IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar
After hearing good reports regarding the condition of Century Chonburi, the Pattaya Golf Society chose it as its venue for a stableford event on Monday, 10th January. It has to be said that reports were misleading as in reality the state of the course made even Rayong C.C. look like Augusta by comparison. Fairways were rock hard and very bare, off the fairways grass was burnt yellow and the greens were painfully slow. The bunkers were ready for their once-a-week raking and the clubhouse facilities remained as basic as they always have been and any former assemblage of logical car parking had disappeared entirely. However, the cost probably made the day a sit little easier.
Those who chose to pass on the option missed a creditable effort by three golfers who eventually tied for the win on 36 points.
Wichai Tananusorn continued his excellent recent form to share the win with Ray Banks and Alan Maxwell. Marc Jensen joined Ray Banks in a share of the ‘2’s pot, despite the attentions of a swarm of hornets and Mr. Len magnanimously awarded himself the Booby Bevy for his 15-2 split, a result in part of the frustrations of the day, what with a couple of lost golfers, a gang of irate Teutons on the tee, some missing near-pin markers and the prospect of a cold shower to cool his ardour at the end. In response to a question regarding an imminent return his answer was in the affirmative – “Not on my watch!”
Banks in profit again
On Wednesday, 12th January the Pattaya Golf Society opened its account for the year at Green Valley when the group called to play a stableford competition in two flights, cut at fourteen and under. The course was in reasonable condition but disappointed many regulars who were expecting the usual high season quick greens.
The Starter had his work cut out for the day as the course was fully booked but the PGS got away on time. Scores were destined to be good as in the second flight Jim McNeil found himself in third place with 33 points and an in-form Alan Maxwell in second with a solid 35 point return. The flight winner was the inveterate Jean Morel and his 38 point scorecard bore witness to his short but accurate game plan.
In the top flight Wichai Tananusorn and newbie Lee Dolphin tied for third with 35 points, the latter playing his first round in the Kingdom off his domestic handicap of eight. Following a good round the previous day at Laem Chabang Simon Kendall continued to revel in the game with an excellent 38 points for second place whilst Ray Banks produced a round of stunning quality, his best by far in two years or more, when he took the flight with 41 points, his gross of seventy-seven being the best of the day. He also shred the top flight ‘2’s pot with Lee Dolphin, Simon Kendall and Paul Butler whilst Len Jones recorded the sole two in the second flight.
In memory of the group’s old friend Dougie Eames, Rabbi generously sponsored two near-pins and these were won by Lee Dolphin and Dave Moriarty whilst Phil “PJ” Mitchell received his first Booby Bevy this trip for his inconsistent 17 – 9 split.
The final highlight was the appearance at the presentation of Tim Lazecki, one full week after his unfortunate accident at Emerald which resulted in an emergency hip replacement and his smiles and camaraderie meant the day will be remembered fondly by many of those who took part.
Thommo holds the aces at Bangpra
The Pattaya Golf Society tried its hand at a stableford event at beautiful Bangpra on Friday, 14th January, on this well presented course. The greens were decidedly quick and the watchwords were “keep it below the pin”.
The field was divided into two flights at fifteen and under and the Starter excelled himself by inserting four Thai groups immediately in front of PGS at the tenth, thereby adding an hour to the back nine and it wasn’t helped by one of the groups enjoying a few hands of gin rummy at each drinks stop, whilst waiting for the group ahead to clear the hole!
But PGS golfers are made of stern stuff and the flights competed as best they could with Rick Schramm and Bob St Aubin sharing third place in the top flight on 31 points. Ahead in second and producing the best gross figures of 82 was Ireland’s Nicky Patton with 32 points. The flight winner was Simon Kendall and his 33 points took the narrowest of victories.
In the second flight Denis Quinn and Gordon Everingham shared third place with 33 points whilst Ronnie Ramsay blew it over the final three holes to finish in second on 35 points. The best score of the day saw Dave Thompson take the flight win with 38 points. His birdie ‘2’ on the seventeenth was matched by Dave Moriarty’s effort on the same hole and Ray Banks’ birdie on the twelfth.
Finally the Booby Bevy went to Lee Dolphin after he discovered at the presentation that he had left his hotel room key in the locker-room. All in a day’s work for the Soi Buakhao based group.
