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Cafe Kronborg edges Three Sisters in match play competition
P.S.C. Golf From Cafe Kronborg
Thursday The 23 May - Siam C.C. (Singles Match Play)
This essentially is the cup for the champion outlet of
P.S.C. in a match play situation, head to head, and boy what fun it always
turns out to be. If any other outlet of P.S.C. wishes to join in they
would be welcome, and indeed it is good crack.
 Herbie
(left) presented the cup to the Cafe Kronborg team captain and scribe,
K.S.M.
The format is single match play where each outlet has a
list of players and the ‘captains’ get together the night before and
‘sort out’ the pairs. This sorting out the pairs is one of the fun
parts of the competition, as we all like to get revenge on the person who
beat us last time. This time as is usual Herbie and I got together the
night before at Three Sisters at 1830 and inveigled the ‘Warlock’ to
write down the pairs. Indeed, so well did we progress in this difficult
task that at 0030 we had actually completed it, but what ‘it’ was we
couldn’t really remember and only the fact that Herbie is mine host
enabled me to get out without having to admit to penury.
As is the case, with the buffet back at the Three
Sisters, Herbie was up early cooking, how he managed it I do not know, but
on the first tee as the captains teed off it was a question of who swayed
most, and actually had our hard work over the six hours the previous night
been worthwhile.
Golf was evolved as a match play sport, and to most
golfers it is the purest form of the sport, and as the golfers from both
teams set out, whilst they were members of a team it was personal pride
not to be beaten and let the team down.
What a tussle it turned out to be. With 17 per side,
and quite frankly the Three Sisters as favourites as most of their team
are Siam specialists, this one went down to the wire, with the Kronborg
‘Lads’ fighting tooth and nail, and the narrowest of outcomes as the
result.
After the buffet, superbly cooked by Herbie and his
staff and thoroughly enjoyed by all, the presentation was made, of the
cup, by Herbie to the K.S.M. as the Kronborg had won by the narrowest of
margins 9 games to 8.
Herbie insisted on the results being read out as in the
battle of the captains he had triumphed; however, fortunately my
‘boys’ dragged us through.
| Kronborg |
Result |
Three
Sisters |
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D Brook
G Bennison
D Richardson
J Smiley
G Faithful
S Vistung
H Forrest
M O’Connor
T Bridge
R Ferguson
Ebrahim
J Swanson
J Flanagan
B Kerr
B Wilkinson
D Bailey
W Wehrli |
Lost 2 /1 to
Won 4/2 over
Lost 5/4 to
Lost 9/8 to
Lost 5/3 to
Won 2 up over
Won 4/3 over
Won 5/4 over
Won 4/3 over
Won 6/5 over
Lost 2 down to
Lost 2 down to
Won 3/2 over
Lost 3/2 to
Won 2/1 over
Won 3/2 over
Lost 6/4 to |
Herbie Ishinaga
B Moberg
Paul Kraft
Fast Eddy
Bob Davis
Doug Powell
J Tulley
D Radcliffe
C Beelders
D Munday
G Carpenter
A Pearse
G Ramsey
I Edwards
A Bettany
J Boyd
J Montgomerie |
David Hughes scores 48 points at 18th PSC Members’ Open
David Hughes, who plays most of his golf out of the
Rising Sun Bar on Soi Yamato, took advantage of beautiful weather and a
well conditioned course to shoot a B flight winning, and career best gross
81 for 48 points. There was little indication that this round was in the
offing as David’s previous best since the 1st of the year had been two
89’s. Due to the generosity of a member who’s chosen to remain
anonymous, David took home a new golf bag for having the best Stableford
total on the day.
Curiously, and to the chagrin of B flight competitors,
the second and third best totals on the day were also in B Flight, as
Keith Fortt took second with 41 points and Paul Kraft took third with 40
points.
A second anomaly occurred in the A flight competition
as the top four players all had 36 points. Philippe Berra won the count
back to take first while David Class was left out in the cold, albeit with
the identical total. Derek Bailey and Bob Morrison, 2nd and 3rd
respectively, at least had trophies and prizes to show for their efforts.
Andy Spence netted 37 points thereby pushing his fellow
Sugar Shacker, Brian Ellis, to third in the C Flight. Chris John kept the
two separated with his second place finish.
Bob Morrison took the long drive contest over an
exceptionally strong field of fifteen, while Tyrone Bridge was good when
it counted, winning two technical prizes.
A great deal of thanks is due Kullatron Michael
Mesommont, the golf manager at Natural Park Resort and his staff in the
clubhouse, on the course and in the starter shack for their excellent
preparation, welcome, and assistance. Whether talking about the welcoming
sign, the presentation dais, the condition of the course, the buffet or
the diligent efforts of the starters to allow players to proceed on the
round uninterrupted, it is certain that the members have never been
treated more hospitably and professionally. Thanks again Michael!
The following tournament sponsors provided donations
which greatly enhanced this popular monthly outing: Pattaya Sports Club,
Cafe Kronborg (Soi Diana), Papa Ray, Blue Parrot Bar and Restaurant (Soi
Pattayaland Two), Tequila Reef Cantina (Soi 7), Golf Shop (Soi Skaw
Beach), Shenanigans Irish Pub (2nd Road) and the Diana Group’s Green
Bottle Pub (2nd Road & Soi Diana).
The next Monthly Members’ Tournament is scheduled for
June 14th at Natural Park Hill.
Results:
A Flight: 1st Philippe Berra (36); 2nd Derek Bailey
(36); 3rd Bob Morrison (36)
B Flight: 1st David Hughes (48); 2nd Keith Fortt (41);
3rd Paul Kraft (40)
C Flight: 1st Andy Spence (37); 2nd Chris John (35);
3rd Brian Ellis (34)
Lucky Sevens (7th place): A Flt: Art Hancock (33); B
Flt: Dave Richardson (36); C Flt: Gerhard Schulze (30)
Closest to pin: #A5: Herbie Ishinaga; #A8: Tyrone
Bridge; #B4: Graham Faithful; and #B6: Philippe Berra
Longest putt: #A9: Tyrone Bridge; #B9: Marce Wittwer
Long drive: Men: Bob Morrison; Women: no entrants
Rotary Charity Bowling tournament tomorrow
At a press conference
recently at the Diana Inn, Alvi Sinthuvanik (left), president of the
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya 2001-2002, joined by president elect Bruno
Keller (right) 2002-2003 and district governor of Rotary International
District 3340 2002-2003, Prasert Chaimano (2nd right) announced the Rotary
Charity Bowling tournament will take place this weekend, June 1 beginning
at 9:30 a.m. at the PS Bowl above Tops Supermarket on Central Road. Teams
from around the region will compete for the HRH Princess Somsawalee
trophies shown above. The proceeds from the bowling tournament will go
towards the education and development of morals and ethics among the young
people in our community.
Boys Boys Boys defeats Le Cafe Royal for PGF title
Boys Boys Boys defeated Le Cafe Royal 3-2 in the finals
of this year’s Pattaya Gay Festival football tournament.
The second annual Pattaya Gay Festival for 2002
recently held the soccer tournament to raise funds for PGF Charities. The
tournament, played at Pattaya School #8, featured 12 teams each battling
it out for supremacy.
 Rob
Astbury, on behalf of View Talay Villas, presented the winning trophy to
the captain of the championship Boys Boys Boys team.
The finals of the tournament held earlier this week saw
Boys Boys Boys battle it out with Le Cafe Royal in the final match. The
Boy’s from Boys Boys Boys were too quick for the opposition, taking the
top trophy and the prize money defeating Le Cafe Royal in close match 3
goals to 2.
The prize money for the tournament was specifically
donated by Rob Astbury, on behalf on View Talay Villas, who presented the
winning team with their trophy and cheque.
Splash Bar finished in third place.
The Pattaya Gay Festival raises funds for Heartt2000,
which provides medication and treatment for people infected with the HIV
virus.
Big Barry is back with a bang
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday
20th - Phoenix (Bogey)
1st: Barry Winton, 3 up
2nd: Harry Cranz, 1 up cb9 A/S
3rd: Keith Huxtable, 1 up cb9 2 down
4th: Mike Dabanovich, All Square cb9 A/S
5th: Bob Lindborg, All Square cb9 3 down
6th: Stephen Beard, 1 down
On a day that saw the rains arrive in earnest over the
last five holes, Barry took the course by the scruff of the neck and wrung
out a gross 75, having been on course, at 4 up and 5 to play, to reach
level par before the storm hit. Unfortunately the resulting ultra soggy
conditions meant a dropped shot over the closing holes. But this still
left him in the driving seat by two clear shots from Keith and “Herr
Doktor” Harry, who were also similarly affected by the conditions. Mike
and Bob were the next best, the latter having been 3 up prior to the
deluge. The “Doc” at last showed that he is returning to form to claim
the last position and a much needed golf shirt.
There were no winners in the twos, which resulted in a
carry over until Wednesday.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional, welcomed new members Todd Jurkans from
Australia and Lawrence Anderson from Scotland. He also welcomed back
Gordon Langtry from Canada and Brian Wilkinson from England via Norway.
Wednesday 22nd - Khao
Kheow (Stroke)
1st: Barry Winton, 66
2nd: Stephen Beard, 70
3rd: Todd Jurkans, 72 cb9 34.5
4th: Brian Wilkinson, 72 cb9 35
5th: Daryl Harris, 72 cb9 36
Barry continued his fine run of form, shooting a
stunning gross 73 over the B and C courses, which were also the scene for
the Thai Asian Games squad competing for places in the National Team. To
be fair they were playing from the blues which on the day were about a
total of 250 yards behind the yellows, which Barry played from. It was
interesting to see that the leading qualifier shot a 78 on the day whilst
the best was 73, which made Barry’s round even more creditable.
The “Doc”, who played in the same group could only
watch and marvel as each tee shot left the box, but continued to knobble
the ball some 100 yards in his wake, and had to rely on chipping and
putting to stay in touch. But in the end it was a green too far by a long
way.
Third was decided by count back with Todd just edging
out Brian and Daryl for third place, an amazing feat considering the abuse
he has been putting his body through, in search of peace and tranquility,
in the nights prior to every day’s golf outings.
The days competition was also a counting one for the
Order of Merit, and this resulted in Barry improving his placing and the
“Doc” catching B.J. at the head of the table, whilst Klaus also moved
up the board although not figuring in the main results.
The twos including the carry over were shared between
newcomer Dermot Keith and the old stalwart Arthur Hancock. Arthur squeezed
in seventy-five footer for his share of the loot.
Before the prize giving, Richard welcomed new members
Dermot Keith from Scotland and at the same time welcomed back Vance
Millar, who was taking a rest from visiting his son Matt who is in
hospital recovering from a motorbike accident. All the members wished him
a speedy recovery to be passed on by Vance.
Friday 24th - Phutaluang
North/West (Stableford)
1st: Stephen Beard, 40 points
2nd: Keith Huxtable, 39
3rd: Daryl Harris, 39
4th: Mo Bertrand, 38
The “Doc” was determined not to be overawed, as he
was again paired with the formidable in-form Barry Winton and even had the
temerity to make a wager on the result. It proved to be a smart move on
the day as he stopped knobbling and started to hit fairway after fairway
with his trusty three wood, this time leaving Barry to wonder at the
transformation of his game.
Keith and Daryl kept up the pressure on the leader but
were unable to quite get on terms, but they both still managed to secure
their second podium positions of the week and make it a happy farewell
till next year’s visit to The Land Of Smiles.
Mo took the last prize on offer with a very good return
considering the length of the course. His only regret: that he could not
have played the same on his previous outing to garner a few more points in
the Order of Merit table.
Trevor Edge took the twos on his own which went a long
way towards defraying the costs of an unscheduled stop on the way back
from the course.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed back Gary Welch
from the USA via South Korea, who is on holiday from the dog farm that is
in full production ahead of the upcoming Soccer World Cup.
Ladies’ Day at Khao Kheow
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
Khao Kheow has a magnetic charm for all golfers.
Perhaps it is the challenge of the difficult “A” course, the ample
inclusion of water, the characteristic signature hole at B8, or even the
splendid clubhouse facilities, but, for whatever reason, it drew another
large field of Bunker Boys (and girls!) for their weekly medal tourney on
21st May.
A very hot and sticky day saw the ladies excel in their
own competition and, overall, the five ladies finished in the top six
places, with all of them shooting par or better! Topping the list for the
ladies was Toy Ryser, who shot an amazing net 65 off her 27 handicap.
Sadly she will not have that advantage again! In second place came Lamud
Hanley with net 69 and in third place came the ever improving Lamud
Chaidara with net 70.
In the men’s competition Stefan Ryser emulated the
success of his wife with an excellent net 67, five shots ahead of the
veteran Ed Trayling with the returning Charlie Chen chasing on net 73.
Charlie shared the Bunker Super Sawng award with Mam
Trayling and Dale Shier recording two’s on their cards also.
The Transport Manager, John Preddy, was so burdened
with the whole organisation of the day, his net 103 was absolutely
excusable and so the Bunker Banana Booby went to rookie American visitor
“John” Wayne for his net 96. However, the day will long be remembered
for the performance of the ladies and Khao Kheow will continue to draw
passionate golfers to its venue.
Toy Tops at Ban Chang
The politically correct Bunker Boys will have to think
of a new title as more and more ladies are joining them for their weekly
golf! The very welcome participation of Thai ladies has added a new
dimension to the Bunker’s tournaments and may well inspire the
“Boys” to better things.
At an uncharacteristically unkempt Century, Ban Chang,
on Friday, 24th May, seven ladies formed their own division in the
Stableford competition and showed the gentlemen the way home with some
excellent scores. Topping the field was Toy Ryser who shot her second big
sub par round of the week, this time winning with a score of 40 points.
Chasing her hard was Lamun Hanley who fired a very creditable 39 points.
In the sub plot which was the men’s division Alan
Alexander headed the field with his 38 points, well ahead of Bunker rookie
Martin David, who shot 34, and Roy Mitchell on 32 points.
Surprisingly, on a day when so much good golf was
evident, there were no two’s and the Bunker Super Sawng prize was not
awarded. But pity poor Dale Shier! Dale plays off an English handicap of 8
and struggles to match his ranking every time he walks onto a golf course.
Nevertheless he always plays his golf with a smile. He was to leave for
England after the competition clutching the dreaded Bunker Banana Booby
award, presented for his meagre 20 points. And he will be back, as will
the ladies!
Follow their progress at http:// www.thebunkerboys .com
Septuagenarian Philippe Berra shoots net 70
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday
May 20 - Treasure Hills (stroke play)
It’s always a pleasure to play Treasure Hills and is
a date immediately pencilled in when the schedule for the next month is
decided on. When you arrive there the sense of peace and quiet on the
course, and the sounds put out by the local wildlife is quite unique; a
step back in time.
Twenty golfers travelled to Treasure Hills, two who
were to break their handicap, two who were to shoot it and sixteen
‘duffers’. It’s really tough to be a duffer, but as we get older
it’s one of the joys of life, but at least most can remember their
moments of glory.
The competition was set up as a stroke play event and
was split into two flights, A flight 0 to 20, and B flight 21 upwards.
Steady Philippe Berra took the A flight with a net 70. Philippe is having
a really good run at the present and as a Septuagenarian shows all of us
what clean living can do for one. Second was Barry Kerr with a net 78,
beating on count back and third, also net 78, Arthur Hancock.
Joe Sebastian won the B flight with a net 69. Pete
Galle was second on net 72 beating Mick O’Connor also on net 72 into
third place on count back.
Alan Pearce wins rain shortened match
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday the 20th brought rain in fits and starts
throughout the round of golf at Siam Country Club. As some of the golfers
finished, the rains came in earnest, in driving sheets, soaking everyone
and making play impossible. Some golfers were lucky enough to be holed up
at number 16 and started soaking up the suds instead of rain. As the
saying goes, only mad dogs and Englishmen would be out playing golf in
such weather.
As it was, Alan Pearce the mad Englishman whipped the
field turning in 38 points after finishing only 16 of the 18 holes.
Finishing in second was the second mad Englishman, Ian Edwards, with 35
points. It goes to show you that it may not be just a saying after all.
As you can well imagine, the sane Americans did not
fair so well. Jim Tully came in with a brilliant 13 points which was
thought to be bottom but complaints were heard from the sidelines stating
otherwise. It was said that Rolly Weese who finished up to the 16th had
accumulated a big 8 points before throwing in the towel due to weather
conditions. As it was, no clear bottom could be found due to the muddy
waters and unfinished golf.
Soaked and wet, the golfers retired to Caddy Shack Two
to lick their wounds and drink beer, as there was not much to brag about
except for Alan, the winner of the bragging rights.
Never give up - it’s only a game!
(Part 2)
By Mike Franklin
The ultimate difference between golf and other sports
is the opportunity, for those of us who have been lucky enough, to play
with PGA professionals in Pro-Ams. The pro-am scene is something that has
yet to really develop in Thailand alongside the rapid growth of golf, but
it’s commonplace in Europe, the USA and other parts of the world.
 I
was lucky enough to play with Payne Stewart a few months after he won his
first US Open title at Hazeltine in 1991.
Having organized a Charity Pro-Am Tournament for a
number of years as part of the PGA European Tour Charity Program, I have
been lucky enough to play with quite a few PGA Tour and former Ryder Cup
Professionals, including the sadly deceased Payne Stewart, a few months
after he won his first US Open title at Hazeltine in 1991 and the United
States had won the Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island; and V.J. Singh in the same
year before he had really won anything. Both in the same three-day Pro-Am
tournament in Morocco, at the Royal Golf Dares Salam Course, Rabat. V.J
finally went on to win in a play-off against Payne Stewart and Nick Faldo
was third.
Golf is not just a game to them, but their profession
and their work. What has impressed me, with all of the pros I have played
with, is how relaxed and gentlemanly they are and how well they host,
understand and ‘tolerate’ the golf shortcomings of amateurs. If you
haven’t done so, go and meet ex-PGA Tour Pro, Richard Livingston, at the
Diana Driving Range and you will see what I mean.
Let’s get back to the reality of our everyday golf as
amateurs, striving to improve our game and climb a hill where the top is
never in sight, and where performances on two consecutive days can touch
on the extremes of good and bad. So much of it is in the mind anyway
(title of another future chapter on Golf - ‘It’s All In The Mind’),
so try to manage your round using the knowledge and experience you have of
the course you are playing. (Did you get that scorecard out the night
before and give it some thought?)
If you had, or have still, a home course and played it
every week for a number of years, I am sure you could talk me through
every hole in great detail - the line to take off the tee, hazard
positions, even the slopes on the greens, and that picture of each hole is
in your mind as you step onto the tee.
Here it is different, because we play many different
courses, but it is good to have a ‘home course’ which you play more
than any other and with which you are most familiar. Shenanigans play
Eastern Star, Lewiinski’s Rayong Green Valley, and Three Sisters Bar,
Siam Country Club.
On the course, remember the obvious shot is not always
the best one to play, especially if at all risky. If there is little
chance of reaching the green by playing an ‘aggravated punch fade
through trees, over the brook and skimming the huge greenside bunker to
reach the top tier where the pin is awkwardly placed’, then maybe it is
better to chip out at an unobstructed angle to the fairway to give a
relatively straightforward iron shot to the green.
Remember, the most important part of the game here is
the ‘short game’, especially from 70 yards in. Chipping and putting
make up a significant percentage of the shots recorded by most amateurs
and is the area of the game to really work on.
Even professionals avoid the impossible shot and are
seen to chip out of a bunker sideways, if it is the sensible percentage
shot to make.
Who was it, a few years ago at St. Andrews during a
British Open, got in the notorious par four 17th Road Hole greenside
bunker, took four shots to get out and maybe wished he had come out
backwards or sideways?
The TV commentators calculated it was costing roughly
about US$70,000 a shot given the position of the player on the leader
board. I believe it was David Duval - sorry Mr. Duval, but it was live on
TV and big news at the time.
Richard Livingston, to his credit, playing at St.
Andrews in the 1970 British Open recorded a four round score at the par
four 17th lower than all recorded averages for that hole. Richard made two
pars and two bogeys at the hole, with an average of 4.5. The records still
quote the 17th Road Hole tournament average score as over 4.6, and have
never quoted the average as low as 4.5.
At the end of the day remember, ‘It’s Only A
Game’ and one of the most enjoyable ways I know of spending four hours,
or so, in unpolluted air, with glorious scenery and wildlife around you,
with maybe a knowledgeable and very pretty caddy on the bag as a bonus.
So, stay relaxed, work on the short game, keep focused
and never give up - it doesn’t come any better than this.
‘It’s All In The Mind’ is coming up next with
some interesting background as to how Tiger Woods manages to stay as
completely focused as he does.
Shenanigans announces the inaugural ‘Ladies Summer Stableford’
A new major on Shenanigans’ calendar, exclusively for
the ladies, takes place at Eastern Star Resort on Friday 12th July. The
Ladies Summer Stableford is open to all lady golfers and will even include
a special division for any ladies who are new to golf and, as yet, do not
have an official handicap. The rest of the field will play in two
divisions, this time with a long drive in each division.
Kim Fletcher and Mike Franklin, with Shenanigans and
the Eastern Star friendly staff, guarantee the now familiar royal
treatment for the players at the course and back at Shenanigans afterwards
for the Carvery and prize giving party.
Full details with entry form are available at
Shenanigans, on the web page at http:// www.shenanigans-pattaya .com, and
in the press.
This is especially for you ladies, so sign-up early and
Shenanigans will take care of the rest.
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