.
After some heavy overnight rain the course was damp in areas, especially the right side of the 1st green, but as we continued the sun & breeze dried the course out and was much more playable.
Adapting to the conditions and generally playing good golf shots, Ken Hole (16) was way out in front of the rest of the field with a very respectable 40 points. A distant, but clear 2nd, was the ever present John Chapman (25) with 33 points.
Ken continued his domination on the day, picking up 2 Near Pins with newcomer Paul, and Brian, picking up the others.
Mulligans Lakeside, out on Lake Mabprachan, plays on Tuesday & Thursday, utilising the PSC affiliation to access the value provided by vouchers for less expensive golf, and with low season Sport Days offered by various golf clubs. This combined with NO skimming 20% “administration fees” from the prize fund, all competition fees are available to players.
Call Jeff 089 094 1841 or Ray 081 935 8088 for schedule details & bookings. Cheers & Good Golfing

The International Pattaya Matchplay League 2009

Following last year’s successful tournament, The International Pattaya Golf Club (IPGC) is repeating the Matchplay League competition again this year but under a slightly revised format. This year there will be six matchplay days, one per month, when teams will compete on the same course, at the same time, going off the first tee.
Simultaneously there will be an open stableford competition for other members going off the alternate tee(s). In this way it is hoped that all members can feel part of the day and play their golf with friends on the usual days. Each venue will take a turn in organising and hosting the matchplay day and following the event there will be a free presentation buffet at the organising venue.
Matchplay is generally considered to be the purest form of golf and last year’s competition was an incredibly close fought event with The Haven just edging out Lewiinski’s on individual ties won, both teams having the same total of points. Indeed the third placed team, PGS, could have won the league if one missed five foot putt on the final green at Green Valley had been successful!
The first fixture will be at Eastern Star on Tuesday, June 2, hosted by the PGS at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar, Soi Buakhao. Remaining fixtures will be posted in the usual monthly schedules and news, results and the current table can be seen at http://www.ipgc.org.

Alan Griffiths scores twice

Play it again Sam

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

Another large field turned out with the Pattaya Golf Society on Tuesday, May 12, to play a monthly merit stableford event at Bangpra International Golf Club. The course was in good condition and the extended tenth hole gave an extra dimension to the round. The greens were a little slow by Bangpra’s standards but they did not detract too much from a good competition.
The field was divided into two flights at seventeen and under and in the second flight the older heads of Pat Murphy and Jim Proctor both went one under to share third place on 36 points. The flight winner was lady golfer Margaret Wilkinson and her 39 points was the second best score of the day.
In the top flight Bob Watson found his form again to return 37 points for third place, a couple of points behind Chris Voller whose 39 points was another fine round from the in-form Englishman. The day’s best gross belonged to Sammy Chang, his 75 giving him 42 points for a second successive large haul, this time giving him the victory.
Jim Proctor recorded the day’s sole birdie ‘2’ on a day when surprisingly none were recorded in the top flight and the Booby Bevy went to absent organiser Mr Len after celebrating a win by his beloved Newcastle United caused him to oversleep. Shame, he missed a good day at Bangpra.
Wichai’s weekend again
The Pattaya Golf Society visited The Emerald golf course in Ban Chang after a long absence on Saturday, May 16, to play a stableford event. The course was in reasonable condition, the recent heavy rains having prevented fairway cutting for a few days but the greens were in excellent condition.
Two golfers, mistakenly re-routing to Green Valley, reduced the field to a single flight, whilst the usual candidates threw their hats in the ring for the prizes.
Richard Hurley, a fine “range” golfer, had his first taste of competition success when his 34 points gave him a share of third place with Chris Voller, the latter continuing his good form at present. In second place was Peter Masters with 37 points, his score representing revenge for a mischievous ‘phone call announcing the PGS departure on Tuesday whilst he was restrained in a classroom at ISR!
The day’s winner was personable Thai golfer Wichai Tananusorn who had volunteered a two shot cut in his handicap after some fine performances recently. His best gross of 78 gave him 39 points for the second round in succession and the victory could not have been better deserved.
Bob Watson and Peter Masters shared the ‘2’s pot for their efforts on the thirteenth and fifteenth holes respectively whilst Canadian Tim Lazecki took the Booby Bevy at the end of his five month stay. In that time Tim has played some fine golf after a dismal first round but today his performance had all the signs of an impending departure and brought back memories of his forgettable debut last November.
Once again Chris Voller had marshalled the PGS squad well on a good golf day at The Emerald.

Brits get their revenge

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
Tuesday, May 12, Laem Chabang - Stableford
1st Fergus Brennan (11) 40pts
2nd Col Cameron (14) 36pts
3rd Kevin Tomkins (23) 34pts
4th Mike Sanders (8) 33pts
5th Frank Seaton (12) 32pts
On Tuesday it was it was off to Laem Chabang B&C and a good participation with just the one division.

Saturday’s winners: Nigel Ashurst, Jim Sykes and Brian Holmes.

Fergus Brennan obviously found form on the day, beating the field by four clear points at forty and followed home by Col Cameron in second on thirty-six and Kevin Tomkins third at thirty-four.
Only one ‘2’ and that came from Frank Seaton at the seventeenth.
Thursday, May 14, Phoenix
Yet another of our regular outings to Phoenix (Mountain and Ocean) was planned but the weather decided to change that. We rang round all the courses and everywhere was copping the big rain. That is a first in my records. We can usually find somewhere to play. But not this time, so the day was abandoned
Saturday, May 16, Green Valley - Stableford
1st Jim Sykes (10) 37pts
2nd Brian Holmes (15) 36pts
3rd Nigel Ashurst (12) 35pts
4th Dannie Larson (18) 33pts
5th Ged Higgins (18) 33pts
6th Bob Creswick (14) 33pts
7th Ted Senior (16) 33pts
Saturday was our one of our now regular weekend visits to Green Valley. The weather behaved and we had a good turnout bolstered again by a large Australian contingency. However, it was to be a Brit who won the day in the form of Jim Sykes from Yorkshire. He took it by just the one point at thirty-seven over Brian Holmes at thirty-six who had decided to pay us a visit from his home in Chiang Rai. Well it was obviously worth the trip.
Nigel Ashurst was third at thirty-five. The minor places were all decided on count back with Dannie Larson topping the list followed by Ged Higgins and Ted Senior, all at thirty-three.
The highest gross on the day went to John Goudge at eighty-two. I was asked to mention it as I understand that his wife at home has her doubts about him ever playing golf whilst here in Pattaya.
Four 2’s on the day from Brian Holmes, Frank Kelly, Ted Senior and Roger Wilkinson.

Mooneyham hits the heights at Phoenix

PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s column
Monday, May 11, Burapha - Stableford
After three weeks of unusual combinations, the 25 Outbackers were back on the regular Augusta & Belfry nines from the blue tees.
Teeing off fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled start time of 10 a.m., all seven groups were away by 10.15; and the leading three ball was able to scoot round the front nine in one and a half hours. After negotiating past a reluctant five ball, they sped on aiming to complete their round before the approaching thunderstorms prevented further play. Shortly after playing the sixteenth, yet after the threat of the onslaught of a storm had seemingly passed, the siren sounded; and as though under remote control, the caddies stopped work immediately.
It the first time a siren has been heard at Burapha, and although welcomed, that the management is doing something about the safety of their customers and caddies, there were many that felt it had been sounded some 25 minutes too late. Nevertheless, there was an enforced 20 minute storm delay during which time there was no lightning or rain.
Kevin Moraghan, playing his first game for a while, had the day’s best of 39 points to win Div A from the consistent Rick Evans with a fine 38 (75 gross); whilst Div B was won by Mark Kembrey, back on his short R & R trip from Nakhon Nowhere, North of Perth, with another excellent 38, two points ahead of ‘Mr Ivan’, who is getting too comfortable playing of 18, with 36.
There were just two ‘2’s from Kevin Moraghan and Capt’ Bob.
Div A (0-15)
1st Kevin Moraghan (15) 39pts
2nd Rick Evans (5) 38pts
3rd Rosco Langoulant (12) 36pts
4th Bob Philp (6) 35pts
Div B (16+)
1st Mark Kembrey (18) 38pts
2nd Ivan Plunkett (18) 36pts
3rd Peter Marsh (23) 36pts
4th Peter Stonebridge (17) 35pts
Tuesday, May 12, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
It was another fine day at Pattaya Country Club for the 15 Outbackers who made the short journey across the 36. From early morning there had been steady rain in the whole area but upon arrival it stopped, and we enjoyed rounds of 4 hours or less and in reasonable comfort.
It was a welcome to Charles Sheppard and Tom Bryne playing with us for the first time on a Tuesday, and both in the winning frame. It was also a welcome back for another brief visit by Mark Kembrey and his lovely wife Ben.
So to the results: The Lawton’s (John and Suzi) were both in the frame - Suzi runner-up in B Flight with 34 points and John with a ‘stunning’38 points – his words! - winning A Flight.
There were no 2’s so there were three places in two flights.
We shall be back at Pattaya Country Club next Tuesday with a tee time of 10:00.
Div A (0-18)
1st John Lawton (17) 38pts
2nd Tom Byrne (14) 36pts
3rd Bob Pearce (15) 35pts
Div B (19+)
1st Charles Sheppard ( 20) 35pts
2nd Suzi Lawton (20) 34pts
3rd John Cogan (20) 34pts
Wednesday, May 13, Bangpra - Stableford
Last here on 10th September 2008, this course still remains one of the most scenic in the area, however, the greens were not their usual slick selves being a little bumpy on the front and hairy on the back. The work on extending the tenth was by and large complete, but there was still a lot of GUR to the front of the green and on the right near a lateral water hazard, where there had been considerable land slippage. As a result, the tee box for the eleventh has been moved, making the drive visually more daunting with a large expanse of water on the left and dense mature trees on the right.
Graham Faithful celebrated his return to the Outback with an excellent score of 40 points, thereby easily winning the day, from Bruce Milner (37) in second and Rick Evans in third on 35.
The only ‘2’ of the day came from Tony Gliddon.
1st Graham Faithful (17) 40pts
2nd Bruce Milner (11) 37pts
3rd Rick Evans (15) 35pts
4th Bob Philp (6) 34pts
5th Tony Gliddon (12) 33pts
Thursday, May 14, Green Valley - Stableford
Heavy rain washed out the complete day. Virtually the only golf that was played was virtual golf on the simulator at Green Valley where Chad & John thrashed Capt’ Bob & Jack at ‘El Dorado’, whilst the Sugarman, Jochiam, Gary & Chris tried their hand at Pebble Beach. A great concept and well worth a try!
Friday, May 15, Phoenix - Stableford
Having lost a day’s golf to the weather on Thursday, many of the 25 Outbackers in the line up were keen to play today; however, waking up again to that persistent ‘English’ rain installed little confidence that it would actually happen.
It was still raining upon arrival at Phoenix but as the tee time approached, the sky did start to show some breaks in the cloud but it was noticeable that there wasn’t the usual enthusiasm to be in the first group out. Surprisingly, it did stop raining enabling a comfortable round of golf on Mountain & Ocean in a cool temperature albeit a tad soggy underfoot.
Joe Mooneyham played one of his best ever rounds to break 80, scoring 42 points, comfortably winning Div A by three from General Jack (39pts), stepping in for Capt’ Bob as the organiser for the day, whilst Bob is away up country. Div B was won by ‘the bookie’s favourite’, Charlie Sheppard, with an excellent 38 points from the talkative, Henry O’Brien (20 points on the back nine) and Arne Stangnes (19 points on the back nine); both with 35.
There were four ‘2’s from Rosco, Bruce Milner and Joe Mooneyham had two.
Div A (0-18)
1st Joe Mooneyham (12) 42pts
2nd Jack Moseley (12) 39pts
3rd Graham Faithful (16) 35pts
4th Alan Bishop (17) 35pts
Div B (19+)
1st Charles Sheppard (20) 38pts
2nd Henry O’Brien (20) 35pts
3rd Arne Stangnes (30) 35pts
4th Barry Chadbourn (19) 32pts
NOTE: If you played this course, the Outback would like you to comment on our forum, outbackchat – topic, “course reviews”, which can be found on our website, www.outbackgolfbar.com. This would help others as to the current condition of the courses in the area. For example - value for money (green fee & cart etc), pace of play, condition of the fairways, condition of the greens, caddies, and drink stops & restaurant. Even if you played a different course, please send in your review for all to read. The more the merrier.
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.

The scribe makes his mark

Golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Tuesday, May 12, Green Valley (white tees) - Stableford
It was still spitting a little as the fifteen of us teed off at Green Valley. However the skies soon cleared and we enjoyed the cooler weather and the course which was in top condition.
Yours truly kept his eye on the ball and returned 41 points, earning himself first dividend and a two shot for two revisions handicap reduction. John Roddis came in second with 35 points, edging Mick Benton into third on count-back. Bob Drumm and Willy Nachbur were fourth and fifth with 34 points each.
Near pin bonuses went to Allan Cassin, yours truly, Roddo and Bob Drumm whilst Mick Benton sunk the longest first putt on the 18th green. The recent heavy rains certainly validates PSC’s local rule regarding taking penalty-free relief from washed out areas.
Our chum Mike Brooke pointed out there are three signs of old age: The first is loss of memory but he has forgotten the other two.
On Thursday we travelled to Phoenix but persistent rain caused the competition to be cancelled. Three of the group eventually went round Phoenix whilst another three went round The Emerald after lunch.
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.

Robbins shoots sub-par to win the medal

PSC golf from The Bunker Bar

Monday, May 11, Green Valley - Medal
Plenty of golfers showed up for the medal competition at the ever popular Green Valley and it was Tony Robbins who showed everyone a clean pair of heels, winning the A Flight with a 4 under par round. John Graham on his final game before returning to “work” came second, also with a sub-par round, and Phil Mashiter playing off handicap 4 took third place a shot behind John.
The B Flight scores were predictably slightly poorer than the A Flight but Colin Stokes did quite well, winning with a one over par round. Ken Davidson came runner up a couple of shots behind and PJ was surprised to find he got third place with a pretty average net 77.
A Flight
1st Tony Robbins (13) net 68
2nd John Graham (13) net 70
3rd Phil Mashiter (4) net 71
B Flight
1st Colin Stokes (24) net 73
2nd Ken Davidson (22) net 75
3rd PJ Redmond (16) net 77
Near Pins: Phil Mashiter, Alex Kilcoyne, Mario Benavidez and John Graham.
Wednesday, May 13, Mountain Shadow - Stableford
The usual low scores were made today with 33 stableford points winning both the A and the B Flights. The cut was set at handicap 13 and Geoff Hart continued his rich vein of form by winning the B Flight and Ken Davidson was in the money again by taking second place after beating Mike Corner on a count back.
Tony Berry who’s struggling to play to his UK handicap of 9 (so he says) won the A Flight, one point ahead of Neil Jones, and Gerry Cooney finished third a further point back.
A Flight
1st Tony Berry (9) 33pts
2nd Neil Jones (10) 32pts
3rd Gerry Cooney (11) 31pts
B Flight
1st Geoff Hart (19) 33pts
2nd Ken Davidson (22) 29pts
3rd Mike Corner (23) 29pts
Near Pins: Gerry Cooney, Neil Jones and David Day (2).
Friday, May 15, Bangpra - Medal
Mario Benavidez has been knocking on the door for a couple of weeks now and today he got what he deserved. Playing a Medal round at Bang Pra and with the cut set at handicap 13 again, Mario won the B Flight with a 2 over par round to finally take first prize. Ken Davidson closely followed him, just one shot behind to finish runner up for the third time in a week and Geoff Parker beat Roy Dayton on a count back to nick third place only one shot further back.
The A Flight was just as close with a count back deciding the winner; Tony Robbins just shaded it ahead of William, both having a two over par round and Rab McDonald beat off Phil Mashiter and Mashi on a count back to take third spot.
A Flight
1st Tony Robbins (13) net 74
2nd William Macey (13) net 74
3rd Rab McDonald (12) net 77
B Flight
1st Mario Benavidez (25) net 74
2nd Ken Davidson (22) net 75
3rd Geoff Parker (15) net 76
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, Tony Berry, Phil Mashiter and Mario.

Bridge in Paradise: by Neil Robinson

The answer is in the bidding

You are West and you hear this bidding (South deals, EW vulnerable):

South   West      North     East

1N        P              2C           P

2S         P              2N           P

3N        All pass                

This is your hand:

S: 863

H: Q6

D: J10765

C: 952

What do you lead?

Some players might try the “safe” lead of the diamond jack.  You, of course, think about the bidding first, before leading anything.  1N by South indicates 15-17 points.  2C (Stayman) shows that North has at least one four card major.  2S by South shows four spades (and denies four hearts).  2N by North shows his four card suit was hearts and indicates 8 or 9 points - inviting to 3N.  South accepts the invitation, so should have 16 or 17 points.
Thus, NS are marginal for making game, with about 25 points in total.  You have 3 points, so your partner must have about 12 points.  Since your partner has the points, you want to find his suit, rather than trying to set up yours.
But what is your partner’s suit?  North has four hearts and South has two or three.  Since you have only two hearts, your partner must have at least four, maybe five.  So, you lead the Q of hearts.
The full deal is:

                       S: 52

                       H: A743

                       D: K93

                       C: Q863     

S: 863                                S: KJ104

H: Q6                                 H: KJ1095

D: J10765                          D: 4

C: 952                                C: A74

                       S: AQ97

                       H: 82

                       D: AQ82

                       C: KJ10      

Your partner overtakes your lead and forces out the ace of hearts.  Now, when he gets in with the ace of clubs, he takes the rest of his heart tricks.  The contract goes down one - and your partner is delighted with your play!
Now watch what happens if you lead the “safe” diamond jack.  Declarer wins in hand and then forces out the ace of clubs.  Your partner gets in and leads hearts, but it is too late.  Declarer takes the ace of hearts, to add to his three club tricks and four diamond tricks (by finessing you for the marked ten), and the ace of spades, to make the contract.  If necessary, or if declarer is feeling really lucky, he can also take the spade finesse.  On today’s hand this gives him an overtrick.  Your partner glowers at you.
Defence is by far the most difficult part of bridge.  Sometimes the opponents’ bidding gives you a map of the hands, so take advantage of it!  I would like to hear from readers about their favourite hands - please do contact me at: [email protected].

Kevin ‘Mac’ tees it up for the Medal

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, May 10, Green Valley - Monthly Medal
A Flight
1st Kevin Mcentee (9) net 64
2nd Pat Regan (10) net 71
3rd Mark Wood (8) net 71
B Flight
1st Doug Campbell (19) net 71
2nd Kevin Hamilton (19) net 71
3rd Alec Hoare (17) net 71
Near Pins: #2 Matt Doyle, #9 Ian Halfpenny, #12 Mark Wood, #16 Bob Newell
2’s: Eight

Kevin Mcentee (right) and Bob Newell: Kevin shot a gross 73 (net 64) at Green Valley on Monday, May 10.

The storm clouds gathered as the gang traveled to play the Monthly Medal at Green Valley, and it came down in buckets causing a half hour break, but this did not dampen Ireland’s Co Offaly’s favourite son Kevin Mcentee’s spirit. Kevin earned a place in the next January’s Gold comp with a blistering net 64, leaving him seven shots clear of the pack, led by Scotland’s Mark “happy shoes” Wood, Co Dublin’s Pat Reagan and Terry Mangan. Pat squeezed in to second via a count back leaving Mark to fill out the flight. Terry was the unlucky player.
B Flight also had its share of count back drama as three players all carded a net 71. When the sums were done, Dougie Campbell emerged the victor, from Big Kevin Hamilton and Alec Hoare.
Jum Karagit was a couple of shots away from the medal podium. Remember Friday’s 46 points? - timing is every thing.” Bad luck Jum.
Tuesday, May
12, Eastern Star - Stableford
1st Stuart Rocchi (16) 39pts
2nd Kevin Mcentee (9) 37pts
3rd Matt Doyle (17) 37pts
A small, but brave contingent of Lewiinski’s golfers made the trip to Eastern Star, and found the course, it must be said, in poor condition. Never the less, it turned out to be a fair test of golf with Stuart Rocchi posting the day’s best score; a creditable 39 points. In second spot was the Sunday medal winner and man on form Kevin Mcentee, who tied with Matt Doyle on 37 points. Kevin won the count back to relegate Matt into third spot. Stuart Rocchi and Claus B Thomson split the 2’s pot.
Wednesday, May 13, Pattana - Stableford
A Flight
1st Jack Spencer (9) 41pts
2nd Jimmy Day (11) 39pts
B Flight
1st Ray Fowlis (28) 32pts
2nd Kevin Hamilton (19) 32pts
As every one knows, Liverpool is famous for its football teams, the Beatles etc. It now boasts the proudest pensioner on the planet, in the form of one Raymond Fowlis. After fifty years of playing the game he loves, and at the tender age of 74 years, he achieved his life long ambition, to win a flight in a Lewiinski’s golf comp. This he has now achieved, although it must be said, it needed the aid of a count back over Big Kevin Hamilton, as they both tied on 32 well earned points.
‘You’ll never walk alone’ Ray and congratulations from all at Lewiinski’s.
Jack “Bilko” Spencer marched to an emphatic victory amassing an incredible 41 points in A Flight. Jimmy Day got the verdict for second, over that man again, Kevin Mcentee, as both were locked on 39 points.
Terry Mangan notched the only ‘2’ to pocket a handy pot, but this day will live long in the memory of the right honorable Raymond Fowlis, a case of pensioners gone mad.
Friday, May 15, Crystal Bay - Stableford
A Flight
1st Bob Newell (7) 41pts
2nd Kevin Mcentee (9) 40pts
B Flight
1st Kevin Hamilton (19) 37pts
2nd Geoff Kubas (20) 36pts
Crystal Bay was the venue to conclude this week’s golf, and who else but the Lewiinski’s Mamasan of golf should take the senior flight honours, with an excellent 41 points. This pushed the man on fire Kevin Mcentee into second. A shot adrift was Seamus VC, and Justin Fowlis, Ray’s Brother, who were both a shot further back.
The junior flight was exciting to say the least with big Kevin on 37 points beating Geoff Kubas in to second; Geoff tied with Martin Solberg but won the count back 19/17 on the back nine. The Mamasan and Geoff Kubas split the 2’s pot
I heard it on the wireless
Just to clear up last week’s statement, Brian has a habit of calling his caddie a blind caddie when he loses a couple of balls or misses a few putts.
Brian, explaining the game of golf to his mate Jeremy Masse. “Golf! You hit down to make the ball go up. You swing left and the ball goes right. The lowest score wins, and on top of that ... the winner buys the drinks. Ray?”
Note: Lewiinski’s is situated on Pattaya Land Soi 1, Beach Road Soi 13/3 near to Walking Street. Any one 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.

Sala Thai Restaurant now in first place

Pattaya Sports Club Bowling League

200 Bowlers: Yeow, Dung, La, Ooy, Tukata and Nok.

This is turning out to be a very competitive league with teams moving up or down every week. First place seems to change hands regularly with this week’s leader being Sala Thai Restaurant who took three points from Café Ole. Jan Johansson led Sala Thai with a 510 series.
Last week’s leader Green Chilli dropped to second as they tied their match with Café Kronborg with each team getting two points. Yeow bowled a 202 game, 505 series for Café Kronborg and Dung Downs had a 205 game and 507 series for Green Chilli.
La Montgomery bowled a 203 game, 560 series to lead Indiana to a three point win over third place Brother D. Canada led by Ooy Pluemkamon who bowled a 225 game and 575 series took three points from Bavaria. Antero Ronkainen had a 517 series for Bavaria.
Sabai Sabai Friday stayed on the winning track as they took three points from VFW Post 9876 behind Nok Kennedy’s 220 game and 533 series. Jack Tar is tied for fourth place after they took three points from Swethai. Bowling as pacers Tue Pettae bowled a 524 series and Mio Aamlid bowled a 521 series.

Mickey Mouse Friday Night Dart League

Results & Standings May 15 (week 8)

The Bunker invaded Stars and in the process blocked off Soi 7 with some hap-hazard parking of the customized golf buggy. After taking both game & beer the Bunker Boys sped off in the golf buggy down Beach Road at 5kph chased by the traffic police for illegal parking: Reminiscent of the OJ Simpson police pursuit, but in this case Mick managed to evade the TP by taking a sharp right and hiding out under a beach umbrella.
In the Soi Yamoto derby the Sunshine Boys were hosted by Melly’s Crew. With the Rising Sun taking both the honors, the St John Ambulance crew had a quiet evening!
With Commander Richard being relieved of his command, the new CO, Speedy Gondolez Chris led the Airborne Assaulters in their attack on Palmers. After taking both game & beer, Speedy said “Hondri hondri arriba arriba”.
The Blue Mountain with an enriched team descended on Cheers like Mexicans crossing the US boarder, over running the ocky, the Coffee Shop Quartet taking not only the game but also filling up the coffee pot with free beer.
Team Lucky Time travelled to the OK Corral to find that the Posse had gone through a complete metamorphous. Now led by an Anglo/American alliance, Chris & Chris aka Roger Moore & Tony Curtis aka Brett Sinclaire & Danny Wilde aka the Persuaders, put up a good fight against Team Lucky Time, however TLT managing to find the double finishes first. The culinary delights served at the break included sandwiches with a selection of 4 different fillings, a mountain of chips (that’s French Fries for our colonial cousins), and last but not least, a cheese board! For dinner reservations please call the Persuaders at least 7 days in advance.

Match                            Winner                   Beer-leg                   U – 10’s

OK Corral v Lucky Time   Lucky Time             Lucky Time                   8-2

Palmers v Helicopter       Helicopter               Helicopter                     6-5

Cheers v Blue Mountain   Blue Mountain       Blue Mountain             4-2

Rising Sun v Mee Chew   Rising Sun              Rising Sun                    4-4

Stars v Bunker                Bunker                     Bunker                           8-3

League Table

Pos. Team              Won         Lost        Beer         U-10’s    High Check Out

1     Lucky Time          7               1              5                35

2    Rising Sun           6               2              7                21

3    Bunker                6               2              4                22               Colin 110

4   Helicopter            5               3              6                21

5  Mee Chew            4               4              5                20

6  Blue Mountain      3               5              3                25

7  Cheers                 3               5              2                23

7  Palmers               3               4              2                35

9   OK Corral           2               6              3                38

10  Stars                1               7              3                27

Next Fixtures (Week 9):  Blue Mountain v Stars, Bunker v Rising Sun, Mee Chew v Palmers, Lucky Time v Helicopter, Cheers v OK Corral