IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Society visited Green Valley on Monday, 7th February and found an empty course and a first tee where the Starter was beckoning the group to start fully forty minutes before time! Amazing! Always willing to oblige the group, divided into two flights at sixteen and under, followed his advice to the letter, but only when a full complement of caddies had been drained from the furthest expanses of the course, including gardeners and mechanics.
In the second flight three golfers shared second place on 36 points and the “Medal Man”, John Mason, was joined by John Chelo and lady golfer Yvonne Earley. Jean Morel held kept nose in front as he won the flight with 37 points.
In the top division Wichai Tananusorn and “Banjo” Bannister shared third place with 35 points each whilst Rick Schramm continued his consistent form of late with a fine 37 points for second place. The day belonged to Mikael Andersson who took the course apart with a gross 77 giving him 41 points, the fourth time that heady score has been achieved this year so far within the group.
There were birdie ‘2’s for Mikael, Banjo, Yvonne Earley and visitor Keith Kelso and the Booby Bevy went to visitor Will Bean for his unrewarded two on the twelfth. After all “you have to be in it to win it!” as former PGS mogul Mr Loy used to say.
Green Valley continues to surprise but it couldn’t say “Boo!” to Mr Mikael on this day.
The lady wins on merit
The Pattaya Golf Society’s first qualifier for its “Player of the Month” challenge for February was held at Phoenix over the Mountain and Lakes nine on Wednesday, 9th, with the large field relishing a stableford competition on the local course.
The course was set up long from the back white tees and the greenkeeper’s penchant for placing the pins on slopes had not yet waned. The field was divided into two flights at sixteen and under and four ladies made the group complete.
Scores were uncharacteristically low on the course and in the top flight Vic Hansen, playing his swansong round this trip, joined Paul Sturgeon in third with 33 points. Paul had achieved his first ever placing with the group. In second place on 34 points was Wichai Tananusorn, still enjoying his resurgence in form with the PGS. The flight winner was Rick Schramm again with 36 points.
In the second flight Mr Len trailed in third with a meagre return of 29 points, two behind Jim Ferris’ second placed score of 31. The flight winner, with the best score of the day, was Yvonne Earley whose golf was unspectacular yet very effective and her accurate putting gave her a distinct advantage over the rest of the flight.
Paul McNally recorded the only birdie ‘2’ of the day on the Mountain fourth and the Booby Bevy went to debutant Keith Melbourne for his “baker’s dozen” score.
The first order of merit event at Phoenix had resulted in a lady topping the rankings for the first time in a long while. How long will it last we wonder?
More of the same from Mukesh
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Crystal Bay on Friday, 11th February to play a stableford competition on the rapidly improving course. The fairways are now in excellent condition and the greens were deliciously consistent and quick suiting most players’ choice. The day remained fine throughout and a good competition ensued with the large field divided into two flights at fifteen and under.
In the second flight Gordon Everingham and Dave Lehane shared third place with 32 points each, only one behind the joint winners Jean Morel and Gordon Gilchrist, the latter celebrating his final round this trip with an excellent performance.
In the top flight a consistent Mike Earley shared third place with Rick Schramm on 34 points, one behind Japanese golfer Tomoyasu Ishisaki in second. The flight winner with 37 points was Mukesh Thakkar taking his third victory in four outings with the group with his second consecutive par breaking round. He also scored two birdie ‘2’s on the A nine and joined the other ‘2’s winners Ishisaki, Richard Bannister and Len Jones.
The Booby Bevy went to Jim Ferris after his failure to appear at the start of the day caused endless re-jigging of the start sheet for the organiser… and it’s one of his favourite courses! Why shouldn’t it be? Crystal Bay in its present condition is well worth the green fee.
