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Gerhard Shultz scores soggy 41
Wins Jackalope Open 2004
Gerhard Shultz scored a soggy 41 Stableford points to win
this year’s Canadian Jackalope Charity Open. Gerhard managed the feat in
what was for many a rain shortened event played at Burapha Country Club on
Friday, Sept. 3.
 Of
the 128 golfers who turned up to do their part for charity, and get in a
game of golf at the same time, an unknown, but much smaller amount were able
to finish their rounds, due to a major monsoon settling in over the event
with only two or three holes to play. This caused a considerable scoring
headache for the official tabulators, but somehow they managed to sort it
all out.
Hats off to those who managed to finish their rounds, as
you are in a small, select group. For the hordes of others, the rain
didn’t seem to damper spirits too much, as spirits ran high, and flowed
freely, especially after the first few trickled into the clubhouse, opening
the floodgates for others to happily follow.
2004
Canadian Jackalope Open committee members Mark Gorda (center) and Dale
Drader present the coveted perpetual championship trophy to this year’s
champion Gerhard Shultz.
However, there was some golf played before the heavens
opened, and some good golf at that. Given the conditions, John Hall’s
scratch 80, which earned him low gross for the tournament, was a round well
played.
 Some
good golf was played before the skies opened and nearly drowned the field.
Jason Payne shot net par, scoring 36 Stableford points
and earning top spot in Division One. Bob Wighton with 34 points and Ian
Warwick with 33 finished second and third in Division One.
Trevor Edge carded 33 Stableford points, good enough to
win Division Two. He was followed by Ramsay Smith (30) and Malcolm Claire
(30) in second and third place for Division Two.
Ray Handford carded 37 Stableford points en route to
winning Division Three. Dream Teamer Kim Fletcher finished second in
Division Three with 35 points, followed by Chris Balzli, also with 35
points, in third.
Saranya Chaiyanont won the Ladies Division with a
rain-hampered 25 points, edging out Elizabeth Richardson, also with 25
points, on count back.
Volker Esser won the Rabbits Division with 35 points.
Kevin Smith finished second in the Rabbits with 33 points.
Richard Wardell won the coveted closest to the keg
technical prize. Rumor has it he made a lot of friends after the tournament.
Other technical prize winners included: Long Drive Div 1
Denis Dixon, Div 2 Ian Harvey, Rabbits Chris Platten.
Near pins, A3: Div 1 Tom Duncan, Div 2 Trevor Edge, Div 3
Ramsay Smith, Ladies Nora Haugsjordet, Rabbits Alan Richardson. A6: Div 1
Andrew Branigan, Div 2 Brian Edwards, Div 3 Scott Cosban, Ladies Meghan
O’Keefe, Rabbits Peter Wickenden. B3: Div 1 Tom Duncan, Div 2 Stephan Hoge,
Div 3 Dene Mundy. B8: Div 1 John Hall, Div 2 Gerhard Shultz, Div 3 Scott
Cosban, Ladies Nora Haugsjordet.
The true winners on the day, however, are the local charities that will
be much better off due to the generosity of Pattaya’s Canadian community,
which organizes this event every year. Karunayawet Home For Disabled Ladies,
the Camillian Social Center Rayong, Pattaya Street Kids and Baan Nkong
Charkngaew School in Huay Yai will be the beneficiaries of the over 300,000
baht raised during the event. Thanks to the hard work of event organizers
Mark Gorda, Dale Drader, Matt Millar, Wayne Ogonoski and others, with help
from Richard Livingston, Harry Riley, Malcolm Clare and Stephen Beard, the
amount raised this year is outstanding.
Ace glory for Al McGrory
IPGC Bunker Boys at the OK Corral
Thursday September 2nd was a day to remember in the
annals of Bunker Boys’ golf. It started out innocuously enough with the
short trip to Pattaya Country Club for a stableford competition and ended
with a memorable presentation back at the OK Corral.
 Mr.
Loy (left) congratulated Al McGrory on his ‘hole-in-one’ on sixteenth at
Pattaya Country Club.
A hushed audience heard Mr. Loy say, “I’ll start with
the bananas! Today they go to the five players who all shot two’s, one
each for Steve Nowell, Norm Robinson, Terry Phur and William Macey.”
Aussie Bob Wighton also had a two on his card but this was an eagle on the
long ninth, driving nearly 340 yards and holing out with a pitching wedge. A
fifth banana for him alas!
The reason for Mr. Loy’s generosity was the achievement
of Al McGrory. The current IPGC Champion holed his tee shot, a five iron
from 170 yards, on the difficult par three sixteenth and sent his playing
partners and caddies wild with delight. The Manager and customer services
staff immediately left the clubhouse and made their way to the seventeenth
green where they congratulated Al and promised him an official presentation
with goodies galore, courtesy of the hole sponsors Red Bull.
For Al it was the ultimate in golfing ambition and the
rest of the golfers at the OK Corral shared in the celebrations long into
the night.
For the record, division two results showed PJ Redmond with 37 points,
Brian Bellis with 39 and Richard Wardell with 42. Rule 19 has been applied
to the latter two. In division one William Macey and Steve Nowell shot level
par 36’s with John Healy pipping them with 37. Bob Wighton took the day
with a score of 41 points but all the winners were totally eclipsed by Al
McGrory, a personal highlight for him and a memory to cherish for the rest
of the field. Well done, Al!
Rising Sun Golf Society August Results
Tues 3 Navy:
Lindsay Borthwick 31pts
Thurs 5 Bangpra: Lindsay again! 40pts Paul Sibley 40pts
Tues 10 Phoenix: Roger Privett 35pts
Wed 11 Siam: Matt 30pts
Tues 17 Laem Chabang: Geordie Hudson 45pts
Thurs 19 Navy: Gerry Cooney 39pts
Tues 24 Green Valley: Lindsay 32 pts
Thurs 26 Leam Chabang: Gerry Cooney 40pts
Tues 31 Pattaya Trevor: 36pts
Sign up at 10.30 at the Rising Sun Hotel, bar & restaurant,
13/1SoiYamato. Outings leave at 11 a.m. For further details call organiser,
Matt Anderson 09 247 6673, e-mail [email protected]
PSC golf from Cafe Kronborg
Monday The August 30
Plutaluang Stableford
The Plutaluang Royal Thai Navy Course South and East
layout was host for a stableford competition in two Flights, A Flight 0
to 19 and B Flight 20 upward. The course was in very good condition with
fast, true and consistent greens.
 Jeff
Wylie, a double winner out of the Kronborg.
Big Jeff Wylie took the A Flight with 39 points;
Clive Robinson was second on countback from Alan Sullivan, both 38
points, with an honourable mention for Bill Plath, losing all countbacks,
but with 38 points.
South Korean Maki Park took the B Flight with 43
points, Richard Kubicki was second with 42 points and Pete King was
third with 37 points. The Pattaya Sports Club 42nd Members Open will be
held at Plutaluang on September17, sign up at the Clubhouse and Cafe
Kronborg.
Thursday September 2
Bangpra Stableford
Always a favourite on the calendar, the monthly trip
was well supported despite Thunderstorms overnight and a steady drizzle
as we gathered at The Cafe Kronborg. One or two absentees were noted
however, whether it was the drink the night before or the rain has yet
to be ascertained. However we will find out, we usually do.
 Richard
Kubicki, Thursday winner and second on Monday
The trip down there showed how difficult it is to
forecast the weather on a course a distance from Pattaya, we drove
through alternate pouring rain and dry patches all the way down.
Arriving at the course the rain had stopped, but on the first tee the
caddies put the rain covers on the bags and sure enough down came the
rain. Then it stopped, and the sun did not come out but a light drizzle
set in, making this one of the most enjoyable walk around for a long
time.
 Derek
Bailey coming back to form.
Bangpra on a day like this is a pleasure to play, and
despite being wet the greens were just as fast and tricky as ever.
Indeed it seemed as if the rain had just made them more difficult. In
the A Flight, 0 to 15, the only one to break handicap was Monday’s
winner Jeff Wylie with 38 points, whilst second and third were decided
on countback on 36 points, with Derek Bailey in Second and Thomas
Johansson in third.
The star of the day was in the B Flight, 16 upwards, when Richard
Kubicki came in wit a fine 45 points. After his second on Monday it
looks like Richard is running into top form. Bob Rasmussen came in
second with 37 points and in third place was Arthur Bailey with 35
points, just beating Bob Benda on countback.
Course virgin wins at Sriracha
PSC golf report from The Bunker
On Tuesday August 31, The Boys from The Bunker returned to Sriracha
Country Club for their Medal competition after a break of six months because
of renovations to the course.
 John
Preddy displaying his putting skills.
The fairways were good, the bunkers excellent and the
greens were fast creating great conditions for a very enjoyable round of
golf and Canadian manager Robert Gould made The Bunker Boys very welcome. In
third place was George Redgewell, who has just returned from injury with a
Net 79, runner-up on the day was Brian Wilkins with a Net 78 but William
Macey, playing the course for the first time, came out on top with a fine
score of Net 72.
Near the Pins prizes were shared around between William
Macey, Keith Stanbury and John King.
Thursday’s stableford competition was cancelled this
week due to several Bunker Boys making the dreaded visa run but will be back
as usual next week (see the golf schedule for The Bunker’s golfing venues,
page 51).
The Bunker’s Individual Championship will take place
this month with a two day Medal competition being held at Phoenix Golf
Course on Tuesday September 14 and will conclude at Century Ban Chang Golf
Course on Thursday September16.
All Pattaya Sports Club members with a valid PSC handicap
are welcome to play, please call The Bunker Bar on 038 429 292 or visit us
in Soi Chaiyapoon (near X-zyte Disco) for further details.
And don’t forget, you can get the latest golf schedules for The Bunker
Boys and information about all other sporting activities at The Bunker Bar
by visiting our website: www.bunkerboys golf.com.
Bob’s bender of a day out at Siam
PSC golf from the Three Sisters Bar
The end of August - If it is the rainy season, you sure
can’t complain. So far the rains have been kind to our Monday sessions of
golf. The skies were overcast and grey but no rain in sight. It was a
perfect day for golf.
 Bob
Benda (right), the winner and Paul Kraft (left) is holding the bag.
With the course in good shape, the scores were excellent
for the day. Coming in first to take honours for the day was Bob Benda.
Both he and Nigel Connon came in with 40 points but Bob had a better back
nine. Bob accumulated 21 points on the back as compared to Nigel’s 20.
Following 2 points back were 3 golfers with 38 points.
Paul Kinner, Ian Edwards and Jerry Lien all came in with 38 points but
could not make the move for the top position. A shot missed here and there
cost these golfers a moment of glory.
This week there was as hard fight for the cellar position. Jim Tully who
normally has the lock and key for the cellar managed to pass it on to an
unsuspecting Paul Kraft. For the past few weeks Paul’s game has been
slipping. This week the wheels came off as he came in with 25 points and
Tully managed to garner 26 points to scramble out of the cellar. I’m sure
that Paul will be getting his game together soon and will be blasting his
way out of the cellar. In fact, I see him winning, as his handicap keeps
moving up.
Inaugural Samui Golf Tournament tees off this month
The Santiburi Golf & Country Club will host the first official Golf
Tournament ever held on Samui On September 28 and& 29.
With one of the most spectacular golf courses in Asia to
offer, this event will attract not only Samui players, but also players from
Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Surat Thani, making this a great opportunity for
social and commercial contacts.
Magnificent
sea views from Santiburi Golf & Country Club.
The organising skills of the management team of the
Santiburi Resort and the cooperation of the Samui Golf Association as well
as the presence of at least 3 TV channels will guarantee a smooth and
professional sailing and coverage of the tournament, which promises to be an
important element in the events calendar of the island.
In addition, the approval of this tournament to be staged
on the unique Santiburi Samui Golf & Country Club by Khun Santi Bhirom
Bakhdi, Boonrawd Brewery CEO and the Santiburi Group, is evidence enough for
the impact this event is supposed to have for the island.
Registration is 4,000 baht and includes: Caddie, Cart, F
& B vouchers for 700 Baht, tournament T-shirt, participation at
tournament party at the Santiburi Golf Club House on September 29 at 7 p.m.
(F&B vouchers and tournament T-shirt will be given out on day of play)
Deadline for registration: Saturday, September 25.
You may pay the registration fee sof 4,000 Baht at the
Pattaya Mail offices. Receipt will authorize your participation. Please
carry with you the receipt on the day of play for identification.
Winner and 2 runners up of each handicap group (A, B and
C) will receive official tournament trophies as well as precious additional
prizes such as hotel accommodation in Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui or Phuket.
There will also be prizes for nearest to the pin on all par 3’s and
longest drive on hole 15. The format of play is Stableford
The trophies and prizes will be awarded during the
tournament party on Sept. 29.
For technical reasons, the tournament has to be played on
2 successive mornings on September 28 and 29. The players will be informed
by phone or email until September 25 on which day they will play. The
organizers will take care of players who are not from Samui play on the
29th.
Registration for players and distribution of scorecards
& gimmicks: September 28 & 29: 6am. Shotgun start: 7am.
The Course
Each hole has been positioned along the different
altitudes of the natural hills, which constructs an up-and-down-hill golf
game. The 18 hole championship course is 6,932 yards, par 72 and leads
through a crusade of deep jungle and coconut mangroves while comforted by
the cool breezes from the ocean.
Golfers will be able to enjoy magnificent views of the
ocean and beaches. With such characteristics, Santiburi Samui Country Club
has its own special identity and becomes distinguished from other courses in
Thailand. Check out the course on the web: www.santiburi.com
For further information and accommodation bookings, please email to Prime
Star : [email protected] or call Herbert 09 873 4309 or Horst 09 873 3661.
Introducing the Sandbagger Twins, Mike and Vic
IPGC Golf From Lewiinksi’s
Sunday August 29 Green Valley White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st A Flight: Jack Grindvold, net 68
2nd A Flight: Clive Bruce, net 69
3rd A Flight: Klaus Schackt, net 69
1st B Flight: J.J. Wright, net 66
2nd B Flight: Joe Mooneyham, net 69
3rd B Flight: Colin Davis, net 70
1st C Flight: John “TB” Dearden, net 69
2nd C Flight: Ken Kutzing, net 70
3rd C Flight: Vic Hester, net 71
He was mentioned last week and the week before, and now
taking on a 56 player field, here he is again. I give you Mr. J.J. Wright!
Previously known as the 18 handicapper who knew more about the game than any
mid or high handicapper in town, he is now known as Sunday’s
Man-of-the-Match. And that by a two strokes as his net 66 swept B Flight and
the day. Old Joe Mooneyham and The Donkey battled it out for second with the
former nicking he with the mane by a single stroke. Wacko Jacko, himself a
weekly item was the toast of A Flight as he edged the ever-solid Clive Bruce
and, a name that has been quiet of late, Klaus Schackt. “J the B” joined
Sugar Shack mate J.J. a top his respective flight as he led Ken Kutzing and
Victor “The Inflictor” Hestor home in C.
Tuesday August 31 Laem
Chabang A & B Blue or White Stableford
1st Blue Flight: Phil Mitchell, 37 pts
2nd Blue Flight: Brett Hackett, 35 pts
1st White Flight: Mike Craighead, 46 pts
2nd Place White Flight: Vic Hester, 46 pts
3rd White Flight: Ken Kutzing, 42 pts
Near Pins: #B8 Rick Sharp
Just kidding on that Sandbagger Twins thing! Both Mike
Craighead and Vic Hester have well-seasoned handicaps and Pattaya golf
legacies that are sprinkled with the ups and downs that typify each of our
games. However, it is Low Season and it was a slow week with the 6th
Canadian Jackalope dominating the collective minds of the players, so why
not stir the boys up a bit. Suffice it to say that each player must have
walked off the course with the rightful feeling that he had lapped the
field. Much to the chagrin of Victor ‘The Inflictor”, Mike of the
Maniacs balanced his round to count back advantage and strode off with the
White Flight gold. It must be highlighted that Vic’s front side card was
eight 4’s and a single 3 which means he had two birdies, six pars and a
bogie for a gross 35. Not bad for an 18 handicap. Hmmm, maybe I wasn’t
kidding about that Sandbagger Twin thing!
In the Banger Blues, Flipper Mitchell used his
considerable skills to be the only player under handicap in that Flight as
he collected 37 points to leave Brett Hackett 2 adrift.
Wednesday
September 1
Mountain Shadow White Tees Stroke/Medal
1st Place Eddie Blackwell, net 69
2nd Place Mike Craighead, net 71
It was a competition that was slated for the newly
renamed Crystal Bay (fka Natural Park Resort, fka Panya Resort), however, a
wet surface and cart restriction redirected the guys and gal to its sister
course and Society favorite, Mountain Shadow (fka Natural Park Hill, fka
Panya Hill). Undaunted from the forward white tees, and the limited
field(apparently this is our first week of low season), Mr. Eddie beat the
field by two with a net 69, and second on the podium with his continued good
play which he attributes to softer balls, Mike Craighead.
Thank you from Camilian Center
To the
Jackalope Organizers, Canadian community, Pattaya Sports Club, Premier
Environmental Co and players of the 2004 Jackalope tournament; a heart-felt
thanks from Father Giovanni, the staff and volunteers and most of all from
the children of the Camillian Social Center, Rayong, for the very generous
donation. Kudos to Dale, Bernie and Jerry C.
The Usual Suspects Win at Siam
IPGC Bunker Boys at the OK Corral
On Tuesday, August 31, another large group of Bunker Boys
left the OK Corral for the short trip up the chaos which is Soi Siam to play
the “dame” of the province’s golf courses, Siam Country Club, in their
weekly medal event. The course was well presented and empty - usually a bad
sign - with consistent, if slow, greens.
 Bob
Wighton, shot the day’s best gross at Siam.
With the cut at sixteen and under some steady golfers
found themselves amongst the ranks of the “rabbits” but in the second
division the ever reliable PJ Redmond took it in his stride to post a score
of net 73 and take third place. Brian Bellis played well again to record a
sub par round of 70 but this was not good enough to overhaul the seemingly
perpetual winner Richard Wardell whose net 67 belied his handicap of 28. Off
the tee Richard is as long as some of the regular single figure golfers and,
over the last month his average score has been less than par. One day his
handicap will reflect the quality of his golf.
In division one, canny Bill Hewitt made the podium with
his net 73, one shot behind Terry Phur’s level par 72, but Aussie Bob
Wighton fired the day’s best gross of 79, net 69, to take the day’s
major prize. He had eleven opportunities for birdies in his round but only
made one and for that he was also awarded the Bananas!
PJ Redmond had the honour of shooting the day’s only birdie two on the
par three eighth. Siam had once again done the Bunker Boys proud and the
standard of their golf matched the presentation of the course.
The wonder of Warwick & Willett
Mike Franklin
The well-seasoned partnership of Ian Warwick and Larry
Willett continues to produce good form and this was certainly the case in
the Shenanigans Four Clubs Pairs Scramble at Eastern Star on Tuesday August
31. A gross 69, and a team handicap of 5.4, resulted in a net 63.6 and a
well deserved win. The limitation of only four clubs in the bag did not
prove a problem for Ashley Archibald and Brian Jacks either, as they shot a
gross 70 and a net 65 from their team handicap of 5.
 Seasoned
golf partners Ian Warwick (left) and Larry Willett (right) produced good
form in the Shenanigans Four Clubs Pairs Scramble at Eastern Star on Tuesday
August 31. They carded a gross 69, and a net 63.6 for a well deserved win.
Bill Johnstone was fast away from the course to open his
trophy cabinet for a near pin win on # 3. Andrew Branigan was nearest on #6,
Nora Haugsjordet almost holed out on #13 and Larry Willett nailed it on #17.
Scott Cosban and Ashley Archibald had the longest puts on #9 and #18
respectively.
The course was in good shape overall. The greens were
fine and areas in the fairways and rough that are routinely having weeds
removed and being seeded or re-turfed were marked GUR, or covered by a local
rule providing the option of relief with no penalty.
The weather was excellent, windy and sunny, and ideal for
golf.
Back at Shenanigans, Chef Winai produced an excellent
Spaghetti Carbonara that proved popular as the Tuesday 100 baht Special.
Guinness kindly sponsored the technical prizes again and newcomers to
Shenanigans very Friendly Golf Society, Ashley Archibald, Perry McNeely and
Terry Schofield, were duly welcomed during the prize giving.
Next up, on Tuesday September14, is a visit to Sriracha
for a normal Pairs Scramble, so please sign-up for that in Shenanigans. The
other date for the diary is the Shenanigans Men’s & Ladies Irish Open
on Friday October 1 at Eastern Star. Full details in Pattaya Mail and on the
website: www.shenanigans-pattya.com
Cafe Kronborg moves
into third place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Five weeks to go in the current league and
many teams are still in the trophy race. Cafe Kronborg and Brother D were
the only top teams to win this week as the other front-runners split their
matches. Captain Kran led her Cafe Kronborg team to a three-point win over
Nam Tip as she rolled a 557 series and her team moved into third place. Tue
bowled games of 209, 190 and 190 for a 589 series to lead Brother D to a
three-point victory over VFW Post 9876. Bill Key was best for VFW with a 524
series and Jon added a 506-pin count. First place Three Sisters split their
match with Jack & Tar at two points apiece. Mai bowled a 545 series for
Jack & Tar and Morn added a 212 last game and a 509-pin total. Tien
knocked down 512 pins and P.K. toppled 511 for Three Sisters. 
200
bowlers Tue, Lenz, Morn and Ken.
Second place Q Cars also split their series at two points
each with Cafe Ole. Lenz who had games of 201, 173 and 187, for a 561
series, led Q Cars. Dang and Somrak each had a 508 series for Cafe Ole to
help them salvage two points in the match. Alt Koelle, thanks to Ken Crow,
moved out of last place as they took all four points from House of the
Golden Coin. Ken rolled a 205 game and 551 series to lead Alt Koelle over a
poor bowling Golden Coin team.
Mickey Mouse Darts League
It was a friendly Friday night dart league
last week as 3 out 4 games shared with the away side taking the beer after
losing the match. Palmers at Cheers, Devonshire at Windsor Tavern and Rising
Sung at Pleasure Dome.
Only the Bunker won all at home to Helicopter, where Eric from the Bunker
scored a 180, as did Ian from the Pleasure Dome.
Sunday Quiz League
Wednesday Quiz League
Jomtien 8 ball pool league
Pattaya 9 Ball Pool League
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
Last week in an endeavor to prove that this column
travels around the world “faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap
tall buildings with a single word”, I inserted the following “ Got a tip
from The Lord of Stockholm and Pattaya. That would Mr. S. Lord “Hi Mr
Reed, I just want to tell you that, 17 year old Amir Khan is the new Ali!
Only so you now that I told you first.” He’s back that Mr. Lord. Now he
asks “Lord of Pattaya? Would that be the same as Buddha of Pattaya? “
Probably not but it’s worth a shot.
Exhale, stop holding your breath as the waiting is over.
Prince Naseem, aka “The Lop Eared Camel Jocky”, will return to the ring
early in 2005. There is something to look forward to. Some are of the
opinion that the timing of this announcement has a lot to do with the
emergence of 17-year-old Amir Khan the winner of the Silver Medal at the
recently concluded Olympic Games in Athens.
Naseem, the former WBO and IBF Featherweight Champion,
spoke to BBC Sport on the success of British Olympian Amir Khan: “I am
still fresh and still got the hunger to come back and do what I want to do.
So in early 2005 you will see me back in a ring.” In the parlance of the
young “Yatta, Yatta, Yatta”. Zip it Camel Boy.
Tomorrow Veerapol Sahaprom (44-1-2) will be defending his
WBC Bantamweight title for the 15th time. The bout at Chaophraya Dam’s
Ground, Chainart Province against Cecilio Santos (15-3-2), should be another
outstanding performance for the Champ. Since he won the title in 1998 only
one boxer has posed even a hint of a problem. Toshiaki Nishioka has been the
thorn in the paw of Veerapol Sahaprom. They’ve fought four times with
Nishioka getting only as close as a draw, losing the other three. Who is
Cecilio Santos and why does he get a title fight? Dammed if I know. In point
of fact one week before I’m not really sure that Veerapol is going to step
into the ring against Santos. The original opponent was Ricardo Vargas
(36-10) who received a technical draw last out to Heriberto Ruiz (28-2). The
TD a result of a “unintentional head butt”. But someone will step in the
ring.
The fight will probably be on the telly so after a day of
“Wack...darn...you’re away...I had a four” it might be a good watch as
Veerapol is one of the elite professional boxers in the world. A substantial
argument could be made that he’s also the best Bantamweight. Most rank
Veerapol directly behind Rafael Marquez (32-3). Will they every fight? Not a
chance. They represent different “ranking organizations”. In addition
both select their “partners” like a punter early in the evening. Too bad
that.
Internationally, DeLaHoya-Hopkins promises to be one of
the marquee fights of the year. Both are well known, have skills that set
the standards for professional boxing and can draw attention from the sports
fans. The fact that the meeting is a couple of years late probably won’t
make a bit of difference. If DeLaHoya-Hopkins weren’t the major attraction
of the boxing calendar that title might fall to the October 2 (almost my
birthday cards, letters and libations accepted) contest between Ricardo
Mayorga and the no longer retired Felix Trinidad. Now that one seems in
danger of going by the wayside.
Mayorga was arrested last Friday in Nicaragua by local
authorities as he was attempting to travel to America. Mayorga is accused of
raping a women in a hotel room in Managua: “He was captured this morning
(Friday) at the International Airport... The 20-year-old woman, Arlen
Silvana Sol?rzano, accused Mayorga on Wednesday of hitting her and sexually
abusing her. Mayorga denies the accusations. “I had a normal sexual
relation with her and the hotel employees can testify on my behalf that she
left the hotel very happy. I gave her two 500 c?rdobas bills (about 30
dollars) and we said goodbye,” said Mayorga. Sounds like he’s going to
employ the classic punters defence. “But she said!” Mayorga showed up at
the fights in Las Vegas on Saturday night. “I was set up and that’s all
I am going to say,” Mayorga denied the quote attributed to him in Managua
regarding his fight with Trinidad. “I never said that,” Mayorga said.
“I am going to sleep in the ring and wait for Trinidad.
I will knock him out.” OK then I never wrote it.
The first “really” big fight of the fall turned out
to be less than expected. That’s hard to believe, as I didn’t think much
of it to start with. Cory Spinks (33-2) is the reigning Champ at 147. If he
had fought Miguel Angel Gonzalez (50-4-1) three or four years ago the
contest might have been competitive. But it wasn’t four years ago. The win
was impressive only for the way Spinks dominated as he did almost everything
correct in dominating 118-109 on all cards. Don King the Master of
Misdirection had hyped the heavyweight clash between Lamon Brewster (30-2)
vs. Kali Meehan (29-1), for the WBO title, as something special. Of course
for King it was special as he controls both fighters.
“The winner of this fight will be the saviour of
boxing.” Before you jump out of your chair and yell “Horsedoodle”
allow me to, “Horsedoodle”.
Lemon Brewster Brewster won a majority decision (115-113,
114-113, 113-114) over the former housepainter from New Zealand Kali Meehan.
International boxing journalist Kevin Iole writes, “The crowd of 9,128
(they count empty seats in Las Vegas) clearly felt Meehan won and booed
lustily, and Brewster conceded there was some angst until he heard the
verdict.” Angst is a lot like hoping for something that has little chance
of happening.
“I wasn’t really afraid, but I was concerned. I
definitely felt I had done enough to win and that I had pressed the action.
I’m not happy at all with my performance,” said Brewster.
Angst can also be talking “gibberish”. Iole continues: “both
Brewster and Meehan described the fight as a barnburner, but it was that way
on the scorecards only. The crowd booed its disapproval throughout,
particularly in the early rounds as neither fighter seemed willing to throw
punches.” Now back to this “saviour of boxing deal”. The win for
Brewster propels him into a fight with Evandler Holyfield. Savoir? That
would drive a “sane man” to drink. I think I will thank you.
Chanissa defeats all to win inaugural Pattaya
‘Miss MegaBreak’ 8 Ball competition
MegaBreak is Pattaya’s latest rage for pool and snooker
Dark horse Chanissa Muangwong defeated Ankanaporn
‘Fern’ Tuchaisarn in the final to clinch the 10,000 baht prize money.
The first Miss MegaBreak competition, held last weekend, drew a field of
over 30 of Pattaya’s finest lady players in the 8-ball tournament.
Ankanaporn
‘Fern’ Tuchaisarn, runner up in the final of the ‘Miss MegaBreak’
8-ball competition played last Saturday afternoon.
Megabreak, Pattaya’s newest up-market pool and snooker
venue has been open for just over a month and is already making waves in the
city. It boasts 12 pro-size tables and offers a vast array of food and
beverages for customers to relax in a no-hassle atmosphere. “We have
already surpassed our three month projections,” said Dan Black, MegaBreak
co-owner.
(left
to right) Winner Chanissa Muangwong, Dan Black, MegaBreak co-owner and
tournament organizer, Woraporn Jathaisong, third place and Ankanaporn
‘Fern’ Tuchaisarn second place.
Saturday’s competition was the first of its kind in
Pattaya, and drew great interest from both players and spectators alike. The
ladies dressed for show and ease as they played a knockout competition,
slowly narrowing the field down to the finals. As with any games referee
decisions were called into question in the quarterfinals, building the
tension as the end drew nigh.
In the semifinals Chanissa defeated Supanee ‘The
Witch” in four straight games and Ankanaporn ‘Fern’ Tuchaisarn beat
Woraporn Jathaisong to go on to face Chanissa in the finals, a race to win 5
games.
Both Chanissa and Ankanaporn played some magnificent 8
ball, easily sinking shots and leaving those lesser mortals in awe. Chanissa
triumphed leaving Ankanaporn to take home second place and 2,000 baht and
Woraporn in third place with 500 baht and a trophy.
MegaBreak has two other venues in Bangkok as the pool
fever spreads throughout Thailand. They regularly host major tournaments,
rated as Thailand’s richest.
In November Pattaya’s MegaBreak will play host to the
Asian Challenge where national players from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
and other Asian countries will battle it out on the table for 100,000 baht
in first place prizes.
The venue is located on Soi Diana Inn and is open till 2 a.m. daily.
Pattaya Media loses to Sriracha rivals in football friendly
Decha Chalermyart
Tough competition in the media is an oxymoron but on the
football pitch it warmed. While still fierce, the football friendly saw
Sriracha down Pattaya 4-2 to on the Banglamung pitch last Saturday
afternoon.
 Sriracha
Media (right) proved too big for Pattaya in this tackle. Sriracha won 4-2
against the home side in a football friendly at the Banglamung pitch last
weekend.
Aimed at creating a sense of unity, the football friendly
was organized by local media associations to boost inter-district relations.
In his opening address Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to
the sports and tourism minister re-affirmed the important role the media
plays in society. This was followed by the kick off whistle.
Pattaya took possession at the whistle, scoring in the
opening minute of the game. Ten minutes into the match Pattaya scored
another goal to lead at the end of the first half.
During the opening minutes of the second half Sriracha
usurped possession and scored their first point of the match. Sideline
supporters cheered their teams as the action on the pitch heightened.
Pattaya appeared to be losing steam as Sriracha scored a further 3 goals in
quick succession to win the day; 4-2 against the home side.
The after game festivities at the Gulf Siam Hotel included buffet and
karaoke for players and supporters as newshounds let their hair down for a
brief moment of relaxation.
PH3 - Run 1069
Half a league, half a league, half a league further. Into
the valley of the Wat Yan we rode the 600, (well, 75 actually). Tapioca to
the left of them, Tapioca to the right of them and an A-Site straight from
he set of The Blair Witch Project.
Monday again and there I am minding my own business (you
all know me) and up charges our illustrious GM Alfred Noble to ask me to
scribe but also to refrain from politics. No problem my man and for my next
trick I am going to bring peace to the middle east using nothing more than a
water pistol and my boundless charm.
Alfie boy calls the circle for run number 1,000 -
soixante nuef and our intrepid hares Roald Amundson and Yohan Grieg explain
the run and out into the wild green yonder we trek. Miles and miles of
tapioca, pineapples and rubber trees that drags us up hill and down dale and
gives most participants a good, if not too taxing, workout.
After a suitable period of winding down, Alf calls the
circle and the ever reliable ‘Joan of Arc’ conducts the raffle (rumour
has it there is normally more than fire licking her toes) before the bad RA
General Patton with his usual lust for glory ices the hares.
The assembled multitude, standing among the rubber trees
looking very reminiscent of a witch’s coven, deem the run a good one, so
it’s on to Arsene Wenger who receives cold retribution from his daughter
‘Tales of Narnia’ for interfering with her pocket money.
Visitors, ‘Madonna’ and ‘Lassie Veiren’ receive
well deserved hash trash (do not bring your bad habits to our hash guys).
Glory in slaughter, General Patton gives cold botty treatment to Torr
Hyadyll for cuddling Yahoo Serious’ current beau Parn.
Back to Alf who assembles all the ‘septics’ on ice
for coming top of the medals table at the Olympics.
Never forget boys, it’s not the winning, it’s the
taking part. Or so the losers claim!
Our ‘Swedish Nobleman’ hands the circle to Mark
Dutroux who in turn ices the GM for no apparent reason save he can and power
corrupts.
Anniversary’s this week: ‘Tales of Narnia’ 50 runs
and ‘General Patton’ achieving slightly more with 850 (Phew!). Charlie
Richardson entertains us with tales of his son ‘Tom Thumb’, confusing a
guest room with a new abode and how patrons of the Bang Saray retired
hasher’s home have been buying stolen furniture before serenading the
hares with his version of “Paint It Black”.
‘G.I.Joe’ asks for a name change again and is
subsequently refused. Hey guys how about another equally respectful name
like J. Hovah’s Juice Bag? Returnees dealt with then a couple of
birthdays: Robert Maxwell is 58 and ‘Mother Theresa’ who is -don’t
ask!
The GM asks everyone to remember to wear long pants next
week except for ‘Joan of Arc’ who is understood to be used to grazed
knees. As the Noble GM is about to be Shanghaied for a flight to the Orient
(I normally pay at the turn-style myself). ‘Brendan Behan’ takes control
to introduce some ice spinning from ‘Joan of Arc’ ably assisted by Torr
Hyadyll. Hash Hymn duly strangled then it’s off to TQ1 for hot dogs and
happy hour. If I have forgotten anyone my apologies. Faces and fannies I
never forget but names are for tombstones.
On On Free Willy
Lee claims Formula BMW
Asia drivers’ championship title
Oita, Japan - Hong Kong hero Marchy Lee (Team Meritus)
clinched the 2004 Formula BMW Asia drivers’ title by winning Round 10 of
the series at the Autopolis Circuit in Japan. Second in the race was
Filipino youngster Tyson Sy (Minardi Team Asia), followed by Mehdi Bennani
(Team Meritus), clinched the Rookie Cup title in the process.
 Marchy
Lee (center), Team Meritus clinched the 2004 Formula BMW Asia drivers’
title by winning Round 10 of the series last Sunday at the Autopolis Circuit
in Japan. (Photo by Motorsports Asia)
Lee’s nine victories in ten races give him an
unassailable lead of 190 points. You Kyong Ouk (BMW Korea E-Rain) retains
his second place on the leader board, but Bennani moves up a place into
third, just three points adrift of You.
Said the newly-crowned champion: “I wanted to win the
title as quickly as I could, so this is great. I’ve improved every round,
so I hope I’ve impressed some people already with what I can do.”
Lee got away clean at the start, but Bennani was back on
form and roared off the grid from 3rd, taking 16-year-old Sy in the early
stages of the opening lap. BMW Junior driver Nik Iruwan Nik Izani (Team
Meritus) was also quick off the start, taking fourth from Dado Pena (Minardi
Team Asia) in the opening lap. Meanwhile, Hanss Lin Po Heng (Belgravia
Motorsport) was on a charge from the back of the grid, moving up to 5th by
the end of the 2nd lap. Lin moved in on Iruwan and disaster struck when the
two came together. The resulting damage to Lin’s car put him out of the
race, while Iruwan was able to continue. Ironically, Iruwan was handed a one
minute jump start penalty, meaning Lin’s daring challenge had been for
nothing.
While Lee charged towards the championship title, Sy
continued to challenge Bennani and pressure the Moroccan into making a
mistake. Bennani held firm in second until the very last lap when a puncture
allowed Sy past.
Robert T. Boughey (Minardi Team Asia) scored his
best-ever finish of 5th place, with a brilliant passing manoeuvre to take
You Kyong-Ouk (BMW Korea E-Rain) in the dying stages of the race. Boughey
came in second in the Rookie Cup classification, followed by Han Han of
China (Team E-Rain), thereby inheriting second in the championship from
Iruwan, with Han Han third.
Despite crossing the line in 5th place, Salman Al Khalifa
(Belgravia Motorsport) was also handed a penalty for anticipating the start
putting him back to 10th, as was Dado Pena, who eventually came in 12th.
Rounds 11 and 12 of Formula BMW Asia will be held on September 25-26, as
support races for China’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix at the brand new,
state-of-the-art Shanghai International Circuit. Lee will be looking to
impress in China, but Sy, who has proved what he can do this weekend, has
already thrown down the gauntlet to the new champion. (Motorsports Asia)
Kazishima makes
a clean sweep in Japan
Japan’s Junichi Kazishima made a clean sweep of the
Asian Touring Car Series honours today at Japan’s Autopolis Circuit,
repeating his Round 9 score of overall and Division 3 wins last weekend.
Chen Jun San of Chinese Taipei was second overall in his
Honda Integra DC5, with Kenji Kuroki third in the Team Kuroki Racing Honda
Integra DC5. Starting from second on the grid, Chen lost to Kuroki and Naoya
Yamano off the start, but was back up to third by the end of lap 3, and
moved into second by lap five.
Japan’s
Junichi Kajishima leads the pack at home on the Autopolis Circuit during
round 10 of the the Asian Touring Car Series held Sunday.
It was a surprise and relief for Chen to finish the day
on the podium. He said: “For this round, I changed the setting of the car
which led to some oversteer. It was really difficult for me to control the
car, and at the same time I pushed too hard and went off twice. The second
time I almost crashed. I’m really lucky to have finished the race at all,
but even more fortunate to finish second.”
Kuroki certainly enjoyed the tangle, commenting: “It
was a great race! I overtook Chen when he went off but I believed he’d
come back and take me, so it wasn’t a big surprise when he did.”
In Division 3, Shih Shih Wei of Chinese Taipei crossed
the line in second place in the Buddy Club-AAI CPC Honda Civic EK4. Ben Law
of Hong Kong took his second podium of the day in the Team IMSP Honda Civic
EG6. Law put in a tremendous performance having started from the back of the
grid.
Despite not competing in Japan, Lo Ka Fai of Hong Kong
remains top of the championship leaderboard, followed by Lo Ka Chun just six
points behind, and Ao Chi Hong of Macau in third. In the team standings, it
is 778 Autosport who leads by 35 points, followed by Ao’s Racing and Buddy
Club-AAI CPC.
The final rounds of the Asian Touring Car Series will be held at the
Macau Grand Prix on November 20-21. (Motorsport Asia Limited)
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