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‘Home-Towners’ score high at Samui Regatta
Sailors from Pattaya’s Royal Varuna Yacht Club and the Sattahip Naval
Base won two of the five events comprising the recently completed Third Koh
Samui Regatta, with good placings in the other classes of the five, which
comprised this year’s championship.
 Royal
Varuna’s lady helm Saranya Makinson drives ‘Magic Roundabout’ and her
crew hard to windward in the Coconut Land and House Race.
Thai entries, Veerasit Pougnak, ‘Naval Academy Two’
and Radab Kanjanavanit ‘Cedar Swan’, collected the most attractive
Waterford Crystal prizes for placing first in Class 2 and Class 4
Multihulls, respectively.
Probably the hardest-fought Division was the Class Two,
when Ocean Marina/Royal Varuna Yacht Club sailors, with lovely lady helm
Saranya Makinson, driving Gary Baguley’s ‘Magic Roundabout’- and her
crew - winning the last race, to displace erstwhile second-placed Sattahip
sailor Rachit Sanphakaew, on a countback.
Sam Chan
and Russ Parker’s crew on ‘Ffreefire’, from Hong Kong clear on any
competition of day 3 racing (photo by Louis Tung).
And one must bear in mind that Gary and his crew sailed
“Magic Roundabout” for 30 hours from Royal Varuna, some 600 nautical
miles to Koh Samui, into the very ‘teeth’ of a raging south-westerly,
arriving on Samui in time for the first race.
 Varunain,
Radab Kanchanavanit pushes ‘Cedar Swan’ to five straight wins, to take
the Crystal Bowl for the Class 4 Multihulls.
In the other Divisions, Hong Kong entries, Sam Chan/Russ
Parker’s ‘Ffreefire’ and Marcel Leidts ‘Hocux Pocux 2’, won
Classes 1A and 1B, respectively and Singaporean Jonathan Mahony won the
Class 3 Sports Boats Division.
The 2004 Third Samui Regatta ended on Saturday, with the
host venue, the Central Samui Beach Resort’s own race and the Gala Awards
Presentation Dinner at the resort’s splendid Chaweng sea-front gardens.
It had been five days of exciting, close racing, with
something a little different each day. With the exception of Friday, the
winds were mostly favourable, averaging some 15-knots for every day,
starting west-south-west and backing around to south-west during the day.
Friday, the penultimate race day started light, filled in to about 12-knots
and then died, many of the yachts being forced to accept a tow home in the
darkness.
But, that certainly did not dampen any ardour for the
splendid party at Zazen Resort, Bophut Beach and the Coconut Land and House
Race Awards ceremony, featuring some exotic dancers!
Results, counting the best five out of the six races held:
Class 1A:
1. Russ Parker, “Ffreefire, Hong Kong (6.0)
2. Ray Roberts, “Ulumulu”, Malaysia (9.0)
3. Gerry Daughton, “Outrageous”,
Hong Kong (14)
Class 1B
1. Marcel Liedts, ‘Hocux Pocux 2’,
Hong Kong (6.0)
2. Peter Churchouse, ‘Moonblue2’,
Hong Kong (11)
3. Ian Nicholson, ‘Intrigue of Stornaway’,
Hong Kong (14)
4. Suwan Poopoksakul, ‘Lawana’,
Thailand (22)
Class 2
1. Veerasit Pougnak, ‘Naval Academy Two’,
Thailand (6.0)
2. Saranya Makinson, “Magic Roundabout”,
Thailand (13)
3. Rachit Sanpakhaew,
‘Naval Academy One’, Thailand (13)
4. David Lindahl, ‘La Samudra’, Thailand (16)
5. David Pollard, ‘Foreign Exchange 2’,
Thailand (19)
6. Matt McGrath, ‘Amanda’, Thailand (33)
7. Grenville Fordham, ‘Image Asia Melissa’
Thailand (37)
8. Mongkol Kiatkanjanakul, ‘Southern Light’,
Thailand (52)
Class 3 Sports Boats
1. Jonathan Mahony, ‘Happy Endings’,
Singapore (6.0)
2. David Bell, ‘Pink Pussy-cat’,
Thailand (8.0)
3. Mark Horward, ‘Image Asia Attitude 8’,
Thailand (19)
Class 4 Multihulls
1. Radab Kanhanavanit, ‘Cedar Swan’,
Thailand (5.0)
2. Kirati Assakul, ‘Sonic’, Thailand (13)
3. Francesco Brancaccio, ‘Vivace’,
Thailand (24)
4. Martin Peters, ‘Nok Talay’, Thailand (28)
5. Kim Thomas, ‘Coco Blues’, Thailand (30)
Pattaya Pool League
Standings May 25
Q Cars moves into third place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Q Cars took sole possession of third place after taking
two points from Jack & Tar with Lenz leading the way with games of 209,
185 and 187 for a 581 series. Tue had a 201 game and 556 series, and Morn
added a good 541-pin count for Jack & Tar.
 200
bowlers - Tue, Lenz, Mio, Nual, Ooy, and Jeed
Paul (P.K.) led Three Sisters to a three-point win over
Nam Tip to increase their first place lead. P.K. had a 544 series and Jeed
was best for Nam Tip rolling a 216 game and 520 pins total.
Alt Koelle took four points from second place Brother D
behind Nual’s great bowling with games of 212, 226 and 176 for a 614
series and Captain Otto added a 502 series. Brother D bowled good also with
Ooy rolling a 202 game, 528 series and Bill knocked down 518 pins.
VFW Post 9876 led by Captain Bill’s 528 series took four points from
Cafe Ole as Somrak tipped over 519 pins for Caf? Ole. House of the Golden
Coin split their match against Cafe Kronborg at two points each. Captain
Mio, Golden Coin, had a 201 game, 554 series and Lada added a 527-pin total
as Captain Kran, Cafe Kronborg, knocked down 528 pins and Suphan added 503
for her team.
Pattaya 9 Ball Pool League
Wednesday Quiz League
Sunday Quiz League
Mike Allidi’s Triple Crown
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s
Sunday
May23
Green Valley -
White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place A Flight: Mike Allidi, net 67
2nd Place A Flight: Mark “Woody” Sherwood, net 70
3rd Place A Flight: An Kaesavane, net 71
1st Place B Flight: Colin Davis, net 66
2nd Place B Flight: Ken Kutzing, net 70
3rd Place B Flight: Roger Koehler, net 71
Near Pins: #16 Jan Eriksen (Lob Wedge)
Today’s author extends his heartfelt apologies for the
redundant message that is to follow. Get used to it, “Mike Allidi wins!”
Michael had a level par, off the stick 72, on this the first offering in the
week that was. Because superlatives will not serve this article so a new
measuring stick will be offered. As many of you know, the IPGC, of which
Lewiinski’s is a member, provides weekly handicap updates utilizing the
English/Irish/Australian/European (did I forget anyone?) CONGU system.
The standard of excellence to which each course is
measured is the SSS or Standard Scratch Score. That equates to the Course
Rating of the USGA system and “is the score which a scratch player is
expected to return in ideal conditions over a measured course.”
The SSS for Green Valley is 70.0, so when viewed in this
light Mike was but two over the SSS, off the stick, still fantastic, but not
yet the week’s highlight. Stay tuned.
A word about the rest of the society starts with B Flight
winner, Colin ‘The Donkey’ Davis, who has been seen at the pay window
consistently of late, but who had not made a handicap move. That changed
today with Colin’s exemplary net 66. Queued behind Colin in B Flight were
Kenny Kutzing and Roger Koehler. In the accomplished upper Flight,
‘Woody’ Sherwood followed this week’s title boy with a gross 74, net
70 effort, to take second. Woody, who is caddy to accomplished European and
U.S. PGA player Freddie Jacobsen, showed he can play a bit on his own.
Woody, who visits Pattaya quite regularly, had the birth of his boss’s
child to thank for this mid-season break. A step below on the podium stood
An Kaesavane whose return to golfing form was welcomed by all.
Monday May 24
Pattaya C.C. -
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place A Flight: Jim Brackett, 38 points
2nd Place A Flight: John Emmerson, 38 points
1st Place B Flight: Ben Findon, 38 points
2nd Place B Flight: Ken Kutzing, 36 points
Near Pin: #16 Jim Brackett
OK gang, here’s your chance, Mike Allidi took the day
off. Jim Brackett seized the moment to edge golf manager John Emmerson for A
Flight gold, aided by fine play and the ol’ count back. Ben Findon matched
Jim’s and John’s 38 point total but saw it to be good enough to be two
clear of Ken Kutzing. It was Kenny’s second silver in two days.
Wednesday May 26
Treasure Hill -
Yellow and
White Tees
Stableford
1st Place Yellow Flight: Mike Allidi, net 70
2nd Place Yellow Flight: Kevin Bowman, net 74
3rd Place White Flight: Jay Burns, net 75
1st Place Yellow Flight: Mick O’Connor, net 73
Near Pins: #13 white: Mike Allidi; #13 yellow: Bruce McAdam
Sometimes one has to go to multiple count backs to
determine the winners and other times the winners jump right of the page.
For the midweek tilt at the Yoshikazu Kato designed Treasure Hill course the
latter was the case. (As an aside, Mr Kato designed the Canyon course at
Blue Canyon in Phuket, where the 1998 Johnny Walker was held, and, at which,
Tiger came from eight back to edge Ernie Els.) This day’s field was split
by those that wished to play the 6,726 yd. White tees and those that wished
to play the 6,377 yd. Yellow tees. Both set-ups presented significant
challenges. Given this week’s title, it is no surprise that Mike Allidi
continued to display consistent high ability. Mike cleared the White tee
field by three strokes and was the only player off either configuration to
better his handicap. Put against the Allidi-o-meter, Mike was just three
over the SSS for the white teed course, the difficulty of which was
magnified by the day’s windy conditions (remember SSS is computed assuming
‘ideal conditions’). He surely can’t do better than that, or can he?
Save for the heroics of Mike, second and third place
holders, Kevin Bowman and Jay Burns, themselves separated by but one stroke,
were four clear of the balance of their Flight! Mick O’Connor, who has
shown he can now be every bit competitive off his relatively new 17
handicap, cleared the Yellow Flight field by a whopping six (6) strokes in
winning his first Lewiinski’s competition! Congrats Mick!
Friday May 28
Khao Kheow -
White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Place A Flight: Mike Allidi, net 62
2nd Place A Flight: Jay Burns, net 68
3rd A Flight: Jim Brackett, net 71
1st Place B Flight: Claus Birk Thomsen, net 63
2nd Place B Flight: J.J. Wright, net 69
3rd Place B Flight: Neil Cameron, net 73
1st Place C Flight: Tom Cody, net 67
2nd Place C Flight: Kevin Bowman, net 70
3rd Place C Flight: Danny Dyke, net 74
Near Pins: #B8 Mark “Woody” Sherwood; #C8 Jen Schunemann
And now for the piece de resistance (I apologize to our
French, Quebecois and Somalian readers for the omission of appropriate
accent marks). Get out the Allidi-o-meter and you will find that Mike was
one under the SSS of the forgiving white tee setup of the B and C nines of
Khao Kheow, off the stick! That is gross 67 (six birdies, one bogie and
eleven pars), net 62, on a course, which while being shortish, is rife with
water hazards and bunkers. We, simply, are not worthy!
What a day to shoot net 63, as Claus Birk Thomsen did,
and have to be content with gold in B Flight and a postscript to the day’s
top story. And yes, I know Tom Cody took C Flight with a net 67. Sure Jay
Burns shot 72 off the stick in taking A Flight silver. And I can read where
JJ snuck into the net 60’s to take the silver in B. You hate to forget
that engaging humorist Jimmy Brackett, ‘club maker to the stars’ Neil
Cameron and colorful Danny Dyke completed their respective Flights’
podiums. How about Johnny Hillier and the Donkey losing count backs, the
former despite netting one under par? You’d like to be excited, but
let’s face it, it was Mike’s week!
Onwards and upwards goes Mick
On Tuesday May 25, the Boys from The Bunker headed to Laem
Chabang to play a Medal Competition.
This was the first time for over a year that The Bunker Boys
had returned to Laem Chabang, so for a lot of the golfers it was their first
visit to this beautiful course. Playing courses A and B on a very hot day,
nobody managed to break par. In first place steady pensioner George Redgewell
shot a 75 net followed by, in joint second place, Mick Ramshaw and Lez Hall. The
Bunker Bonanza Bonus was not won and the Bunker Bananas were presented to John
King.
George Redgewell makes it a
double 1st!
Thursday May 27, the Bunker Boys went to Phoenix Country Club
for a Stableford Competition and once again this course was in superb shape, the
fairways and greens were in pristine condition. Tuesday’s winner George
Redgewell was in top form once again firing in 41 Stableford points to run away
with first prize. Although George is now the grand old age of 74, every one of
his drives found the centre of the fairway while his short game and putting was
superb. In second place came Mick Ramshaw with 37 Stableford points and third
came the other old age pensioner John Preddy with 36 Stableford points. The
Bunker Bonanza Bonus prize was won by Mick Ramshaw with a 30 yard chip from off
the green.
The Bunker Boys gave him a rousing cheer when back at The
Bunker Bar Mick rang the bell! The Bunker Bananas were presented to Colin Wilkes
for his last place.
After 6 years of neglect The Bunker Bar has been renovated,
so now golfers can enjoy a meal and a beer in very pleasant surroundings. Also.
The Bunker website is now up and running so all golfing information can be seen
@ www.bunkerboys.com
More information about other activities at The Bunker, which
includes Darts nights, Pool League games and Quiz nights can also be seen on our
website. Feel free to come along and have some fun playing your favourite games.
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Apologies to all our regular readers both here in Pattaya
and overseas, who look forward to their weekly update of golf at The Haven,
as last weeks report failed to appear. This was due to avoidable
circumstances as the usual scribe suffered a heart attack following the
pressures of the weekly golf organisation and all the attendant problems
concerning who will play (or not) with who, who will travel together and who
will sit in the back seat and direct the driver. The only surprise was in
the manner and timing, as all the local pundits had it happening with his
hands round the neck of one of the staff as he gave them detailed
instructions of where to go and how to perform their duties. Most of you
will be glad to hear that following a short stay in the Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital and some treatment, he has now recovered and has taken up his
responsibilities once again, and all that is left to be finalised is “who
owns the small doll with all the pins stuck in it, found attached under the
docs usual chair”.
Monday May 24
Khao Kheow A & B
Stableford
1st Al Rolnik, 32
2nd Richard Garland, 31
3rd Dave Lee, 30
In the absence of “The Doc” Trevor Edge took over the
day to day organisation of the golf and did it so well, many were hoping
that it would be several weeks in rehab before a return to the old regime.
Khao Kheow is still working on many of the yellow tees
and so many of the positions have been moved back to the blacks. This makes
for a very long and tiring trial of endurance for most the aspirants, as the
final scores would attest.
Al Rolnik took the top spot with a score that was far
more creditable than the mere numbers suggested.
Richard Garland slid into second a shot behind, but it
was left to Dave Lee, although only in third place, to take the top kudos
for effort playing from tees and distances that are usually beyond his
imagination and length.
Getting a two off the yellow tees is never easy at Khao
Kheow and once again the course turned out to be unbeatable for the day’s
contenders as it refused to give one up and the pot was therefore carried
forward.
Before presenting the prizes, Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed back Fred Streeter.
Wednesday May 26
Phoenix Lakes & Ocean
Stableford
1st Al Rolnik, 42
2nd Pete Murray, 41
3rd Peter Emslie, 38
4th Alan Parker, 37
After the rigours of the previous outing it was a stroll
in the park for most of the players as they took on the almost benign Lakes
and Ocean courses. It must be said that the condition at Phoenix at the
moment is as good as any course in the area and offers probably the best
value to be found at this time.
Once again Al Rolnik led home the field by a single shot
and in the process brought tears to the eyes of “Shaky Pete” who playing
in the same group had his best game for several weeks and still lost
everything on the day.
Peter Emslie and Alan Parker were the only other two
players under par and then took third and fourth place respectively.
Richard Garland slipped in the only two of the day to
sweep the pool, including the carry over.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed back Bob Van Mol,
Ciano Glavinia and Tony Quaid.
Friday May28
Siam Country Club
Monthly Medal
Division 1
1st Frank Hughes, 68
2nd Guy Billings, 69
3rd Takeshi Hakozaki, 70 cb9 36.5
4th Cliff Hornsby, 70 cb9 39.5
Division 2
1st Dave Lee, 68
2nd Peter Emslie, 73 cb9 36
3rd Harry Riley, 73 cb9 38.5
For all the sledging that Siam gets, it always manages to
allow players to score and this month’s monthly medal proved no exception,
as both divisions were won with four under returns.
Maybe the lesson to be taken on board is “It is the
same for everyone else today, so just get on with it”. Golf after all is
played on many differing courses under many different conditions, which
surely is one of its charms.
Frank Hughes took the first division by a shot from the
improving Guy Billings who will on his recent showings soon be dropping into
the category one in the handicap standings. Takeshi Hakozaki and Cliff
Hornsby had to be separated by count back to settle third and fourth places.
Dave Lee for the second time in the week showed great
form off the tee and around the greens to secure his first monthly medal and
book his place in the Gold and Silvers at the end of the year. Peter Emslie
just got the better of Harry Riley as the latter faded over the last 4 holes
to drop 5 shots and second place.
Once again there was only one two scored and that was
achieved by Takeshi Hakozaki to round off a successful day.
Prior to the presentations Richard welcomed back Cliff
Hornsby, Gordon Langtry, Don Everett and Frank Hughes.
Hurst & Avery take
seniors podium
Mike Franklin
The May Diana Group Seniors & Ladies Open teed-off at
Pattaya Country Club in fine breezy weather on Thursday May 27. A modest field
of 22 players had an equal split of Seniors and Super Seniors, with just one
lady to complete the start. Banjob Franklin therefore, by default, won the
Ladies prize with relative ease. John Hurst topped the Seniors category with 39
Stableford points, closely followed by runner-up Bob Pearce with 38 points.
Newcomer Keith Avery shot the best score of the day with 41
points to win the Super Seniors, and Danny Dyke’s 38 points was good enough
for the runner up spot.
Near pin prizes went to Alex Buckland, Keith Avery, Philippe
Berra and Paul Hart.
Mick O’Meara’s average round was highlighted by winning
both the long putts on #9 & #18, so at least the putter was working.
At the prize-giving back in the Pattaya Country Club
clubhouse, newcomers Ray Byrne, Dave Mawford, Ken McCarthy, Paul Hart and Keith
Avery were welcomed. Ray Byrne was acknowledged for entering his first ever golf
competition and completing his scorecard requirement for a official handicap.
Thursday June 24 is the next Diana Senior and Ladies Open at
Pattaya Country Club. Sign-up forms are at the Diana Driving range and on the
Diana Golf notice board in the Green Bottle pub.
Rising Sun Bar Golf Society
May results
Tues 4, Laem Chabang Trevor Sharman 38pts and Matt 38pts
Thur 6, Bangpra, Washed Out, Trev & Bern 23pts at the
11
Tues 11, Green Valley Bernard Bailey, 36pts Trev
Thur 13, Eastern Star Trevor Sharman 30pts Roger
Tues 18, Laem Chabang, JJ Harnie 37p, Trevor 36pts
Thur 20, Navy Frank Pilkinton 40pts; Oor Robin 34pts
Tues 25, Green Valley Robin Wilken 36pts; Gerry Cooney
35pts
Thur 27, Khew Kheow Jerry Cooney 32pts Granville.
Same old faces, handicap adjustments required. For more
information on the Rising Bar Golf Society contact the Organiser, Matt
Anderson on tel. 09 247 6673 or email: [email protected]
Nowell is Top Gun at Plutaluang
IPGC Bunker Boys at the OK Corral
On Tuesday, May 25, a motley crew of Bunker Boys
departed the OK Corral to take on the North and West nines at the Royal
Thai Navy course at Plutaluang in their weekly medal event. The day was
clear with a fresh breeze blowing across good fairways and slow greens.
The serenity of the course was broken from the start by the whirling of
Cobra Gold helicopters and concentration was essential. From the
beginning it was going to be a hard toil for John Hughes and Mr. Loy as
their original intention was to take no more than a leisurely stroll in
the peaceful surroundings. However, the lure of an empty course tempted
them into borrowing and hiring equipment to join in the fun.
Further down the field higher handicappers found the
going tough but at the top playing partners Mark Joshua and Steve Nowell
went head-to-head in a titanic dogfight. At the turn Josh held a two shot
net advantage but this was to be blown away by Steve’s customary back
nine surge which saw him post a gross 37 for the tough West nine.
Josh’s net 70 was good enough for second place but the main honours
went to Steve Nowell, again, with his excellent four-under par 68. They
both recorded birdie two’s to scoop the triple rollover Super Sawng
award whilst John Hughes’ prior claim that Plutaluang was a mere
“walk in the park” came back to haunt him as he was ten shots off the
pace at the end and he was nominated the day’ custodian of the Bunker
Boys’ Banana Booby.
Steve Nowell? Ditto!
The Bunker Boys left the OK Corral on Thursday, May
27, for the splendour of nearby Phoenix Golf Club, for their weekly
stableford bash. They found the course in excellent condition with
consistently paced greens. The courses chosen were the Lake and Ocean
nines and the field consisted of three newcomers to the Bunker Boys and
the now notorious novice pairing of Angus McParlane and Denis Smith, mine
host at the OK Corral, both in search of their first official IPGC
handicap.
The star of the day was to be Steve Nowell, for whom
winning with good scores is now expected, and for the second successive
tournament he was to produce a round of stunning quality. A gross score
of level par 36 on the Lakes helped him to a halfway score of 23 points.
Only a couple of hesitant putts and one OB shot on the Ocean nine held
him back, but his round of 42 points was remarkable. Having said that, he
was only one point ahead of a resurgent Mr. Loy, whose patience in
overcoming his recent putting “yips” has vastly improved his game. In
third place, with 36 points, was welcome Aussie newbie, Alan Murdoch,
standing on the Bunker Boys podium in his first round with them.
The Super Sawng award was held over as no-one managed
a birdie two but the Bunker Boys Banana Booby found its way into the
hands of a smiling Mr. Denis for his customary high gross, equalling the
highest checkout in darts, one of his other passions! But the day will be
remembered for the golfing quality of Steve Nowell, whose week’s total
score of ten under par will take some beating.
US Marines take the podium at Shenanigans
Mike Franklin
Cobra Gold US Marines Scott Barnes and Rodney Jones shot the
‘Better Ball’ at Sriracha International Golf Club in the Shenanigans
fortnightly Pairs competition on Tuesday May25.
 May
25 Winners, Scott Barnes and Rodney Jones with a combined 45 Stableford points.
Both relative newcomers to golf, they combined well to return
45 Stableford points, just one point better than runners-up Ian Warwick and Mark
Guthrie with 44 points. It was a fine day with plenty of cloud cover and a brisk
wind, making the conditions very pleasant for a days’ golf.
The course at Sriracha continues to improve, but there are
still areas where work continues around the greens that cause some
inconvenience. Hopefully, new scorecards will be available shortly as the
current cards being issued have a number of hole handicap ratings that do not
match the ratings displayed on the tees, and two holes on the back nine that are
both rated ‘12’. This did cause some confusion as we were scoring a Better
Ball Stableford competition.
 Mark
Guthrie (left) and Ian Warwick (right) received their runners up prizes from
Mike Franklin.
Near Pin technical prizes were won by Larry Willett on # 8,
Ian Edwards on # 12 and # 17, with no-one on the green on # 3. Mark Guthrie sank
the longest putt on # 9 and the man himself, Kim Fletcher on # 18.
Back at Shenanigans the 100 baht Tuesday Special, (this time
Pan fried Fish Fillet served with Shenanigans potato and sweet corn), was up to
its usual high standard and very good value.
Newcomers Tony Oakes and Bert Eckstrom were welcomed, and it
was welcome back to Ben Hogstrom, Ploy Thongpen and two other members of the US
Marine Corps Judith Carrillo and Randy Spencer.
Tuesday June 8th is the next Shenanigans outing to Eastern Star Country Club
and Resort, by which time further improvements will have been completed on the
course, including new drainage at points that traditionally have been ‘wet
areas’. Sign-up, in pairs please, on the golf notice board in Shenanigans, or
e-mail to [email protected] Hope to see you on June 8th.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
All top three teams; Pleasure Dome, Smugglers and Rising Sun were in
good form by taking against PSI, Devonshire and Cheers respectively. Also
in good form by taking all, was Helicopter at Palmers. Windsor Tavern was
thirsty and took beer after losing to the Bunker.
Next fixtures to be played Friday, June 4: Pleasure
Dome vs. Windsor Tavern; Cheers vs. Bunker; Palmers vs. Smugglers;
Devonshire vs. Helicopter; PSI vs. Rising Sun.
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday May 24: Green Valley C.C Stableford
The weather was superb and so was the course, as the boys
teed off for this Stableford Competition. Of course, as is pretty normal
here, immediately before the Competition started the ‘Management’
allowed five and six balls to tee off causing the day to proceed quite
slowly. As they say “What to do”. Still it was a fine day so let’s
enjoy the view.
 Dick
Worden received the Monthly Mug presented by Papa Ray Rogers.
On the day Big Pete Galle proved, as last Monday, he has
an appetite for winning. Pete scored 35 points to win ahead of a countback
on 33 points that saw Mal Shying second, Hansi Barth third and Tournament
Director Dave Richardson fourth.
Thursday May 27: Siam C.C. Stroke - The Monthly Mug
They come out of the woodwork for The Monthly Mug and
despite the competitions of late, being lightly prescribed, this day was
full and bursting with happy determined golfers, and some others.
 Pete
Galle cleaned up at Green Valley.
One thing about starting at Siam C.C. lately, all you
have to do is get there and give Herbie and his group the pins and you do
not see them any more, now you see them, now you don’t. Maybe they are on
a promise? This of course sets a fast standard for the competition, gaps
develop but there is little backing up unless we meet the ubiquitous five
balls. Of course on this day bringing up the rear we had ‘The 230 Club’,
a 3 ball who’s ages add up to 230 years, and they kept up very well!
 Dennis
Edmunds A Flight winner.
The course was not in bad condition, all have their views
but the grass is growing again and the greens are improving if not perfect.
All in all, as this is the course most of us play most often, it is the one
with the biggest variant of opinions. However it provides a fine day out,
close to Pattaya at a reasonable price. Especially for the members.
Back at the Cafe Kronborg, this is the one competition
presented at the Kronborg, the players gathered to learn their fate and to
learn that the A Flight, 0 to 19, had provided the best scores but, as is
usual, the B Flight, 20 upward had provided the eventual Mug Winner.
In the A Flight the winner was Dennis Edmunds with a Net
68 on countback over in second Ian Edwards and in third a three way
countback on net 70 won by Sus Ige with Ebrahim and Bill Plath losing out.
 Doug
Powell (right) and Gerry Carpenter, 1st and 3rd respectively in the B Flight
In the B Flight Doug Powell was presented as winner with
net 69 ahead of Alan Pearce who couldn’t make it as he slept in, and a
countback for third saw Gerry Carpenter win ahead of Dave Richardson.
So to the winner of the Mug and a fine net 67 saw Dick
Worden triumph for the first time. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: #4 Takeshi Hakozaki, #8 Bob Benda, #12 Alan
Cassin, #16 Gert Hansen (within 3 inches)
Long Putt: #9 Jerry Lien, #18 Sus Ige
PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60’s Bar
Friday The May 21: Century
Bang Chang (Stableford)
It was a subdued group that met over breakfast at the
60’s Bar preparing for the day ahead, without the presence of Bobby
enjoying his first Vodka and Tonic of the day. However hopefully he will
soon be released from hospital, as we hear he is on the mend, so we will
soldier on.
 Bobby
‘The Boss’.
The day was set for Bang Chang, as we usually do on the
last Friday of the month. Please note all future day outs will be on a
Tuesday. So off we went and arrived to be met by just what we wanted, an
empty course and super, if a little hot, weather.
The course at present is in fine condition and with the
fine cost of green fees, well worth the visit. These are tough greens and
with most of them elevated, provide a real test for all golfers.
 Bob
Benda, Andy and Ray.
At present there is a new Clubhouse being built and long
term this will be an asset, but most of us find sitting outside after a
round and watching the Sun go down, with a cold beer in your hand is a real
pleasure. Progress has a lot to answer for.
Back at the 60’s Bar the staff had produced some of
Bobby’s fine burgers and salad, so all were taken care of, until Bob Noble
did the presentation and we could all speculate on the future over a cold
beer or three.
Bob
Noble, Derek and Frank.
Winner: Frank Pilkington, Second: Derek Brook
Near Pins: Bob Noble (2), Charlie Devlin and Andy Evans
Long Putts: Bob Benda and Ray Spurling
3 Sisters Golf
Puffy clouds and blue skies set up a perfect day for golf
on Monday. As the scores came in, a few people thought they may be the
winner for the day. As it turned out, one of the last cards in took the
honors for the day. Derek Brook who normally brings up the last group with
Tim Holt on Mondays finally put his game together. With his driver and
putter working, Derek came in with a great score of 43 points.
 Winner
Derek Brook (right) leaving Marvin Smith holding the bag.
Following Derek were a number of good scores. Coming with
41 was Terry Curtis. Terry was the leader with 41 points until the last
minute until Derek’s card arrived. No one expected that score to be beat
but it just wasn’t enough for the day. Almost any other day it would have
been a winner. Just back of Terry were two scores tied at 39. Paul Kraft and
Gerry Carpenter both shot 39 points but could not manage a win. Carl Baumann
thought he had a 39 carded but his handicap had changed from a 21 to 20 so
he dropped a point to come in with 38 points.
Although Bill Key tried to slip into cellar position, he
got kicked out by ‘Old Marvin Smith’ who is back in from the States.
Marvin at 80 plus years old still goes around the golf course without
holding up anyone. Their group is known as the geriatrics, as the average
age of the three must be over 76 years. Can you imagine, between three
people still playing golf, they have over 225 years of experience in life? I
hope that I get to live that long.
Mighty Dubliner Clinch Threepeat - council builds statue of Robbo
MBMG International Casuals League - Week 25
And so, after seven months of sometimes brutal, sometimes
brilliant, yet always entertaining football, the MBMG International League
had come down to The Mighty Dubliner needing one point to clinch an
unprecedented third title in a row. Despite The Scandinavian Vikings
thumping the British Club 5-2 in the early kick off, The Mighty Dubliner
began their fixture against SCI confident of glory.
However, SCI have never been a team that follows scripts
and, after a ferocious assault upon the Mighty Dubliner, they took a shock
early lead through loan signing, Iain Irwing, which they kept to half time.
After harsh words during the break, The Mighty Dubliner surged forward and,
after striking the woodwork four times, finally equalized through rampaging
midfielder, Amirahmadi. With the final whistle came, across the metropolis,
an eruption of spontaneous celebration, as thousands of Mighty Dubliner
supporters spilled into the streets, dancing and singing and setting up
impromptu street parties, to celebrate what the media are calling ‘The
Threepeat.’
Indeed, it is a remarkable achievement by the Mighty
Dubliner, as the statistics point out: over three seasons they lost only
twice, winning a total of 43 and conceding a mere 40 goals. In the words of
SCI manager John Macgugan, ‘They are a Phenomenon’.
When the game ended, in recognition of the team’s
achievements the municipal government unveiled plans to build a sixty-foot
bronze statue of the team’s legendary manager Robbo, to be placed opposite
the Dubliner pub, as recognition of his glory. On hearing this, a tearful
Robbo, said, “Well, it’s a very humbling experience, but although my
tenure as manager has been one of unbridled success my players deserve some
credit, and I’ll be asking the council to put up a couple of smaller
statues, made out of matchsticks, no more than two or three feet high, to
commend their part in my victories.”
Yet, with Robbo retiring at the end of the season, there are fears for
the team’s future, on this Robbo commented, “I hope they get relegated
next season, then my glorious achievements will be seen as even greater!”
Results Week 25:
Patana 3 vs. 0 Racing Club Pattaya
Bangkok United 4 vs. 1 German All Stars
British Club Casuals 2 vs. 5 Scandinavian Vikings
SCI Gecko FC 1 vs. 1 The Dubliner
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
If it were Quail it would be called a covey. If it were
cattle it would be called a herd. If a “string of dancing and prancing
lovely brown skinned brown eyed black haired lady’s” it would be Monkey
House Fred’s New Las Vegas. But it’s none of those items described.
It’s boxing so it’s a plethora of contests involving the lads from the
land of “No problem...I do for you.”
WBC#10 Superfly Medgoen Singsurat (35-3, 22 KO’s)
always moving forward got a (118-111 twice and 118-110) UD over Jim Boy
Rodriquez (3-1). Kind of hard to get a ‘generic woodie’ over Medgoen
beating a guy with 4 fights when he won the WBC fly title in 1999 by
destroying Manny Pacquiao. This is not a step forward. Former WBC champ
Sirimongkol Singmanassak (44-2, 26KOs) landed a ‘vicious straight right’
in the opening stanza sending Wuli Mutembo of South Africa to the land of
nod. The time was 2:32 WBO#14 Terdsak Jandaeng (8-0, 6 KO’s) impressively
retained his WBO Asia-Pacific 126lb title as he stopped PABA#14 Marvin
Ayudtod in round 2 at the Mall Shopping Center Thapra in Bangkok.
Japan’s unbeaten WBA #10 ranked, 122-pounder, Shoji
Kimura (17-0, 7 KOs) still has an unblemished record but the bloom may be
off the rose. ‘A rose is a rose is a rose.’ He struggled big time to
‘eke’ out a split decision (97-96, 98-94 and 95-96) over ex-WBA
115-pound champ Yokthai Sith-Oar (29-3-5, 17 KO’s) over ten stanzas’.
The only reason Kimura’s even in the top 10 of anything is a win over
ex-WBA fly ruler Saen Sor Ploenchit last year. The handwriting should have
been on the wall as this was Ploenchit’s second straight loss after going
43-1. When you’ve been a champ and lose to Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (17-6)
it’s got to be ‘Wash Out Time’!
Update on the story from last week about the signing of
Yodsanan Nanathachai (42-2-1) to an exclusive promotional contract with
Banner Promotion of America. When I wrote “Could this ‘signing’ be a
case of one hand not knowing what the other was doing”, I was spot on. In
an email from Mr. Songchai Jr. the following was revealed
“Yodsanan has 3 managers including us. Therefore, you
are right that the other two managers and Yodsanan went to sign the contract
without telling us. This made my father very mad. However, we need to cool
things down and accept what they signed for. It is so unfortunate that my
father could not do anything because we do not have written contract with
the boxer. We treat them as our sons. Even if my father fights for the purse
bid. If we win, we will get only one fight, others will belong to Banner
Promotion. Therefore, now we are trying to solve things amiably. We are
still negotiating with them.”
There is a kinda of big fight Sunday morning Pattaya time
emulating from Las Vegas in the USA. Two of boxing’s superstars, such as a
boxing superstar is today, step in the ring for tune-ups that will lead
eventually to them fighting it out in the fall.
There is the argument that anytime Oscar De La Hoya gets
in the ring its note worthy. He is the only boxer that can guarantee a SRO
audience both in person and TV. You may ask, “But doesn’t his two losses
to Shane Mosley make any difference?”
None whatsoever! Zero, Zip, Nada. This time Oscar (36-3)
fights for the somewhat meaningless WBO 160 pound title against current
champion Felix Sturm (20-0). The rap on Sturm is that his 20-0 record is
made up of more fluff than a short time girls bag of tricks. He was 14 and
nil with only one opponent having a winning record. Combined they were
95-210. The upside is that, while the title is meaningless, Sturm is a
legitimate 160 pounder.
International boxing writer Kevin Iole opines, “To
many, Sturm is little more than a prop for De La Hoya to knock down and get
to a Sept. 18 showdown with undisputed middleweight king Bernard Hopkins. De
La Hoya must beat Sturm, and Hopkins must beat Robert Allen on the same card
to guarantee their fall encounter.”
This will be a test to see ‘If’ Oscar can handle a
true 160 pounder. The win is somewhat pre ordained. More important than the
results, is how De La Hoya looks. If he looks over powering then the fall
match against Bernard Hopkins (43-2-1) takes on added importance. Bernard
Hopkins (43-2-1) takes on Robert Allen (36-4) for the titles that Sturm
doesn’t hold at 160. Hopkins and Allen have fought twice with their first
meeting one of those ‘minor’ footnotes to boxing history.
In 1998 the two met for the IBF title in Las Vegas. It
looked more like a Senior Prom than a title fight. Both fighters were
clinching, grabbing and holding. The constant need to separate them wore out
Referee Miles Lane. In the 4th as Lane forced them apart Hopkins went
through the ropes following on the floor. He landed awkwardly, twisted his
ankle/knee, fight over. Ruled No Contest they met again 6 months later with
Hopkins getting a TKO in 7. This one should be over quick before its
two-beer time.
Very seldom does Iron Mike Tyson say anything that is
worthy of reporting. But like the blind hog finding an acorn, Tyson hit the
jackpot last week. Speaking to an Arizona Newspaper Tyson said about a
possible fight down the road with Antonio Tarver. “I’ll fight him and
show Roy (Jones) how it should have been done — one round.”
Prior to the Jones-Tarver, Jones was looking forward to a really big
money fight with Tyson. A lot like counting your Teelocks before the
retirement check comes in. Since the Jones KO, Tyson isn’t interested in
fighting another loser. “Roy’s going to have to knock that guy (Tarver)
out! He’s got to beat that guy for any credibility.” Who ever though
they’d read Tyson and credibility in the same sentence? I’ll drink to
that!
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