IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Elephant Bar
Friday, September 19, Silky Oak – Stableford
The Pattaya Golf Society visited the oft maligned course at Silky Oak on Friday, 19th September to play a Stableford competition on a well grassed track with bunkers in fine condition and greens running just a little slower than elsewhere. The course was also empty, making progress swift.
Many in the field had not played the course before and thus scores were moderate. Taking a share of second place were Wichai, Rob Lamond and Charlie Landrebe, all finishing on 33 points whilst course newbie Gary Bolger took the win with 36 points.
Winner Gary Bolger with runners up Rob Lamond, Wichai and Charlie Landrebe.
There were two birdie twos on the fourteenth hole with Kevin Pross and Gary Bolger sharing the bonus pool.
Back at the Elephant Bar in Soi Buakaow, Dave Robinson won the non-winner’s beer draw whilst Masashi Iizumi, on his last round this trip, savoured the Booby Bevy for the longest drive of the day, a journey to Green Valley via Khao Mai Khao and Emerald.
Most golfers visit Ban Chang after golf, allegedly, not before! Silky Oak was a good choice and more golfers are seeing it as an interesting track on which to play competition golf.
Monday, September 15, Mt Shadow – Stableford
On Monday 15 September the Pattaya Golf Society took four groups to Mt Shadow to compete in a Stableford competition. Despite much recent rain, the course was well-presented with fairways offering good lies. Notwithstanding that carts were permitted on fairways, the amount of pooling indicating overnight rain convinced us to allow preferred lies.
Bunkers and greens were also well-presented, if a little wet, with approach shots often stopping in their own pitch-marks. Even so, the course remained very playable and at a green-fee/caddie-fee of 1050B, it remains very good value for money.
Twos were recorded on the 8th by Bryan Brown and the 15th by Tony Campbell.
The podium was a tight affair, with only one shot separating all three place getters. Joint winner, Murray Edwards, appears to have benefitted by doing away with his near-daily visit to the driving range, whilst fellow first place getter, Masashi Iizumi, was due a good one after a recent drop in form. Mr Consistency, Jon Batty, continues his fine form of late.
Back at the Elephant Bar Mr Len drew Ian Wilson’s card out for the lucky beer draw, whilst it was noted that the Booby Bevy would go unrewarded. Mr David, golfing organiser for the day, believed nothing occurred that warranted such a revered prize, including his modest 25 points – the lowest of the day!
T1st: Masashi Iizumi (20) 34 points.
T1st: Murray Edwards (22) 34 points.
3rd: Jon Batty (9) 33 points.
Wednesday, September 17, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The Pattaya Golf Society took a large group of golfers to Khao Kheow on Wednesday, 17th September to play a Stableford competition on the C and A nines which were expected to be in good condition. Indeed, two weeks ago there was no finer place to be, but the recent rains have taken their toll and on the A nine in particular there were many unmarked areas on the fairway which anywhere else would be considered GUR. Khao Kheow must be out of white paint, however, and problems were caused by not being told before we teed off.
Nevertheless, the PGS are an adaptable bunch and everyone made the best of a bad job. Sharing second place with very good scores of 35 points were Andrew Purdie and the returning Rob Lamond, for whom memories of bad health and injuries must be fast disappearing after this display. The winner was the in-form English golfer Jon Batty and he battled well to overcome the state of the course to post an impressive score of level par 36 points.
Greg Gawron recorded the only birdie two of the day, on A5, and the non-winners beer draw went to Wichai Tananusorn. Willie Barbour had one of those days we al have from time to time and his golf merited his first Booby Bevy in a while. Enjoy the occasion Willie, it’s someone else’s turn next time!
Finally a plea to Khao Kheow, we all know heavy rains can wash away GUR markings but do you have any other signs or markers? It would help immensely …really.
