PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Dec. 17, Plutuluang W&N – Stableford
Our first visit for quite some time to the Navy course and we elected to play the West and North nines, which most players regard as the more difficult pair. It has to be said that this is not everyone’s favourite course and consequently there was a smaller field than expected, but the weather was superb and the natural setting of the course is surely one of the most beautiful in the area.
The course itself was in excellent condition, but the rough hadn’t been cut for some time so there was much ball searching involved for those golfers unlucky enough to stray even a few yards off the fairways. The greens looked good and the ball ran true, but as always here, they were painfully slow, and many players struggled to get the ball to the hole.
New champion Paul Smith (with trophies) celebrates with the runners up and “The Boss”.
Thomas Nyborg continued his good form to take the honours on the day ahead of Colin Greig on a count back. Bernie Stevens and Tony Robbins took 3rd and 4th places respectively, also on a count back.
1st Thomas Nyborg (20) 35pts
2nd Colin Greig (11) 35pts
3rd Bernie Stevens (17) 33pts
4th Tony Robbins (12) 33pts
Near Pins: Bernie Stevens, Geoff Parker, Tim Winder and Paul Smith.
Wednesday, Dec. 19, Bangpra – Annual Championship (Day 1)
The first day of the annual championship is always a tense affair and the slick greens at Bangphra always provide a stern test, especially since our previous outing at the Navy course had seen us playing on the slowest greens ever, so it was no surprise that there were 3 putts in abundance on the opening holes.
Even pre-tournament favourite Paul Smith wobbled on the first few holes, but quickly recovered his momentum and went on to record an even par round, taking a one point lead in the championship ahead of Geoff Cox and John Hughes.
The shot of the day went to Colin Greig who topped his tee shot on the par 3, twelfth hole, sending the ball skimming across the water in true Barnes Wallis fashion, before skipping over the bank and rolling onto the green to take the nearest pin mark. Fortunately for Colin, his mate Paul Smith was in the group behind and put the ball within a couple of feet, to save Colin the embarrassment of collecting his prize.
Previous champions John Hughes and Gerry Cooney were still realistically in the running for the title, and they would be paired together with Paul Smith and currently second placed Geoff Cox for the deciding round on Friday.
A Flight
1st Paul Smith (1) net 71
2nd Gerry Cooney (12) net 74
3rd Dave Ashman (14) net 75
B Flight
1st Geoff Cox (15) net 72
2nd John Hughes (18) net 72
3rd PJ Redmond (23) net 78
Near Pins: Gary Austin, Gerry Cooney, Paul Smith and Geoff Parker.
Friday, Dec. 19, Khao Kheow B & C – Annual Championship (Day 2)
The final day of the annual championship saw 16 players still in with a chance (for most a very slim chance!) of winning the coveted trophy and they were sent out in reverse order to lead the way ahead of the remaining 8 players, who were only competing in the simultaneous Stableford competition.
Although the course was in good condition, it’s always a difficult track to play a medal competition, and several contenders dropped by the wayside after falling victim to one of the many tricky holes here.
Paul Smith avoided all pitfalls and held his composure playing a steady round of golf to win the day with a gross score of 75 (net 74) and an overall net score of 145 for the two day competition. Geoff Cox recorded a net score of 75 points to take the overall runner’s up place ahead of John Hughes (net 78).
Back at the Ranch, new champion Paul Smith generously rang the bell to celebrate his victory and a good time was had by all (especially the championship competitors who also had their complimentary free meal).
Final Result:
1st Paul Smith (1) net 145
2nd Geoff Cox (15) net 147
3rd John Hughes (18) net 150
In the day’s Stableford competition Mike Brett won his maiden victory since his recent return, ahead of Roger Mitchell, the only two players in the whole field who played to their handicap or better on the day.
A Flight
1st Paul Smith (1) 34pts
2nd Geoff Cox (15) 33pts
3rd Mike Grasser (11) 32pts
B Flight
1st Mike Brett (17) 38pts
2nd Roger Mitchell (24) 36pts
3rd Thomas Nyborg (20) 33pts
Near Pins: Mark Stanley, Lee Butler, Paul Smith and Thomas Nyborg.
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact Buff on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
