IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Links Bar
On Monday, 18th April, the eve of Pattaya’s Songkran, the Pattaya Golf Society visited Emerald to play a stableford competition from the white tees. The field was expectedly small and the course was in good condition and the fees for the day were particularly attractive. It was altogether a more attractive proposition than whiling away a few hours in the seclusion of one’s room in a sodden City of Fun!
Tony Taylor was held at bay by Clive Hall as he took second place with 32 points but the returning David Bibby scooped the pool with a level par 36 points for the win on his first outing this trip.
Green, undulating fairways at Emerald.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the Booby Bevy became a choice between a nil-returning David Thomas and the hero-to-zero efforts of Mike Wilsher, but as both declined the invitation to the presentation Mr Len decided this one was for him as other more pressing duties had kept him at home for the day.
Phew, another one over, until next year of course!
Jeff in the hunt on his return
The Pattaya Golf Society played its fiftieth competition of the year on Wednesday, 20th April and the first flood free-day for more than a week saw the group head for Burapha to play a stableford competition on the C and D nines, which were in good condition, if a little dry. Temperatures continued to be uncomfortable as the group teed off on time and swift progress was made.
There were no birdie ‘2’s recorded and sharing third place were Alan Walker and Huw Phillips with thirty points. Just one point better was Jeff Hunt, recently returned from Darwin, and a break of a few months from playing golf. His score was a fine way to open his account for this trip and a week in Hua Hin follows where he will no doubt be honing his skills ready for a return in a week.
The small field had the luxury of not seeing a Booby Bevy being awarded whilst many tried to avoid the gaze of Mr Len after some less than impressive performances.
Well done Jeff and welcome back to PGS.
All change at Green Valley
The long-awaited return to Silky Oak by the Pattaya Golf Society happened on Friday, 22nd April. It was certainly a memorable one!
A brief notice near Reception had informed the sharp sighted golfer looking for his wallet that St Andrews and Silky Oak were “lightly sanded”. On playing the first green golfers knew the meaning of “lightly”. The second was even worse with unraked and unevenly spread sand over the entire green. Inevitably the lead group had suffered enough and returned to the clubhouse looking for some recompense. A switch to St Andrews was agreed after the payment of a large supplement of course. The other three groups remained at Silky and found only twelve holes sanded, and another four lightly cored. What a hotchpotch!
Golfers will find that Eastern Star have the perfect PR answer when deep coring and sanding is taking place – offer a green fee reduced to less than a caddy fee and inform the organisers beforehand.
For the record, results at Silky Oak were: 1st PJ Mitchell (34), second: John Chelo & Jeff Hunt (32). Jon Batty won the St. Andrews event with 33 points.
