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Ocean Marina joins the Gulf Yacht-Racing Calendar
Story and pictures by Peter Cummins
The First Ocean Marina Regatta was sailed in the waters
of the northern Gulf off Jomtien Beach recently and comprised some 20 craft
and almost 100 sailors, race officials and supporters. Gary Baguley, Bird
Bhanubandh, David Pollard, Richard Ellis, Radab Kanjanavanit and Phil Harper
were all in the winners’ circle one or the other of the two days of
racing.
 Down-wind
they go: Sports Boats in action.
Conditions varied from steady 10-12 knot south-westerlies
to almost dead calm, interspersed with vicious rain-squalls out of the south
- typica Monsoon weather in the northern Gulf at this time of the year.
Yachts and catamarans came from near and far to join the
event and one of the major forces was the big fleet of Farr Platu 25s which
are moored off the Royal Thai Navy facilities at Sattahip.
 Platus
in contention.
The Ocean Marina, established south of Jomtien Beach some
two decades ago, has primarily been a facility for berthing power boats,
yachts and ocean-going catamarans. Apart from hosting the Cataworld Cup
which featured an international fleet of beach-launched catamarans, in 1992,
the Marina has served principally as an exclusive - and very elegant -
social milieu, boasting a five-star hotel, for anyone who likes to be near
the sea - with or without a boat.
 Ocean
Marina with the San Marino Condominium towering over all.
The Cruising Yacht Club (Thailand) (YCAT) made its
headquarters there and most of the members have yachts berthed in the Marina
basin or housed on the hard-standing.
But there was a lack of a “yachting ambience” and a
club-room where the ‘yachties’ like to gather, plan there racing and
drink a few beers after an event. Again, the Marina served as a ‘“launch
pad” for a day’s outing or an over-nighter on a charter boat, or for
some serious cruising as far down as Cambodia for the YCAT sailing
enthusiasts.
Bill Gasson, sailing co-ordinator of YCAT, has been a
prime mover of many a regatta, including the annual events, the Phuket
King’s Cup Regatta, which he won four times, and the Koh Samui Regatta
which he established last year.
Bill’s contention has always been that the northern
Gulf, off the Pattaya -Jomtien coast, has always been one of the best
sailing and yacht racing areas in Thailand.
Last month, with a little help from his friends, David
Bell and Gary Baguley, Bill convinced the Ocean Marina to sponsor a regatta.
The ‘sleeping giant’ awoke to the realities and benefits of yacht racing
and the first Ocean Marina Regatta was conceived and sailed very
successfully.
David Bell reported that the racing was very
professionally run by Bill and the Ocean Marina contributed excellent
facilities and a ‘yachties’ party, held appropriately in the Harbor
Lounge, overlooking the Marina.
Now, the Marina, realizing the potential of yacht racing,
will again host another regatta this coming weekend, this time sponsored by
Seraph Gulf Charters. The “Seraph” is a Danish ‘blue-blood’ schooner
which will be used for chartering in the Gulf, as well as acting as the race
committee vessel for this regatta.
Much focus will be again on the Sport Boat category, with
a big fleet of Platus expected from Sattahip. After all, it is right “next
door”, so to speak.
The Ocean Marina is now so enthusiastic for such events,
that a “yachtie’s” bar is being constructed at the water’s edge.
What will it be called? Of course, “The Sailors’ Bar”.
And a new era of yacht racing is opened. Thank you Mr
Gasson and Ocean Marina.
Anyone interested in crewing, assisting race management
or just plain watching the action should contact Bill Gasson, e-mail: [email protected],
or simply come to the Ocean Marina, 274/1-9 Sukhumvit Highway (Km.157), Na
Jomtien Sattahip, Chonburi. Tel 038 237 310-23; fax; 038 237 235, contact
Ocean Marina Executive Secretary Sotalak Wasuwat, Mobile 01 9493019.
Dennis and Usa crowned Shenanigans
2003 Irish Open Champions
Mike
Franklin
Dennis Willett and Usa Chaiyosit finished clear of the
field to win the Men’s and Ladies Shenanigans Irish Open Championships. On
rather wet and soggy Plutaluang East and South courses, 135 players teed off
from East #1 and were fortunate for most of the day to have dry weather
conditions. However, apart from an occasional quick shower early afternoon
the storm came later around 4.0 pm and torrential rain made it a wet finish
for the tail end of the field.
 The
Champions: Dennis Willett & Usa Chaiyosit.
Stableford scores, as a result, were lower than usual and
only 10 players managed points equivalent to par or better. Dennis Willett
was the only player to top 40, with an impressive 75 gross off his 9
handicap resulting in 42 Stableford points and the Men’s 2003 Shenanigans
Irish Open Championship. For the Ladies, Usa Chaiyosit playing off 10
returned a gross 79 and scored 39 Stableford points to claim the Ladies
Irish Open Championship. Both names will together on the winner’s plate
shortly to be added to the perpetual trophy in Shenanigans display cabinet.
 Rich
Wibrow (left), Division II runner-up, receives his prize from Mike Franklin.
Other player’s performances to be commended in the
Ladies’ Divisions are Noonit Tawapee, winner Division 1, with runner-up
Lamud Chaidara scoring 38 and 33 points respectively. In Division II the
winner was Ann Drader with 35 points and Kim Harbeck, 33 points.
For the Men, in Division III there was a 3-way count-back
with 37 points resulting in Brian Brizzell in 3 rd
place, a surprised Paul Dobbs runner-up and Alex Woods winning.
 Larry
Willett (left), Shortest Drive winner, with Dennis Willett (center) and Mike
Franklin (right).
In Division II there was a 2-way count-back for 3rd
place and runner-up, Gerhard Schulze taking 3rd
and Rich Wibrow, runner-up. The winner was David Bond with 37 points.
In Division I, Larry Willett came 3rd
with 37 points and the 2-way count-back for runner-up and winner was Kevin
Taylor with Dave McLean runner-up, both with 39 points.
Technical prizes were in abundance. For the Ladies in
Division I, near pins were claimed by Usa Chaiyusit, Mam Trayling, Lamud
Chaidara and Kay Forsyth. In Division II Tai Kennedy took two and 8 year old
Julie Yang took both near pins on the South course.
For the men, in Division I Dennis Willett took both near
pins on the East course and John Pollard and George Jackson claimed S.#4
& S.#7. In Divisions II & III the near pins went to Roger Griffin,
Doug Powell, John Gibson, Paul Dobbs, Gordon McKnight and Larry Ball. No one
claimed the challenging S.#7. Scratch player Mike Sinkinson won the long
drive in Division I on S.#6, and Gerhard Schulze and Dale Drader in
Divisions II & III respectively. The four longest first putts went to
Ian Russell, Don Ratcliffe, Terry Curtis and John Pollard. Stuart Morris was
closest to the Keg of Guinness, Mike Fearon had the lowest Stableford points
score (and seemed quite happy about it) and Nitsa Nunphrom was voted the
‘Best Dressed Lady’.
However, the technical highlight of the day was
undoubtedly the ‘Shortest Drive’ on E.#1.
Given that driving off at this par five required one to
make the first shot of the day, and with the small intimidating pond ahead,
it is hardly surprising that some duff shots occurred. Jack Levy tried and
failed to duff it sufficiently, so it was left to Larry Willett to drive
into the bank ahead and with enough top spin to stop the ball rolling back
into the hazard. Brilliant recovery overcame embarrassment, with a five iron
on gigantic proportions to get the ball back into play. Well done Larry!
So the day had its moments. Shenanigans’ very friendly
staff was out in force and on station at Plutaluang at 6.0 am. Executive
Chef Sunny produced the traditional Breakfast Pie, and Chef Winai with Bua
served the curry puffs and Stolichnaya. Khun Moo handed out the shirts,
balls & tees with a smile and Wayne Ognoski efficiently did the
registration work. Mark Guthrie took on the unenviable task of Starter on
East #1, and up the hill at South #9 Tee, June and Wanchai offered more
drinks and snacks. The mighty Geng was everywhere, he was needed with Bua
alongside. The beer cart was ably handled by Ray Matti and the Landlord
himself.
Back at Shenanigans it was party time and prize-giving,
with the players enjoying Shenanigans renowned Carvery. Floor Captain Tam
had set out the forty-nine trophies to be handed to the winners. If only the
emcee, (yours truly), had remembered to give out the pewter plates at the
same time as the prize vouchers. However, it was all put to right in the
end, and finished up as just another of those rather nice Shenanigans golf
days.
PSC fishing from Bobby
Joe’s 60’s bar
Wednesday October 1
The calls started coming early in the morning as I crawled
out of bed. “It’s throwing it down here, can we go or not?” Stumbling
across to the window I looked out onto a wet Bobby Joe’s with a slight drizzle
in the air, but a glance out to sea showed a glorious dawning to the day, with a
sea you could see clear to the bottom through and as smooth as a mill pond. Go?
Get down now and lets have some of this.
 Andy
and his biggest catch ever, a fine ray.
Later, as we sat in Bobby Joe’s drinking our morning
coffee, the rain had stopped and we ambled along the beachfront drinking in the
early morning ambience of Pattaya’s beach road, and the hustle and bustle of
the bus loads of tourists wading out to the speed boats.
Jumping onto the longboat we zoomed out to the boat, before
departing to spend over ten hours on flat seas in superb conditions with the
water lapping against the hull and found its time to sleep between the
occasional sound of the reel screaming.
Oh the fishing, seems irrelevant really, but Andy Bettany
caught his biggest fish ever with a fine ray. Sleep well!
Peacock Indoors Bowling & Snooker Leagues
Mixed doubles had some super bowling this week,
“Thaied” Eddie and trailing almost the whole match against
“Yellowbirds” came up with three bowls within six inches of the jack on
the last end to snatch it 11 - 9.
“Double Trouble” continued their winning run with an
8 - 6 win over “NoSawet” and Gary was on form this week. But probably
the best performance of the week was from “Chatkeaw” - Peter and Far who
were 8 behind after four ends against “Love Nest” and stormed back to
win 14 - 8.
With the Ladies Peacock Sue remains unbeaten with a 15 -
4 win over Far, but newcomer Banjob made a great start with a 20 - 2 win
over Mam, but came against an inform Far on her catch up match going down 9
- 5. The Snooker league continues and Bill is still there on top with an 8
from 8 record.
Nine ball Pool league starts next week - all are welcome
to join in.
The leagues are:
Mickey Mouse Darts League
Pattaya Pool League
House of the Golden Coin moves up to second place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
House of the Golden Coin moved into second place and
Shakey Pete’s dropped to third after captain Mio led her team with a 212
game and 592 series to a four-point sweep of last place Nice & Sleazy.
Shakey Pete’s split their match 2-2 with Night Life. Ooy was best for
Shakey Pete’s with a 202 game and 539-pin count. Dang led Night Life with
a 226 game and 511-pin total. Caf้ Kronborg, led by captain Kran, who
rolled a 224 game and 579 series took all four points from Alt Koelle and
are now only one point behind third place. Jack & Tar also won four
points from Caf้ Ole. Eric bowled an excellent series for Jack &
Tar, knocking down 587 pins with games of 213, 182 and 192.
 200
bowlers (front row, from left) Kran, Mio, Morn, Dang and Ooy, (back row,
from left) Mai, Eric and Bill.
Mai bowled a 212 game and 576 pins total for Caf้
Ole but didn’t get much help from her teammates. VFW Post 9876 held on to
first place by taking three points from Brother D. Bill rolled a 217 game
and had a 507 series for VFW. Nam Tip moved into sixth place after beating
Three Sisters three points to one. Captain Morn rolled a 203 game and 510
series to help her Three Sisters team salvage a point in the match.
PSC golf from the Caf้é Kronborg
Monday September 29
Plutaluang
Stableford
The Plutaluang Royal Navy Course South and East layouts
were hosts to a Stableford Competition under conditions and the players
responded with some surprisingly good scores.
 Jay
Perrin.
On the day the winner was Bill Plath with 38 points ahead
of, in second, Aussie Gene Rooney with 36 points. Third place was decided on
a countback on 35 points, with Ted Morris coming in third and Bob Pearce
fourth.
The course continues to improve, and with a fine new
clubhouse, is well worth a visit, especially for the ex military personnel
in our midst.
Thursday October 2
Sriracha
Stableford
The Sriracha Golf Club is under new management that has
an aggressive rehabilitation underway and will improve the course in the
next few months. But for the present much of the course is ground under
repair, or disrepair, but some good scores were produced in the two flights,
A Flight 0 to 14 and B flight 15 up.
 Bill
Plath.
Bill Plath took the A flight with 37 points, Aussie Kevin
Callagan was second with 33 points and Jeff McLaury was third with 31
points. In the B flight Dr Jay Perrin won with a great 40 points ahead of
Aussie Gene Rooney in second with 37 points and Bob Pierce was in third with
36 points.
The new management is very keen to attract all expat golfers in the area,
so keep posted for more good things to come from the Sriracha Golf Club.
The Edge overcomes the rain
IPGC TAGGS golf from The Haven
Monday September 29
Khao Kheow
Stroke Play
1st: Larry Ball, 71 cb9 34
2nd: Lawrence Anderson, 71 cb9 35.5
3rd: Trevor Schirmer, 71 cb9 36
The rainy season continued with a vengeance at Khoa Kheow
over A and B courses, having left The Haven in squally rain, the competitors
found the course had suffered all night rain. That required the rules of the
day to be “lift and place in the fairways” but even that slight
advantage had little effect on aiding the scores.
Larry Ball continued to improve on his past performances
as he led home a bedraggled field suffering from exhaustion having had to
tramp through the sodden playing area at a slow pace.
Lawrence Anderson again figured in the prizes after just
being beaten out of first place on count back and just edged out Trevor
Schirmer by half a shot for second place. Lawrence did manage the low gross
of the day, a disappointing 84.
With the conditions as difficult as they were, it was no
surprise that there were no twos on the day and the pot was carried forward
to Wednesday.
Wednesday October 1
Burapha East
Stableford
1st: Trevor Edge, 42 pts
2nd: Stephen Beard, 41
3rd: Paul Taylor, 40
4th: Paul Hartley, 39
The days competition was also an Order of Merit qualifier
which added an extra dimension for a few of the entrants and it was no
surprise to find the top contenders for that annual prize were to be found
in the van.
Trevor Edge cemented his third place in the table with a
tremendous effort that resulted in him securing first place with an
outstanding 42 points that equated to a net 66 and improved his overall
results by nine strokes.
Stephen Beard ran him close for second place and also
improved his position by six strokes, which maintained his second slot in
the table. Third place was taken by the now very steady Paul Taylor by one
from Paul Hartley, the latter who is trying to get his handicap reduced
before his two sons join him here for their annual holiday so that he can
still tell them “that dad knows best”.
Other notable results in the Order of Merit were Arthur
Hancock with a 71 to improve by seven, Peter Emslie, the current leader, 72
improving by three, and Dave Lee and Malcolm Clare 73’s to both improve by
nine. It is building up to a grandstand finish at the end of the year.
The twos pool including the carry over was shared between
Peter Emslie, John Larder, Malcolm Clare and Harry Riley.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed back John Murphy.
Friday saw most of the players at Plutaluang in the
Shenanigans Irish Open Championships, a report of which can be found on the
back page of the Pattaya Mail this week.
10th anniversary TQ Masters Golf Tournament
Tahitian
Queen in its 25th Year celebrates the 10th
annual TQ Masters Golf Tournament on Friday October 24, returning to
Plutaluang to play the South & East courses.
The coveted Masters Green Jacket will be up for the best
Stableford score from the Men and, acknowledging the many ladies who like
to participate in this major tournament, A Masters Pink Jacket will be
awarded for the best Ladies’ score.
Early sign-ups are recommended as the field is limited
to 128 players.
Entry forms with full details are available at the golf
venues Shenanigans, and TQ Beach Road.
Completed entry forms with entry fee should be given to
Woody, Joe Otter or Steve Donovan at TQ Beach Road, to Mike Franklin, or to
Kim Fletcher at Shenanigans.
Entries are only confirmed with payment, and the usual
early sell-out of this popular tournament is anticipated. So sign-up
please, without delay, and even sooner if you want to reserve one of the
available golf carts.
Bob Morrison Shows His Form Again
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
Sriracha International Golf Club has always had the
potential to be a memorable golf course. It was subtly designed by Gary
Player with both the novice and low handicapper in mind and all that was
needed to realise that dream was the injection of some cash and planned
management.
It seems both are now in place and the Bunker Boys
travelled there on Tuesday, September 30, to “test” out the
improvements. They were met with an increased green fee and a construction
site on the first four holes. Two temporary greens were in place, it
drizzled all day and the white tees were well back. The course was to play
extremely long. Despite these inconveniences the golf was enjoyable and some
good rounds were produced.
In division two newcomer Les Harber held on to his
handicap with a level par net 72 whilst Bill Chadwick defied the elements
and the restrictions of his plastic mac to post a score of net 70, which was
very creditable given the circumstances. In division one only two shots
covered the Swedish contingent of Magnus Johansson, Martin Hanfelt and
Anders Pedersen but way out in front was a man very much in form at present,
Bob Morrison. His long game was enough to “shorten” the course and his
net 67 was an outstanding round in the conditions.
John Hanley overcame the lottery of the temporary green
on the third hole to shoot a birdie two and he was well rewarded with the
Bunker Super Sawng award, whilst partner Lamun kept the honours in the
family by disqualifying herself after five putts from three feet on the
first green, to pick up the Bunker Banana Booby. Overwhelmed with joy she
then rang the bell back at the Bunker. Cheers, tirak!
Three Suitors for the
“Old Lady”
Twenty or more Bunker Boys tipped their hats once again
to the “Old Lady” at Siam Country Club on a very wet Thursday, October
2, when they called for their weekly stableford event. She was well prepared
and well turned-out with good fairways and consistently paced greens.
From the start it was going to be a difficult courtship,
with the heavy conditions and overcast atmosphere. It wasn’t long before
the rains came and this was to have an effect on the tournament.
Division two players suffered most as, hiding their
blushes, Duncan Lee posted a meagre 27 points, followed into the clubhouse
by Dave Spendley with 31 points and then Neil Griffin with his winning score
of 32 points. The “Old Lady’s” charms were won over by a trio of
division one players and they jousted for her favours for the whole round.
Beguiled by the smiles of Harry Riley and PJ Redmond and the quiet modesty
of Hๅkan Widestedt she relented and they were able to take her hand
with scores of 36 points.
Magnus Johansson stole a kiss with his birdie two on the
sixteenth and he was rewarded with the Bunker Super Sawng award for his
impudence. In the end it was good to see the course back to its former self
and good to see that it still held an excellent challenge.
Jomtien Golf Group gets bogged in bunkers
Braving scurrilous reports from the
Pattaya golf world about uncut fairways, knee-deep rough and temporary
greens, a group of JGG stalwarts headed north to Sriracha International on
Thursday October 2 - beers and bacon sandwiches in hand. Indeed, the reports
were correct - but given the recent heavy rains, the new management are
maybe to be excused for the poor course conditioning. But the bunkers! It
does not take Einstein to work out that clogged bunkers need unclogging. The
caddies would not allow us to step into ANY bunker without full P.A.D.I.
Scuba accreditation.
The writer - having been marginally involved in golf
course drainage for some years, has already forgotten such terms as osmosis
and surface tension, but has remembered the key fact that water travels
downwards - mainly due to the fact that gravity exists everywhere, even in
Thailand. Maybe they cannot afford a wee pump or maybe not even pitchforks
or a long steel spike. Stick a few holes down past the clogged geotextile/impervious
layer and you get dry bunkers.
But we are not here to give free advice to yet another
struggling management team at Sriracha.
Winner of the Day was Bill Rose, a retired glass-filler
from the best bars in the States.
Spurning fairways as being a no-no for coarse golf, he
wended his way from left to right roughs, greatly reducing excessive tree
growth on the way through. It was quite a miracle that he shot a Nett 74,
but that’s Callaway scoring for you. He took home a valuable oil painting
for his trouble, then offering to spot it for 10 Bucks at Pool.
Runner-up for the second week running was ex-runner Al.
Visitor Rob from Canton tied-up third with Ned.
Near Pin went to Al, with Ned sweeping up the Long Drive
on the last. New player Mike Feardon just missed the other Near Pin and was
given a memento for missed opportunities. Ned took some marvellous photos
during the round, which were then shown on the TV at Moonshine Place during
the prize-giving party. Ah, technology…
The next JGG golf party is at Navy (Plutaluang) on
Thursday October 9 and will be a Texas Scramble. Sign-up and meet at
Moonshine Place, Jomtien Beach Soi 4 as usual.
PSC golf from Bobby Joe’s 60’s bar
Friday October 3
Green Valley
Stableford
Where do we start? With the massive storm that hit Green
Valley, fortunately just as the players finished, or the number of regulars
down with flu including the regular controllers, or the excellent round of
Tim Holt that seemed unbeatable until it was destroyed by a round to be
remembered, or the excellent free food laid on by Bobby including free
breakfast and evening meal?
 Winners
all, especially John Sinclair.
As the scribe was down with flu and Bob the regular
organiser also down with flu, we were thankful when Rod Perin stood in and
did an excellent job, it is always difficult to stand in at the last minute
and to find a ‘volunteer’.
Still, a group teed off at Green Valley, always a great
course, and played some great golf. Tim came in with a round that would
normally walk the day, but then came John Sinclair with a round of a
lifetime to win easily. The good thing was all finished just ahead of a huge
storm. Sometimes the gods look favourably on you and sometimes not.
 Rod
Perin does his presentation bit to Mac and Tim.
Back early to Bobby Joe’s the food was as usual
excellent and it was nice to see Rod present the prizes and all to join in
the festivities.
Winner: John Sinclair
Long Put: #8 John Sinclair
Near Pin: #2 Mac McCaskill, #12 Tim Holt
Lucky Draw: Frank Sinclair, Herb Schweiterman
3 Sisters Golf
It was a soggy day on Monday but we still got a good
turnout for our end of the month plus the quarterly winner. At first it
looked like Gerry Carpenter would be the winner for the quarterly trophy but
Derek Brook playing in the last group managed to beat Gerry on countback.
Both golfers scored 38 points with Derek edging out Gerry by one point on
the back nine. It was a hard day for most and it showed in the scoring.
The next best scores were three shots back. Sus Ige and
John Sinclair both came in with 35. Normally there would have been a slew of
scores around 37-35 but under the wet conditions, the ball just did not
travel as most expected.
There was a hard fought battle for the last position as
four golfers tied at 22 points. John Holt, Clive Harris, Marvin Smith and
Jerry Holt were tied at 22 points but Marvin and Jerry tied the front and
back nines with 11 on each side. It finally got down to the last six holes
and Marvin being the veteran in the cellar managed to hold on the bag for
another week.
6th Annual Amari Watergate & BMW Charity Midnight Run on October 18
On Saturday, October 18, what has become an annual
institution will once again take place on city streets at midnight - the
Annual Amari Watergate Hotel & BMW Charity Midnight Run.
It is the only race in Bangkok to be held at midnight and
offers competitors a choice of 2 distances – 6 k or 12 k. The city streets
are closed and protected by a police and security contingent of about 300
officers, and supported along the route by local residents, and shop owners,
together with the management and staff of the Amari Watergate Hotel and the
Amari Atrium Hotel. The atmosphere is tremendous, with over 2,000 runners,
local and international.
Everyone who crosses the finishing line will receive a
special commemorative medal. Winners in each category will receive a trophy.
Amari Watergate Hotel will celebrate with all participants at a cocktail
party in Henry J. Bean’s Bar & Grill after the event, including a
lucky draw.
All proceeds from the Amari Midnight Run go to charitable
causes, namely “Save a Child’s Life from AIDS,” under the Patronage of
HRH Princess Soamsawali, and Children’s Village Project to support
HIV-infected orphan children at Thammarak Nives Project (Prabaht Nampu
Temple) in Nongmuang, Lopburi province and the Children’s Right
Foundation, which is supported extensively by the Amari Watergate Hotel and
BMW.
Entry forms can be obtained and purchased at 300 Bht. and
1,000 Bht. All entries are entitled to win numerous prizes including an air
ticket, Oris Watch, diamond ring, Nokia mobile and other great prizes such
as complimentary T-shirts.
Sign up or call for more info: Clark Hatch Fitness Centre
at the Amari Watergate Hotel at 0 2653 9000 ext. 69 and 62; Robinson
Department Stores’ counter, Sport Vision Co., Ltd., tel. 0 2907 9718 and
BMW Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd., tel. 0 2305 8888.
PH3 Run 1021
Perfect weather and perfect location. 92 people gathered
20 K out of town to accomplish at least one thing worthwhile for their week.
Hashing. It was a lively crowd with expectations of fun, frolic and
fantastic trails. Let the record show, they were not disappointed. The hares
had done their job well.
Before the start a major crisis had occurred. One unnamed
auto hasher showed up with a flat tyre on his pick up truck. This seriously
challenged 11 hashers for well over an hour and caused them to miss out on
trail. They eventually changed the tyre. God help them if they ever have to
change a light bulb.
The pack took off at a leisurely pace and was only a
little spread out to begin with. Dirt roads and dirt trails found their way
to tapioca fields, tall grass and a gentle incline. Crossing small creeks
and swamps had a few hashers jumping around like bunnies, trying to keep the
shoes dry. It was a futile effort with bigger creeks and swamps in the
offing. Ha, Ha.
Half way through, the trail, nicely marked, sent everyone
half way up the side of a small mountain. The hares had planned for a great
view to be taken in. Their efforts were not lost on this crowd.
Back down the mountain and thus began the journey to the
centre of the earth. Yes. The trail led the unsuspecting sheep into sub-terrainian
levels, even deeper and darker than Hell itself. Some reported sightings of
the devil but these sightings cannot be confirmed. 15 minutes through the
dark Abyss and all emerged to the earths surface and daylight again.
Tapioca, mud, water and a nice long stretch through more tall grass led to
the on-in. Could have used a couple of checks here. Mai pen rai. Beer,
fruit, beer, potato chips and more beer were waiting. Can’t stay out on
the trail forever.
Back at the A-site, serious debate was taking place over
which Heineken tastes better. Out of a can or out of a bottle. C’mon
guys-get a life. More research on this will need to take place, I think.
General Kidney Wiper calls for a circle and says “Bring it in girls and
make it tight”. The girls knew what to do and the guys were happy. So
begins the icing. Drippy for late sign-up. Angeles hashers for being noisy.
The boisterous crowd were diligently policed by Odd Job and F. Doggie.
Lovely Ewok spreads prizes for the raffle and calls the
winners in. Hares on in with Free Willy joining them on ice for being
mouthy. Visitors iced next. Time for entertainment, Karamba and Sir Fossil
did very nice ice time that had sparks flying in all directions. Who needs
agogo I ask you? Time for religion with Sir Airhead. Hares V.V. and B.O.
Belgium iced again. How was the trail? Asked Airhead. A thumbs up by all, so
the hares won’t be thrown to the lions this week. Airhead named 2 girls,
Miss Kitty and Blue Sky. A Norksy gets named Nobody Likes You.
Banjo took over the circle, Free Willy iced (again) for
watching TV while driving his car at night. This getting many hashers lost
last week. Why would anyone let Free Willy lead the pack anyway? Stupid,
stupid hashers.
Anniversaries next: Mad Cow, Lord Lucan, Rambowling and
V.V. Congratulations. Now get a life. Sir Chicken F’r circle who
immediately ices Apples Turnover for ‘rear ending’ and being rear ended
at the same time. Miserable C’t next on ice for locking his Mrs in the
trunk of his car and forgetting her. Armpit then led a song, please take a
singing lesson. Please! Hash hymn and another fun night at TQ-1 for more
food and beverage, good music and cute girls. Very high marks for this hash.
On On
Fireman
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
In a shocking upset James “Light Out” Toney, the IBF
cruiserweight Champion, dismantled former four-time heavyweight Champion
Evander Holyfield last Sunday morning. The early rounds were back and fourth
with Holyfield landing and Toney fighting back. From the 5th round on until
the fight was stopped at 1:42 of the 9 th,
Toney had his way with Holyfield as time finally caught up with boxing most
popular heavyweight of the last 20 years. There is no excuse for age. It’s
probably time for Holyfield to say “Bye, and thanks”.
WBC bantam Champ Veeraphol Nahkornluang (40-1-1), using
the name of Veeraphol Nakornluang-Promotion this time out, faced Toshiaki
Nishioka (23-3-2) for the third time last week in Tokyo. Of his 11 defences
of the title he won in 1998 three of those defences have been against
Nishioka. The two previous encounters ended with a UD (2000) and a draw in
2001. It’s back to the future as Veerphol again pulled the Houdini by
escaping with a draw (116-112, 113-114, 115-115). It’s a wonder as to why
the best bantam in the world, or second at worst behind Rafael Marquez. You
may be wondering why Veerphol is messing around fighting someone he’s
beaten now thrice. Money? Could be or lack of effort to be “really
good,” on the part of the Champ.
Five of his title defences have come against last weeks
opponent or against Joichiro Tatsuyoshi from whom he won the title. All the
fights were in Japan cause that’s where the money is. Using the usual
boxing lingo Nishioka said prior to the fight, “I will win this time by my
improved will power.” Nice try but ring up “No Sale”. The Champ? “I
respect Nishioka’s real power after our last two fights. He may change his
strategy to beat me, and so do I. I hope to win by my superior
experience.”
Finally heard from someone in Paradise (aka Pattaya) in
regard to the Oscar DeLaHoya-Mosley fight. Vic “O.R.” Cross opines: “I
gave a slim edge to Oscar and now would like you to arrange a double header
with Mosley vs Vargas and De La Hoya vs Forrest. PS: It’s Dinah Washington
not Diana. See the things you can remember when you hit 77?”. He’s right
but of course my readers are almost always smarter than “Moi”. It is
Dinah Washington but he’ll NEVER see Mosley-Vargas or DeLaHoya-Forrest.
Not going to happen. Mosley will fight some “lukewarm contender” and
DeLaHoya? Might say “Adios”.
PABA Super Flyweight Champion, Khomrith Eveready Gym (Lookkruengmuekol)
at 9-0 with 8 KO’s, gave Filipino opponent Sherwin “Super Assasin”
Paro (12-1) a whipping of the highest order. Aggressive from the start the
Champ was bigger, stronger and better equipped for the match. The only
glitch was a cut over his left eye in the 3rd, which might have been the
cattle prod to kick it into overdrive. “Khomrith knocked Paro down once in
the 4th round and then two more times in the 5th round, forcing the referee
to stop the fight as Paro could not beat the count.” Of course if he
didn’t beat the count the referee wouldn’t really stop the fight. The
fight stopped itself. But not to quibble. One can only wonder if the Champ
using is best Edward G. Robinson said, “Take that you dirty rat.”
Probably not.
Some other fights of notice since last we meet. IBF
flyweight king Irene “Mambaco” Pacheco (30-0) stopped mandatory
challenger Damaen Kelly (18-2) of Northern Ireland in Columbia. Pacheco is
considered by many as the “King of the Flyweights”. This fight drew a
crowd of 1,200. They were described as “screaming fans” but none the
less it’s still 1,200. The fight if held in North America would have drawn
10 times that many. One fight that did draw a mega crowd, 13,000 to the MEN
Arena in Manchester, saw English Hero and WBU Champ Ricky Hatton extend his
winning streak to 33 with 25 KO’s when he dispatched Argentinean Also Rios
(35-3) at the end of the 9th round. Hatton got a quick knockdown in the
opening seconds of the 1st using a “crisp uppercut”. The challenger hung
on until just before the bell to end of the ninth. Hatton next will step up
the competition on December 13 against either Omar Weiss or Ben Tackie. That
fight will be beamed back to the USA on Showtime. Tackie would be the much
better fight for the fans. In that case it will probably be Weiss. How about
them apples?
“WBO heavy Champ Corrie Sanders has, according to
Universum, who was to have promoted his defence against Lamont Brewster on
October 18 in Hamburg, asked for more time to prepare and the fight is now
postponed until November 15.” That’s the second story. The first?
Sanders was backing out because German based Universum was trying to back
out of the original financial deal. German’s break their word? “Mr.
Stalin this non-aggression pack will insure peace between our
country’s.” The speaker? A broken down house painter with gas.
Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison (13-0, 9 KOs) had
his first Las Vegas. He stopped Lisandro Diaz which is no big deal. “It
just feels good to stay busy and I hope to finish out the year with two more
fights as I feel like each fight gives me more experience and ring wisdom to
further my career.” Word is that Harrison isn’t training very hard and
simply refuses to listen to anyone. Ex Champ and super guy Wayne “The
Pocket Rocket” McCullough has his Vegas house up for sale with the intend
of moving to England. “I’ll probably fight there in December. I’m
looking for a trainer.” Is the move permanent? “Probably not. I just
want to test the waters.” It’s England’s gain and a Vegas loss. He’s
a class act in a sport badly in need of class. Drink to that? In a
heartbeat.
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