IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Elephant Bar
On Monday 1 September the Pattaya Golf Society made its second visit to Eastern Star in the space of two weeks – having been here on Monday 18 August. The difference in course presentation was marked. The report of our previous visit made reference to the many bare patches on fairways, particularly near the front of greens. This time it appeared these had increased in number and size. With little evidence of white GUR markings, the chance of having to cope with bad or difficult lies, from the fairway, is high. The PGS will now treat this course the same as it does Emerald, and invoke the preferred lie rule regardless of whether carts are permitted on fairways.
However, the biggest difference from our visit of two weeks ago was the state of many greens. Where prior the greens had been noted as slow but consistent, they at least had a full covering of grass. This time many were suffering from swathes of grassless areas, giving the appearance they had been subjected to some form of toxic spray. One of our golfers, who had the services of an experienced caddie, advised she had told him that the demise of the greens was a common event, and happened when certain wind conditions brought acid rain (her term) from a nearby factory. If true, it may explain Eastern Star’s continued difficulties with its putting surfaces.
Masashi Iizumi with PGS gaffer Mr Len.
Notwithstanding, there was still some good scoring with two players matching net-par – always a good test on this challenging layout – and four more coming home within two shots of net-par. There was one two; achieved by the returning Simon Kendall, whose tee-shot on the par-3 13th came very close to being an “ace”.
Back at the Elephant Bar, welcome backs were extended to expat Mikael Andersson, as well as Willie Barbour and Simon Kendall, both from the UK. Mr Len, a well-known Newcastle supporter, drew the lucky beer draw in favour of the only Geordie present; Brian Dunn. The Booby Bevy went to Takeshi Hakozaki for his generosity with green-fee discount vouchers.
Another day in paradise spent on the golf course. Let’s hope that acid rain story is just that – a story.
T1: Simon Kendall (13) 36 points
T1: Garry Bolger (17) 36 points
T3: Jon Batty (9) 34 points
T3: David Edwards (12) 34 points
T3: Alan Walker (20) 34 points
T3: Murray Edwards (22) 34 points
25,000 and Counting…
The Pattaya Golf Society fulfilled a fixture at Khao Kheow on Wednesday, 3rd September, when it held a Stableford tournament over the B and A nines which were in good condition considering the amount of rain they have endured recently. Unknown to the field the day would be a memorable one in the annals of the group as this would be the occasion which saw the 25,000th round of golf with the group since its “reinvention in” May 2005. The seventh golfer to tee off was the PGS’s old friend Masashi Iizumi and his searing low draw off B1 was the magic moment.
Jack Robertson in typical post-golf pose.
Back to the purpose of the day and a damp and soft Khao Kheow held all the aces as golfers struggled to gain control of their game. In third place with thirty solid points was the Aussie six handicapper, Tony Campbell, whilst Akifumi Tate went around in a better fettle recording thirty five points on the tough track. The winner was Jon Batty whose level par knock of thirty six points put a smile on the organiser’s face as one golfer at least had come to terms with the task. Dave Edwards recorded the only birdie two of the day, on the Island Hole, B8, whilst the return of the group’s sartorially challenged friend Ian Wilson brought colour to a grey day and a cool beer to his throat in the form of the Booby Bevy.
The after golf party back at the Elephant Bar ended with the presentation of a certificate to Masashi Iizumi after his historic round. 25,000…my word!… and no doubt more than a few of those present quietly mused that they would be there to celebrate the “fiftieth”. Maybe, indeed, it would be them?
A Tribute to Jack
On Friday 5 September the Pattaya Golf Society dedicated its Order-of-Merit Stableford round at Greenwood as a tribute to old friend and stalwart, Jack Robertson. Jack passed away last April, shortly after returning home from another lengthy stay in Pattaya. Fellow friend and countryman, Canadian Bob St Aubin, who only recently learnt of Jack’s passing, had offered to sponsor a range of technical prizes to mark the occasion.
As is usual when playing Greenwood, the day started with a trip up the 331. Today, however, it took us 15 minutes longer than usual to get through the Amata junctions; such was the concentration of traffic. Notwithstanding, after being allocated the C & B nines, the first of our five groups still managed to tee-off on time.
The course was well presented, as usual, but was playing long. The fairways offered excellent lies and the bunkers were in good shape. The greens on C nine were lightly sanded, thus played slower than those on B. At 1000B green-fee/caddie-fee, this course is excellent VFM.
Surprisingly, there were no twos. This left a healthy pot which enabled podium places to extend to five. One of today’s placegetters, Jesper Hansen, actually won the last time we were here. Today, playing well within himself, he scored one more Stableford than he did then, but only came 5th – TiT.
Solid rounds from both Masashi Iizumi and Wicahi Tananusorn saw them share third equal place, while Jon Batty’s level round 36 points confirms his consistently good golf of late.
Topping the field with the only sub-par round was the recently returned Ian Wilson, whose sartorial selections are always guaranteed to brighten up his playing partner’s day. He had one of those rounds “out of the box” as he put it. Well done, mate.
Back at the Elephant Bar we welcomed back Paul Whitnall from the UK. Bob St Aubin and his generosity were soon in evidence as results of the technical prizes were announced. Near-pin winners were Ian Wilson, Jon Batty and Bryan Brown. The longest winning putt was awarded to Gary Bolger, and the long-drive contest was shared jointly by Tony Campbell and David Thomas. Bob then arranged for a shot of whiskey for all golfers present before proposing a toast to dear departed friend Jack. Cheers, mate. You will be missed.
1st: Ian Wilson (23) 37 points.
2nd: Jon Batty (9) 36 points.
T3: Wichai Tananusorn (8) 34 points.
T3: Masashi Iizumi (20) 34 points.
5th: Jesper Hansen (16) 33 points.
