Sports Quiz

Congratulations to Steve Johnson who was the winner of our last quiz. Thank you to all who tried and better luck next time. In case you were wondering about the answers, here they are:
1) Who won the men’s singles at Wimbledon last year?
Answer: Roger Federer
2) Who holds the women’s 100m. world record in athletics?
Answer: Florence Griffith-Joyner
3) Which person holds the record for scoring the most goals in a Soccer World Cup Tournament?
Answer: Just Fontaine (France)
This weeks Questions are:
1) Who won the Women’s 2004 New York Marathon?
2) Which European became the heavyweight boxing champion in 1959?
3) In football, who made his debut for Scotland in 1967 at the age of 36?

Jackpot rollover finally won at Emerald

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday March 13,
Mountain Shadow,
Stableford
1st Phil Groves 38
2nd Roar Berger 37
3rd Graham Johnson 35
4th Brian Kelly 34
5th Barry Winton 33
Following a hot weekend, 28 golfers set out for their regular humbling experience at Mountain Shadow. After all nobody had shot their handicap there for months! This time was to prove different, playing in the same four-ball, Barry Winton (4), Graham Johnson (6), Ian Bakewell (5) & Phil Groves (6) all managed to play some super golf that saw 17 birdies carded in the group, but only one “2” from Barry that took the division 1 prize. Poor Ian suffered from the heat and wilted on the back 9, but Phil kept his round going with 7 birdies to shoot a fabulous 76 gross for 38 points to take the honors from the Berger King.
However, all thoughts were on the division 2 jackpot rollover “2”s and there were some near misses: Roar Berger had an 8 foot putt on the 15th but pulled his putt and ended with a bogey, Brian Kelly had a 4 foot downhill putt on the 17th and watched as the ball just slid by the hole, then Serge to his horror missed a 2 foot putt! In true francais style he went into the restaurant to eat where most of us would go to the bar to drown our sorrows. So the huge rollover continues ever upwards to Emerald on Friday (Wed’s competition being a rather special stableford).
Wednesday March 15,
Eastern Star,
Rainbow Stableford
Division 1 (0-12)
1st Barry Winton, 39
2nd Steve Martin, 37
3rd Barry Traynor, 36
4th Arthur Hancock, 35
5th Takeshi Hakozaki, 34
Division 2 (13plus)
1st John Draper, 38
2nd B J Smith, 36
3rd Gerald Decio, 35
4th Micky Moore, 34 c/b 18 c/b6 13
5th Roar Berger, 34 c/b 18 c/b6 11
An interesting adaptation on a theme game played occasionally by many a golf club and one that was very well received by the large field of golfers for this inaugural competition.
Golfers have to play 6 tee shots off each of the blue, white & red tees, the choice of where to tee-off, left to the individual golfer which meant that fairly quick decisions had to be made on each tee, unless of course you had downloaded the score card off the Eastern Star website and spent a few hours homework plotting your strategy, as some individuals had done...come on guys, it is only a game! At the end of the day everybody agreed it was great fun and a most enjoyable interlude from worrying about “the card” as the competition was obviously non-counting for handicaps and there was no “2”s competition on the day, saving all the high handicappers the bother of playing the par 3’s off the red tees in the chase for the elusive “2”
Perhaps the day’s winners made the best decisions, rather than playing the best golf? John Draper scored heavily off the red’s and did very well off the blue’s. B J Smith & Barry Winton scored the most points off the blue’s, whilst Steve Martin did best off the white’s & red’s! All in all, a great day that turned out to be a huge success and one that all the golfers are waiting to be repeated!
Friday March 17,
Emerald Ban Chan, Medal
1st John Draper, 63
2nd Trevor Schirmer, 69 c/b 34
3rd Serge Straeten, 69 c/b 35
4th Brian Kelly, 73
On the 5th green, Brian Kelly stroked in a 10 foot putt and was heard to mutter “it’s over” more in relief than excitement as the amazing division 2 rollover jackpot in the “2”s competition finally came to an end! Playing in the same group, Peter Johansson, rolled in a 12 footer on the 7th hole for another “2” and so share the bumper prize with Brian. The jackpot had rolled on for over 10 competitions, so back to the beginning again next week folks!
In division 1, Frank Boyd made a birdie 2 on the 2nd (par 4) after knocking his 3-wood to within 2 feet of the pin, to scoop the prize! The ‘2’s rather over-shadowed John Draper’s fantastic achievement, 84 off the stick for an unbelievable 63 nett for a great “double” in the week, congratulations John!

Sorry Senator, but Sugar Ray canned it

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday March 12,
Green Valley - White Tees, Monthly Medal
A Flight:
1st Bob Patterson, net 69 (Medal Winner)
2nd John Emmerson, net 71
3rd Brian Holden, net 71
B Flight:
1st Pete Stonebridge, net 70
2nd Paul Shaw, net 70
3rd Gerry Power, net 70
C Flight
1st Dave Porter, net 70
2nd Bruce McAdam, net 70
3rd Barry Chadbourn, net 71
D Flight
1st Eric Eliard, net 67 (ineligible for Medal)
2nd Sugar Ray Handford, net 70
3rd Mike Loewen, net 71
Hole in One: Sugar Ray Handford
There are two givens in this column. You are in the title if (a) you win the Monthly Medal or (b) you have a Hole-in-One. What happens when those two phenomena occur not only in the same week but on the same day?
Well working against Sugar Ray is the fact that this is the third Society dodo in 21 days (four, if you want to count The Hermit’s out of competition ace). But to the positive, it was Sugar’s first and if you have seen him play it could be awhile to his next (just kidding SR). The pluses for Bob are self-evident, but working against him is that he is good (6 handicap). The cons are that by the time this article is printed, Bob will be freezing his butt off in native Wisconsin, and beyond the range of pummeling this Scribe with a 7 iron. (E-mails don’t hurt that much). So the title goes to SRH, but the Senator had a mention.
So the Mad ‘Roo from Down Under struck a lovely shot on the slightly uphill 16th hole to take the “2’s” money, and, as is his way, treated the robust crowd back at the Bar to a round of its finest
Bob’s net 69 was the best on the day of the qualifying lot, bettered only by two people, the 67 of D Flight’s Eric Eliard who was ineligible because it was his first Society comp (five are required) and non-competitor Rod Stewart (by his own election) who had 68. Guess it is a good rule to have! Bob topped A Flight, and John Emmerson and Brian Holden, by two strokes. The GM took the Demon Deacon on count back, don’t you just figure.
The Headmaster had the best of a four-way count back in B Flight with a net two under par. Jan Eriksen had the impoverished worse of it. The Shack’s Paul Shaw and Irish Gerry Power settled into the silver and the bronze, respectively.
Master Porter wielded the count back effectively to edge the soon-to-be only holdover from Milner’s Marauders, Bruce McAdam. Bruce hardly had a chance with the math after Dave followed an outward gross 51 with an inward gross 37. Tough to beat net 28! Trudy’s husband, Barry, willingly swept up C Flight’s third place money.
The aforementioned Monsieur Eliard led our title boy in, with his extraordinary net 67. The Shack’s Mike Loewen continued his improved play as he put his name up on the podium for the second week in a row.
Monday March 13,
The Emerald - White Tees,
2-Person Better Ball - Stroke/Medal
1st Per Aschan & Robert Sellick, net 57.1
2nd Join Hillier & Ray Dell, net 59.3
3rd Rick Holmes & Roy Thornton, net 60.3
4th Mark Wood & David Rose, net 60.5
Robert Sellick rode the booming drives of Per Aschan to the team victory in the 2-person Better Ball at the currently under maintenance Emerald layout. Lest you think that it was a joy ride for Robert, don’t forget there were still sand traps, water hazards, elevated greens and some incredibly long chat to weather. Proof that nice guys do not finish last was apparent as Johnny Hillier and Ray Dell combined to bring home second place funds. Two Haven stalwarts, but frequent visitors, Rick Holmes and Roy Thornton, slipped inside Messrs Wood and Rose to take the third step. Yes, the Rose in the fourth place tandem is the same David Rose who has been maligned in these columns on previous occasions. Count on the disparaging remarks to continue because you know that it took some foul play to drag the Ace of Aberdeen down to fourth place.
Wednesday March 15,
Treasure Hill - Yellow Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Graham Holmes, 39 points
2nd Gordon Kerr, 38 points
3rd Dave Tanner, 38 points
B Flight
1st Peter Henshaw, 38 points
2nd Mark Bonner, 37 points
3rd Bob Lindborg, 36 points
C Flight
1st Bruce McAdam, 37 points
2nd Eddy Beilby, 37 points
3rd Kurt-Erik Persson, 36 points
Oz’s Graham Holmes started to accumulate monies for his soon to be needed taxi and airport tax by taking first in the top Flight. Graham, a frequent visitor whose company is always enjoyed, bettered the tandem of East London’s Gordon Kerr and America’s Big Easy by a single point. Gordon had the better of the A Flight count back. Irishman Peter Henshaw started his St. Paddy’s Day celebration two days early by relegating two Brits, Mark Bonner and The Guru to the lower steps of B Flight. The second Aussie winner on the day was C Flight’s Bruce McAdam who reversed his Sunday count back misfortunes by bettering Eddy Beilby. Kurt Erik, showing the stamina of his Viking heritage, rounded out the junior Flight.
Friday March 17
Crystal Bay - A & B - Blue or White Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Phil Mitchell, 40 points
2nd Tom Sathrum, 34 points
3rd Peter Le Noury, 33 points
B Flight
1st Bob Lindborg, 38 points
2nd Vic Hester, 38 points
3rd Joe Mooneyham, 36 points
C Flight
1st Dave McFeely, 42 points
2nd Dave Porter, 39 points
3rd Mike Hermann, 36 points
Dave McFeely, winding down an extended visit with his good friend Pat Regan, was the MoM and the winner of A Flight with 42 points. It seemed only appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day that a lad from the Ol’ Sod prevail. Everyone’s favorite valet, Dave Porter, threw a commendable 39 points at it which on most days would have a shot at the top step. Newcomer Mike Hermann was happy to see level-to-handicap 36 points hold up for the C Flight bronze.
Kudos must be extended to Flipper for his fine 40 points which reflected a gross 73 and the top spot in the premier Flight. “Wifi” Sathrum was a distant six strokes adrift with the Guardian of the English Pound Sterling, Peter LeNoury, yet another stroke in arrears.
The Guru of Green Valley may be adding another fiefdom to his kingdom as he edged The Inflictor on count back to take the interim Flight. Joe “The Groom” Mooneyham filled out the day’s award recipients.

Jomtien - Koh Si Chang yacht race judged a great success

by David Bell
A new race event, which took place last weekend from the Ocean Marina Yacht Club to Koh Si Chang and was sponsored by International Yachtmaster Training, turned out to be a great success.
The starting signal sounded at exactly 10:30am and sixteen keel yachts and ocean-going multi-hulls crossed the line in a light, 8-knot southwesterly breeze. Within minutes the pressure had built to around 13-14 knots and gradually increased throughout the race to over 20 knots of fresh conditions. The first leg to Koh Larn saw a number of spinnakers set very shy, but most of them dropped as the breeze increased. Then a dead run down to Koh Nok, about 10 nautical miles north and then another tight reach across to a channel marker out to sea.

Hi Jinks runs by the lee to get around the final corner of the race to Koh Si Chang. (Photo Josef Hoppen)

Only David Bell’s Pink Pussycat was able to fly a shy asymmetric kite on this leg and she pulled away from the pack and held the lead position until just 50 meters from the finishing line when, on a close reach at over 13 knots, her rudder snapped off with a sound like a pistol shot. Magic Roundabout and Foreign Exchange managed to pass Pink Pussycat, which had dropped main and spinnaker and finished with a paddle set over the stern as a rudder. She won easily however on handicap.
Second on handicap in the keelboat division was Pascal Leray’s Hi Jinks, and third was Magic Roundabout. In the cruising division, Thai Raver, skippered by Dick Saunders, filled third place. In the ocean multi-hulls division, Olaf Reese sailed Voodoo Child to an easy victory, followed by White Seal - (Shark Fin did not finish).
The regatta party at David and Pan’s restaurant looking over the anchorage on Koh Si Chang made a great setting for an excellent dinner party. Many of the competitors took a tour of the island and learned some fascinating stories about its history and very individual culture - well worth a visit.
Sunday morning dawned to an increasing sou’wester and the fleet got away on time at 09:30am. Beating all the way, they made excellent time and covered the 26-mile course by early afternoon. The actual distance sailed was probably around 30-35 nautical miles for most boats. Pink Pussycat was not among the starters, and was towed home with no rudder by the Gulf Charters Thailand committee boat.
In keel boats, the overall results for the entire weekend points score was Foreign Exchange in first place, Magic Roundabout in second and Hi Jinks in third position. In the cruising division, Destiny came in first, Thai Raver second with Ploy Palin third and in the Ocean multi-hulls; Voodoo Child was first, Shark Fin second and White Seal third.
For further information on yacht racing in Pattaya/Jomtien at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, call Bill Gasson at 01 811 8930.

City Hall kicks foot-volley budget back at organizers

With only a few weeks to go before the Pattaya World Foot-volley Championships 2006 are due to be held at the Multi-Purpose Sports Center in Jomtien, city hall has thrown its share of the budget into uncertainty and demanded a review of the costs involved.
On March 7 at a meeting of Pattaya City Council members, Prawutt Kamlangaek, vice president of the Thailand Foot-volley Association asked for a budget to organize the championships. The association had previously organized foot-volley events at Jomtien and this time was asking for a budget of 4 million baht. Many teams from around the world will be competing in the event, which is slated for 12-15 April.
Prawutt told the council meeting that organizing the Pattaya World Foot-volley League will require a budget of 12 million baht, and requested a 4 million baht sponsorship from Pattaya City Council. The remainder he said would be sought from private sponsorship.
National teams from Asian and European countries will be competing in the event. Stars will also be taking part including the likes of former Liverpool player Peter Beardsley and former Arsenal player Neil Quinn, and the pair will also be providing soccer clinics for Pattaya schoolchildren.
Council member Thongchai Aajpong was of the opinion that the project was a good one and very interesting but that a budget of 4 million baht was too high. Foot-volley he said was still not popular and Jomtien has a lot of events such as windsurfing, sailing and beach football. He added that the association had also not provided details of the expenses and the council had already learned its lesson from the Pattaya Carnival, which was not worth the budget provided.
Council member Isarin Boribunakhom added that the chairman should remove the motion from the agenda and have the association resubmit its proposal with a breakdown of costs. Another member of the council, Chutioan Kamsanat, explained that the association had provided documentation but city clerks had failed to prepare the documents and give them out to council members
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanavaranont removed the motion and suggested that it be resubmitted.

Mixed Pairs Tournament - Pattaya Bowling Green

Over the weekend of March 18-19, the ‘Bowling Green Mixed Pairs’ tournament was held. This was orchestrated as a lead in for the ladies of the club to have match practice for the Thai selection event being held at the club on March 25-26. 10 teams took part including several bowlers from Bangkok who had come down for the weekend.
The conditions were very hot indeed and all the teams had to play 6 matches of 5 ends on the Saturday with a further 3 being played on Sunday. This produced the top 4 teams who then had to play semi finals of 8 ends and the winners a further final of 10 ends. This really challenged the stamina of many of the players and the leading four teams during the first section kept changing at the completion of every match.

left to right - Tanom, Thira, Wanida and David
The semi finals were enthralling to watch with one of the matches going down to the last wood and the results produced a final pairings line up of Thira (from Bangkok) and Tanom against David and Wanida.
David and Wanida took the early advantage in what was very close play at the heads to hold a 9 - 2 score line after 4 ends and despite some very good play from Thira and Tanom, they extended the scoreline to 15 - 2 at the 8th end with only 2 to play.
However, there was to be an ‘end’ that nobody could have foreseen. Dark clouds and thunder were around the area for some hours during the afternoon and as the players started on the ninth end rain started to fall, getting heavier by the minute until eventually play was stopped and everybody ran for cover.
On checking the end it was found that Thira and Tanom had added only one to their scoreline to make it 15-3. As no further play was possible, all players and officials agreed that 15-3 would be the final result so the victory went to David and Wanida
Reg Rawding who officiated over the event presented the winners with their trophy in the clubhouse where everyone had fled when the rains came. A thank you was offered to all concerned for what was a very successful and very enjoyable event. It was also remarked that it had proved very good training for all of the Bowling Green ladies who took part, in preparation for their forthcoming national qualification event.

The ‘Laughing Waters Cup’ - Siam Polo Park

The storm clouds were building overhead as the two teams of Laughing Waters and Siam Polo took to the field at Siam Polo Park this past weekend. The Laughing Waters team captained by Khun Suzy had recruited some of the great polo legends, such as Jamie Woodward and Marco Polo to their ranks. The Siam Polo team was in the able hands of Khun Robin and Khun William the Conqueror. The spice came from the Indonesians, Innen and Pipen and Reffi, who took turns filling in positions on both teams, also young Sean was on hand to add his newly acquired skill to the Laughing Waters team.

Even the rain clouds couldn’t dampen the spirits at the “Laughing Waters Cup’ (Photo by Chatchaya)

It didn’t matter that there were lightning strikes all around the field; it didn’t matter that the second chukka was played in heavy rain; the teams soldiered on. By the end of the third chukka, the Laughing Waters had pulled ahead from a tie to leave the score at 5-3. In the final chukka, the Siam team came back and brought the game even in a tumultuous fourth chukka, but the Laughing Waters had the water to their advantage, and they put in two determined goals to claim the “Laughing Waters Cup” victory at Siam Polo Park.
The next polo tournament will be this coming weekend at Siam Polo Park — The “Butter Cup” sponsored by the famous Thai-English-German-Argentinian polo player Eric Butter. Don’t miss all the action on www.siampolonews.com

Seaboard FC beaten by late goal in Bangkok

Last Saturday saw Seaboard FC travel to Bangkok to face the Bullshead Brazilians in an MBMG International League fixture at Patana School. Manager Rick Bryant was forced into making changes by the absence of some key players including Mark Brittain, the leagues leading goal scorer.
The game kicked off with Seaboard playing into a strong wind. The Bullshead were the first team to get into their stride and managed a couple of long range efforts that flew well wide of Mark Coombs goal in the opening minutes. It wasn’t until the seventh minute before Seaboard produced their first effort of the game that saw a shot from John Campbell go wide of the upright.
Four minutes later the Bullshead should have taken the lead when a flowing move down the right resulted in a dangerous cross from the bye line with the Bullshead forward heading over when he should have done better.
It was Seaboard however, who were to take the lead against the run of play on 18 minutes when a long ball into the box was punched clear by the Bullshead keeper only as far as Danny Stevens. He cleverly returned the ball back over the retreating keeper to the far post where Paul Derbyshire was on hand to scramble the ball home. Seaboard now began to play with more confidence and the excellent Derbyshire almost added a second on 31 minutes when he turned his defender before drilling the ball just over from 18 yards out.
Seaboard were enjoying a lot more possession but allowed the Bullshead to draw level on 37 minutes when a clearance from Brian Wilkins fell at the feet of a Bullshead forward and he drove the ball home off the inside of the post, giving Coombs no chance in the Seaboard goal. The Bullshead could have gone ahead right on half time with the Bullshead forward clean through on goal but Coombs made an excellent save.
Half time - Bullshead Brazilians 1 Seaboard FC 1.
The second half saw Seaboard with the wind at their backs and with the introduction of Gary Munro in an unfamiliar position up front, they started to take control of the game. It was indeed Munro, starting a move in the middle of the park, who provided the cross for Derbyshire to head just over when well placed.
Chances for the Bullshead were now at a premium but they could have added to their score 8 minutes into the second period when they got to the bye line, but the delivery was poor and the Seaboard defence was able to calmly clear.
Derbyshire who had battled well all afternoon was to see his shot midway through the half scrape the crossbar after having turned his defender well. In an almost identical move 1 minute later he was again frustrated to see his effort drift just wide of the goal. Seaboard began to press for the winner and were offered an excellent opportunity 15 minutes from time when Campbell provided an inch perfect cross for Derbyshire but he headed over when he should have done better.
The Bullshead were to have the last laugh though 2 minutes into stoppage time when a cross-field ball was turned back across the face of the goal for the onrushing forward to tap home from 6 yards. The final whistle was soon to follow and a very despondent Seaboard team was faced with the long trip back to Pattaya. Manager Bryant will have his work cut out this week to raise his players and prepare them for their home game against the British Club next Saturday.
Final score - Bullshead Brazilians 2 Seaboard FC 1.
Seaboard’s next match is a home game against the British Club at Horseshoe Point on Saturday March 25 - kick off 4:00pm.
Seaboard FC have been fortunate enough to secure the sponsorship of AGS Four Winds International Movers and Cranes and Equipment Ltd. Europe-Middle East-Asia for this season and would like to thank them for their continued support.
Anybody who could be interested in joining Seaboard FC, whether their stay in Thailand is for a long or short period is more than welcome to come down to the football pitch in Naklua every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm, contact us at [email protected] or call Peter on 01 810 1470.

The Beautiful Game?: A meaningless match on Merseyside?

Riz Taylor
Tomorrow’s Merseyside derby is always guaranteed to throw up an entertaining if somewhat scrappy affair, and this one is unlikely to break the mould. Yet despite all the great history of these two sides, tomorrow’s game is almost irrelevant. After all, Liverpool are comfortably in the Champions League safety zone whilst their cross-city neighbours Everton have climbed up the Premiership table to a safe area of their own, away from relegation. How dull.
So while you may enjoy the biannual squabble to decide who’s the best on Merseyside, look elsewhere for fixtures of any real significance this weekend. With the top three all but decided and Sunderland in freefall the only genuine battles in the Premiership are for fourth position and the relegation scrap, but thankfully it seems as though both still have plenty of mileage left in them.
The three sides that are fighting over one safe spot all play teams in the top four. Portsmouth host Arsenal tomorrow, Birmingham visit Old Trafford to play Manchester United on Sunday and West Brom take on Spurs early Tuesday morning, Pattaya time.
Just above the bottom four are Middlesbrough, who host Bolton on Sunday in another match worth catching for its importance if not for the flowing beauty of its football. Bolton are my dark horses to sneak up and overtake Spurs and Arsenal for a Champions League place before Sam Allardyce inexplicably steps down to take over at Newcastle. Boro, meanwhile, have been rewarded for their dramatic win over Roma with a tie against Swiss side FC Basle in the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup. Manager Steve McLaren played the diplomatic hand after the draw, saying that “Basle are a very good club with good history in Europe,” whilst fishing around his glove compartment in an attempt to find his European driving map and discover where this Basle place is, anyway.
Tottenham’s nervy win at Birmingham at the weekend was enough to keep them in fourth spot, and was an important one because the chasing pack all picked up three points. Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan and Arsenal’s victories mean that the final Champions League position is still very much up for grabs.
The idea of Middlesbrough at home to Bolton Wanderers eclipsing the famous Merseyside derby for relevance and quite possibly excitement seemed inconceivable a few years ago, but that’s where the real drama lies this weekend. Whatever next - Newcastle to win a trophy?
“My wife thinks I’m an idiot”
Tired of stories of greedy football folk? Do you hanker for the days when loyalty actually meant something? Then hail Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce! The former England defender has lifted the lid on his home life by revealing that he’s been arguing with wife Liz over his new contract at the City of Manchester Stadium. It all stems from Pearce’s refusal to insist on a compensation clause being inserted into the new contract. This kind of clause guarantees a pay-off for an outgoing manager even if sacked for poor performance, but despite this being normal practice in modern football Pearce has rejected the idea. The missus is less than impressed.
“Why should Manchester City pay me for not being their manager?” he said. “I have been fortunate to earn a decent wage as a player and now as a manager. I don’t want their money and I don’t want to be wrangling with the chief executive for a couple of quid.
“It has been mentioned at home. My wife thinks I’m an idiot. But you look around the country and see various ex-managers involved in legal battles with their old clubs months after they have been sacked. I do not want to be in that situation. If Manchester City no longer want me as manager, I would just thank them for giving me the honour of doing the job, accept I have not been good enough and go home to see the wife and kids and do a bit of mucking out in the stables.”
More bad news for Mrs. Pearce’s shopping plans - her husband is also likely to refuse a pay-rise on his 900,000 pound-a-year contract. “If the chairman offered me more money I would say no,” said her husband. “I have not earned what I am getting yet. He has always been very fair with me so I see no reason why I should be knocking on his door.”
Suits read ‘The Beautiful Game’? Maybe.
FIFA are obviously keeping a close eye on this column and have responded by taking a tougher stance on racism. Only a few weeks ago I was complaining after Real Zaragoza were fined a pathetic 9,000 Euros by the Spanish Football Federation following their fans abuse of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o. Following the uproar FIFA have announced that match suspensions, points deductions and disqualification from competitions are all amongst the punishments that will be considered, and are applicable immediately.
Clubs now face being deducted three points for a first offence, six for a second and relegation for further violations, and their member associations failing to implement the penalties must live with the prospect of their national team being banned from international football for two years.
All very straightforward, but can you really see them kicking Spain out of the World Cup? Well played FIFA for tackling the issue, but let’s believe it when we see it. And if you’re still listening over there in Geneva, could you sort out the dual-pricing on the baht buses next? It’s causing an awful kerfuffle. Thanks.
“And then I got a new bike”
I like a football autobiography as much as the next man, but there comes a time when it’s right to stand up and say “No!” The latest footballing star preparing to amuse us with anecdotes of his long and distinguished career in the game is none other than twenty year-old Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
In the single biggest book deal in sporting history, Rooney will release no less than FIVE volumes of his life after signing with publisher Harper Collins. But rather than fill the books with a certain four-letter word with which he’s become famous (and one not repeatable in a family newspaper), Rooney will tell all to ghost-writer Hunter Davies, the man who somehow managed to make sense of Paul Gascoigne’s life story.
Far be it for me to be cynical, but coaxing five books’ worth of stories from such a young man isn’t going to be the easiest of tasks for Mr. Davies. Alright, so the books will chronicle Rooney’s entire career and will be released over the next dozen years, but even Winston Churchill’s memoirs only covered six volumes. Rooney’s first book will come out at around the same time as this summer’s World Cup, but I can’t help but wonder what will be inside other than: “Got born. Grew up. Kicked a ball around. Found out I was quite good. The End.” Turning five points into five books can’t be done, can it? But there, again, if you’re talking about waffling... (Sports Editor’s note - at this stage Riz overran his word limit for this week’s column. He’ll be back next week.)

House of the Golden Coin takes over first place

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers - Kran, Rich, Mio, Kaew, La, Mark, Mai & Tue

There was a big shake up in the league this week with many four-point wins and losses. House of the Golden Coin won all four from Mai’s Thai Restaurant to move into first place. Grape Vine got four from Jack & Tar to move into second. Café Kronborg beat VFW Post 9876 winning three points in that match to move into third place. France won three points from Domicil to move into fourth. Shenanigans beat Three Sisters taking all four points, Montana got four from Café Ole and Friends won four points from Brother D.

Blackwell and Kraft take the honours at Emerald

PSC McAllister’s Golf

Familiar faces grace the winners’ circle at McAllister’s

Friday March 17 - Overcast skies gave way to a brilliantly sunny day as a smaller than usual group of golfers took on The Emerald at Banchang last Friday. Although the greens were in wonderful shape, six of the fairways were undergoing aeration necessitating a lift, clean and place rule for those holes.
A total of six prizes were awarded with Eddie Blackwell (handicap 11) taking out first place in A Flight with 39 points followed by Mike Withers (17) and Mikael Andersson (7) third on count back with 37 points. B Flight was won by Paul Kraft (31) coming in with a hot 42 points followed by Andy Evans (33) second with 34 points and Tewin Lamthong (34) third with 33 points. The handicap committee at PSC has already caught up with Paul Kraft slashing 2 strokes of his handicap at the time of writing.
Back at McAllister’s the atmosphere was a little more subdued than usual with many of the rowdy regulars out of town and our host Don McAllister not being able to display his usual sunny disposition. All of the golfers and all of his good friends wish Don a speedy and full recovery.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next Friday— tee off before 8:30am if possible at The Emerald and be assured of a great day of golf and merriment.

Terrific Tom tears up Bangpakong

PSC golf from The Grapevine

March 16 saw The Grapevine crew of 28 head up the motorway to Bangpakong River Country Club. Although a little bit further than some of our regular courses, the drive was worth it with the course in tip-top condition and some excellent scores were returned.

Thursday’s ‘Flight’ winners Dick Warberg and Tom Herrington.

Leading the way in the “A” Flight (0-18) was Tom Herrington (18) with an unprecedented 47 points, on a bit of a roll presently, young Tom! The minor placings in “A” were picked up by Kuni (9) with 40 points, while Steve (12) had 39 points.
In the “B” Flight (19+), Dick Warberg (23) pipped Henry Gignal (30) on a count back, both with 43 points. Mike Wing (24) shot a respectable 42 points to pick up third place.
The technical prizes of near pins were won by Donald, Andy, Kuni, Matsumoto, Steve, and Keith A., while the long putts were scored by Kuni and Donald.
All agreed the course was in good condition, although on this particular day it was a bit hot out in the open. Malcolm, Opal, and the staff looked after everyone upon their return to ensure a fine conclusion to the day.
If you’d like to join us for a great day of golf, please come down to The Grapevine and sign up, or call 038-361736 for more information. Cheers and good golfing.
JW

The Square Ring

by Howie Reed

It would not be a great stretch to say that one of the Kingdom’s most celebrated boxers will be in action tomorrow in Kobe, Japan. Veeraphol Sahaprom (52-2-2) will be attempting to return the WBC bantamweight title to the ‘Land of Smiles’ where it resided from 1998 through April of 2005. During that period Veeraphol defended 14 times and was considered by many to be the best at that weight.
Hozumi Hasegawa was 17-2 when he got a title shot on his home turf of Japan. He made the most of the chance winning a surprisingly easy decision from judges Gale Van Hoy (115-113), Burt Clements (115-113) and Duane Ford (116-112): the latter two judges from Nevada USA. Is there any reason to think that Veeraphol has a better chance this time? Well maybe. Last time he was the favorite fighting a relatively untested boxer with only 17 wins. There is always the chance that Veeraphol took Hasegawa too lightly and was not prepared. His training staff have assured one and all that this will not happen again. Does it make a difference? Nope.
More current was Sunday’s fight in Levallois-Perret, France where Thai fighter Somsak Sithchatchawal (45-1-1) was getting his first shot at a real world title. He’d had a “minor” title but this one was ‘big time’. The bad news was that Somsak would be facing Mahyar Monshipour (28-2-2) whom many considered to be the best of the non-Mexican super bantams. The last time Somsak lost a bout was February 18, 1998 to Ratanachai Sor Vorapin who was then 31-3-0 and is now 69-6-0. Leading up to the opening bell, Somsak was filled with the confidence that probably came from being the PABA champ for 10 years.
“Monshipour is very dangerous, but I’m well prepared and I’m confident in my chances. I came to Paris to leave with the title.”
This statement brought a smile to the face of the champ.
“I remain confident. I’ve fought in six world championship fights in which I have won easily with one exception. Against Zarate, I really had to go with my guts, but I still had the advantage... He is big and a southpaw, which complicates things. But I have worked for four months and I am ready with a definite tactical plan. I know about all his knockouts, but you should not forget that he has never had Monshipour in front of him!”
Well low and behold boxing fans Somsak Suthchatchawal laid a “butt whipping” on the now former world champion Monshipour. Somsak dropped Monshipour in the first round, showing a hint of what was to come. Monshipour came back, turning the ‘boxing match’ into ‘Pier 9 brawl’. Somsak took everything the Frenchman could produce and stayed on the attack, forcing the referee to stop the fight in the 10th. At the time of the stoppage Somsak was behind on all official cards. Heck of a way to celebrate his first fight outside of Thailand. ‘All Hail the Champ.’
Sunday was supposed to be the day of another title defense by Scott Harrison in Glasgow. When minor surgery forced Harrison to pull out of the fight, Commonwealth heavyweight Danny Williams stepped in. The ‘Brixton Bomber’ was set to defend his title instead against “a challenger to be confirmed” at press time. OK here’s the deal. That fights off. Williams sustained an ‘injury’.
The cynics would write that Williams got injured after folks lined up in droves (a drove being a mode of transportation in Scotland that has something to do with sheep) for ticket refunds. Williams does have wins against British champion Matt Skelton and Olympian Audley Harrison, who is to boxing what Eddie the Eagle was to ski jumping. Williams was counting on a win over “a challenger to be confirmed” to vault him in against WBA ‘champion stiff’, Nicolay Valuev.
One of the fun guys in boxing to write about is James “Lights Out” Toney. He’s fun mainly because it’s impossible to guess what will next exit his mouth. With 75 fights Toney has been down a lot of roads, not all of them toll ways. Many forget that at one time Toney was a middleweight champion. It’s always brought up when he’s fighting a heavyweight. Speaking of being a middleweight, Toney said before Sunday’s fight again Hashim Rahman, “It wasn’t my natural weight, I never trained for the fight. I trained to lose weight and it doesn’t matter how much I weigh. You know what a bowling ball does, it knocks down pins.”
Fights and especially heavyweight fights are lost in peculiar ways. Many, including ‘The Square Ring’, felt that Toney was denied victory against Hasim Rahlam because of the dinner table. Like a Thai lady, Toney eats only one meal a day. Training for the Rahman fight that one meal a day started when he woke up and ended when he went to sleep. The 5’7' Toney weighed in at 237lbs which was about 20 pounds too heavy. It was a pretty darn good 7 round fight though. The bad news was that it actually went 12. The ‘experts’ had Rahman winning easy. The judges had it a majority decision draw. The two judges that had it 114-114 came the closest to ‘The Square Rings’ 116-115 for Rahman.
One thing the fight proved is that the heavyweight division is still looking for a savior. Maybe that shinning light will appear on April 1 when Lamon Brewster (33-2) and Sergei Liakhovich (22-1) get together for the WBO belt in Cleveland Ohio, USA. One thing is certain, neither Rahman nor Toney should apply.
Coming up next week in Denmark is the return of the Dane’s all-time favorite, former world champion Johnny Bredahl (52-2, 26 KOs). Bredahl retired two years ago as the reigning WBA bantam champ. His two losses were to Paulie Ayala and Wayne McCullough. The Ayala majority decision was “highly controversial”. In this case “highly controversial” means that sitting at ring side I thought Bredahl was the winner but darn it, no one asked me. This is a nice, opportune place to mention that Wayne McCullough’s autobiography “Pocket Rocket: Don’t Quit!” is available on line or maybe you can jog down to Asia Books and demand they order you a copy for your very own self. Good read about a good guy? Yes it is.
Speaking of good guys, “Jeeves I’m ready for the liquid that will make everything seem rosy. Yes it might take two. But I’ll make the sacrifice.