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Noonit Tawapee becomes first woman to don the coveted TQ Masters Green Jacket
Runner-up Brian Brizzell is men’s top finisher
Noonit Tawapee became the first woman ever to don the
coveted Green Jacket when she recorded 46 Stableford points and won the 9th
TQ Masters golf tournament played at Plutaluang on Friday, October 25.
Noonit shot a gross 84 off her 22 handicap, and along the way also won the
ladies long drive trophy.
Fa
presents the High Gross trophy to Neil Sandilands as tournament organizer
Woody Underwood looks on from the back.
As per tradition, last year’s winner Frank Polizzotto
ceremoniously presented Noonit with the green jacket. Noonit’s name will
now be engraved on the perpetual trophy.
Brian Brizzell narrowly missed being fitted for the green
jacket after scoring 42 Stableford points and finishing as the top male
golfer on the day. For his efforts, Brian earned the runner-up and Division
3 championship trophies.
Noonit
Tawapee, shown here receiving her long drive trophy, won the TQ Masters 2002
and became the first woman to don the coveted green jacket.
Five handicapper Graham Rudd shot a gross 76 to earn low
gross honors.
Once again this year, the weather cooperated and no rain
fell, although overnight rains left some standing water in places. But
course management did a good job getting the course ready for the 128 or so
golfers who turned out for what is considered one of the most fun
“majors” of the year.
Participants were treated to Bloody Caesars at
registration and plenty of beer out on the course, the beer being ably
distributed by course marshals Richard Livingston and Joe Otter, who were
equally ably assisted by beautiful Wee and Ying. At least one
out-of-the-running golfer humbly offered to trade places with Richard and
Joe, but both unselfishly continued to carry the burden.
Amazingly enough, this year the Dream Team didn’t win
any golf awards, although if there were awards for “liquid consumption”
they might have a strong argument. Last year’s short drive “winners”
Ernie Bakke and Jack Levy didn’t repeat the feat, perhaps in Ernie’s
case because of his new 440cc driver and in Jack’s case because he’s
managed to get his handicap all the way down to 35.
The tournament was divided into 3 handicap divisions and
a ladies division, and along with technical prizes in each division, this
year 40 trophies were up for grabs on the day. Two near pin awards and one
long drive went unclaimed.
Im
Woodruffe, who won 2 of the 3 claimed Ladies near pins awards, putts for
par.
Doug Campbell won Division 1 (0-15 handicap) with 39
Stableford points, Larry Willet won Division 2 (16-24) on count back over Al
Rolnik, both also with 39 points, and Brian Brizzell won Division 3 (25-36)
with 42 points.
Toy Ryser carded 38 points to win the Ladies Division,
edging out Nora Haugsjordet by one shot.
Amongst the memorable technical prizewinners was Randy
“Dr Doom” Blacet who earned closest to the pin in Division 3 on the
South Course #8. Perhaps it was a karmic reward for keeping his streak alive
of using Major League Baseball’s World Series to get The Haven and Pattaya
mentioned on the air to 60 million viewers around the world.
Ray Matti earned the nearest the pin trophy for Division
1 on the East Course #5. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Ray earned
his 4th hole-in-one on October 9 at Waterford Valley in Chiang Rai, which
got his name in the first ever Chiangmai Mail (now there’s a plug...).
Pat Neely’s 11 points earned him low score for the day,
while Neil Sandilands’ gross 130 earned him the highest gross of the
tournament. C.G. Mueller kept his drive out of the hazard on the East Course
#1 and managed to earn short drive honors for his effort.
Once again, tournaments of this magnitude cannot be run
without a lot of work behind the scenes. Woody Underwood did a great job
hosting the event, and received lots of help from Mike Franklin. At the
course, Wayne Ogonoski and Richard Livingston handled registration and
scoring with the utmost professionalism (they’re getting lots of
practice), Joe Otter and his bevy of beauties kept the refreshments flowing
and golfers smiling, Joe Banks from the White House provided the Clamato
juice mixer for the Caesars, and many thanks go to Lt. Aree from Phutaluang
Golf Course. Back at the TQ, Bjarne Neilson of Cafe Kronborg fame provided
his now famous BBQ for the after tournament party and presentation at TQ.
Also, many thanks to Stephen “Protector of the Golf
Carts” Beard who ensured this scribe had a ride on the course. Not
everyone got a cart, not even tournament host Woody Underwood, who had to
wait until he was nearly finished getting round the long, hilly course with
his “child prodigy” caddie before he was able to secure a cart. And even
those who did get a cart weren’t assured it would get them through the
day, as one golfer, who wishes to remain anonymous, told of how a wheel fell
off.
Results:
Overall Champion
Noonit Tawapee, 46 points
Runner-up
Brian Brizzell, 42 points
Low Gross
Graham Rudd, 76
Division 1
1st: Doug Campbell, 39
2nd: Dave Stockman, 38 (count back)
3rd: Jason Payne, 38 (count back from Stan Fry)
Division 2
1st: Larry Willet, 39 (count back)
2nd: Al Rolnik, 39
3rd: Jimmy Little, 36
Division 3
1st: Brian Brizzell, 42
2nd: Paul Hartley, 37
3rd: John Kennedy, 35
Ladies
1st: Toy Ryser, 38
2nd: Nora Haugsjordet, 37
Near pins: S4 Div. 1 Fabian Arp, Div. 2 Simon Quegley,
Div. 3 Steve Wilkins, and Ladies Im Woodruffe. S8 Div. 1 Stefan Andersson,
Div. 2 Neville Steward, Div. 3 Randy Blacet, and Ladies An Drader. E2 Div. 1
Peter Renggli, Div. 2 Gerry Carpenter, Div. 3 Erle Kershaw, and Ladies No
Winner. E5 Div. 1 Ray Matti, Div. 2 Frank Sinclair, Div. 3 John Nield, and
Ladies Im Woodruffe.
Long drives: S6 Div. 1 Dennis Willet, Div. 2 Gerhard
Schulze, and Div. 3 Paul Hartley. E4 Div. 1 Jim Brackett, Div. 2 No Winner,
and Div. 3 Bobby Taylor. Ladies E6 Noonit Tawapee.
Lowest score of the day: Pat Neely, 11 points.
Highest gross of the tournament: Neil Sandilands 130.
Shortest drive: E1 C.G. Mueller.
Volvo Women’s Open tennis attracts strong entry list
The 14th Volvo Women’s Open professional tennis
tournament, with prize money of US$110,000, will be held at the Dusit
Resort, Pattaya November 2-10.
 The Volvo Women’s Open is part of the Sanex-WTA World
Tour, which comprises of 66 tournaments in 33 countries. The tournament,
which is the last stop on the tour, is the longest running professional
women’s tennis tournament in Asia, outside of Japan. The Dusit Resort has
hosted the event for 13 consecutive years.
This year the tournament has once again attracted a very
strong field of entries, including all the top Asian players: Ai Sugiyama of
Japan, Asian Games gold medallist Iroda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan, Angelique
Widjaja of Indonesia and Yoon Jeong Cho of Korea. Thailand’s Tamarine
Tanasugarn completes the quintet of top Asian players.
Of the Asian players, Ai Sugiyama is the top entry in
world rankings at no 25, followed by Tamarine who is ranked 32.
In addition to the top Asian players, the tournament
entry list includes last year’s winner Patty Schnyder, a late entry who is
ranked no 19, and a quartet of Russian players led by Tatiana Panova, who is
enjoying her best year to date. Tatiana has risen to number 21 in the world.
The latest crop of Russian sensations to hit the tennis scene, Vera
Zvonareva, Alina Jidkova, and Lina Krasnoroutskaya will also be entered in
the tournament.
Amongst other contenders for the crown are Greece’s
Eleni Danilidou, who has risen to no 24 in the world and Slovakia’s
Henrietta Nagyova, who was runner-up last year.
The tournament qualifying rounds are played November 2 -
4, with the main draw running November 4 - 10. The singles final on Sunday
November 10 will be televised on TV channel 9.
Admission is free for the qualifying rounds through till
the quarterfinals on Friday November 8. Tickets are available at 200 baht
and 300 baht for the semifinals and finals on November 9 - 10.
In addition to the tennis tournament, Volvo will also
organize a motor rally from Bangkok on November 9 and a mountain bike race
with the start/finish at the Dusit Resort, Pattaya on November 10.
The Volvo Women’s Open is supported Kuwait Petroleum (Q8), the Tourism
Authority of Thailand, Mega-Universal, Sanex, Wilson, Volvo Leasing, Prince
and Traffic Corner. The tournament is sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis
Association (WTA) and the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT).
Likely or not
Lawn Bowls Division Two
Likely Lads pinched promotion by beating Unlucky
Chaplains on a rainy night. Newcastle John delivered some outstanding bowls
on the night with his star player David backing him all the way. Well done
boys, see you in Division One next season, which starts in a couple of
weeks.
Winchester boys Bobby Carol and his side kick Steve
Mohammed Lake outgunned Chaplin Spam Heads. In the background you could hear
the crowd who follow Chaplin’s saying get rid of that lucky dog Willy and
start on your winning ways.
BB’s Scottish Willy and his new signing Paul from
Northampton played his first game coming out to a impressive draw against
the more experienced Asylum 2.
Jan Bar welcomes back Howard with his excellent bowling
skills to overturn the Desert Rats; well done young man. Keep this up for
next season and we will see you in Division One.
Player of the week: Paul of BB’s
Match of the Week: BB’s v Asylum 2
Team of the Week: Winchester
Results: The Chaplin Spam Heads 11 v 18 Winchester,
Lucky Chaplains 13 v 27 Likely Lads, Asylum 10 v 10 BB’s, Desert Rats 9 v
18 Jan Bar.
Mio maintains slim lead
Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League
Mio’s team gained a more comfortable lead after beating
Bill’s team 3-1, with Mio and Otto bowling 201, 560 and 205, 541
respectively. This combined with Tue’s team having a bad day, losing to
La’s 0-4, with Toy bowling 200, 533, for La’s team and La 512, gave
Mio’s team a 3.5 point lead with 4 weeks to go.
From
left: Mio 201, Otto 205, Toy 200.
Kran’s team was back on form, after some bad results
lately, with a win against Jeed’s Team 3-1, with Kran bowling 547.
It looks like anything can happen, with all teams beating
each other, and all still with a chance of winning. Another good turnout
this week: 23.
House of the Golden Coin creeping up the standings
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
After week 25 of the Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling
League the league trophies for the first three teams are still up for grabs.
Five weeks remain and any team can still win 20 points.
First
place team Tukata, Jon, Tui and La
House of the Golden Coin has been slowly creeping up the
ladder and they gained another point on first place by taking three points
from second place Winchester Club, led by Ooy’s 535 series.
Captain Kran of Cafe Kronborg made sure her team won at
least two points from first place Shakey Pete’s as she had games of 200,
181, 200, and a day’s best 581 series.
200
bowlers Kran and Jeed
VFW Post 9876 gained a little ground on the leaders by
taking three points from Nice & Sleazy with only Porn and Pin bowling
well in this match.
Cafe Ole has been back on the winning track lately and
they took three points from Three Sisters behind Captain Jeed’s 214, high
game of the day, and 536 pin count.
3rd Mountain Bike Competition 2002 for HRH Princess Soamsawali Trophy this weekend
Songklod Kaewvisit
The 3rd Mountain Bike Competition 2002 takes place
tomorrow, November 2 at Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club.
The city has been planning this energetic and
eco-friendly tourism-enhancing event for more than 4 months and it is
expected to be another very successful event organized by Pattaya City. Many
helping hands have joined together from both government and private sectors
to make this competition possible. The Horseshoe Point Resort has generously
agreed to put its professional racing track at the disposal of the
competitors and provide accommodation.
Thavil Meekeaw, resident manager of the Horseshoe Point
resort said, “It is an honor to be hosting such a big event. We are
delighted to receive these fine athletes from all over the nation and this
year’s competition should be the best one yet.”
Money raised from this charity event will go to support
Pattaya School No. 1 for computers and school equipment, the highway police
unit, Lions Club of Naklua, and Maprachan Dam beautification.
Races are divided into several categories according to
age and distance, 10 km, 20 km, and 40 km.
Anyone interested in participating can contact Chor
Namchai at telephone 038-222018 or at Horseshoe Point Resort and Country
Club Public Relation office before noon on November 2.
Races start at 9:00 a.m. The overall category winner will
be awarded the coveted HRH princess Soamsawali trophy.
Max Arlen knocks three strokes off his handicap
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski - Orchid
Sunday - 20th of October
Green Valley - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - John Emmerson -
43 points
2nd A Flight - Gary Blackburne - 39 points
3rd A Flight -Eddie Blackwell - 37 points
4th A Flight - Joe McArdle - 37 points
1st B Flight - Max Arlen - 46 points
2nd B Flight -Jim Boyd - 42 points
3rd B Flight - Kevin Bowman - 41 points
4th B Flight - George Jackson - 37 points
Nearest the pins: No. 2 Max Arlen, No. 9 Byron
Dudding, No. 12 Mark Gygeil and No. 16 Mark Wood.
“46 points! Are you kidding me?” That was the nicest
thing anybody said to Max as he bettered his handicap by a whopping ten
stokes! Actually, the amicable and well-liked Pattaya resident finally put
together the bits and pieces that had suggested ability better than his
belated 22 handicap suggested.
As seems to be the case, the field tends to play poorly,
or well, as a whole, on each given day, and that was evidenced as the
official Pattaya greeter, Jim Boyd, was just a step below Max on the B
Flight podium with his best-of-the-current-stay 42 points. Irishman Kevin
Bowman copped the bronze with his best-of-stay 39 points.
The immense field of 46 allowed prizes to go four deep
per flight and George “Oneball” Jackson was the happy recipient of that
final place in B Flight, given his 37 points.
In keeping with the power-output of the day, John
Emmerson carried the A Flight banner with his 43 points off a gross 79.
Steady Gary Blackburne matched his gross score, but the vagaries of handicap
yielded only 39 points for Gary’s 10 handicap. The other half of the
Brothers Black, Eddie Blackwell, eked out third on a three-way count back at
37 points. Joe McArdle lost to Eddie’s second nine, 19 points to 21, but
persevered to edge unlucky Stan Fry 19 to 16.
Tuesday - 22nd of October
Laem Chabang - B & C - White Tees
Stableford
1st A Flight - Graham Holmes -
38 points
2nd A Flight - Gary Blackburne - 38 points
3rd A Flight - Ian Achenden - 36 points
1st B Flight - Pete Stonebridge - 40 points
2nd B Flight - Moe Deverdenne - 40 points
3rd B Flight - Mark Grygeil - 39 points
Visitor from Down under, Graham Holmes, edged quiet, but
effective, Gary Blackburne on count back 21 to 18 on the tough Valley
(“C”) course, as both crossed the finish line of A Flight in a dead
heat.
Records reveal that it is the first time we drew the B/C
course combination, which is the toughest permutation of the Jack Nicklaus
designed favorite.
Ian Ashenden, playing off zero had to go to the last six
holes to resolve third place in “A” as he edged Rick Sharp’s grandson,
Byron Dudding, for the bronze.
It would probably come as a surprise to some of the
area’s granddaughters and great-granddaughters that Rick is a grandfather.
Byron, who took up the game just two years ago at age fifteen, is already a
very competitive 6 handicap.
Pete Stonebridge similarly edged long hitting Moe
“Curly” Deverdenne on count back in B Flight by an amazing 22 to 15,
given their joint 40 point total. Thank goodness they were not teammates in
an opposing four ball. Talk about “ham and eggs”. It is a credit to the
strength of the competition that Pete was in B Flight at all, but his 12
handicap was one too high to compete in the top rung.
Bangkok resident Mark Grygiel continued to show continued
improvement in his game that has strengths in all areas, as he took third
place in B Flight with 39 points. It would be no surprise to anyone who has
played with him if Mark’s handicap improved another five shots or more in
the near future.
Wednesday - 23rd of October
Green Valley - Blue Tees
Stroke
1st A Flight - Gary Blackburne
- net 76
2nd A Flight - Egon Neilsen - 77 net
3rd A Flight - Ian Achenden - 79 net
1st B Flight - Fred Theobald - 74 net
2nd B Flight - Steve Donovan - 79 net
3rd B Flight - Moe Deverdenne - 79 net
Nearest the pins: No. 2 Ian Ashenden, No. 9 None, No.
12 Colin “The Donkey” Davis, and No. 16 Jim Brackett
Ok, so you want a challenge? How about the 7264 yard blue
tees at Green Valley Rayong? Not enough? OK, make it stroke play. 26 brave
souls took on the challenge. They started from tee boxes they had never
seen, ventured through terrain nobody had ever seen, and ended up on greens
that had seen too many of their putts before.
There are stories about every hole, but if you want a
visual, take the easiest hole on the course from the white tees, No. 7
(formerly No. 2). What was an iron or high-numbered wood to the broad
fairway was now transposed into a 230-yard tree-lined carry, just to make
any part of the fairway. Strategies abounded and many failed.
That ain’t enough? OK, try the 9th hole (formerly No.
4). It was transformed into a 235-yard monster replete with its
always-troublesome bunkering. As evidence of its challenge, no one hit the
green to win the nearest the pin, although in fairness it should be
mentioned the Moe Deverdenne only missed by a foot or two.
Well the bangers that wanted a Blue Tee Day were
certainly expected to rule it. What a surprise when the “lesser half’
(as opposed to “better half”, which would be Toy) of the Theobald clan,
Fred, had best on the day 74 net.
In the war of attrition that followed Fred, Moe
Deverdenne fell to the golf manager’s mathematics on count back as they
both staggered across the B Flight finish line with net 79’s.
Because golf is a gentlemen’s game I will not mention
that A Flighters Eddie Blackwell shot 105 and John Emmerson shot 106.
On the brighter side, Gary Blackburne hit for the cycle
as he added to the week’s bronze and silver finishes with a gold off his
net 76.
Egon Neilsen, Bjarne’s son, showed that his meteoric
improvement from mid-twenty handicap to 5 is appropriate as he came second
on the day, losing out first by but a stroke.
Ian Ashenden completed the A Flight champs as he shot
best gross on the day 79.
A great day was had by all, and further Blue Tee comps
were requested by A and B Flighters alike. In response to that, and in light
of the return to the normal High Season schedule, Monday’s fixtures will
be henceforth known as Blue Mondays.
Friday - 25th of October
No competition
given the TQ masters
Well that is not exactly correct. While the majority of
guys and gals did play in the TQ Masters, I would be remiss in not
mentioning that Neil Cameron ended a five-year victory drought by topping an
elite field of seven players at Century Ban Chang.
Note: Lewiinski-Orchid Golf Club has returned to its
normal high season schedule of Sunday-Monday-Wednesday-Friday fixtures.
Herb Ishinaga wins at Siam
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Again good weather prevailed as golfers from the Three
Sisters converged at Siam Country Club. The weather has been cooperating
this past year as the rainy season has by passed us and not been a factor on
our Monday golf.
Coming in at the head of the pack this week to take the
bragging rights was Herb Ishinaga with 40 points. Herb was hot on the first
nine making the turn with 23 points in hand but woke-up on the back nine to
finish with 17. Close on Herb’s heels were Bill Thompson and Bob Moberg -
both coming in with 39 points. Mo thought he had scored 40 points but on
rechecking his card an error was found to set him back to 39.
Jimmy Little tried to take the bag this week but was
undercut by Trevor Carnahoff. Jimmy came with a score of 26 points and stood
ready to accept the bag for the week but Trevor drove up and presented the
winning score of 25 points to take the bottom spot and the bag.
An Early Gold Rush For ‘Diana Gold’ 2002
by Mike Franklin
For the fourth year the ‘Diana Gold’ Charity Golf
Tournament will be offering technical prizes of at least one baht gold on
every hole, with the value of the sponsor’s gold currently totaling more
than 150,000 baht. Performance trophies and prizes too, and great lucky draw
prizes including flights to Singapore and Koh Samui.
Entries so far exceed seventy percent of the 140 shotgun
start field, so if you want to play for serious gold with the Diana Group,
sign-up straight away.
The venue is Plutaluang Navy Golf Course playing South
& East, and the date is Friday November 15. The prize giving party and
presentation ceremony will be staged back at the Diana Garden Lodge and
Driving Range, North Pattaya.
All proceeds from the tournament and lucky draw will go
to support the Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court Observation and Protection
Center, and provide scholarships for children at Banglamung Schools.
Friday November 15th is Diana Gold 2002, to support
Children’s Welfare and Banglamung Children’s Education.
Entries, together with the entry fee of B.1,500, to John
Cole at the Diana Inn, or see me.
Rules Tip of the Week
By Steve Donovan
Yellow Stakes (Water Hazard) (3 remedies) vs. Red Stakes
(Lateral Water Hazard) (5 remedies) - You have three remedies when you cross
into a hazard marked with Yellow Stakes: (1) play the shot from where it
lies in the hazard; or (2) play a ball as nearly as possible from the spot
the original ball was played; or (3) drop a ball behind the water hazard,
keeping the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the
hazard directly between the hole and where the ball is dropped, with no
limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.
Red Stakes have the same three remedies as Yellow stakes
plus two additional: Dropping the ball outside the lateral water hazard,
within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (4) the point where
the original ball last crossed the margin of the lateral water hazard and
(5) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from hole
as the point in remedy (4). Remedies (2), (3), (4) and (5) all are under
penalty of one stroke.
Theobald family takes first & second
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday 21st October
Pattaya Country Club
(Stroke play)
At present Pattaya Country Club is in the midst of a big
effort to improve the quality of its greens, so a day at the course is not
all roses and light; however, if it finally has the desired object to
produce fine greens the wait will be worthwhile. The fairways at Pattaya
have always been amongst the best around, good greens will make it a
pleasure to play.
Fred
& Toy Theobald sitting with Derek Brook (K.S.M.) behind
On this day, however, it was an irritant that had to be
put up with and the competitors set off to play a stroke play competition in
one flight, in good humour, expecting a good day, and at least no rain as it
usually seems to rain on us at Pattaya.
The Theobald family took first & second places with
Toy on a net 69 and Fred a net 70. In third was Hwang Yong Hwan with a net
71 and in fourth was Koji Yamada on net 72 beating Wayne Koch on count back.
Thursday 24th
October
Natural Park Hills
(Stableford)
This has to be the sort of course all golfers with a
death wish want to play, suffice to say in my humble opinion if you are
slightly off your game it will slowly drag you down into a state of
mediocrity. However, a score here is truly earned as every shot provides a
test. The fairways are great to play off and the greens devious but in their
own way fair, if you hit a good putt it will run true.
Jim
Morton finished 2nd in the A flight at Natural Park Hills.
The real difficulty lies off the tee where you have to
hit narrow fairways lined with trees that refuse to give up the ball or let
the ball through, nasty. Also the approaches to the green suck shots away
like they were going out of fashion. All in all a great course to challenge,
but maybe easier relatively for the high handicapper as they tend to be
shorter off the tee and therefore not as liable to go for a walk in the
woods. They also have more shots to lose.
A good field turned out to play the course and were split
into two flights: A flight 0 to 18 and B flight 19 upwards. In both flights
the top positions were keenly contested, but in totally different ways, as
the B flight took the course to task, whilst the A flight struggled to play
up to their handicap. Either the B flight had too many shots or the A flight
not enough, or maybe the course was smiling.
Herb
Schweiterman won B flight on Thursday at Natural Park Hills.
In the B flight as the results started to come in, Dick
Worden came in with 37 points, great score here, surely it wasn’t to be
beaten? Then another 37 points, so into the count backs? Suffice to say
count backs were not needed, 37 points not in with a chance. Lightning
struck another three times to my utter astonishment. The winner of the B
flight with 41 points (yes 41) was Herb Schweiterman, but only by one point
ahead of Toy Theobald on 40 points, who thus just missed out on her second
win of the week. Third with 39 points was Koji Yamada.
In the B flight sanity returned when it was won on 33
points by Derek Brook on count back over Jim Morton, also 33, with Mark Wood
third and close behind on 32 points.
So flights are here to stay and long may they live.
The Doc fires an Albatross
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 21st October
Phoenix Blue Tees
Monthly Medal
1st Division
1st: Pete Murray, Hdcp. 11, 73 cb9 33.5
2nd: Phil Groves, 7, 73 cb9 36.5
3rd: Bob Van Mol, 6, 73 cb9 37
4th: Doug Campbell, 9, 73 cb9 37.5
5th: Dave Stockman, 7, 73 cb9 37.5
2nd Division
1st: Mark Grygiel, 20, 72
2nd: B.J. Smith, 20, 73
3rd: Serge Straeten, 19, 76
The monthly medals, played as usual from the blue tees,
were played for over the Lakes and Ocean courses this month and with the
wind and conditions prevailing (no run and slower than usual greens), it was
no surprise to find the scores spiralling upwards. Even the usually easier
Ocean nine proved to be a tough test as the resulting count backs testified.
Pete Murray, playing his steady brand of “down the
middle” golf took the first division honours with an outstanding 39 gross
on the back nine to easily win the numerous count backs that ensued from the
rash of 73’s.
The next four players were separated by just one shot
with Phil Groves taking second by half a shot and Bob Van Mol taking third
also by the same margin, the unlucky ones being Doug Campbell and Dave
Stockman.
The second division proved to be a more open affair as
Mark Grygiel capitalized on a good birdie two to open up a winning lead over
B.J. Smith, who is just running into a bit of form.
Serge Straeten continues to blossom under the watchful
“Pin Eye” and did his mentor well with a phlegmatic three over, which
was enough to snatch third place from Ken Leadstone.
The twos were shared between Mark Grygiel and Al Rolnik
with one each.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional, welcomed back Mark Grygiel, Ole Stamnes, Roar
Berger, Ken Leadstone, Bob McLachlan and Bob Van Mol.
Wednesday 23rd October
Century Ban Chan
Bogey
1st: Roy Kapell, hdcp. 27, 5 up
2nd: Dave Stockman, 7, 4 up
3rd: Trevor Edge, 21, 3 up
4th: Victor Pang, 9, 1 up cb9 2 up
5th: Doug Campbell, 9, 1 up cb9 A/S, cb6 1 up
6th: B.J. Smith, 20, 1 up cb9 A/S, cb6 A/S
Although the day’s competition was also counting as an
Order of Merit qualifier, the top contenders turned out to be the players
without an interest in that event as the pressure began to make itself felt
going into the last few counting competitions.
Roy Kapell played a memorable round of five under to
claim the day’s honours over Dave Stockman by a hole and take home his
first win for some considerable time from The Haven. Dave, having lost out
in the count back at the last attempt, found himself unable to catch the
Flying Swede but did enough to consign Trevor Edge to third place.
New member Victor Pang edged out his playing partner Doug
Campbell with the latter getting the nod on count back over B.J. Smith for
fourth place and the day’s top position in the Order of Merit.
Order of Merit points
Doug Campbell 12
Russell Finch 6
B.J. Smith 10
Brian Kelly 5
Serge Straeten 8
Mo Bertrand 4
Stephen Beard 7
Jeff McLaury 3
The shot of the day was undoubtedly “The Doc’s”,
who fired in a 130 yard eight iron on the par five ninth to see it drop
straight into the cup for a net Albatross, which was a bit of a waste in a
Bogey competition as birdie was enough to secure the hole from “Old Man
Par”.
Dave Stockman cleaned up in the twos with the only one of
the day.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new members Victor
Pang from Singapore, Albert Massarella from England and Ron Henderson from
Majorca, whilst welcoming back Rolf Ahlstrom from Sweden.
Happy returns for Mr. Loy
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
The Bunker Boys returned to Century Chonburi on Tuesday,
22nd October, for their weekly stroke play event. The day was the most
oppressive anyone could remember and golf was difficult in the humid
conditions. In fact the last hour on the course was played out to the
accompaniment of claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, but it stayed
dry.
It all acted as the overture to the return of Mr. Loy
for, after seemingly weeks of barren rounds which have seen his handicap
shoot up by two shots, he was to head the division one lists, albeit tying
with Bob Morrison on net 76. Ken Lill reinforced his return to form with a
net 77 to give him third place.
Division two also witnessed the resurgence of Len Jones
whose game teeters between the spectacular and the maddening, often on the
same hole, but this day his powerful driving helped him to a share of the
top place with John Swanson and Bryn Jones, all three firing net 77.
The ladies’ event was won by Nora Haugsjordet with her
net 79. Century’s long par threes prevented birdies being scored and the
Bunker Super Sawng award was held over until the next round.
Candidates for the Bunker Banana Booby included Bob
Lindborg who went to the wrong course and Ciano Glavinia who provided the
quote of the week when his excuse for a poor putt was, “I hit the back of
the ball.” However, returning after a three year absence, Big Ron Glazier
scooped the booby for failing to return a card, claiming he was hit by a
stray buggy. In the end the day will best be remembered for the return to
form of Mr. Loy.
For more memories log on to http://www.thebunkerboys.com
Pleasure Dome keeps unbeaten streak alive
Mickey Mouse Darts League
With a win over Bulls Eye on October 25, Pleasure Dome
remained unbeaten for the season. Rising Sun defeated Devonshire to keep
pace, just one loss back in the standings. Bunker beat newcomers Lobby Bar,
Mick’s Place beat Palmer’s, and Cheers kept Smugglers Rest winless on
the season.
This week (Nov 1) sees Lobby Bar v Pleasure Dome, The Bunker v Cheers,
Smugglers Rest v Palmer’s, Mick’s Place v Devonshire, and Rising Sun v
Bulls Eye.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
In boxing it’s a given that boxers from different
countries or ethnic groups carry the traits of that group into the ring.
Mexican, Thai and Filipino fighters have the reputation of never taking a
step backward, take two punches to land one and have great hearts. The
latter trait, if one choose, could be traced to the Greek custom of “going
out on your shield.” Please no cards or letters, I know none of the groups
descended directly from Greeks. I’m using my literary license. Literary
license? Sure, it’s like love in Land of Smiles. If you say you got it,
you do.
Many have noticed that when Thai fighters travel away
from home they usually don’t do very well. They usually get the
“beeswax” knocked out of them. Whether this is poor training or lack of
knowledge is not really important. The fact is that a Thai fighter away from
home is usually in deep stuff. I have a theory. The reasons is, “No
Problem.”
Thai challenger Fabbrakob Rakkiatgym had trouble making
weight for last Saturday night’s fight. He weighed 126 lbs. on Thursday, a
little over 48 hours before his crack at the IBF super-bantam title of Manny
Pacquiao. Jimmy Chaichotchuang, Rakkiatgym’s manager, however, was not
worried. “We can make it. I am confident he can do it,” said
Chaichotchuang. Some kind of manager. Allows his fighter not to be in shape
and then cavalierly say’s, “No Problem”. To him there was none. He was
going to get his money anyway. To his fighter “Big Problem”. Rapid
weight loss for lower weight fighters causes extreme dehydration making the
fighter more susceptible to serious injury. Most of the safety rules in
boxing, in regard to weight, were introduced to protect fighters in lower
weight classes.
At the weigh in the next day Pacquiao nailed the 122
limit right on the nose. “Fabbrakob Rakkiatgym of Thailand did make the
weight and tipped the scales at 121 after being overweight by four pounds
the day before.”
“I am ready. How I wish the fight will be at this
moment,” declared Pacquiao. The comment came as Rakkiatgym stood by. “He
looked so drained that boxing experts in this thriving city one-and-a-half
hours away from Manila believe the Thai will be fortunate to be fighting by
the seventh round.” At this point a betting person would have bet the
ranch on the outcome. It was a “no brainier”.
Saturday night Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao (35-2)
retained his IBF superbantam title. Rakkiatgym (35-3) was floored four times
in the first round before referee Bruce McTavish stopped the bout at 2:46.
The wire service described McTavish’s action as a “mercy halt”. No
words were better written. Is it any wonder that “Pacquiao was too
powerful for Rakkiatgym? The vanquished Thai had to be examined by the ring
doctor moments after he hit the floor for the fourth time.” One can hope
that Rakkiatgym suffered no lasting damage. It can’t be a coincidence that
Rakkiatgym has trouble making weight and then suffers his first KO in nine
years and 30 fights. “No problem my pet rats posterior.”
Really good guy and Irish hero Wayne McCullough comes
back fighting in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland, after nearly
seven years next Saturday. He gets Russian Nikolai Eremeev (18-5-2) in a ten
rounder at the featherweight limit. McCullough’s last fight in Belfast was
in 1995, when he defended his WBC 118 lbs belt against current world champ
Johnny Bredahl of Denmark who on a good day couldn’t break an egg to make
an omelet. A win and it’s either WBO 122 lbs champ Joan Guzman or new WBO
feather titleist Scott Harrison next year.
On the other side of the coin, current IBO Featherweight
Champion Prince Naseem Hamed (36-1) will finally return to the boxing ring
in the Spring of 2003 with a bout against WBC #6 and IBF #6 ranked Michael
Brodie (33-1) from Manchester. Hamed has not fought since winning the IBO
crown with a unanimous decision over Manuel Calvo in London in May. A wire
story says, “many people had questioned his motivation for the sport.”
How could that be?
Kinda big fight card last Friday at the Mall Shopping
Center, Ngamwongwan Nonthaburi. WBC bantam king Veerapol Nakornluang
(39-1-1) easily defeated Alex Escaner which is the reason he fought him. The
one sided contest was stopped in the 6th via TKO. Veerapol will defend his
title again on December 10.
WBC superfeather champ Sirimongkol Singmanassak (41-1, 24
KOs) destroyed Filipino Richard Cabillo with a right hook, scoring a
one-punch KO at 0:45 of round two of a non-title bout.
WBC #1 Napapol Kiatisakchokchai successfully retained his
WBC International superbantam title by beating South African Samusolo Izac
Beyi. Another case of “Visitors, Welcome to Thailand.” How about them
apples?
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