The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at the Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society travelled to Green Valley on Monday, 17th March to play a stableford competition in two divisions with the cut set at seventeen and under. With a course in excellent condition, white tees set well back, a fresh breeze blowing and quick greens the scene was set for something special.
Scores were unspectacular with Murray Edwards recording 34 points for third in the second flight, one behind lady golfer Orawan Meeraka’s second place 35 and a further shot back from the winner Jim Ferris, returning a level par 36 points for the win. In the top flight Rob Lamond joined Peter Ditz and Wichai Tananusorn on 33 points to share the win whilst Peter and Wichai recorded birdie ‘2’s on the fourth hole.
Khun Wichai went one better than that with a quality ace on the twelfth hole to give him his second career hole-in-one. This one was vintage, with a wedge shot landing just behind the pin and dragging back unerringly into the hole. Wonderful Wichai and thanks for the celebratory bell ringing back at the Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao.
The only disappointment is that his feat will be almost ignored by the Green Valley as he paid his green fee in cash and the hole sponsor would only recognise payment by the company’s credit card. However PGS and IPGC are far more generous with a new inscribed golf bag awaiting the popular Thai golfer. Well done Wichai!
Grimes & greens decisive
For golfers there is nothing quite like having a “new” venue to play and the redeveloped course at Pattavia certainly fits the bill in that respect, especially now the new clubhouse is open and functional. Little wonder then that it was on the schedule for the Pattaya Golf Society on Wednesday, 17th March.
The course itself is in good condition with greens which may be the most difficult to read in the area because of the nature of the grain and the bunkers are also in good condition, were one to stray.
The field was divided into two flights at fourteen and under and in the top flight Rick Schramm, David Thomas and Dave Moriarty all shared second place with 30 points each, three behind the flight winner Takeshi Hakozaki, on 33. In the second flight Larry Slattery was third with 31 points, close on the heels of second placed golfer Dave Plaiter with 32 points. The winner with the best score of the day was Ken Grimes with 34 points.
John Chelo and fellow Canadian Rick Schramm both shared the ‘2’s pot and Jack Robertson took the Booby Bevy for being the only Canuck in the field not to record a birdie.
Kevin Cumming took the Elephant Bar consolation beer as an appropriate yet lucky non-winner and David Thomas, running the day, warmly thanked all who had contributed to the day, including drivers and mine hosts of the Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao, Peter, Shane and Khun Kob. Pattavia? Yes we’ll certainly have some more of that!
Stern test at Mountain Shadow
The Pattaya Golf Society ended the week on Friday, 21st March with a visit to Mountain Shadow to play a stableford competition on the testing course. The course was in fine condition with plenty of run on the fairways and greens which lived up to their reputation as tough and grainy.
The field played from blues and whites in two flights, cut at seventeen and under. In the second flight senior Aussie golfer Bryan Brown played solidly again to share second place with Masashi Iizumi on 32 points whilst Peter Allen used his length to shackle the course with 34 points for the win. In the blue flight Greg Gawron and John Chelo shared second place with 33 points but were nosed out by Dave Moriarty, “Mr Consistency” indeed, with 34 points.
Rick Schramm again recorded a birdie ‘2’ on the eighth to share the bonus pot with Peter Allen who also excelled with a fine birdie on the tough seventeenth.
Rod Stevens enjoyed the consolation beer whilst the Booby Bevy went to Syd Harrison as a farewell gesture prior to his departure to the UK for the summer, as another excellent golfing week drew to a close at the Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao.
