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Nice one Fabian!
Thai-Ger Line 5th Anniversary tournament at Khao Kheow
Mike Franklin
Fabian Arp superbly maintained the Thai-Ger Line
tradition of putting on a very enjoyable day in his 5 th
Anniversary tournament at Khao Kheow on Friday August 22.
The course lived up to its reputation on a fine day, with
a strong breeze that set up the challenge of playing the Championship A
& B nines.
 Fabian
Arp (right) and Mike Franklin (center) present the winner’s ‘wooden
golfer’ trophy to Robin Lennon (left).
Recent rain had made the course a little soft and it took
only a couple of holes to realize that approach shots left short of the
green stayed exactly that - short! Chipping and putting became paramount,
but then is there any course out here where it isn’t? However the
Stableford format provided forgiveness, and the 12 Noon shotgun start for
the 82 players guaranteed a smooth round of little over four hours.
There were three handicap divisions for the men, and a
ladies division that represented twenty percent of the field. The regular
Pattaya golfers were joined by many of Fabian’s friends locally and from
Bangkok.
 Fabian
Arp congratulates the ladies’ division winner Nora Haugsjordet.
The tournament was well organized by Fabian and staff,
with the invaluable help of Fabian’s neighbor in Soi Chaiyapoom, Roy
‘Tiger’ Mitchell from the Bunker. He, with Sunissa, was evident at
registration, later doing his digital thing on B.7 green, and then sorting
out the scoring.
Technical prizes were in abundance, starting with an
‘all divisions’ long drive on A.2. Tai Champanak boomed it for the
Ladies, John Styles in Division 3, Unto in Division 2 and John Hall in
Division 1.
A second long drive was set up on B.6 and for the men;
Magnus Johansson, Sture Brisholm and Dave Earthrowl were longest in
Divisions 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Tai Champanak continued in blistering
form by taking that ladies long drive as well.
Near pins on A.5 went to Lamud Chaidara, Mike Franklin,
Herbie Ishinaga and Anders Pederson. Then on B.8, the Pete Dye signature
hole, near pins were claimed by Nisa Hauger, Turi Nagle, P.J. Redmond, and
Andrew Brannigan visiting the area for the first time.
Ann Drader managed to sink the longest first putt on B.3
and Sunissa drove the straightest on A.9.
The traditional Thai-Ger Line party was at the Moon River
Pub in Thai Garden Resort, and what a splendid venue that is. An excellent
buffet, attentive staff pouring the free drinks that were part of Fabian’s
tournament package, and such a warm and friendly atmosphere in the Pub
itself.
The prize giving, and lucky draw that followed, ran to
schedule apart from a short power cut that happened just as Sunissa was
about to receive her straight drive prize, but duly sorted later.
The performance awards went to three players in each
division.
For the Ladies, Ploy Nattaporn was 2nd
runner-up with 39 Stableford points, beating Tai Champanak on count-back.
Moon Schwelera was runner-up with 40 points, losing to the winner Nora
Haugsjordet, also with 40 points, on count-back.
All the winning scores were better than par and in
Division 3; Dave Earthrowl was in third place with 38 points. Ed Trayling
and Peter Emslie both returned 39 points, Ed just losing on count-back to
the winner Peter Emslie. In Division 2, Arthur Busch beat P.J. Edmond on
count-back to take third place with 35 points. Jack Moseley scored 37 points
and came second to Jim Munns, the winner, with 39 points.
Lastly in Division 1, second and third places were also
decided on a 38 point score count-back with Graham Holmes in third place and
Fabian runner-up to winner Robin Lennon who scored 40 points.
Best score of the day overall was returned by Matt
Kirkland with 42 points and he enthusiastically received the jumbo ‘wooden
golfer’ trophy.
It was a good day, enjoyed by all and not least by Fabian
himself.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort hosts
2nd Annual Junior Tennis Championships
Suchada Tupchai
Junior sports received another boost last week with the
2nd Annual Junior Tennis Championships held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
tennis courts. Over 236 children aged from 8-16 participated in the two-day
events.
 The
winners of the girls divisions pose with (back row from right): Panga
Vathanakul, managing director Royal Cliff Beach Resort; Chusak Sriwajanapong,
resident manager Royal Cliff Beach Resort; Nick Bauer, resident manager
Royal Wing, Metha Simmawora from the Sermsuk Co., Ltd.; and Ross Ferguson,
resident manager PEACH.
Panga Vathanakul, managing director Royal Cliff Beach
Resort, officially opened the tennis competition at 8 a.m. Saturday August
16. The aim of these challenges are to promote the game of tennis amongst
Thai youth and encourage them to become world-class players. With more
competitors than before this years event has become one of the major
tournaments on the national youth circuit.
After numerous exciting rounds the final presentations
were made at the hotel’s supper club where players and their families
gathered with organizers and sponsors for the prize giving ceremonies to
enjoy a magnificent dinner together. Major prizes were presented to the
winners by Royal Cliff management and sponsors of the division winners.
Epic sea battle ensues when man meets fish at sunrise
J Sea Hunter sliced the waves at 6 am Sunday in search of
a monstrous catch. After four hours of filling up buckets with small game
the big one stole the scene. Captain Go along with his team, won the
stinging battle under the sun of a gigantic 12 kilo ray. Shortly after
catching their breaths J Sea Hunter took on the wild past Pattaya Park.
Suddenly an 8 kilo Pompano took the challenge of these skilled fishermen.
Danger enticed the thrill of the hunt when a raging Barracuda crossed their
lines, losing.
 Warrior
Captain Go went with his team displaying their sea treasure: 12 kilo ray.
Men, strong in their defeat changed course, heading home,
enjoying the moment when interrupting came a queen blessing the deck with
her presence. A masterful morning and back on shore by noon. Lunch time!
V F W Post 9876 in first place
V F W leaped into first place with Gert bowling a 534 and
Bill a 510 series which gave them a 4-0 win over Jack & Tar, Alt Hoelle
won 4-0 from Nice & Sleazy and Three Sisters took 4-0 from Cafe
Krongberg, Steady team bowling from Night Life allowed them to go 3-1 over
the always tough Golden Coin, Shakey Pete’s were 3-1 over Nam Tip and Cafe
Ole split 2-2 with Brother D.
 Over
200 bowlers Morn, Gert, Samrak, and Mio.
There were four bowlers who went over the 200 mark this
week they were, Morn, Gert, Samrak, and Mio.
Wednesday Quiz League
Peacock Place Indoor Bowls League
Mickey Mouse Darts League
Pattaya Sports Club Thursday Night Darts
Sunday Quiz League
Moe Has A Lifetime Best
IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday August 18
Green Valley
Stableford
1st Mark Campbell, 40
2nd Bob Lindborg, 39
3rd Mark Gorda, 36 cb9 18
4th Yazuo Suzuki, 36 cb9 16
5th Bob McLachlan, 36 cb9 14, cb6 8, cb3 3, cb2 3
6th Jim Barnett, 36 cb9 14, cb6 8, cb3 3, cb2 1
The building site, at what used to be a great Peter
Thompson designed golf course, continues to take shape with huge amounts of
earth and rock being moved from one area of the course (sic) to another and
one can only guess at the contractors final vision. The management seems
just as confused with a 380 yard par five and with a stroke index of 5 and
another of 420 yards with an index of 2., but these are no doubt teething
troubles and one can only hope that the new site will be finished and
properly indexed before there are only the gums left.
“Must” at last overcame his dislike of any course
that is not named Laem Chabang to record his first win since returning from
Dreadlocksville and attributed his success to the six new drivers that he
is currently carrying in his bag at the expense of a few irons which are
now superfluous with his current distances off the tee.
Bob Linborg striving to win his second competition in
twos days at the same building site, just failed to keep pace with Mark,
even though he used the driver on every shot not played on the green. Mark
Gorda led a gaggle of players on 36 points, just prevailing on another
close countback from the chasing three.
The twos were shared between Bob Van Mol, Arthur Hancock
and Trevor Schirmer.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new members Jim Barnett and Mashi
Kaneta. He also welcomed back Bob Van Mol, Mark Gorda and Moe Deverdenne.
Wednesday
August 22
Century Ban Chan
Bogey
1st Moe Deverdenne, 8 up
2nd Pete Murray, 1 up cb9 3up
3rd Trevor Edge, 1 up cb9 2 up
4th Roy Thornton, 1 up cb9 all square
Moe Deverdenne, only recently returned, slipped straight
back into top gear with an outstanding eight up against “Old Man Par”
to record a personal lifetime best gross 77 and easily sweep away the rest
of the hopefuls by a clear seven strokes. Striking the ball prodigious
distances off the tee, it was surprising that he failed to convert any of
the par fives into eagles, although it turned out to be an easy task to
three put for the win on most of them.
Pete Murray, the ex professional from the US Tour is
still finding it more difficult to slip into first place at The Haven than
at his other usual competition venue and had to again take second best to
one of the few players that can knock their drives past him. He was just
good enough to hold off the two escapees from the British Army who now
spend the days marching up and down the fairways in search of other
trophies than medals.
The twos pool was shared between Arthur Hancock and
Steve Nowell.
Before the prize giving Richard welcomed back Eddie
Blackwell and Rick Sharp.
Friday August 22
Siam Country Club
Monthly Medal
1st division
1st Serge Straeten, 71
2nd Arthur Hancock, 73
2nd division
1st Trevor Edge, 68
2nd Trevor Schirmer, 69
Considering that there were two large tournaments being
held on the same day, the turn out was pretty good for the regular trip to
Siam for the monthly medal. With most of the greens sanded, putting was
even more difficult than usual but at least the contenders could be sure
that it was the same for everyone and the winners came from the people that
just got on with the job and eventually came to terms with the conditions
of the day.
Serge Straeten took his first medal of the year to
ensure that he will be contending for the gold and silvers at the end of
the year with a workmanlike round, just taking Arthur Hancock on the last
hole with an excellent birdie against Arthur’s bogey which followed a
wayward tee shot on the eighteenth.
Trevor Edge had a much closer result in the second
division to take his second medal of the year from Trevor Schirmer, who
just failed on the last hole with a tremendous effort for a twenty foot
birdie that just failed to drop and let him win on count back.
Trevor Edge swept the twos pool on his own to make it a
very good day all round following his win in the PGA Pool.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new member John
Desmond.
3 Sisters Golf
Winner
for the 3 Sisters Golf competition at Siam Country Club on Monday August 18
is Dougie Powell (R) and holding the bag is Ray Spurling (L).
Steve Nowell Steals
the Show at Khao Kheow
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
On Tuesday August 19, the Bunker Boys went to Khao
Kheow Country Club for their weekly medal tournament, on a day which was
overcast with more than a fresh breeze blowing all day.
Luckily the yellow tees were well forward, making the
course play quite short and many of the required long drives were thus less
of a problem. The greens were exceedingly slow however, slower even than
those at Siam, and they caught many of the golfers out.
With the cut as low as fifteen the two divisions set out
and in division two the ever consistent Hokan Widestedt of Sweden fired net
71 to take the spoils, from a rapidly improving Mark Joshua, on net 72 and a
resurgent, if plodding, John Preddy on net 73. Division one saw the better
rounds and Goran Peterson, John King and Bob van Mol posted net 73’s, the
latter’s gross being 79. Colin Wilkes came in from the cold with an
excellent net 71 but it was left to Steve Nowell to steal the limelight with
an exquisite net 66. His first nine of gross 38 hid the fact that the greens
were notorious and his putting was impeccable.
The Bunker Super Sawng award was shared by Bill Chadwick
and Mark Joshua for their birdie two’s and Colin Wilkes should have had a
share also but by not entering the fray he cut himself off from the winnings
for the sixth time in two months! His consolation was the Bunker Banana
Booby of course!
Capt. Fog Wakes up Twice
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s
Sunday August 17
Green Valley
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Jeff Johnson, 41 points
2nd Place A Flight: Gerry Power, 39 points
3rd Place A Flight: Klaus Schackt, 38 points
1st Place B Flight: Jim Munns, 42 points
2nd Place B Flight: Bob Lindborg, 36 points
3rd Place B Flight: Frank Pinkington, 36 points
Jim Munns, a/k/a Capt. Fog, showed that owning a
California candle shop (is that like a Head Shop?) might cause a permanent
euphoric aire but does not damage one’s golf game. Sporting a new 12
degree driver, he has seemingly on each occasion since its introduction
competed favorable. Certainly his 42 points at Green Valley is in
comfortably in that category. While Jim was taking B Flight honors, the
performance by Korea resident and A Flight winner Jeff Johnson nearly
mirrored his effort by garnering 41 points. Jeff was joined on the podium by
two Pattaya residents who are not unfamiliar with golf success, Gerry Power
and Klaus Schackt. Jim was joined in B Flight by the Duke of Green Valley,
Bob Lindborg, and Ireland/Hong Kong/Bangkok visitor Frank Pilkington.
Tuesday August 19
Laem Chabang White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place A Flight: Eddie Blackwell, net 71
2nd Place A Flight: Rick Sharp, net 71
1st Place B Flight: Gene Scalf, net 68
2nd Place B Flight: Paul Photios, net 71
Two veterans and two rookies was the story on the day.
The well-known veterans Eddie Blackwell and Rick Sharp were only separated
by a count back as the strode to the A Flight podium. B Flight winner Gene
Scalf continues the successful play he has exhibited since the beginning of
his extended Pattaya vacation. His net 68 on the day off a 16 handicap
easily eclipsed the field. Paul Photios on a short visit from Australia will
return home with a little Lewiinski’s loot to offset the expense of the
Thai girl he took home last time.
Wednesday August 20
St. Andrews 2000
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Gene Scalf, 36 points
2nd Place A Flight: Brian Holden, 35 points
1st Place B Flight: Jim Munns, 34 points
2nd Place B Flight: Gary Emmett, 34 points
There is that name again, Gene Scalf. Showing an ability
to win on foreign soil unlike any player in past memory, Gene led the field
a second time on the week, being the only player to match his handicap on a
blustery day at St. Andrews 2000. Chiang Mai resident Brian Holden was only
a point behind in taking the silver in A Flight. And there was Capt Fog.
again, whether aware of it or not, standing atop B Flight. Jim did have to
go to count back though to edge Gary Emmett who came good for second using
rented clubs and this scribe’s driver. It never works that well for him!
Friday August 22
No formal competition due to Misty’s and Thai-Ger Line
tournaments.
PSC Golf from the Caf้é Kronborg
Monday August 18
Royal Lakeside G.C.
Stroke
Nice place this, more like a palace than a golf shack and
we mere mortals are well advised to put a visit on our agenda, if only to
see how the other half live. The fairways live up to the quality of the
clubhouse and that makes this a course that is a pleasure to walk as the
grass is excellent on the fairway and you feel like you are walking on air.
 Alan
Pearce
On this day the course as a whole was in beautiful
condition so made a fine venue for a stroke play competition for the boys of
the Kronborg. Aussie Jeff Wylie, presently on a roll, took the day with a
net 67 ahead of Bill Gibson in second on net 68, Aussie Barry Kerr was third
on net 69 and Doug Dempsey fourth on net 70.
Thursday August 21
Phoenix
Stroke
Big efforts are being made to improve Phoenix. There are
many more trees being planted to toughen up the course and this is working
well. The rough as normal is punitive so the course is playing much harder
as is seen by the scores. New cart paths are put in to aid the next
management brainstorm, all must take a cart from September. However, in my
humble opinion, the cart situation has not been thought through and the
‘No Go’ areas, lead to carts having to be parked a long way from the
ball and lead to total frustration. If the ball is 30 yards short of the
green, you either have to park 60 yards short and walk forward and then
back,or park way at the back and walk a long way back. To police the new
situation the Marshals are all over the place and the caddies are scared to
allow you to park near your ball, even 40 yards short of the green.
 Jeff
Wylie
Whilst Phoenix are making efforts to improve their
course, I think they will find far fewer golfers playing there from the
local clubs. Not a walk spoiled any more. There are better courses available
that are cheaper and more ‘User Friendly’.
On the day the frustration got to a lot of players and
the competition was won by Bob Pearce with a fine 68 ahead of Tim Holt in
second with net 71, Kenny Chung was third with net 72 and Derek Brook was
fourth on net 74 beating Dick Worden on countback.
PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60’s Bar
Friday August 22
Century Bang Chang
Stableford
If you want a cold shower, go to Century Bang Chang. This
may be a ploy of the Golf Course to save money but after a hot time on the
course there is no harm in cooling down before warming up.
 Rod
Perrin (L) and John Sinclair (R).
As usual the meet for breakfast at Bobby Joe’s only
missed Bob Bender, come back all is forgiven, before setting off to the
course in an assortment of cars, some of which went the scenic route and
some various other ways. One thing about this day, if it is possible to do
something different at a competition it will happen at Bobby’s Friday day
out.
This is a course that has its strong supporters and those
who hate it, but say what you will we always get a good turnout, maybe
because of the great green fees, or maybe because the joys of the town are
close by.
 Max
Matthews (L) with Tim Holt(R).
Suffice to say we got around and found the scores not
very good but in the end we had a winner when John Sinclair came in one
point ahead of Derek Brook.
A couple of beers outside in the cool air, then into
transport and the trip back for the few remaining the rest had disappeared.
Back at Bobby’s we had a wait for the food as Bobby knows that on this day
people will trickle in. Then lo and behold time for food, and back to
Bobby’s best with chickens and dumplings, super and as only a few were
back plenty for the really needy.
When we had a few more back we held the presentation,
with Bobby feeling better, and then a round table when the bar was drunk
dry.
Winner: John Sinclair.
Near Pins: A Flight 0 To 22: #5 Paul Kraft, #7 Derek
Brook, #13 Gary Curtis. B Flight 23 up: #7 Andy Evans, #15 Max Matthews.
Long Putt: All: #18 Rod Perrin.
Lucky Draw: Tim Holt.
Shenanigans Irish Open Championships 2003
Friday October 3 is the date for the 2003 Shenanigans
Irish Open Championships, this year with separate championship trophies for
the Men and Ladies, but everyone playing together in the usual way.
The singles Stableford tournament will be at Plutaluang,
playing the East and South courses with a new teeing-off procedure. All
groups will tee-off from the first hole East Course, with booked tee times
from 07.30 to 12.30. The East and South nines have been booked for the whole
day, so the only possible delay will be if the group in front is not keeping
up, as the usual crossover delay between the nines has been eliminated.
Marshals will be evident on the course to give
‘assistance’, where necessary to ensure a smooth round for everyone.
Further encouragement will come from Kim and Shenanigans friendly staff
distributing Heineken and Chef Sunny’s yummy snacks.
Preferred tee times may be booked within the ‘Starting
Time Periods’ (subject to availability), shown on the ‘Details &
Entry Form’ attached.
As Plutaluang does not allow Golf carts to be pre-booked,
they will be pre- purchased for you on the day, provided the requirement is
clearly shown on the entry form, your paid entry is not left to the last
minute, and all the available carts have not been taken up.
All other details are given on the attachment and
bookings can be made, using the form, at Shenanigans office, or see Kim or
myself. Entry forms are also on the golf notice board in Shenanigans, and
behind the bar.
So, this year there will be two Shenanigans 2003 Irish
Open Champions, a Men’s Champion and a Ladies Champion, to share the
honors at the prize giving.
Please put the date, Friday October 3, in the diary and
sign-up early if you can.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
Daniel Fernandez is a fight fan and sometimes reader,
he opined without spell check, “Mr Reed in his artical about the match
between Jesus Chavez and now ex world champion Sirimongkol Singmanasak
was very onesided And in my estimation, discriminatory at best of Mexican
fighters.” Interesting to see how a gentleman could come up with the
view point but I’ll leave that to others. We do agree that “Thailand
has many boxers that could do well on the world stage, they will not
unless they are willing to leave the safety of Thailand and Asia to fight
the best in the world.” Now back to discriminating against Mexican
fighters Mr. Fernandez writes, “Mr. Reed was up lifting the record of a
Mexican fighter that came to Thailand to fight a Thai world Champion.
This fighter had a loss record in the double digits and who’s claim to
fame was a close loss to Paulie Ayala.”
Kind of hard to be both discriminating against Mexican
fighters while at the same time “up lifting them.” From the April 25
Mail “Stop the press: Hugo Dianzo (29-8) will be the one challenging
WBC bantam champ Veeraphol Nakhonluang (40-1) in Bangkok May 1. Dianzo
lost a very controversial decision to then-118lb champ Paulie Ayala two
years ago… since has gone 3-2. The native of Mexico is computer ranked
#31 while Veeraphol is #2. “Just another payday.” We now return you
to our regular column.” Hardly a ringing endorsement. Point of fact he
fought well against Veeraphol losing on a 12 round unanimous decision. Oh
yes and 28-8 is not a “double digit”. Mr. Fernandez ends with,
“Thailand has a world wide Reputation of hometown decisions. Until this
problem is dealt with world class fighters will refuse to come to
Thailand to fight. The Mr. Reeds of the world do a great dis service to
Thai boxers that have potencial to become some of the worlds bests.
Singmanasak did not have the expirience on how to fight an opponent that
pressed him the entire fight. If he had there might have been a different
outcome.” Sorry Dan, but it’s Thailand boxing managers and promoters
that keep Thai fighters from being all that they can be. (Gee maybe the
Army in the USA might like that slogan. “Be All That You Can Be”) The
Mr. Reeds of the world have “F all” to do with it. If they fought 100
times Mr. Chavez would win 99.
Talk about lousy decisions. Here’s a dandy from
Germany. Kraut Markus Beyer (28-1) retained his WBC Middleweight with an
officials decision that defies logic. Aussie Challenger Danny Green
(16-0) dropped the champ once in round 1 and then twice in round 2. The
second time Beyer was also cut over the eye. Green also took the 3rd and
4th rounds. “Then in the 5th round, the two fighters clashed heads and
referee Bill Clancy (“Yes Doctor Suliaman”) ruled that Green caused
the clash of heads on purpose. So the first thing Clancy does is deduct 2
points, but then Beyer said he could not see out of his eye so the fight
was then stopped. It was first ruled that they would go to the cards, as
the original cut was caused by a legal punch back in the 2nd round, in
which case, even after deducting the 2 points Green would have still won
the fight and became the new champion. But then after a long discussion,
it was announced that Beyer was the winner of the fight, as Green was
disqualified due to an intentional clash of heads caused by Green. “The
unnamed writer then adds his own view, “There will be much more on this
situation in the days to come, luckily this was a WBC championship fight
and they have a reputation for doing the right thing in these
situations”. Man if that don’t start your weekend off with a good
laugh, then nothing will.
Corrie Sanders will defend his WBO heavyweight title
on October 18 against Lemon Brewster either in Hamburg or South Africa.
October 18 is the date when of WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz
Michalczewski’s next defence is scheduled in Hamburg against TBA
Family. Maybe a “double dipper”. Audley “The Fraud” Harrision,
now living in Las Vegas, has signed with cable giant ESPN and will fight
another member of the TBA Family on September 9. Mike Tyson is scheduled
to fight December 6 in Louisville against TBA. V. Klitschko back on
December 6 in Las Vegas against… you guessed it TBA. How about them
apples ?
Funny how things go in streaks. Just before
“deadline” got an e- mail on behalf of WBA Super Featherweight,
Yodsanan 3K Battery. “I’d like to tell everybody that I am also one
of WBA champion holders. I do not want to be a forgettable champion
anymore. If there is somebody contact me to fight, they give me the purse
merely or less than $100,000 US. I am real in boxing career.” On behalf
of 3K I put them in contact with an American promoter who is promoting
the October 5th fight between Evandler Holyfield-James Toney. As the man
in the big newspaper in the city with the constant traffic jam writes,
“Over to you promoter Promoter Songchai Ratanasuban.” I’ll drink to
that.
Pattaya H3 Run 1015
After a half hour in Pattaya’s traffic jam and another
35 minutes on Sukumvit and 332, we finally reached the lovely A-site JS the
ES and Old Speckled Hen had selected. Today’s GM Red A-hole called the
circle, dealt with new shoes and we took off through lots of grass and
tapioca before we started mountain climbing. We got to the top, but at the
other side of the hill we were close to being in a free fall. (Where the
hell were the ropes?) And, then we started to find paper, lots of paper. I
have never been so close to a Norwegian winter in Thailand. (That was what
it looked like.) The hares must have emptied the paper suppliers. Paper
everywhere! There were runners all over as well. (Where were the checks?)
Massive confusion on this run.
Runners came back to the A-site from all directions. As
Red A-hole called the circle, Sir Airhead came back without sunglasses,
screaming for justice and Hash Shit. Dr. Pinky did the raffle and there were
only lucky ladies today, including Dr. Pinky’s wife which made Piss Up the
Hill utter a few comments about a fixed raffle. He deserved a treatment and
was iced. How can a true hasher insinuate a thing like that?
Sir Chicken F then took over the circle and took charge
of Sweet B’s 500th run ceremony. Sir Fossil was the master of the
knighthood inauguration and we all wondered how Sir Sweet B at 75 can still
be hashing better than youngsters. Sir Sweet B was the highlight today and
we were all happy that the inauguration was done before the monsoon started.
But, why did Miss Kentucky get her 100th run shirt so early? Did she need to
leave early?
Our great and undisputable RA, Sir Airhead, took over the
circle and called in The King, King Yao Yao, who had a serious accusation
against the crowd. Singing?! Why can’t we hear anything when we are
suppose to sing? Get on with it hashers and start singing! Spunk Bubble was
called in with his new Evil ladies. Evil Ring Girl and Evil Potato Head was
named while Evil Baby Face had to join her friends on the ice because she
had taken four pairs of Spunk Bubble sponsored shoes and sold them in Udon
Thani. Well, Spunk Bubble, it’s only a matter of new shoes and now you
have a chance to follow Hammers shoe traditions. I was called in the circle
to be named. And, and, that’s when the real monsoon started.
I was named Herring Head in a real hurry in lots of holy
water. Water pouring down from above and cold holy water pouring down from
Sir Airhead’s bottle. I now have my fourth hash name, and this one will
stay, and be remembered. It was pouring down by the buckets while the
returnees, visitors and the virgin were dealt with. Then JS the ES got his
five hared runs hat, Mobile got his 100th run mug and shirt, Head Phone and
Lord Lucan got their 50th run down-down The pouring rain actually made my
day. I didn’t have to write so much. Well, the hash hymn was done and we
were off to TQ2 for hot dogs and excellent pizza. Thanks Spunk Bubble.
One final comment. C Face had a note about a wanted
hasher in the last hash sheet. This person was sitting in the corner at TQ2
when we arrived and rumor has it that he is always the first hasher to
arrive at every happy hour bar...long before anyone else. So, if he should
be detained, I would recommend that the crew responsible for the detention
of this hasher must leave the circle when it starts in order to guarantee a
successful operation.
On-On
Herring Head
Fitness Tips:The Latest Word on Diabetes
by David Garred
G’day readers, time again to look over what we can do
to help ourselves to avoid the greatest health risk in 1st and 2nd world
countries, yep, I know, my dad has told me a million times not to over
exaggerate (yes that was a small joke) so I left out 3rd world countries,
they have the opposite problem with food. 1st and 2nd world countries over
eat and under exercise where as 3rd world countries are starving.
Type 2 diabetes in one of the fastest growing epidemics
in the world. This is not surprising as one of its main causes is obesity
and this, in turn, is also one of the fastest growing epidemics in the
world. Typically, diabetes has been regarded as a ‘downstream’ disease
with only a medical solution. However more and more research is suggesting
that nonmedical, lifestyle changes can aid, and in some cases even correct
the problem. Let’s look at some of the latest findings in diabetes
research and what this means for the 7-8% of Australians who already have
the disease and the 15% who have been diagnosed as ‘pre-diabetic, and may
get it in the next ten years. There is nothing special about Australian
society in this aside from the fact that Aussies are 2nd in the world in the
total number of obese people, behind America.
To increase activity, aim
the message
Epidemiologists often use mortality, or death rates, as
the best indication of a disease cause. However, being alive but disabled in
many instances is sometimes a fate worse than death. So a measure of
Disability Affected Life Years (DALYs) has come to be used as a better
measure of disease effects.
Inactivity and DALYs
Inactivity is now thought to be the second most
preventable cause of DALYs in Australia (after smoking). Hence efforts are
being made to work out how to motivate the sedentary and inactive sections
of the community to become more active. Perhaps the best-known model of
behaviour change is a model of stages of change developed in the US in the
1970s and refined since then. This suggests that people go through at least
6 stages in changing behaviours from unhealthy to healthy. The first, a
pre-contemplation stage, is where no thought has been given to change;
contemplation is where the individual is thinking about it, but hasn’t yet
decide to change; decision is where a time and date has been set to act;
action is when this occurs; maintenance is where the behaviour continues to
be managed and maintained, and transformation represents a change that has
occurred for life.
Putting the Stages of
Change into action
Scottish researchers recently tested the value of the
stages of change approach by allocating diabetic patients to one of the
first three stages for select motivational advice. Those who were selected
as being in any of the first three stages were then given motivational
techniques to get them active, appropriate for that stage, by an experienced
psychologist. Those in a control group were simply given a booklet with
instructions on how to become more active. After 6 months, all of those in
the motivational groups had increased their daily activity levels as
measured by an electronic activity counter worn on their belt. In the
meantime, their HBA1c score, which is a blood measure of the severity of
their diabetes, had decreased by around 4%. Those in the control group on
the other hand had significantly decreased their activity levels and their
HBA1c had risen by around 4%. Why not use the shorter of the 2 bike rides at
the Jester’s Fair as your motivation to move you through the 6 stages?
(See opposite page for the route.)
Take home message:
The implication of this is that where motivation
strategies are tailored to the stage of readiness of the individual, much
greater success is achieved in getting patients active and presumably
improving health indices.
For reference
Kirk A and others. Increasing physical activity in people
with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2003;26:1186-1192.
More and more research suggests that non-medical,
lifestyle changes can aid, and even correct, the problem.
You still have 2 weeks to get sponsorship donations
together for the jester’s charity bike ride, get on your bike and get some
cash as well.
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