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Thirty-seven 4-player teams turn out for 2002 CUEL Golf Classic
Laem Chabang International Country Club was the venue for
the prestigious 2002 CUEL Golf Classic held on 9th August. Thirty-seven
teams of 4 players, evenly matched according to handicap (although some
players felt that Steve Hovi should invest in a new computer), participated
in what was an enjoyable day for all concerned.
The players represented staff and senior management from
CUEL and UNITHAI as well as representatives from UNOCAL, CHEVRON, PTT and
CUEL’s major suppliers and supporters. Clough-Unithai Engineering Ltd (CUEL),
who employ some 600 people, are fabricators of offshore oil and gas
platforms and jackets, mainly for UNOCAL for installation in the Gulf of
Thailand.
(From
left to right) Jim Ryan - ABB Limited, Jock Watt, CUEL’s construction
manager, Dave Morrison, CUEL’s senior fabrication superintendent, Dennis
McHugh, UNOCAL’s facilities group manager.
This year a number of CUEL’s vendors donated
sponsorships and prizes. The major sponsors of the event were: Akzo Nobel
Coatings - International Paints, BRV Construction, Brunel Energy (Manpower)
Services, Canadoil Asia, ESAB / TIGT - Welding Equipment, Emerson Process
Control / Polytechnology, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Risk Management -
Hole-in-one sponsor, Matco Asia / Eastern Energy Services, Megatek
Industrial Consultants, PCH Pty. Ltd. - Scaffolding, PT Petrotech - Batam,
Unithai Shipyard & Engineering Ltd., Van Leeuwen Pipe & Tube.
Special thanks also go to Ron Coulson of the Camel Bar -
Ban Chang, Blondie Robinson of Profound Innovations and Martin Hoffie of
Deborah Services for their joint sponsorship of the drink stops on the
course. Ron’s Bloody Marys have become an institutional part of any CUEL
golfing event.
John
Sheridan, CUEL’s general manager and obviously “the driving force”.
A number of lovely young ladies from CUEL assisted in the
organization of the event and on the day. Their smiling faces were a
pleasant sight to players as they on arrived for the early morning shotgun
7:30 a.m. start.
Unfortunately no-one collected the USD 10,000 hole-in-one
prize, but the winning UNOCAL team, the runners up and various other golf
skill related winners collected some great trophies and prizes at the
sumptuous lunch provided in the clubhouse at the conclusion of the event.
The only complaints heard were that the event sh ould be held twice a year
not just once.
Next year’s even will be even bigger and better.
All-girl Ying Yang team shows Coral Reef a clean pair of heels
Lawn Bowls
Division One
Big Frank and Dennis the Menace of The Windmills
started as they finished last season, winning. The Carlsberg Kids did
the same, only losing. The Asylum team scored 5 shots on the last end to
win the game by 1. Come on Bill Jones, you should know the game’s not
over until the fat lady sings.
Steve the Streak has really mellowed out; they lost
the game on the last bowl of the match and he didn’t throw a paddy all
over the green, well done Steve. The all girl Yingyangs team showed a
clean pair of heels against the marooned Coral Reef team, leaving them
stranded 35 - 3 down.
Match of the week: Asylum 1 V Team Somtam.
Team of the week: The Yingyangs.
Player of the week: Willy of The Tartan Bar.
Results: Windmills 9 - Dream Team 9, Cap In Hand 16 - The Cobblers
17, Team Somtam 15 - Asylum (1) 16, Tartan Bar 25 - Carlsberg Kids 8,
Ying Yangs 35 - Coral Reef 3.
Lawn Bowls
Division Two
The Chaplin Spam Heads and the Teddy Bears played
like the top 2 teams of division 1. The new team, the Likely Lads showed
promise along with the Desert Rats, who luckily never step on any
landmines. It’s too early to comment on this division, as most of the
teams are new to the league. Keep reading as the league develops.
Match of the week: Chaplin Spam Heads V Buriram
Stompers.
Team of the week: Teddy Bears.
Player of the week: John from Likely Lads.
Results: Teddy Bears 6 - Jan Bar 6, Chaplin Spam
Heads 6 - Buriram Stompers 9, Desert Rats 1 - Lucky Chaplins 8,
Winchester 2 - Asylum (2) 13, Likely Lads 8 - BB’s 9.
Shakey Pete’s moves into a tie for first place
Shakey Pete’s completed their climb from last place to
gain a tie for first with the Winchester Club last week in the Pattaya
Sports Club Friday Bowling League. Jon led Shakey Pete’s with a 224 first
game and a 524 series and La knocked down another 507 pins to take all four
points from last place Three Sisters. 
Best
games of the week were bowled by Somrak 201, Porn 202, Jon 224 and Mai 235.
Winchester Club managed to hold onto a tie for first by
taking three points from Cafe Kronborg despite Captain Kran’s best series
of the day, knocking down 568 pins. Mai led the Winchester team with the
day’s best game of 235 and a 559 series. Somrak, bowling as a spare as she
is going back overseas next week, rolled a 201 game and a 533 series.
VFW Post 9876 split their match with Captain Mio leading
her team with a 517 series and Captain Jim leading the VFW team with a 507
series.
Cafe Ole and Nice & Sleazy also played to a draw and took two points
each. Porn led the Nice & Sleazy team with a 202 game and 531 series and
Tue chipped in by knocking down 509 pins.
Amari to host 5th Annual Midnight Run in Bangkok on October 12
In Bangkok, on Saturday, October 12, the Annual Amari
Midnight Run will once again take place on the streets of the nation’s
capital; at midnight! The Annual Amari Midnight Run was started in 1998
by former Amari Watergate Hotel general manager, Thomas Tapken, who is
also a keen runner. This unusual run has become an annual institution.
This is the only race in Bangkok to be held at
midnight, and offers competitors a choice of 2 distances - 6 kilometers
or 12 kilometers. The atmosphere of this remarkable experience is
unmatched. In 2001 the Amari Midnight Run saw 2,000 runners, local and
international who participated in this unusual event.
The city streets are closed and protected by a police
and security contingent of about 300 officers. The run is supported
along the route by local residents and shop owners, together with
management and staff of the Amari Watergate Hotel, the Amari Atrium
Hotel and the Amari Boulevard Hotel.
Everyone who crosses the finishing line will receive
a special commemorative medal. Winners in each category will receive a
trophy.
Amari Watergate Hotel will celebrate with all
participants at a cocktail party at Henry J. Beans Bar & Grill after
the event, together with a lucky prize draw.
All proceeds from the Amari Midnight Run go to
charitable causes, namely “Save a Child’s Life from AIDS”, under
the Patronage of HRH Princess Soamsawali, and Children Village Project
to support HIV-infected orphan children at Rhammarak Nives Project (Wat
Prabaht Nampu) in Nongmuang, Lopburi Province and the Children’s
Rights Foundation, which is supported extensively by the Amari Watergate
Hotel and BMW.
This
year’s edition of the Amari Midnight Run will take place on October 12
in Bangkok.
Entry forms can be obtained from the Clark Hatch
Fitness Center at the Amari Watergate Hotel, or Sport Vision.
The Amari Watergate Hotel is also hosting an Aerobics
on AIDS Marathon event at the Amari Watergate Hotel on Sunday, 27th
October at 2 p.m. All proceeds from this event will go to the “Save a
Child’s Life from AIDS” project, under the patronage of Princess
Soamsawali.
Tickets are 300 baht, including T-shirt. To purchase tickets, please
call Clark Hatch Fitness Center at Amari Watergate on 02-653-9000
ext.69.
Andy Bettany Appreciation Day
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday August 19 Treasure Hill Country Club (Stableford)
Treasure Hill Country Club was in excellent condition, as
usual, as the ‘boys’ from the Kronborg went to this idyllic part of the
Country for a Stableford competition in two flights: A flight 0 to 17 and B
flight 18 and upwards.
The weather was fine if a bit windy, so all could look
forward to some good golf in fine surroundings on a really fine course that
all players find a little special.
 Andy
Bettany
The A flight was won by Wayne Koch, playing well of late,
with 36 points, ahead of Ebrahim, on count back, in second also on 36
points. Third was Aussie Jeff Wylie on 34 points.
The B flight was won by Bob Benda with 37 points with
Barry Kerr second on 34 points beating Arthur Bailey into third.
Thursday August 23 Siam Country Club (Stroke play)
 Barry Kerr
Pattaya is not the place to expect the mundane; one does
not expect all the players who put their name down to turn up. One does not
expect only the players with their name down to turn up; indeed I never fail
to be amazed when things go smoothly. There are too many distractions to be
able to say ‘yes I’ll definitely be there’. You do not have to be a
brain surgeon to understand why, brains go immediately south. After all
holidaymakers are a strange breed!
 Wayne
Koch
So it was with no surprise that on arriving at Siam and
reaching the first tee I found many excited faces ready to join in and a few
faces missing.
Needless to say after a little reorganising a large field
of ‘happy camper’s got underway on a very humid morning. Looks like the
hot sticky days are back.
 Bob
Benda
The conditions must have suited one of the golfers as it
turned out to be an ‘Andy Bettany Appreciation Day’ as pretty much all
he touched turned into gold. Isn’t it nice when these sort of days come
along, they make all the hard work worthwhile.
So it was with Siam not in the best of condition, with
sanded greens, the A flight 0 to 19 was slaughtered by a fine round of net
64 by Andy Bettany. Suffice to say in his modest manner he didn’t mention
it once! Second a street behind was Jeff Wylie on net 70 with third place
being decided on count back with Rick Evans net 71 in third beating Derek
Brook also net 71.
The B flight (20 upwards) was a much more civilised
affair, with all the leading scores reasonable. The winner with a net 68 was
‘Gentleman’ Barry Kerr with a net 68. It has been commented on that
Barry now dresses much smarter after golf because he gets his photo taken so
often.
Second with net 69 and back in the places after a long
time was Dick Caggiano. Third place was a count back on 70 points with Matt
Kirkland originally third, but as he had left, Alan Pearce won over Gerry
Carpenter and Richard Kubicki.
Near pins: #4 Gene Rooney, #8 Dave Evans, #12 Pete Galle
and #16 Andy Bettany.
Long putts: #9 Andy Bettany and #18 Bob Moberg.
The rainy season begins
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday August 12 Century Ban Chan (Bogey)
1st: Trevor Edge, 4 up
2nd: Serge Straeten, 1 up
3rd: Christian Blatt, all square cb9 4 up
4th: Dave Stockman, all square cb9 1 down
As usual on a holiday competition the day was held at
Century, which turned out to be unusually quiet with very few other golfers
which enabled the players to get round before the late afternoon rains
materialized.
Trevor Edge, showing a rare streak of good form, led home
a chasing pack headed by Serge Straeten and closely followed by Christian
Blatt and Dave Stockman. Trevor can now look forward to seeing his handicap
moving in the opposite direction to its usual course. This resurgence to
form is no doubt occasioned by his new regime of, “early to bed and early
to rise” and a major reduction of food and beverage. He was followed by
Serge Straeten, taking his first of two podium positions of the week, with
Christian Blatt and Dave stockman securing the last prizes. Having won and
played his best golf for a little while, Trevor took control of the horn for
the evening and treated his friends to several celebratory beers.
The twos pool, which included a double carryover, was
shared between Al Rolnik, Dave Stockman, Graham Davis and “The Doc”.
Wednesday August 14 Bangphra (Stableford)
1st: Max Arlen, 43 points
2nd: Brian Kelly, 42
3rd: Richard Lyne, 39 cb9 22
4th: Serge Straeten, 39 cb9 21
5th: Al Rolnik, 39 cb9 20
6th: Peter Hall, 39 cb9 19
A thunderstorm before the start saw a delay of around an
hour, but the excellent Bangphra starter moved the delayed groups through
quickly and efficiently and the competition got away without any of the
usual aggravation expected in such circumstances, and ensured there were no
further delays at the turn.
Max Arlen made it a very happy return to the golfing
community after his forty weeks in the wilderness, of which he has no
recollection, by pipping Brian Kelly to the post on the last hole on a day
that saw the scores plummeting and over half the entrants breaking their
handicaps.
Brian’s disappointment was soon dispelled when he
realised that he had taken the honours in the Order of Merit that was
running in tandem with the main competition, and pulling back the margin on
the leading contenders “The Doc” and B.J., who both finished poorly,
with B.J only just finishing one above the bottom placed Klaus Schackt.
The twos were shared between Bob Lindborg, Jimmy Little
and Graham Davis.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional, welcomed new members Pete Murray and Richard
Garland, whilst welcoming back Max Arlen, John Kendall and John Clements and
saying farewell to Graham Davis, Gordon Millar, both returning to Scotland
and Klaus Lukarsch and Christian Blatt who are returning to Beijing China to
assist with feeding the masses.
Friday August 16 Pattaya Country Club (Stroke Play)
1st: John Wright, 70
2nd: Richard Lyne, 71
3rd: Phil Groves, 73 cb9 36.5
4th: John Clements, 73 cb9 37
The early starters proved to have a considerable
advantage as the weather worsened and the course management insisted on
inserting five and six balls on to the tenth tee in the middle of the groups
having played nine holes already, thus causing a lengthy delay to the back
nine and the ensuing interminable waiting to play. In the event, there was a
delay of an hour and a half before the final group returned to the
clubhouse, having had to abandon the last hole due to torrential rain and
poor scores.
It came as no surprise that all the podium occupants were
in the early groups with John Wright, J.J. to his friends, taking the top
spot with a steady round that produced no fireworks but just good
application to the job in hand. Richard Lyne, who continues to improve with
every passing week, closely followed him. Phil Groves and the returnee, John
Clements who is soon to reopen the Rovers Return on Second Road, made up the
final placings on a day to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Before the prize giving, Richard said goodbye to Bob
Ziirsen, who is returning to Denmark and Mike Davies who has undertaken
gainful employment just down the road, but has to work seven days a week
instead of practicing his game.
Serge Straeten and John Kendall, who dropped in two,
shared the twos pool.
It’s Noble King John
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker
Noble Place Golf Club gave the Bunker Boys a right
royal welcome on Tuesday, 20th August, when they assembled there for their
weekly stroke play competition. The large field was cut into two groups
with those on handicap 18 and under participating in the first division.
On wind affected fairways and testing greens the new
Bunker Champion, Harry Riley, showed again what a consistent performer he
is as he birdied the first hole and parred the last to set a standard of
net 74.
Elsewhere, however, a majestic performance by a quietly
relaxed John King gave him a one shot lead which he held until the end,
winning the division with net 73.
In division two David Johnson measured his shots to
perfection to register the day’s only net par round. His net 72 was just
enough to hold Colin Mathers, 73, and Ken Ince, 74, at bay.
The Bunker Super Sawng award was shared by Alex Allan
and Brian McNichol who both birdied the par-three fifth on the “B”
course. Last week’s heroine, Lamun Hanley, fell from the dizzy heights
as championship runner-up to card the day’s high net of 87 and was
rewarded with the Bunker Banana Booby, only to discover later that Saranya
Chaiyanont’s mistaken mathematics should have made her the winner!
Sandman tops at Ban Chang
Century Ban Chang was the venue for the Bunker Boys and
their weekly Stableford tournament on Friday, 23rd August. Unusually clear
skies welcomed them and the day, if not the golf, proceeded to be hot!
The two usual divisions scrapped it out and the leading
score of the day was in division two where The Sandman, Gordon McKnight,
making one of his rare appearances for the Bunker, shot to the top with
the day’s only sub par round of 37 points.
Following, five points behind, were Aussie Colin
Mathers and the ubiquitous David Johnson.
In division one the Bunker’s man of the moment, Harry
Riley, held out with his 32 points to win from the course’s favourite
visitor, Roy Mitchell, and John King, both firing 31 points.
Colin Wilkes had the pleasure of scoring the day’s
only two but sadly did not enter the Bunker Super Sawng challenge. This
made him an immediate candidate for the Bunker Banana Booby but he was to
be eclipsed by Andy Anderson and his low score of 20 points.
Stephen Beard fires 6 under 66, takes lead in Order of Merit
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday August 19 Green Valley (Bogey)
1st: B.J. Smith, all square cb9 3 up
2nd: John Kendall, all square cb9 all square
3rd: Serge Straeten, 1 down cb9 2 down
4th: Richard Garland, 1 down cb9 3 down
Playing Green Valley Monday to Friday always means the
tees are back to the old yellow positions, which had a standard scratch of
72, and this was born out by the competition scratch on the day moving up
two to 72.
B.J. whilst at first being overawed by the course, and
letting a few shots and holes slip away, got things back over the back
nine by beating “Old Man Par” 3 up to negate the 3 down on the front,
and easily take the honours on the count back with John who played
extremely steadily, not losing a hole, but unable to squeeze one in to
win.
Serge and Richard also had to resort to count back
after they had both scored well on the front nine, with Serge just getting
the edge on the last hole.
There were no twos on the day, which was no surprise
with the wind blowing hard and the tees back, and therefore the pool was
carried forward.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional welcomed back Bill Hoge from the USA.
Wednesday August 21 Burapha East (Stableford)
1st: Dave Nance, 39 points
2nd: Brian Kelly, 38 cb9 20
3rd: Arthur Hancock, 38 cb9 18
For the second time in the month Burapha and their
excellent staff were hosts to the players from The Haven and as usual the
day went off perfectly without a hitch in the organisation of the tee
offs, by the well trained staff both on and off the course.
Once again the wind blew havoc with most of the field,
as the day’s play progressed from the blue tees, making it a good test
of golf for all of the competitors. Dave Nance proved to be the best at
managing both the conditions and his handicap to just slip past Brian
Kelly and Arthur Hancock and leave them to be separated by count back for
the minor positions.
The rest of the field lagged a considerable distance
behind with Richard Lyne being the only other player to equal his
handicap, although that was enough to keep the CSS at 71 on the day.
Phil Groves took the twos, including the carry forward,
on his own.
Friday August 23 Siam Country Club (Stroke play)
1st: Stephen Beard, 66
2nd: Al Rolnik, 68
3rd: Phil Groves, 71
4th: Richard Lyne, 72 cb9 36
5th: Chris John, 72 cb9 37
6th: Arthur Hancock, 72 cb9 39.5
Siam seemed strangely quiet when the contenders arrived
at the designated hour to take on the famed slow greens made even slower
by the recent coring and sanding. In the event they played true and slow,
whist making it a lot easier to chip and putt, and the conditions were
tailor made for Stephen, who emerged from his recent slump to record his
best score over the course even with bogies on the last three holes, and
he ran out an easy winner. “Big Al” pushed him hard for most of the
round but could not quite keep up with “The Doc’s’” chipping to
the hole side.
Phil Groves kept ahead of the chasing pack by birdying
the eighteenth and missing out on the count back that saw Richard just
getting the better of Chris John and Arthur Hancock on the back nine.
The day’s competition was also counting towards the
ongoing Order of Merit, which has now completed the eighth months’
fixtures.
“The Doc”, who always seems to pull something
special out of the hat when the order of merit is on the line, currently
leads this. B.J Smith with Brian Kelly, edging his way past the rest of
the contenders, closely trails him. Both B.J and Brian were left wishing
that they had not peaked earlier in the week. It looks as if this will be
going down to the wire at the season’s end.
The twos were shared between Bill Hoge, Richard Lyne
and Jimmy Little.
Back at The Haven before the prize giving, Richard said
a sad farewell to Brian Kelly, who returns to Alderny in the Channel
Islands for a brief respite from the rigours of Pattaya.
Joe Mooneyham takes his show on the road
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s - Orchid
Royal Hills Tour
August 19 - 22
Overall Champion - Joe Mooneyham - 40 points
2nd Place - Stan Fry - 39 points
3rd Place - Bob Lindborg - 37 points
Fifteen hardy souls took off to Nakon Nayok to play the
Royal Hills Golf Resort. Upon arrival the players got together for a
rain-shortened practice round. Monday morning was the first day of the
competition and was played off the 6,517 yard white tees in Stableford
format. Bob Lindborg broke from the gate with a winning 39 points.
In what was an alternating scheme, Day 2 was
Stroke/Medal from the 6,072 yellow tees. Mike Phillips who was unable to
play the full competition due to the arrival of his daughter Thursday from
the UK, took the daily competition with a gross 76, net 66 gem. The
benefactor of Mike’s commitment was Joe Mooneyham who snatched the 1st
place overall points with his second place finish of net 69, beating out
Steve Donovan and Mike Craighead on count back.
Bob Lindborg bounced back on Day 3 with another white
tee, Stableford format victory, matching his 39 points of Day 1. Points as
always were awarded in declining increments, with first place on the day
receiving 13 points (12 of the fifteen players were in the overall
competition), second receiving 11, third 10 and so on with place ten
through twelve each receiving 3 points. This scoring system found four
players with a realistic chance at the brass ring: Bob Lindborg and Joe
Mooneyham with overall 31 points apiece and Stan Fry and John Emmerson
with 26 points apiece.
Pairings for the final day were determined in reverse
order of standing. The contenders, therefore, comprised the final four
ball. Things got off to an auspicious beginning as the players approached
the second tee box and John Emmerson noted that the ball in his hand was
not his ball, but rather Bob Lindborg’s. The players, to their credit
and consistent with the spirit of competitive golf, called a penalty on
themselves for playing the wrong balls. Despite a game effort by both, the
effects of the first hole jeopardized their chances and John and Bob
finished 7th and 8th on the day, respectively.
Stan Fry, while not incurring any penalty, still
stumbled to a triple bogie 8 on the awkward first hole. Incredibly, it was
Stan’s only misstep as he gathered himself with the aid of his trademark
chipping and putting to finish with a five over 77, 67 net, to edge Klaus
Schackt who was in the clubhouse with a net 68 off a gross 78.
Old silent Joe Mooneyham kept his nose in the fracas
with a 70 net to garner sufficient daily points to secure the overall
title over Stan.
Afternoons, each day, were filled with a optional nine
hole competition of various formats. Day one was a two man scramble won by
Barry Tregurtha and Steve Donovan. Day 2 was an alternating tee box format
with holes 1, 4 and 7 off the whites, 2, 5 and 8 off the yellows and 3, 6
and 9 off the blues. Stan Fry came first with Johnny McHugh second. Day
3’s afternoon was filled by a three-man scramble with the team with the
highest cumulative handicap, John McHugh (12), Barry Tregurtha (10) and
Barry’s sixteen year old son Alex (33) winning with 36 off the stick.
Special mention is deserving of the sole female
competitor, Oradee “Anne” Kaesavane, who competed bravely and put up
with the all the men cussing on the golf course.
Daily winners: Day One - Stableford - yellow tees - 1st
Bob Lindborg, 2nd Svein Vistung, 3rd Stan Fry. Day Two - Stroke/Medal -
white tees - 1st Mike Phillips, 2nd Joe Mooneyham, 3rd Steve Donovan. Day
Three - Stableford - yellow tees - 1st Bob Lindborg, 2nd Joe Mooneyham,
3rd Mike Phillips. Day Four - Stroke/Medal - white tees - 1st Stan Fry,
2nd Klaus Schackt, 3rd Svein Vistung
Even with the gang away to Royal Hills the daily
fixtures were continued.
Sunday August 18
Green Valley
Stableford
1st: Jack Losi - 38 points
2nd: Harry Riley - 37 points
3rd: Saranya Chaiyanont - 34 points
Tuesday August 20
Laem Chabang - C & A
Stroke/Medal
1st: Serge Straeten - net 68
2nd: Richard Garland - net 69
Friday August 23
Khao Kheow - A & C
Stableford - Yellow Tees
Stan Fry - 37 points
Steve Donovan - 35 points
Barry Tregurtha - 34 points
Bill Thompson shoots 77 off the stick to claim bragging rights
PSC Three Sisters Golf
With good weather prevailing and the golf course in
halfway decent shape, players came in with some excellent scores. Bill
Thompson playing off a 9 handicap came in with 40 Stableford points and
won the bragging rights, winning on count back from Rich Roberts. Shooting
77 off the stick, Bill had a wonderful day with his driver and putter.
Rich had one of his best days playing with the Three
Sisters but could not quite it to the top.
Following close on their heels was Kevin Mitch with 38
points and a slew of others at 36. None of the other golfers could match
the front-runners.
Vying for the bottom spot as bag holder for the week
were Rollie Weese and Trevor Carnahoff. Rollie, last week’s bag holder,
managed to climb out of the cellar as he squeaked by Trevor. Both golfers
came in with 26 points but Trevor lost on count back and stumbled into the
cellar.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
The CBS Television Network is premiering a series next
week in the USA called “Survivor Thailand”. The same title with a few
changes, like eliminating the word Thailand, could be the story of the
heavyweight division. When all the lawsuits have been settled and contracts
signed it will be the “Survivor” that will come out on top.
If I was a betting man, and I have been known to wage a
baht or two, I’d go with Don King and whatever he does. He has Holyfield,
Ruiz, Byrd, Oquendo and Tyson. The brothers Klitschko are somewhat
irrelevant, Lennox Lewis is Lennox Lewis while David Tua is back on top. Tua,
after his 30 second KO of Michael Moorer that means more than it should,
could dictate what happens next although his folks have made a few mistakes
in the past. Team Tua needs to get him back in the right against a good
fighter. Everyone wants a fight with Tyson while it will still means big
bucks. That is, except Lennox Lewis who says, “I have nothing to prove.
I’m in this for money.”
Try this on for size. John Ruiz fights Tyson for the WBA
belt and loses. Lennox Lewis refuses to fight Chris Byrd for the IBF title
and gets it taken away. WBO Champ Vladimir Klitchsko fights David Tua and
gets knocked out. Lewis fights Vlad Klitschko and wins. Where does Lewis go?
Nowhere. Don King now controls the heavyweight division.
The “Survivor in Thailand” series? What’s it about?
A bunch of people are set down in Thailand. They have to face snakes and a
foreign country’s strange language. “Extreme Survivor’s in Thailand”
will probably be next. Series about ex-pats in Pattaya Beach looking for
love on 30 baht a week. Now that’s a challenge.
T’was a good stretch for the home team recently in
Bangkok. WBA #1 and former twice WBA champion Chana Porpaoin (49-2-1, 18
KOs) got a 6 round decision over Wendell Cajules. Chana, 36, is gunning for
a shot at the WBA minimum crown to become the first three-time world
titleholder in 105-lb history.
Former WBA fly king, current WBA #4 superfly Sornpichai
Kratingdaenggym (25-2-1, 17 KOs) stalked Nasario Manogas most of the
distance but failed to sink his Filipino foe, eventually scoring a six round
unanimous decision.
Former WBA title challenger Saohin Srithai Condo (36-10,
24 KOs) destroyed Antony Gimeyo of Australia at 1:54 of one, and new Thai
prospect PABA bantam champ Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (9-0, 7 KOs) displayed
a one-sided attack on Filipino Jaime Arcelda, finally scoring a TKO when the
referee stopped the bout at 2:24 of round five. For that week, at least, the
“Visit Thailand to Fight & Lose” seems to be going along as planned.
Sirimongkol Singmanassuk (39-1) doesn’t like to leave
the friendly confines of the Kingdom. His second trip to the Land of the
Raising Sun, last Saturday Night, proved more successful that his first.
First time out, in 1997, he lost his WBC Bantamweight Crown to Joichiro
Tatsuyoshi getting KO’d in 6. This trip he scored a second round knockout
over Kengo Nagashima (20-2-2) to win the vacant WBC super featherweight
title.
On the same bill, Old Mexican Warhorse Oscar Larios
(45-3-1) defended his WBC Inter title with an 8th round “10 and you’re
out” of Manabu Fukushima (22-4-1).
Meanwhile, back at Channel 7 Stadium in Bangkok (watch
this segue) ... Veerapohol Sahaprom (38-1-1), who won the WBC Bantamweight
title with a 6 round KO of Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in December of 1998 to return
the title to Land of Smiles, barely broke a sweat when he KO’d Daven
Bermudez (0-0-0-) in a non title fight. How you like them apples?
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