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Pattaya Sports Club Golf
Handicaps
The Pattaya Sports Club is a member of the USGA and uses the USGA Handicap
System for its members. All PSC members are entitled to receive a certified
USGA Handicap through PSC Golf regardless of whether they play with a member
group or not. The USGA requirements for receiving and maintaining a USGA
Handicap are as follows:
Certified USGA handicaps
Handicaps from PSC Members’ home clubs, either USGA or R&A, are
accepted. New PSC Members, without proof of handicap from their home club,
will be allocated a USGA Handicap after producing five cards that have been
signed by a PSC Golf member. A golfer without an authorised handicap will
only be allowed to compete in PSC Golf tournaments for technical prizes.
USGA Handicap System
The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more
enjoyable by enabling golfers of differing abilities to compete on an
equitable basis. To obtain and maintain a true handicap, players MUST turn
in all scores. A basic premise underlies the USGA Handicap System, namely
that every player will try to make the best score he can at each hole in
every round that he plays, regardless of where the round is played, and that
he will post a scorecard for every acceptable round for review.
However, when playing a round, if a player starts but does not complete a
hole, or he is conceded a stroke, he shall record for handicap purposes the
score he most likely would have made. For example:
a conceded putt - add one stroke to the hole.
a pickup while on the green - add 2 strokes to the hole.
a pickup while in reach of the green - add 3 strokes, and so on...
There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a
round, provided that the failure to finish is not for the purpose of
handicap manipulation.
In all of the above cases, the score should be marked, together with a small
‘X’ to signify an unfinished hole. To make life easier for Pattaya Sports
Club golfers, scorecard posting boxes have been placed at various locations
in Pattaya.
At present, they are located at:
Cafe Kronborg - on Soi Diana, off 2nd Road,
Diana Inn lobby - at the corner of Soi Diana & 2nd Road,
Hare House - on Soi Post Office,
Shaky Pete’s - off Sukhumvit, south between Pattaya Tai & Pattaya Klang.
Scorecards from these boxes will be collected on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays
of each month to enable the Handicap Committee to calculate and have the
revised handicap list posted by the next day. This list will contain all of
the PSC golfers from each member group that have a certified USGA handicap.
To obtain and maintain a USGA handicap with Pattaya Sports Club Golf,
members should collect and post 5 legitimate scorecards.
The preferred method is to band, or pin together, the 5 (or more) cards and
post them all at once, following the instructions on the outside of the
scorecard posting box. To then maintain the USGA Handicap, all additional
cards must be posted on a regular basis.
Pattaya Sports Club members leaving Pattaya, and requiring a USGA handicap
certificate for recognition elsewhere, may receive one on request to the
Handicap Committee.
August Fixtures
August is here, so here is a revised combined fixture schedule for PSC Golf
from the Kronborg, TAGGS from the Hare House, and the Splinter Golf Group
(SGG) from the Green Bottle. Tournament dates, course venues and playing
formats are featured on the August schedule which offers 23 tournaments
covering 11 different courses.
Hopefully this will be of value to PSC golfers who wish to play with more
than one member group, enjoy a variety of formats and like to plan their
golfing diaries early for the month.
The schedule is also posted on notice boards at the Cafe Kronborg, Diana Inn
and Hare House.
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PSC Splinter Golf Group
at the Green Bottle
14 July, Wednesday - Bang Phra Country
Club
Florida Scramble
1st Mike Riley, Mike Franklin, Andy Wellington Net 58.3
2nd Arthur Bailey, Steve Ross, John Hurst, Bill Thompson Net 59.2
3rd Banjob, Stan Fry, Svein Vistung, George Benn Net 61.3
Bang Phra is without a doubt one of the best all around golf venues in the
area - course, caddies and clubhouse are first class, which is why it
remains a frequent venue for PSC Golf. On Wednesday it proved a great venue
for a Splinter Scramble. Playing in a four man Florida Scramble in first
place was the three man team (ask the starter to explain this) made up of
the Mike brothers and Mr. Andy. Only 0.9 strokes behind was the steady team
of Bailey, Ross, Hurst and Thompson. The other groups, along to finance
those seven golfers, managed an average team score on the day of net 63. In
other Splinter news it is noted that the ‘Candy Man’ is back. A certain
golfer sliding the slippery slope into middle age has been seen prowling Soi
Yodsak using ‘Mars Bars’ in an attempt to entice unsuspecting Pattaya
beauties. Accept your fate, man! Use credit cards like everyone else.
15 July, Friday - Green Valley (Rayong) Country Club
Diana Medal Competition
1st Andy Wellington Net 76
2nd Arthur Bailey Net 76 (lost on count back)
3rd John Hurst Net 77
The Scots say “nae wind, nae rain - nae Golf”. Played in a blustering wind
and steady drizzle we had Golf at Green Valley on Friday. The winners were,
not surprisingly, a trio who constitute (for the moment) the best golfers in
the Splinter Group - Andy “the Candy Man”, steadfast Arthur Bailey and the
assiduous John Hurst. Conditions proved difficult for all golfers with the
average score on the day (for those submitting scores) a net 83, eleven
strokes over par! The Green Valley management also kindly presented the
Splinters with four free green fees which will be used at Monday’s venue. In
other news of the day, the ever diligent Splinter Starter and competition
rules Czar Steve Ross apprehended two miscreants attempting to subvert the
rules by playing nine holes before the competition. Playing their worst golf
in past months, Svein and Joe were disqualified and thereby saved themselves
their entry fees for the day. Good plan boys.
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Pattaya Sports Club golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday 21st July, Pattaya Country Club
On a perfect day with cooling winds the results in this
Stableford tournament were mainly better than par. In the B flight, John
Moore took the honours with 38 points. Second was Arthur Bailey, making a
welcome return to a Kronborg outing, with 36 points. In third place, Mike
Franklin with 35 points.
Scores in the A flight were slightly better. Jim Montgomery taking first
prize with 40 points. Svein Vistung, the ever present Viking, was second
with 37 points, just beating Chris Gaines, also with 37 points, on count
back.
Near pin prizes went to Alec Chilcott, Svein Vistung, and John and Darren
Ottaway. Darren also narrowly missed a place in the A flight with 36 points
off a 1 handicap.
Thursday 24th July, Rayong Green Valley
Strong winds and the white tees further back than usual produced
a mixed set of results with only one player able to beat handicap. Joe
Smiley, with 40 points, was the outright winner and well ahead of the rest
of the field. Three players each had 33 points and, after count back, in
second place was Bob Pring; third Mike Franklin, and fourth Ebrahim.
Free green fees, donated by Green Valley, were given to near pin winners
John Cahill, John Moore and Joe Smiley. As nobody made the green on the long
par three 4th hole, a draw was made for the green fee and this went to Chris
Gaines. The course was in its usual excellent condition.
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Happy birthday at Wednesday Quiz
Which language was spoken by George The First of England? Who was the first
reigning British monarch to visit a communist country?
The resort’s 100 plus quizzers will want to wish a special happy birthday to
Bob’s Bar stalwart, Ronnie Smith, who turned 77 late last month. A former
civil servant, Ron has lived for ten years in Pattaya and would easily pass
for a much younger man. He is a regular on Wednesdays and Sundays at Bob’s
Bar where he is regarded as the quiz team’s expert on history. Indeed, he
has lived through most of the questions. Many happy returns, Ron, and long
may you continue to set a great example of how to enjoy retirement.
On Wednesday July 23, Bob’s were narrowly defeated by Britannia and now have
little chance of retaining the trophy they have proudly possessed since
early last year. The front runners, in the joint top position, are Britannia
and Cheers, although a late run by Fawlty Towers is a distinct possibility.
Sixties Bar put up a very good performance in the early rounds on July 23,
but were caught out by the general knowledge round and a difficult special
subject on the history of comedy. Palmer’s are once again fielding a strong
team and had the top mark of 100/120 or just over 83%. They could yet do a
lot of damage to the front runners. Although Rising Sun are showing modestly
in the mid week quiz, they are magic in the Sunday alternative where they
have a strong overall lead.
Answers to the above questions are German and Elizabeth The Second (she went
to Yugoslavia in the 1970s). Most teams are now attracting women players who
are proving more than a match for their male counterparts. Newcomers are
welcome at any of the listed bars and should turn up just before 8.30 p.m.
any Wednesday night.
After July 23, the Wednesday league standings are:
Britannia 26 credits
Cheers 26
Fawlty Towers 25
Bob’s 22
Palmer’s 20
Rising Sun 18
Sixties 13
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Little becomes another
PGS first time winner
Jimmy Little shot well under his handicap to become yet another first
time winner in the Pattaya Golf Society when he topped the leader board
on Tuesday, July 22 in the weekly tournament to determine the PGS second
Rainy Season trophy champion.
Jimmy battled the strong wind at Pattaya Country Club with a hot putter,
“sinking everything” as one PGS member put it. Jimmy finished his round
with a net 6 under par 66, squeezing out a one shot victory over PGS
chairman Peter Johansson.
Although Peter Johansson 3-putted 5 times, he was nonetheless able to
card a net 5 under par 67 for second place.
George Meigh finished third with a net 1 under par 71. Billy Russell
came fourth with a net 1 over par 73. William Rice rounded out the top
five with a net 6 over par 78.
Nearest to the pin prizes, all claimed for a change, were won by George
Meigh on #5, Billy Russell on #7, Peter Johansson on #12, and Billy
Russell again on #16.
Improve your Bridge
by Barrie Kenyon
North and South had agreed to play one no trump as weak, 12 – 14 points
with even distribution, so that seemed a reasonable enough bid when
South opened the auction. North hiked to two no trumps, with just about
enough values for his raise, and South wondered whether to risk three no
trumps. It is true he had only the minimum high card points for his
call, 12 in all, but equally he held three 10s which can be a sort of
bonus in some hands. Maybe. Feeling bold, South raised once more to
three no trumps.
West led a small club, declarer played low in the dummy, and East took
the trick with his Queen. East returned the ten of clubs which held the
trick. On the third round of clubs, declarer had no choice but to
contribute dummy’s Ace. It is known that West has very probably two more
club tricks to cash, so the important thing is to keep him out of the
lead at all costs. Declarer led the Queen of hearts from the dummy,
praying silently that East (rather than West) held the missing Ace. East
covered with his Ace and shot back a low spade which South had to cover
with his Ace: if he hadn’t, West would have contributed the King and
then cashed his two club tricks. South now cashed his heart King on
which West discarded a spade.
At this point South can see a total of seven tricks: Ace of clubs, Ace
and King of diamonds, Ace of spades, and three tricks in hearts. If he
is to make a total of nine tricks, the extra two must come from diamonds
and he has to find the missing Queen which is in enemy hands. Although
South can’t be sure where that diamond Queen is, he has one reason for
placing it with West. West only has one heart (he discarded a spade on
the second heart lead) and is therefore more likely than East to have
length in diamonds. So South cashes the diamond King in hand, just in
case that awesome Queen is singleton, and then finesses against West to
make four tricks in the suit. A total of nine tricks in all. Not bad,
considering he and dummy combined had a modest 23 high card points.
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Final results of 1997 Pattaya International Marathon
International Open Division:
1. Timothy Moni Kenya 2:25:49 150,000 baht
2. Daniel Shungea Kenya 2:25:50 80,000 baht
3. Herman Suezo Philippines 2:31:47 50,000 baht
4. Jirata Tikul Thailand 2:32:30 30,000 baht
5. Salachai Chooskul Thailand 2:36:58 20,000 baht
6. Ivan Selichtcher Russia 2:44:07 10,000 baht
Thai Men:
1. Jirata Tikul 2:32:30 70,000 baht
2. Salachai Chooskul 2:36:58 40,000 baht
3. Kittisak Nookaew 2:45:23 30,000 baht
Thai Women:
1. Sunisa Petchpongpai 3:05:40 30,000 baht
2. Preetida Somjit 3:22:47 20,000 baht
3. Aumpa Poomipak 4:02:29 15,000 baht
Half-Marathon Men:
1. Pongchanin Kokuba 1:09:14 30,000 baht
2. Pitak Patjun 1:12:46 20,000 baht
3. Narongdech Chaisuthi 1:13:00 10,000 baht
Half-Marathon Women:
1. Sayan Chutichai 1:14:57 20,000 baht
2. Mary-Anne Hobbes
& Saifon Lailee 1:16:53 15,000 baht
4. Chandee Kumruang 1:26:11 3,000 baht
Cross and Lien scramble to
pairs win
Tom Kite, as captain of the US Ryder Cup team, will add two players as
Captain’s choice - he needs look no further than the dynamic duo of Vic
Cross and Jerry Lien. Cross and Lien teamed up once again to win their
second out of the last three The Alternative Golf Gentlemen’s Society
(TAGGS) two man scramble titles, carding a team gross 80, net 71.4, at
Great Lake Country Club on Wednesday, July 23, 1997.
Highlights of the round included the par four 10th, where Vic’s drive,
Vic’s second shot and Vic’s putt earned the team a natural birdie. From
tee to green, Vic’s round was immaculate. Jerry can’t be counted out,
either, as he holed 7 of the teams putts towards their final score.
Marc Jernigan and Eddy Henheffer, winners of the July 9th TAGGS pairs
better ball tournament, finished second with a gross 79, net 72 behind
Cross and Lien.
Both teams turned in a fabulous 38 on the back nine.
10th Asian Open Veterans Tennis Championships
General Saiyud Kerdphol, Honorary Chairman
of the Organising Committee (left), International Tennis Federation
Vice-President/Asian Tennis Federation President Eiichi Kawatei
(center), and Alois X. Fassbind, Executive Vice-President of the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort (right) kick off the Asian Open Veterans Tennis
Championships 1997.
The Asian Open Veterans Tennis Championships is celebrating its 10th
anniversary at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort this year, which began with
the grand opening ceremonies on Monday, July 28, at the tennis courts of
the Royal Cliff.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort Executive Vice-President Alois X. Fassbind
began the proceedings with an eloquent speech during which he underlined
the true meaning of the event. “Sport knows no barriers,” he said, “and
brings the peoples of the world together in an atmosphere of fellowship
and comradeship which must be the envy of the politicians of this world.
Players representing 21 countries are with us today and during the
course of the tournament will form friendships which will last the rest
of their lives.”
International Tennis Federation Vice-President and Asian Tennis
Federation President Eiichi Kawatei also spoke of the important role of
sports in the world. “The Asian Tennis Federation is a 40 member
association (including Thailand) and covers the largest area in the
world as a regional association,” he said. “It’s supporting
under-developed countries, encouraging them to play tennis, especially
children, veterans & professionals.”
General Saiyud Kerdphol, Honorary Chairman of the Organising Committee,
then ceremoniously cut the ribbon which got the tournament underway.
Once again this year, LCDR Chamroen Wimolnit has been named the
Tournament Director.
Over 180 veteran athletes are now competing for top prizes in 20
different categories as the 10th Asian Open Veterans Tennis
Championships winds down this weekend, through August 3rd, on the tennis
courts of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Former two time Thai national men’s champion Pichet Boratisa, the main
story of last year’s championships after he won two men’s singles titles
in two different age group categories, is back again this year to try
and defend his titles.
The challenge he faces this year will be extra tough as some of the
world’s best veteran tennis players stand in his way. Men and women from
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore,
Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA are all fighting it out in a
friendly way for respective trophies in each of their divisions.
The true story of the tournament, however, is the camaraderie shared by
all those who participate. Although international veteran ranking points
are on the line, competitors display the best of sportsmanship, as is
evidenced by the addition to the event of the “Fruit Bowl”. In this
special event, teams (named after fruit) are put together for “friendly”
competition, and are made up of a mixture of tennis players from all the
different countries who lose in earlier rounds of the event. Last year,
the “Banana” team met the “Mango” team in the finals.
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