IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Links Bar
A strong field representing the Pattaya Golf Society assembled at an empty Mountain Shadow on Chakri Day, Monday 6th April, to play a stableford competition on the well prepared course. With the club ignoring the higher fees charged by others for a holiday event the day was certainly one to enjoy to the fullest, even if a stiff breeze tried to spoil the show.
The group responded with some fine golf on a tough track and Dave Edwards and Alan Duckett threw their hats in the ring for the win with 34 points each, which gave them a share of third place. John Chelo matched the score of current PGS Champion Chris Smith, 35 points, but Chris had the last word with the best gross score of the day, 74 shots.
Even without wind Pattana’s B1 is one tough starting hole.
There were no birdie ‘2’s on the testing par threes and other prizes went to Larry Gibb for the bar’s non-winner draw and the Booby Bevy also to Mike Wilsher after a dismal day when all his shots deserted him and he spent most of his day sitting glumly in his golf cart. Mountain Shadow can sometimes do that to unwary golfers.
Phoenix still not quite there
After suffering many regulars withdrawing, the Pattaya Golf Society took just three groups to Phoenix to play a stableford competition on Wednesday, April 8. Perhaps it was the knowledge that the greens were not up to standard, or that the heavily scarified fairways on the Ocean nine made many lies unfairly difficult, or maybe the 950 baht green fee was hard to justify given the overall state of the course.
The weather stayed fine throughout, which was fortunate given the forecast and bleak skies seen to the north. When the rain finally did arrive, we were alighting from our mini-van back at home base, the Links Bar, to learn that many golfers playing north of Pattaya struggled to finish.
So, playing Lake and Ocean nines in excellent golfing weather, our small group managed three ‘2’s, two of them coming from Wichai Tananusorn and David Thomas, who both hit rather mundane six-irons close on Ocean 5, and a far more exciting and ultimately skilful effort achieved by Mike King on Ocean 7. Facing the possibility that wind just may prevent his ball from going close, should he choose a straight shot, Mike expertly contrived a subtle swing change that saw his ball soar through the air, well right and short of target, only to kick hard left on bouncing and finish some 4 inches from the cup – dead in line. Some could argue that he was unlucky not to have achieved a hole-in-one. Fickle thing, wind and sprinkler heads.
The three top finishers were close. Recent podium regular Huw Phillips (h/cap 15) returned 34 points and David Thomas (8) had35, but the only one to achieve a net-par 36 was the talented Wichai Tananusorn, also playing off 8 handicap. Congratulations to the podium placers for returning relatively good scores, as putting on those greens proved more of a test than designer Denis Griffiths ever intended.
Back at the Links Bar mine host Khun Russell, always hopeful he will draw his own name, drew that of Murray Edwards, whilst the Booby bevy was awarded to the golfer who was today’s hardest worker, Andrew Humphrey.
A lovely walk in a gorgeous park
Friday 10 April and the Pattaya Golf Society took five groups up the 331, to play a stableford competition at the superbly presented Pattana Golf Course. From the time we drove into the plush surroundings, listened to soothing orchestral music whilst changing in sumptuous locker rooms, and trod on fairways as smooth as a luxurious carpet, we knew we were on to a quality gig.
Apart from those wonderful fairways, the greens were also first class, with B and C nines running at a reportedly 8.5 stimpmeter speed. If there was criticism, it would have been in the fluffiness of the sand in bunkers. A minor point on such a picture-perfect setting, but a little sand compaction would not go amiss.
The overall impression left with any discerning golfer is of a special day’s golf played in a wonderful setting. At 1150 baht green-fee caddie-fee, Pattana really puts the likes of the more expensive Phoenix, Emerald and Green Valley courses way behind – in all respects.
With carts not allowed on fairways, we decided to play off the yellow tees (6318 yards), as opposed to the whites (6710), a decision which proved correct. The front nine was played in hot, windless conditions, whereas the back nine threatened stormy weather when increasing wind brought threatening black clouds. Fortunately, the storm by-passed us as we went on to complete our day staying dry.
With the conditions as good as they were it was no surprise to see good scores make the podium. We witnessed three ‘2’s from Murray Edwards on B3, Mark Lang on B7, and the closest of the three, a two-inch near hole-in-one from John Chelo on the windy C2.
Because of three ‘2’s, we limited the one-division to four prize places and just making the podium, in spite of a weak finish, was clubhouse host, Russell Exley (h/cap 9) with 35 points. Normally a score of 39 points would have earned John Chelo (16) more than third, but not today. Alan Flynn (11), who often performs well at Pattana, came second with a meritorious 40 point haul but up ahead the day’s winner had a blinder. The ever-popular Wichai Tananusorn (8) turned on the sort of game we all know he is capable of, scoring a 6-under net par haul of 42 points; very well played indeed!
Back in Pattaya the lucky beer draw, much to Russell’s pleasure, went to Paul Magowan. Russell’s other guest of the day, Andrew Humphry, picked up the other free beer via Mr Len’s booby bevy, by posting 26 points – not too shabby, but it is when your three playing partners spend the journey back regaling their 40, 35 and 34 point hauls.
