Two Pattaya County Club caddies were tragically killed at the end of last year when their motorbike was struck by the hit-and-run driver of an 18-wheel truck. The incident took place on Highway 36 on the way to Pattaya near the Bira race circuit in Pong Sub-district Nov. 19. To-date, the driver of the truck has still not been found.
Savika Chang-lek, 18, and Wajintana Chaladdee, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene. Both were mothers of young children.
The Pratumnak Friendly Golf Society (PFGC) decided to hold a competition on March 23 to help raise funds to support the families of the two caddies. It was a stableford best-ball with a shotgun start and Rayong Green Valley came up with the best deal.
Gerry Hughes (centre) and Jim Elphick (right) receive their prizes after winning the charity golf day event at Green Valley.
We had opened up the day to all Pattaya golfers and with just a few days to go we found that we had an astounding180 wanting to play! With help from Green Valley we managed to obtain 6 more tee times on Silky Oak, which is also a par 72 course and managed to accommodate all.
The event turned out to be fantastic success and 250,000 baht was raised, which will pay each of the 2 families 5,000 baht every month for 25 months to help cover the children’s living costs on a daily basis as both are only 2 years old.
Support for the event came from many individuals, far too many to thank personally however the following golf societies supported the day: Tara Court, The Golf Club, Jomtien Golf, Sugar Shack, PGS & The Links, Siam Country Club Resort, The Sportsman Pub, TAGGS & Haven Hotel, Lewiinski’s, St. Andrews Golf Centre, I.P.G.C., The Growling Swan & The Billabong Golf Club.
Generous support also came from the following golf courses & businesses: Pattaya Country Club, Pattavia Century Golf Club, Khao Kheow Country Club, Laem Chabang International Country Club, Burapha Golf & Resort, Eastern Star Country Club & Resort, Pattana Golf Club & Resort, The Emerald Golf Club, Bangpra Golf Club, Rayong Green Valley Country Club, Siam Country Club, Gerry’s Bar, Billabong Bar, News Steak & Grills, The Irish Wolfhound, Ballyneety Language School, Hotel Victoria, Sawasdee House, The Growling Swan Golfers, Rim Talay Properties, The Sportsman Pub, Robin’s Nest, Door 2 Door, Siam Country Resort & Lewiinski’s
In the competition itself, the split field on 2 courses was perhaps a rather unique format and with preferred lies on Green Valley it was a very unusually day to say the least. The day got off with a 12 p.m. shotgun start on Green Valley and tee times starting on Silky Oaks from 11:30 a.m.
The winners of the event were Jim Elphick & Gerry Hughes who posted an unbeatable total of 48 points. Coming in three points behind in second place was the pairing of Norman Cheetham & Walter Panichi, edging Owen Walkley & Willem Lasonder into the third on count back after they also scored 45 points.
Technical prizes where won by the following: Tim Heinman, Svenn Lund, Stuart Thompson, Steve Morgan, Peter Tracy, Paul Reice, Owen Lloyd, Murray Edwards, Gerry Roche, Chris Voller, Andrew Byrne, Joe McLaughlin & Bernie Van Zyl.
Note: The Pratumnak Friendly Golf Society plays every Tuesday and Thursday, leaving The Irish Wolfhound/Hotel Victoria on Soi 4, Pratumnak Hill between 09:30 & 10:00. Sign up either via www.societygolfing.co.uk, Login PFGS2015 Password PFGS2015 or on the notice board outside Hotel Victoria, or telephone Craig Hitchens on 08-6074-1427.
