PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Sept. 16, Phoenix (Mountain & Lakes) – Medal
There are lots of rumours making the rounds of Pattaya golf circles about the changes being implemented by the new owners of Phoenix, so we set off to the course anticipating some problems. Our day got off to an inauspicious start as the staff on reception informed us that the green fee was 300 baht more than that we’d agreed when making the booking, but eventually we were able to sort that out with the assistance of two of our players who are members of the course.
We managed to tee off on schedule after being messed around by an aggressive starter, who made us wait at the clubhouse staring at a vacant first tee, as the group scheduled ahead of us failed to show up. Rumours of golf bags being searched for illicit food items (i.e. anything brought in from outside the course) proved to be unfounded, but the management have instituted a voucher system (minimum charge 100 baht, no refunds and valid only on the day of purchase) for all purchases made from the kiosks on the course – a bit pricey if you only intend to buy water!
Mashi’s name goes onto the Bunker Boys Hall of Fame board.
As we progressed through the outward nine it was noticeable that a number of staff (who we originally thought were marshalls) were following us around the course in golf buggies. Only when we overheard one of these guys asking our caddies if they’d seen us consuming any illicit food or drinks, did we realize what their true purpose was.
Phoenix has never been known for its good customer relations, but the atmosphere now is distinctly unwelcoming, and this will be our last visit here until the situation improves. That seems unlikely in the near future, since compulsory buggies and further increases in the cost of green fees will be introduced from November onwards.
On the golfing front, Colin Greig rediscovered his winning form ahead of Mashi Kaneta, who took second place on a count back ahead of Tore Eliassen. The highlight of the day was provided by Mashi Kaneta who scored a hole in one on the par three second hole on the Lakes nine. At the presentation, the drinks flowed freely as Mashi generously shared his good fortune with his fellow competitors.
Only two near pins were claimed, one by Ken Young and the other was Mashi’s hole in one.
1st Colin Greig (9) net 74
2nd Mashi Kaneta (14) net 76
3rd Tore Eliassen (14) net 76
Wednesday, Sept. 18, Bangpra – Stableford
Fourteen golfers today turned out today to tackle the popular Bangpra course under heavily overcast skies, but with the reassurance from the local weather forecast which stated there was zero percent chance of rain.
We tee’d off on schedule but the pace of play, particularly over the outward nine, was slow as we were following another large group of local golfers. Colin Greig continued where he left off on Monday, scoring 22 points on the front nine, and eventually coming back to the clubhouse with a winning total of 38 points.
We were welcoming back Alan Freeman for a brief visit and he played the outward nine in level par, but faded slightly on the inward nine, taking second place on a count back ahead of Takeshi Hakozaki.
Just to prove you can never believe any weather forecast (or for that matter any rumour) in Pattaya, the final three holes were played in steady but light drizzle.
The par three holes were once again playing long, but two of our higher handicap golfers, Dave Keats and Reg Smart, both managed to produce great shots to claim rare near pin prizes.
1st Colin Greig (9) 38pts
2nd Alan Freeman (3) 34pts
3rd Takeshi Hakozaki (12) 34pts
Near Pins: Alan Freeman, Dave Keats, Duncan Lee and Reg Smart.
Friday, Sept,Pleasant Valley – Stableford
It wasn’t a day for the faint hearted today, with heavy rain overnight and persistent drizzle still falling in the morning. Our small group of die-hard golfers assembled at The Ranch to learn that the PSC tournament scheduled for today at Pattana had been cancelled, but a quick call to the Pleasant Valley course assured us that the course was open and playable.
We set off up the 7 motorway in heavy rain, which was still falling when we reached the course, but after a ten minute wait we decided it was easing, and we made the decision to tee off in light drizzle. There were only four other golfers on the course, but later in the day when we started the back nine other fair weather golfers started to appear.
We made the inevitable decision to play winter rules and the fairways had plenty of additional water hazards, and the greens were saturated but playable. The drizzle persisted throughout the outward nine, but then conditions improved and the inward nine was played in cool dry conditions, although the fairways were still soggy.
Geoff Parker coped with the difficult conditions better than the rest, with Colin Greig taking second place on a count back ahead of Mashi Kaneta.
Tony Robbins struggled on the front nine, but almost scored the second ace of the week on the 17th hole, with his tee shot heading straight for the pin, but coming to rest twelve inches short.
Only three near pins were claimed, by Geoff Parker, Colin Greig and Tony Robbins.
1st Geoff Parker (14) 34pts
2nd Colin Greig (9) 33pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (14) 33pts
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
