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The Panthers beaten by lack of fitness
The season finally started for the Pattaya Panthers Rugby
Club on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, with a game against the British Club
from Bangkok at the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club, Pattaya.
The
teams.
The day started with the usual team selection problems
for new captain Brian Reid. How to play a fifteen-man game with ten forwards
and no backs? The problem was quickly resolved by a few phones calls, press
ganging some of the spectators and persuading people to play out of
position.
Before the main event, a mixed touch rugby match was
organised by the Pattaya Panties, the glamorous part of the Rugby Club. Some
aggressive “touching” by Oanh resulted in a serious injury. Blood was
claimed but not confirmed - we wish her a speedy recovery!
Volunteer referee Mike Grastaffi (and who would volunteer
for a job like that?) got the game underway with the Panthers in a confident
mood. This didn’t last, as the pre-match reorganising left the defensive
duties unclear and the BC scored an easy unopposed try virtually from the
kick-off. The try was converted to give the BC an early 7-0 lead.
This only brought the Panthers to life!
A determined effort saw the Panthers take the game to the
BC. New find for the season prop Nigel Saunders singled handed took on the
British Club defence with repeated barging runs. Unfortunately the rest of
the Panthers were so impressed they stopped to watch, letting the BC clear
their lines too easily. Good lineout work by Mark Rummery and Dan Schultes
ensured the Panthers their fair share of possession. Stand-in scrumhalf
Simon Parks provided service to the backs where the Panthers Man of the
Match, Jim Robinson, excelled in his new role at number 12. Normally a
hooker, Jim took this opportunity to display his skills away from the front
row.
The Panthers dominated for long spells of a very physical
forwards battle but inconsistent refereeing and self-induced errors
prevented them from capitalising on good field positions.
It’s
all too much...
Ready
for action
Outstanding efforts from the “senior” Panthers, Jim
Howard and Mickey Price supported the ever young Peter Bowden (happy
Birthday Peter) and Richard Holt who covered every blade of grass on the
pitch as usual!
The heat started taking its toll and despite the best
efforts of Lisa Love and her water jugs, the energy levels of the Panthers
started to fade. This gave the BC the opportunity to exploit the fitness and
speed of their talented Thai back line, which had been kept at bay by some
stout (Guinness induced) defending. Their endeavour was rewarded by a try in
the final minutes. The final 12-0 score line in favour of the visiting team
did not reflect the effort given by the home side that deserved better.
As the match drew to a close the Panthers had slowly
moved from the pitch, the “Panthers field hospital” which was steadily
growing behind the posts. Staff nurse Dusit Dave attended to the old (sorry
Gethin) and injured who had given their all in the search of the elusive
victory.
Details of the Pattaya Panthers Rugby Club, upcoming matches and Tours
can be found at www.pattayapanthers.com
Cafe Ole takes four points from House of the Golden Coin and moves back into second place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Captain Udom rolled a 539 series to lead her Cafe Ole
team to a four-point victory over first place House of the Golden Coin. Jim
had a 502 series for Ole and Captain Mio led her Golden Coin team with a 211
game and 504-pin count.
This
week’s 200 bowlers (L to R) Jeed, Kran and Mio.
An improving Three Sisters team took all four points from
Domicil and knocked them down to fourth place. Ooy led Three Sisters with a
very good 550 series and Domicil was led by Suraphan’s 520 pin total.
VFW Post 9876 took three points from Winchester Club to
claim third place in week 11 of the 30-week league.
Shakey Pete’s is making a move up the ladder after
taking four from Cafe Kronborg. Captain Kran had nothing to do with her
team’s loss as she rolled games of 189, 204 and 175 for a day’s best 568
series.
Nice & Sleazy took three points from Jack & Tar led by Jeed’s
200 game and 518 series. Captain Porn rolled a 527 series for Jack & Tar
and Nun knocked down 522 pins bowling as a spare.
Mulligans St Patrick’s Day Fairway Golf
The Mulligans Fairway Golf tournament will take place on
St Patrick’s Day, Monday March 17 at Green Valley Country Club. The entry
fee is 1,000 baht paid on entry. Closing date for entries is March 14.
Entry fee includes green fee, caddy, European and Thai
food, and pig on a spit. Prizes for tournament champion (trophy) and best
ladies, plus A & B flight winner, second and third, near pins, long
drives, and long putts.
The format is Stableford, and all players get one
Mulligan. Maximum handicap for men is 28, and for women 36. All players must
have current handicap.
Prizes and food at Mulligans Bar, Pattayaland Soi 1 at 8
p.m.
For more information contact Bruce Tollitt at 01-865-3104
or Ray Ryan on 01- 935-8088.
Pattaya Pool League
2003 Pattaya Marriott Classic: Master Race prevails
story and photos by Peter Cummins
This is not a reference to the errant philosophies of a
“Master Race” in the 1930s. Rather, it is about David Race, the Master
Hobie Catamariner who, with his agile runner Chris Schultz, won the 2003
Pattaya Koh Larn Classic held off South Pattaya last weekend. David, with an
extremely busy work schedule, rarely appears to compete at Royal Varuna
these days. But when he does, he usually puts the imprimatur of the Master
on the event. This time, too, he was pitting his relatively old-fashioned
Hobie Cat 16 against the sophisticated new breed felines: the hi-tech Nacras,
many with spinnakers.
Second-placed
Willmann (L) and Peter Herning are flanked by Gilbert Leemann and Sandra
England.
Second last year, these two made no mistake this time,
even though when finishing the first leg, David did a little
“rock-hopping” as he reached in to Koh Larn’s western shore at rather
high speed.
Finishing fifth and first in the two sailing legs, added
to Chris’ huge margin in winning the running section, this Hobie Cat 16
team, with just .75 points total, kept out Peter Herning/Willmann (Nacra 16
Sq.: 10th, 2nd sailing; 2nd running, for 2.00 points), in overall second
place. Third were Antony Chapman/Gonthier (Nacra 5.5: 6th, 6th, 3rd, for
3.00 points), followed by Saranya/Heath (Nacra 5.6: 4, 11, 4, for 4.00
points), the 2001, 2002 winner Gary Baguley, with runner Amara (Nacra 5.5:
1, 5, 7, for 5.00 points) and Robert England/John (Hobie 16: 3, 7, 10, for
6.00 points), fourth to sixth, respectively.
The fleet-footed Chris, leaving the rest of the runners
flat-footed, also won the Karl Schmid Memorial Trophy for the fastest
runner, finishing that sector - some 12 km across Koh Larn - in 39m15s.
Chris’s run was phenomenally fast and, although his run-time was only six
minutes outside Jay Cooley’s 1995 record-breaking run of 33 minutes, it
was some two-three km longer and, in the extreme heat, it was a great effort
and has probably set the record for future runs.
Winners
all. L. to R.: David Wales, Gilbert Leemann, David Race, Chris Schultz and
Sandra England.
Off
goes the fleet: eventual winners, David Race/Chris Schultz are well back at
the start.
No doubt, the feats of the sailors were only matched by
the feet of the athletes, many of whom went home with a severe case of
athlete’s foot.
Nevertheless, it always guarantees a great event and a
lot of fun when the Royal Varuna Yacht Club sailors and the Bangkok Hashers
combine their sailing and running skills for the racing, enjoy a great
buffet, courtesy of the Pattaya Marriott Resort, drink their fill, courtesy
of Alberto Cassio’s Photo Bank and air their somewhat dubious vaudeville
talents, courtesy of no-one, for the show on the Varuna balcony afterwards.
Joining principal sponsor, the Pattaya Marriott Resort
and Spa again this year, were Schenker International, Technilink, Alberto
Cassio’s Photo Bank Company and Coca Cola, all of whom always support the
Bangkok Hash House Harriers - and, of course Hariets - who come to Pattaya
to join the Classic and the fun.
Pattayan David Wales, Swiss Gilbert Leemann and their
team of marshals again organized a great event with the Varunians providing
the sails and the Hashers providing the legs.
With the Pattaya City fathers making great progress in
“cleaning up the resort city”, and the “waste-plagued islands of Koh
Sichang and Koh Larn”, as one editorial said it, the Classic is, indeed,
good news. There cannot be any more environmentally-friendly pursuits than
yacht racing and running, both of which rely on the inherent gifts of
Nature, for mobility and performance and, certainly, which promote the
Marriott Resort’s own “eco-code of conduct” for protecting the
environment.
Present to distribute the prizes at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club was
Somsak, general manager of the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
Norman conquest
at Treasure Hill
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
On Friday, 28th February, Mr. Loy led his troops to
far-off Treasure Hill for their weekly Stableford competition and they were
welcomed by a course sorely in need of water.
Nevertheless the Bunker Boys took the challenge on board
and the best score of the day was recorded in division one where the
redoubtable Norman Brooks topped the list with a fine and thoughtful 35
points. His nearest challenger was playing partner Bill Hewitt, the
Bunker’s current player-of-the-week. Bill shot 34 points to stay ahead of
third placed Bob Morrison who scored 32 points.
In division two Big Ian Phillips ended his current short
stay in fine style firing 34 points, one ahead of the chasing pack, which
included David Johnson, Neil Griffin, Harald Gruber and Enda Naughton, all
scoring 33 points.
Big Ian also had the honour of scoring one of the day’s
twos, thereby sharing the Bunker Super Sawng award with Duncan Lee.
There was also the usual clutch of candidates for the
Bunker Banana Booby but in the end the day’s lowest score of 12 points
assured John Fontier of the award.
Pattaya Lawn Bowls
Pattaya City to hold charity bowling tournament in honor of Princess Sirindhorn’s 48th birthday
Songklod Kaewvisit
Pattaya City will hold a charity bowling tournament to
honor HRH Princess Sirindhorn on the occasion of her 48th (4th cycle)
birthday. The event will be held on March 30 at the P.S. Bowl in Central
Pattaya.
The upcoming tournament is aimed at commemorating the
Royal Family and responding to the government policy of promoting sports in
the regional sectors. Proceeds from the tournament will be presented to HRH
Princess Sirindhorn to aid cancer patients and various projects under her
patronage.
Winners will be presented with Sonthaya Khunpluem,
Minister of Tourism and Sports trophies.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat recently held a meeting
to confirm plans and logistics of the event. The mayor said, “Pattaya City
now hosts many international sporting events which have successfully
attracted a tremendous number of tourists to the city, because we have the
facilities and accessible transportation. The city is now ready to host any
sporting event and is well equipped with locations.”
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday February 24
Plutaluang
(Stableford)
This course gets better and to cap it all on this trip it
was quiet and in good condition, just what the ‘Admiral’ ordered. The
North and West hosted the competition and a large number of golfers
contested the result, some at the end of their trips and determined to have
a good last outing.
Cees
(The Prince) Bosman
Harald
Gruber
The competition was played in two flights. A flight was
won by Steindar Eidesson with 40 points ahead of Aku Ahu on 38 points, and
in a count back for third on 37 points Ted Morris beat Hugh Fernyhugh into
fourth place.
In the B flight came not only the result of the day but
probably the result of the high season as Cees Bosman did what he has been
threatening to do for some time now and destroyed his flight with a
magnificent 46 points, suffice to say he is now a better golfer on handicap,
but this ‘Frog’ certainly has had his day.
Several miles behind in second place came Claus Thomsen
on 38 points and in a count back for third, on 35 points, Harald (with an A)
Gruber beat Kevin Dunne into fourth.
Near pins: N3 Mick O’Connor, N6 Claus Thomsen, W3 Harald Gruber and W8
Ebrahim.
Could have and would have won if, if, if...
PSC Three Sisters Golf
Monday the 24th of February brought a slew of golfers out
for the end of the month Three Sisters’ Trophy. It was also to celebrate
Big Bob Moberg’s 70th birthday, and Trevor Carnahoff supplied the funds
for the food and drinks at Caddy Shack Two. (Thank you Trevor from the Three
Sisters Golfing group - the ham and giant hotdogs along with the beer tasted
good.)
Doug
Douglas won the bragging rights at SCC 24 Feb 03. Mimi Kirkland happily was
left holding the bag. It was reported that Jerry Lien posed for the statue
on the new 3 Sisters weekly trophy!
Although it was Bob’s birthday, he was not so fortunate
in his playing. He ended up in the middle of the field of approximately 40
golfers. Meanwhile, Keith Spedge shot an excellent game but could not
compete, as he did not have an established handicap.
Vying for the bragging rights were five individuals tied
at 37 points. You would think that with perfect conditions and a large field
that the scores would have been better. You could hear the moans and groans
when it was mentioned that five individuals had tied at 37 points. Everyone
said how they could have and would have won if, if, if... Sorry guys - only
one winner.
Winning the bragging rights for the day was Doug Douglas
winning on count back. He was the only golfer to do better on the back nine
than the front. Doug had 21 points on the back to take the bragging rights.
Right on Doug’s back was Don Ratcliffe, Malcolm
Mackenzie, Andy Bettany and Bob Benda - all with 37 points but no bragging
rights or name on the monthly trophy. There were five other golfers at 36
points but none of them could make the grade for the day. Doug’s back must
be blistered with all the hot air back of him.
Holding the bag this week was Mimi Kirkland. Mimi has not golfed for a
while so she has an excuse for not playing so well. Also, golfing alongside
her husband might have intimidated her so she has an excuse for her bad
score. For sure she will not be at the bottom the next time around.
Sair-back McDonald wins at Green Valley
Rising Sun Golf Society
Tuesday 25/2/03
Green Valley
It was another good day out at the impressive Green
Valley. Conditions were breezy, and the tees were still back.
Rab (Sair-back) McDonald (10 hcp) won with 35 pts. He
went out in 21, but came back in with a poor 14 pts; his back must have been
playing up. Trevor (Mr Ascot) Sharman (19 hcp) finished 2nd with 31 pts,
earning second by a nose on count back.
Granville Swanton (18 hcp), went out in 19 pts, but came
back in with a total of 5 pts, as his mind must have been elsewhere. BC
maybe?
Thursday 27/2/03
Royal Lakeside
This is a super course with good value, and on Thursday
the conditions were favourable. The fairways were excellent, but the greens
were not receptive, as they were rock hard. It’s a long way on precarious
roads, but worth the trip.
The day crowned a new winner, Bernard Bailey (18 hcp)
with 39 pts. He went out in 15, and came back in 24 with 2 birdies at par
4s.
2nd on count-back, again, was Roger Privitt (14 hcp) with
38 pts.
Allan Hayward chipped in for two at the 6th; typical for
an ex-taxman - trying to get a good return on the putter.
Synchronised swimming highlights the week in golf
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 24th
February
Noble Place
Stableford
1st: Frank Hughes, 42 points
2nd: Patrick Asklund, 36 cb9 20
3rd: Peter Emslie, 36 cb9 19
4th: Mike Dabanovich, 36 cb9 18
Making the long trek down the 331 Highway proved to be
most rewarding as the course was found to be in first class condition, as
well as being almost deserted.
Frank Hughes took his first trophy out of The Haven,
scoring a very creditable 6 under his handicap to take the day’s honours
by six strokes from his nearest challengers.
Patrick Asklund, making one of his infrequent
appearances, led home the rest of the prize winners by virtue of a slightly
better back nine that was good enough to hold off Peter Emslie and Mike
Dabanovich after a count back.
Moe Deverdenne swept the twos pool having the only two on
the day.
Wednesday 26th
Century Ban Chan
Bogey
1st Division
1st: Arthur Hancock, 2 up cb9 4 up
2nd: Mikael Andersson, 2 up cb9 2 up
3rd: Derek Reaper, 2 up cb9 1 up
4th: Bill Kirkpatrick, 2 up cb9 all square
2nd Division
1st: Bob Lindborg, all square
2nd: Stephen Beard, 3 down cb9 1 down
3rd: Frank Sinclair, 3 down cb9 3 down
4th: Dale Drader, 3 down cb9 4 down
Another large contingent of golfers turned out to take on
the challenging Century Ban Chan course with its undulating fairways and
tiny greens.
Arthur Hancock again showed the value of local knowledge,
as he led the first division after a four way count back.
Mikael Andersson proved that the six shot reduction in
handicap was well deserved, as he again shot under par to take second place
from Derek Reaper and Bill Kirkpatrick.
The second division was led by Bob Lindborg, again
beginning to show some of his old form, from “The Doc” in second by
virtue of another count back that consigned Frank Sinclair and Dale Drader
to third and fourth place respectively.
Prior to the prize giving, Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new members Peter Cerny, and Daryl and
Toy Blair.
The twos were shared between Mike Dabanovich, Mo Bertrand
and John Draper.
Friday 28th
Khao Kheow
Stroke play
1st Division
1st: Pete Murray, 67
2nd: Mike Dabanovich, 69
3rd: Mark Gorda, 70 cb9 33
4th: Mark Williamson, 70 cb9 34
2nd Division
1st: Ann Drader, 68 cb9 33.5
2nd: Larry Ball, 68 cb9 34.5
3rd: Dale Drader, 69
4th: Peter Emslie, 71 cb9 32.5
5th: Dan MacLean, 71 cb9 34
What promised to be an interesting competition played
from the white tees turned into a bit of an experience as the heavens opened
on three quarters of the field over the back nine, and with lightning
crashing all around, a temporary stoppage was called in the interests of the
players.
Pete Murray again showed all his old cunning to sneak in
front of the soon to return to work Mike Dabanovich and the chasing duo of
Mark Gorda and Mark Williamson, to claim another victory.
Ann Drader headed the second division with Larry Ball and
her husband Dale close at hand. Peter Emslie and Dan MacLean filled out the
other positions on the podium.
Following last week’s effort by George Jackson to
practice his synchronised swimming techniques, Ian Ashenden, the local
teaching professional, also took to the waters following a “light grip
method” mishap caused by the inclement weather conditions, which resulted
in his four iron spiralling into the water beside the seventh hole on the A
course. The caddies were quite surprised to see him disrobe, as he was
already soaked to the skin, but assumed it was just another idiosyncrasy of
the farangs.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new members Eric
Tinnon, John Murray, John Randle, Robert Pritchard and Ken Sale.
The twos were shared between Mark Gorda, Stephen Beard,
J.J. Wright, Ann Drader, Al Rolnik, Tom Breslin and Daryl Blair.
P.S.C. golf from Bobby Joes 60’s Bar
by KSM
Friday February 28
Century Chonburi
(Stableford)
I do like my Fridays golf at Bobby Joes, even if I am not
overjoyed with my Saturday hangover. I have reasoned its the free evening
meal, with a good meal inside you the beers seem to go down better. Bobby
Joe takes great pride in his ‘cuisine’, and reckons hungry golfers
present a challenge.
Bobby
(asleep) presents prizes to the winner Kurk Persson (left) and loser Stephen
Peters (right).
So with a good brekkers inside, it’s off to play a
round of golf at a club with a bunch of golfers who just want to enjoy a day
out and seems bereft of the usual Prima Donnas that can destroy a good day
out.
This day out was at Chonburi, on a course that is really
fine at a price that cannot be beaten, but at a clubhouse that is probably
the ‘least good’ of any of the courses. Of course, as is normal at the
moment, it had to rain cats and dogs and the course flooded, but actually
soon cleared. And of course you don’t play golf in the clubhouse, so after
a fine day’s golf, and a cold shower, we all gathered in the clubhouse for
the trip back and emptied a few beer bottles.
Back at the ranch Bobby had been cooking again and
provided Boeuf Bourguignon with noodles, and so contented golfers sat back
and awaited the results and presentation done by Bobby.
The winner for the day was Kurk Persson who beat Derek
Brook on count back after scoring 23 points on the back nine despite the
torrential rain. The night continued with the sacrificial ringing of the
bell by mein host and the building up of a major hangover
Winner: Kurk Persson
Last: Stephen Peters
Near pins: #4 Derek Brook, #7 Tim Holt, #13 Alex Kazazis
and #17 Eddie Millar.
Long putts: #9 Mike Winfield and #18 Alex Kazazis.
Royal Varuna Gala Dinner-Dance coming soon
Story and photos by Peter
Cummins, Pattaya
The 29th of March, 2003, is going to be a great day for
Pattaya, with two major events planned for that day: the first will be the
annual Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff Resort International Regatta,
this year being sailed for the ninth time. Ongoing reports of the progress,
sponsorship and day’s programme are being featured in successive issues of
the Pattaya Mail, right up to the Friday, 28th of March issue.
HM the
King sails his OK dinghy “Vega” off Royal Varuna, ca. May 1965.
The other major event which will be held - also at the
Royal Cliff - will be the Royal Varuna Yacht Club’s first Gala Dinner,
being regarded by the sponsoring Club as a major - if not THE major -
function on Pattaya’s busy social calendar.
The occasion, to raise funds for a huge re-building
programme, promises to be as much fun and camaraderie on the land as are
usually found on the water.
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club was founded in July 1957 by
two Swiss nationals - Walter Myer and Rachiman Gintzburger. There was
something prophetic about these two gentlemen from the Swiss mountains,
founding what was to become one of Asia’s best yacht clubs. Who could have
forecast then, that 46 years later, land-locked Switzerland would become
number one in the fiercely-competitive world of yacht racing, by taking home
to Geneva, just this week, yacht-racing’s most coveted - and the sporting
world’s longest-standing (152 years) - trophy: the America’s Cup?
But to return to Varuna history: Walter and Rachiman were
joined on that fateful day in July, 1957 by Thai yachting enthusiast HSH
Bhisadej Rajanee and US citizen Roberto Maestrini. Thus, the Varuna Marine
Club - as it was then called - “set sail”, nautically speaking, to
develop into one of Asia’s most prolific yacht clubs, promoting not only
yacht racing, sailing and cruising in the Kingdom and abroad and, by
extension, Thailand itself.
His Majesty the King, himself a Gold-Medallist helmsman
in regional games, honoured the Club on 26 April 1965 by bestowing Royal
Patronage and the Marine Club, established to promote ALL marine-related
sports, became the Royal Varuna Yacht Club with the same aims. Consequently,
since then the Royal Varuna Club has organized, hosted and managed countless
world championships, regional and national events, as well as local and
inter-regional regattas, bringing much good press and publicity to Pattaya,
the environs of the Eastern Seaboard and beyond.
But even Royal Varuna has become a ‘victim’ of a
“Mid-life Crisis”. The erstwhile structure, designed and built in 1967
by Royal Varuna fourth commodore, Dr Rachot Kanchana-Vanit, on the bay
adjacent to the Royal Cliff at Pattaya Point, is showing its age.
With a new 30-year lease on the splendid property -
undoubtedly the best on the Eastern Seaboard - the Royal Varuna membership,
under the lead of incumbent Flag Commodore Robert England, is about to
embark on a multi-million baht re-building programme, guaranteed to make
Royal Varuna a showplace for Pattaya’s marine activities, as well as a
worthy neighbour for the illustrious Royal Cliff, the Five Star Resort Hotel
- voted the region’s best in a number of categories.
The organizers of the Varuna Gala Dinner - which will
become an annual event - are expecting a big crowd of sailors, city
officials and leading personalities in both the public and private sectors,
to attend and, by doing so, contribute to the considerable funding needed to
proceed with the club’s re-development.
It is fortuitous that the new Varuna will be opened
during the year of the King’s 75th birthday. Although the Monarch does not
sail competitively now, nevertheless his magnanimous contribution by raising
the status of Varuna to a club under Royal Patronage almost four decades ago
will, undoubtedly, carry the Club through the many years ahead.
The Gala Dinner organizing committee announced that
reservations (single or tables of eight) are rapidly filling. Anyone who
would like to come to the Royal Varuna Gala Dinner, 29th March, 2003, should
reserve by telephone (038) 306 290; fax (038) 250 115; or e-mail [email protected]
info.co.th
Furthermore, a web-site <royal-varuna-yacht-club.com> will enable
any interested parties to learn more about this remarkable club, its
sailing, training, racing and social activities, at and around the club
premises on the shores of the Gulf, in South Pattaya.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
It was estimated that about 13,000 fans were lured to the
Thomas & Mack arena on the campus of University of Nevada Las Vegas to
watch Roy Jones become only the second middleweight champion in history to
win a heavyweight title. He totally dominated an outclassed John Ruiz to win
a unanimous decision leading from opening to closing bell.
The really big loser was Ruiz. He got beat to lose his
title without which he is just another journeyman heavyweight trying to make
a buck. He’ll probably get paid almost nothing as his money was all to
come from an expected minuet pay-per-view and on top of it all his manager,
Stoney Stone, got his butt kicked during a weigh in melee. The Square Ring
has a bit of egg on its collective face. “There is no way on God’s Green
earth that John Ruiz will lose,” it wrote. Whoops, wrong again.
In light of Roy Jones’ win last Sunday, you probably
asked yourself, “Wonder who was the other middleweight champ to win the
heavyweight crown?” Sure you did. The answer is yes. The only man ever to
move up from Middleweight Champion to Heavyweight Champion was “Ruby”
Bob Fitzsimmons (57-8-16). Now you young “whippersnappers” probably
don’t know the name, too busy snapping your whipper, but Ruby Bob won the
heavyweight title in Carson City Nevada on March 17, 1897 via a 14 round KO.
Fitzsimmons weighed 167 and Gentleman James Corbett 184.
Ruby Bob is an interesting guy whose career in the ring
covered the period of 1883 to 1914. His first 40 or so fights, poor record
keeping leads to the term 40 or so, were held in and around Sydney,
Australia. That may lead you to ask if Fitzsimmons was an Aussie? Nope. He
was actually, as opposed to allegedly, born in Helston, Cornwall England but
called Timaru New Zealand his hometown. Some might consider that a lateral
move but I digress. It took Rudy Bob three tries to win the title. One is
notable because of the referee. In 1896, December to be accurate, he tried
for the title for a second time. No we don’t know why the “Near Texas”
fight didn’t count. He fought Tom Sharkey (22-0) in San Francisco.
Boxingrec.com records the story, “This bout was promoted as for the
Heavyweight Championship of the World due to Fitzsimmons previous victory
over Peter Maher. This bout had a controversial ending when Fitzsimmons
knocked Sharkey flat on his back; Referee Wyatt Earp ruled that Fitzsimmons
had fouled.” Yep, that Wyatt Earp, who was a sportswriter in San Francisco
having married a high class society chick and settled into the good life.
Long way from Tombstone and the OK Corral.
No one would argue that Jones-Ruiz was a REAL heavyweight
title fight. There is one next week in Hanover Germany. Wladimir Klitschko
(40-1) defends against journeyman Corrie Sanders (38-2) who’s record looks
a lot better than it is. A whole lot better. He peaked in 1998 when he took
the WBU heavyweight title, which is worth about the same as the Rolexes sold
on Beach Road. Since then he’s been on a strenuous one fight a year plan.
He has an English breakfast of eggs, beans, sausage and canned tomatoes.
Without the eggs, beans or sausages.
OK take it back! U though I was telling porky’s last
week when I gave you results of fights that hadn’t occurred when the
column was written. Shame on you. IBF#4 Fahlan Sakkeerin (50-3-2, 19KO)
stopped Bong Costelo (15-8-2, 5KO) of the Philippines in 7th to retain the
IBF Pan Pacific jnr flyweight title. Jimmy Chaichotchuang, Sakkreerin’s
manager said, “We would like to start negotiations with Mr Don King for
Jose Burgos to defend the IBF jnr flyweight title against Sakkreerin as soon
as possible. I am sure that Sakkreerin has the skills to win his second
world championship. Hopefully this IBF title fight will happen in 2003.”
When pigs fly.
Some of the young Thai fighters continue their climb up
the ladder of mediocrity. WBA#9 Pornsawan Por Pramook (6-0) retained his
PABA minimum title by a 5 round TKO over Golden King Atillo. That makes 6
KO’s from 6 starts for the popular Muay Thai champion who seems to be
adjusting to the international scene with RE (ridiculous ease). A bout with
WBA 105 Champ Noel Arambulet is on the November horizon. “What’s that on
the Horizon?” “It’s a title fight.”
Box fighting at Bangbuathong, Nonthaburi presented a
surprise result when Filipino Alan Rinoma shocked the Thai crowd by stopping
WBA #15 minimum Decho Bankluaygym (14-1, 8KOs) in round three. Not supposed
to happen that way. There were no other derivations as former WBO #3
Pramuansak Phosuwan (9-0, 5KOs) kept his WBO Asia-Pacific superfly title
after destroying Mlindi Mkhaliphi of South Africa. The latter hit the canvas
three times before the fight was stopped at 2:46 of the 2nd. Former PABA
lightfly champ, Panieng Poontarat (25-1, 8KOs) won a six round unanimous
decision over Campennio Rayco of the Philippines. Former WBF feather champ
Kongthawat Sorkitti (39-12) won a six round unanimous decision over
Petcharoon Sor Ploenchit and Dechapol Bankluaygym (6-0-1, 5KOs) knocked out
Petch-aek Sor Saendee in the opening round. How about them apples?
“Steady Eddie”
Arthur Bailey wins the mug
P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Thursday February 27
Siam C.C.
(Stroke)
Those of you who are regular players in the mug will
notice we have found a new ‘Old’ home for the mug and the reaction of
the regulars was very favourable. This being the only competition from the
Kronborg that returns to the Kronborg for the presentation, it is important
that the golf course is close and user friendly. We shall probably use this
course for the foreseeable future for the mug.
B
flight Mick O’Connor
Thanks must go to the starters also as when we booked the
course there were some groups already booked but the course very kindly
started them off the back nine. That’s user friendly, and having the P.S.C.
secretary at the start and organising. Well done George.
On to the golf and we managed to get the competition off
in good order and as such expected good scores. What we got was a really
pleasant round that all enjoyed, and as I sat on the terrace overlooking the
Siam golf course, a set of scores that were respectable without being unduly
low, to take back to the Kronborg for the presentation.
Before the presentation for the competition a special
presentation was made to Bjarne, by the K.S.M. on behalf of the P.S.C. golf
chairman, in respect of the Kronborg being a Gold Sponsor for the Charity
Classic, and many thanks go to Bjarne and the Kronborg for its charitable
acts.
A
flight winner Ahu Aku (left) at the bar with B flight runner-up Harald
Gruber (right).
K.S.M.
presents Bjarne with a certificate of thanks.
Bjarne
(left) presents Arthur Bailey (right) with the coveted Kronborg Monthly Mug.
In the mug competition the results as said were very
realistic, with the A flight being won by Ahu Aku with a net 68 ahead of Ted
Morris, always close, on net 72 with Terry Pettit third with net 73 and
Derek Brook fourth with net 74.
In the B flight Mick O’Connor, furiously dieting to
lose his Humpty Dumpty title, came in first with a net 67 beating Harald
Gruber, also net 67, into second on count back. Third with a net 68 was that
mighty man Paul Kraft and fourth with a net 70 was John Swanson.
The real prize was then presented by mein host Bjarne to
the winner of the Monthly Mug when our own “Steady Eddie” Arthur Bailey
took the honours with a super net 65 and promptly showed his delight by
buying his fellow competitors a drink. Well played “Eddie”.
Near pins: #4 Bob Benda, #8 Pete Galle, #12 Terry Pettit
and #16 Ted Morris.
Long putts: #9 Terry Pettit and #18 Kevin Dinan.
Trayling, Waylia & Anderson win Diana February Seniors & Ladies
By Mike Franklin
A modest field of 33 players teed-off at Pattaya Country
Club in the February Diana Seniors & Ladies Open, in warm and slightly
inclement weather.
Mam Trayling again assumed a familiar position on the
podium, with a back-to-back win in the Ladies Division with 40 Stableford
points. Nattaporn Thongpen was a close runner-up with 39 points. Newcomer
Paul Waylia topped the Seniors Division with 38 points, and Klaus Schiffer
won a two-way count-back against Barry (double-ace) Rothberg to take the
runner-up spot, both with 37 points but Klaus having 12 points on the
back-six against Barry’s 11.
Andy Anderson was first past the post in the Super
Seniors Division with 40 points, repeating his win of exactly a year ago in
the February 2002 Seniors Open. Ewald Sindlinger carded 39 points to take
runner-up spot.
Ewald also had the near pin on # 5, Jack Moseley on #16
and Michael O’Meara claimed the other two. Alan Pearce and Mauno Pollari
sank the longest putts on # 9 and #18.
PGA Pro Richard Livingston and John Cole looked after the
administration in their usual efficient and friendly manner.
Back at the Green Bottle the usual free snacks were
served while Richard presented the trophies and prizes. Two new faces were
welcomed in the shape of Richard Browne and Paul Waylia.
Brief mention was made of the Barry Rothberg double ace
at Siam and Phoenix, as a more detailed explanation appeared in a recent
issue of Pattaya Mail.
The next Diana Golf day is on Thursday March 27th at
Pattaya Country Club. Sign-up sheets at the Green Bottle and Diana Driving
Range.
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