Pattaya Mail — Sports

Pattaya readies for 5th Annual Pattaya Orphanage Charity Soccer Match

Children at the Pattaya Orphanage and organizers are gearing up for the 5th annual Pattaya Orphanage charity soccer match, set to kick off on Saturday, February 7 on the soccer pitch inside the Pattaya Orphanage.

The much anticipated annual event, which usually takes place in April, has been moved forward this year to Saturday, February 7th.

Each year the event gets better and better as much needed funds are raised for the many charitable programs run by Father Ray Brennan.

Although the Mighty Orphans won the inaugural event in 1994, for the past three years the Pattaya Drop Outs, a rag tag team of Pattaya bar owners and sponsored players, have emerged victorious. Each time, the outcome of the event has been determined by a penalty shoot-out after neither side was able to produce a clear winner in regulation time. Whatever the outcome, all who participate emerge winners.

Both sides have been seen in heavy training, the Orphans running wind sprints and practicing precision plays, while the Drop Outs are engaging in heavy sessions of elbow bending. This can only mean that once again, the outcome of the games are anybody’s guess.

What is for sure is the fact that everyone who attends this fun event, be they players or spectators, will come away winners. Each year this special day, with the games almost a side-show to the fun of the picnic type atmosphere for spectators and children, provides much needed contact between the children of the orphanage and the kind hearted people of the community. Food and beverage will be on sale with all proceeds going to charity.

The main goal of the event is still to raise funds for the many programs run by Father Ray Brennan, including the children of the Pattaya Orphanage, the Handicap School, the School for the Blind, the School for the Deaf, the Street Children and the Stateless Old Folks project.

Organizers of the event would like to thank last year’s sponsors and encourage them, as well as new sponsors, to once again contribute to this worthy cause.

Last year, the main sponsors were the Pattaya Sports Club, Ray (Papa San) Rogers, Siemens, Pattaya Mail, the Diana Group, the Pattaya Hash House Harriers, McConnel Dowell, Beta Clough, Orchid Trading, and Pacific Consulting & Development Co., Ltd. Other sponsors included Beer Put, Pleasure Dome, Pattaya Sports Supply, Jimmy Macs, Bill Jones, Classroom 1 & 2, Hare House, Rodger, Bill Thompson, Brian Imrie, Ciano Glavina & Joy, Neils Colov, Londoner, Andy Moore, Alwyne Lomax, Steve Rogerson, Team Glia Racing, Jeff Slater, Mickey Noon, The Computer Link, Deepak, Sanjay, Green Bottle and Green Tree. Many thanks to all.

People and organizations interested in adding their names to this list of benevolent sponsors of this worthy event can contact Father Ray Brennan, tel: 428717, 422745, or fax: 716629, or Harry Riley, tel/fax: 720536, or John Cole, tel: 411667.

Soi Dao revisited

This beautiful golf resort was the ideal venue for a pre-Xmas meeting and a number of the golfers who had enjoyed this area in the rainy season now had the opportunity to see and play the course under blue skies and in all it’s scenic splendor.

On the occasion marking the pre-launch of the Elite Golf and Sports Club, golfers played two competition rounds, a practice round and an impromptu six ball skins game over nine holes, for those with the energy on the grueling hilly course. It is 6642 yards off the white tees and has many spectacular holes, not least the fifth par three of 206 yards. Golfers were assured by the Manager that it was an uphill shot and would be the reason for everyone to play short. However, golf buggies all free-wheeled to the green so it can only be put down to an optical allusion, or Singha Gold? The drink stops all command wonderful views of course and mountains so that golfers all lingered at them for longer than is normal.

There was a barbeque on both nights; the second a baby pig spit roasted by a posse of some four chefs and the helpful advice of the manager; all enjoyed a fine meal. Incidentally, the food was eaten indoors as the evenings there are reasonably cool and the word cold was even heard. The evening’s entertainment was either joining a fun (?) card school, or visit the local cabaret where golfers were treated to numerous loud and sometimes non-to melodious singers. However, imbibers were appeased somewhat by the very acceptable local cheap whisky and soda.

One member, who was determined to only come for a few minutes, managed to stay the course and as the night progressed was spotted sitting back with a relaxed grin. The second evening saw most getting an early night.

The golf was played to a Stableford format with an overall winner having the best eclectic score over the two days of competition. Considering the length and difficulties of the course the scores were good, and after the first day everyone still had a realistic chance, and as so often happens in an eclectic competition, the winner came from the middle of the pack.

Mats Levin, with the best score of 46 points, followed by Gerald Lambert on 43 were the eclectic winners. Day one winner was Ove Anderson with 34 points (the Swedish sportsmen take this very seriously you know), day two winner was Roger Smith on 38 points.

Nearest the pins at all par three holes, with Alan Laurie taking two of the prizes, Jim Boyd, who found the course tough, birdied the sixteenth on his way to picking up one of the donated prizes for nearest the pin, much to everyone’s delight—enjoy your prize, Jim!

The prizes and the sweep was complimented by the four prizes donated by the boss of the Classroom, Stan Fry, for which all are most appreciative, also your reporter is in his debt after being introduced to some new gout pills.

The prize giving, a disjointed fun affair, was enjoyed by everyone, except our Master of Ceremonies A.L., who contrived to mix up the prizes and even having to ask for the first place sweep back from one bemused ex-winner, still no harm done and good fun.

Lastly, it should be noted, this course is well managed, a joy to play and with the courteous staff a golf experience not to be missed, Elite Golf will be going again.

The official launch of the club will be in the last week of January, where organisers will be holding a three day competition in the River Kwai region. For details of this and of Elite Golf and Sports Club please contact 422 693 or read about the club in the Pattaya Mail.

Comets streak past Rockets

Pattaya Sports Club Softball

Celestial bodies were flying high at the weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, January 4th, as Alan’s Comet’s took two from Mike’s Rockets.

The first game saw the Rockets watching the Comets’ tail from the outset. With three runs in and two outs, with the bases loaded in the top of the first, the Comets’ Alan (Y.B.) Baa smacked a grand salami for a seven run lead before the Rockets could even start their engines.

But the Rockets began to ignite and chipped away at the lead with Paul (The) Dutchman, Jimmy (The Key) Lockhead, and Edmonton Daryl contributing timely hits.

In the bottom of the sixth, trailing by three, Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg’s three run homer pulled the Rockets even. But the Comets came right back on hard hitting by C.F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen, Billy Blooper and Kiwi Rick, to score three runs to retake the lead.

The Rockets staged a brief comeback in the bottom half of the seventh but fizzled out after scoring one, giving the Comets are twelve to ten victory.

The Comets blasted off in the second game as Chemical Kenny smacked a three run homer in the first inning. The Rockets tried gamely to get into orbit but sparkling defense by Aussie (King Pin) Peter in right, Alan (Leaving) Vegas at second, and Y.B. at shortstop kept the Rockets on the launching pad and earned the Comets a rare five to nothing shut-out.

Grinch steals two

It wasn’t a very Merry Christmas for Alan’s Elves as Mike’s Grinch captured both ends of the doubleheader at the weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, December 28.

Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg started things off for the Grinch with a three run homer in the top of the first. So much for a silent night as the Grinch never relinquished their lead.

Alan (Y.B.) Baa homered for the Elves in the bottom of the first but sleigh bells never rang for the Elves as M.J. (Coffee) Jim, Alan (Leaving) Vegas, and Paul (The Dutch) Man anchored a non porous infield for the Grinch.

In their last at bat, Jimmy (The Key) Lockhead, Mark (The Natural) Southampton, and John (Baypoint) Bechtel had run scoring hits, but it was too little, too late for the Elves - falling fourteen to eleven.

The second game saw the Elves jump out to a quick five run lead, but the Grinch put a quick end to the celebration and when C.F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen smacked a three run homer in the bottom of the first, the Grinch were up six to five.

The Elves battled back but had two runners thrown out at the plate and when it appeared that they would mount a serious rally, Mr. Ice made a truly spectacular running catch in left-center to snuff out the scoring drive.

A three run homer in the bottom of the sixth by Coffee Jim put the Grinch up by eight with one to play.

Again the Elves came back, pushing three runs across the plate, but with two on and two out, Billy Blooper in right field hauled in a long blast to give the Grinch a thirteen to eight victory.

The Elves were last seen driving a team of reindeer and heading north.

In case you’re seeing stars on Sunday, come out and join the fun. Games are every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Pattaya School #7 just past Greenway driving range and Caltex gas station on Sukhumvit Highway. Equipment is provided, refreshments are available and all are welcome.

Pattaya Sports Club Golf News - January '98

Happy New Year.

We begin 1998 with three major events in January starting with the Hare House Open on Friday the 9th at Phoenix.

The following week is the PSC Golf 1998 Championship at Khao Kheow on the 15th and 16th (details in "PSC Golf Next Week"). The green fee for both days will be Baht 300 plus 10% tax, and this rate will now apply to every weekday at Khao Kheow with the PSC Card.

The January PSC Member Group fixture schedule is set up to include two other dates at Khao Kheow during Championship week - Monday the 12th from Cafe Kronborg and Wednesday the 14th from Hare House. For those wishing to seriously practice on the Championship days, the Driving Range at Khao Kheow will be open from 06.30 a.m. with trays of balls set up ready to go. (Baht 20 per tray).

The third event in January is the Soft Rock ‘Meat Ball’ Tournament run by Mats Lindborg at Phoenix on Tuesday 27th. Details to be announced.

In general, the coordinated monthly schedule of the Member Groups has proved popular and is working well, with a wide variety of courses and formats to choose from.

Many members are taking advantage of the choices on offer and the wider competitive and social opportunities.

Looking ahead to February, a four day ‘President’s Cup’ Eclectic Stroke Play Competition is planned to run over two weeks with each of the Member Groups organising one of the days at the selected golf course - probably Phoenix.

A major tournament is also planned for the end of February or March by PSC Golf from the Green Bottle, the Diana Group Open.

On Friday March 6th, there is the annual Hare House AM-AM Tournament at Phoenix. The following week, with details to be confirmed, we plan to assist the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya with their charity tournament, timed to coincide with a major Rotary Club conference.

The April highlight on the calendar will be the second Pattaya Sports Club Charity Classic to raise money for local charities, using once again, the highly successful ‘Mulligan’ format. Finally, on May 7th, Papa Ray Rogers Birthday will be here again and he will be host to PSC Golf at his house after the tournament.

RULES are always controversial and often misunderstood, so the new USGA Rules Video, which has just arrived, will provide the basis for one, or more, quiz evenings to be arranged in the near future. This with the intention of clarifying some of the basics and showing how a better understanding of the rules can benefit your game.

A very happy golfing New Year

Mike Franklin

Chairman PSC Golf

Wind at Natural Park

This fine course saw our group on Monday and Friday of the New Year week. The combination of the cool season weather and holiday spirit ensured a large turnout on both these days and whilst the tees where generous in their position, apart from Mick O’Meara and Bob Bliss on the Monday and Sean Ewing on Friday, scores, although reasonable, were not exceptional.

The players were not sure as to the meaning of the remark by the M.C. when referring to the conditions as windy; perhaps it owed more to the excesses of the festive season rather than the occasional breezes.

Friday was busy and all 27 holes seemed fully golfed and unfortunately for a number of our less mobile players they had to walk the 18 holes for perhaps the first time in a long while, hence the number of red faces. We couldn’t understand why there were so many muddy patches on the fairways on both days since the course was otherwise in great condition and the greens in particular were a delight on which to three putt!

Scores:

Monday, Stroke play:
Group ‘A’
1st: Bob Bliss, 74, hcp 4
2nd: Gerrad Lambert, 87, hcp 16
3rd: Keith Watson, 81, hcp 8
Group ‘B’
1st: Mick O’Meara, 87, hcp 20
2nd: Steve Ross, 92, hcp 19
3rd: Mike Philips, 92, hcp 18
Friday, Stableford:
Group ‘A’
1st: Mats Levin, 39 points, hcp 14
2nd: Sean Ewen, 39, hcp 5
3rd: Roger Smith, 38, hcp 10
4th: Arthur Busch, 37, hcp 18
Group ‘B’
1st: Steve Ross, 39 points, hcp 19
2nd: Dave Porter, 39, hcp 26
3rd: Mick O’Meara, 38, hcp 20
4th: Roy Matti, 34, hcp 20

PSC Golf next week

A very special week for PSC Golf with the annual Championship taking place over two days, Thursday and Friday the 15th and 16th of January at challenging Khao Kheow Country Club. The format for the tournament is 36 holes Stroke Play over the two days, 18 holes each day. A total of thirty-seven trophies are on offer during the two days for the two flights, as well as Lucky Draw prizes. Sign up at Cafe Kronborg, Hare House, Diana Inn, Soft Rock Cafe or Shakey Pete’s. Closing date for entries is Tuesday the 13th, 5.00 p.m.

In preparation for this event, there is an opportunity to have a warm up Stroke Play round on Monday the 12th leaving from the Cafe Kronborg at 8.15 a.m., or to go with Hare House on Wednesday the 14th playing a Pairs Medal.

Other fixtures during the week are to Natural Park Hill for a Better Ball competition on Monday the 12th, and to Siam Country Club on the 14th from the Green Bottle.

For more details of January fixtures visit the PSC Golf Web site at http://www.pattayasports.org

Leach and Galle on form at Green Valley, Jerry Wynn's New Years Day

Rayong Green Valley, Monday 29 December (Stableford)

In perfect warm weather conditions, but with the greens showing a little growth, Andy Leach overcame jetlag to win the ‘A’ Flight with 39 Stableford points. Pete Galle, continuing in form, took the ‘B’ Flight with 37 points.

Full results follow:

‘A’ Flight
Winner: Andy Leach, 39 points
2nd: Brad Doyle, 35 points C/B
3rd: Eero Kallinen, 35 points
4th: Matt Swire, 33 points
‘B’ Flight
Winner: Pete Galle, 37 points
2nd: Esko Pekka, 36 points
3rd: Ray Matti, 34 points C/B
4th: Gert Hansen, 34 points

Marcus Simmons won the Long Drive competition, whilst Near Pin prizes were earned by Joe Vanderwegan on #4, Juhani Faht on #7, Steve Mascari on #11 and Eero Kallinen on #15.

Pattaya Country Resort, Thursday, 1 January (Stableford)

A much reduced field braved the hangovers to play Pattaya Country Resort on New Years Day, Jerry Wynn taking first place with a comfortable margin, scoring 41 Stableford points. Bernie Tuppin, our intrepid starter, managed the three way count-back for second place, winning that honour with 37 points against Sven Bertlesson and Eero Kallinen, also with 37 points.

Near pins went to Ron Fortin and Mike O’Meara, with Sven Bertlesson creaming the Long Drive.

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