The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Eastern Star on Monday, 18th November, to play a stableford competition in two flights cut at thirteen and under – such was the quality of the field.
Shame then that the quality of the course did not match and it has to be said the course is still seriously rain damaged with soft and, in some places, soggy fairways and unforgiving uncut rough. Amazingly the much maligned greens were the best part of the course.
Scores were therefore poor with Len Jones and Peter Sanderson taking second place in the second flight with 26 points each. The winner was Leigh Abbey with 32 points.
In the top flight Tomas Nilsson, Brian Talbot and Banjo Bannister all shared second place with 31 points whilst the very solid New Zealander Alan Flynn scrambled his way around to return 35 points for the win.
Peter Ditz and Chris Walsh both achieved birdie ‘2’s on the sixth hole and the Booby Bevy was reserved for Sid Elday who, after a shabby front nine score, was able to double it on the back, to give him the largest split figures for the day.
Rabbi’s consolation beer went to Wichai Tananusorn whilst the assembled golfers all took some comfort in the amber nectar whilst licking their wounds after a hard slog at Eastern Star.
Big Mac’s tasty round
After a break of four months the Pattaya Golf Society revisited Greenwood on Wednesday, 20th November to play a stableford competition on the C and B nines which were in excellent condition. Indeed the course in general is looking better than ever with trimmed rough, fine fairways and the greens are back to their consistent best.
The two divisions were cut at fourteen and under and the quality of the top flight was soon to be seen with Peter Sumner setting the pace with a one over par front nine of 21 points! The pack clawed him back however and he ended up with 35 points for a share of second place with an equally resolute Trevor Lazowski. The winner of a tightly contested flight was Wichai Tananusorn with 36 points.
In the second flight Dave Wilkinson announced his return to the group with 34 points for third place, with another steady performance from Jim Ferris giving him 35 points for second place. The winner, his maiden victory, was the gentle Caledonian giant, Michael McGuigan, and his 37 points reflected his potential power. “Big Mac” had indeed arrived in fine style.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the Booby Bevy went to Pat Murphy for probably his worst round in ten years with the group.
It had been an excellent day at Greenwood with a splendid golf course giving tremendous value for money and it was fitting that a “Big Mac” should top the menu!
Close call at Plutaluang
The PGS golfing week ended with a visit to Plutaluang on Friday, 22nd November, as three PGS groups also played in the John Preddy Memorial at Crystal Bay. The five groups at Plutaluang were hindered by a start delay of an hour as the starter promoted a late arriving Thai group – nothing new for the course of course – and a long day ensued.
Scores were good on the East and South nines however with Brian Beaupre, Takeshi Hakozaki and Tomas Nilsson sharing third place with 35 points each, whilst Peter Wilson and Chris Walsh shared the win with 36 points each.
All three birdie ‘2’s came on the scenic East 5th hole, with Brian Beaupre, Takeshi and Dave Plaiter the grateful recipients. The Booby Bevy was collected, as is his custom on his return, by Danish golfer Tyge Rasmussen, but having spent the previous two weeks in Iran it would have been nectar to the palate!
The PGS also acquitted themselves well in the John Preddy Memorial event with Banjo Bannister losing second place on count back with 39 points and his team finished second in the team event. Near pins were also rewarded to Peter Ditz and Richard Dobson for their fine efforts in the technicals. All in all it had been a successful, if long, day for the PGS golfers.
