IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
Monday, 7th November dawned bright as the members of the Pattaya Golf Society gathered at Rabbi’s in Soi Buakhao to make the short journey to Khao Kheow to play a stableford competition over the B and C nines. The course showed signs of improvement on the previous month but it is still a long way off being in its best condition. Fairways are still soft and slow and greens may be picking up a bit now.
In the first ranking competition for the Society’s “Player of the Month” title there was a three-way tie for second place as Wichai Tananusorn, Tony Thorne and Jesper Hansen all managed to collect 34 points but they were outdone by organiser Mr Len, with 35. The day had begun badly for him with three drop-outs before departure, including one driver, but he still managed to keep enough composure to make a fist of things.
Tony Thorne recorded the day’s only birdie ‘2’ and the Booby Bevy went to Jim Ferris who performed poorly after coming down five shots in two weeks. A reality check for Jim, indeed, on the testing track at Khao Kheow.
A good day at Greenwood
An empty car park, an empty course, two tees and the great company of friends, that was Greenwood on Wednesday, 9th November as the club welcomed the Pattaya Golf Society when the Soi Buakhao based group called to play a stableford event over the A and B nines.
The joy of the day was enhanced by a jaw-dropping discount for the two flights cut at eighteen and under. For some the golf was even better!
In the top flight Joe Niisato, now safely relocated from soggy Bangkok, celebrated with 37 points for third place whilst Ken Grimes and David Milne shared the win with 39 points each. For Ken it was his first sub-par round with the PGS and for David it was his first taste of competition golf and the handicapper will be at work immediately!
In the second flight Jean Morel hardly saw life off the fairways as he totalled 34 points for third, just one behind Chris Walsh who again impressed on the front nine. The winner with the best score of the day was Aussie Gary Bolger and his forty points represented his best effort with the PGS.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the Booby Bevy went to Brian Shaw for his 19-12 split. Pity poor Pat Murphy who had the same split but is here for longer that Brian and will surely pick up the free beer before stocks finally run out!
Back in Soi Buakhao it was Rabbi’s birthday and the party celebration went on long into the night, especially for those who had enjoyed a great day out at Greenwood.
Former soldier marches to glory
The Pattaya Golf Society decided to go “cheap and cheerful” with a stableford competition at Century Chonburi on Friday, 11th November. The course was in reasonable condition with good fairways and medium quick greens and a local competition rule applied to the bunkers, therefore the day was to represent absolute “vfm”.
Good scores abounded and sharing second place were Haruyuki Kato, with the best gross of the day, 79, and Jesper Hansen, a revelation on this trip. Both returned 37 points, just edging out Bryan Barrell with his best ever PGS performance of 36.
Fittingly, Remembrance Day was the occasion when former serviceman Dave Wilkinson produced his best ever display with PGS, a staggering 43 points which saw him reach thirty-six after just thirteen holes. He now becomes the fifth PGS member to reach that score this year and it was a proud moment for the Englishman and his wife Margaret, also in the field.
Birdie ‘2’s were recorded by Haru Kato (two), Pete Seward and Jesper Hansen and the Booby Bevy went to Garry Hookey who took up the role of caddy for two holes on the back nine as a golf cart expired and no immediate replacement could be found. He finished his final round this trip with an eagle three on the final hole as a reward.
As a final word Century Chonburi on a weekday has to represent one of the better deals around.
