Gary Baxter pummels course, wins Splinter Open

Rayong Green Valley Country Club, Friday, March 5 (Stroke Play)

The Splinter Golf Group held their Open Championship on Friday, March 5, at Rayong Green Valley Country Club. Eighty-three golfers teed it up on the Peter Thompson and Michael Wolveridge designed links layout considered by many to be one of the most difficult courses in the neighborhood. The neighborhood now has a new bully, as Canadian Gary Baxter shot his best round in Pattaya and pummeled the course with a gross 78 off a fourteen handicap and won the stroke play tournament with a net score of 64.

Gary Baxter (2nd right) was awarded the Splinter Open Golf Tournament championship trophy by Splinter Golf chairman Steve Ross (lift), Diana Group Managing Director Sophin Thepjug (2nd left) and PSC Golf Chairman Mike Franklin (right).

Gary is a regular visitor to Pattaya and just recently returned after an extended stay working in Rio de Janeiro. Since coming back to Thailand he has been "working" on his game and is a regular fixture at the local driving ranges and the par-3 course at Asia Pattaya. Gary’s friends will tell you that this was no fluke win. He really has been busting his rear end to get his handicap down. His winning round had twelve pars and six bogeys. It was good, solid golf and a well deserved win. He did add a little suspense to his round with his tee shot on the par 4, dogleg left eighteenth hole. "I hit it 260 yards, right over the corner and it came real close to being OB. It was a near thing but it was inside the line. This was just my day".

The ‘A’ Flight was won by Barry "the book" Tregurtha. Barry, who appears to have a ball before the tournaments organizing the auctions, shot a net 69 off his nine handicap. With a round like that, he had a lot of fun after the tournament. Second and third place in the ‘A’ flight were won by Pattaya golf regulars Neil Munro and Svend Berthelsen who both shot a net 70, with Neil taking second place in a count back.

The ‘B’ Flight was won by red hot Tom Gingerich who shot a gross 87 off his 23 handicap for a net 64. He lost the overall championship on a count back to Gary Baxter. Tom was very gracious in extending his congratulations to the winner and was quoted as saying that he was " just real happy to be playing well". Tom had a net 66 out of the Hare House two days before when he putted poorly. "Today, I couldn’t miss a putt," he declared. Second place in the ‘B’ Flight went to Jim Boyd who shot a net 70, and third place was won by Vance Callaghan in a count back with a net 71.

Ake Eriksson takes the wet route to pick up his nearest the pin trophy.

The Ladies Winner, on a day when there were quite a few ladies playing, was Maria Hasilla who had a net 74. She also had a Near Pin to go along with her win. Maria is going to have to make room for these trophies she is collecting. She was the Ladies Champion is the Classroom Charity Classic played on February 19.

Steve Mascari made a classy exit from his position as Chairman of the Splinter Group. Steve, who now heads up the golf being played out of his own restaurant, Lewiinski’s, won the Low Gross trophy with a fine 76.

The trophy presentations and the lucky draws were held pool side at the Diana Inn. The new Splinter Group Chairman Steve Ross and the folks at the Diana Inn are to be congratulated on establishing the benchmark by which all future post-golf tournament celebrations will be measured. The setting was beautiful and the food was fabulous. There were prizes galore given away and the enthusiasm and exuberance of the participants was contagious. Not too contagious, thankfully.

Ake Eriksson won the first trophy presented in the evening for a Near Pin on the fourth hole. In making his dash to the podium he took a short cut around the crowded poolside and ended up swimming to the trophy table. He enjoyed his swim so much that after being presented his prizes he dove back into the water and swam back to his table. The rest of the contestants declined the tacit invitation to cool off, but the fun went on all evening.

Splinter Open Golf Tournament Results:

Splinter Open Winner 1999:
Gary Baxter, Net 64

Ladies Winner:
Maria Hasilla, Net 74

Low Gross:
Steve Mascari, Gross 76

A Flight

1st: Barry Tregurtha, Net 69
2nd: Neil Munro, Net 70
3rd: Svend Berthelsen, Net 70

B Flight

1st: Tom Gingerich, Net 64
2nd: Jim Boyd, Net 70
3rd: Vance Callaghan, Net 71

Near Pins: #4 Ake Eriksson, #7 Maria Hasilla, #11 Joe Sparey, #15 Tom Gingerich.

Last Call For PSC Golf & Delaney’s St. Patrick’s Day Scramble

Rayong Green Valley, Wednesday March 17th

Sign-up in teams of four at the PSC Golf Venues: Hare House, Cafe Kronborg, Diana Inn, Lewiinski’s & The Bunker. Entry Fee B.1500.

Closing date for Entries is Monday 15th March at 5.00 p.m.

Texas Scramble rules will apply, with each team member having 3 tee shots on the card. Scoring will be stroke play. Team handicap will be 10% of combined handicaps. Maximum handicap allowance for men 36; ladies 40.

In recognition of St. Patrick’s Day, all players must wear something GREEN on the day.

Tee-off from 9.30 a.m.

Prizes to the winners and 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th place teams, plus special prizes donated by Delaney’s.

This Pattaya Sports Club golf tournament is sponsored by Delaney’s (The Irish Pub).

Race, Herning emerge as 1999 Catamaran Champs

Although inclement weather pervaded the just-sailed catamaran regatta held off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya, nevertheless good race management both on and off-shore insured that the event was at a level worthy of a national championship.

Peter Cummins
reports from Pattaya

David and Susan race emerged as the 1999 Hobie Cat 16 champions of Thailand, while Peter Herning won the concurrently-sailed Open Catamaran Championship on his Nacra 16 Square, held off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya.

The moderate winds of Day One deserted the scene, as principal race officer Dick van den Heuvel struggled valiantly to set good courses and hold the prescribed number of eight races spread over the three-day Marka Bucha weekend.

After the first day of a steady 12-knot southerly, the Race team were equal first with John Marten/Alexis Welsh on six points after three races, with Murray Maunder/Leonie Duson close in third with seven points.

Gary Baguley’s Nacra 5.0, with two firsts and a second, had accumulated four points, just one point clear of Peter Herning who won race three and who was, in turn, well ahead of Steve Blackburn (Nacra 16 Sq.) in third place on 10 points.

A Hoble Cat looks for the wind off Royal Varuna. Photo Peter Cummins.

Sunday dawned with a heavy cloud cover, a haze reducing visibility somewhat and what little wind there was, coming ominously from the north: bad auspices, indeed. So different were the conditions from the preceding day that it was as if the 1999 championships had moved to another country.

Nevertheless, race officer Richard, not a man to be easily intimidated by people, events - or climatic vagaries - went out mid-stream and by early afternoon he was satisfied that there would be three races - and there were.

Back on shore, David Wales, armed with new ship-to-shore radios, also ran a "tight ship", so to speak, crunching the numbers as the results flowed in. By the time the last boat had beached, the results were posted.

The results were vastly different, too, at the end of the second day. David Race, obliged to carry a penalty for an incorrect start, slipped to third place with 25 points, behind new leaders Marten/Welsh (16) and Maunder/Duson (19).

Gary had consolidated his place at the top of the open class, finishing day two with 10 points, to Herning’s 13 and Steve trailing on 19, in third place.

The last day was even worse, with a very heavy sky and some rainfall. By early afternoon, however, race officer Dick had set the course and, although the wind stayed stubbornly from the north, it was above that five-knot requirement for racing to start.

Two more races successfully completed allowed each team to discard the worst performance, and thus David/Susan, finishing 1, 2 on the last day, were able to jettison their penalty and take out the 1999 title with 15 points, from Marten/Welsh (19) and Maunder/Duson (20). One can only surmise how forth-placed Simon Prattley/Suzanne Merz would have fared had they started better: their last four races were placings of fourth, third, second and first, in ascending order.

The Great Dane had his day (every dog has his day, as the old adage would have it!). Baguley had to leave. Monday started grey and gloomy, but despite the weather, Herning was uncharacteristically euphoric: no Baguley; no problems!

It was all Herning’s and a last day’s second and third placings gave Peter Ole Herning the title, on 12 points. Gary finished second overall, with 18 points and Steve Blackburn third, on 20. As in the Hobie event, there was a "late bloomer" in the open. Bob Garner drove his new Nacra 17 into two first placings, finishing fourth overall on 21 points.

Results (first 10 only + points) Hobie Cat National C’ships of Thailand: 1. Race/Race (15); 2. Marten/Welsh (19); 3. Maunder/Duson (20); 4. Prattley/Merz (25); 5. Brancart/Semple (28); 6. Gardham/Gardham (34); 7. Paulhiac//Frankel/Phanpho (42); 8. Cassio/Cassio (48); 9. Wood-Thanan/Poopoksakul (64); 10. Edwards/Heather (69).

1999 Open Catamaran C’ships of Thailand (first seven only): 1. Herning (Nacra 16 Sq, 12); 2. Baguley/Baguley (Nacra 5, 18); 3. Blackburn (N. 16 Sq, 20); 4. Garner (Nacra 17, 21); 5. Moore/Bruce (31); 6. Connelly/Connelly (41); 7. Alex Skaria (N. 16 Sq, 48).

Bogeys ace Birdies

The Banglamung Birdies and the Bang Saray Bogeys teed it up at the weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, March 3. When the final score was tallied, the Bogeys better balled the Birdies and swept the doubleheader.

The Bogeys came charging out of the tee box, scoring three runs in the first inning behind G’day David’s two run homer to left. They added four in the second with C.F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen smacking a two run dinger to right.

The Birdies pushed three across in the bottom of the second with Dave (I’m Not Monica) Lewiinski, Esso Mike and M. J. (Coffee) Jim combining for RBI.

The top of the third saw the Bogeys jump all over the ball and push six across. Montreal (Uppa U.S.) Robert and Craig (The Hitman) Lewis each shanked doubles to right for RBI.

Just when the game seemed out of reach, the Birdies exploded for five in the fourth behind clutch hitting from Slammin’ Sammy and Gordon Lightfoot. They added four in the sixth and chipped the lead down to one going into the seventh.

The Bogey’s Maple Leaf Rick and Pittsburgh Al each had run scoring hits in the final frame and the Bogeys outlasted the Birdies 17-14.

The nightcap opened with the Birdies on top behind Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg’s two run shot to center.

Yet again, G’day David smacked a two run shot and before the inning ended the Bogeys had added six.

The Birdies staged several rallies and despite a long drive off the bat of Mark (The) Natural, the Bogeys prevailed 16-10 and walked away with high gross on the day. That’s good in baseball!

The weekly Pattaya Sports Club softball game is an all inclusive event. Anyone who would like to play is welcome to participate. You do not need a certificate from your home field or verification of your Little League batting average. A note from your mommy is not required and there’s no dress code. Heck, you don’t even have to be a member of the PSC. All that’s required is to show up at the field at Pattaya School #7 on Sukhumvit Road at 2:00 p.m. on any Sunday. Equipment is provided and refreshments are available. Leave your putter at home.

Gingerich notches “Taylor Made” victory

PSC TAGGS... golf from the Hare House

Wednesday, March 3 - Natural Park Resort Country Club (Stroke Play)

1st: Tom Gingerich, 66 net
2nd: Jim Little, 66 net
3rd: Stephen Beard, 76 net

Tom Gingerich shot a scratch 89 off his 23 handicap and won the TAGGS Stroke Play competition at Natural Park Resort on Wednesday, March 3rd with a net 66. Tom clinched his victory with natural birdies on two of the last four holes and walked away with his first win out of the Hare House.

Tom, who returned to Pattaya back in February after eight months at sea, must have been dreaming aboard ship about a round like he played Wednesday. (That and maybe a few other attractions that Pattaya has to offer). He credits his improved game to the new Taylor Made clubs he purchased in Hawaii. "This is the last set of golf clubs I will ever buy," he declared. Where have we heard that before?

In second place and also scoring a net 66 was Hare House regular Jimmy Little. Jimmy was playing in the same foursome with Tom Gingerich and claims they were having so much fun they didn’t realize how close their match was. "Tom missed at least four putts in the two to three foot range," claimed Jimmy. "I can’t complain about losing in a count back. If he had been putting well he would have shot a net 62".

The rest of The Alternative Golf Gentlemen’s Society seemed to find the course more difficult. Stephen Beard took third place with a net 76.

PSC Golf for March

On Sunday March 14th PSC Smokers from Lewiinski’s go to Noble Place to play Stableford. Sign-up at Lewiinski’s in Pattayaland Soi 1.

On Monday the 15th there is a choice of Better Ball at Green Valley with PSC Golf from the Café Kronborg, or Stableford at Eastern Star with the PSC Splinter Group from the Green Bottle.

On Tuesday the 16th, PSC Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker go to Natural Park Hill for a Two Man Scramble, while the Smokers from Lewiinski’s go to Green Valley to play Better Ball.

On Wednesday the 17th the St Patrick’s Day Scramble, sponsored by Delaney’s, takes place at Green Valley.

On Thursday the 18th, PSC Golf Café Kronborg goes to Khao Kheow to play Stableford.

And the week ends on Friday the 19th of March with the Splinter Group going to Phoenix and Hare House going to Siam Country Club, both Stableford competitions.

The 1999 PSC Charity Classic is at Phoenix on March 26th when Mulligans will again be official!

We aim to raise over B.250,000 for Charity through the sale of ‘Charity Mulligans’. The popular ‘Full Monty’ Mulligan offer will be available again with all the proceeds going towards the charity target.

Hole sponsors, and contributors to the Lucky Mulligan Draw from last year wishing to repeat their participation, should contact: Mike Franklin at phone/fax 731144; e-mail [email protected]; Stephen Beard at phone/fax 426200; email [email protected]; Steve Ross at phone/fax 720550 or e-mail [email protected]; Gez Tracey at phone 422965, fax 423722, or e-mail [email protected].

More details in future issues of Pattaya Mail and at PSC Golf venues.

Sign-up early for this, and the St. Patrick’s Day Scramble.

The full March Schedule can be seen at the PSC Golf Venues and at our Web Site at www.pattayasports.org.

Stormin’ Norman on form at Green Valley

PSC Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker

Norman Brooks edged out Bo Ahlgren on count back to win the Pattaya Golf Society Bunker Bar medal competition at Green Valley on Tuesday, March 2nd. And Green the course certainly was, in perfect condition, a tribute to the grounds staff whose work is very much appreciated by local golfers.

With these good conditions, it was no surprise that some good scores were posted. John Kendall shot a net 70 to earn third place.

1st and 2nd places were decided by count back, with Bo Ahlgren losing out to Norman Brooks, who shot a net 33 on the back 9. Both shot a net 69.

The management kindly donated a free green fee which was given to the best nearest the pin, won by Anders Karlsson, 3 ft. Away.

Other nearest pins were won by Norman Brooks, Colin Morgan and Mike Parsons.

Pattaya Sports Club - Charity Classic 1998

Last year, the 1998 Pattaya Sports Club Charity Classic Tournament, held at Phoenix Golf & Country Club on Friday May 15th, exceeded its target and raised Baht 210,000 for local charities - Banglamung Home for the Aged; Redemptorist School for the Blind; The Fountain of Life Children’s Center and Banglamung Schools Self-Help Food Project.

The Tournament was sponsored by Pattaya Sports Club, PSC Golf and Member Groups TAGGS from Hare House and the Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle. Charitable donations were also received from Reaper & Mo, and the Rotary Club of Jomtien -Pattaya. Pattaya Mail were generous in their publicity for the event.

1998 Technical Prize Holes were sponsored by: The Diana Group, T.M.S. George Davis, Team Canada, Harry Riley & Ronnie Glaister, Bill Thompson, Northern Thai Insurance (Jack Levy), Asset Management International (Brian Imrie), Orchid Trading (Stan Fry), Moonshine Beach House (Charles Davlin), Fobe Jewellery (Stephen Beard), The Classroom (Stan Fry), Papasan Ray Rogers, Lipstick and Bubbles A-Go-Go, Foster Wheeler, Tahitian Queen (Woody), Las Vegas (Peter), All the Way Live Productions, and the Cafe Kronborg (Bjarne Nielsen).

Lucky Draw Prizes (value over B.100,000 ) were contributed by: The Green Bottle, Royal Garden Resort, Hare House, Harry Riley, Pattaya Sports Supply, Phoenix Golf & Country Club, Ronnie Glaister, Sportsman’s Inn & Grill, Shakey Pete’s, Bill Collis, Richard Livingston, Izzy Freedman, Toppoint Corporation, Dene Mundy, Neil Cameron, Mermaid Dive Center, Bourbon Street, Mike Mclaren, Computer Link, Mike Franklin, Noble Place Golf Club, Reaper & Mo, Clive Pearce, Town-in-Town Hotel, Pattaya Mail, Classic Tailor, Raja’s Fashion, Ron Herbert, Fairplay Mini-Golf, Laem Chabang International Country Club, Lipstick a Go-Go, Bali Hai Beach Resort, Doug Powell, Lumpy, Skippy & Dave, Delaney’s Pattaya, Bill Thompson, Herbie Ishinaga, Steve Ross, Cathay Pacific, Sugar Shack, Andy’s Driving Range.

The value of Technical and Lucky Draw Prizes was over B.200,000 and provided the incentive for the 88 players taking part on the day to so generously support the Tournament through the purchase of Charity Mulligan / Lucky Draw Tickets. No less than 45 players bought the maximum ‘Full Monty’ Mulligan Offer, immediately generating B.112,500 for charity, and a further large sum was raised through other sales.

The Organizing Committee of Mike Franklin, Bill Collis, Harry Riley, Bill Thompson and Stephen Beard wish to thank all those who contributed to, and participated in the Tournament. Also to those who assisted on the day: Ivan Town, Marc Gorda, Richard Livingston, Benny (computer), Herbie, Ken Crow & ladies for the Western Barbecue, and Steve Ross.

Results from the PSC Charity Classic 1998
Team Prizes - (Aggregate Best 3 Stableford scores)"

Winning Team: ‘Afterthoughts’: 147 Points, Ian Pike, Neil Hughes, Tom Kennedy and Brian Imrie.

2nd Runners-Up: ‘Moonshine’: 143 Points, George Davis, Larry Willet, Charles Davlin and Ian Warwick.

3rd Runners-Up: ‘Four Stars’: 140 Points, Ged Mason, Philippe Berra, Bernie Tuppin and Mike Johnston (Count-back).

4th Runners-Up: ‘Playboys’: 140 Points, Gerard Lambert, Richard Holt, Niall McCarty and Alan Laurie.

Best Individual Stableford Score: Doug Powell, 55 Stableford Points.

Note: The Organizing Committee regrets that, due to an incorrect computer entry, the 2nd Place Trophies were awarded to the ‘Classroom Lost Links’ who honorably pointed the mistake out at the end of the Trophy presentations. Winner and 4th Places were not affected. However, ‘Moonshine’ became Runners-up and in 3rd Place came the ‘Four Stars’. We apologize to the ‘Four Stars’, ‘Moonshine’ and ‘Classroom Lost Links’ teams for the error and inconvenience caused.

Technical Prize Winners

Mountain 9 (Name, Format, Sponsor, Prize)

#1 Mike Franklin, Straight Drive, Diana Group, B.5000 cash
#2 Norman Brooks, Nearest to Line, T.M.S George Davis, Cordless Phone
#3 Dan Dorothy, Long Drive ‘B’, Team Canada, 20" TV
#4 Chris Dettweiler, Closest to Pin, Harry & Ronnie, B.5000 cash
#5 Henry Walker, Nearest Pin 2nd, Bill Thompson, Leather Bag + Whisky & Brandy
#6 Dennis Willet, Nearest Flag, Northern Thai Insurance, B.5000 cash
#7 Carol Riley, Nearest the Line, Asset Management International, Microwave
#8 Gay Horan, Closest to Pin, Orchid Trading, 14" Color TV
#9 Gez Tracey, Longest Putt, Moonshine B’House, Fridge

Lakes 9

#1 Steve Mascari, Nearest Pin 2nd, Fobe Jewellery, B.5000 Jewellery
#1 Jampa Pharaphaen, Ladies Long Drive, Fobe Jewellery, Necklace Set
#2 Bernie Tuppin, Nearest Pin, Classroom, Water Cooler
#3 Ron Herbert, Longest Putt, Papa Ray Rogers, Fridge
#4 Lars Furugaard, Nearest Line, Lipstick, Water Cooler
#5 Doug Powell, Straight Drive, Bubbles, 14" Color TV
#6 Herbie Ishinaga, Nearest to Flag, Foster Wheeler, Microwave
#7 Ebrahim, Closest to Pin, Tahitian Queen, B.7000 Cash
#8 Ebrahim, Nearest Line, Las Vegas, Microwave
#9 Kuhn Tira, Long Drive ‘A’, All the Way Live Prod., B.5000 cash
#9Mike Franklin, Longest Putt, Cafe Kronborg, 1 Baht Gold Chain

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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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.