IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Elephant Bar
December PGS golf began on Monday the 1st with a visit to the beautifully prepared course at Bangpakong for a stableford competition, played in two flights, with the cut coming at sixteen and under. The field included members for whom this was the first opportunity to play the course and the weather conditions were absolutely spot on for the day, with a light breeze offering some comfort from the humidity and heat.
In the second flight, Alan Walker and Mike Sim shared third place with 33 points, the latter playing some of the finest golf of his PGS career, with a putting performance worthy of a golfer of a much lower handicap. Second place saw Leigh Abbey confirm his consistency this trip with 36 points whilst John O’Sullivan won, making the podium for the first time with the group on 37 points.
Bangpakong Riverside G.C.
The top flight saw Rick Schram take third place with 37 points, one behind Simon Hirst and a well crafted 38 points. The winner was Alan Flynn and his 42 points was his highest score since recording forty points at Khao Kheow in late January. He was also trying out a new RBZ driver which may see him produce similar results again soon!
There were no birdie ‘2’s and Toshi Aoki enjoyed the bar’s consolation beer for the non-winners whilst Mr Len awarded himself the Booby Bevy after a day of horrors, on and off the course. However the true winner of the day was the course at Bangpakong Riverside.
Bangpra still a major test
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Pattaya Golf Society travelled to the splendid course at Bangpra to play a stableford competition. A few late dropouts had reduced the field to one flight but the weather stayed warm and the lack of any wind was a blessing on a course with the white tees well back. Fairways were well grassed and greens were at a fast pace, as so often on this course.
The competition was very tight with only three points covering the top four places. In fourth, Richard Dobson produced one of his best rounds to finish on 33 points whilst Marty Rock went one better to take third with 34. Second place was filled by Leigh Abbey with another consistent round of 35 points whilst the Danish golfer Jesper Hansen took the win with an excellent 36 points.
Canadian duo Henry Mah and John Chelo shared the ‘2’s pot for their efforts on the second and twelfth holes respectively and back at the Elephant Bar the presentation enjoyed the thought of Dave Lehane winning the non-winners’ beer draw and the oldest golfer in the field, Alan Walker, receiving the Booby Bevy for his low score/largest split figures.
Bangpra is always a treat on the schedule but it does not get any easier in good conditions and currently ranks third most difficult in PGS history in terms of winning scores.
Goodbye Plutaluang
Just ten minutes before our transport was due to leave, we received the call. The time was 8:50 on Friday 5 December. Our tee-off time, which had been confirmed the day before, was set for 10:30. Sure, it was the King’s birthday, meaning the day had Public Holiday status, but we have often used this course on public holidays previously, without problems.
“Today we no have caddie so you cannot use golf course.” With that simple explanation Plutaluang cancelled our golf – precisely one hour forty minutes prior to tee-off. We have always accepted Plutaluang’s special status (Navy-owned) and put up with previous challenges, but this latest episode represents behaviour most appalling. There is only one option available to prevent a reoccurrence. Goodbye Plutaluang.
By 10:15 the first of our four groups teed off at nearby Pattaya Country Club. The 1850 baht green-fee caddie-fee was more than we had intended, but we were hardly in a position to complain. The Pattaya Country Club has a good layout but the main problem appears to be the state of the back-nine greens, which lack good grass cover. Notwithstanding, this course is in development stage, with its new clubhouse nearing completion. Once development is complete and putting surfaces are brought up to standard, this course may well feature on our regular rota.
Scoring was tight today, with only one shot separating the first six golfers. As stated, putting surfaces made good scoring difficult, especially on the back nine and unsurprisingly there were no ‘2’s.
With just the one division, we were paying out the first four places which, due to ties, meant six golfers. John Tallett (23), Murray Edwards (22) and Simon Hirst (6) shared first place on the podium after all three returned 32 points. The next three were also knotted together, this time on 31 points, with David Thomas (6), Peter Wilson (6) and Leigh Abbey (25) sharing fourth place.
Congratulations to all podium placers, and a special hats-off to first-time winner John Tallett, whose perseverance and belief finally receives the recognition deserved.
Back at the Elephant Bar, we welcomed back big Michael McGuigan from Scotland and farewelled Simon Hirst, who is returning to the UK. S imon kindly expressed his appreciation by ringing the bell. Tony Campbell won the lucky beer draw and the booby bevy went to Gary Bolger for his front-nine back-nine split of 18–9.
