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Of Nacras and Topcats: Royal Varuna Action

VFW Post 9876 jumps back into second place

Big fish fights back

Poltony’s Restaurant and Mini-golf to host mini-golf tournament to raise funds for HeartT 2000

African tricks too much for sleepy Havana

Good week in the sun for Ebrahima

Experience wins at Treasure Hill

Bionic Allan Pearce clobbers the field

A tale of Two Tough Courses

Claude Martin wins the Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament 2002

The Square Ring

Pattaya Mail PC Classic: All Go at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort

Happy Birthday President Carl

All PSC members are invited to attend new clubhouse grand opening

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Of Nacras and Topcats: Royal Varuna Action

story and photos by Peter Cummins

It was one of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club’s best-inscribed events for a long time, when some 45 craft and 15 wind-surfers sailed off the Club, in clear weather, slight seas and moderate southerlies, for the Varuna Cup 2002.

The first shipment of new craft had just arrived at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club: the first new boats to be imported for several years. The anxious sailors could hardly wait to tear the wrapping and boxes off the fleet of Nacra 16 Squares - the hottest and most popular sailing machine around these parts - and “test the waters”, so to speak.

A long line of Nacras keep out the Hobie Cat

And of course, there was not just one event, but two: the Varuna Cup and the Topcat Challenge which saw some ‘old’ and some ‘new’ faces in the winners’ circle.

Maestro Gary Baguley bolted home in the Varuna Cup Open Class, with five straight wins from rapidly rising Nacra 16 Square star Alberto Cassio, and Les Nyerges coming back to race after a long absence.

Virginie Lacrosse did likewise in the Optimist Class, finishing with a perfect zero score, to beat Antoine de Cuyper, Joe Connelly and Kevin Suama.

Elsewhere, in the Laser Division, it was Siri Chandler thriving in the light conditions who easily beat erstwhile Laser regional champion, Morton Jakobsen, taking a break from the English winter and Marco Miagostovich, taking a break from Bangkok, third and U Thiha, fourth.

The Races, David and Susan, demolished the badly-depleted Hobie Cat fleet, also with a zero score, winning from perennial Hobie Catamariner Alain Brancart with Carrie Shannon while Varuna Flag Commodore Don Mackenzie and Simon Carey were third.

Sponsors for the two-day regatta were the Amari Orchid Resort, Coca Cola, Groovy Map - “fun mapped out” - Packworks Quality - “Products by the Bear”. Boonrawd Brewery sponsored Singha beer.

The Topcat Challenge

The Topcat Challenge 2002 came right after the Varuna Cup. While Gary Baguley was wrestling with his new Nacra on the Royal Varuna lawn, the Challenge opened the way for Les Nyerges, racing Gary’s old Nacra 16 Square, to rack up his first win after an absence of more than two years.

That other Nacra 16 Sq. supremo, Alberto Cassio came in second, just ahead of the Antony Chapman/Naifah Lumliengpol team racing a Nacra 5.5, just ahead of Olaf Reese, also soloing on the 16 Square. But, as the cliche would have it: “you can’t keep a good man down”. Baguley, having finished assembling his new 16 SQ., joined the fray out on the Gulf, winning the last two races and finishing fourth overall.

The Topcat Challenge is the annual event, designed by the Top Catter himself, Anders Widen who now resides in London. It is the legacy of the Topcat World Championships held at Pattaya several years ago, which, when it was finished, donated funds to Royal Varuna for an annual race. The Topcats were not exactly ubiquitous and it was only Harry Ghoos who struggled to uphold the Topcat red-banded sail, among the rest of the felines on the water. Harry’s placing is not being announced.


VFW Post 9876 jumps back into second place

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

Captain Morn led her VFW Post 9876 team with a 202 game and 558 series to regain second place and move ahead of Shakey Pete’s in the Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League. Jim rolled a 524 series to help the VFW team take four points from Winchester Club. Sven had a 511 series for the Winchester team.

200 bowlers: Ken, Morn, Mio and Kiell.

First place team House of the Golden Coin won three points from the Sultans of Swing with Mio once again leading her team with steady games of 201, 188, 180, and a 569 series. Ken, Sultan of Swing, had a 216 last game to help his team win one point.

Cafe Ole whitewashed Shakey Pete’s taking all four points and knocking them into third place. The lanes must have been tough for these teams as no really good scores were registered in the match.

Cafe Kronborg won three points from the Three Sisters behind a 521 series rolled by Konrad and Captain Kran’s 514-pin count. Newcomer Kiell had a 214 game and 570 series for the Three Sisters and Tue chipped in a 507 series.

League Standings

Team Points Points - 15 Feb

House of the Golden Coin
VFW Post 9876
Shakey Pete’s
Winchester Club
Sultans of Swing
Cafe Ole
Three Sisters
Cafe Kronborg

48 - 36
47 - 38
44 - 40
41.5 - 42.5
41.5 - 42.5
39.5 - 44.5
37.5 - 46.5
37 - 47

3 - 1
4 - 0
0 - 4
0 - 4
1 - 3
4 - 0
1 - 3
3 - 1


Big fish fights back

Ralf Bernard, fishing from Arthur Mason’s boat Talay Queen with some Canadian visitors, caught a magnificent sailfish measuring over 2 and a half meters in length; the largest in a long time. When hooked, the fish took off, stripping line off the reel and forcing Captain Witt to quickly up anchor to follow the fish. After an hour’s chase, the fish was finally subdued. Exhausted but delighted, Bernard declared that the day’s fishing at Samasan had been better than in Hawaii where he recently holidayed.


Poltony’s Restaurant and Mini-golf to host mini-golf tournament to raise funds for HeartT 2000

PolTony’s Restaurant and Mini-Golf on Thappraya Road, South Pattaya will host a mini-golf tournament to raise funds in support of the Help Ensure AIDS Rescue in Thailand Together (known as the HeartT 2000) project. The committee hosted a small reception in the restaurant at Poltony’s where a presentation was given about HeartT 2000 by the founder Dr. Philippe Seur.

Dr. Phillipe Seur treats AIDS patients, and has over 400 patients from around Thailand. He often prescribes the much-needed cocktail of drugs currently used to treat patients with HIV. This project relies solely on sponsorship to keep it going.

The mini-golf tournament at PolTony’s is aimed at providing financial assistance to Dr. Seur’s project and will take place on Friday and Saturday the 22nd and 23rd of February. Entrance fees are 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Tickets are available at PolTony’s. For further information, call Pol or Tony on 038 250 318.


African tricks too much for sleepy Havana

Soho F.C. 3 - Havana F.C. 1

Bangkok based Africans, Soho, inflicted Havana’s second league defeat of the season in week 13 of the MBMG Casuals League, moving the Africans to second in the table and pushing Havana back to third. It could well have been a far different story but for a catalogue of missed chances and some fine saves by the Africans acrobatic goalkeeper Kamo, who not only pulled off a string of remarkable saves but also did his best to score by taking any free kicks that were just outside the Havana area.

Notable absentees for Havana meant this was always going to be a difficult match. The missing men included goalkeeper Samarth and the midfield trio of Nicholson, Portugais and Williams. In goal for his second appearance of the season came Italian lightweight Gilberto, into midfield Mark Taylor and player coach Derek Armour who, after making several cameo performances as substitute made his first start of the season. Up front the prolific John Parkin and the old fox Dale Farrington were back in tandem.

With the International School of the Regents pitch in perfect condition Havana kicked off defending the castle end and were soon finding lots of space on the right side of the Africans’ defense. Farrington in particular was reveling in this space, as would have the missing Nicholson, and within the first 10 minutes Farrington had three chances to open the scoring. However, his finishing was not up to his usual standard. With one of the chances he did force the keeper into making a fine save but the other chances went begging.

More chances to open the scoring were wasted by Parkin, Con Giatas and Paul Crouch before the Africans took the lead on 25 minutes. What seemed to be a harmless cross shot came sneaking into the corner of the Havana goal.

More disaster followed 2 minutes later as the Africans scored number 2. A corner from the right, Gilberto elected to punch as challenged by the African center forward Ali who ended up in the Havana net screaming in agony. Expecting the referee to blow his whistle to give assistance to the stricken striker Havana seemed to stop playing allowing Kante to score. Ali then made a remarkable recovery to celebrate the goal.

In the second half and with the comfort of a two-goal advantage the Africans began to show a few tricks. Knocking the ball about, keeping possession and giving the huffing and puffing Giatas and Crouch the run around in midfield. Without really threatening to score the Africans were content to keep possession and let the clock run down. With ten minutes to go Armour had a great chance to pull a goal back. Put clean through by Giatas for a one on one with Kamo six yards from goal, Armour struck his shot cleanly but the flying Kamo pulled of yet another fine save. As coach Armour put it, “ The best save I have ever seen.”

The Africans started to play keep ball again and this time scored. With the Havana defense stretched, leaving fullback Kevin Pullen to mark three African attackers, Kante took advantage and headed in number three.

John Parkin was then booked after Mark Taylor chopped down the Africans full back. A case of mistaken identity. Taylor then found himself in box with a great chance but fired over.

In the dying seconds Havana captain did what no other Havana player had done all day. Won a 50 -50 ball on the edge of the Africans penalty area. The ball broke to Farrington and it looked like he might score but, low on confidence, he delayed his shot. Fortunately for Havana goal poacher Parkin stepped in to fire passed Kamo.

The last action of the day saw the Africans fullback cautioned for a bad tackle on Farrington. This challenge left Farrington with six stud marks on his shin, one for each of his chances that went begging.

Man of the Match - Kamo

Crowd - 80


Good week in the sun for Ebrahim

PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg

Monday 11 Feb: Noble Place (Stroke)

Noble Place was host for 38 players in two flights: A flight 0-17, and B flight 18 up. Big hitter Dan Lindbeck took the A flight with a net 68, Choo Choo Dave Addison was second on net 70, Don Richardson third net 73 and Willie Mooney fourth on net 74.

Harold Gruber took the B flight with a net 69, Howie Forrest second net 70, Dave Richardson third net 74 from Denis Curtain fourth on count back net 74.

Near pins: A2 Dan Lindbeck, A6 Paul Coutoumas, B2 Ebrahim, and B5 Ebrahim.

Long putts: A9 John Gardner and B9 Ebrahim.

Thursday 14 Feb: Khao Kheow (Stableford)

I once spent 5 years in the middle of a desert, hundreds of kilometres of sand in every direction; the heat was intense and one of the things you learned was to take cover when you could and to make certain you took maximum fluids.

Ebrahim won 3 technical prizes on Monday and A flight Thursday.

Surprisingly, we built a golf course, only nine holes but on every tee box was placed a big water container filled with ice and water so you could keep up your fluid intake. Lesson one in the heat: cover your head and take plenty of fluids.

Here in Thailand the problem is well recognised, so every few holes they have a rest stop where they sell water and drinks such as Gatorade to put the salts back in your body; very important as it can be extremely humid at times.

In 17 years in the sun of the Middle East I never suffered from heat stroke but here I had severe sunstroke last year and was extremely distressed. I always take electrolyte powder and drink as much as I can.

Thursday’s B flight winner Hiroshi Segara.

Fifty-six golfers of various ages, but mostly ‘no longer young’, played B & C courses, all starting on B course from 10:30 a.m. on in groups of 4. Thanks go to the staff of Khao Kheow at this point for the extra effort they put in to get us the extra tee times by putting us off B first and I believe specially opening it.

Rushing to the first tee after sorting out the start times I realised I had not bought water but no problems we would stop soon for water. Unfortunately not only were all the drink stops on B closed but the stop between B & C had no cold water. My caddie helped me out by letting me share her water after 7 holes when I was gasping for water. A simple “sorry drink stops are closed” would have allowed all the golfers to take out extra water and saved me all the flak that came my way from overheated golfers.

Khao Kheow is a great golf course and those golfers who finished played some good golf. A flight was won by Ebrahim, who had on Monday won 2 near pins and a long putt, with 35 points. Second was Maurice Herberge on 34 points on count back over Don Richardson also 34 points. Fourth was Rick Sommers on 33 points who beat Daniel Lundberg on count back.

B flight was won by Hiroshi Segara on 38 points on count back over 2nd John Cahill also 38 points. Third was Toy Theobald with 37 points and fourth ‘The Admiral’ Dave Richardson.

Near pins: B3 Alan Winch, B8 Jim Boyd, C3 Goran Jonsson, and C8 Fred Theobald.

Long putts: B9 Trevor Ellison and C9 Mick Barlow.


Experience wins at Treasure Hill

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker

The picturesque and wickedly challenging course at Treasure Hill Golf Club was the venue for the Bunker Boys and Girls on the day of the Chinese New Year. Forty-two golfers picked up the gauntlet and took on the course, many without caddies, as the club had chosen to give them a holiday for the occasion!

The course can be beaten by a thinking golfer with experience on the subtly changing greens and experience was to show when, in division one, Michael Dige produced the round of the day, gross 76, net 70, to net the top spot. He was a full six shots ahead of the runners-up, Bob Morrison and elder statesman Norman Brooks, on 76.

In division two another wise man, George Meigh, produced a good round of net 73, just pipping Mam Trayling and Frank Neilsen, both on 75.

The two’s were recorded, all on the very short sixth, and the winners were Stan Goodwin, Bob Morrison, Dave Spendley and John King. The Bunker Banana Booby went to Terry Phur for his appalling putting (no caddy of course!) but it could have gone to many others for the same reason. The wisest Bunker Boy was probably the Pathfinder, Chris John, who decided against playing there in the first place, instead enjoying a stress-free day at forgiving Phoenix.

Catch the Bunker Boys at http://www.thebunkerboys.com


Bionic Allan Pearce clobbers the field

Three Sisters Golf

On Monday the 11th, the Three Sisters group met at Siam Country Club for their weekly bragging rights session. Bionic Man Alan Pearce, with both knees replaced, clobbered the rest of the field and came in with 42 points. Alan kicked butt as he passed up Bobby Clark by 3 points.

Allan Pearce bragged about his 42 points while Mo cried about his 22 at the ‘Caddy Shack 2’ after Golf at Siam CC 11 February.

On a little outing at Phoenix on Thursday the 14th, Alan again kicked some butt again with his bionic knees and humbled the field with a gross 62! Okay Steve, where’s the pencil?

Both Derrick Brooks and Doug Powell started well on Monday but faded on the back nine - better luck next week.

Last week Big Moberg floated to the top like cream - but this week the cream turned and sank to the bottom in a hurry when Big Mo hit the bottom with 22 points. Moberg was trying to beach himself and tried hanging on to trees, and even tried carving out ditches, but the situation only made his game worse. I’m sure that next week will be better - I can’t see Big Mo at the bottom for two weeks running.

Fun was had by all at Caddy Shack Two as Dene Mundy supplied the snacks for the week.


A tale of Two Tough Courses

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday 11th February - Phoenix Mountain & Lakes (Monthly Medal)

Ladies Division

1st: Lamud Lindborg, 69

2nd Division

1st: Al Rolnik, 71 cb9 31
2nd: Marc Jernigan, 71 cb9 34.5
3rd: Einar Widness, 71 cb9 37

1st Division

1st: Kevin Ward, 71
2nd: Phil Groves, 72
3rd: Barry Winton, 74

The monthly medal played from the blue tees is always a tough test of golf and is even more so when it is over the Mountain and Lakes courses at Phoenix, as evidenced by the winning scores, only one under par in both the gentlemen’s divisions, despite the strong field of golfers. The first group were led home by newcomer Kevin Ward playing off a 4 handicap and edging out Phil Groves and Barry Winton with a very creditable gross 75.

Big Al Rolnik, who managed to score a great 39 on the back nine and take the prized medal after the count back, headed the second division trailed by Marc Jernigan and Einar Widness, the latter who recorded his first visit to the winner’s podium.

In the Ladies division, Lamud Lindborg again showed her ever increasing skills, to record the best score of the day and can look forward to another decrease in her handicap that is going down by leaps and bounds.

Kevin also scored the only two of the day to make it a first visit to The Haven to be remembered. Before he received his trophy and pool winnings, Richard Livingston, the resident PGA professional, welcomed him as a new member.

Wednesday 13th February - Sattahip (Stableford)

2nd Division

1st: B.J. Smith, 36
2nd: Bill Campbell, 32
3rd: Stefan Hoge, 31 cb9 17
4th: Dave Spendley, 31 cb9 16
5th: Einar Widness, 31 cb9 13

1st Division

1st: Jeff McLaury, 36
2nd: Oradee Kaesavane, 34
3rd: John Clements, 32
4th: Terry Minnighen, 31 cb9 16
5th: Don Scott, 31 cb9 15

Playing over the new layout of the North and West courses proved to be a long and arduous trek for the majority of the participants, which was not helped by the lack of golf carts, due to a large competition being held simultaneously over the other two nines. The par 72 certainly played its full length, and this was borne out by the winners only managing to equal par in both divisions.

B.J. Smith again showed that he will soon be coming down, playing a very steady and meticulous round, without any major disasters. Bill Campbell and Stefan Hoge were left someway behind over the back nine, but still managed to secure their podium positions.

In the first division, Jeff McLaury showed a welcome return to form, demoting Oradee Kaesavane to second place, with John Clements third a little further back, closely followed by Terry Minnighen and git-fiddle virtuoso Don Scott.

Lars Schackt, Dan Maclean, Oradee and Don Scott shared the huge twos pool.

Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new members Bill Campbell and Glenn Ford, whilst welcoming back Mick Barlow and Stefan Hoge.


Claude Martin wins the Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament 2002

Claude Martin beat 33 other competitors take the title of champion in the Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament for 2002.

Nick Hurn (left) presents the championship trophy to Claude Martin, winner of the Asean Explorer Golf Open 2002.

The Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament is annual event where enthusiastic golfers from Britain tour the Eastern Seaboard golf courses in a round robin Stableford event over 2 weeks, playing at Siam Country Club, Burapha Golf Course, Treasure Hills and Eastern Star.

The Haven on Soi 13 was the venue for the prize giving presentation ceremony, where competitors, organizers and significant other halves enjoyed a buffet style dinner before proceeding with the into the formalities.

MC and tour organizer, Nick Hurn remarked that is good to see a mixture of old and new faces during the event, with this year including four lady golfers.

First up was the technical prizes; after receiving a nearest the pin prize, Judith Inghar said should couldn’t accept the prize without singing for the crowd, whereupon she was aptly joined by the entire group for the chorus.

The Results:

Overall for 4 Rounds: 1. Claude Martin, 2. Dougie Riach, 3. Terry Dalton

Nearest the pins winners were won by Mashi Kaneta, Claude Martin, Pete Sumner, Neil Burnell, Judith Ingham, Brian Kelly, Derek Trees, Cedrick Ingham, and Chris Fitzgerald

Low gross, and winner of the wooden putter was Herbie Herbert.


The Square Ring

by Howie Reed

The State of Georgia (USA) has licensed Mike Tyson to fight, indicating their opinion of (not necessarily in this order) the Nevada Athletic Commission, political leaders and the Association of Boxing Commissioners. “He paid his $10.00 and he proved he is physically able to fight. He was issued a license.”

It was Georgia that licensed Muhammad Ali to fight after his three year absence. That followed Ali’s “I got nothing against them Vietnamese” comment. Ali’s comeback fight was October 26, 1970 in Atlanta Georgia when he TKO’d Jerry Quarry (53-9-4) in 3.

If Tyson and Lewis fight in Atlanta it would be held in the Georgia Dome sometime first week in June. The Lewis Camp wants to avoid the World Cup. Guess the mindset is that English Hooligans would prefer a “pint and a kick” over watching “the greatest heavyweight in history” even if he is via Canada and Jamaica.

Patrick’s Boxing Promotions is coming back with their second promotion March 8th and the Pattaya Mail’s boxing guru will be absent. Sad but true. The card, which will be held at “The Thepprasit Stadium” and called, clever enough, the “Theprasit Stadium Boxing Challenge” will include both Muay Thai and international fights. For promoter/boxer, Patrick “The Belgian” it will be his last tune up fight before he returns to his homeland for his final trip into the squared circle which might include a world title. Boxers from Carry Boy Gym, Bangkok, ISS Team as well as France, Italy, Slovakia, England, Australia and of course Belgium are scheduled to be on the card. There are only 70 VIP seats available at 800 baht with economy seating at 700 baht. Want tickets? Call Patrick: 01-687-24-10.

Each winning fighter gets a belt while each looser walks away with a dust catcher (trophy). As with other Patrick promotions there’ll be “dancing girls” (“walking to music”) between bouts. The traditional ring girls will represent the many sponsors and some even carrying numbers over their heads to signify rounds. Australian Aaron Dixon who won on the Brute Force Challenge card with a KO will be joined with two other “farangs” on the card. Coming in to referee is Mr. Tillemans from Belgium. One of the judges will be Bob Logist, also Belgian, who refereed Patrick’s last fight in December.

Twin brothers Chana and Songkram Porpaoin, both ex world champs, celebrated the Chinese New Year in style. They both won at Yaowarat, Bangkok. Two time former WBA 105-lb champ Chana Porpaoin (47-2-1) with a 6th round TKO over Filipino Jack Comain. Brother Songkram (23-4-1, 11 KOs) came back to stop ABC lightfly champ Pikmy Muangchaiyaphum (14-3-1, 7KOs) in the 5th. The Porpaoins were the second world champion twins, following the Galaxy Brothers (Kaosai and Kaokor).

Next Wednesday night in Bangkok (as made famous in the song “One Night in Bangkok”) there’s a PABA Flyweight championship box fight. Denkaosan Kaovichit (23-0) takes on Hamadani Tumagola (11-4-2).

They say that confession is good for the soul. Sometimes I get stuff off the net and just print it. Here’s one that I liked. “Elongated WBC #9 ranked southpaw Takashi Koshimoto (29-1-2, 14 KOs), 126, kept sticking southpaw jabs all night to retain his OPBF feather belt by a unanimous decision over Thai ruler Saengsi Poh Chaiwattana (11-5, 7 KOs), 126, over 10 monotonous frames.” Kinda paints a picture.

Other results: Unbeaten OPBF #7 ranked lightweight prospect Dainoshin Kuma (19-0, 9 KOs), 131, needed just 91 seconds of the 1st to dispatch Thai #2 super-feather contender Tyson Sorjaturong (13-4, 10 KOs). WBC #16 Takuya Kiya (19-4-1, 14 KOs), 116.25, sent Thai #9 Saengcharoen Mahasaph Condo (3-5-1, 1 KO), 116, to the canvas twice before his 8th round KO. Shunsuke Ito (10-1-1, 7 KOs), 139, continued his KO streak by halting Thai Chalaamdam Sistyatraditrakam, 139, at 2:50 of the 6th.

Hold on kids it gets worse. Unbeaten Japanese #3 fly Noriyuki Komatsu (12-0-5, 5 KOs), 115, landed a haymaker left hook that sent unorthodox Thai fly champ Phisetsh Voh Suraphol, 114.25, sprawling to the deck at 1:41 of the 4th round. Hard-hitting Japanese #4, Indonesian import Alvarado Ishimaru, 138.25, blasted out Thai Ramsongkram Suwanharnjabee, 140, by dropping him twice and for the count at 1:17 of round 1.

Japs 5, Indonesian Import 1, Thailand NIL. What is going on?


Pattaya Mail PC Classic: All Go at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort

by Peter Cummins

It is all about to happen - again! The Eighth ‘Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta’ is set to be sailed on Saturday the ninth of March off the Royal Cliff. The race management team expects a big fleet, enhanced by a shipment of Nacra Catamarans which arrived recently at Royal Varuna Yacht Club, located in the bay contiguous to that of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

Khun Panga with the winners at the 2001 regatta

At this stage, it is anticipated that there will be four types of craft competing: Multihulls, Monohulls (Lasers), Optimists and Windsurfers, “but that could change,” says Royal Varuna Yacht Club sailing secretary Richard Van Den Heuvel. “It will depend on the number of entries which, in some cases, may be sub-divided into other classes,” he added.

Sponsors are lining up behind this great yacht-racing event which will propel Pattaya’s image world-wide as a most desirable marine sports and family-oriented tourist destination.

The Pattaya Mail newspaper, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Thai Fuji Xerox, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Office of the Governor of Chonburi, Carlsberg, Coca Cola and, of course, the managing authority, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, have all pledged support.

The PC Classic: Genesis of a Yacht Race

The “PC” in the title of the regatta stands for Peter Cummins, who has been the resident yachting scribe in Thailand, covering not just yachting, but many other marine-related activities, for the Bangkok Post, The Nation, other regional newspapers, magazines and the visual media, since the 1970s and, more recently, for the Pattaya Mail and the Pattaya Mail TV Channel.

The new, sleek, hi-tech Nacra 16 Squares: new ‘kids on the block’

In the course of this, Peter has photographed and publicised almost every national championship in the Kingdom, many events in the region - Malaysia and Singapore, particularly - the Olympic Games and Paralympics in Sydney in 2000 and the finals of the America’s Cup in Auckland, also in 2000 - the only Thai-based journalist ever invited to cover the America’s Cup finals.

Peter has just returned from the fifteenth successive Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, dedicated to His Majesty the King, this year with BMW as the principal sponsor, as well as other ongoing supporters of this now world-famous event. His coverage always provides quality publicity to the individual sponsors and, certainly, presents a positive image of Thailand through the international press and media.

PC driving hard at the 2001 Regatta

Peter is a former Commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (1979-1980) and, in recognition of his contributions to the development of yacht racing in the Kingdom through writing and photography, he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership. The Royal Varuna Club, founded in July 1957, is the Kingdom’s largest and most active yacht club which, over the years, has been host club to innumerable national, regional and world championships, including several South East Asian and Asian Games yachting sections.

At the same time as the Varuna award, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the national authority, granted Peter a life membership. Both these honours were made in 1995, when a regatta was also initiated to celebrate the scribe’s 60th birthday - the “PC Classic” - which was inaugurated in March 1995. As Peter Malhotra, the managing director of the Pattaya Mail Publishing Company said it so succinctly just last year, “When he had reached the ripe young age of 60 in 1995, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club decided to give its former commodore a real ‘sail off’ - into glorious retirement (from the United Nations). Sail off he did; but into retirement - even glorious? NEVER!” Peter emphasized.

The Royal Cliff Beach Resort: what a place for a “clean, green” regatta

By the end of the sixth sailing in 1999, the regatta had attracted the attention of two major forces on the Eastern Seaboard, the Pattaya Mail and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. Both known for their dedication to a “clean, green Pattaya”, it is little wonder that they offered total support to an activity that must be one of mankind’s most environmentally-friendly pursuits: yacht racing - a perfect activity for Pattaya.

Thus, for the seventh regatta in 2001, almost forty craft, from neighbouring Royal Varuna Yacht Club - ranging from the tiny training dinghy the 2.4 m. Optimist, to the mighty 5.8 m. racing machine, the Nacra 5.8 Catamaran - numbering 100 sailors from 15 nations, sailed to the start line off the Royal Cliff. The first ‘Pattaya Mail PC Classic, Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta’ was well and truly launched that sparkling day, the 24th of February 2001.

With additional support from Carlsberg and Coca Cola and management by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, the regatta was a huge success. Panga Vathanakul, the very able and most attractive managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, was most happy with the outcome, the Royal Cliff’s first venture into yacht racing since the regatta celebrating the opening of the Royal Wing in 1986.

Not only was the big crowd of spectators along the Cliff’s lovely sea-wall area entertained with a marvellous and colourful spectacle, but Khun Panga and Andrew Wood, the resort’s general manager were happy that so many guests mingled with the sailors, the sailing committee, supporters and observers of the event.

Support from the public sector, too

Both the governor of Chonburi Province and the acting governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand are adamant in their enthusiasm for an event which will present such a good image of Pattaya to the world-at-large.

As H.E. Chadej Insawang, governor of Chonburi observed last week, “With the efforts by my office to present a new image of Pattaya, dedicated to presenting a green, family-friendly holiday destination, I fully endorse this regatta which contributes so much to our resolve,” he said.

“But it is not just colour and action,” the governor continued. “It is also the press and media coverage which the Regatta attracts and which present a most positive side of Pattaya to the world-at-large. For this we are grateful to the sponsors and all those who organize and participate in the event,” he added.

“I feel that the sport of sailing, yacht racing and the related water-based activities are making a big contribution to Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard generally and the Office of the Governor of Chonburi gives full support to the this spectacular event,” Governor Chadej concluded.

Juthamas Siriwan, deputy governor for marketing and acting governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also sees great benefit to the tourism sector as a result of the regatta, “Since events last September, Thailand is still a most sought-after destination, considered by the tourism industry world-wide as a safe place to visit,” said Khun Juthamas. “Pattaya, in particular, with a good year-round climate, warm waters and, now, a much cleaner environment, is still a favourite resort, especially during the long winter months of the Northern Hemisphere,” the acting governor pointed out.

“As part of our ongoing promotions, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has always supported marine-related activities such as the world-famous Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, held each year to honour His Majesty the King, himself a Gold Medallist helmsman,” she explained.

“Therefore, we are most happy to support the forthcoming ‘Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta’ which will bring in an influx of visitors from some 15 countries to compete on the waters off the Royal Cliff Resort,” Khun Juthamas added.

“This event will also present a clean, colourful spectacle for all who attend, as well as for the media who will have the opportunity to promote the new image of Pattaya and its environs to a larger audience around the world,” the acting governor concluded.

This year’s Pattaya Mail PC Classic is scheduled for Saturday, 9 March and a big fleet is expected, with wind-surfers from the newly-formed Blue Lagoon Watersports Club and the fleets from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club bringing the action, colour and excitement very close to the shore off the Royal Cliff.

Andrew Wood anticipates an even bigger and better event than last year and hopes many will be involved on and off the water, for a superb activity which promotes a Pattaya we all want: clean, sparkling and healthy.

For more information as to how you can participate with sponsorship and/or join the regatta, please contact Andrew Wood, general manager, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya City 20260, tel. 038 250421, fax: 038 250511, 038 250513, e-mail: [email protected]


Happy Birthday President Carl

(L-R) Ken Crow, President Carl Engel, Sopin Thappajug (Noi), Supatra Traifuen (La), Wannapa Wannasri (Ju), Past President Peter Malhotra, and James Montgomery.

Carl Engel, president of the Pattaya Sports Club celebrated his birthday on Valentine’s Day. At a special meeting called to plan the grand opening celebrations of the PSC clubhouse, Sopin Thappajug and Wannapa Wannasri surprised the birthday boy with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Khun Noi thanked the president and members of the Pattaya sports Club for their untiring work in helping the underprivileged in the community and wished the president good health and happiness.


All PSC members are invited to attend new clubhouse grand opening

PSC reaches another milestone this weekend

Pattaya Sports Club president Carl Engel and the PSC building committee invites all PSC members and their guests to attend the grand opening celebrations of PSC’s new clubhouse on 3rd Road this weekend. The PSC will officially open the administration building on Sunday, February 24th.

PSC President Carl Engel (2nd left) and the building committee, PSC clubhouse building chairman Dick Caggiano (right), architect and designer of the building Peder Gjelstrup (2nd right) and PSC secretary George Bennison (left) invite all PSC members to attend the grand opening ceremonies of the new PSC clubhouse on Sunday, February 24.

Carl Engel, President of the Pattaya Sports Club said, “this is the third milestone in the history of the Pattaya Sports Club.” The first being 22 years ago when the club was formed; the next was in the mid 1990’s when the Pattaya Sports Club was officially registered as a non-profit organization. The third milestone is the official opening of the clubhouse this Sunday.

President Carl expressed his heart-felt thanks to all the members of the PSC who contributed towards making the new clubhouse become a reality, “We wouldn’t have it (the clubhouse) if it hadn’t been for their work, their time and energy spent.”

Celebrations begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning followed by introducing the VIP guests, followed by lunch, refreshments and entertainment.

Guests are requested not to bring flowers or gifts, but donations to the Pattaya Sports Club Charity fund for the benefit of underprivileged children in the local community will be gratefully accepted.


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