IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society gave itself a treat on Monday, 22nd September when the group visited Laem Chabang for the first time in seven years to play a stableford competition on the C and A nines. Needless to say the course was in excellent condition with well grassed fairways and very consistent greens, which certainly ranked amongst the best there are currently in the province.
A clear fine day lay ahead as the group teed off on time. Beginning on C the round had the toughest of starts imaginable with the first four long holes, punctuated by water and lateral bunkers giving their share of problems and for many in the field getting through the front nine reasonably unscathed proved the priority. Those who did were set up for some good scores thereafter.
Rob Lamond flanked by Jesper Hansen, Andrew Purdie and Tony “Tiny” Campbell.
In fourth place was Tony Campbell with a strong 34 points, only a couple behind the joint runners up Andrew Purdie and Jesper Hansen, on 36. The winner with a one-under the card back nine was Rob Lamond, celebrating his final round this trip in style with forty points, which is the best winning score the group has ever achieved at the course. His gross 77 was testimony to his ball striking and was a thoroughly deserved reward for the Aussie golfer.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the non-winner’s beer went to Ron Matthews whilst Kevin Pross took the Booby Bevy for presuming that because he missed a tree trunk on his backswing, he would also miss it on the downswing! Silly boy! However Laem Chabang was all about quality and that will be the lasting memory of the day.
Bolger heads up Bangpra
The Pattaya Golf Society followed up its visit to Laem Chabang two days previously with a call at Bangpra on Wednesday, 24th September, to play a stableford competition on the finely prepared course. Bangpra has always been a favourite of the PGS and seeing it in all its splendour with deliciously testing greens is what golf is all about here on the Eastern Seaboard.
The large group got underway well before time and the excess humidity caused problems with club selection and scores were destined to be on the low side. Charlie Landrebe, Bryan Brown and Mr Len all shared third place with 30 points, only one behind Wichai Tananusorn’s hard earned second place finish. The winner with 34 points was Gary Bolger who continues to play with length and accuracy and his score ranks with others of such merit recently.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and Willie Barbour, after a better day of late, enjoyed the hosts’ non-winner’s beer. The Booby Bevy went to Jon Batty for his hero-to-zero performance after a round he will hopefully forget before next playing with the group as his other performances recently have been very creditable.
Bangpra continues to be a quality course which offers all the challenges golfers enjoy.
Murray’s mojo’s working
The Pattaya Golf Society played its monthly medal competition at Pattavia on Friday, 26th September under brooding skies which soon evacuated their contents and for an hour or so the course, and golfers, got quite a soaking. However the members of PGS are made of stern stuff and the threat of saturation was nothing compared with the threat of the Booby Bevy for abandoning!
Scoring became a problem on the well prepared course as greens became slower and fairways lost their run but some individual golfers excelled in their efforts. Wichai Tananusorn gave a steady display in recording net 74. His playing partner was the club champion Chris Smith and rumours of a gross 34 on the front nine proved to be true as expectations mounted for a special round from Chris but the weather took its toll and he finished with net 74, also to share second place.
The winner was Murray Edwards, all focus and good humour and the blend of steady driving and solid accurate approach shots gave him the opportunity to perform well. He grabbed it and recorded a laudable net 73 for the win.
There was only one birdie ‘2’ and Tony Campbell took a healthy bonus for the effort on the fourth hole. Jon Batty enjoyed the bar’s non-winner’s beer and Mr Len took the Booby Bevy. The accolades were saved for the hero of the day however as Murray Edwards took his first Monthly Medal win in a long time in his stride.
