The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at the Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society travelled to Greenwood on Monday, 5th May to celebrate Coronation Day in style on a quality course at unbeatable value for money. A large field therefore turned out to play the A and B nines which were in good condition except for some rain damage to bunkers and greens which were of varied speed and hardness on both nines.
The only cloud on the horizon was the appearance of a group of Asian novices on the tee before them and thus a three hour front nine was endured before a sharp shower served to cool golfers down and spread the field out somewhat.
It was decided to ply only one flight and John Mason, Larry Ang and Erik Anttonen all shared third place with 30 points, the latter golfer taking the ‘2’s pot for his effort on B5 during his final round third trip. Alan Flynn found himself alone in third place with 32 points whilst one point better was Japanese golfer Akifumi Tate. The winner was Jim Ferris, playing his first round for a while with the group and he showed he had lost none of his consistency this trip with an excellently crafted 36 points.
Anthony Molan had sponsored near pins on A2 and B2 and it was decided to combine both so the winner could enjoy a moment or three in Soi 6 with the voucher and spending money. And indeed it was won by Lucky Jim (Ferris)!
Wayne Morrison took the Booby Bevy for posting his scorecard and locker key in the locked caddy assessment box and Gubbi Innvaer won the bar’s consolation prize drawer.
At the end of the day the earlier delays and frustrations were mostly forgotten as the golfers cooled down into the evening with some excellent fare provided by mine hosts Peter and Shane and thoughts turned to the next day out at Bangpra.
Quality golf on show at Bangpra
On Wednesday, 7th May the Pattaya Golf Society visited one of the finest courses in the province when they visited an empty Bangpra to play a stableford competition on a course wonderfully prepared with good, well-mown fairways, fastidiously manicured bunkers and very true greens.
A humid day saw the field try to get to grips with the testing course and the players were a little surprised to find the greens slower than anticipated. The length of the tees and a strong wind mid-round put the brakes on but scores were still very respectable.
In fourth place was the returning Mark Cooper with 32 points, one point behind a rejuvenated Dave Edwards with 33 points. Alan Flynn again emphasised his consistency with a second placed 34 points whilst the best round of the day, I suspect on the whole course, was that recorded by Chris Smith. Gross 74 around Bangpra is a quality performance and the current PGS Champion really showed what his game is all about. Rarely does a golfer here strike the ball so genuinely true and long and the par five fifteenth indicated his game with a drive, a hybrid and a three foot putt for an eagle! Phew!
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the hosts’ consolation beer was won by Sam McLellan. The leading candidates for the Booby Bevy were not in attendance later in the Elephant Bar, but you can’t hide lads. Next week, na?
Bangpra had once again hosted the group who played the course with energy, application and no small amount of skill.
Honours for Sam
On Friday, 9th May, the Pattaya Golf Society visited the very customer friendly course at Crystal Bay to play a stableford event on the A and C nines and found the course in good condition with improved greens.
With low season numbers the best for years the large group started on time and competed in one flight with Mike Firkin and Akifumi Tate sharing third place with 36 points. Ahead of them was the form man at the moment, Jim Ferris, and his 38 points again indicated how a slower swing aids accuracy and distance when the wind is up.
The winner was Sam McLellan and his 39 points more than eradicated all memories of the Booby Bevy at the end his previous round. Sam also had the bonus of the day’s only birdie two, on the signature A8 par three.
Pat Murphy took the Booby Bevy after a count back with Murray Edwards for the lowest score and the presentation saw the very late award of IPGC golf bags to Dave Plaiter and Wichai Tananusorn after their festive holes in one.
Another good golfing week had drawn to an end, and the promise of more to come no doubt set the golfers up for a fine weekend.
