Pattaya Mail — Sports

Kevin Bukowski takes one shot victory in TQ Masters

Kevin Bukowski put together a remarkable 45 Stableford points to earn victory in the 1997 TQ Masters held on Friday, October 24th at Phoenix Country Club.

Kevin became the 4th golfer in history to be awarded the coveted green jacket, following in the footsteps of first ever winner Eddie Henheffer, 2nd year winner Serge Straeten and last year’s winner Leroy Blasi.

On a day that might be remembered more for the weather than for any one particular golf shot, Kevin eked out a one shot win over runner up Bruce Lawrence. Bruce carded 44 points for second place, and attributed missing out on at least a tie to "one putt" he missed.

Bill Thompson finished third with 41 points, winning on count back.

Despite the hour long rain delay, with a spectacular lightning show ordered especially for the occasion, good scores were turned in by most of the field. Many of the competitors carded scores in the 30s, with several shooting their handicap or better, finishing with 36 or more points.

The rain and subsequent wet conditions actually helped a few players, but one whose game fell in the midst of sogginess was Rick "D.L.H.D." Dumas. Rick stormed out with 22 Stableford points on the front nine and looked poised to be at least in contention for the title. Then the rains came, as well as a few timely elbow bending measures. As the rain poured down just before the delay, Rick did manage to produce one of "the shots of the day". Poised for a monster drive on the par 5 #7 on the Mountain nine, Rick took a gallant swing, barely connecting with the ball. With wet grips, his driver flew out of his hands, nearly traveling as far as the ball.

Not to be outdone, Harry Riley, winner of the Las Vegas Open just a few weeks ago, earned short drive of the day honors on the par 5, #3 on the Ocean nine. Harry’s drive trickled off the tee and into the water, earning him a trophy.

Also at the other end of the spectrum, Jerry Grossman outdid a competitive group of hackers that included last year’s "winner" Jack Levy, amongst others, to earn the coveted high gross trophy.

The 1997 edition of the TQ Masters was the 4th annual event. Although only in its fourth year, the TQ Masters has become the "granddaddy" of all the local bar-related majors, being the first of its kind. First played in 1994, the TQ Masters has paved the way for many more golf tournaments in the purely fun category.

Each successive year the tournament has become more of a "must" on all golfers’ calendars, from the serious to the hackers. Again this year, all players received a commemorative T-shirt, buffet following the round at the clubhouse, and an occasional beer from the beer cart circulating around the course.

The awards presentation party was held amid a raucous crowd at TQ1 on Beach Road following the buffet. Trophies were awarded amongst a bevy of beauties, with nary a competitor going home disappointed. Most are already looking forward to the 5th annual TQ Masters next year.

Special thanks to Woody for hosting a great day, and Wayne Ogonoski, Bennie the Nerd, and John Macallen for helping make the tournament a success. Biggest accolades to Richard Livingston for all his hard work in organizing and running the TQ Masters 1997.

Final results:

Champion: Kevin Bukowski, 45 Stableford points. 2nd: Bruce Lawrence, 44 points. 3rd: Bill Thompson, 41 points (won on count back).

Best gross: Alan Holley, 78.

Best front nine: Tom Kennedy, 23 points. Best back nine: Gert Hansen, 22 points.

Long drive, #9 Ocean, first division: Alan Holley. #9 Ocean, second division: Terry Eldrige. #9 Mountain, first division: Mike McLaren. #9 Mountain, second division: Craig Ewers.

Nearest the pins, #5 Ocean: Tom Gingerich. #7 Ocean: George Meigh. #4 Mountain: Richard Dumas. #8 Mountain: Paul Kraft.

Shortest drive, #3 Ocean: Harry Riley. High gross: Jerry Grossman, 147.

Atlantis Club Café snags anohter PSC fishing title

The Atlantis Club Café, the masters of deep sea angling, earned another Pattaya Sports Club championship when they landed the largest fish caught in the PSC Deep Sea fishing tournament on Friday, October 17, 1997.

The team of Ralf Bernard, Dieter Jahoda, Gunter Drbal and Peter Henbel of Atlantis Club Café, with Captain Dang at the helm, landed a 6.1 kilogram Pompano off Ko Phi to earn the victory.

Photo: Ralf Bernhard (left) and Dieter Jahoda of the first place Atlantis Cub Café team.

The Pesco fishing team of Carl Engel, Gary Stevens, and Mike Jones finished second, also earning bragging rights for the most fish by weight. With Captain Gay at the helm, Pesco landed a 4.5 kilogram Queen Fish, amongst many others, for their runner-up placing.

On a beautiful day with calm seas and light breezes, with big black thunder storms developing in the late afternoon, a total of 45 kilos of fish were landed. Three large Pompano, five medium Queen Fish, two Amberjack, and one shark were landed during the day.

The next PSC fishing tournament is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, November 23 & 24. Contact Carl Engel, PSC fishing Chairman, for more details.

Les Winch repeats as PGS victor

After a long time on the Pattaya Golf Society tour, Les Winch did his best David Duval impersonation, following up his first win last week with another victory this week in the PGS stroke play competition at Phoenix Country Club on Tuesday, October 21, 1997.

The long driving Les may be the story for weeks to come, given his recent good play. Les put together a round of net 3 under par 69 to win the weekly title by 5 strokes.

Dicky Barbe was welcomed back after a long stint in the P.I., earning a second place finish. Dicky carded a net 2 over par 74 in the humid conditions.

Roy Mitchell is beginning to get comfortable with his new handicap. "Tiger" took the final podium position with a net 3 over par 75.

Peter Johannson placed fourth with a net 7 over par 79. George Meigh rounded out the top five finishers with a net 9 over par 81.

Closest to the pin honors were won by George Meigh on the Ocean #5, Roy Mitchell on the Ocean #7, and Colin Morgan on the Lakes #7.

Rising Sun conquers Sunday quiz league

In which century BC did Alexander The Great live? Who was the first man to transmit a radio signal across the Atlantic?

As quiz fever mounted on Sunday, October 19th, the last match of the current season, jubilant crowds gathered at the Rising Sun in expectation of a second term victory result. However, they waited in vain as the results sheets have boringly to be sent to Bangkok for verification. It is now confirmed that Rising Sun have indeed won the league with an excellent overall percentage of 79.7% through the eighteen weeks of play.

Their victory was never seriously in doubt, although Cheers made sporadic attempts to cut their lead. Third place was bitterly contested for many weeks by Mick’s Place and Pleasure Dome, but the pendulum of war settled in the final week in favor of the latter who obtained a majestic 86%, the top mark.

Across the bars, the average weekly success rate in the season was 70.3%, which is within the question setter’s range of 65% to 75%. Successful appeals ran at 3% of the answers initially provided. The highest mark achieved in any one quiz was 92% and the lowest 32%. Following a party at Palmer’s on October 26, at which Lord Singha and General Gordon were present, the new season is scheduled to start on November 2. See your favorite bar for details of the venues.

Final average percentages:

Rising Sun 79.7%

Cheers 78.1%

Pleasure Dome 75.8%

Mick’s Place 75.3%

Palmer’s 73.2%

Bob’s 71.2%

Britannia 67.8%

Londoner 67.0%

Poteen Still 64.1%

Wild Chicken 50.8%

Holy Cow

Pattaya Sports Club Softball, 26/10/97

The World Series ain’t got nuthin’ on these guys. The weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, October 26th was what baseball is all about. Jimmy’s Indians and Mike’s Marlins battled down to the wire before a winner was decided.

Montreal (upper US) Robert led off the game for the Indians with a long solo homer. The Indians added two more in the first on hits by Jimmy (the Key) Lockhead, C.F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen and Aussie (G.) Spot. In the third, the Marlins finally got on the board when John (the Baptist) Bechtel smacked a bases empty blast. Defense came to dominate the game with Sterling (Silver) Bechtel and Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg roaming the outfield for the Marlins.

The score remained three to one going into the last inning. With two on and one out, Alan (Leaving) Vegas smacked a two run double tying the score. He then scored the winning run when John Bechtel singled up the middle giving the Marlins a four to three victory.

The second game of the doubleheader saw the Indians jump out to a quick four to one lead but Mother Nature refused to cooperate and the game was a washout by the third inning.

Now that the World Series is over and watching cricket on Star Sports is about as interesting as watching paint dry, put some excitement into your life. Come on out to Pattaya School #7 just past Greenway driving range and Cal-Tex gas station on Sukhumvit Highway. Games are every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. There are bats, balls, gloves, beer, soda, and all the thrills you could possibly want. All are welcome.

PSC Golf next week

PSC Golf offers a full and busy programme in November with 31 Tournaments playing 11 of the golf courses around Pattaya.

Starting on Monday the 3rd of November with Bangpra from the Cafe Kronborg, and Siam Country Club from the Green Bottle.

The Swedish Group from Soft Rock Cafe, newly affiliated to PSC Golf, begin their weekly Tuesday tournament with a visit to Rayong Green Valley.

On Wednesday, a second chance this week to play spectacular Bangpra from the Green Bottle or, play nearer home at Phoenix with TAGGS from Hare House.

Thursday we go to Siam Country Club from the Cafe Kronborg to celebrate Bjarne NielsenÕs Birthday, playing the popular Banana (Texas) Scramble, and followed by the usual excellent buffet hosted by Bjarne back at the Cafe Kronborg.

The week ends with a visit to Phoenix from the Green Bottle, and Hare House goes to Great Lake to play the first of their now regular Friday fixtures.

Looking ahead to the last week of the month, be sure to note in your golfing diary Thursday the 27th of November. Papa Ray Rogers will be hosting his annual Thanksgiving Tournament at Pattaya Country Club, the Turkey ÔTourneyÕ, followed by his traditional Thanksgiving supper back at ‘Chez Ray.’

For more details of November fixtures, see the full schedule published in this issue of Pattaya Mail.

Whiter and Daff tops for the week

Monday, 20 October, Sattahip (Stableford)

It was hot, humid and a very wet Sattahip at the start and even wetter at the end after a further storm and torrential rain. This did not deter the enthusiasm of the group, yet golfers were only able to return moderate scores in the difficult conditions.

Winner on the day was Norrie Whiter with a blistering 31 Stableford points, closely followed by Ebrahim with 30 points beating Svein Vistung on count back, also with 30 points.

Near-pin prizes went to Fred Marshall and Ebrahim.

Thursday, 23 October, Pattaya Country Club (Stableford)

A dry but very hot and humid day did not deter Peter Daff from winning outright with 43 Stableford points. Unusually ‘wingeless’, he overcame his previous phobia about holes 16 and 17 and held together a good round with some excellent putting early on. Neil Munro took second place with 39 points beating Marko Pietilainen on count-back. The relaxed and closely groomed Dave Richardson was a creditable fourth with 36 points.

Near pin prizes went to Ebrahim, Marko Paul Kraft and Jim Mills.

The Candy Man cleans up

Monday, 20 October, Khao Kheow (Stableford)

Playing off the white boxes, with half a dozen or more playing to handicap or better, Mike Phillips continued his run of great form, coming in with 43 points, playing off 21 handicap. Khao Kheow is always one of the society’s most popular venues and is always a great test of golf, even for the lowest of handicappers. Mike immediately cut himself to 18; he has now voluntarily brought his handicap down by five shots in 10 days.

1st, Mike Phillips (21 handicap) 43pts.

2nd, Stan Fry (13 handicap) 38pts.

3rd, Arthur Bailey (20 handicap) 37pts.

Wednesday, 22 October, at Green Valley (Stableford)

Wednesday’s fixture for Great Lakes was diverted to Green Valley due to the Beck’s Open. To most players this was a more than acceptable change of venue. As the day unfolded, Bill Thompson came up with two nearest the pins: the first being on the monster fourth - a 200 yard carry into the wind leaving Bill with a 12-foot birdie putt. The now consistent Mike Phillips and the just back from offshore Neil Monro picked up the other nearest the pins.

On a day where the scores were generally good, all the spoils went to the second three ball out. Andy (Candy Man) Wellington taking the top honours.

1st, Andy Wellington (6 handicap) 37pts.

2nd, Steve Ross (20 handicap) 35pts.

3rd, Mike Phillips (18 handicap) 35pts (losing on count back).

Amari installs new tennis court surface

The Amari Orchid has resurfaced its tennis courts with the revolutionary new Swiss-Flex surface, becoming the first in Thailand to use this new system developed exclusively for tennis.

The European-designed Swiss-Flex court is literally a revolution in tennis. Though the game remains the same, this waffle-patterned court, designed with built-in flexion in its playing surface, absorbs the tremendous impact shock and lateral stresses of tennis. This eliminates the wear and tear placed on joints and ligaments from playing on an asphalt or hard surface court.

Swiss-Flex is one of the safest and healthiest tennis court systems in the world, is medically recommended after extensive testing by Swiss orthopedic surgeons, and is graded "excellent" by the Materials Testing Institute at Stuttgart, Germany.

Swiss-Flex tennis courts provide for optimum play, guaranteeing excellent ball behavior - the ball is never too fast. Swiss-Flex tennis courts are weather resistant and have built in drainage - even after a rain shower, they are immediately ready for play.

The Amari Orchid Resort is once again in the forefront of making Pattaya an all round sports holiday destination.

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