IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
Monday, 18th May saw the tenth anniversary of Pattaya Golf Society organiser Mr Len taking over the group and to celebrate the PGS organised a special event at Bangpra. Coincidentally it was also the birthday of Khun Wichai and Russell Exley and a Pairs Scramble was the chosen format for the day. As a result, the PGS saw its largest turnout all year assemble at a well presented Bangpra.
With fine weather set for the day the eighteen teams set off and the usual scrambling fun took place with the added attraction of a sponsored technical prize on every hole to compete for.
Pattaya Golf Society organiser Mr Len celebrates 10 years at the helm.
As the day panned out it became obvious that pre-start favourites Chris Smith and Pete Sumner would be somewhere in the frame but there were a few surprises as the pairing of Tony Campbell and Dave Lehane raised their profile to set a third place target of net 63.2. This was quickly usurped as father and son pair Bob and Jon Poole went a full shot better to take second place with 62.2. It was length, accuracy and correct “calls” that was needed to take the day and Chris Smith and Pete Sumner have showed in the past that they possess that, and more, and they eventually posted a winning score of net 60 to conclude the day.
Only one team failed to break par in a splendid event and back at the Links in Soi Buakhao the presentation party saw the awards of the generous sponsors and the main prizes. Ostensibly it was left to Mr Len to look back on ten years in charge and thank those who had worked so hard to bring the PGS to where it is today, especially the group’s mentors John Mason, Wichai Tananusorn and David Thomas.
There was also a little matter of a couple of high profile birthdays to celebrate as well and the group joined as one to congratulate Russell and Khun Wichai on their special day. Finally the day would not have been the success it ultimately was without the kind generosity of the sponsors John Mason, Jon Batty, Andrew Purdie, Dave Plaiter, Mike Firkin, Tom Jones, and of course the “stars” of the day Russell, Wichai, David Thomas and Mr Len. Well done all and here’s to the next ten years!
Lehane wins a close one
The Pattaya Golf Society took just three groups up the 331on Wednesday, 20th May, to play a stableford competition at Greenwood. After being allocated the C and B nines, we teed off from the white tees, on time, under a clear sky.
Greenwood is usually noted for its high standard of course presentation. Today however, we found the C nine greens were suffering from what appeared a fungi infestation. In addition, large areas of green were completely grassless. It didn’t affect putting too much, but suggested greater problems may be encountered in the near future. The B nine greens were as hard as they usually are. Landing and stopping balls on this nine’s greens can be problematic.
There were no ‘2’s today, meaning the podium payout would please those finishing in the first three places. With just the one flight, there were two golfers who shared third place, John Chelo and, for his first podium place this trip, Iain Wilson. Runner-up spot was well earned by Dave Plaiter whose 35 points was his best return for some time while the winner, and the only one to achieve net-par, was Irishman Dave Lehane. Given the nature of the greens today, these were meritorious scores.
Back at the Links, Mr Len’s name was drawn as the lucky beer winner, whilst the booby bevy went to the golfer who played the most golf, Wayne Morrison.
Hookey’s huge haul
An eventful week ended for the Pattaya Golf Society on Friday, 22nd May, as the group visited Phoenix to play a stableford competition on the Ocean and Mountain nines. A week which had begun in style on Monday with a pairs scramble at Bangpra now came down to an individual bout on the local course which is slowly showing signs of improvement.
An empty course from the Ocean start saw excellent progress being made and scores were more than reasonable in the strong breeze, which was evident all day. Sharing runner-up place were Russell Exley and Mike Firkin on 36 points, the former leaving many shots out on the course as the slower than expected greens left many first putts short. For Mike it was a fitting end to his short stay this trip. The winner, in awesome style, was Garry Hookey who decimated the course with accurate hitting as he accumulated 41 points from a well balanced card.
The ‘2’s pot was shared by Wichai Tananusorn and Russell Exley after their efforts on A8 and Wayne Morrison was drawn as the winner of the consolation beer.
Such was the choice of Booby Bevy candidates that those at the presentation were asked to vote and overwhelmingly nominated Dave Lehane as recipient, as the seven zeros on his card was more than many could bear! Thus another enjoyable golfing week ended on a high in Soi Buakhao.
