IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
On Monday, 1st August the Pattaya Golf Society visited Eastern Star after more than five months during which time repairs and essential maintenance were carried out and the initial reaction is that the work has been a success.
The course is in better condition than at any time during the last year and the new greens keeper has seen an improvement in the consistency of the greens. Lack of customers has also seen the fairways grow well. The downside was the weather, which was cool, almost chilly and wet, making the course play very long with no run.
Making one of his rare visits to Pattaya Michael Sim showed his weekly rounds with the British Club in Bangkok have consolidated his game with a consistency off the tee. This helped him to 28 points and third place.
Playing partner Wichai Tananusorn is still trying to reignite his game after a month in England and he posted 29 points for second place.
Japanese golfer Masanori Takano performed better than most in the conditions to end with 31 points for the win.
There were no birdie twos and the Booby Bevy went to an out-of-sorts Mr Len. The good news, however, is that Eastern Star is continuing to improve and will be a welcome venue in high season.
Morel makes a meal of Silky Oak
The excellent promotional deal at Silky Oak attracted the Pattaya Golf Society to the province’s newest course on Friday, 5th August to play a Stableford competition on the controversial track. At the moment golfers either love or loathe its quirkiness but it is rapidly proving a hit with PGS members, with its lush fairways and extremely consistent greens, probably the best in the area currently.
Peter Masters had a double cause for celebration as it was his birthday and he also started the seventeen-thousandth round with PGS since its reinvention six years ago. Amazingly he also dropped two shots for the first time in six rounds finishing on 34.
In third place with 36 points each were Masa Takano and Larry Bland, only one point behind second placed Rob Lamond who had his most successful round with the PGS this year. It was truly a reward for the patience of the skilled Australian golfer.
The winner was Jean Morel with 39 points, who is proving hard to beat on the course. The former chef has all the right ingredients for the game with accuracy off the tee and a taste for putting.
Rob Lamond and Paul Bartlett shared the twos pot for their efforts on the par-three seventh and the Booby Bevy went to Peter Masters by way of celebration for his special day. But every day is special on the golf course in the Land of Smiles.
