|
Quizzes break all records
“Which film booted ‘Singing in the Rain’ back into the cinemas in 1971?”
“What famous British musical ace’s middle name is Hercules?”
The Sunday and Wednesday trivial pursuits bar leagues are attracting big
numbers as Pattaya gets into the swing of the festive season. Around 200 egg
heads are joining twice weekly, although usually with their elbows bent. The
prize, however, is not the hand of a maiden but BATTY (Boozers’ Annual
Trophy Twice Yearly).
The more intellectual Sunday Quiz sees Cheers beginning to break the early
lead established by Pleasure Dome and Mick’s Place. Wild Chicken looks like
retaining the wooden spoon, but their scores have improved a lot in recent
weeks. The Chicken had to miss one match owing to an important birthday
party. Question setter Ann Schofield said she congratulated the bars on an
average score of 73% in the tough tournaments held so far this season.
In the Wednesday Quiz, held on a Monday last week to avoid a clash with the
Pattaya Sports Club party, Fawlty Towers and Bob’s are fighting it out to
the finish. Only one point separates them. Fawlty produces a veritable army
of supporters at every match, sometimes fortified by finger buffets which
would not be out of place in a five star hotel. Bob’s team braves the high
decibels of the traffic on Second Road to produce consistently high scores
week in and week out.
In the mid-field, Rising Sun and Britannia continue their friendly rivalry,
whilst Palmer’s look like producing a late rush as is their custom. Aussie
Ken’s offers the cheapest cold beer in the league, whilst Shamrock is trying
very hard to avoid the wooden spoon. Maybe Shamrock would do better if the
quiz was held in the afternoon when they are often the busiest bar around
town.
The answer to the above questions are “A Clockwork Orange” and “Elton
John”.
The public is invited to join the fun every Sunday and Wednesday nights.
Interested parties need only show up either Sunday or Wednesday night at
8:30 p.m. at the venues listed in the Sports Roundup column of Pattaya Mail.
|
|
 |
UFC Thailand Open Backgammon Championships return to Pattaya
The second International UFC Thailand Open Backgammon
Championships will return to the Style Restaurant on Jomtien Beach Pattaya,
Goran Hasselquist, tournament director recently announced. The event will
take place from January 9 - 12, 1997.
The field will include some of the best players in Thailand, along with
entrants from America, Europe and the rest of Asia. The tournament will be
organized by the Pattaya Backgammon League under the direction of Asian
Backgammon Champion Mr. Goran Hasselquist.
The event will count as a ranking tournament for the “Goulding World Rating”
which includes ranking of over 5,000 players world-wide.
The UFC Thailand Open Backgammon Championships will include two divisions:
Open Championship for the most skilled players and Intermediate for the less
experienced participants. It will be sponsored by UFC (Universal Food Plc.)
Style Restaurant. Trophies for the winners will be presented by Style
Restaurant. Free instruction and seminars by top players will also be
available.
For additional information and to take part in this event please contact
Fax: (038) 425 189, or Tel: (038) 303 135, 303 136 between 13:30 and 18:30
hrs. Or write to Pattaya Backgammon League, PO Box 37, Jomtien, Chonburi,
20261.
|
|
PH3 run #666
After returning from
purgatory, Papa Whiskey, Hash Groupie and Husky Humper were allowed to cool
off on ice while quenching their thirst with a refreshing “down-down”.
The Pattaya Hash House Harriers had a devilish time
getting through a course some described as “pure hell” when the jogging
imbibers met for run #666 on Monday, December 16, 1996. It was an eerie
coincidence that the run took place just three days after Friday the 13th.
Papa “Lucifer” Whiskey, Husky “Beelzebub” Humper and Hash “Mephistopheles”
Groupie, the three wicked hares, set the scene of Pandemonium on a trail
through the darkest regions of the netherworld. Those who made it through
the abyss and were able to return, told tales of strange “double number”
coincidences during the weekly raffle.
All who dared make the trip were awarded with “Satanic Santa” T-shirts to
keep as proof to tell their grandchildren of the day they lived through PH3
run #666.
Jack’s wins 5 straight
Its official. Jack’s Bar is the elite darts team in
Pattaya. For the fifth straight season, Jack’s has won the Pattaya Sports
Club Darts championship, and were awarded the championship trophy at the end
of season awards presentation party at Rising Sun on Tuesday, December 17,
1996.
Mick’s Place gave Jack’s a run for their money, but alas came up just a bit
short and had to settle for second place.
Also winning awards on the night were; Jack’s Bar yet again for most beer
legs won, 15. Rod from Sports Corner for the highest check out of the
season, 150. Jack, Kevin, Pattaya, and Pung for shooting perfect 180s during
the season. Brian and Pook for shooting 2 perfect 180s each during the
season.
The new league will begin on January 7, 1997, after a few weeks off for the
holidays. Alan Ross of Pattaya Sports Supply will be taking over as new
Pattaya Sports Club Darts League chairman, and promises to have a new
fixtures list out sometime this week. Welcome aboard Alan.
Harry Riley is stepping down after three and a half years of dedicated
service as Pattaya Sports Club Darts chairman. During his time, Harry has
consistently brought the league forward and leaves it in good shape for Alan
to administer. Its sure that Harry will still play on Tuesday nights,
however his leadership will be missed.
|
|
Beer Put and Cheers remain undefeated
Both Beer Put and Cheers have made it through the first three games of the
season without a loss in the Friday Night Mickey Mouse Darts League. By
virtue of 3 beer legs won to Cheers’ 1, Beer Put holds the provincial first
place seat.
Results from week 3: Beer Put won the match and the beer leg over Palmer’s
Bar at home. Cheers also won the match and their first beer leg of the
season over Pleasure Dome at home. Mick’s Place won the match but lost the
beer leg to Rising Sun at home.
Nervous Dave from Rising Sun has taken over the top spot in the race for the
league’s highest checkout, a 103 he achieved against Mick’s Place this week.
It is the third time in three weeks the lead has changed hands.
Parson and Carr finish year as winners
Mike Parson and Ken Carr teamed up to win the final
Pattaya Golf Society tournament of 1996. Mike and Ken finished atop the
leader board in the PGS Pairs Club Championship at Pattaya Country Club on
Tuesday, December 17, 1996. Along the way, and playing into a strong wind,
Ken Carr managed to break 100 for the first time in his career for a net 1
under par final tally.
Arthur Bailey, who has been at or near the top of the leader board in many
different competitions of late, paired with Les Winch to finish second.
Norman Brooks, who shot a nice 88, paired with William Rice to place third.
Geoff Pymar, the 84 year old “elder statesman” of the club, shot a scratch
95 off his 18 handicap when he paired with John Gibson to finish fourth.
Peter Johansson and George Meigh rounded out the top five finishers.
The Pattaya Golf Society will take a couple weeks off to celebrate the
holidays, and will return to kick off the first season of 1997 with a
Stableford competition at Siam Country Club on the 7th of January.
|
|
A truly Classic PSC Golf Classic
Ove Karlsen, overall winner, receives the
Karl Listlevatn trophy from PSC golf chairman Alec Chilcott.
Seventy-six Pattaya Sports Club golfers were treated to a
great day at Pattaya Country Club on December 16, 1996, for the annual
Pattaya Sports Club Karl Listlevatn Golf Classic. It was the first time the
Classic was held at Pattaya Country Club, and the course was in excellent
condition and the weather was idyllic.
The management of P.C.C. greeted the assembled athletes in hospitable
fashion, and using both the 1st and 10th tees, the tournament got underway
at 9:15 pronto. Prizes were donated by the PSC golf section.
The ever popular Ove Karlson was the overall winner with 40 Stableford
points and received the Karl Listlevatn trophy.
15 year old David Johansen received a great ovation for winning the scratch
prize with a gross 78 off his 5 handicap.
Per Sorensen won the booby prize on a count back from Bob Greenfield and Jon
Halfpenny, all with 19 Stableford points.
Pekka Raina won the A flight on a count back from Terry Maguire, both with
39 points. Per Acevik placed third in the A flight with 36 points.
All three top finishers in the B flight ended the day with 37 Stableford
points, and the placings were determined by count back. Pekka Heino had the
best back nine and finished in first place. Mike Franklin finished second,
while John Cahill placed third.
Nearest to the pin honors were won by; Anders Rodin on #5, Dick Caggiano on
#7, Per Acevik on #12, and Steve Mascari on #16.
The longest first putt holed was accomplished by the elegant Nalinee Suriya,
who was also awarded “Best Dressed Golfer”.
The long drive competition was won by Paul Kraft after he thundered a 280
yard tee shot.
Pattaya Country Club supplied a seemingly endless buffet and a number of
excellent draw prizes. PSC golf chairman Alec Chilcott gave thanks to PCC
and his committee for their hard work, and said it was “a marvellous day to
remember.”
PSC golf notes: the Pattaya Sports Club Championship will be held on Monday,
January 13, 1996, at Eastern Star.
|
|
Dave Drew 3 clubs to victory
Dave Drew won the inaugural Alternative Golf Society
“3 Clubs and a Putter” tournament on Wednesday, December 18, 1996 at
Siam Country Club. The masterminds at the Hare House on Soi Post Office,
who dreamt up the Alternative Golf Society to give local golfers a
chance to compete in unusual types of tournaments, put together this “3
Club” tournament whereby each golfer chose any three clubs to play with,
but were stuck with their choices for the entire round.
Dave used his 5 wood, a mid iron and a wedge to shoot a gross 90 off his
18 handicap for the tournament’s best round of 36 Stableford points.
Dave put together a consistent 45 in and 45 back, with his best coming
on the 387 yard par 4 15th. Into a strong wind, Dave used his 5 wood off
the tee, then again in the fairway to reach the green, then had an easy
two putt for par.
“I shot the same score with only 3 clubs and a putter as I usually do
with all 14 clubs in my bag,” Dave told tournament organizers.
Evidently, he now has 10 clubs for sale.
Tom Gingerich put together 33 Stableford points in only 16 holes (he
finished 8 - 7 to save his handicap), good enough for second place. Tom
carded a scratch 97 off his 21 handicap in a round that included 3 pars
and 2 snowmen.
Vic Cross finished third with 31 points. Vic’s round was highlighted by
a strong showing near the end of the day when he parred 14 and 15, then
birdied 16, compiling 10 of his 31 points on just three holes. Vic
finished with a gross 93 off his 15 handicap.
Eddy Henheffer epitomized the 3 Club tournament on the very first hole.
Eddy used his 5 iron off the tee, 5 iron on his second shot, 9 iron onto
the green, then had an easy two putt for par.
Glen “Lassie” Dragland, meanwhile, initially may have slightly
misunderstood the format. Fresh back from Bombay, India, Lassie’s drive
on #7 finished on the 6th fairway. His second shot then landed on the
5th fairway. It wasn’t until he managed to rejoin his foursome on the
7th fairway when realized it was a 3 Club tournament, not a 3 Fairway
tournament.
Lassie may have been confused by the last minute change in venue. The
tournament was originally scheduled for Phoenix Country Club, but due to
an invasion of the armed services, the AGS needed to switch to Siam
Country Club. No problem, at least Lassie could remember who was in his
foursome, unlike Wayne Tischbern. When asked who was in his foursome,
Wayne could list off “Woody, Lassie and Ray”, but couldn’t remember the
fourth (he forgot himself). He had no trouble remembering how great his
caddie was, however. “She knew how to mix my drinks...”
The Alternate Golf Society meets Wednesdays at the Hare House Restaurant
and Flop House on Soi Post Office. All golfers are welcome,
transportation leaves around 8:30 a.m. The next tournament is the Hare
House Medal scheduled for January 8, 1997.
|
|
Improve your Bridge
by Barrie Kenyon
The colorful characters mentioned in this column are not found in
Pattaya Bridge Club, one of the town’s most sober institutions in every
sense of the word. The eccentrics hang around Los Angeles. Legs Diamond, the
high rolling gambler and drag artiste, always claimed that grand slams in
bridge are not worth bidding. “Statistically, you are going down on it,” he
used to say, although not everyone was absolutely sure what Legs meant. He
was fond of quoting a favorite hand to illustrate the truth. He looked at:
Spades Ace, King, 10, 6, 5
Hearts Ace King, 9, 7, 6, 2
Diamonds None
Clubs Ace, 6
Unbelievably, Legs’ partner, a chain-smoking surgeon nicknamed Broncho
Marion, opened the bidding with One Spade. Legs pondered to himself that
there could not be any losers with partner’s bid and his own array of
goodies which outshone even his diamond necklace. So, he jumped straight to
Seven Spades. “Should be as easy as shooting piranhas in your own swimming
pool,” purred Legs as he put down what was indeed a remarkable dummy.
The story did not have a happy ending and disaster soon struck. The opening
defender led the Jack of Hearts, Broncho rose with the dummy’s King and the
other defender promptly trumped. One down. “Darn it,” snarled Legs, “that’s
the last grand slam I ever waste my money on.”
There are various lessons here. Firstly, if Legs had explored the possible
bidding sequence instead of jumping like a grasshopper on heat, he could
have found a contract of either Seven Hearts or Seven No Trumps, both of
which were unbeatable as the cards lay. Legs here displayed the gambler’s
instinct of going for the gold. The problem was he chose the wrong target.
Secondly, he could have paid attention to the Law of Symmetry. Not actually
a law, of course, Symmetry warns that if you have a very odd distribution of
cards, the chances are that other players will also have special features.
In other words, watch out for a ruff on the opening lead. Random computer
selection has demonstrated that if there is one void in a dealt pack, there
is a thirty percent statistical chance of a second one.
Six months later, Legs had to pawn the diamond necklace.
|
|
Earn your wings!
Patrick from Patrick’s Belgian Bar in the Central Arcade
off Second Road has put together a paratrooper’s dream jump outing. Earn
your official jump wings with the Royal Thai Marine Recon Bn. and the Royal
Thai Navy Seals with a water jump on Wednesday, January 15, 1997, and a land
jump on Friday, January 17, 1997.
One of the most experienced paratroopers in the area, Patrick has assembled
a jump itinerary to be proud of. The event kicks off with a briefing at 8:00
p.m. Monday, January 13, 1997, at Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant. On Tuesday,
January 14, there will be an all day refreshment ground training with lunch
included.
The water jump into the Gulf of Siam from an F27, all static line, will take
place on Wednesday, January 15 (shorts and T-shirt included).
After a day for rest, the fun will resume on Friday, January 17, with a
ground jump (static line with free-fall from F27).
The festivities will wrap up with a party and awards ceremony at Patrick’s
Belgian Restaurant and Pub on Saturday, January 18, beginning at 8:00 p.m.,
and will include a buffet and brunch.
Important points to remember: The price will be 4500 baht, which includes
ground training, 2 jumps, transportation, lunch packet, certification,
wings, buffet, brunch for the party, and the T-shirt for the water jump.
Payment must be made before January 5, 1997 (at Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant
and Pub).
Those who want to jump must be qualified with at least 1 static line jump,
and for those who wish to do the free-fall jump must have a minimum of 20
hand-deploy jumps. Certificates or logbooks are recommended.
There will be a form to fill in stating that the Royal Thai Marines will not
be held responsible for any accident during the jumps.
The parachutes to be used during the jumps (static) are MC 1-B.
For further information, contact Patrick, tel. & fax: 038-720 300. Please
contact after 7:00 p.m.
If you like to parachute, this is an event that can’t be missed!
|
|
Odlum and Bailey win P.D. medal
Tony Odlum (left) and Arthur
Bailey (right) winners of the A and B flights of the monthly Pleasure Dome
Medal.
Tony Odlum won the A flight and Arthur
Bailey the B flight in the monthly Pleasure Dome Medal played at Pattaya
Country Club on Friday, December 20, 1996. Both will have their names
engraved on the perpetual Pleasure Dome Wall of Honour plaque.
Tony Odlum scored 40 Stableford points off his 17 handicap to take first
place honours in the A flight. Gerrard Lambert finished second after winning
a count back with 33 points. Mike Morris placed third, also with 33 points.
Arthur Bailey won the B flight for the second month in a row, this time
after compiling 40 Stableford points off his 23 handicap. Mike Franklin
finished second in the B flight with 37 points. Richard Holt placed third
with 36 points.
Complimentary green fees were donated by Pattaya Country Club for nearest
the pin winners. The honours went to; Mike Morris on #4, Tom McCaffery on
#7, Gerrard Lambert on #12, and Smiler on #17.
|
|
|
