Pattaya Mail — Sports

A trip to Soi Dao Highlands Golf Resort

Eleven golfers of all shapes and sizes and of varying talents survived the three hour trip to pit themselves against the magnificent but grueling Soi Dao golf course last Wednesday and Thursday. Even though we missed the heavy rains of the previous night, making this long hard course sodden and more difficult, and with the first four greens being sanded, it was quite remarkable that the first day’s scores were so good. A two-day eclectic was a format that kept everyone in the hunt and the daily and final winnings were spread around, in fact only two players were out of the prizes.

Day one started after a leisurely meal, two four balls and a threesome, and finished some five happy hours later. Happy for everyone but Steve, who had clearly left his night glasses behind along with, for a short time it must be said, his normal ambivalent self. A few beers later and the tales of woe started-Bernie had trouble hitting the ball far enough to make some fairways, he slept well and changed that the next day. Alan just had trouble and in cricketing terms hardly troubled the scorer. Andy off a five handicap laid to rest forever the notion that it is the ‘Poms’ who whinge, even though he played well.

The planned and requested barbecue for eight o’clock was fine if you happen to enjoy squid or a little fish. One starving lad was presented with a dozen prawns after an hour’s wait for a chicken dish that never appeared, and at the same time the popular beer ran out. The trick we found out was to eat at six o’clock, like a number of other gentlemen who did and enjoyed barbecued chicken, beef and pork, however, the food we had was excellent.

The resort is in the middle of no-where but a few of the bachelors found a pleasant but apparently expensive bar not so far away. However, everyone was up and raring to go early the second day. The sun shone a greeting and showed off the surrounding mountains in all their splendor. The course had dried marginally and with the leaders going off last, Steve had every chance of a daytime round.

Surprisingly, on both days two of the ‘nearest the pins’ where not claimed and Andy won the prize for the most birdies - 2, in fact the only ones recorded! The scores were on average lower than on the first day and of course those wanting to make good on the holes botched the day before found the same mistakes. We were able to present the prize of the most blanked holes to Alan (11) who easily beat his nearest rival Bernie by five, and yes, you’ve guessed it; Steve who clearly cannot play at night, won the second day with 32 points from our resident Friar, Mick.

This little trip was a success since everyone enjoyed playing such a challenging course, staying in fine hotel rooms and being looked after by courteous staff. Wives who came with us also enjoyed themselves. The price for this inaugural trip was very inexpensive which included one night’s stay, breakfast and two rounds of golf, the total was not much different to having a game on one of the more expensive local courses. There is a likelihood of returning at the end of the month, those interested, on making this trip or any of the other out of town trips being planned, please contact Roger Smith 422693.

The winners: - Day 1, 1st: Eddie Blackwell, 36 points (on count back). 2nd: Neil Hughes, 36 points.

Day 2, 1st: Steve Ross, 32 points. 2nd: Mick O’Meara, 31 points.

Overall 1st: Mike Philips, 41 points (on count back). 2nd: Marco L, 41 points. 3rd: Roger Smith, 40 points.

International Tennis Tourney coming to Siam Bayshore Pattaya

On Nov. 15 - 23, a world class tennis competition will take place at Siam Bayshore Resort Pattaya.

At the International Tennis Federation Satellite Circuit Tennis Tournament, guests will be treated to watching up to 300 of the world’s best male players dueling for points and the chance to upgrade their world rankings.

For further information, contact the Public Relations Department of the resort, tel: 247-0123, ext. 1916-18.

Eastern Seaboard Youth Soccer League

Good fun and plenty of exercise for kids in the Eastern Seaboard Youth Soccer League.

More than 100 children from the Eastern Seaboard region have begun weekly league play in the fourth year of soccer with the Eastern Seaboard Youth Soccer League (ESYSL). The games are played at the International School Eastern Seaboard (ISE), at the Burapha Golf Development.

The league contains four age divisions for the players beginning with "Swarm Soccer" with the 4, 5, and 6 year olds. There are two intermediate age divisions and a senior division for boys and girls in the 14 to 18 age range.

Teams are sponsored by local corporations, sporting uniforms carrying the names and logos of these sponsoring companies. If you are interested in soccer league play, stop by the ISE campus and Saturday morning from 9:00 to 12:00 noon.

Les Winch vaults into victory column

Les Winch was on top of the world on Tuesday, October 14th. After 2 and a half years of Pattaya Golf Society play, Les stood alone at the top of the PGS leader board for the first time.

Les put together 37 Stableford points at Khao Kheow Country Club to win the weekly PGS title by a clear five strokes. And, as PGS Chairman Peter Johannson put it, he is capable of doing even better.

On what turned out to be one of the most humid days in recent memory, Roy "Tiger" Mitchell finished second with 32 points, defeating Peter Johannson on count back into third.

George Meigh, no stranger to the top placings, finished fourth with 30 points. Arthur Blackley rounded out the top five with 28 points.

Nearest the pin prizes were achieved by George Meigh on holes B3 and B8, and Peter Johannson on C8.

A different view of the Chonburi buffalo races (it is a sport...)

by Boonleua Chatri

Thai a word which brings up images of an idyllic landscape, bursting with the bounty of nature, centuries old customs and its own unique culture, unlike any other in the world.

Thailand is once again the focus of the eyes of the world as it was during visit Thailand year.

‘Amazing Thailand’ will be celebrated from January 1st 1998 - January 1st 1999, with numerous flamboyant and marvellous events never seen in the past.

Pattaya will have ‘Thai Shopping’, which will bring you the riches of the ancient Orient and the wondrous products of Thailand - at a large discount.

There will also be a ‘handicrafts’ village, especially built to display ingenious Thai handicrafts which are seldom seen in these days of foam and plastic.

Tourists will experience Thai service at its most typical. This all depends on the co-operation of the various government sectors involved, though.

Spain has the ‘running of the bulls’ in Pamplona. Chonburi has the running of the water buffalo.

This bovine race began to draw international interest decades ago. Documentaries have been made about the event.

The race itself has been made much more ‘modern.’ In the past, these horny friends of farmers pulled carts in the races. This is no more, because carts are not used, due to the increase of tractors.

In the early morning, the happy villagers give the contestants a ritual bath and dress the faithful beasts in festive colours. Some have satin banners wrapped around their horns. Others are festooned with glitter spangled garlands of flowers.

Wooden buffalo bells are hung on the ruminant’s necks, making klok-klok sounds which add to the merriment.

The luckiest animals are dyed with festive pastel colours, such as magenta and puce.

The buffalo jockeys are usually handsome young swains, hoping to impress the most comely of the village maidens.

Not only are the racers and riders decorated, even the razor sharp goads, used to encourage runners with stage fright, are blessed.

Of course, no buffalo race would be complete without a ‘best dressed buffalo’ contest.

In the evening, riders and buffalo are both sprinkled with holy water. This adds the necessary aura of solemnity to this dazzling day of fun with our four legged friends.

Cheers and Rising Sun top quiz leagues

To which family of birds does the British blackbird belong? In which year did the Black and Tans leave Ireland?

In the Wednesday boozers’ intelligentsia, Cheers have pulled away from their rivals and are now two credits ahead of the Rising Sun. Unusually, there were two tied games between Palmer’s and Bob’s and Fawlty Towers and Rovers’ Return. Sixties Bar have yet to win a match this season, but they were within an inch of whacking Cheers on October 15. Knowledge of movies and TV in this quiz remains positively outstanding.

In the arguably more intellectual Sunday quiz, Rising Sun after October 12 regained a powerful thirty points lead. Only a disaster of atomic proportions can now deny them the legendary gold embroidered trophy which, some believe, has been kissed by John Major, Edwina Curry, the Queen Mum and other members of the Labour Party. Others argue that these claims cannot be fully documented in sources available in Pattaya.

You too can join the brilliant, brightest and best boozers of Sin City by turning up at the bar of your choice any Sunday or Wednesday evening just before 8.30 p.m. All answers to the questions are a group effort, so there is no danger of individuals feeling threatened by inadequacy.

Answers to the questions above are the thrush family and 1921.

Trevor Schirmer, Murrey Kerr, 2 down to bogey

Trevor Schirmer defeated Murrey Kerr on count back to win the TAGGS Bogey competition at Sattahip on Wednesday, October 15th, after both players finished 2 down to bogey.

Trevor carded a 50 going out and an excellent 44 on the back nine en route to his title. The highlight of his round was a natural birdie on the par 3 14th. The win was Trevor’s first, and he attributed his improvement of late to a series of golf lessons over his four week stay in Pattaya.

Six golfers tied for third at 3 down to bogey, with new arrival Tom Gingerich earning the final podium position on count back.

A fine turnout of 15 players enjoyed good conditions at Sattahip, and a good time was had at the Hare House during prize giving.

Mike Phillips finally comes good

Monday, 13 October (Natural Park Resort)

One of the month’s favourite fixtures produced a small field (but all quality). Niall McCarthy, just returned from offshore, put in a sound round of 35 Stableford points to take first place. Niall immediately cut his own handicap to stop all the groaners complaining.

1st - Niall McCarthy, 35 pts.

2nd - Stan Fry, 29 pts.

Wednesday, 15 October (Bangpra)

Under difficult conditions we finally had a long-awaited victory from Mike Phillips. Playing stroke play, Mike (affectionately known as Donkey!) came in with a net 68 playing off 24 handicap. This was Mike’s first victory since joining the group some six months ago. Stan Fry came in a close second playing off 12 handicap with a net 69.

1st - Mike Phillips, 68 off 24 handicap

2nd - Stan Fry, 69 off 12 handicap

3rd - Andy Wellington, 73 off 5 handicap

Friday, 17 October (Phoenix Country Club)

Once again a very strong field, split into two flights (A and B), had a great day’s golf; and under extremely difficult conditions - with rain, thunder and lightning - came up with some great scores. A-Flight saw Chairman Roger Smith take the spoils with a great 37 points. Nevertheless, this was no match for B-Flight, with Arthur Busch and the in-form Mike Phillips turning in scores of 41 and 40 points respectively.

A-Flight:

1st - Roger Smith, 37 pts. off 12 handicap

2nd - Stan Fry, 36 pts. off 12 handicap

B-Flight:

1st - Arthur Busch, 41 pts. off 20 handicap

2nd - Mike Phillips, 40 pts. off 24 handicap

There seems to be a much better attitude and generally improved behaviour on the golf courses of late, with guys going out to enjoy themselves rather than abusing all and everything in sight. This is good news for all PSC Golf Groups. Don’t forget guys - enjoy yourselves!

Vistung and Bailey shun the heat and show the way

PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg

Monday 13 October, Khao Kheow (Stableford)

This was a hot and humid Khao Kheow with some rain in the later part of the excellent B & C Courses.

Consistently in good form Svein (The Viking) Vistung again took the honours with 40 Stableford points, but only just. Fred Marshall followed close behind in 2nd place with 39 points, David Lindberg 3rd with 38 points and Alan Laurie in 4th place with 37 points.

Near-pin prizes went to Dave Richardson and Moe Deverdenne

Thursday 16 October, Eastern Star (Stroke)

Eastern Star was even more hot and humid, the final holes being a test of stamina as well as golfing skills. However, undeterred by the conditions, the ever consistent Arthur Bailey returned a creditable net 71 to take first place. In 2nd place, on the eve of his ‘sabbatical’ trip to the Philippines, was Bernie Tuppin with net 73. Peter Daff claimed 3rd place with net 74.

Only one of the par threes received a ball from the tee, and this was claimed by Jim Mills.

Copyright © 1997 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaez