IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Crystal Bay on Monday, 5th January to play a stableford competition with the large field divided into two flights at sixteen and under.
The course was busy as the B nine is currently undergoing maintenance and course conditions were quite good, even though the fairways were quite dry and hard. Greens were acceptable in both cut and pace but bunkers were hard and some unraked. Nevertheless, the customer friendly track made for a good, high scoring competition.
Pattavia’s closing par-five 18th, showcasing the splendid clubhouse.
In the second flight, third place belonged to Bryan Brown whose 34 points was a fair reward for some pensive golf whilst Richard Dobson came up with his best round this trip as his 37 points took second place. The flight winner was Mr Len and his early return to form this year will please him and a few others more than a little.
In the top flight, current club champion Chris Smith fired the best gross of the day, 71 shots, which gave him third place with 38 points. In second was Peter Wilson with 39 points whilst the winner was another member of the same playing group, Vic Woolton. Forty points was an excellent performance in any circumstance and represents the group’s best points score this year, so far.
There were four ‘2’s, all in the second flight, and they included Dave Lehane on A7, Richard Dobson and Henry Mah on C7 and Mr Len on the course’s signature hole A8. Dave Plaiter enjoyed the non winner’s beer after an improved round and John Malet de Carteret took his first Booby Bevy for his inconsistent and low scoring round.
At this time of year many golfers visit the golfing “doldrums” and Crystal Bay is just the tonic to wash away those”blues”.
Dobson does Bangpra
Wednesday 7 January saw the Pattaya Golf Society take nine groups to Bangpra for a stableford competition. With today’s two-division split being made at 15 and under, the first group was underway by 11 a.m. The pace of play, after teeing off the par-three second, was good.
The course was well-presented with fairways offering some run and mainly good lies. Bunkers, provided the ball didn’t lodge in the bank near the lip, were also good, offering excellent lies on compacted sand. Putting surfaces, always the test at Bangpra, were their usual tricky self, especially if putting down-grain from above the hole.
Scores were similar in both flights, with the A Flight podium having scores of 33, 34 and 35. Respective B Flight podium scores were 32, 33 and the best score of the day, Richard Dobson’s net-par round of 36. In many years of coming to Thailand, this was Richard’s first experience of returning a score without a blob – well done mate.
There were four ‘2’s today, three in A Flight, leaving one lucky golfer to scoop the pot in B Flight. Barry Wellings’ ‘2’ was achieved on the 8th, whilst Mark Cooper and Kerry Jonsson got theirs on the 17th. The sole two in B Flight was achieved by Swedish golfer, Helene Lindberg, on the 8th.
Back at the Elephant Bar the Lucky beer draw went to Willie Barbour. Dave Moriarty deservedly won our sympathy, and the booby bevy, for his 19–10 split caused by a back-tweak incurred on the 12th.
A Flight
1st Barry Wellings (5) 35pts
2nd Mark Cooper (13) 34pts
3rd Peter Wilson (7) 33pts
B Flight
1st Richard Dobson (18) 36pts
2nd Wayne Morrison (28) 33pts
3rd Helene Lindberg (16) 32pts
Edwards and Thomas share the accolades
Pattavia Century played host to eight groups from the Pattaya Golf Society on Friday 9 January. Pattavia is a well-presented course these days, but its sloping greens still require golfers place approach shots below the hole if they wish to score well.
Fairways, bunkers and putting surfaces were in good condition, with the greens no longer presenting the bald, near-impossible surfaces of a few weeks ago. Some fairway lies can be a little tight, but overall, this course is a delight to play, especially at 1050 baht green-fee caddie-fee.
Our scheduled playing order was disrupted somewhat, due to no-shows and traffic disruption, but still the first of our groups got under way on time at 9.50 a.m. With our two-flight cut established at 14 and under, most groups enjoyed an even-paced round. Our last four-ball estimated their round was completed in just over four hours – which is how it should be.
Only one player broke net-par in B Flight, but he did that with some style – with a 40-pointer no less. Well done Murray! Whereas a level-par round of 36 points was required to take third place in A Flight, which saw the runner-up go one better with 37, and the winner match that of the winning B Flight score of 40. Well done David!
There were three ‘2’s, with the sole ‘2’ in B Flight on the 13th by Murray Edwards earning its owner twice the reward received by the others. The ‘2’s in A Flight happened at the 4th – David Thomas, and 17th – Huw Phillips.
Back at the Elephant Bar apologies were given on behalf of Peter Wilson and John Malet de Caterat. Welcome-backs were extended to Martin Grimoldby, Mike Earley and Tony O’Neill from the UK, Bob St Aubin from Canada, and Toshihiro Aoki from Japan.
The lucky beer draw was awarded to Dave Moriarty, whilst the booby bevy went to the man who, through no fault of his own, had his playing group determined by an unknown third party. Thank you for your patience, Jesper Hansen.
A Flight
1st David Thomas (7) 40pts
2nd Svenn Lund (13) 37pts
3rd Alan Flynn (10) 36pts
B Flight
1st Murray Edwards (22) 40pts
T2nd John Tallett (23) 33pts
T2nd Wayne Morrison (28) 33pts
Congratulations to all podium placers; well played on a track that didn’t offer many favours – tough but fair – so well done indeed!
