Pattaya Mail — Sports

Outstanding medal success for local students

A total of 37 gold medals came home to Pattaya last week after ninety students from the Redemptorist Vocational School for the Disabled competed in a national sports competition in Bangkok.

The event was held from September 15 - 19 in the National Stadium. Disabled athletes from all over Thailand competed. Students from the Redemptorist School in Pattaya were the clear winners with a total of 81 medals. In addition to the 37 Gold, they also brought home 33 Silver and 11 Bronze. This was more than double the tally of their closest rivals, a team from Chiang Mai.

There were outstanding performances from both individuals and teams. The Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team took the Gold Medal in a devastating display of skill, winning 36-9.

Jummanee Nampang (left), a 22 year old female competitor, blitzed the field, winning three individual Golds in the Women’s 1500m, 800m and 400 metre wheelchair races. She added a Bronze in the 200m, and a Silver in Basketball to cap off a very successful meet for her.

Dual Gold medallists included Nutsiri Jarat (right), 21, who won Gold in table tennis and badminton. She won both matches in straight sets. The Men’s table tennis singles was won by Wirat Doawsri in straight sets. The Redemptorist School also picked up medals in swimming, power lifting, volleyball, wheelchair tennis and track and field.

An ecstatic Silver Medalist was Samsak Bunjuang 23 (left). Samsak was born with one limb, an arm, which has two fingers and a thumb. He throws javelin from a wheelchair and practices on a vacant block in Soi Yeme. A disabled companion retrieves his second-hand javelin, originally donated from Germany, which he uses for practice and competition. Samsak was delighted to win a silver medal in his first performance in a national stadium.

The students enjoyed the games immensely, competing in a friendly and competitive manner. They found it exciting to meet so many handicapped people from all parts of Thailand.

Despite their overwhelming win, the Men’s Basketball team experienced disappointment. Just back from a playing in Chiang Mai, where they defeated teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines, the team were told that if they won in Bangkok, they would be travelling to Australia to represent Thailand in early October. Now the Government money to sponsor the trip is not forthcoming.

The Men’s Basketball Team is now pinning their hopes on finding sponsorship to enter the Gold Cup in Taiwan in December. Thailand, and especially Pattaya, loses positive international exposure if local sponsorship or government financial support to assist these fine sportsmen is not forthcoming.

Students and staff of the Redemptorist School would like to thank Pattaya businesses, groups and individuals who donated time, equipment and money. A special thank you to Hopf Brew House who supported the medal winning Power Lifting team and Kodak Express Royal Garden. Further help in the form of donations, sports equipment, sports clothes, sports drinks and coaching is always appreciated. Potential sponsors, coaches and interested parties are welcome to visit sports practice, from 5-7 p.m. each evening in term time. Enter from either Soi Yeme or Sukumvit Road.

These students are promoting a very positive image of Pattaya, both in Thailand, and in Taiwan, if the funds stretch that far. They also demonstrate enthusiasm, teamwork, skill and commitment - the best attributes of Thai youth. If you, your business or your sports club would like to contribute to the continuing sporting success of Pattaya’s youth, the staff at the Redemptorist School would be happy to speak with you.

Suzanne L. Dooley, freelance journalist, volunteer English Teacher, Redemptorist Vocational School, Pattaya.

George Meigh returns to form

George Meigh put together a net even par 72 to beat out Peter Johannson on count back to win the weekly meeting of the Pattaya Golf Society at Green Valley on Tuesday, September 30th.

George shot a solid round that included four pars on a course in perfect shape except for a few greens that had been rolled and sanded. George also did his best "Constanino Rocca" impersonation, holding off Roy "Tiger" Mitchell.

Roy’s net 2 over par 74 and third place finish was good enough to hold off the late surge of Peter Johannson, winning him his first "Player of the Month" award.

Colin "Monty" Morgan finished fourth with a net 8 over par 80, followed by John Hopkins rounding out the top five in the "Open" category with a net 9 over par 81.

With a large turnout, PGS was able to hold a special "Aussie" flight, with Adam Goulay leading all golfers with a net 1 under par 71. Glen Mackenzie finished second in the Aussie flight with a net 8 over par 80, followed by John Lawless in third, Tim Whicker in fourth and Brett Johnson rounding out the top five.

Nearest to the pin honors were achieved by George Meigh on hole #4, Glen Mackenzie on #7, Adam Goulay on #11 and Tim Whicker on #15.

Around the world in nine awkard facts

Join Pattaya’s intrepid quizzers and test yourself on some controversial trivia, all taken from official statistics for 1997.

1. BEER. Which country in the world drinks the most beer at 160 liters per head annually - Germany, Britain, or Czech Republic?

2. WINE. Who drinks the most wine at 63.5 litres per year - the Spanish, the Bulgarians, or the French?

3. CIGS. Who are the world’s heaviest smokers, puffing away an average of 7.4 sticks a day - the Chinese, the Mexicans, or the Greeks?

4. CASH. Which nation in the world has the highest standard of living - United States, Switzerland, or Luxembourg?

5. VIDEOS. Who owns the most videos at 86% of homes - United States, Britain, or Canada?

6. TRAVEL. Who uses their railways the most, clocking up an average 2,000 miles per year - Americans, Russians, or Japanese?

7. COMPUTERS. What percentage of British homes have computers - 20%, 30%, 40%?

8. SIZE. What is the world’s biggest city with 10.9 million people - Shanghai, Seoul, or Cairo?

9. TEA. Who drinks the most tea per head - China, India, or Britain?

Answers. 1. Czech Republic, but Britain is nowhere near at number seven. 2. France by a big margin. 3. The Greeks, but Brits are not even in the top twenty. 4. Luxembourg - an average of US$ 42,000 per capita. 5. The Brits win this one. 6. The Japanese make more rail journeys than anyone else on earth. 7. 20% only compared with 36% in the USA. 8. Seoul, with London being 13th with a population of 6.9 million. 9. India, but the UK comes fourth.

PSC Golf next week

PSC hosts two Stableford competitions on Monday the 13th of October with visits to Khao Kheow from the Cafe Kronborg and to Natural Park Hills from the Green Bottle. On Tuesday Hare House go to Bangpra and then to Sattahip on Wednesday. The Group from the Green Bottle also goes to Bangpra on Wednesday, so Bangpra enthusiasts have the opportunity to play this excellent course on two consecutive days.

Thursday sees the regular monthly visit from the Cafe Kronborg to Eastern Star for a stroke play competition, and the week ends at Phoenix on Friday the 17th from the Green Bottle. A programme of seven competitions over six golf courses with the usual variety of formats.

Pattaya Sports Club Charity Classic raises 150,000 Baht for local charities

Cheques were presented last week to the three Pattaya Charities benefiting from the inaugural PSC Charity Classic Golf Tournament played at Phoenix Golf & Country Club on Friday 26 September. The generosity of company and individual sponsors, together with the 100 players that took part, resulted in a record sum being raised of 150,000 Baht.

Michael Franklin, PSC Golf Chairman, and Bill Collis, Chairman of the Organising Committee, visited each of the Charities to present the cheques.

At the Fountain of Life School, run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Sister Michelle received a cheque for Baht 60,000 to provide additional accommodation for the Children’s School at Soi Regent Marina. (photo above)

At Pattaya Elementary School No.6 (photo above), the Deputy Principal Kuhn Tidarat Tumsuwan received a cheque for Baht 14,000 to provide Knockboard materials for the volleyball field. The School now has 600 students and is supported by the PILC, who were also at the presentation. PILC gave assistance in publicising the PSC Charity Classic.

The final presentation was made to the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind ((photo right). Kuhn Aurora, accompanied by local benefactor Kuhn Choocheep Saisawasdi, received two cheques. The first for air conditioning and classroom materials of Baht 31,000, and the other for Baht 45,000 for the Crown Princess Building Fund. Michael and Bill, representing the Pattaya Sports Club and all those who contributed to the success of the day, were enthusiastically and touchingly welcomed by the blind students.

The success of the tournament will almost certainly mean it will be staged again next year. On behalf of the Charities involved, Pattaya Sports Club and the Organising Committee would like to thank all those who contributed and took part on the day.

PSC Chairman Delivers, Splinter Starter Anticipating

PSC Splinter Golf from the Green Bottle

24 September, Friday - Noble Place Golf Club

Stableford Competition

1st Marko Pietilaiaen 34 Points

2nd Andy Wellington 31 Points

3rd Roger Smith 29 Points

Marriage must suit Marko, as this newly wedded Splinter was the only golfer to get within shouting distance of his handicap. The best of the also-rans included the ‘Candy Man’ at five over in second place and the dignified Splinter Chairman Roger Smith in third at 7 over par. With an average score on the day of 11 over par, the question should be asked, "are the Splinter golfers getting worse or is Noble Place really that tough!"

In non-golf news, all Splinters would like to congratulate Khun Ban Job and PSC Chairman Mike Franklin on the safe delivery of a 6 pound baby girl. Mother and daughter ‘Samm’ are reported to be doing fine - the father less so. All Splinter golfers are looking forward to Banjob’s return to tournament play, expected in time for Papa Ray’s Thanksgiving Tournament, if not earlier.

1 October, Wednesday - Bangpra Golf and Country Club

Stableford Competition

1st Arthur Busch 38 Points

2nd Roger Smith 37 Points (won on count back)

3rd Alan Laurie 37 Points

Bangpra lived up to its reputation as one of the finest venues in the Pattaya area. Those enjoying it the most were the trio atop the leader board, namely Pattaya’s favorite shirt manufacturer Arthur Busch, who beat out the venerable R. Smith and the less venerable Alan Laurie.

After the disappointing results (to some) of the Ryder Cup, a return match was held at Bangpra with unfortunately the same results. The GB and UK team of Messrs. Smith and Ross defeating the stalwart American Team made up of Mike Morris and Bill Collis. Nice lads, pity about their golf.

3 October, Friday - Pattaya Country Club

Stroke Competition

1st Neil Hughes Net 66

2nd Arthur Busch Net 67

3rd Mick O’Mera Net 71 (Won on count back)

It’s a bold man willing to shoot six under his handicap the day before new handicaps are issued and Neil Hughes is that just that bold man. Hope you enjoy your new handicap Neil! In equal trouble will be Arthur Busch appearing in the winner’s circle for the second time this week. Mick ‘the Lone Ranger’ O’Mera, shooting his best round before returning to sea on Monday, stumbled into third after running into the Hughes/Busch steamroller. Better luck next month Mick.

This just in from the Splinter news desk - Mr. Steve Ross, polemical Splinter Starter and with an assist from his Madame - Khun Phak, are expecting a visit from the stork. All Splinters offer their best wishes to Phak and Steve - particularly as this may be the reason that Mr. Ross has been absent from the winner’s circle over the last few weeks.

Kraft and Mueller attain TAGGS titles

PSC Golf from the Hare House

Mats Mueller defeated a record field for a Tuesday The Alternative Golf Gentlemen’s Society (TAGGS) competition, earning his first victory as a single when he scored 39 Stableford points on September 30th at Pattaya Country Club.

Moe Deverdenne finished second with 36 points, followed by Malcolm Claire in third with 35 points. Both players were in contention in the close finish, and if it weren’t for a couple shots here and there, either could have sat atop the leader board. But that’s golf.

Malcolm looked poised to take the victory, but splashed a couple shots in the water to end his hopes. Moe was also ready to step in and take the title, until a wayward tee-shot ended his hopes.

Mats, meanwhile, terrified the field when he stated his game was finally coming together. He boldly predicted he would "tear up" the course for Wednesday’s Hare House Medal competition. He should have left it in the bag, for it didn’t quite turn out the way he predicted.

Instead, Paul Kraft shot an excellent scratch 82 off his 15 handicap to finish at 5 under par net 67 to breeze home with the Hare House Medal on Wednesday, October 1st at Siam Country Club.

Paul put together 10 pars, only 2 double bogies and six bogies, going out in 42 and coming back in 40 to triumph over a field of 22 players.

Mike "Dabber" Dubanovich shot a scratch 91, net 1 under par 71 to finish second. Dabber was definitely in contention until he put together 2 snowmen 8s on the back nine on two par fours.

Also getting prizes, Vic Cross and Jimmy Little tied for third, each with 74 net.

Copyright © 1997 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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