A Summers’ Day

Eighty-one golfers teed it up in the Hare House Open played on Monday, January 11, at Phoenix Golf and Country Club. There were 25 men in each of the three men’s divisions and six women in the ladies’ division. Four divisions and eighty-one golfers, but only one champion. Englishman Terry Summers, playing off 18, garnered an impressive total of 44 Stableford points and was crowned the 1999 Hare House Open Champion.

Birthday boy Wayne Tischbern (right) awards the 1999 Hare House Open Championship Trophy to overall victor Terry Summers. (Photo Tom Gingerich)

Terry just moved to Pattaya six weeks ago and he certainly likes the golf here. He also liked the prizes that went to the winners of each men’s division. Terry was also winner of the Second Division (16 thru 22 handicap). So did Mats Lindborg, who won the First Division (0 thru 15 handicap) with 40 points and Mike Franklin who won the Third Division (23 thru 36 handicap) with 39 points.

Mike didn’t get to keep his winnings very long as he was neatly relieved of his cache by his wife Banjob, who won the trophy for the Ladies Best Gross. The winner of the Ladies Division was Joyce Jones with 35 points.

Although the conditions at Phoenix were more benign than usual, not everyone found them forgiving. Jack Levy won the American Trophy for the biggest score of the day with a truly remarkable gross 186 and zero Stableford points.

Andy Leach had the best gross of the day with 78 to take the First Division trophy. Gez Tracey won the Best Gross Trophy in the Second Division with an 84. Phil Utting shot a two under par 96 to take the trophy in the Third Division. It was an outstanding day for Phil as he won trophies for a Near Pin and Long Drive to go along with his Best Gross.

Back on Soi Post Office los senores y las senoritas feasted on the Mexican buffet served up by the folks at the Hare House. The best seats in the house were actually not in the house, as the tables extended out into the street where one could eat and watch the extracurricular activities on one of Pattaya’s more interesting sois. And you didn’t want to be too close to the PA system when Mike Franklin led a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for Wayne Tischbern.

If they gave trophies for Best Behind the Scenes Support, Wayne would win every time. He ain’t much of a golfer, but he is one of those people that make Pattaya a better and more interesting place by being here. Happy Birthday Wayne.

Hannu and Bo take Stableford honors

Phoenix Country Club was the venue for the Pattaya Golf Society Stableford meeting on Tuesday, January 12, which also incorporated the 1st round of the Society’s Match Play Championship.

Division I was won yet again by the flying Finn Hannu Kemila with a resounding 44 points. His play also accounted for the demise of Roy Mitchell in the match play by 4 and 3. Roy had 7 pars and 1 birdie on his card and felt more than a little miffed, but all credit to Hannu.

Some consolation for Roy was that he finished runner-up in Division I with 40 points.

In Division II Swede Bo Ahlgrel was again a winner with 42 points. Runners-up with 37 points were Neil Griffin, Tom Waldron and John Hopkins.

Nearest the pins were shared by Neil Hughes, Reny and Peter Mackay.

Rays sting Marlins

When Robert’s Rays and Mike’s Marlins squared off at the weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, January 17, the Marlins wound up "sleeping with the fishes" as the Rays captured both ends of the doubleheader.

The Rays jumped out to a quick lead in the bottom of the first as Montreal (Uppa U.S.) Robert, back in the lineup after a long hiatus, and Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg smacked back to back homers staking the Rays to a four-zip lead.

The Marlins added one in the third and two in the fourth thanks to timely hits by Maple Leaf Rick and M. J. (Coffee) Jim.

But as the Marlins swam closer, the Rays pushed three across in the bottom of the fourth thanks to the Iceman’s second homer of the game.

Alan Vegas added a dinger for the Rays in the bottom of the fifth making the score eight to three.

When Dapper Dan and Aloha Tom homered for the Marlins in the top of the sixth, the margin was down to one.

The top of the seventh saw the Marlins tie the score, setting the stage for a dramatic bases loaded single to center by Montreal Robert with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, sinking the Marlins nine to eight.

The nightcap was a high scoring fiasco that saw the Rays score twelve runs in the last two innings to capture a twenty to fifteen victory. The Iceman added two more home runs to his resume as the Rays Dick (The Stick) Cagg and C. F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen each had three run dingers to contribute to the win.

Games are every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Pattaya School #7 on Sukhumvit Road just past Greenway driving range and Caltex gas station. Equipment is provided and refreshments are available. Everyone who shows up is included in the action and all are encouraged to participate.

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 at 3:00 p.m. 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, *Tahitian Queen, Team Canada, Fobé Sportswear, Modern Construction Products, Play Girls, Jesters, Russell (Pin Eye) Finch, Harry Riley, *Screenprint, Las Vegas.

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, Doctor J. R. Slater, Poteen Still, Rovers Return, the Rose Garden, BEC Language Center, Londoner, Computer Link, Mon and Bill, Big Terry, Austro Thai, *Orchid Trading, *Pattaya Mail, *Beer Put, Jim The Bizz, Bubbles, Lipstick, All Girls, and Hollywood Bar, Wilf Latham, Sportsman Inn, Bill Jones, Mental Micky, andSportsman Grill.

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 Stephen Beard 426200.

Finns and Americans enjoying fine golfing weather

Wednesday, January 13 - Natural Park Resort (Pairs Medal)

1st: Eero Kallinen & Pekka Raiha, net 66.
2nd: Jim Little & Billy Russell, net 67
3rd: Ron Melbourne & Dave Sydney, net 67

The Finnish team of Eero Kallinen and Pekka Raiha won the TAGGS Pairs Medal tournament at Natural Park Resort on Wednesday, January 13. With only one net bogey, they shot a six under par 66 to win the competition by one stroke.

These two snow birds are burning up the courses in Pattaya. Eero won last week out of the Kronborg. And if you haven’t seen Pekka’s name before, you haven’t read the Pattaya Mail in a while. This was Pekka’s fifth win in the past month out of the different venues, including major wins in the Hare House Invitational and the Memorial Classic.

Hiding out from Australia, dodging bill collectors and alimony payments, was "The Cockney Fox" Billy Russell. Billy teamed up with his ol’ bud Jimmy Little to take second place with a 67.

In third place, and failing to show up at the Hare House for the awards ceremony, were a couple of Aussies. Ron and Dave (last names unknown) must be loaded. Their score of 67 was just one stroke short of the first place sweep. Until further notice, they will be known as Ron Melbourne and Dave Sydney, which is a damn sight better than Dave Alice Springs.

Friday, January 15 - Laem Chabang International Country Club (Stableford)

A Flight
1st: Mike Morris, 44 points
2nd: Dennis Willett, 38 points
3rd: Pekka Raiha, 35 points

B Flight
1st: Marc Jernigan, 40 points
2nd: Patrick Kleeman, 38 points
3rd: Kevin Taylor, 33 points

The Hare House weekly Stableford tournament was held at one of Pattaya’s premier golf courses, the Jack Nicklaus designed Lame Chabang. When a competition is held at Laem Chabang, a large turnout is guaranteed, and Friday was no exception. A great round of golf is usually guaranteed as well. Mike Morris, playing off 11, shot a gross 75 for 44 Stableford points to win the overall competition. Second place in the ‘A’ flight was fellow American cowboy Dennis Willet who had 38 points. In third place was Finland’s Pekka Raiha with 35 points.

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather was American Marc Jernigan who had 40 points to take first place in the ‘B’ flight. Because Laem Chabang was crowded, there were no carts to be had, and Marc was forced to walk. Walking obviously agrees with Marc as he enjoyed his first win out of the Hare House in recent memory.

Second place in the ‘B’ flight was taken by Californian Patrick Kleeman with 38 points. Patrick, who started the day with a quadruple bogey on the first hole on the A course, finished very strongly and had 22 points on the back nine B course. In third place, and making his first appearance on the podium, was Englishman Kevin Taylor who had 33 points.

Stevens, Mills, Cameron and Utting top leader boards

PSC Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle

Wednesday 13 Jan - Khao Kheow

A total of 25 golfers made the trip to Khao Kheow, a dress rehearsal for next week’s PSC Championship. The course was in great condition and together with their magnificent new clubhouse, they now boast some of the finest facilities in the area. Jim Mills achieved victory in his last game prior to returning to the UK.

A Flight
Tony Stevens, net 71
Steve Mascari, net 73
Sven Berthelson, net 75

B Flight
Jim Mills, net 71
Carol Hutchet, net 73
Gez Tracey, net 75

Friday, 15 Jan. - Green Valley

Due to popular consent on the day, Stableford was played at the ever challenging Green Valley. Phil Utting, enjoying one of his almost free jaunts courtesy of his employer British Airways, romped away with 41 points. Neil Cameron continued his recent run of reasonable form using his newly acquired 11 handicap to full advantage. Incidentally, the cut between A and B flights was an unheard of 11, reflecting the improved standard of golf from the Green Bottle.

A Flight
Neil Cameron, 36 points
Stan Fry, 33 points

B Flight
P. Utting, 41 points
R. Holt, 37 points

Ebrahim tames Khao Kheow A & B with a net 65!

PSC Golf from Cafe Kronborg

Khao Kheow - Thursday 14th January (Stroke)

This course, in beautiful condition, presented the usual challenge to the 70 PSC golfers taking part in the warm up to the Club Championship. Ebrahim, showing his usual consistent form, returned the best score of the day with a net 65, including three birdies on the A & B nines. Closest to him were Thomas Bergwall and Bill ‘Bunker’ Jones, each with a net 70 in their respective divisions.

A Flight

Winner: Ebrahim, Net 65
2nd: Thomas Bergwall, Net 70
3rd: Audunn Einarsson, Net 72
4th: Svein Vistung, Net 72

B Flight

Winner: Bill Jones, Net 70
2nd: George Sechler, Net 71
3rd: Eddie Robertson, Net 75
4th: Sonja Hilmars, Net 75

Near-pins: A3 Udo Waack, A5 Doug Campbell, B3 Audunn Einarsson, B8 Not Given.
Long putts: A9 Brad Doyle, B9 Toy Theobald.
Long drive: Audunn Einarsson.

PSC Golf next week

January continues on Monday the 25th with a choice of Better Ball at Rayong Green Valley with PSC Golf from the Café Kronborg or Stableford at Laem Chabang with the PSC Splinter Group from the Green Bottle.

PSC Pattaya Golf Society goes to Great Lake for a Stableford competition on Tuesday the 26th and on Wednesday the 27th a choice of Stableford at Natural Park Resort with the Green Bottle, or a Two Man Scramble at Bangpra with PSC TAGGS from Hare House.

On Thursday the 28th the Monthly Medal for the Kronborg Mug takes place at Pattaya Country Club and the week ends on Friday 29th January with the monthly visit to Rayong Green Valley from the Green Bottle to play for the Diana Group sponsored Tankard. The other option that day is to play with Hare House who go to Sattahip for a Stableford competition.

Full details of the January and February Schedules can be seen at the PSC Golf venues, in Pattaya Mail and at our Web Site at www.pattayasports.org.

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.