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Cuel Charity Classic 2003 raises 260,000 baht for charity
The now prestigious CUEL Charity Classic golf day organised by Clough-Unithai
Engineering Ltd. (CUEL) was held at the beautifully prepared Laem Chabang
International Country Club on Friday September 5. The tournament, supported
by CUEL’s General Manager, John Sheridan and Construction Manager, Jock
Watt, was organised by Steve Hovi and Graeme Moore. CUEL are leading
fabricators of offshore structures for the oil and gas industry and employ
over 600 people at their fabrication facility at Laem Chabang Port.
 The
winning team from PCH Access - Australia with organisers Steve Hovi (left)
and Graeme Moore (right).
On the day 172 players of all shapes, sizes and handicaps
gathered for the 7:30 am shotgun start and from all accounts all enjoyed a
great morning’s golf. Some golfers efforts improved during the round
whilst others waned, probably due to the influence of Ron Coulon’s now
infamous Bloody Marys, which were served at various refreshment stops. The
tournament was followed by a buffet luncheon in the club house, which was
also attended by many non-playing supporters, where presentations and prizes
were made to the various category winners.
The overall winners this year were a team from PCH Access
Pty. Ltd. - Australia, comprising Paul Rudd, Jim Anderson, John Blyton &
Bruce Kennedy, who flew to Thailand specially for this event. PCH Access
were major sponsors of the event and are CUEL’s providers of scaffolding
equipment and services. Unfortunately the Hole-in-One prize of USD 10,000,
generously sponsored by Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ltd. one of Thailand’s
leading providers or risk solutions and corporate insurances, was not won
for the second year running. Oh well, there’s always next year.
For 2003 Clough-Unithai Engineering Ltd. have adopted the
Fountain of Life Center in Pattaya, as the charity most deserving of their
support and as a result of the charity golf day, a cheque for Baht 260,000
was presented to Sister Jiemjit representing Sister Joan and her team during
the luncheon.
From the sponsorships received from over 30 companies
associated with CUEL, it is obvious that the untiring and self sacrificing
work of all at the Fountain of Life Center, caring for disadvantaged
children in our community, is well recognised, supported and appreciated.
Particular thanks for the successful day must go to the
management and staff of Laem Chabang International Country Club for their
efforts in providing a course in superb playing condition and for the
excellent catering arrangements. Special thanks also are due to those staff
members of CUEL who assisted the golf day committee in the preparations for
the event and for their assistance on the day.
Pattaya Marathon 2003 organizing
committee announces evaluation
Profits up from last year but runners had major complaints
Suchada Tupchai
The Pattaya Marathon Organizing committee met at city
hall earlier this week to review the results of the Pattaya Marathon 2003.
The review compared last year’s figures over this year’s event. The
figures showed that total revenue reached 3,028,800 baht with expenses,
including prizes, promotion and miscellaneous items, resulting in
2,499,943.22 baht being spent, a profit of 509,900 baht. This is a whopping
58 percent increase from the year 2002.
Other figures revealed included the total number of
entrants stood at 5,816 and the breakdown of that figure showed 96% were
Thai entries and just 4 percent were international runners.
The committee also reviewed the athletes’ comments
about the marathon. Most of the runners said there were too few water stops.
A majority of participants complained about the availability of toilets and
that there wasn’t enough food for the runners. However, their major gripe
was they felt that the registration fees were too high for the event and
they did not receive their money’s worth for the packaged that was
offered.
The committee took the opinions into serious
consideration and decided they would try hard to improve next year’s
marathon and make it bigger and better.
Association of Filipinos in Thailand brings basketball to the Ban Poonsri Drug Rehabilitation Center
Last Sunday morning members of the
Association of Filipinos in Thailand-Eastern Region Chapter (AFT-ERC), led
by its president, Virginia Sorensen, paid a visit to the Ban Poonsri Drug
Rehabilitation Center to provide some healthy competition in the form of a
basketball match with the residents of the center.  Members
of the AFT-ERC and AFT-Bangkok Chapter pose for a picture with some of the
Ban Poonsri residents.
The Eastern Region Chapter was joined by the AFT Bangkok
Chapter to spice up the games against the youths staying in the Naklua
facility, as they played a round-robin of matches against each other. The
Filipino Association also provided coaching for the Ban Poonsri residents
aimed to improve the skills of the players and create a warm and friendly
atmosphere among the three groups.
The visit provided an opportunity for those under
rehabilitation to experience the benefit of sports and exercise in their
daily lives. Wholesome activities and successful group interaction
encourages them to stay free of drugs and helps prepare them to re-enter
society.
The Ban Poonsri has been operating for over ten years
under the guiding handing of Pol. Col. Jirat Pichitpai who saw a need to
rehabilitate rather than incarcerate addicts. Over the years more than
20,000 men, women and children have received help from the center, which
they stay at voluntarily. The center has received much needed support from
many of the city’s charitable organizations and continues to grow and
develop to help to solve the area’s drug related problems.
Hobie 16 Thailand Nationals to be held Nov. 15-16
(Press Release) The racing season is nearly upon us
again and it is time to put the date in your diaries for the Hobie 16
Thailand Nationals, promised to be a BIG event this year. Several new
sponsors have joined including Hobie Cat Australasia & Blue Wave
Watersports. The event will be held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) on
November 15, 16.
Sailors from Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines will fly
in to take part in this event.
For the Hobie 16 Nationals we are looking at running two
fleets an A Fleet and a B Fleet. Sailors can choose which fleet they enter,
the A fleet being the serious sailors and the B fleet being the beginners or
less experienced.
Get your boats out, get them checked, repaired, etc. Gary
Baguley is happy to offer his services to take a look at your boats and
advise on new parts, damage that may need repairing, and actually help you
to repair or replace parts. Take advantage of this and contact Antony or
Gary.
In addition Blue Wave is currently importing a wide range
of spare parts for the Hobie 16 (and Hobie 17/18), and so will be able to
provide the parts you may need. So contact Gary today.
Join the racing fun this year and make it an event worthy
of its history. Contact Antony at [email protected] for
more information.
Pattaya Bowl provides lots of free beers
There were lots of turkeys (three strikes in a row)
thrown and the Pattaya Bowl gives away a free beer for each turkey and two
beers for five strikes in a row. Mai bowling for Caf้ Ole had the best
series of the day with a 577-pin count and a 215 game. She was bowling with
Captain Tue who rolled a 207 game and a 514-pin count but they still lost
three points to second place Shakey Pete’s.
 First
Place Team Gert, Maliny and Bill.
Ooy knocked down 530 pins for Shakey Pete’s and Elvis
added 513 for the win. VFW Post 9876 continued their hot bowling taking
three points from Nam Tip as Maliny rolled a 203 game for VFW. Somrak rolled
a good 547 series for Night Life as they split their series two-two with
last place Nice & Sleazy. Jack & Tar swept Brother D taking all four
points in that match.
 200
bowlers Morn, Tue, Maliny, Mai and Mio.
Captain Kran led Caf้ Kronborg to a three-point win
over House of the Golden Coin knocking down 528 pins. Captain Mio was best
for the Golden Coin team with a 200 game and 505 series. Three Sisters took
four points from Alt Koelle behind Captain Morn’s 213 game, 552 series and
Ow’s 510-pin count. Captain Otto knocked down 516 pins in a losing cause.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
Peacock Indoor
Bowling League
Interesting results this week has seen a turn around in
fortunes. Thaied lost their unbeaten record to a last end bowl by Keith to
give the Bakehouse a 7 to 6 win. NoSawet leading by 4 on the last end, but
let in Double Trouble to force a 9 all draw and their first point, but the
surprise was league leaders Chatkeaw suffering a 14 to 0 Whitewash at the
hands of newcomers Yellowbirds where David and Lek were just not going to
give in. More mixed teams welcome to come along and try your hand. Ladies
singles league starting soon.
Pattaya Pool League
PSC Golf from Caf้é Kronborg
Monday September 8
Century Chonburi
Stableford
If you take the 331 on past Pattaya Country Club, on for
three nearly run off the roads, four squeeze ins in front of you and miss
the busses and trucks coming at you two or three abreast, you will come to a
mess of road rebuilding. Go on past this and turn off where there is no
sign, it’s from the other direction, down a back road and you will find a
shack in the middle of nowhere. Inside the shack, sidle past
 Bob
Morrison
the flies and pay the practically nothing it costs
to pay and go into the changing room that has to be the worst in the area.
Then onto the first tee and take a look at one of the best courses you are
ever going to play at one of the cheapest rates in the World and suddenly it
all becomes worthwhile. After all we came to play golf!
Takeshi
Hakozaki
On the day a tough tournament was won by Bob Morrison
with 36 points ahead of the Ted Morris on 35 points. A countback on 34
points gave third place to Kerry Beck ahead of in fourth Mike Jones. Fifth
place was won by Yasuo Suzuki with 32 points ahead of Wayne Koch on
countback.
If you can get some one else to drive, this is a course
worth playing, especially if you are watching the pennies.
Thursday September 11
Khao Kheow
Stableford
As different as chalk and cheese the two courses we have
played this week. A magnificent clubhouse at Kheo Kheow overlooks a superbly
designed 27 holes that are a tribute to their designer and are yet within
the means of all who play with us.
 Ted
Morris
The test for the day was the A & B courses, or as one
golfer said ‘A Real golfers test’, tough and a fine scenic walk. In the
circumstances we had four good rounds, the rest we won’t talk about, you
either play well here or the course gets to you.
In the A flight, 0 to 16, we had three fine rounds, but
the best was from Takeshi Hakozaki with a winning 38 points. Second was a
countback from two 8 handicap golfers who produced fine rounds and 37
points, but second was Rick Evans ahead of in third Neil Skilton.
 Philippe
Berra
In the B flight, 17 upwards, the surprise winner was
Philippe Berra with a fine 37 points. When I say surprise, it was a surprise
to Philippe as he thought he would be in the A flight, but you know what
thought did. Second on countback on 31 points was Bob Benda ahead of Doug
Dempsey. Bob is slowly getting his strength back after his operation.
Great day on a great course, and well worth getting out
of bed for.
The Donkey wins Monthly Medal
IPGC Golf from Lewiinski’s
Sunday
September 7
Green Valley –
White Tees
Monthly Medal
1st Place A Flight: Rusty Barfield, net 71
2nd Place A Flight: Barry Tregurtha, net 72
3rd Place A Flight: Phil Mitchell, net 72
1st Place B Flight: Colin Davis, net 69 - Monthly Medal
Winner
2nd Place B Flight: Jack Grindvold, net 69
3rd Place B Flight: Joe Mooneyham, net 69
Not the Donkey! Well I must say he deserved it. This was
a 10-day period that started with the birth of his son and ended with the
Monthly Medal. He persevered through a three-way countback with Jack
Grindvold and Joe Mooneyham to take the top prize. Per the traditional
rules all three will qualify for the Gold Medal competition to be held in
January of 2004.
It was ironic that all were in B Flight, certainly an
unusual circumstance for Jack and Joe. Half the field for the entire weeks
play was 11 handicap and under. In that competitive A Flight 4 handicapper
Rusty Barfield edged Barry the B and Phil Mitchell by a single stroke.
Barry prevailed in the countback.
Tuesday September 9
Laem Chabang – White Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Mark Wood, 34 points
2nd Place A Flight: Neil Skilton, 33 points
3rd Place A Flight: Jim Brackett, 31 points
1st Place B Flight: Joe Mooneyham, 39 points
2nd Place B Flight: Bob Pearce, 34 points
3rd Place B Flight: Neil Cameron, 34 points
Joe Mooneyham left nothing to chance on this day as he
surpassed the entire field by a clear five points and copped the top step
in B Flight. Bob Pearce edged the Club Maker to the Stars in a countback.
Mark Wood playing off 6 was one clear of 7 handicapper Neil Skilton in A
Flight. Jim Brackett had a surprised look on his face when he was called to
take the last step on the A Flight podium. The bronze he received was the
result of a four-way countback with Kerry Beck, Rick Sharp and Don Bennett.
Wednesday
September 10
Khao Kheow –
Yellow Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Jim Brackett, 39 points
2nd Place A Flight: Kerry Beck, 35 points
1st Place B Flight: John Mills, 39 points
2nd Place B Flight: Odvarr Rykke, 37 points
39 points was the order of the day if you wanted to win
your Flight, as long time visitor Jim Brackett and Australian visitor John
Mills each managed that. They were followed onto their respective victory
stands by another visitor from Downunder, Kerry Beck, and fast improving
Scandanavian, Odvarr Rykke.
Friday September 12
Burapha – A & B –
White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place A Flight: Rusty Barfield, net 66
2nd Place A Flight: Kevin Ward, net 68
3rd Place A Flight: Steve Weller, net 69
1st Place B Flight: Odvarr Rykke, net *censored*
2nd Place B Flight: Keith Buchanan, net 67
3rd Place B Flight: Neil Cameron, net 69
The boys (and girl) gave themselves a day off today as
they sauntered up to the white tees to play the old East Course, now
nominated A & B. Predictably they had their way with it as Rusty
Barfield shot bookend 35’s to yield a two under 70, off the stick! That
kept his nose just in front of Kevin Ward whose five handicap only reduced
his net to 68. Steve Weller shot a fine gross 80, net 69 to complete the A
Flight winners list.
A significant highpoint of the day/week/month/year was
the hole-in-one by 6 handicapper Mark Wood on the 3 rd
hole on the B Course. Because young children have access to these articles
I cannot release the actual net score of Odvarr Rykke. It could prove
harmful to them. It certainly was harmful to the B Flight field. Suffice it
to say that Odvarr was so far clear of the entire field of players on the
day that he could have won if he had played 20 holes! Odvarr who has been
visiting for a couple of weeks and hadn’t sniffed success until his
second place finish on Wednesday. He made sure his last round of this
holiday was a dandy. Odvarr additionally was playing off Lewiinski’s
maximum allowable 28 handicap, two under his actual handicap of 30! Keith
Buchanan and Neil Cameron both played well when viewed in the light of the
entire field and were rewarded with second and third in B Flight for their
effort.
Peter Emslie shines at Treasure Hill
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday September 8
Burapha East
Bogey
1st Serge Straeten, 5 up
2nd Trevor Edge, 3 up
3rd B.J. Smith, 2 up
Serge Straeten strode to the front of the field with a
scintillating round that left most of the rest well back and went someway to
assuaging the pain of the previous Saturday when he watched the French Rugby
team humbled.
Trevor Edge played as well as he has for a little while
to take second place from his playing partner, B.J. Smith by a stroke.
The twos were shared between Ray Walton and B.J. Smith
who scored his first ever eagle by knocking in his second shot on the
opening par four playing from the blue tees!
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed back Barry Traynor, Fred Ewing and Tony
Barritt.
Wednesday
September 10
Century Ban Chang
Stroke play
1st Stephen Beard, 70
2nd Yazuo Suzuki, 73
3rd Trevor Schirmer, 74
After weeks of complaining about his feet the “Doc”
is back. Playing the demanding Ban Chang layout, he beat the rest of the
hopefuls by three shots to take his first win in several weeks.
Yazuo Suzuki again played well enough to take second
without bettering his handicap with Trevor Schirmer another shot away, which
indicated the difficulty of the course and conditions on the day.
The twos were shared between Trevor Schirmer, John
Desmond and Arthur Hancock.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new members Ralf
Neumann and Takeshi Hakozaki.
Friday September 12
Treasure Hill
Stableford
1st Peter Emslie, 43 points
2nd Yazuo Suzuki, 42
3rd Anders Karlsson, 41
4th Dave Lee, 38
5th Takeshi Hakozaki, 37
Treasure Hill is not one of the easiest courses to take
on especially from the white tees, but Fridays tournament saw several
outstanding performances led by Peter Emslie’ s seven under to capture the
days honours and also take the lead in the ongoing Order of Merit table. He
was closely followed by the in-form Yazuo Suzuki and Anders Karlsson all of
whom suffered major surgery to their handicaps over the weekend.
Another outstanding feat was achieved by Dave Lee, who
has been struggling of late, but taken to lessons and practice very
seriously and that is now starting to pay off. Rounding out the podium was
Takeshi Hakozaki another point back.
The twos were shared between Ian Ashenden, Yazuo Suzuki
and, much to the delight of the assembled crowds, Dave Lee.
Before dealing with the presentations, Richard welcomed
new member Kevin Reid and said a sad farewell to Mashi Kaneta who is
returning to England for a rest and to catch up on what his family have been
up to during his time in Thailand.
Lastly it is very sad to report that Norman Brooks, who
was scheduled to play out of The Haven on this day, passed away on Wednesday
September 10. All his golfing chums in the area will sorely miss him. He is
no doubt arguing about his handicap level with the powers that be up there
at this very moment.
Obituary
Norman Brooks
Long time Pattaya “friend”,
Norman Brooks, died last Wednesday, apparently from a heart attack. Norman
wanted to be cremated here and his family are coming to Thailand to complete
his wishes.
 Norman
lived in Jomtien, and playing golf in the area was his #1 pastime. He had
many friends in the golfing community.
Norman is survived by a son who teaches golf in Germany
as a PGA professional and a daughter in Wales. He was of course an avid
Welshman who also loved Thailand.
At this time Norman is staying in Bangkok, which is usual
in these circumstances until his family arrives from the UK.
He will be missed.
A first for Jomtien
Believed to be the first golf group to be based on
Jomtien Beach, the Jomtien Golf Group has been founded by old Thailand
hands. They play a different Eastern Seaboard golf course each Tuesday
morning and are dedicated to having fun and raising funds for worthwhile
local charities.
The unusual thing is that no handicaps are needed to
play. Using systems such as Callaway and Double Perrier, everyone is
handicapped “on the day”. This means that prizes and awards are
achievable by all players, irrespective of golf ability.
Their first game was held at Phoenix Golf & Country
Club on Tuesday September 16.
Jomtien Golf Group provides a complete day’s golf, with
everything arranged from meals, air-conditioned transport and green fees
through to scoring and a prize-giving dinner. All are welcome, particularly
visitors to the Kingdom. There is no need for any discount cards, handicap
certificates or similar. Sign-up sheets, results and event schedule are
posted at Moonshine Place. A fun day’s golf is guaranteed.
A big Christmas Day celebration and other charity-based
events will ensure that others less fortunate will benefit.
Further information may be obtained from the Moonshine
Place, Soi 4, just behind 7-11 (20 metres from Jomtien Beach Road), tel: 038
231 956.
3 Sisters Golf
On Monday, a field of approximately 30 golfers met at Siam
for the Three Sisters competition. The first group with only three golfers
spread the field out as they finished their round as others were making the
turn at hole number 10. With good weather prevailing all golfers played at
Siam.
Matt Kirkland, out with one of the earlier groups,
charged out to the front and waited at caddy shack two to see how his score
would hold up. Shooting an excellent score of 41 for the day, Matt had no
one close to give him any competition. Big Matt hit some big drives and
putted well to secure the bragging rights for the day.
Coming in with 38 points, three behind Matt, was Bill
Thompson. Bill, in from work, shot a decent score playing with a single
figure handicap. As usual, Bill hit his drives well and his approach shots
and putts were also on line. Following one shot back of Bill was Rod Perrin
with 37 points. Rod has held the cellar position a number of times but has
now put his game together and should be in the winners circle shortly.
Holding up the bottom again this week was Jim Tully with
a big 18 points. Jim has been struggling with his game as of late. It seems
that the trees and sand traps keep getting in his way on his approach to the
greens. Hopefully next week will be different. A couple of other golfers are
vying for the bottom spot so Tully may get out of the cellar next week.
Sign-Up now for Shenanigans Irish Open Championships
Mike Franklin
Friday October 3 is the date for the 2003 Shenanigans
Irish Open Championships, this year with separate Championship trophies for
the Men and Ladies.
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’ shown on the ‘Details & Entry Form’ subject to
availability.
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, and your entry is paid –up. Please book
early to ensure that all the available carts have not been taken up.
All other details are given on the Details & Entry
Form in Shenanigans (on the notice board and behind the bar) and bookings
can be made, using the form, at Shenanigans office, or see Kim or myself.
So, this year on Friday October 3 there will be two
Shenanigans 2003 Irish Open Champions, a Man and a Lady to share the honors
at the prize giving.
Sign-up early to guarantee your preferred tee-time
period, and to be sure of getting a golf cart.
PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60’s Bar
Friday September 12
Pattaya Country Club
Stableford
It’s like coming home when you go back to Pattaya
Country Club, you know, just like putting on an old pair of slippers or an
old sweater. There really is nothing very special about the course, yes, the
greens are pretty good and the fairways are fine and the design is good. Of
course the clubhouse is friendly as well and the green fees are not too
high. Guess really its a pretty good course, who said it wasn’t?
 Oy
& Joe present to Norm Robinson (L) and John Emmerson (R).
The day started as normal at Bobby Joe’s with all the
poor people and the hung over turning up early for their free breakfast.
Rumour has it Bobby’s is to change to a soup kitchen as he provides so
many free meals, then off to the tender mercy of Pattaya Country Club where
we are met with smiling faces and struggle to the first tee.
The group tee off in peace and quiet and proceed to play
18 holes in a calm manner before settling down in the clubhouse and filling
the table with good food and large Heineken to prepare for the main event
back at The 60’s Bar and await the completed cards. Some good scores came
in but in the event Norm Robinson came in with a fine round to take the
honours.
Back at The 60’s Bar Bobby had laid on a fine green pea
soup (soup kitchen practice?) to warm the soul and then onto the
presentation. With Joe St Laurent back from the ‘Wastes Of Canada’ it
was decided that he should do the presentations with Oy, and a fine job they
did of it.
Winner: Norm Robinson
Near Pin: Bob Pearce, John Sinclair, Norm Robinson, John
Emmerson
Long Putt: Tim Holt, John Healy
Lucky Draw: Chris John, Joe St Laurent
Torrid times at Khao Kheow
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
There is an old nursery in England which describes a
little girl thus: “When she was good she was very, very good, but when
she was bad she was horrid.” The little girl’s name? Surely it must
have been Khao Kheow!
The Bunker Boys foolishly chose the course as the venue
for their weekly medal competition on Tuesday, September 9, knowing that
for the previous three weeks, at least, the doyen of the Eastern Seaboard
was in anything but its usual pristine condition. The greens are very poor
and slower even than those at Siam. But at least at Siam you know what is
in store before you play them. Khao Kheow, currently, is not good value
with scrappy tee boxes, patchy fairways and those slow, inconsistent
greens.
However, golf is golf, and the two divisions manfully
fought it out over the A and B courses. In division one the Japanese
pairing of Yasuo Suzuki and Takeshi Hakozaki made a fist of it, sharing
third place with net 78, one shot behind chirpy Ciano Glavina. Harry Riley
was the main man, however, and his net 74 bore testimony to his
concentration on the greens.
In division two the day’s best score was returned by
Rick Feltham and his net 73 was more than enough to see off the challenges
of David Johnson (75) and Jim Payne (78). Saranya Chaiyanont fired the
day’s only birdie two on the difficult A3 hole and was rewarded with the
Bunker Super Sawng award, whilst Kerry Jonsson, a winner the previous
outing, suffered the indignity of the Bunker Banana Booby for his
nightmare round. He, with many others, will return to Khao Kheow only when
the course lives up to its well established reputation as one of the
finest in the area, and not a second sooner!
PJ masters Plutaluang
The Bunker Boys travelled to the friendly Navy course
at Plutaluang on Thursday, September 11, for their weekly Stableford
tournament. The North and West courses did not disappoint with their
challenging holes and, hurrah, for their consistently paced greens after
seemingly weeks of slow, uncut surfaces!
The two divisions set about their task honestly and
only an over officious starter spoilt the day by insisting a Thai six-ball
interrupt the course of play, starting them immediately in front of the
leading group at the tenth. In division two there was a titanic battle
with George Redgewell, playing with a broken finger, firing a heroic 34
points, just one behind the joint winners David Johnson and John Preddy,
on 35 points.
In division one John King managed to capture third
place with an indifferent 29 points, one behind Roy Mitchell (30) and a
country mile behind the eventual winner, PJ Redmond who shot the day’s
only par round.
John King managed to take the Bunker Super Sawng award
even though John Preddy should have shared it with him but, once again,
the latter chose to opt out of the sideshow.
The day’s biggest blushes were on the faces of David
Lightfoot and Kerry Jonsson and their dismally low scores assured them of
the Bunker Banana Booby.
PH3 Run 1018
Thanks to Bedbreaker who forgot to put the scribe board
in my bag, this saved Obewan from scribing because I was given the job
again. Here we are in this tucked away a-site surrounded by Jungle. While Dr
Pinky is doing the late sign ups the bus decides to take 15 attempts to turn
around almost wiping out Banjo’s shirt stall. Red A.h. called the circle
and dealt with new shoes. Next the hares explained the run. No dogs, cattle
but plenty of barbed wire, you should have seen the expression on the old
fossil’s face (oh no!). Off we all went.
I got off to a good start sounding my horn with all the
hashers on my tail. Necro F.M.U. passed me shouting on on, then we came to a
ditch where Necro went straight on, then he started shouting lost paper, but
the paper went left which had fooled him leading through a dry trench into
thick dense jungle growth going down - down a waterfall aided by a rope,
some kids were splashing around at the bottom having lots of fun running
through the stream. The FRB’s turned the checks in the right direction,
well done guys.
I made it back in approx 45 mins. First in was Necro Feel
Me Up in 35 mins which really surprised Charlie Manson who was saying ‘who
is that super athlete?’ Well done hares excellent run I thought. Just
before we all formed a circle who comes in last? My old schoolmate Ian who
did the trail at a nice leisurely stroll. I almost thought he was lost; I
blew my horn a couple of times which he said had helped him. At this time I
was being iced for forgetting to bring the scribes board, next moment he his
called to sit on the ice with me for not wearing his hash shirt, who said
virgins don’t get iced?
Sir Airhead took over the circle and ices Ringworm who
didn’t want to spend 2,000 baht on a 4 pack of Viagra just so his wife
could have 4 orgasms in one year. King Yao Yao was iced for his coming of
age and now flatly refuses to keep his ear on singing duties. Have you all
noticed the singing is pathetic lately? Miserable C. was iced for losing his
car when it wasn’t lost. Sir Chicken F. took over the circle. Next Chicken
F. ices Red A.h. who thought he was back in to take the circle and calls A-holeo
to take a seat, but ha ha wrong, take a seat yourself says Chicken F. He
then sings the famous Kinks song Lola (she drinks Mekong & Cola)
finishing off with the Bum who yak a ta ta backing.
Now Red A.h. takes the circle so I am prepared for the
presentation of the Pink Poofta seat again which seems to be haunting me,
but I have a little surprise for him also later. After my down down for that
I requested that I take the circle for the very first time on the Monday
Hash. I iced Red A.h. and presented him with a special shirt.
Finally we did the hash hymn, then I grabbed a couple of
beers for the bus, with V.V. shouting you have to open them, I said don’t
you trust me? Finally bus bound, where is the bus? A good 5 or 10 minutes
walk away. I arrived at the bus dying for a piss, dumped my bag, then I
noticed a couple of vehicles passing me, the second one being Free Willy, I
noticed a couple of cracks in the back so I tapped on the window giving the
thumbs up as they passed, he suddenly stopped.
The next second his wheels started spinning! What gear is
he in I asked myself? He is in reverse, so I jumped for my life. Micky Maow
was right behind me and was a full bloodied witness when that he stopped
after reversing yelling out (He thought I threw a beer can at him) so Buddha
was looking after me then, so after I bent his useless mirror on the back
window he fled off in a trail of dust (this is supposedly a fellow hasher).
A great bus journey back to Patrick’s for the usual
good food, of course that coward (with the mobile stuck in his ear all the
time) never showed up. Darn it, no rabbit stew!
On-On
The Badman
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
The really big fight of the year was Oscar DeLaHoya -
Shane Mosley last Sunday. It was the largest money fight in Las Vegas in
some time along with being a contest that actually had some appeal for non
boxing fans. One of the judges was Thailand’s Anek Hongtongkam. It’s
almost a given when there’s a big WBC fight in Las Vegas one of the
officials will be Anek Hongtongkam. The fight for some, not I, had a lot of
interesting sub plots. Mosley did beat DeLaHoya three years ago. Many claim
that as he moved up in weight Mosley got stronger while Oscar didn’t. A
claim that seems silly but when you’re hyping a fight any angle will do.
Just a day before the fight Mosley’s promoter complained about the cup
DeLaHoya was going to wear. “My cup won’t hit him”, said Oscar. Silly
stuff but that’s what boxing is in many case’s this day in age. The
fight?
For most, except Shane Mosley, the fight itself was a
disappointment. The action was sparse with flurries rare a hen’s teeth.
Both fighters were cautious. Mosley took a unanimous 12 round decision along
with the WBC/WBA super welterweight titles. Judge Anek Hongtongkam was
joined by Duane Ford (Las Vegas) and Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa) by
scoring the fight 115-113 for Mosley. Not only was the decision
“controversial” but looking at the stats impossible to swallow. An
English website, headed it’s fight story “Golden Boy Fleeced in
Vegas”. DeLaHoya outlanded Mosley 221 to 127 overall, 115 to 94 in the
power department and 106-33 in jabs. That aside Mosley swept the last five
rounds on all three official cards.
The Square Ring’s English correspondent Phil Jones
writes, “Have just finished watching the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Shayne
Moseley fight. Now I am looking forward to watching the fight that I
didn’t see... the fight that the judges were watching. Because as sure as
night follows day it wasn’t the same fight that I watched. It’s rare
that 3 judges come to exactly the same decision in any fight, but to come to
exactly the same WRONG decision must be on par with the coming of the new
Messiah... tonight will go down in boxing history as the night that a good
crisp left jab ceased to be a scoring punch.” Phil added a PS later,
“the fight was shown live in the UK by SKY... and ALL four ex world champ
pundits gave it to Oscar by varying margins between 118-112... Pal it
wasn’t even close.” Might be the biggest heist since Danny Ocean and the
Boys.
Usually post fight press conferences are, well, post
fight press conferences. This one was different. First DeLaHoya promoter Bob
Arum: “They say I’m a sore loser, but they’re not going to see my ass
anymore. I am through. After this freaking outrage, I’m out of this mess.
Boxing is the garbage can of sports.” Arum said he would finish the year
then retire. It should be noted that Arum is part of the “garbage can of
sports” and has been for many years. Many write his tirade off as the
usual “Arum wine”. “I can’t get a break.” DelaHoya is also known
for his whiny ways. After the loss to Felix Trinidad he fired everyone
around him but the paperboy. On this occasion the paper boy is safe. “What
I have to say now is not against Shane Mosley. On Monday I will put a full
investigation into this decision. I will put the best lawyers on this.
Boxing does not need this anymore... I will put on to my fullest power, an
investigation so we will see what happened. The reason why I do this is
because of the punch-stat numbers. I actually landed one hundred more
punches than he did. I am not doing this because I am a sore loser. I am
doing this for boxing. This does not effect my decision about retiring. I
will wait until I am settled down and talk to my family before making that
decision.” When asked whether he felt this was just a bad decision or some
sort of conspiracy, De La Hoya responded, “We’ll see”. Stay tuned.
Rumor has it that “Chicken” Roy Jones Jr. (48-1) will
defend his “much valued” WBC/IBF light heavyweight title against Antonio
Tarver (21-1) November 8 in Las Vegas. What will happen to the heavyweight
crown that Chicken Jones won by defeating John Ruiz? Hard to tell but the
WBA will probably put it on hold while David Tua and Hasim Rahman fight an
eliminator. Jones will fight the winner. “When pig fly”. No matter what
you read Jones wants no part of a real heavyweight. He found the one
Heavyweight Champion that was slow, couldn’t hit and couldn’t box in
John Ruiz. It won’t happen twice. Purse bids for Tua-Racham were held just
after the deadline for the Square Ring. At least one major Thai promoter,
Songchai, was interested in putting on the fight while gaining the rights
through the bids process. This would be a giant step forward for Thailand on
the International boxing scene. If Songchai is a member in good standing of
the WBA he can submit a bid. The chances of him getting the bid for
Tua-Rahman is not good in any case as the Good Old Don King seems to want
the fight. That aside the experience is a positive step. All he’d have to
do is come up with the money. “No Problem along with a trip to a dance
emporium”, won’t get the job done. With me? No problem.
IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd (36-2) could be
called the forgotten man except for the fact that The Square Ring remembers
him. He is a darn good “little heavyweight”. His two loses came to Ike
Ibeabuchi, the trouble heavyweight, via a KO in 5 back in 1999 and Wladimir
Klitschko in 2000. Many in boxing, count me in, thought that at the time
Ibeabuchi was the best heavyweight around. His mental problems got him an
“indefinite” scholarship as a ward of the state. Byrd beat Vitali
Klitschko for the WBO Heavy Title when the big Russian quit after the 9th
round with a hurt shoulder. That set up the Wladimir title fight which Byrd
lost. Byrd defends Sunday against Fres Oquendo (24-1) who falls into the
“OK” category. He has some power which he displayed when he knocked
Clifford “The Black Rhino” Ettiene down about a thousands times. He also
showed that he wasn’t very smart when well ahead of David Tua he got
clocked late in the fight and sent to the Land of Nod. Might be a good fight
and I’ll drink to that.
Sunday Quiz League
Wednesday Quiz League
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