IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Links Bar
On a hot and steamy Monday the Pattaya Golf Society travelled to Khao Kheow on 15th August to play a stableford competition on the B and C nines, which were in reasonable condition but the back nine (C) had sanded fairways and less than consistent greens. However these problems were not enough to detract from a tight competition.
Khao Kheow always holds all the aces and only golfers on top of their game will walk away unscathed at the end of eighteen testing holes. Such was the case this day when new member Christian Boysen, forsaking his home group at the Phantom Bar, played a round of quality golf to finish on 35 points, putting him at the head of the leaderboard. His round was helped by two birdie ‘2’s on the par threes on the back nine.
Sharing second place with 32 points each were Murray Edwards and Mark Lang who shared the best gross figures of the day (81) with Christian. The other birdie man was Ken Page who recorded his ‘2’ on C3.
As Mr Len announced the sad demise of the Booby Bevy, to be replaced by a non-winners consolation beer from now on, it was fitting that he received it himself for his less than sparkling round. If memory serves him right, he received his first Booby sixteen years ago in Soi Chaiyapoon.
Honours shared at Burapha
The Pattaya Golf Society visited the sumptuous course at Burapha on Wednesday, 17th August to play a stableford event on the A and B nines, which were in excellent condition. Fairways were well grassed and the greens are so consistent and, on this occasion, quick.
A close contest was on the cards as Scot Ken Page finished with 34 points, having been usurped by Masa Sugaya and Khun Wichai on 36 points. Robert Moses was the first to collect a birdie ‘2’, on A6 and the feat was emulated on the back nine by Masa’s fine effort on B3.
The demise of the Booby Bevy after fifteen years saw the non-winner’s consolation beer go to Ken Page as he technically was not a “goody” winner even though he made the top three as the small field allowed only two major prize claimants.
Burapha is a “must play” course for Pattaya golfers and the current low season rate is only a beer or two more expensive than the likes of Khao Kheow.
Page & Firkin share the win
The end of another excellent week saw the Pattaya Golf Society visit Crystal Bay for the first time in four months to play a stableford competition on Friday, 19th August. The B and C nines were used and the course was much improved since our last visit, with greens which were putting quite true. OK, the course will always be a little rough around the edges but as a typical resort course it offers all golfers a chance to make good scores.
A strong swirling breeze was evident all day but it kept conditions comfortable whilst posing club selection problems for those involved. Toby Glass, Alan Walker and Karl Flood all posted scores of 32 points to share third place but they were a way off the winning pair, Ken Page and Mike Firkin with 36 points.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the consolation beer went to Bryan Barrell after he bemoaned the demise of the Booby Bevy, his non-winning card having been drawn out by the cashier back at the bar. The week had ended as it began, golfers in good humour and comradeship at the Links Bar in Soi Buakhao.
