IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
Monday, August 3, Bangpakong – Stableford
August began for the Pattaya Golf Society with a visit to the sumptuous course at Bangpakong Riverside for a stableford competition. Once again a large field turned out in what is becoming a surprisingly popular low season.
The welcome was warm, as always, and the course was in excellent condition and it had resisted the heavy storm which had passed through the previous day. Fairways were a little squelchy to start but the breeze and the clearing skies dried them out quite well before the end. Greens were as consistent as ever of course.
The large single flight saw Garry Olliffe mark his debut on the course with 35 points for third place whilst runner-up Mark Lang shot another sub-par round with 37 points and a best gross of 76. Much to his delight the winner was Jon Batty, for once shouldering his regular golf partner, Mark, down a notch and he took the day with 37 well deserved points.
The t’2’s pot was shared by Garry Olliffe and Peter Masters on the seventh and thirteenth holes respectively. The non-winners’ consolation beer was won by Mike Wilsher and the Booby Bevy went to Kerry Jonsson on the eve of his departure back to Iceland for his stomach-cramped split figures of six and nineteen.
It had been another enjoyable golf day with the PGS and if criticism could be aimed at Bangpakong Riverside it would for them to look again at the stroke indexes for the holes. Clearly it is not right for the long par three third hole to be rated 18 when half the field on a windy day would not be able to find the well protected green from the tee. Indexing should be done on difficulty not length. However, a minor point maybe, as we will be back!
Friday, August 7, Phoenix Golf – Stableford
“Play in groups of five,” said the ad. “Pay total of 3,000 baht green-fee per group,” said the ad. So the Pattaya Golf Society took precisely 15 sceptics to Phoenix Gold, to pay the equivalent of 600 baht green-fee, a good reduction from the normal 950 baht cost. “Oh, but you must hire cart,” said the lady behind reception, without a hint of embarrassment. If it reads too good to be true, it is. TIT!
Fairways were good on the Mountain and Ocean nines, with the latter still showing signs of recent scarifying, but you would have to be unlucky to suffer as a result. Putting surfaces are much improved from where they were some months ago, running true at about 8.5 on the stimpmeter.
The weather stayed fine, although definitely warmer compared to the last few days. Even from the white tees, this course represents a good challenge, a fact borne out by most scores in our field.
Tied in fourth place, on a modest 32 points, were the same-group pairing of Huw Phillips and Toby Glass. Also playing in the same group were third-place getter David Thomas with 35 points, way behind playing partner Jon Batty’s well put together 39 points. Out on his own, playing possibly the best golf of his life, was 21-marker Murray Edwards, whose outrageous feats included holing-out a marvellous shot with a hybrid, from 170 yards – for eagle!
Back at the Links, Mr. Len drew Gary Bolger’s name for the lucky beer draw. The booby bevy was a contest between the four players who all returned the day’s most humbling score of 25 points. After due consideration it was decided to award the BB to he whose ball was deemed to have suffered the most lip-outs, bad lies and worst luck. Also counting in his favour was the fact that this 5-marker is, without doubt, the best golfer in today’s field. Well done on receiving your first booby bevy, Mark Lang.
