IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Elephant Bar
Another day, another venue for the Pattaya Golf Society as they visited Greenwood on Monday, December 8 to play a stableford competition on the A and C courses. After a traumatic experience at the hands of Plutaluang management on the King’s birthday, how refreshing it was to be warmly received by a course that prides itself on splendid customer satisfaction.
The current excellent value for money experience being offered by Greenwood points the way to future success in an age when perceived profit is too often the rule in many of the province’s other golf courses.
Treasure Hill bares its teeth.
Of course, golfers respond positively to a positive attitude and Greenwood was no exception with the two flights, divided at eighteen and under, thoroughly enjoying a layout in excellent order with very consistent greens.
In the top flight, Peter Ditz and Anders Haglund shared third place with 32 points, a mere point behind runner up Dave Edwards on 33. The flight winner was Mark Lang and his best gross of the day, 78, gave him 36 points for a very fine win.
In the second flight, scores were remarkably similar with Murray Edwards and Toshi Aoki sharing third place with 32 points and Masashi Iizumi taking second with 33 points. The best round of the day was that of Aussie Leigh Abbey, so much in form at present, whose 40 points was more than could be expected on a tough course in breezy conditions. Well done Leigh!
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the non-winners’ beer draw was won by Barry Wilson, whilst the Booby Bevy went to a returning Dave Plaiter who had to purchase a pair of golf socks at the course in order to play his round in comfort.
The presentation for the golfers back in Soi Buakhao coincided with the birthday celebrations for bar manager Khun Kob and the “moo haan” was delicious, whilst the bell was rung to herald the success of the day. It would not have happened without the generosity hospitality of the management at the Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao and of course Greenwood’s welcome supportive attitude.
Pattavia’s greens – therein lies the challenge
“Finally, the greens; herein lies the key to scoring well on this course. Putting surfaces are very grain-dependant. When this is combined with slope, the challenge becomes marked, especially when above or side-on to the hole……”
This was written three weeks ago – on the occasion of our last visit here. Back then, balls would, if hit softly enough, eventually stop. Not today they didn’t. When missing the hole from a position above or side-on, the ball would often continue with the slope – especially when it ran with the grain – finally coming to rest when hitting the collar of the apron, or rough. In short, so close were the putting surfaces shaved, that in many instances the only thing stopping the ball was the hole. Putting became a lottery. This was not good.
The Pattaya Golf Society’s five groups accepted that today, Dec. 10, being Constitution Day, was a public holiday. Most of us, therefore, were prepared for the long day that followed. The weather was perfect, with a cooling breeze making the hot and dry conditions excellent for golf. The course, apart from the excessively fast greens, was in excellent shape.
Despite the greens being as tricky as they were, three ‘2’s were recorded, by David Thomas on the 4th, and Andrew Purdie and Dorsey Richardson achieving theirs on the 7th.
The short par-three 4th was also the designated hole for a bottle of whisky, donated by Michael McGuigan for closest to the pin. This was won by Richard Dobson, who was unable to capitalise on his excellent tee shot.
Scoring was tight with all four podium placegetters recording the same score; a modest four-over par 32 points. Put this down to those greens. Fast greens are one thing, but greens that combine slope with grain need to have sufficient grass such that balls can actually come to rest around the hole. Today that proved impossible on too many occasions. These greens need water “maak maak”.
Back at the Elephant Bar, a welcome back was extended to Ken Lambert from the UK. We also bid farewell to Anders Haglund returning to Sweden. Alan Walker won the lucky beer draw and Michael McGuigan, suffering from golf’s version of tennis elbow, was awarded the booby bevvy.
T1st David Thomas (6) 32pts
T1st Andrew Purdie (10) 32pts
T1st David Edwards (13) 32pts
T1st Masashi Iizumi (21) 32pts
Treasure Hill – meaner than a junkyard dog
Friday, December 12 dawned beautifully warm and the Pattaya Golf Society relished the challenge that the day’s golf at Treasure Hill would inevitably throw up. The course was well presented but there was evidence of recent sanding on the greens which were not quick.
The two flights were divided at sixteen and under and got away on time. The only question lay with the strong wind, which was in evidence all round and which changed direction many times on the same hole. However, golf is golf, with all its trials.
Traditionally the toughest track the PGS plays regularly, this day was to see Treasure Hill at its meanest with points having to be snatched from the claws of the beast. Scores were ridiculously low off the white tees even though the field contained quality golfers. Yet the range of points in both flights almost matched, showing that the handicaps were not only accurately set but also very equitable.
In the second flight, runner-up place was shared by Canadian golfer Henry Mah and Mr Len with 26 points! The winner was John Mason, truly claiming his place as a multiple winner at the course (yes, he did win once before there!) with 29 points.
In the top flight, second place was shared by John Chelo and Anthony Molan with 27 points each whilst Alan Thomas took the flight honours with 30 points.
The ‘2’s pot was shared by Jon Batty (6), Larry Gibb (6) and Peter Wilson (13) and the non-winner’s beer went to Mike King, a most appropriate choice.
The Booby Bevy was presented to John Mason for leaving the bar with another golfer’s bag, which ironically contained a new set of irons, John’s being sixteen years old! However the mistake was soon rectified but the group will have to wait a month to get its revenge on Treasure Hill.
