IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Greenwood on Monday 25th January to play a stableford competition on the C and A nines. Warned of a possible lack of caddies a few days before, the group were offered the choice of playing without a caddy and pulling one’s own trolley or taking a discounted buggy. Whichever the golfers chose all were unanimous that they would willingly accept the same deal again.
The unusual start to the day was compounded by teeing off in a biting wind with the temperature hovering around eighteen degrees Celsius… and it never got better! The group made good progress – probably the thoughts of the hot shower afterwards drove them on.
Chris Smith.
Divided into two flights at fifteen and under the top flight saw Al Griffiths post 32 points for third place, one behind runner up Paul Hubbard. The winner was Jon Batty and his 34 points were worth so much more knowing he had returned to his favourite distraction, golf.
In the second flight Murray Edwards found conditions suited him and he made third place with 34 points, edged out of second by John Chelo with 35. The flight winner was newly returned Niall Caven and his 37 points was the round of the day and it was good to see someone was running hot on such a chilly day.
Billy Shepley, Craig Thomas and Helene Lindberg all shared the ‘2’s pot whilst John O’Sullivan enjoyed a cold beer as the lucky non winner. The Booby Bevy went to Greg McDonald for his low round of the day.
And the caddies? They were all there waiting for more than a hundred Thai golfers, who failed to show! Boy, will they get a chilly reception next time their group shows up.
Moriarty, all rhythm and blues
On Wednesday 27th January the Pattaya Golf Society celebrated the first anniversary of its move to its new clubhouse at The Links with a visit to Burapha to play a stableford competition on the A and B nines, off the blue tees. The day was clear enough but a chilly wind blew all day across the well presented course.
The two flights were divided at sixteen and under and play got underway on time. It was soon apparent that the day would be a challenging one as the long par fours seemed never ending in the wind and a ball landing on the soft fairways ran for less than expected.
In the second flight scores were predictably low as three golfers shared first place, namely Niall Caven, Richard Dobson and Keith Melbourne with the latter making the podium for the second time in seven days, a rare event indeed!
The top flight saw the advantage of long hitting with Russell Exley recording 36 points for third place, new member Andy Robinson taking second with 37 and solid New Jersey golfer Dave Moriarty lording things with an excellent 40 points. His fairway shots were accurate and his putting was the secret, rarely missing a putt within twelve feet or so. It was a prodigious effort off the blues.
The ‘2’s pot was shared by Niall Caven, Gary Bolger, Jon Batty and Thai lady golfer Yarida Kabinpong and the Booby Bevy went to returning French golfer Olivier Tahoun after his customary returning low score.
The day had indeed been a special one and despite one golfer’s rhythm off the blues next month will see the more generous white tees in play.
A Smith special at Emerald
Emerald golf club was the venue for the Pattaya Golf Society’s first forty plus field this year, on Friday, 29th January. The day was fine and (whisper it quietly) warm and breezy. The format was stableford with the field divided into two flights at fifteen and under.
In the second flight Larry Slattery shared second place with Phil “PJ” Mitchell on 36 points and the winner was Aussie Greg McDonald with 38 points, a PB with the PGS.
The top flight saw John Holmes mark his return to Pattaya with 36 points, sharing second place with Wednesday’s winner Dave Moriarty. The outstanding round of the day was that of new PGS Champion Chris Smith whose four birdies and only one bogey helped him to a gross 69, giving him 39 points, and all this off a handicap of 0.3. Wow! Chris is probably the nearest thing we have in Pattaya to a professional standard golfer. The PGS would certainly like to meet his peer.
The ‘2’s pot was shared by Craig Thomas, Niall Caven, Walter Orr and Chris Walsh and the non-winner’s beer draw was won by Keith Melbourne. The Booby Bevy went to Terry Pipe for his low marking return round.
Emerald has witnessed some fine golf over the years and today’s round by Chris Smith will certainly be up there with the best. Well done Chris.
