The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Khao Kheow on Monday, 19th November hoping to find the course in better condition than when they last played there a month ago. It was pleasing to see conditions much improved on the C and B nines with GUR clearly marked and greens which were well up to standard.
So it was then that the field was divided into two flights at sixteen and under, the second flight going off the more comfortable white tees whilst the low handicappers played from the yellow tees.
In the top flight Dave Lehane scored 35 points to take third place whilst Steve Jones and Richard “Banjo” Bannister went head-to-head within their group to finish joint top with forty prodigious points each. “Banjo” recorded the best gross of the day with his 79.
In the second flight Larry Ang put together a consistent round of 36 points for third place whilst Leigh Abbey managed 39 points on his return from Australia to take second place. The winner was Don Nellis, taking a brief timeout from his full time work as an air miles accumulator, and he produced his best ever result with 41 points. He had the added bonus of two birdie ‘2’s on the C course par threes whilst he shared the ‘2’s loot with Alan Flynn (C8) and Larry Ang (B8).
Rabbi’s free beer draw went to Ken Grimes, who generously declined in favour of Mr Len, for whom the Booby Bevy was reserved after the day’s largest split figures.
It was good to see Khao Kheow up for it again and when the dry season eventually arrives it will be a joy to visit there again with the PGS.
Joy for the Jones boys
The Pattaya Golf Society made a long awaited return to Plutaluang on Wednesday, 21st November to play a stableford competition over the West and North Nines, in two flights divided at seventeen and under. The weather was warm and humid and the course was in fair condition with fairways still soft after the recent deluges and greens which were very slow by comparison with others in the area.
In the second flight Pat Murphy and lady golfer Margaret Wilkinson pushed the leaders close but Leigh Abbey managed 28 points on his first visit for his first podium place with the group whilst Mr Len took the top place with a moderate 30 points.
In the top flight Jesper Hansen continued his good form with 32 points for third place whilst “Banjo” Bannister went one better with 33 in second. The best score of the day came from a man in form, Steve Jones. He has never had a week like this one in all his six years of Thailand golf and followed 40 points on Monday with 38 points this time.
Dave Plaiter took the second flight birdie ‘2’ pot with an excellent effort on N6 and the top flight ‘2’s pot was shared by Wichai Tananusorn (N3) and Rick Schramm (N6).
Rabbi’s free beer draw was enjoyed by Yasuo Suzuki on his final appearance before a return to Japan and the Booby Bevy went to Don Nellis for his “hero -to-zero” performance which saw Monday’s winner register a full 20 points less this time. He wasn’t the only one all at sea at the tough Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang.
Tip top Talbot
Following a misunderstanding with a booking at Crystal Bay the Pattaya Golf Society rapidly redirected to Greenwood on Friday, 23rd November to play a stableford competition on the A and B nines. The greens are still not right but the course is getting better after a shabby low season.
Sharing third place were Pat Murphy and Larry Ang with 34 points each and Pat recording the day’s only birdie ‘2’ with a chip-in on B5. One point ahead was Neil McIntosh with 35 points, proving he has more than found his feet with the group after joining the group only three months ago. The winner was Brian Talbot who, earlier in the day, had shunned an opportunity to join the PGS representatives in the John Preddy Memorial event being held at Mountain Shadow, preferring to try his hand at Greenwood. Forty-one points seems to prove his choice correct!
The day was splendidly supervised by Rick Schramm in the absence of the usual incumbent and he awarded the Booby Bevy to Khun Wichai for the luckiest shot of the day which gave him a birdie on A9. Well done “Rocketman” and thanks from all the lads.
