IPGC Golf from Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
The week began for the Pattaya Golf Society with a trip to Emerald to play a stableford competition on the popular course which was in fine condition with quick greens. The day was humid and conditions were eased by an intermittent cool breeze.
The field was divided into two flights at fifteen and under. In the top flight Mike Earley and Peter Seward held down third place with 33 points, just one behind the joint winners Haru Kato and Chris Smith, the latter playing his first round this year with PGS, off his handicap of one. Seventy-five off the sticks at Emerald is a worthy round and he is to be congratulated for the quality of his golf with thirteen pars, one birdie and four bogeys.
In the second flight Ken Page again made the list with 35 points for third, with James Smith , brother of Chris, taking second with 36 points. The only sub-par round of the day was recorded by Mr Len, his 37 points putting a smile on his face once again.
Haru Kato picked up the ‘2’s pot for the only birdie of the day on the seventh and the Booby Bevy went to John Mason after regaling his playing partners all round with the story of his ace on the thirteenth a year ago. This time he managed to increase his score on the hole by 500%! Golf at Emerald is always a fine way to start a week.
Takano & Hansen winners at Phoenix
The Pattaya Golf Society visited Phoenix for the first time in many months on Wednesday, 21st March to play a stableford competition over the Mountain and Lakes nines on the expensive course which were in good order.
The two flights were separated at nineteen and under and in the second flight Yvonne Earley joined Mr Len in second place with 30 points on her final round this trip. The flight winner was Benny Hansen who recorded 34 points.
In the top flight Dave Moriarty and Greg Gawron shared third place with 31 points whilst Stuart Thompson went one better to take second with 32. The flight winner was Masanori Takano, also playing his final round and his 34 points marked the end of successful trip.
There were no birdie ‘2’s on the slick greens and David Thomas finally received the Booby Bevy as a reward for some really poor golf by his own impeccable standards and it will be sad to see the honorary “club captain” leave for a sheep farm in Australia at the end of the week. The things people do to stay away from Phoenix and its obsession with cash!
Close call for Joe
The Pattaya Golf Society closed its busy week with a visit to Greenwood to play its monthly medal competition on a course well presented but with slow greens which had been lightly dressed recently. It was another interminably hot day as the single flight teed off on an empty course and shots were hard to come by on the slow C greens. The back nine B course was to be more obliging however.
Stuart Thompson recorded the only birdie ‘2’ of the day in a round which helped him to net 78 and a share of third place with Rick Schramm and “Banjo” Bannister. In second was Wichai Tananusorn, with net 75, casting aside the remnants of his horror show recently. The winner was Joe Niisato who managed to draw net 74 out of the course.
At the other end of the field Mr Len was the only golfer to succumb to the course and he eventually “nil-returned” after fifteen holes leaving the Booby Bevy as his consolation. The group will return to Greenwood in the official low season when conditions are restored as generally the best in the area.
