The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at rabbi’s Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society travelled to Plutaluang on Monday, 30th January, to play a stableford competition on the West and North nines, which were in fine condition. This combination is a little long at 6,700 yards and certainly testing and a twenty minute timeout for rain after six holes certainly added to the challenge.
The field was divided into two flights at fifteen and under and in the second flight Gary Bolger entered a score of 31 points for third place, whilst Henry Mah and Vic Barton shared the win with scores of 32 points.
In the top flight Steve Jones used this, his final round this trip, to show he has not lost it after a dismal run of scores and he produced an excellent card of 36 points for third place. In second was Rick Schramm with 39 points to show everyone that his recovery from bronchitis is well on track. The flight winner was Pete Sumner with an excellent gross 76 giving him 40 points in a round he will savour for a while yet with eleven pars and three birdies making a mockery of the course and the damp conditions.
There were birdie ‘2’s on the Lighthouse hole for Steve Jones, Dave Moriarty, Gary Bolger and Kevin McConnell whilst Rick Schramm birdied the two par threes on the front nine to complete the pot.
The Booby Bevy went to Mike and Yvonne Earley for dashing away on Friday before it could be awarded, leaving Mr Len, bronchitic and weary, to finish both bottles of a beer he dislikes. Bah!! What goes around, comes around at the PGS obviously. The day had been well marshalled by Tony Thorne and the plaudits were all for Pete Sumner after a sumptuous round of golf.
Late burst gives Earley win
On Friday, 3rd February, the Pattaya Golf Society visited Mountain Shadow to play a stableford competition on the testing course which demands accuracy rather than length off the blue tees. The course was in splendid condition with good running fairways and the huge greens receptive and true.
Visits and visa runs had reduced the field to one flight for the day and in third place was Rick Schramm finishing his excellent week with 34 points. In second was Dave Moriarty with 36 points but the “Giants” fan could be excused if his mind was elsewhere this weekend. The winner was Mike Earley whose round was steady, if not spectacular, until the final four holes when he finished with ten points to shoulder his way into top place.
There were birdie ‘2’s for Will Bean, Dave Moriarty, Joe Niisato, Larry Slattery and Martin Hennessy (two) and the Booby Bevy went to Rob Alexander on his first visit to Pattaya and its golf. Harsh lessons lie ahead but his first lesson was that a change of clothes is essential after golf!