The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
On Monday, 20th May the Pattaya Golf Society visited Bangpra to play a stableford competition on the quality course which was in fine condition with deliciously quick greens. However the prospects of some quality time with friends on a fine golf course were diminished with the appearance on the tee of a couple of Korean holiday golf groups. The ensuing round thus lasted five hours in the current heat and humidity, despite the intervention of course marshalls at one stage.
However, the latest round of the annual All-Asian “Slow Bicycle Championships” failed to faze Larry Ang as he proceeded to grind out 32 points for an eventual win. Probably the Asian heritage in his blood! Following Larry were Ken Grimes (31) and Robbie Taylor (30) and both Ken and Larry also recorded birdie ‘2’s on the eighth.
Pre-round favourite Dave Edwards suffered more than most with the interminable delays on every shot and he descended into a nether world where he managed to average less than a point a hole and he received the Booby Bevy for his pains. Low season golf should not be like that and nothing will change until on-course staff do their job effectively.
Green Valley first for Plaiter
The Pattaya Golf Society took its first opportunity to visit Green Valley this year on Wednesday, 22nd May and found the quality course in excellent condition, the club using the upcoming Thai PGA event to show off the course at its best. Understandably the greens were being protected and the slight “overgrowth” made them slower than normal but a course, devoid of golfers from 10:45am, except for the Soi Buakhao based group, was such a welcome relief after the trials at Bangpra two days before.
With the near perfect conditions it was no surprise that the group all managed to score thirty points or more for the first time in many years, with Alan Flynn, Sam McLellan and Ken Grimes all recording 35 points for a share of third place. In second, making his IPGC competition debut, was Aussie Craig Thomas with 36 points. The winner was Dave Plaiter and his 37 points was a return to the form he was in two months ago.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and Peter Allen took Rabbi’s free beer draw with relish whilst Larry Ang, the winner of the previous competition, took the Booby Bevy for his descent from hero to zero with his low mark of thirty points.
The day was as enjoyable as any had been this year and hopefully the next month’s PGS rounds there will be as good.
Purdie and Plaiter polish at Emerald
On Friday, 24th May the Pattaya Golf Society visited the Emerald club in Ban Chang to play a stableford event on the biggest Buddhist holiday of the year. However the golfers got off to an early start and steady progress was made throughout on the course which saw sanded greens yet again.
Mark West managed 34 points for third place on a course he loves whilst Andrew Purdie and Dave Plaiter stole the show with scores of 38 points each. There were no birdie ‘2’s and Rabbi’s free “darjeeling” (no alcohol, remember) was won by the man himself! The Booby Bevy went to Craig Thomas for the fourth best score of the day which just missed out on the awards.
The presentation was naturally a muted affair but the new week brings fresh anticipation of good golf on quality courses.
