IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
On Monday, 29th April the Pattaya Golf Society visited the enigmatic course at Silky Oak to play a stableford “shootout” between some of the group’s keenest golfers. Like it or loathe it the course is an excellent challenge to golfers with its expanses of water and hidden flags.
The course was empty and in excellent condition with every fairway taking a good divot but the greens were slower than were expected. It was “millionaires’” golf as no-one else was in sight all day and the group had the course to themselves.
After nine holes Aussie warhorse Garry Hookey held the most slender of leads, one point ahead of Mr Len with Mike Wilsher within touching distance further back. Garry’s consistency held on the back nine as Mr Len’s improved driving took a back seat for a couple of holes but he eventually rediscovered his rhythm to finish par – par and end with 30 points. Garry took the pot with a thirty four point total.
To the victor the spoils and in the clubhouse the spoils were lavishly spent on refreshments for all. It had been the most pleasant of golf days on a fine course, in good weather and in the splendidly warm company of old friends. We’ll take some convincing that Pattaya has a better day on offer!
Taylor’s fine form continues
On Labour Day, 1st May, the Pattaya Golf Society left a steamy Soi Buakhao and travelled to Crystal Bay to play a stableford competition on the A and B nines, which were in fine order with pacy greens. The course was full and a five hour round was inevitable as Koreans, Japanese and Thais populated the course with the usual large playing groups.
The course has a history of producing good scores and this day was not to disappoint. In third place the returning Finn Erik Anttonen posted 35 points to share third place with Brian Talbot and rookie Wayne Morrison whilst Peter Ditz enjoyed his final round this trip with an excellent 38 point card for second. The winner was Aussie Robbie Taylor with 41 points, coming hard on the heels of a couple of very fine performances recently.
The ‘2’s pot was shared by Andrew Purdie, Robbie Taylor, Alan Flynn and Wayne Morrison (two) and the Booby Bevy went to the Rabbi after a shank the likes of which his playing partners had never seen before, catapulting the ball and tee marker yards away at right angles towards the cart path on B6. The free beer draw was won by Dave Plaiter.
Crystal Bay had once again proved a winner in all respects, a fine course, a good holiday rate and some splendid golf.
Purdie wins tight affair
The golf week ended for the Pattaya Golf Society on Friday, 3rd May with a trip to Greenwood to play a stableford competition on the C and A nines, which were generally in good order except for some sanded and uneven greens on the front nine. The weather was a concern with heavy thunder clouds ever present but the group managed to get away with it despite the high humidity.
The single flight was treated to some very closely fought golf with Brian Talbot making his final appearance this trip with 34 points for third place. One ahead were Jim Proctor and Alan Flynn on 35 whilst the day was bossed by Andrew Purdie, also making his swansong this trip, with 36 points.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and “gaffer” for the day John Mason earned the Booby Bevy after a promising front nine turned into a nightmare on the back giving him split figures of 17 and 7. Rabbi’s free beer draw was won by Larry Ang and there could not be a more deserving winner after all the logistical help he offers every golf day. And so the golf week ended with the PGS.
