SPORTS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Nice one Fabian!

Royal Cliff Beach Resort hosts 2nd Annual Junior Tennis Championships

Epic sea battle ensues when man meets fish at sunrise

V F W Post 9876 in first place

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

3 Sisters Golf

Steve Nowell Steals the Show at Khao Kheow

Capt. Fog Wakes up Twice

PSC Golf from the Caf้é Kronborg

PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60’s Bar

Shenanigans Irish Open Championships 2003

The Square Ring

Pattaya H3 Run 1015

Fitness Tips

PATTAPA SPORTS ROUND-UP

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 5th 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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