PATTAYA, Thailand – After the excitement of last week’s club championship and Jimmy Carr’s victory celebration, it was back to normal play for the Bunker Boys. On Monday December 9, the game was held at Plutaluang North and West Golf Course, where the North and West loops provided a challenging yet enjoyable round. Despite the crowded parking lot, the group teed off on time and experienced no delays throughout the day.
The standout performance came from Steve Downes, whose return to top form continues to impress. Playing off a handicap of 7, Steve posted an outstanding 39 Stableford points, leaving no doubt as to why he’s a strong contender for Golfer of the Month. Rob Folland, another player enjoying a purple patch, claimed second place with 34 points, narrowly edging Mike Milland on countback. Jimmy Carr, the reigning club champion, rounded out the top four with a solid 32 points.
Results: 1st: Steve Downes (7) – 39 points. 2nd: Rob Folland (15) – 34 points. 3rd: Mike Milland (18) – 34 points. 4th: Jimmy Carr (21) – 32 points. The near pins were shared between Rob Folland, Steve Downes, Hubert Stiefenhofer, and Les Cobban. A change in schedule was announced, with Friday’s game moved to the newly opened Hermes Golf Club, replacing Pleasant Valley.
The midweek game brought 19 golfers to Crystal Bay Golf Course on Wednesday, December 11, where strong winds and firm conditions made for a challenging round. The fairways, though browner than on previous visits, offered plenty of run. Despite the course being quiet, some participants felt the four-hour round was slower than necessary.
Jimmy Carr continued his excellent run of form, posting 39 points to take first place. Steve Downes followed closely with 38 points, proving once again that his game is heating up. Brendan Harnett secured third place with 36 points, while Michael Brett bounced back from a two-week slump to claim fourth with 35 points. The same familiar names are regularly featured on the winner’s list, reflecting the high level of competition within the group.
Results: 1st: Jimmy Carr (21) – 39 points. 2nd: Steve Downes (6) – 38 points. 3rd: Brendan Harnett (18) – 36 points. 4th: Michael Brett (15) – 35 points. Near pins were claimed by Hubert Stiefenhofer, Jimmy Carr, and Brendan Harnett (2). Post-round discussions centred around the intricacies of golf rules, with resident rules expert Neil Jones offering insights into some of the game’s quirks and exceptions.
Friday the 13th brought the group to the newly opened Hermes Golf Club, a course in superb condition just three days after its official opening. However, the day was not without its challenges. The course’s cashless payment system caused delays at check-in as the group worked to find a solution for their 24 golfers. The redesigned layout, with three new holes replacing the original first three, drew mixed reviews. One particularly unusual V-shaped hole left even the caddies confused about boundaries, with some incorrectly assuming that the “V” shape was out of bounds.
Despite these quirks, scoring was exceptional. Hubert Stiefenhofer delivered a stunning performance, finishing with 45 Stableford points, including a five-point eagle on the final hole. Les Cobban’s excellent 43 points were only good enough for second place, while Craig Dows returned to form with 41 points, narrowly beating Bil Richardson on countback for third. Alan Sullivan rounded out the top five with 40 points.
Results: 1st: Hubert Stiefenhofer (17) – 45 points. 2nd: Les Cobban (10) – 43 points. 3rd: Craig Dows (11) – 41 points. 4th: Bil Richardson (21) – 41 points. 5th: Alan Sullivan (15) – 40 points. Near pins were claimed by Robby Watts, Jay Babin, Alan Sullivan, and Michael Brett. After the round, a return to the cashless system in the restaurant added to the day’s unique challenges, with some golfers surprised by the high prices once VAT and service fees were included.
The Bunker Boys also took a moment to send their best wishes to former club captain Niall Glover, who is recovering from a recent hospitalization. The group looks forward to upcoming games, including a return to Pleasant Valley next Monday.
