A 'Cuppa' Lipton

by Peter Cummins

Early Twelfth Phuket King’s Cup Regatta leader, Swiss mountaineer and Olympic helmsman, Andreas Bienz, forsaking the Alps for the Andaman, helmed "Jenny III", chartered from Singapore’s 1993 winner, Jeffrey Leow, to finish equal-fourth.

However, Andreas had the great consolation to take the honours in the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, winning this coveted award as the region’s (region’s ? ...I thought that Switzerland was in Europe!) best keelboat sailor, based on the aggregate best score of the three regional events: the Singapore Straits, the Raja Muda and the Phuket regattas.

Peter Ahern’s Aussie team placed second in Racing Class on “Yo!”. Photo by Peter Cummins.

"That’s MY cup of tea," said Andreas as he received the beautiful solid silver ‘Cup of Lipton’ at regatta’s end. And the occasion lasted about as long as a cup of tea. Singapore-based marina manager Jo Raess was VERY close by, to retrieve the cup from Andreas’ eager hands (well it IS SILVER and HE IS Swiss!), to ensure that it returns to its permanent home, ensconced in a place of honour at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club where it has been for seventy years.

The trophy was originally presented to Sir Thomas by an adoring American people, in recognition of his tireless - and unsuccessful - five efforts on his series of magnificent "Shamrocks I - V", to wrest the America’s Cup from the New York Yacht Club. Sir Tommy donated the trophy to the then Royal Singapore Yacht Club before his death in 1931 at the age of 83.

Meantime, elsewhere at the regatta, Germany’s Hans Rahman helmed "Master Blaster" to the front of the Cruising Division, Filipino Andreas Soriano III’s "Irvmiren" won the Ocean Cruising and UK’s Andrew Hogbin won the Classics on "Chant de Mai", with the magnificent Indonesian barquentine training vessel, the "Arung Samudera" making a fine picture in the Classic Class.

Philippine-based Mark Haswell, who has been prominent in the rapidly-developing Farr Platu Asian racing circuit, made short work of the Platu fleet which had joined the regatta for the first time.

Three races were inshore events, with the Boathouse Race off Kata Beach, the QBE Club Racing for the Racing, Ocean Multi and Platu fleets and the Phuket Fantasea Coastal Race for Ocean Cruising, Cruising and Classic classes.

The two offshore events were the Krabi Province Race, Kata Beach to Phi Phi Island and the return leg, the King’s Cup greatest event, the Andaman Sea Race, a downhill spinnaker run before the north-easterly, from Phi Phi to Kata Beach. This year’s was sponsored by principal regatta supporter, Iridium communication systems.

The Kata Group Olympic Sprint was the last but certainly not the least race of the great 1998 regatta. The north-easterly obliged and blew with a vengeance which, after four days of fluctuating winds, gave the big 81-yacht fleet as much action as any of them could ever want. It was a little too much for some, however, such as one of the Japanese teams which broke the mast of their Sunsail charter yacht. Ironically enough, right after the regatta finished, the wind fairly howled in.

The twelfth sailing of the King’s Cup represented the first time that it had moved north out of Nai Harn Bay to the more "socially-friendly" ambience of Kata, with its many shops, bars, reasonable restaurants - and of course - it is the contiguous bay to the famous Patong Beach - so aptly named for it is a smaller version of Patpong’s raunchy night-life.

Not losing sight of the on-going support over the previous decade from the Meridian hotels, it was, nevertheless, most positive to move the venue from Nai Harn Bay north to Kata Beach. The scene there was much more conducive to a "yachtie’s" ambience, with the facilities of Kata township and the sea-front of host hotel, the Kata Group, bursting with activity. Mention has already been made of the proximity of Patong and the night life this year at Kata, compared to previous years in the isolation of Nai Harn. It was not lost on many a sailor.

The Indonesian barguentine training vessel “Arung Samudera” made a fine classic picture. Photo by Peter Cummins.

It was also a most welcome return to regatta support by M.L. Tridosyuth Devakul, a founder of the event. Mom Tri, over the years, had placed his hotels at the disposal of regatta management and this year brought his Boathouse into full support. Even Louis Bronner was back as Boathouse GM, presiding over the splendid Boathouse Beach party and sounding rather like Humphrey Bogart with a bad cold.

Krabi Province, QBE Club Marine Insurance, Phuket’s first theme park FantaSea and Ao Chalong Yacht Club at Jimmy’s Lighthouse joined as supporters, along with official carrier Thai Airways.

An unique entry at the 1998 regatta was that of the Coveney family from Cork who are sailing the world on a 51-ft teak sailing ketch, the "Golden Apple", to raise funds for the victims - especially the children - of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, reported by the United Nations as the "worst environmental catastrophe in history..."

The "Golden Apple" was ‘drafted’ into the cruising class and was the focus of much media attention with the added benefit of fund-raising potential.

Along with the move to Kata, the inclusion of the Thai-commissioned Farr Platu Racing Keelboat as a class and the appearance of the "Golden Apple", another regatta first was created this year. At the splendid Awards Ceremony ending the 1998 sailing, His Majesty the King’s Personal Representative Rear Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj was revelling in his 10th appearance at the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta on behalf of His Majesty.

It was - according to one eye witness - the first time that His Excellency had NOT thrown out his speechwriter’s text IN TOTALITY, but actually read out a few "nuggets of wisdom", as said speechwriter modestly called them...!

Thus ended what was regarded by all concerned as the best regatta to date, with a record number of 81 keelboats participating and the promise of a grand celebration for His Majesty the King of Thailand’s sixth cycle, seventy-second birthday next December. The 1999 committee is already working on it.

Happy Pattaya New Year Sailing, 1999!

A Full Tilt Boogie

The weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, January 3 saw the Banglamung Blues and the Jomtien Jazz hit all the right notes and put together a lyrical doubleheader. In the end each team was able to harmonize long enough to earn a victory.

The opener brought the Blues out singing as RBIs by Gordon Lightfoot and Alan (Leaving) Vegas gave them a three run lead.

The Jazz came out in tune and put up three of their own as Tennis Ball Paul and Pipeline Wayne produced needed knockers.

After a scoreless second, the Blues turned up the tempo in the third behind Vagabond Mike’s run scoring triple, as four runs crossed the plate.

Behind C. F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen’s pinpoint pitching, the Jazz were shut out through the fifth while the Blues added one in the fourth and another in the top of the sixth.

Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Blues had a comfortable nine to four lead but the Jazz’s percussion section came to life and hits by Maple Leaf Rick, Charlie the Tuna and Dick (The Stick) Cagg narrowed the lead to one. But a hard liner to center was deftly snared by Copasetic Curt ending the threat and giving the Jazz a nine to eight win.

The nightcap produced a much different kind of rhythm. After the Jazz scored one in the top of the first, back to back homers by B.S.D. Doug and Slammin Sammy gave the Blues a two to one lead.

In the third the Jazz put together a rhapsody of their own behind Seismic Bob’s RBI double and Aloha Tom’s three run dinger, scoring seven in all.

The Jazz never lost the beat and hard hitting by M. J. (Coffee) Jim and Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg enabled the Jazz to add four in the third, six in the fourth and five in the sixth.

The Blues were never able to find the right key and in the end fell twenty-three to seven.

If you’re looking to make some music of your own, come on out to Pattaya School #7 on Sukhumvit Road just past Greenway driving range and Caltex gas station. Games are played every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Equipment is provided and refreshments are available. All are welcome.

Cheers claims double whammy

Not contenat with winning the Sunday Quiz League, Cheers Bar have trumped the entire opposition by walking off with the Wednesday one, too. In the final match played as the old year limped into obscurity, Cheers stitched up their old rival the Rising Sun to emerge as double champions. Some say the secret of Cheers’ success is doses of Branston pickle, a bottle of which is sometimes furtively passed round after a difficult match. Others point to the academic qualifications of the team, one of whom claims to have had a near pass in an ology in 1947. Whatever the recipe, Cheers deserve the congratulations of all Wednesday quiz leaguers.

Final scores after 18 weeks were:

Cheers 49 credits

Rising Sun 44

Bob’s 44

Fawlty Towers 44

Tommy’s 41

Palmer’s 37

Rovers’ Return 29

Billy and Da 28

Last Resort 24

Sixties 24

Pattaya readies for the 1999 Pattaya Orphanage Charity Soccer Match

Children at the Pattaya Orphanage and organizers are gearing up for the 5th Pattaya Orphanage charity soccer match, set to kick off on Saturday, January 30, 1999, on the soccer pitch at the Pattaya Orphanage.

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 the following people and businesses who have generously contributed to sponsorship of this year’s event. Those marked with "*" receive special mention for having been contributors every year since the conception of the PSC Orphanage Charity Soccer.

Major Sponsors: *Pattaya Sports Club, *Ray (Papasan) Rogers, Team Canada, Fobé Sportswear, Modern Construction Products, *Tahitian Queen, Jesters, Russell (Pin Eye) Finch, and *Harry Riley.

Other generous sponsors: Per Westphall Jenson, Benny the Nerd, Gunnar Pacific Consulting & Development, E + S Construction, *Diana Group, *Penthouse, *Tommy’s, *Classroom, Pattaya Sports Supply, the Bunker, BEC Language Center, the Londoner, Computer Link, Mon and Bill, Big Terry, Austro Thai, *Orchid Trading, *Pattaya Mail, *Beer Put, and Jim the Bizz.

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.

PSC Golf next week

January continues on Monday the 11th with the Hare House Open at Phoenix Country Club.

Pattaya Golf Society also goes to Phoenix for a Stroke Play competition on Tuesday the 12th and on Wednesday the 13th a choice of Stroke Play at Khao Kheo with the Green Bottle or a Pairs Medal Competition at Natural Park Resort with PSC TAGGS from the Hare House. Check out Khao Kheow again on Thursday the 14th for Stroke Play from Café Kronborg and end the week on Friday 15th January with a visit to Rayong Green Valley from the Green Bottle playing Scramble or Stableford at Laem Chabang from Hare House.

The two stroke play visits to Khao Kheow are a warm up for the PSC Golf Championship which takes place on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th January playing 36 holes over two days. Qualification for entry is paid up membership of Pattaya Sports Club and a recognized PSC or Home Club current handicap.

Full details of the January Schedule can be seen at the PSC Golf venues, in Pattaya Mail and at our web site at www.pattayasports.org.

Allan Jone takes November Monthly Mug at Pattaya Country Club

Allan Jones, visiting from Hong Kong, was the clear winner of the Kronborg Monthly Mug by three shots with a net 68.

Steve Ross presents trophies to the winning team in Rossie’s Scramble at Rayong Green Valley on December 30th. Left to right: Roy Mitchell, George Meigh, Steve Ross, Wilf Latham, Neil Hughes.

Shot of the day came from PSC Golf Chairman, Mike Franklin rifling a 3-wood against the wind at the 175 yard Par 3 Sixteenth. The elevated tee enabled Mike’s group to witness the event from tee to cup as the ball, flighted right of the green and short of the bunker, curved its way across the green to the flag and into the hole. With a field of 47 players, the social prospect of the traditional drink loomed large, but well justified by the achievement and the one year free membership awarded by Pattaya Country Club General Manager, Kuhn Thamrong.

Detailed results follow:

Winner: Allan Jones, Net 68

2nd: Stuart Parry, Net 71 C/B

3rd: Arthur Bailey, Net 71

4th: Mike Franklin, Net 72 C/B

Three other players returned a Net 72 and were awarded consolation prizes. They were in count-back order: John Cahill, John Moore and Ebrahim.

Nearest Pins: #5 Flag moved - no winner, #7 David Gardner, #12 Eddie Biggs, #16 Mike Franklin Hole-in-One.

Long Putts: #9 Bernie Tuppin, #18 Dave Richardson.

Long Drive: Steve Westran.

Festive week of Golf

Diana Medal - December 23, 1998

With a field of 26 competing, Steve Ross was victorious at the difficult but excellent Green Valley in the monthly Diana Medal. A score of 65, under medal conditions, may be examined closely by the handicappers.

Overall Winner: Steve Ross, 65

A Flight

Stan Fry, 69

Gez Tracey, 71

Tony Stevens, 75

B Flight

Steve Ross, 65

Ian Pike, 67

Adrian Ort, 68

Laem Chabang - Dec 28,1998

Neil Cameron made a surprising and almost unique visit to the podium after a excellent round of 39 points, over courses C and A at the magnificent Jack Nicklaus creation.

A Flight

N Cameron, 39

Stan Fry, 35

A Busch, 33

B Flight

Steve Ross, 36

Jim Savage, 34

Ken Schultz, 33

Noble Place - Jan 1 1999

A field of 17 survived the festivities and made the journey to Noble Place. Playing stroke play, Andy Leach had best gross with a fine 76.

A Flight

K Murphy, 69

A Leach, 70

B Flight

Gez Tracey, 68

Phil Utting, 70

Hazke and Kamilla triumph at Green Valley

On Tuesday, December 29th there was a large turnout for the Pattaya Golf Society’s medal competition held on the tough Green Valley course at Ban Chang.

Two divisions prevailed and Dutchman Ger Hazke triumphed at last in Division One with 1 over par. Following at a distant 6 over par was Joe Sparey.

In Division Two Hannu Kamila was the winner with 2 over par, closely followed by John Hopkins with 3 over par.

It was perhaps surprising that nobody managed to break par on such a perfect day for golf.

On the short holes, Ger Hazke was again successful with two wins. Colin Morgan and Thomas earned nearest the pin on the other two holes.

The Pattaya Sports Club helping out at local school

During a recent visit by the Pattaya Sports Club Charity Committee to the Ban Krong Yai School (one of the schools that benefited from the PSC Golf Charity Classic Self Help Food Project), the school was found to have had a very suspect roof over the children’s dining area. The school was also experiencing a severe problem with night visitors removing their food and equipment.

The matter was brought to the attention of the executive committee who then decided to help out.

After getting several quotes from local contractors, the Sports Club proceeded to have the roof over the dining area redone, had anti "kamoey" (thief) deterrents installed and made some general repairs to the seating and gutters.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.