|
Shenanigans Funhill Cup stays in Tipperary
Mike Franklin
On Friday April 23 at Eastern Star Country Club &
Resort, Pat Ryan and Chris Humphries, the ‘Irish Dream Team’,
successfully defended their 2003 Funhill Cup title by narrowly winning the
2004 Shenanigans Funhill Cup Pairs Scramble, sponsored by Heineken.
 Mike
Franklin congratulates the winners Pat Ryan and Chris Humphries.
From a gross 80, and team handicap of 6.2, they returned
the winning net score of 63.8. There was just a fifth of a shot in it with
the ‘Roasters’, Darren Ottaway and Damian South, taking runner-up spot
scoring a gross 64 playing off a team handicap of scratch. ‘The
Bandits’, in the form of Brian Wilkinson and John Biangazzo came third
with a gross 69 and net 64.2 off their team handicap of 4.8. Fourth place
was decided with a 3-way count-back from a tied net 65.6 with the ‘Indian
Dragons’, George Jackson and Clive Bruce, beating ‘Superstars’ Larry
Willett & Ian Warwick and ‘Leighers’ Norman Isherwood & Barry
Traynor.
 (L
to R) Ernie Bakke, Landlord Kim Fletcher and Jack Levy down the Diabolo in
one.
It was a fine day for the 11.30 Shotgun start at Eastern
Star Country Club & Resort. Dry, hot and windy weather with the course
in fine condition although dry from lack of rain and receding lakes. The
greens were excellent and, as is usually the case, the short game was the
key to success.
The day started in Shenanigans traditional style with
Bloody Marys and Chef Sunny’s ample Breakfast Pie served in the shade
under the palm trees between the eighteenth green and tenth tee. A
contingent of Shenanigans friendly staff had been on station early to ensure
everything was ready. Khun Wanchai and K. Keng taking care of transport and
doing the heavy stuff; K. June and Chef Vinai mixing the drinks and serving
the pie. Back in the Clubhouse K. Moo and K. Bua worked with Wayne Ogonoski
to carry out registration, with Wayne later at the end of the round
effectively administering the scoring on his Dell and sending off the
results on his satellite modem thingy.
 Runners-up
Darren Ottaway and Damian South with Mike Franklin.
Twelve technical prizes were on offer. The four par 3
‘nearest pins’ were won by Usa Chaiyosit, Paul Kraft, Brian Wilkinson
and Ian Dickson. Sadly, nobody holed out on # 3 to win the Shenanigans
‘Carvery Every Week for a Year’.
 3rd
place winners Brian Wilkinson and John Biangazzo.
John Ottaway, who had just celebrated his 65th Birthday,
had the longest first putt on # 9 and Mick Kinnane was longest on # 18. The
straightest drives came from Tony Barritt on #5 and William Turnbull on #11.
Long Drives for the men were won by John Biangazzo (Div. I) on #15, and Tom
Earthrowl (Div. II) on #4. Lamud Chaidara was longest for the Ladies on #18.
Finally, the Keg of Heineken on #10 went to Ray Ryan for
being nearest.
 4th
place winners Clive Bruce & George Jackson with MC Mike Franklin.
Diabalo punishment was meted out to Dream Team North
America for recording the highest net score, but as only Ernie Bakke was
present, Jack Levy from Dream Team Europe eagerly took Kurt Farnham’s
place and Landlord Kim was roped in to down the third Diabalo in one.
The
Shenanigans crew out in force to make sure the golfers have fun and won’t
get dehydrated.
GM Khun Saradej, with his very helpful staff, made sure
that everything ran smoothly at Eastern Star both on and off the course. A
roving camera crew from Pattaya Mail Plus TV covered some of the late action
on the course, and Pattaya Mail was present later at Shenanigans for the
prize-giving. Back at Shenanigans the Carvery set the scene for the trophy
presentations, and lucky draw that featured a range of golf bags and other
items including caps and polo shirts kindly donated by Heineken.
 Ray
Ryan wins the Heineken.
In summary, it was a friendly Funhill day with the
Funhill Cup title safely in Irish hands and shortly on its long way back to
Tipperary IRL. In a brief interview with the TV crew after receiving the
trophy, Pat Ryan and Chris Humphries declared their intent to be back in
2005 for the next Funhill Cup, plus an interim visit in November to get some
more practice in.
Annual Pattaya Sports Club Championship 2004
Burapha Golf Club, Sunday and Monday, April 18-19
Day 1
There is something very special about a two day
competition and as Amateurs we all see the Four Day Competitions on the
Television and have a desire to try a little more than a quick trip to the
golf course and 18 holes that simply flies by. Well once a year we can all
live a dream and for two days think we are real golfers as The Annual
Pattaya Sports Club Championship comes to life and makes us realise how
tough two days are, never mind four.
 Champions
(L to R): Doug Williams, Low Gross; Annette Haroldsson, Ladies; William
Turnbull, Low Net.
The test this year was the Superb 36 holes East and West,
of The Burapha Golf Course. This course, designed by David Graham and Gary
Panks, was opened in 1995 and features two 18 holes, the West, a tough
course and a challenge for the more advanced golfer and the East featuring
wide fairways and is perfect for the up and coming golfer. All in all a fine
place to play a two day competition and was recently used for one of the
Professional Tournaments as was noted by the Pro length rough on the course.
This facility once a fully private course is now open to the public and with
the support and good management they showed in support of this competition,
deserves to do well.
(L to
R): Fabian Arp, winner A Flight; Mick O’Connor, runner-up C Flight; Dick
Worden, winner D Flight; Steve Saunders, winner B Flight.
So to the first day and ‘Aspiring Champions’ all turn
up to fight the good fight and prove their worth. Most sadly to fail but if
you do not try you cannot prevail. The booking in went smoothly under the
control of Ian Edwards, Phil Taylor and their team, so that shortly the
players could tee off on the C & D Nines, alias the West. The course was
in fine condition and as the players jockeyed to put themselves in prime
condition for the second day some fine scores were recorded particularly in
the gross competition as Doug Williams, a three handicapper, shot a fine
gross 74.
In the net competition some fine net scores were shot
particularly Larry Frazer with a net 65, Ian Warwick with a net 68 and
William Turnbull with a 69 close up and threatening, whilst Usa Chayosit
lead the Ladies with net 72 having had a fine day, but could they all hang
on for a second day. As the sun went down and a happy bunch went home, many
were still in with a chance, but when the going gets tough the tough get
going, who would that be?
Results Day 1
A Flight: Ian Warwick, net 68
B Flight: Wally Waldfriddson, net 71
C Flight: William Turnbull, net 69
D Flight: Larry Frazer, net 65
L Flight: Usa Chayosit, net 72
Technical A & B, C & D, L:
Long Drives (C3): Doug Williams, Mark Guthrie
Long 1st Putts (C9): Joe McArdle, Jay Perrin, Usa Chayosit
Long 1st Putts (D9): Herbie Ishinaga, Nil
Near Pins (C5): Mick Seery, Heinz Rombell, Usa Chayosit
Near Pins (C8): Brian Noguer, David Johnson, Usa Chayosit
Near Pins (D2): Perry McNeely, Nil Chant Schwulera
Near Pins (D8): Tony Hedman, Terry Curtis
Day 2
How do you sleep when you have a chance of glory, well very little
indeed and doubtlessly some lost their way simply due to the situation. The
second day dawned fine, dry and hot and ahead of the players were the A
& B nines alias the East course, a fine open, but long, test that for me
is one of the best 18 holes in the area. Maybe not if you are vying for
honours.
As the day progressed it became apparent that whilst some
were holding their nerves, others were having a fine day and were coming up
on the rails fast.
In the A Flight, 0 to 13, Fabian Arp was coming up fast
and shot a fine second day net 69 to win the flight with a fine combined
score of net 141 off his handicap of 12 ahead of Mike Seery who also had a
good second day and finished close up with a net 142. In third was Hans
Collett with a net 148.
In the B Flight, 14 to 18, Steve Saunders came through to
win with a net 142 off his 18 handicap ahead of Stefan Hoge with a net 145
in second place. In third was Sture Brisholm with a net 147 after a fine
third day net 69.
In the C Flight, 19 to 23, the first day leader held his
form, we will hear of him later. So the winner in the end of the C Flight
was Chris John with a net 143 off 23 after an earlier miscount had given the
win to Mick O’Connor who in fact finished second with a net 144. In third
was Mark Guthrie with a net 147.
In the D Flight, 24 up, Dick Worden came good with a net
141 off 30 as the overnight leader Larry Frazer faltered to finish in third
with a net 144. In second was Robin Overman with a net 142.
The Ladies Flight saw a surge to the front on the second
day by Annette Haroldsson who shot a net 69 and won the L Flight and thus
became Ladies Champion with a Net 144 off 21 ahead of in second Nora
Haugsjordet with net 146 and Chant Schulwera in third with a net 147.
The round over all met in the fine accommodation of the
Burapha Golf Club where the presentation was carried out, under the auspices
of the PSC Golf Chairman, Gerry Carpenter, and Master of Ceremonies Alan
Pearce, to all winners. Especially the New Club Champion and Low Gross, Doug
Williams with a fine gross 147 off 3 and William Turnbull the Low Net with a
net 137 off 23.
The Golf Chairman would like to thank in particular The
Burapha Golf Club for not only its excellent help but its generous
sponsorship. Also to his many helpers or ‘The Gerry Crew’, and the many
Sponsors in particular, PSC, The Green Bottle, Shenanigans, Bobby Joe’s
60’s Bar, McAllister’s, Tahitian Queen, Cafe Kronborg, Blue Parrot, and
of course Burapha Golf Club. If I missed anyone my apologies and keep
supporting.
Day 2
A Flight: Fabian Arp, net 69
B Flight: Sture Brisholm, net 69
C Flight: William Turnbull, net 68
D Flight: Robin Overman, net 68
L Flight: Annette Haroldsson, net 69
Technical A & B, C & D, Ladies:
Long Drives (B6): Ian Warwick William Turnbull
Long Putts (A9): Gerhard Schulz, Nora Haugsjordet (incl. Ladies)
Long Putts (B9): Fabian Arp, Alan Pearce
Near Pins (A3): Tony Hedman, Ramsay Smith, Annette Haroldsson
Near Pins (A6): John Larder, Scott Cosban, Usa Chayosit
Near Pins (B3): Karl Karlberb, Chris John
Near Pins (B8): Larry Willett, Robin Overman, Usa Choyosit
Final Results:
Club Champion and Low Gross: Doug Williams, 74 & 73, gross 147
Low Net: William Turnbull, 69 & 68, net 137
Ladies Champion Net: Annette Haroldsson, 75 & 69, net 144
A Flight Winner: Fabian Arp, net 141
A Flight Second: Mike Seery, net 142
A Flight Third: Hans Collett, net 148
B Flight Winner: Steve Saunders, net 142
B Flight Second: Stephan Hoge, net 145
B Flight Third: Sture Brisholm, net 147
C Flight Winner: Chris John, net 143
C Flight Second: Mick O’Connor, net 144
C Flight Third: Mark Guthrie, net 147
D Flight Winner: Dick Worden, net 141
D Flight Second: Robin Overman, net 124
D Flight Third: Larry Fraser, net 144
L Flight Winner: Annette Haroldsson, net 144
L Flight Second: Nora Haugsjordet, net 146
L Flight Third: Chant Schwulera, net 147
Peacock Place Indoor Bowling and Snooker League
Following the Songkran break it was back to full
strength this week. In the ladies bowls produced a few surprises; Nut
beat Danny Sue 13 - 7 to stake a claim for the league third place, only
Tukta can take that away. Then Danny Sue came back and gained her first
win against an out of sorts Peacock Sue 8 - 3, and then Peacock Sue Came
back with a 12 - 3 win against Nid to set up a top of the table last
match between herself and Lek for the ladies title.
In the mixed doubles Gin beat Yellowbirds 10 - 4 and
Peacock 12 - 5 to go joint top with Yellowbirds with both teams having to
play the sometimes uncontrollable Love Nest in this Saturday games. All
these deciding matches and the Ladies final will start from 2 pm on
Saturday May 1 for any potential newcomers to come along and watch and
see how you can bowl after just a few months of play at Peacock Place,
Siam Country Club Road, Mabprachan Lake - one km after VJ Land and House.
In the snooker league George just keeps on winning and has run away by
six points to an almost unassailable lead especially after Brian pulled a
rabbit from the hat to gain his first win and beat Danny 59 - 56.
Mixed Doubles
Yellowbirds 8 6 0 2 80 54 12
Gin 9 6 0 3 74 71 12
Spotty Dog 10 4 1 5 83 84 9
Peacock 8 3 0 5 74 70 6
Double Trouble 9 3 0 6 64 80 6
Love Nest 6 2 1 3 37 53 5
Ladies Singles
Lek 9 6 1 2 103 33 13
Peacock Sue 9 6 0 3 79 52 12
Nut 10 5 1 4 73 71 11
Nid 9 4 1 4 50 78 9
Tukta 7 2 1 4 36 58 5
Danny Sue 8 1 0 6 38 87 2
Snooker
George 12 11 0 1 750 464 22
Derek 15 8 0 7 756 754 16
Danny 11 7 0 4 664 529 14
Ad 15 7 0 8 788 684 14
Terry 9 6 0 3 501 477 12
Patrick 14 6 0 8 617 756 12
Ian 9 4 0 5 453 509 8
Danny Sue 5 2 0 3 217 262 4
Peter 8 2 0 6 329 465 4
Brian 10 1 0 9 458 633 2
Koh Samui Regatta: Anchors aweigh for the third sailing
Story and photos by Peter
Cummins
According to Regatta Secretary, Peter Plant, preparations
for this year’s Koh Samui Regatta are well advanced and the event will be
held from the 23rd to 29th of May, 2004.
The Regatta is again organised under the aegis of the
Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT) and the Royal Thai Navy will
once more lend the same logistic support that made the first two Samui
Regattas such a success. A landing barge will collect a fleet of
beach-launched catamarans from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and transport
them to Samui - an otherwise most difficult journey by road and sea.
Jacques
Mury, GM of the Central Samui Beach Resort, presents the sponsor’s trophy
to Singaporeans, Scott McCook and Alice Lim (Taipan catamaran)
The format for this year will remain the same, with the
five days of competition comprising a mixture of passage races and inshore
courses around buoys, strategically placed off the Samui coast-line. Daily
prize-giving cocktail parties will be held by the race’s sponsor and the
closing gala awards dinner will be held at the Central Samui Beach Resort,
one of the Regatta’s major sponsors.
“A room
with a view” taken from the Central Samui Beach Resort.
Since the regatta’s inception in 2002, Central Samui
has been joined by co-sponsors Coconut Land & House, Santiburi Dusit
Resort, Singha Beer and Strategic Catering, QBE Insurance and the Coco Group
of Companies.
In fact, with a huge number of local sponsors and
participating outlets supporting the event, the Samui Regatta week is
totally an island celebration.
RTN to the
rescue: loading catamarans from Varuna: Next stop Koh Samui.
According to Peter, confirmed entries as of mid-March,
now stand at twenty, with half of these being new participants. When added
to the big contingent of catamarans out of Royal Varuna, the organisers
expect the final number of competitors to match or exceed last year’s
total of fifty boats.
 Some
of the action at last year’s regatta.
Some of the early entries confirmed include Frank
Pong’s new “Jelik” (the 75 ft. Reichel Pugh sloop, formerly the
“Pyewacket” of Trans-Pac record fame). The original “Jelik” sank
somewhere in the South China Sea about two years ago.
One of the region’s champion helmsmen, Neil Pryde has
already entered the award-winning “Hi Fidelity”, as well as the
Philippine 80 ft. Swan “Maligaya”. Skippers of both these classy entries
are intent upon relieving reigning Samui title-holder, Australian Ray
Roberts who walked away with the beautiful Waterford Crystal Permanent
Trophy last year with his entry “Hollywood Boulevard”.
Close
racing is a feature of this regatta.
Although a frequent - and successful - competitor in
regional regattas, Aussie Dr Jon Wardill will be a first-timer at Samui and
could well be the front contender with his “Australian Maid” - a very
fast yacht, indeed.
The Sports Boat Class, which has gained recognition in
various regattas over the past few years, especially in the Phuket King’s
Cup Regatta, will see the latest Phuket Sports 8, the “Alakazzam”
joining the likes of “Somtam Express” and “Attitude 8” vowing, says
Peter, “to ‘muzzle’ Mark Jewell and his winning entry “The Dogs”!
This year will also see the addition of an offshore
multihull class with the first Samui built RB8000 “Coco Blues” competing
against the Farriers “Cedar Swan” and “Vivace”.
Elsewhere the beach cat class will again see the Nacras
and Taipans going head to head, with a few new Hobies competing, to keep the
racing interesting.
Capital TV will once again be shooting a 25-minute video
programme to be aired via the Star World and UBC satellite networks across
Asia and, of course, the “Bangkok Post”, the “Nation”, the
“Pattaya Mail”, “Pattaya Blatt” and a number of regional magazines
will cover the action.
If the wind is even half the velocity of last year when
it peaked at 35 knots, the sailors, spectators, the sponsors and the
Committee are in for a very lively Samui Week.
Yacht racing, sailing and cruising are taking a quantum
leap forward, since the Royal Thai Government drastically reduced the
erstwhile crippling tax on the marine infrastructure. There are now regattas
all along the Eastern Seaboard - in Pattaya, Jomtien and Sattahip, in the
Northern Gulf, at Hua Hin in the west, Koh Samui, Pang Nga and Phuket in the
south.
For further information on the Third Koh Samui Regatta,
visit the web site www.samuiregatta.com or e-mail Peter Plant at peter
@samuiregatta.com.
See you in Samui!
Victory for Thai sailors at sea
Getting the
surfboards ready for the competition on Jomtien Beach.
Local girl and former member of the Thai national team,
Amara Wichithong took first place in the women’s windsurfing event on
April 17-18 in Pattaya, just ahead of Singaporean girl Racheal Ng, third
place was taken by Tina Sahl.
Thai sailors took first place in every class of the
event. 36 competitors battled for “clean air”. The space in front of the
pack, where the full force of the wind can be used to send their lightning
fast boards skimming across the waves.
Amara praises her Severn Sail and formula board from
Starboard for taking her to victory despite approaching her 41st birthday. A
passionate advocate of the sport, she says the best part is watching sailors
return from the water with big smiles. Amara runs a friendly wind and kite
surfing school and club in front of Pattaya Park Hotel, Jomtien Beach.
She will be hosting the 4th annual Treasure Hunt Island
Race over two days on May 22-23. She would like to welcome all sailors to
attend this fun event. For more information visit the website at
www.amarasailingcenter.com
Mick Ramshaw shines under scorching weather conditions
Tuesday, April 20
Eastern Star
Medal
On Tuesday April 20 the boys from the Bunker visited
Eastern Star Country Club for their weekly Medal round.
Needless to say, it was very hot but the course was in
good condition.
Joe Sparey making a comeback after an absence of 3 months
wilted in the sun and dropped out at the 12th hole, for this he was awarded
The Bunker Banana Booby Prize!
In first place was Mick Ramshaw with a net 76 followed by
George Redgewell in second place with net 78, third spot was filled by
newcomer Mike Donnarunna with net 79.
The Bunker Bonanza Bonus was not won.
Thursday, April 22
Green Valley
Stableford
Thursday the April 22 saw 13 Bunker Boys travelling to
Green Valley for a Stableford competition.
Again it was hot and as usual the course was in good
shape.
Paul Rose was the victor with a fine 37 Stableford
points. Runner-up was Tuesday’s champion Mick Ramshaw with a battling 35
Stableford points and third place went to Mike Donnarunna on 33 Stableford
points.
Another newcomer Nick Fawson received The Bunker Banana
Booby Prize as he struggled to come to terms with Thailand’s climate (and
the late night entertainment) as he came in with a score that is too
embarrassing to print!
The Bunker Bonanza Bonus was again not won making the
rollover Bonanza Bonus an interesting challenge next week.
Joe Sparey was given a huge cheer on completing the 18th
hole, although completely exhausted. Well done, Joe!
Remy rides the storm at Khao Kheow
IPGC The Bunker Boys at the OK Corral
After a week or more of
Songkran soakings in Pattaya the Bunker Boys took the road to Khao Kheow
Country Club, on Tuesday, April 20 for the relief of a medal round on this
fine course. The selection was the testing “A” nine and the less
hazardous “C” nine and the scene was set for a fine tournament.
It was also the birthday of Saranya Chaiyanont and she
and Harry Riley had sponsored the par-threes with near-pin and long putt
prizes. But, someone forgot to tell the weather gods, and the round was
interrupted by one of the worst thunderstorms for a long while. Play was
held up for almost two hours towards the end of the first nine and the
break, along with the vastly changed course conditions afterwards, made a
mockery of many a scorecard. Good players were recording double figures and
triple bogeys became the norm for others.
Keeping their heads down were the drenched duo of Pat
Murphy and Mr. Loy and their net 78’s took a share of third place. The
previous week’s winner, Takeshi Hakozaki, shot a net 74, despite a back
nine which was nine sodden shots worse than his outward half, and he took
second place. The honours of the day went to Guy “Remy” Bert whose ten
pars went some way to soften the blow of his ten shots on the par three
“A” 3 and he was the worthy winner indeed.
Ya’s birthday bonuses were awarded to Paul Butler,
Steve Nowell, Remy and the birthday girl herself whilst Steve Nowell also
took home the Bunker Boys’ Banana Booby for his dismal net 96 on a soaking
day, best forgotten.
Easy win for PJ
On Thursday, April 22, the Bunker Boys revisited the
scrumptious course at Bangpra for their weekly stableford event and found
the course in its usual excellent condition. The day was clear and very hot
as the group set out and the very steady Pat Murphy was the first to show
with a score of 30 stableford points.
Steve Nowell showed he had recovered from his blushes at
Khao Kheow two days previously by scoring 34 points to take second position,
but this was not good enough for the main prize as a healthy 36 points
carded by PJ Redmond was sufficient to win the day. Terry Phur had the
honour of scooping the Super Sawng award for his birdie two on the second
hole, a testing par three.
Mine host at the OK Corral, Denis, chose to continue his
golfing education at the Asia par three course and his appalling scorecard
outshone the weaker efforts of the real “men” and he was awarded his
first ever Bunker Boys prize, the Bananas! Wait until the fun really starts,
Denis, on a proper golf course!
The ATM is temporarily closed
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Wednesday April 21
Bangpra
Bogey
1st: Trevor Edge, 1 up cb9 3 up
2nd: Mikael Andersson, 1 up cb9 1 up
3rd: Chang Suh, 1 down cb9 1 up
4th: John Desmond, 1 down cb9 1 down
After a lay off of three competition days, due to
Songkran, it was with some trepidation that The Haven golfers traveled to
Bangpra with its notoriously fast greens and equally fast wild monkeys
that take full advantage of any unattended articles left in the golfer’s
golf carts. In the event the greens were slow by the normal standards and
the monkeys were hardly to be seen.
Trevor Edge, the resident RSM, finally broke his run of
ill fortune with a finish that ensured that he is, at least temporarily,
no longer regarded as the mobile ATM at The Haven as he swept the board in
the process of garnering his first win for a few weeks. He achieved it in
style by covering the back nine in three under his handicap to leave
Mikael Andersson the bridesmaid once again.
Chang Suh just secured third place with a slightly
better score on the last nine from John Desmond, the latter whom is now a
regular visitor to the podium.
The twos were shared between John Desmond and Stephen
Beard.
Friday April 23
Khao Kheow
Stableford
1st: Pete Murray, 36 cb9 21
2nd: Chang Suh, 36 cb9 13
3rd: Michael Moore, 35
With a much reduced field due to the Shenanigans
Funhill Cup being played at Eastern Star, The Haven traveled to Khao Kheow
to take on the A and C courses from the yellow tees and as in the previous
competition held their, they found that some of the tees had been moved
back to the usual black positions as renovation work continues on the
yellow tees.
Pete Murray using all his length and years of
experience as a touring professional, took full advantage of a course that
required long and straight hitting to extract the winning score as he
warmed to the task on the final nine over the C course shooting a gross 39
and take the days spoils by count back from Chang Suh. Chang promised much
on the front nine with a spectacular score of gross 37 off his 10 handicap
and a total of twenty three points. He must have thought that at last he
would be rewarded with top place but the heat, which was incredibly
oppressive, got to him and he could only manage a meager thirteen points
and therefore lost out by a large margin to Shaky.
Michael Moore took some pride in his third place, after
weeks of lessons and assiduous work at the driving range, it all began to
pay off as he swept into third to take his first trophy out of The Haven.
Before presenting the prizes Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new members Ted Love, Nobby Grace and
Nick Hughey.
The twos pool was shared between Pete Murray and
Takeshi Hakozaki.
Joe Mooneyham throws
water on Medal field
IPGC Golf from Lewiinski’s
Sunday April 18
Green Valley -
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Andy Leach, 40 points
2nd Place A Flight: Gary Blackburne, 36 points
3rd Place A Flight: Rick Sharp, 34 points
1st Place B Flight: Larry Nicholas, 36 points
2nd Place B Flight: Ian Halfpenny, 36 points
3rd Place B Flight: Peter Barathy, 34 points
Andy Leach made a previously unscheduled visit to The
Land of Smiles and added one more smile to it as he logged 40 points off his
5 handicap. That is gross 73! Gary Blackburne continues his consistent play,
which often wins him a prize and seldom affects his handicap one way or
another. The Hermit rounded out A Flight. Larry Nicholas is quietly rounding
into form. Is there a big match coming up soon? The majority of Larry’s 36
points were more advantageously accrued on the inward 9 as he edged Ian
Halfpenny on count back for the top B Flight loot. Peter Barathy edged New
Zealander Chris Ferris in the same devious manner.
Monday April 19
Eastern Star -
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place: Paul Breen, 34 points
2nd Place: Milton Kirk, 33 points
A modest group took on the aquatic perils of Sukumvit and
headed south to take on the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design that was to be
the site of the week’s end Shenanigan’s Funhill Classic. Aussie Paul
Breen nipped Haven visitor Milt Kirk to take the top spot on the day. Milt
was left with enough baht to buy a Blaster 9000 for self-defense.
Wednesday April 21
Burapha - C & D - Blue Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Brian Wilkinson, 40 points
2nd Place A Flight: Eddie Blackwell, 39 points
1st Place B Flight: Ray Dell, 39 points
2nd Place B Flight: Danny Dyke, 37 points
Near Pins: #D8 John Low
The field was embellished in not only quality but also
quantity as Songkran-dodgers found there way back to their home that is
generally more fun then the place they went. Brian Wilkinson returned from
the Royal Hills-Khao Yai trip organized by Golf Manager John Emmerson and
immediately rolled off 40 points to edge Eddie Blackwell’s 39, who spent
the damp holiday in Hua Hin. Ray Dell took the junior flight with 39 points
and left second place to a count back victorious Danny Dyke, who edged Frank
‘The Pilk”. Kudos to John Cleland for his gross 74 which, alas, was only
worth 35 points off his stingy 1.1 handicap. Also thanks to John’s mates
from Kiwiland for joining the local boys on several occasions.
Friday April 16
Pattaya C.C. -
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place: Andy Moore, 42 points
2nd Place: Jeremy Masse, 39 points
3rd Place: Jim Wickstrom, 38 points
Near Pins: #16 - Robbie Bennett
Florida native and frequent Pattaya visitor Andy Moore
ruled the roost at Pattaya Country Club with his three clear of the field
winning score, but wouldn’t you expect it with a gross 71 good for 42
points! Andy had four birdies and three bogies on the day! Jeremy Masse
showed the value of having his clubs tuned to his personal requirement. He
had the sole plate adjusted to fit the natural angle of his stance on
Thursday and then the next day shot 39 points. I guess he found the problem.
Jim Wickstrom rounded out the podium with his gross 74, 38 points effort.
Robbie Bennett obviously didn’t have a great day given his No Return, but
one swing was good enough to win the Near Pin on the treacherous 16th. No
word on whether he made the putt or not.
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Thursday April 22
Royal Lakeside
Stableford
It seems strangely weird that you have to go as far as
Royal Lakeside to find a course with a full head of grass when at the same
time the courses around Pattaya are bone dry and the water is flying by the
truck load on Beach Road.
 Mike
Gerard, winner A flight.
With the ‘temporary absent for Songkran’ returned to
the fold from the various places around the World where they had sheltered
for the week, a happy bunch set off in the knowledge they would be able to
walk around on nice thick springy grass, and hit shots off grass and not
hard brown earth. Now I know the Pro’s enjoy a tight lie, but as we all
know, not the Amateur.
It is nice to turn up at a course at this time of the
year, you can tee off as soon as you get there, and so we did on this fine
day and enjoyed a fine walk around, a bit warm but with a cooling breeze and
the feel of grass under your toes, what a fine day. Oh the greens were a bit
grassy, but who cares.
 Bob
Benda, winner B flight.
With such fine conditions I expected some fine scores,
particularly as the fourball I was playing in had a course burner in it,
surely the rest could produce a hero? Well no but they did produce a lot of
35 points.
In the A Flight, 0 to 15, we had the round of the day as
Mike Gerard finally came good with a very fine 42 points ahead of in second
Takeshi Hakozaki with 38 points and in third a countback on 35 points won by
Ian Edwards ahead of Ted Morris and Bob Philp.
In the B Flight, 16 upwards, we had a three way countback
on 35 points. The winner was Bob Benda, second was Toy Theobald and third
was Fred Theobald. The Theobalds playing well again.
Royal Lakeside has a fine clubhouse and resting after golf in the cool
was a pleasure.
Burapha hosts “Thank You Press Golf Day”
Former Interior
Minister Major General Sanan Kajornprasart (back row centre) presided over
the prize giving with Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungruangkij (back row
second right) for the Second annual “Thank You Press Golf Day”
tournament.
Burapha Golf and Country Club has hosted its Second annual
“Thank You Press Golf Day” recently.
The International Golf and Country Club, Burapha, is
located in the heart of the booming residential, industrial and tourist
center of Thailand - the Eastern Seaboard of Chonburi. They have announced a
successful year of achievement in the first year of management by Major
General Sanan Kagornprasart.
Burapha International Golf and Country Club was the host course for the
Singha Pattaya Open from April 8 - 11.
PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60s Bar
Friday April 23
Siam C.C.
Stableford
After the super fairways of the day before it was back to
the hard dry fairways and dust bowl rough of Siam, however the greens are
showing signs of recovery and as that is where scores can be made it is a
good sign.
 Bobby
and Tim say good trip to Toy and Fred.
Breakfast as normal at Bobby’s saw a smaller than
normal field to contest the day, however low season and post Songkran nerves
account for that, plus other competitions on the same day.
The course as said was dry and tough and we expected some
indifferent scores, especially as it was pretty hot, but Mike Gerard blitzed
the course and did even better than the day before, I guess the handicap
adjustments this weekend will see a slight blip in his future scores. Still
it is nice to see him have a good two days as he has not played particularly
well of late. As they say ‘Every dog has his day’.
 Bobby
presents to Technical winner Bill.
As said the course is dry and the ball runs a long way
but it seems to be on the recovery trail and a little rain could do wonders.
Sat in the restaurant after we were able to overlook the 18 hole and
surprisingly there were very few flies, something we haven’t missed from
last year.
Back at Bobby’s he had laid out a fine cold meat salad
with some of the best ‘English Beef’ I have tasted for a long time,
especially fine in a crusty bread with Columns Mustard. Why English Beef?
Well according to Bobby it was over done, as indeed he should be.
 Bobby
presents to Mike and Tim
Before Bobby did the presentation the main topic of
conversation was that at this time of the year there are so many good deals
that we, playing on Friday, cannot take advantage of. As such Bobby has
decided to move his day to Tuesday but, as May is already booked, it will
probably commence in July, so watch this space.
One aspect of the night was that Toy and Fred Theobald
are returning to Oman but Fred will retire here shortly so we will have a
new regular pair. Have a good trip.
Then Bobby did his presentation and for once the night
became quiet as all the customers concentrated on the last keg of draught
Carlsberg.
Winner: Mike Gerard
Near Pins: Tim Holt, Derek Brook, Mike Gerard, Bill
Knight
Long Putts: Mike Gerard, Seamus Brennan
PH3 Run 1050
So I said to
“Storming Norman” Swartzkorf “ forget the Gulf War, forget Iraq, how
am I going to enjoy the Songkran festivities in Jomtien then navigate my way
through the multitude to make it to the Hash by 16:00 hours.
Monday?
Well where there’s a Willy there is a way so, without
the assistance of a GPS and using the abundant common sense prevalent in all
hashers I duly make it at the appointed time. This despite the misleading
HHH signs that caused Sir Airhead to turn up a few minutes prior to the
second circle.
All in all 55 hardy soles show up for the annual PH3
Songkran run and when the circle is called we could well have been at a
Leyton Orient home match. This year it has been decided not to bother with a
T-Shirt but to give away free towels designed by today’s intrepid hares:
Ringworm, Big Nose Bastard and Miserable C. Unfortunately Hash rags:
Wan-King did not consider the possibility of a Thai business closing for the
New Year and arrived at the printers to find them closed. Thank heaven for
the G.M.
Charlie Manson who immediately jumps on the dog and bone
and interrupts the printers celebrations to persuade him to bring the towels
up to the A-Site.
The run explained it’s off we jolly well go thankful
that at least we are out of water throwing range. Some hopes. Forty five
minutes of flat and aimless running later things do actually pick up when we
come across the elephant farm. I well remember us all getting thrown out of
here last year, but, after negotiating the wild gibbons, geese and
goats(well they were wild when we showed up) and dodging the vicious water
sprinklers (see, told you I had spoke too soon), we found the hares had
taken a leaf out of the Bush hash, Dirt Hash etc. and arranged a pleasant
beer stop on a pontoon. What next guys five course meals shipped up from the
Royal Cliff? Unlike BNB’s beloved Man United we do not need half-hour
“added time” and twenty minutes of mild shiggy later it is back to the
A-Site where traditional British fare of spring rolls, samosas and crisps
have been laid on. The run verdict: O.K. guys, hash signs apart, a good run
and an good effort. Not as good as mine and The Elephant S. Songkran run
last year but I would say that wouldn’t I?
Circle called and the first time in living memory no ice.
Apparently on Songkran day Sir Chicken F. could not find any block ice, so,
using the aforementioned hashers common sense, crams normal small ice into
four baby baths for use as tonight’s torture. “Ice those hares” is the
call and yes it’s dammed cold down there isn’t it boys and it is
subsequently decided to keep the baby baths as a regular feature.
Wan-King finds himself iced for the hash towels fiasco
before Sir Airhead entertains us in his usual manner and only to receive
some of his own treatment afterward. SCF and Apples Turnover sample their
own invention as punishment for the missing block ice, then Stupid Kraut C.
reenacts his forebears Belsen days this time in reverse by lying half
submerged across the ice baths.
With four runners still missing it’s suggested we
purchase some flares to let off to guide in the lost soles. How about a neon
signing flashing “Drunken and debauched farangs right here”? If lost
runners cannot follow paper on the ground how are they going to make it
through forests and shiggy to see a tailing off flare 500 feet in the air?
As with the recent bleat about using sweepers, why are these absurd ideas
made by people who average five runs a year? Good news at least, the sign-up
fee is coming down fifty baht thus saving several embassies’s the cost of
repatriation.
Virgins and returners dealt with then SCF takes the
circle and informs us MC has stopped giving his mia Rainbow any further
funds as she is spending his hard earned gelt too quickly. MC also wishes to
get in touch with Drippy as the cats are ruining his garden.
The missing runners make it back somehow. (What without
flares or sweepers!)
It’s P. Pole Dancers birthday and MC’s 5th hare so a
down down is the order of the day. The hares sing a convoluted song about
someone’s Rhode Island Red but sung with much gusto.
Making a rare appearance Festering Streaker takes the
circle and ices myself along with mia Flipper, Really S. B., SCF and T-4.
Quite why we never did find out. Perhaps FS is miffed by the rumour that he
only needs two more Thursday Unmentionable Hash runs to do catch up with his
wife’s total.
Hash Hymn duly strangled and it’s back to the new Hash
bar Mona Lisa for what I assume in personal abstensia was excellent fare.
Many thanks Tadpole. If I have forgotten anyone my apologies. Faces and
fannies I never forget but names are for tombstones.
On On
FreeWilly
Mickey Mouse Darts League
No changes in the league standings this week as the top three teams,
Pleasure Dome, Rising Sun and Smugglers won all against Devonshire, Bunker
and Helicopter respectively. PSI could only manage the beer agaisnt
revitalized Cheers, who have won 2 games on the trot. Palmers won the game
but could not manage the beer against the Windsor Tavern. The heat is on at
the bottom of the table as to who will take the Wooden Spoon!
Note: Do not phone the results to Kevin’s mobile phone
as it has been stolen, phone the bar or Mark.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
The final act of the three part play of “Who wants to
be a heavyweight champion” played itself out at the Staples Center in Los
Angeles Sunday morning when referee Jon Schorle stopped it at 2:46 of round
8.
Vitali Klitschko (34-2) could claim the WBC World
heavyweight Championship.
He had avenged his brother’s KO loss to Corrie Sanders
last March. In that one Sanders knocked Wlad Klitschko down 4 times on the
way to a second stanza TKO.
Vitali didn’t get any knockdowns but his win was as
convincing as he battered Sanders from pillar to post. There are those that
will claim that Sanders showed up for the fight of his life out of shape. He
claimed that he’d been in the gym every day for three hours since his last
fight. It’s what he didn’t say tat may hold the key. “He never said he
was training.” At 235 he wasn’t in boxing shape. He was showing some
“Do Lap Disease”. His belly and love handles “do lap” over his
trunks.
The Cory Sanders that was trailing badly in the fight at
79-71 when it was stopped started fast. He managed to take the first round
with a good left and then ran out of steam. Klitschko was the aggressor
throughout having little trouble finding a home for either left or right
hand.
On what this means in the grand scheme of all things in
heavyweight is a question that hasn’t been answered. After four fights in
one month the only constant is that things are the same. It may be that two
fighters, James Toney and Roy Jones Jr., will have to be added to the broth
before the sporting public wants to dip their spoons into the heavyweight
stew again.
Klitschko-Sanders was OK, Byrd-Golota very good with
Ruiz-Qquendo being lousy. Vitali Klitschko will now rightfully be considered
“THE” Heavyweight champion. There’s nothing in the wings to add any
luster. What the heck it was a good try at pumping some life back into a
division that fuels boxing. Right now the heavy’s and the noble sports of
boxing is “Running on Empty”.
Happy May Day to all. I’m sure that most of you will
spend the morrow watching “the young fems” do their own May Pole Dance
in celebration. Try the TQ. Word is they have a good crew of
“Terpsichorean Tigers” for your viewing pleasure.
Tomorrow Veerapol Sahaprom will defend his 118 lb title
against WBC#14 Julio Cesar Avila of Mexico at the temporary open-air ring on
the bank of the Mekong, close by the Thai-Lao friendship bridge in Nongkai,
Thailand. The fight itself is as close to a “walkover” as one can get.
If you have to choose between viewing a May Pole Dance or watching this
fight on the telly, go for the culture. “Dance can be so rewarding.”
The action should pick up a bit on May 5 when former WBA
minimumweight champion Chana Porpaoin ( 52-3-1) will challenge for the WBA
105 lb interim title against Juan Landaeta (15-2) at Rachadamnern Stadium in
Bangkok, Thailand. This is a rematch of their controversial bout on January
31 of this year. Of course depending on which fighter you support anything
short of a KO is usually “controversial”. Sometimes even KO’s rank in
that category. Example? Wlad Klitschko getting knocked silly by Lamon
Brewster and then wanting his #1 rankling to remain cause he “got
tired.” He claimed that his second put Vaseline on his leg before the
fight so that made him tired. Vaseline on legs? Interesting.
Back to Porpaoin-Landaeta. When they boxed the first time
it was on Landaeta’s home turf. With the WBA being a Latin based
organization if I were Porpaoin I would have thunk it a little “dodgy”
to travel to Venezuela in an attempt to dethrone the champ. With
Porpaoin’s vast edge in experience what should have been an easy fight
turned into a strange unanimous decision for the hometown guy. Strange
because of the scores of 114-113, 115-112, 116-111. One can wonder what
fight at least one of the judges was watching. Little hard to explain. Look
for Porpaoin to turn the table at home. Paybacks are a “female dog”.
Let’s jump ahead to next Friday as there’s a big time
box fight a week from today in Bangkok when WBO Bantamweight Champ Cruz
Carbajal (24-11-1) laces’em up against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (55-8). The
Cruz Carbajal Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (55-8) match-up has all the ingredients
of making a fine afternoon stew. The meeting at Nakhonratchasima, Thailand
on the Phor Koon University grounds would be a great afternoon view in
person or on the telly. No real need to chronicle the exploits of Vorapin
but I will. His 8 marks on the lose side came against the likes of Chris
Johns (33-0), “Terrible” Tim Austin (25-1), Gerry Penalosa (46-5) and
Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson (43-3). Like old man watch lady walk to music
not a stiff in the bunch. His biggest win was in USA over former champ Danny
Romero (44-5). Carbajal has a similar situation. He’s lost 11 but to very
good fighters.
At one time he was 18-11. Starting in 2001 he turned the
corner going 6 and naught since.
Local lad WBA #2 Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (17-0) had a good outing
recently when he retained his PABA bantam title. He achieved the successful
title defense by stopping Takhir Ibragimov at 1:43 of the 10th stanza. The
beginning of the end came in the 8th when the champ opened a cut on the
challengers right eyebrow. A vicious left hook did the business. With the
win Poonsawat now wants a chance to take on WBA Champ Johnny Bredahl a
champion who can’t get anyone to promote his fights. If the heavyweights
lack a presents Bredahl’s WBA title is the Bermuda Triangle of boxing. He
went in and disappeared. Welcome to Thailand Johnny and bring your title.
I’ll drink to that.
|
