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William Macey wins 2-day Bunker Championship
PSC Golf with the Bunker
Day 1 - Phoenix
Country Club
On Tuesday September 14, the first day of a two day
competition to decide The Bunker champion got underway.
 William
Macey (left) receives the Bunker Boys Championship Trophy from John Preddy.
It was a medal competition with 24 entrants, all being
members of the Pattaya Sports Club; the overall winner would be the golfer
with the best aggregate score over two days of golf at two different
courses.
The first round was played off the white tees on the
lakes and Ocean courses at Phoenix Country Club.
The first four ball returned to the clubhouse with George
Redgewell handing in a scorecard with a net 74, but this was only to be in
fifth place at the end of the day.
In the second four ball, 3 handicapper Mike Allidi found
himself in the lead with a net 70 but in the next four ball William Macey
returned a net score of 69 to take over the lead. Paul Rose in the fourth
group returned a good net score of 71 to be within a shout while the fifth
four ball saw Mitch Malone return to the clubhouse with a net 69. The last
group didn’t trouble the leaders, so on to Century Ban Chang on Thursday.
Day 2 - Century Ban Chang
Thursday September 16 was a cloudy day with the threat of
rain, indeed it did rain for half an hour during the middle of the round but
that didn’t dampen the spirits of the golfers playing in the championship.
Terry Phur was to return with a net 68 to put himself in
with a chance of a trophy and Mike Allidi carded a net 74 also to be in the
running. But the main battle turned out to be between William Macey and
Mitch Malone playing head to head.
The scoring was close throughout the game but the last
four holes saw Mitch Malone falter and allow William Macey to overtake him
to become The Bunker Champion of 2004. William carded two fine rounds of
golf, with scores of 69 and 72 for a grand total of net 141. Mitch was one
stroke back with 69 and 73 for a net 142, while Mike Allidi and Terry Phur
were tied for third place, both finishing with net 144. Unluckily for Terry,
Mike took third place on count back.
Bunker Championship leader
board
1st place - William Macey - 141 net
2nd place - Mitch Malone - 142 net
3rd place - Mike Allidi - 144 net
4th place - Terry Phur - 144 net
Arthur Hancock & Toi Blair Scramble Best
Monday September 6 Century
Ban Chang Medal
Mike Franklin
Pleasant overcast weather set the scene at Sriracha
for the Shenanigans Pairs Scramble on Tuesday 14th September. Double
booking on the 1st Tee caused a slightly confused start, but
fortunately the 10th was clear for all groups, bar one, to set off.
 (L
to R) Shenanigans’ friendliest presenter Mike Franklin awards top
prize to Toi Blair and Bob McLachlan, the latter being the friendly
photo-call stand-in for winner Arthur Hancock. (Photo by Bill
‘Mosquito’ Johnstone)
Some good scores were returned on a rather damp
course with little run, but all credit to the Arthur Hancock & Toi
Blair pairing for a gross 71 and net 65 from their team handicap of 6.
Runners-up Usa Chaiyosit & Mikael Andersson also scored gross 71
but a lower team handicap of 4.2 gave them a net 66.8.
The technical holes, kindly sponsored by Guinness,
were the usual par 3s and were claimed by Ian Warwick, Charlie Davlin
and Kim Fletcher. No-one managed to access the green on the par 3 8th.
Toi Blair had the longest first putt on the 9th and I managed to sink
a good one on the 18th, getting the line and pace from partner Banjob
who narrowly missed. A high risk game this pairs golf!
The course continues to improve with quite a bit of
work recently carried out on some of the greens, and the bunkers were
in good shape.
Back at Shenanigans returning faces were duly
welcomed in the form of Toi and Daryl Blair, Bob McLachlan and the
inevitable Traylings Ed, Mam & Joe, now here to stay.
The Tuesday Soup & Pork Chop Night special at
150 baht was excellent, and part of the new Specials menu now
available at Shenanigans.
The next outing on Tuesday 28th September is a
warm-up at Eastern Star for the Shenanigans Men’s & Ladies Irish
Open Championships on Friday October 1st.
Sign-up for both please, in Shenanigans.
Trophy battle heating up
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
With only three weeks remaining in
this league the trophy hunt is heating up. Three Sisters lost three points
to Brother D but remain in first place. Q Cars took all four points from Nam
Tip and moved ahead of Café Kronborg into second place. VFW Post 9876
defeated Café Kronborg three points to one and knocked Kronborg down
to third. Jack & Tar is in fourth place after taking three points from
Alt Koelle. Cafe Ole lost to House of the Golden Coin winning only one
point from Golden Coin.
200
bowlers (L to R) Gert-215, Kran-204, Jon-204, Lenz-215 & 208, and
Bill-213.
The new league team draw will be held at PS Bowl above tops on October 15
followed by a fun-bowling day. The new league starts on October 22. All
Pattaya Sports Club bowlers are invited to join the new league, just show up
on October 15 at 13:30 and your name will be placed in the hat for the draw.
Royal Cliff and Dusit to join up
Local orphanages to benefit from marathon swim
It is a long way to walk from the
Dusit Resort to the point at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, but one man has
found a shortcut. Simon Simms is ‘straight-lining’ it, intending to swim
from the point, across the bay, to the Dusit. What is more, he is going to
do this for charity, helping to raise funds for orphaned children, which
will be administrated by the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.  Simon
Simms plans to swim from the Dusit to the Royal Cliff to raise funds for
orphaned children.
Simon has been a Rotarian for many years and has done
similar marathon swims for charity in Australia, but this is the first
time he has done this here. Touched by the plight of children less
fortunate than his own, he felt that a marathon swim could assist in a
small way in bringing a little ‘extra’ something for the children.
The Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club has swung in behind
him, as has the Pattaya Mail, and this novel event will happen on
Sunday October 31 this year. All that is needed now is for some
good-hearted folk out there in Pattaya (and the Eastern Seaboard) to get
behind Simon and the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club with some sponsorship.
I am sure that for a reasonable sum in sponsorship, Simon could be
persuaded to swim some of the way in corporate regalia!
Simon also welcomes any other long distance swimmers
who would like to join him in the ‘swimathon’. Just bring along your
swim trunks and some sponsorship! There will be one boat per swimmer,
and so far he has never lost a swimmer in any of his marathons! Having
been in the Australian Surf Life-saving association for many years, he
means it too.
If you, or your company, would like to be part of this fun event,
contact any member of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club, contact any
member of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club, or Thor Halland tel. 038
488040, e-mail: [email protected]. Orphans will benefit from this
aquatic experience.
Wednesday Quiz League
Results for 15th September 2004
Appeals
R2Q2: There are two Ossetia’s. One is North
Ossetia which is a Russian Republic and the other is South Ossetia which is
a province of Georgia. Beslan is in the Russian Republic of North Ossetia.
The answer of Ossetia on its own is not acceptable. Nom’s Bar, Bunker,
Londoner, Queen Victoria - all minus two points.
R3 Q8: The fastest hat trick in the
football league was scored by James Hayter of AFC Bournemouth in a Football
League Division 2 match against Wrexham in February 2004. Timed at 2 minutes
20 seconds.
R4Q4: Harry Oakes and Gwen Berryman
were Dan and Doris Archer. In the 1950’s there were numerous
‘Archers’’ with names like Dan, Doris, Jack, Phil, Grace, Christine,
Ben, Simone, Frank, Laura, Peggy, Lillian and Anthony William Daniel to name
just thirteen. The Archers is too broad to accept. Cheers, LK Mansion,
and Bunker - all minus two points.
R6Q3: A steelhead is a migratory
form of Rainbow Trout and is a member of the salmon family. Either answer is
correct. Two points to the twelve teams who wrote salmon.
R6 Q5: The Iron are Scunthorpe
United. West Ham are the ‘Hammers’ although sometimes known as ‘The
Irons’ (note the plural) No Change.
Appeals this week: Nom’s Bar 2, OK
Corral 1.
Sunday Quiz League Results
Jomtien 8 Ball Pool League
Pattaya 9 Ball Pool League
Big week for Bill Plath
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday September 13
Pattaya Country Club
Stroke
The much improved Pattaya Country Club was host for a
stroke play competition in two flights, a flights 0 to 18 and b flight 18
up. Good scores were had by all.
 Arthur
Bailey
Bill Plath took the A flight with a net 68 ahead of Big
Jeff Wylie in second with net 68. In third was Clive Robinson with Peter
Stevens in fourth on net 76 after count back over Anders Carlson and Brian
Noguer.
Steady Old Arthur Bailey took the B flight with a net 70
ahead of Richard Kubicki in second with a net 71. In third was Wayne Koch
with a net 72, on count back ahead of Dave Richardson in fourth.
Thursday September 16
Laem Chabang
Stableford
 Bill
Plath
It is always a pleasure to visit this well manicured Jack
Nicklaus course, and at this time of the year with ‘Sports Days’ on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is time to fill up with memories before the
‘visitors’ come for the high season. Of course during this period we can
make up the gap by playing the ‘lesser courses’ which we tend to forget
during the summer.
On this day the test was the A & B courses, both tough and demanding
courses. The winner of the day was, as also he was on Monday, Bill Plath
with 40 points, ahead of in second Takeshi Hakozaki with 39 points. In third
was Brian Noguer with 38 points and in fourth was Kenny Chung with 36
points.
Takeshi
Hakozaki
PSC 42nd Members Tournament
Friday September 17
The Royal Thai Navy
Course Plutaluang
This competition is played in 4 divisions for the men and
one for the ladies. The A & B flights are played in a stroke format,
whilst the other three are played as a Stableford competition. On this day
96 warriors turned up for the test to be played on the North and West
layouts of this 36-hole golf course.
Flight
winners
On the day the course was well prepared and the players
all assembled for a shotgun start after the normal efficient booking in, and
changing in the fine new clubhouse.
 Low
gross and high points with golf chairman.
This is a fine complex of 4 nine holes, that anytime a
group of golfers meets, starts the difference of opinion on the quality of
the courses. There are those who are admirers of the courses and sing its
praises, and there are those that do not play it if they can avoid it. The
fact of the matter is that like all courses in the area, if you are playing
well it is a great course, and if not, nobody can convince you it is not the
course’s fault. One thing is certain, the welcome that is given by the
controllers of the course and the fine service and prices in the clubhouse
make this a venue to visit.
On the day the results were varied, but one thing is
certain, when one man can shoot a gross 73, then the course can be played
well. The rest of the results were special in that one or two others broke
gross 80, in particular Jeff Wylie in the A flight and Ian Edwards in the B
flight.
In the A flight the winner was the ever present Jeff
Wylie with a fine net 70 and a gross 78. Jeff is always the one to beat in a
gross competition. In second was Ito Akitoshi with a net 73 ahead of Sam
Chinnapongse with a net 75. One of the innovations of the day was the new
flight limit for the A flight, of handicap 12 in an attempt to get more
‘low’ handicappers to play. The ‘experiment’ will be closely
watched.
In the B flight the run away winner was Ian Edwards with
a net 65. Of interest to note is that Ian shot a Gross 79. If he keeps that
up he will soon be good enough to play with the ‘Big Boys’. In second
was Brian Noguer with a net 73 and in third was, losing a count back to
Brian, Mike (Elvis) Gerrard, also 73.
So to the Stableford players, and the winner of the C
flight was Richard Kubicki with 37 points, ahead of a count back on 36
points for second won by Phil Cause with Ramsey Smith in third.
The D flight was won by Danny Dyke with 36 points ahead
of a count back on 34 points won by Keith Avery with Klaus Schiffer in
third.
The ladies flight was won by Usa Chaiyosit with 35
points, ahead of Chant Schwulera on 33 points and Juanita Reed on 28 points.
The day was the ‘coming of age’ of the gross winner,
as Thomas Johansson shot a fine 73 to win. Thomas has been telling me for
some time he is better than his handicap of 6 and will come down, and on
this day proved it. Maybe we should provide a perpetual low gross prize to
save buying a monthly trophy.
The high points winner also has been knocking on the door
for some time and 41 points saw Matt Kirkland win this easily.
At the presentation the golf chairman thanked all his helpers and his
sponsors, mainly, PSC, Blue Parrot, Tahitian Queen, Cafe Kronborg, Mistys,
Diana Group, 60’s Bar, Harley Bar and last but not least McAllisters.
The Hanley’s take
the honours at Green Valley
IPGC TAGGS Golf From The Haven
Monday September 13th
Green Valley
Medal
1st Lamoon Hanley
2nd Trevor Schirmer
3rd Bob Lindborg
After the heavy rains of the previous day at Green
Valley, the course was in excellent condition, although with the tees set
right back, the course played very long, and not surprisingly there was only
one score under par. That was from Lamoon Hanley, playing from the red tees
that had not been moved back. Lamoon’s 71 was enough to beat Trevor
Schirmer by two shots and Bob Lindborg who lost second place to the Sheep
S*****r by virtue of a better back nine. The final podium place was taken by
Big Al Rolnik who beat Masahi Kenata and Terry Morris on count back.
 The
Hanley Family - winners at Green Valley.
The twos were shared by Masashi Kenata and the other half
of the Hanley household, John, in his last game before going back to Abu
Dhabi.
Back at The Haven, Richard Livingston the resident PGA
professional welcomed back Uto Kilvonen, Anders Eldebrandt and the Hanley
family.
Wednesday September 15th
Bangpra
Bogey
1st William Lacy +2
2nd Trevor Schirmer A/s c/b a/s
3rd Al Rolnik A/s c/b 6 +1
4th Trevor Edge A/s c/b 6 -1
On a course that was, as usual, playing very long, only
Bill Macy managed to shoot under par. His plus two was two shots better than
Trevor Schirmer in second place and Al Rolnik in third, who edged out Trevor
Edge with a better count back, back six.
Back at the Haven, Richard Livingston welcomed back P.J.
Redmonds, Bill Macy and Chang Suh.
Friday September 17th
Eastern Star
Stableford
1st Richard Boyer
2nd Dave Lee
3rd Darryl Blair
4th Toy Blair
On a course that had been hit by heavy overnight rains,
it was necessary to play with preferred lies. Trevor Edge managed to hit a
long drive even beyond his wildest dreams - all of fifteen feet! Thereby
exciting some of the local caddies. The competition itself was a stroll in
the park for visitor Richard Boyer whose 43 points was six shots ahead of
Dave Lee (Kimasabi), Darryl Blair and Toy Blair (no going to Bang Chang for
Darryl). Dave took the second spot on the podium by virtue of his count back
21, with Darryl’s 20 and Toy’s 19.
The rollover twos pot was shared by Steve Lockart and
Major Roy Thornton.
Back at the Haven Richard welcomed Malcolm McLachlan, and welcomed back
Richard Boyer and Steve Lochart.
Bellis way out in front at Burapha
IPGC Bunker Boys from the OK Corral
A heavily overcast day on Tuesday, September 14, saw the
Bunker Boys from the OK Corral travel to beautiful Burapha for their weekly
medal event.
The assigned courses were the American Wood and British
Links and the single flight played the course from the blue tees.
Scores were not great and Richard Wardell gets another
mention this week for his net 75 which brought him third place. One shot
ahead was Ron Gale who must be ruing dropping seven shots on B 6 and 7 for
it gave him net 74 and no better. Brian Bellis, so consistent of late, fired
the day’s only sub par round and his excellent net 71 took the day’s
major honour.
Eddie Blackwell had the joy of securing two birdie twos.
His failure to complete the course led to him miss the presentation, but he
took comfort in the fact that he still avoided winning the Banana Booby. In
fact, a strange coincidence led to two golfers, Harry Cowling and Ian
Phillips, not from the same playing group, doffing their caps on the
eighteenth and waving their clubs “cricket style” to celebrate their
hundredth shot of the day. When the applause died down they found a banana
split waiting for them! Maybe they should have left it for two more days
when the aptly named Century Ban Chang would be the venue.
Bob does the job
at Ban Chang
It took a special reason for Mr. Loy to play only his
second round this month and a Stableford competition at Ban Chang provided
the motivation, on Thursday, September 16.
One of his favourite venues, it did not disappoint him or
the other players in the way it was presented and the usual “regulars”
were to feature in the lists again.
Brian Bellis assembled 32 points, despite
“scratching” on three holes, and took third place, whilst Steve Nowell
played an excellent back nine of twenty-one points to help him accumulate a
total of 36 points and take the runners-up place.
Playing for the fifth consecutive day, old hand Bob
Lindborg quickly found his rhythm with three pars and a birdie on the first
five holes and maintained it during the rest of his round to post a score of
37 points and take the top spot.
Amazingly there were no birdie twos for the second
consecutive round and the challenge at Laem Chabang a week later should be
more tense than usual.
Elsewhere the cobwebs were showing in Mr. Loy’s game
and his paltry total of 20 points was a dismal affair, guaranteeing him the
bananas, but, being Ban Chang, the smile was soon back on his face.
Bob Benda takes Burapha by storm
PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60s Bar
Tuesday Sept. 14
Burapha
Stableford
After a night of very heavy rain, by Tuesday morning it
had eased off, but there was still a little rain. One or two golfers cried
off but the diehards who turned up enjoyed breakfast and watched as the
weather cleared slightly.
Nick,
Joe, winner Bob Benda, Max and Kenny celebrate the ending of a fun day.
At 9 a.m., the intrepid golfers set out for the golf
course and met two fellow protagonists there, but the numbers were still
down due to the rain and there was only enough for two tee groups less than
were booked. This causes much concern at Burapha because the PSC had booked
and they complained that they had refused other bookings and that this had
cost them money. Even though we saw no evidence of excess golfers, there is
merit in what they say and all golfers who like to play these better courses
should note that if we do not honor our commitments and bookings these
courses may, in future, adjust our bookings.
 Bobby
Joe enjoys his birthday with some of the staff.
Anyway, back to the game at hand. The weather there was
excellent, there was no problem with having carts and the course itself is
in superb condition. The greens were fast and consistent, the best we have
played on for a long time. Unfortunately, some of our play was below par,
but we all enjoyed it. Back at Bobby Joe’s the crew was surprised with
some “Quack” o’ vin (duck in red wine) while debating over bad shots
and missed putts whilst making our way over the course and back to the
clubhouse.
Not unusually that maestro Bob Benda took the honors with the minor
technical prizes going to Joe Patch and Kenny Chung.
Doug Powell wins on count back at soggy Siam
Three Sisters Monday Golf
Well, it looks like the rainy season finally arrived. As
far as I can remember, this is the first time this year that we did not have
carts and the grounds were wet. This limited the field but we still had a
decent turn out. As the grounds were wet and sometimes almost unplayable,
the scores reflected the conditions of the course.
 Doug
Powell (left) won the day whilst Gordon McKnight (right) was left holding
the bag after a round he would soon like to forget.
There were three golfers tied for the lead with 36 points
but on the count back, Doug Powell won out for the day. Coming in second was
Derrick Brook followed by Ian Edwards. It was anyone’s game for the taking
but for a shot. Hopefully the conditions will be better next week so the
cart riders can participate.
Holding the bag this week was an unfamiliar face. Normally Gordon
McKnight is near the top, or at least running in the middle of the pack.
This week the course conditions or his clubs did a trick on him as he
skidded into the cellar position with a vengeance. I won’t even print his
score as it might embarrass him. Gordon is a much better player as I sure he
will show next week.
Seraph Series has promising start at Ocean Marina
by Peter Cummins
“Seraph”, the stately Danish-built schooner soon to
reach 100 years of age, has a pedigree as long as ‘the arm of the law’,
so to speak. Surviving life in the North Sea as a trading vessel for some 60
years, now, like many of us, “Seraph” has succumbed to the easy, warm
life of Thailand’s magnificent waterways.
The happy
sailors, sponsors and supporters at the Marina party.
This Pattaya Mail correspondent went aboard the
“Seraph” for a first-hand look at the action, as Principal Race Officer
Bill Gasson and his team laid out a triangular course to replace a
long-distance event, due to the light and shifting winds.
The same correspondent was happy to learn that there was
something older than himself out there - and that was the “Seraph” which
is now the focus of Gulf Charters, based at the burgeoning Ocean Marina.
A crowded
start-line
The stately old lady also serves as committee boat for
the ongoing monthly regattas, the most recent of which was held last
weekend, with a splendid party at the Ocean Marina’s waterfront lounge, to
celebrate the first, highly-successful year of yacht racing out of the
Marina.
It also initiated the first event in the three-month
“Seraph Series” which includes three classes, namely: Keelboats, the
Platu Sports Boats and an Ocean-Going Multi-hull class.
And, even as the ‘big people’ were in contention, a
fleet of Optimists was competing in a regatta closer to the shore.
The event attracted 17 entries of which nine were Platus,
some housed at the Marina and a number from the navy base in Sattahip.
Ms Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand and Ms Nusara Banyatpiyaphod, executive director of
the Ocean Marina Yacht Club officiated at the opening ceremony, held at the
“Sailor’s Bar” on the pier. Both noted the success of the racing and
the positive affect on marine tourism which such activities fostered.
Bill Gasson, the driving force behind yacht racing, first
at Phuket and now in the Northern Gulf, pointed out at the party that as the
“Seraph Series” opened and the Ocean Marina Yacht Club entered its
second year, it promised to be bigger and better than the inaugural year.
The Series will be conducted through October and November
and each participant will be able to count the best two results out of the
three weekends of racing for the final placing.
Bill also announced the planning of a “Top of the
Gulf” regatta, to take place out of the Ocean Marina in the first week of
May, to co-ordinate with many yacht racing events being held around the
Kingdom.
“This new regatta will include ALL classes racing in
the Kingdom - ranging from the junior trainer, the Optimist, to the mighty
ocean-going multihulls and keel boats,” said Bill. “We shall also
include the Coronation Cup, a special event for Platus, held each year over
the Coronation weekend of the fifth of May,” he added.
Phil Harper of Gulf Charters pointed out that monthly
regattas are held at Ocean Marina on the 2nd weekend of each month.
Ocean Marina, Buzzcats and Gulf Charters are sponsoring
the event and Phil noted that there will be some attractive chartering
packages for the winners in each category.
“For those without a yacht,” Phil noted, there is a
selection of yachts for charter ranging from 39ft keelboats to the 25-ft
Farr-designed Platu sports boat.
As an adjunct to the rising momentum for the Marina’s
endeavours, John Vause has started to organize the Ocean Marina Keelboat
Group “Raft-ups” in Bangkok, to bring enthusiasts together. So far, two
have been held and the next one is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at the
Barbican at Thaniya Plaza, starting at 19.00 hours.
For more information on Gulf Charters, contact Phil Harper <info@gulfcharters
thailand.com> For the raft-ups, contact John Vause <[email protected]>
or Bill Gasson <gasson@ buzzcats.com>
The Square Ring
Howie Reed
Last Saturday night in Las Vegas the cream of the world
boxing crop was ready to be harvested. It was either the gourmet table or
down the middle hole of the bench seat in the little house with the half
moon on the door and the Sear’s catalogue. Oscar De La Hoya (37-3) would
fight Bernard Hopkins (44-2-1) for the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO Middleweight
titles. This, if you believe the pundits, was the “best the sport had to
offer.” The greatest fight of the decade. Lest I don’t understand what a
decade is that is pure and simple hooey. Using the definition of a decade as
10 years both Tyson-Holyfield (1996, 1997) contests dwarf De La Hoya-Hopkins
in money, excitement, drama, action and interest. This one was OK.
Accepting the above as fact, and it must be as I wrote
it, Bernard Hopkins KO’d Oscar De La Hoya at 1:38 of the 9th round to win
“All” the middleweight titles that mean anything. It was a “see-saw”
contest that had the scores 79-73, 78-74 for Hopkins and 77-75 for De La
Hoya when two lefts to the liver ended it all. “”I wanted to recover but
I couldn’t. There’s no excuses whatsoever. Bernard Hopkins is the
undisputed champion of the world and a great champion.” Senior De La Hoya
is one class act. Maybe some other fighters ought to ape is demeanor.
Closer to Pattaya, former superbantam champ Yoddamrong
Sithyodthong (40-1-1, 18 KOs) outpointed an overmatched Edward Escriber of
the Philippines in six. The fight in Surin was a warm-up for Yoddamrong’s
challenge for the WBA 122lb title against Mahyar Monshipour (25-2-2) in
November. The venue will be the Sports Arena in Paris. Yoddamrong doesn’t
travel well. Got KO’d in Japan.
Ever have those times when “stupid” is the nicest
thing someone could call you? Well join the club. Regular readers, either
one of them, will recognize that in giving results I used the terms SD, MD,
UD, TKO and KO. It was brought to my attention that while I had TKO
(Technical Knockout which is sometimes a RSF or referee stops fight) and KO
(knockout) down pat I was wrong in using the terms SD (split decision) and
MD (mixed decision). A unanimous decision means that all three judges scored
the contest for one fighter. How did I find out? Got the following e-mail:
“Howie ... your not being completely understanding of
the difference between “Split” and “Majority” decisions is very
common. So common, in fact, that I have been at ringside on occasions when
“commissioners” do not know the difference. But it is really a very
simple difference. If a decision is “Split” ... it means that two judges
have voted for one fighter and one judge voted for the other ... therefore
it is ‘split’. If two judges have voted for one fighter and the other
judge votes it “even” ... then it is a “majority decision” in favor
of the fighter with two judges voting for him... You will also hear a
decision given as a “majority draw” ... in this situation it means that
two judges have voted the bout as even (a draw) and one judge has given the
bout to either one or the other boxers... I realize and agree that the
synthesis and mere understanding would be simpler to consider all of the
above as ‘splits’. But the difference in the ‘decision’ call is as I
have described. Hopefully, I have given you the information in a simple
enough explanation to help your confusion. Elmo” There will be a test on
this later.
A couple of Fridays ago you might well have been in front
of the radio with pictures when IBF#8 Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym (42-3-2) won a
hard fought twelve round decision over Wang Jong Hyon (11-2-1). It was hard
fought contest that looked easy because of the UD (116-111 twice and
115-112).
After the fight Rakkiatgym said, “I proved with this
win I can defeat any featherweight in the world and that includes Manny
Pacquaio. He did defeat me when I challenged for the title in year 2002 but
I am a much stronger boxer in 2004.” Well maybe and maybe not. As the lady
says, “Is up to you.” One of the problems is that while the press
reported that Wang Jong Hyon with a record of 11-2-1 was the defeated
warrior, boxing records claim that the loser’s name was Wanjon Hai with a
record of 0-0. Big difference.
The bout with Pacquiao took place in October of 2002 with
Cousin Bruce McTavish doing the honors as the only man in the right when the
bell rang in a shirt, slacks and tie. It ended at 2:46 of the first round
with Rakkiatgym out colder than a punter with no baht. “Rakkiatgym, the
mandatory challenger, was knocked down four times and rushed to the hospital
in stretcher after spending more than 20 minutes on the canvas.” Hard to
believe that the results would be any different this time. It’s clear that
Rakkiatgym is a good fighter but not nearly in the same class with the cream
of the division such as Pacquiao (38-2), Juan Manuel Marquez (42-2), Marco
Antonio Barrera (57-3), Scott Harrision (22-2) or Oscar Larios (53-3.
Pacquiao, the Manila Mauler, is having a terrible time
finding opponents so maybe a fight with Rakkiatgym is not totally out of the
question. Pacquiao’s problem is that his promoter, Murad Muhammad, who is
surrounded by young thugs in tight suits and bow ties, is a joke. He is
though one lucky joke. In 2001 Pacquiao was on holiday in Los Angeles
California with no bouts on the horizon. Pacquiao got a call as a last
minute fill in to fight IBF Champ Lehlo Ledwaba in Las Vegas. The fight was
over at :59 seconds of the 6th after Ledwaba had made three trips to “kiss
canvas”. Murad just happened to be Muhammad on the spot.
Scott Harrison keeps issuing statements about how he wants to fight big
names. Phooey. Scott Harrison may want fights against quality opponents but
not his promoter Frank Warren. Instead of a super fight against Marco
Antonio Barrera, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Marquez and Injin Chi he gets
“undefeated” Samuel Kebede on October 29 at the Braehead Arena in
Glasgow. Ethiopian Kebede may be 24-0 but it’s thin as a bar girl’s
promise. This will be a blowout. “I know that every time I step into the
ring it is my future on the line so I want to go out there and destroy
whoever is in front of me as quickly as possible.” No problem and I’ll
drink to that.
Pattaya Grand Trophy opens in Pattaya
Innovative businesswoman opens trophy shop for winners
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya is seeing a new age of sports and competitions
come to the region. And winners need trophies. That’s why innovative
businesswoman Sudthida Jaikid, better known as ‘Maprang’ has just opened
the Pattaya Grand Trophy shop on North Pattaya Road.
Chanyuth
Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports cuts the ribbon to
officially declare the new trophy shop open.
The grand opening was held on the morning of September 12
with Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports
presiding over the ribbon cutting. Buddhist monks performed a traditional
ceremony, where they gave their blessings to the new enterprise.
Honored guests included Prasert Chaimano, Past District
Governor of District 3340, Rotary International, Pratheep Malhotra and
Rotary backers.
Buddhist
monks performed a traditional ceremony and gave their blessings to the new
enterprise.
Afterwards, food was served and Maprang and her father
introduced the shop so everyone could look around. Almost all of the items
are prize cups, souvenir objects and all kinds of sports medals, trophies
and shields. Guests purchased goods in the shop and many placed orders.
Maprang said she opened her first shop in Pattaya because
it is a popular tourist town where so many different sports can be enjoyed.
“Pattaya supports so many sports in the area and there is a real need for
a shop like this.” She noted that normally sports promoters have to order
their trophies from Bangkok, therefore her shop could respond to their needs
faster with more convenience.
“In fact the shop is so well accepted we had customers
stop by while we were bringing the items to the shop, before it was even
officially opened,” she said.
The Pattaya Grand Trophy shop is located on North Pattaya Road opposite
the Bangchak service station. For more information please call 038 371
245-6.
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