Pattaya Links Golf Society
Wed, August 29 Bangpakong, Stableford
The Pattaya Links Golf Society visited Bangpakong Riverside on Wednesday, 29th August with twenty golfers champing at the bit at the opportunity to play the sumptuous course on the banks of the Bangpakong River on the outskirts of Bangkok.
As always, the course was in splendid condition with well grassed fairways, well-tended bunkers and very consistent greens. A restriction on the use of carts invoked the preferred lies local competition rule on the fairways but, in reality, it was hardly used. Such was the quality.
In the single flight Barry Oats, playing from the senior tees, managed 35 points for fourth place, narrowly losing on countback to third placed golfer Maurice Roberts, also with 35 points.
Second place was taken by Wayne Peppernell with a fine 37 points. That’s where the Aussie involvement ended as England’s Dave Arataki took control with an excellent 39 points, including a brace of very adjacent near-pins, on the fourth and sixteenth holes.
It has often been noticed that winning the “wig” has a positive effect on a golfer’s performance and an unassuming Dave made the point again today after securing his first green jacket with a very competent round of golf.
Other near pins went to Michael Wright (7) and Phil Davies (13).
The consolation awards went to Ian Wilson (best front nine, 18 points) and Chris Barker’s best back nine of 18 points also.
Ralph McConnell, smiles all round, had the honour of the “wig” after a best forgotten round and Paul Chesney, green jacket winner only three weeks ago, celebrated his final nine holes this trip with the “silly hat” award. Skill is not the only highlight of a golf day at the Links, fun predominates as well!
Winner Dave Arataki (29) 39 pts
2nd Place Wayne Peppernell (15) 47 pts
3rd Place Maurice Roberts (14) 35 pts c/back
4th Place Barry Oats (24) 35 pts
Best Front Nine (non-winner) Ian Wilson 18 pts
Best Back Nine (non-winner) Chris Barker 18 pts
Friday, Aug. 31 Emerald – Stableford
The Pattaya Links Golf Society road show ended the week at Emerald in clear and breezy conditions. The course was well prepared but the rains had made the rough very challenging and an impediment to good scoring. Eighteen golfers started on time on an almost empty course. Ban Chang, has it lost its historic attraction?
Golf is another matter, however, and the scores reflected the conditions with fourth place going to American golfer Ed Karvois, the field’s low marker, playing off 8 who returned a score of 34 points. One point ahead with 35 was John Harrison, losing second place to Swiss golfer Marco Beer on countback.
The winner with a level par round was Kevin LaBar on 36 points.
Near pins went to Dave Arataki (5), Mike Tottenham (7), Masa Sugaya (13) and Ed Karvois (15)
The best nines glory went to Wayne Peppernell (front,) and Michael Wright (back).
Other consolation awards went to Masayuki Okada, with the honour of the “wig” for his second consecutive appearance, and Chris Barker’s shabby back nine guaranteed him the “silly hat” award for the poorest nine hole score.
Winner Kevin LaBar (13) 36 pts
2nd Place Marco Beer (17) 35 pts c/back
3rd Place John Harrison (14) 35 pts
4th Place Ed Karvois (8) 34 pts
Best Front Nine (non winners) Wayne Peppernell 18 pts
Best Back Nine (non winners) Michael Wright 20 pts
All the golfers enjoyed the day and looked forward to a few days rest before tackling Laem Chabang again the next time out after the weekend.
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