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Phil Mitchell super champ
The IPGC Championship 2005
The fifth IPGC Championship was again a two-day affair
over the testing Phoenix and Green Valley Courses, both of which, fittingly
for a premier competition, were in first class condition. A difference this
year was that the field competition was played in threes which while
enabling the same number of people to play per hour produces a much quicker
and more relaxed round of golf to the great benefit of all. Indeed the
average round turned out to be just three and a half hours, an amazing
improvement in the normal speed of a major tournament, which all the
participants agreed, was a resounding success. Once again the organisation
was an outstanding feat of teamwork and ability where everything down to the
last detail ran like clockwork; so much so that the last two tee times went
off exactly on time to the minute.
 A
surprised Sid Ottaway (center) collects net champion trophy after scoring
131 in rounds at the Phoenix and Green Valley Courses.
Proving that it is not only one of the best conditioned
courses in the area, it has now lost its easy reputation, following the
planting of several hundred trees which are now starting to develop. This
was amply demonstrated by the results of day one, which was played over the
Lakes and Ocean courses.
Although there were a few good scores only 2 golfers from
the top two divisions managed to better 70 and only seven bettered their
handicaps. Outstanding among those was Mikael Andersson in the first
division and Al Rolnik in the second.
The Third division proved to be a far freer scoring
affair as many took advantage of their numerous handicap strokes to record
scintillating rounds. The best of these being Glen Perkinson and Ray
Handford both of whom belied their recent form to go seven under.
 Jitchana
Phanon (center) became the 2005 Ladies Champion having won both days
receiving her third trophy of the event from Steve Mascari (left) and
Richard Livingston during the prize giving back at The Haven.
Day two at Green Valley turned out to be an easier
opportunity to better par with some 25% of the field achieving that mark. In
division two Al Rolnik again had a great round but lost out on the day to
Trevor Schirmer with Pete Murray also showing strongly.
Division three was again a wild free scoring result at
the top with Sid Ottaway notching a second sub par round although this time
a lot lower than anyone else could attain. Richard Wardell was the best of
the rest on the day in that division.
 Club
Champion Phil Mitchell (center) receives his best gross division 1 overall
trophies from Steve Mascari (left) and Richard Livingston (right), emcee and
resident PGA teaching pro.
The day’s outstanding feat was left to Phil Mitchell
who played a near faultless round to sign for a gross round of level par,
which left all the rest of the first division floundering and scrabbling for
the second spot. This turned out to be Rick Sharp who took full advantage of
local knowledge of his home course of which he is a member.
In the overall results from the two days, Jitchana Phanon
became the 2005 Ladies Champion having won both days although the second one
had to be by countback from Supraporn Poo, with a score of one over par.
The third division was taken by Glen Perkinson with a
sore of eleven under from Tom Noonan four shots behind.
Al Rolnik succeeded in the second division by six strokes
from Trevor Schirmer whilst in the first division Phil Mitchell took the
honours from Kuni Wakabayashi by three.
The net Champion was Sid Ottaway with an amazing thirteen
under par which was a total surprise to everyone including Sid who had shown
no form at all in the run up to the tournament.
Phil Mitchell was crowned the Club Champion for 2005 with
a solid two day performance that left him just five shots over par gross
some seven shots clear of Kuni Wakabayashi his nearest challenger.
The prize giving was held at The Haven in Soi 13 where
the club captain Steve Mascari presented the prizes to the winners and
Richard Livingston did the emceeing and paid tribute to The OK Corral and
Lewiinski’s for the free buffet that they provided during the competition
and all the hard work put in by the team of Steve Donovan for registration,
Wane Ogonoski for scoring second day and final results, Len Jones, Steve
Donovan and Roy Mitchell for pre-tournament promotion. He especially thanked
Stephen Beard who seemed, apart from leading the team, to be involved with
all aspects of the organisation from publicity to prize giving as well as
overseeing the sumptuous buffet again provide by the Haven and appears once
again to be at full power.
In the final analysis every one applauded the 5th IPGC Club Championship,
the organising committee and the players for an excellent two days of golf
and enjoyment.
Results:
Day 1
1st Division: 1st Mikael Andersson, net 69; 2nd Kuni Wakabayashi, net
70; 3rd Jack Mosely, net 71
2nd Division: 1st Al Rolnik, net 67; 2nd Dave McFeely, net 70; 3rd Mike
Gerrard, net 71 - cb
3rd Division: 1st Glen Perkinson, net 65 - cb 31.5; 2nd Ray Handford, net 65
cb - 32.5; 3rd Paul Quodomine, net 66
Ladies: Jitchana Phanon, net 73
Day 2
1st Division: 1st Phil Mitchell, net 67; 2nd Rick Sharp, net 69; 3rd
Dave Power, net 70
2nd Division: 1st Trevor Schirmer, net 69 - cb 31.5; 2nd Al Rolnik, net 69 -
cb 34.5; 3rd Pete Murray, net 69 - cb 34.5
3rd Division: 1st Sid Ottaway, net 63; 2nd Richard Wardell, net 66; 3rd Glen
Perkinson, net 68
Ladies: Jitchana Phanon, net 72
Overall 2 days
1st Division Winner: Phil Mitchell, net 139
Runner up: Kuni Wakabayashi, net 142
2nd Division Winner: Al Rolnik, net 136
Runner up: Trevor Schirmer, net 142
3rd Division Winner: Glen Perkinson, net 133
Runner up: Tom Noonan, net 137
Net Champion: Sid Ottaway, net 131
Ladies Champion: Jitchana Phanon, net 145
Club Champion Phil Mitchell, 149 gross
PSC golf from
the Three Sisters Bar
What a relief! After two hectic days of golf at Ban Chang,
(Friday and Saturday) sedate Siam was a relief. In the McAllister’s
tournament at Ban Chang, on the third hole, (straight drive) the first ball
of the tournament landed smack dab in the middle of the line. Winner!... No?
The flag was put in the divot directly in the middle of the line, but
surprisingly there were three names entered after that with the last
position two inches off the line. There were whispers that a shot directly
on the line was no good... eh? On the long drive hole, 19 and higher
handicaps for men, there was a man’s name and then a woman’s. No other
names. How many other men golfers got in between? Only God knows. As I said,
a big relief to get back to sanity golf on Monday, no prizes, but a big
decision as to whether you want to eat a hotdog or not.
 Winner
for Monday - Ray Spence (right), holding the bag - no introduction, your
friend and mine - Mr Jim Tully.
As it was, Mike Gerrard almost made it to the wire. He
got nosed out by Raymond Spence. Both golfers came in with 38 points. A
change from the mid-forty scores that we had been getting. Both golfers had
scores of 19 points on the front and 19 points on the back. Mike got nosed
out on the last six to be relegated to second place.
Running in a close third was the ‘graphics man,’ Ian
Edwards. He is always there near the top - Ian is due to win shortly. There
were a slew of golfers around 35 as the rest of the field drifter away.
Running for cover were a number of golfers. The sheltered cellar has room
for only one as the bag takes up a big space. Again Paul Donahue dragged the
bag into the cellar and slammed the door shut. There was no room for the
rest of the players. Paul Kraft and Rollie Weese tried to pry open the door
but to no avail, the spot was secure.
Horsting putts to win at the 18th!
Jameson’s International Golf Society
Mike Franklin
Paul Horsting and Tira Charuvastra carded a gross 74 and
net 66.2 to win the Jameson’s (JIGS) Pairs Scramble at Eastern Star
Country Club & Resort on Wednesday June 15.
 (l-r)
Paul Horsting stand-in, Bill with Mike and winner Tira (2).
The win was sealed by Paul’s putt on the 18th that also
earned the longest first putt prize on that hole.
Close behind were runners-up Alex Backlund and Bob
Rasmussen with a gross 75 and net 67.4, just enough to beat the net 67.8
scored by John Larder and Andy Murphy.
It was a fine hot day and, with the greens maintenance
work completed, the course was up to the usual high standard of presentation
that Eastern Star offers.
Near pins were claimed by Mark Fisher, Frank Smith, Ray
Matti and Bob Rasmussen. John Larder sank the longest first putt on the
ninth.
Back at Jameson’s it was Kim’s Curry Night with some
appetizing and popular variations conjured up by the landlord himself.
With the prize-giving done, the next venue was announced
as Plutaluang, the Royal Thai Navy course where it will be a Combined
Singles Stableford competition on Wednesday June 29th. Sign up in
Jameson’s on the JIGS notice board behind the pool tables.
This weeks’ photo shows on the left, a stand-in for Mr. Paul Horsting
who was unable to attend the prize-giving. The model was chosen from the
Asian Entomology photo-call directory, but you can just call him ‘Bill’.
Sattahip boy wins sculling gold in Singapore
Chatchanan Chaisri
Cholpanar Phanthuwong, a year 10 student at Sattahip
Singsamut School, has returned home from the Merlion Championships rowing
competition, held in Singapore, with a gold and silver medal in the juniors
single sculling division. He won two out of the three medals for Thailand in
which a total of eight countries competed from June 2-5.
 Cholpanar
Phanthuwong showing his gold and silver medals collected in the Singapore
rowing competition.
“I train at the Navy’s rowing site every day after
school. I learn new things and refine my techniques. After winning gold in
Singapore, it has encouraged me to train harder and do better in the SEA
Games in December this year,” said Cholpanar.
RTN Capt Kriengsak Wongsinthuwiset, Navy Sport and
Welfare Centre director and sculling team manager, lead his team into the
international competition involving both juniors and open classes.
As this year’s South East Asian Games in the Philippines approaches,
Thais can expect to hear the national anthem played as in a variety of
sports, especially in rowing, thanks to the hard work by the athletes and
trainers.
New league starts but bowlers needed
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
200
Bowlers - Mai, Konrad and Tien
The new 2005 league got off to a good start but some teams
bowled under manned because of a shortage of bowlers as some of the regular
bowlers are still visiting their home countries. If you would like to join
in the fun just show up at Pattaya Bowl on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and we will
put you on a team. Jack & Tar and Shenanigans got off to a good start as
Jack & Tar took four points from Cafe Kronborg and Shenanigans took four
from Friends. Three Sisters took three points from VFW Post 9876, Domicil
grabbed three from Mai’s Thai Restaurant, Brother D got three from Cafe
Ole and House of the Golden Coin took three from Grapevine.
Best bowlers of the day who lowered their handicap:
Leo, Brother D: 539 series
Konrad, Brother D: 519 series - 200 game
Tien, Shenanigans: 516 series - 208 game
Mai, Jack & Tar: 511 series - 216 game
Somrak, Cafe Ole: 511 series
Jim, Cafe Kronborg: 508 series
Nual, Cafe Ole: 501 series
P.K., House of the Golden Coin: 506 series
Play it again Sam
IPGC golf from The Caddy Shack
Tuesday June 14 The Caddy Shack took the short trip to
Phoenix Country Club, the format was medal play and the courses selected
were lakes and ocean, on a very hot and windy day conditions were made even
harder with tricky pin positions, it was obvious from the start that
putting was going to make or break a golfers card today. Once all returned
to The Caddy Shack the scorecards were handed in and stories started to
develop and yes putting seemed to be the main subject, this led to the
booby prize being awarded later.
 Winner
Sam Fitzsimmons and two caddies from Phoenix.
The results were calculated and Roy Mitchell came in 3rd
place with a net 73, in 2nd place came Phillip Jacks with a net 72, Phillip
is showing some big improvement in his game and I am sure he will be back
on the podium in the near future, but the only golfer to record an under
par round and take 1st place was Sam Fitzsimmons, his drives on the day
were long and strait and his putting was very solid, there was no two’s
recorded as the pin positions were very tricky. That brings us back to the
booby prize of the bananas, with a golfer 3 feet from the pin and probably
the only level strait putt of the day Mr Loy managed to four putt... yes
Four putts to take the prize undisputed, but in his defence putting was
tricky on the day.
The Caddy Shack has now opened its restaurant side with a vast English
and Thai menu, Sunday 3 course lunches are available at 195 baht, so come
along and check out our golf schedule and events, we are situated on the
second part of soi 17 on the same road towards the Harley Bar.
Ol’ Silverback Nets His Second 2005 Medal
IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s
Sunday June 12
Green Valley
Monthly Medal
1st A Flight: John Emmerson, net 67
2nd A Flight: Jim Wickstrom, net 68
3rd A Flight: Phil Mitchell, net 72
1st B Flight: Jeremy Masse, net 68
2nd B Flight: Brian Wilkinson, net 68
3rd B Flight: An Kaesavane, net 71
1st C Flight; Andreas Grunenberg, net 68
2nd C Flight: Glen Perkinson, net 70
3rd C Flight: Nat Meesuk, net 71
This scribe has cited it numerous times but one can’t
appreciate how tough it is until he/she have done it. John Emmerson, who has
to find and load everyone’s clubs, sort the pairings and the
transportation out, and corral the late breakfast crowd just to get to the
course and then has to find the “lost souls” and battle course
management, and then still finds a way to calm down and focus on golf. He
did this Sunday in a manner, which exceeded all others, thereby cradling the
Silver Tankand emblematic of the Monthly Medal. This was John’s second
medal of the year that is only just half over. Every bit of John’s effort
was necessary as there were no less than four players within one stroke of
him! He needed to look no further than his own A flight where low gross of
the day, 73, rest in the capable hands of Jim Wickstrom. Jim’s second
place net 68 was four clear of the A Flight bronze winner, Flipper Mitchell
who put the count back on fellow Brit, Ron Claridge.
B Flight had two 68’s in the persons of Jeremy Masse
and Brian Wilkinson. Jeremy had the better of his mate on count back. B
Flight was rounded out by, there is that name again, An Kaesavane.
Not to be outdone, C Flight had there own 68 on the card
signed by Andreas Grunenberg. Andreas started a fine, albeit short, week
with a round that was two clear of now charging Glen Perkinson. Glen was two
clear of the Nat(ural), who had the better of Auntie Toy on count back.
It is always a challenge but this day the field lost as
no one picked up the Near Pin placards. We’ll try again next week!
Tuesday June 7
Laem Chabang, A & B
Blue or White Tees
Stableford
1st Blue Flight: Vic Hester, 39 pts
2nd Blue Flight: Phil Mitchell, 37 pts
1st White Flight: Andreas Grunenberg, 44 pts
2nd White Flight: Jeremy Masse, 42 pts
2s: Phil Mitchell, Matt Cronin, Don Lehmer, Mark Wood, Andreas Grunenberg
Interestingly, Laem Chabang Tuesday featured a face-off
between the winners of Sunday’s B and C Flights. The junior circuit took
the day in a spirited battle that left no other survivors as the day’s two
White Flight positions were grabbed by Andreas Grunenberg’s’ 44 points
and Jeremy Masse’s 42. If it were any other week but the Medal, these lads
would have dueled for the Title Slot. Vic Hester, who is finally finding
some time to play consistently, is starting to overcome of a period of
relative dormancy as he shot a magnificent 39 points off the Blues of the
Mountain and Lake Courses. Flipper took his second step of the week as his
37 points off a best on the day gross 76 was good for the silver in the Blue
Flight.
The Society did not schedule fixtures on Wednesday and
Friday because of the conflict with the 2005 IPGC Championship at Phoenix
Country Club and Green Valley Rayong Country Club.
A Short Week
IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday June 13
Phoenix
Stableford
1st division
1st Barry Traynor,40 pts
2nd Arthur Hancock, 39
3rd Roy Thornton, 37 - cb9 19
4th Kuni Wakabayashi, 37 - cb9 18
2nd Division
1st Micky Moore, 39 pts
2nd Andreas Grunenberg, 38pts
3rd Glyn Nicholas, 37 pts - cb9 21 cb6 14
4th Jan Eriksen, 37 pts - cb9 21 cb6 13
A large field of entrants took the opportunity to
practice over the course that was to be used on the first day for the IPGC
Club Championship to be held on the Wednesday and Friday later in the week.
They found the course, as usual, in excellent shape with the conditions
almost perfect with little to no wind and fast and flat greens.
Barry Traynor continued his good run of form to claim
first spot in the first division with steady Arthur Hancock only a shot
behind. They were followed to the podium by Roy Thornton who just won out in
the count back over Kuni Wakabayashi.
Micky Moore took the second division also by a single
stroke from Andreas Grunenberg with Glynn Nicolas winning the three way
count back over Jan Eriksen and Volker Esser.
Bob Lindborg, Al Rolnik and Richard Garland shared the
twos in the first division whilst Brian Kelly and James Bryan did the same
in the second division.
Practicing his speaking prior to his emceeing duties at
The Championship Richard welcomed new member Art O’Connor and welcomed
back Andy Pedlar, Trevor Edge, Enrique Garzoria, Brian Kelly, Jeremy Masse,
Andreas Grunenberg, Scott Jaconetty, Mo Lamki and Jan Eriksen. He then had
to take a short nap to recover before presenting the prizes.
As Wednesday and Friday were taken up with The
Championship that was the end of the daily competitions for the week.
It is some time since we reported on the progress of The
Haven’s honorary touring professional in the form of Philip Golding and
the shortage of reportage gives us the opportunity to reflect on his
achievements so far this season.
Following the completion of The Dutch Open he currently
lies 81st in the Volvo Order of Merit having won some $150,000 with a purple
patch in the last six weeks which garnered him a very nice $120,000. Philip
has only missed the cut 5 times out of the seventeen tournaments entered
with his best finish being in the Irish Open where he was tied for 9th
place. He is resting from the tour for the next couple of weeks in
preparation for the big push to the end of the season, which obviously
includes The Open in July. His next outing is expected to be the French
Open, which he won in 2003 and a good showing is definitely on the cards.
Top Two Fourteen Under at Phoenix
IPGC golf at the OK Corral
On Tuesday, June 14, which was the eve of
the fifth annual IPGC Championship, the Pattaya Golf Society chose to “run
out” at Phoenix and to take advantage of the course in its latest
condition. The Lakes and Ocean nines were well presented with slightly
slower than expected greens but the conditions were hot. The story of the
day concerned Paul Quodomine, who had spent thirty hours in transit from New
York and only three in bed on his arrival, but such is his thirst for the
game that he took no persuading to join in at a moment’s notice.
The medal tournament was to be a tight affair from the
start. John Cunningham once again posted the day’s best gross with a canny
80, giving him third place with the resulting net 72. Len Jones used the
occasion to post his finest score in two years, net 67 but Paul Quodomine
drained his energies with a last great effort and dashed the hopes of his
playing partner to record an excellent net 63 and take the day’s main
award. He also was successful on the Lakes second hole, registering a fine
birdie two to give him a little extra spending money.
Elsewhere in the group a bemused Barry Pethig, who had
been chastised a week ago for not picking up on a hole in stableford, chose
to pick up after missing a putt, but forgot, of course, that the round was
medal. Bananas went his way again as a result. The day’s hero Paul
followed up his success with another fine round the following day, posting
net 66 over the same course in the IPGC annual championship to give him a
share of second place. Many happy returns Paul!
DSL Pattaya 9 Ball Pool League
Wednesday Quiz League
Mickey Mouse Darts League
The Jomtien 8-Ball Pool League
PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s Beach Bar
Tuesday June 13
Burapha
Stableford
This is a fine venue to play, with four fine nine holes,
although personally I prefer to play the old course. The old course being A
& B, and to my mind, has had time to settle. So what joys did we have
today?
All
winners taking a break at Bert’s after a day at Burapha.
The day had started as usual, with free breakfast at Bert’s
and the drive to the course. This is a pretty quick and trouble free trip, and
this course being, nearly opposite Laem Chabang, pretty close.
So onto the course, and joy of joys we were set off on the A
nine, long time no see, and fine condition it was in with fine fairways and
greens you could actually put on. I played with the ‘Bandit of Pattaya’, at
the beginning of the year I had to give him six shots, now he has to give me
four. Just think how galling that is, and how did he play, well more later.
Front nine over, surely we would play the B course next, well
surprise, surprise, off we went on The C nine. Seems strange and never been
known before, but they meshed quite well. Mind this nine was totally different,
not quite as well manicured, but difficult in it’s own way, and yes it was
windy.
The Bandit, well he played well, and is really starting to
annoy me now. Still one day! On the day he shot a score in the 70s, he’ll have
to go. He didn’t win though, Keith Avery slipped in.
Back at Bert’s the food was bubbling well, and ‘Chicken
in Wine a la Bert’ went down well, as did the cold beers. Bob then did his
thing, three technical prizes and all, and all settled down to a night of
telling tall tales. T.T.F.N.
Results: Winner: Keith Avery; Second Bob Bender
Near Pins: Bob Noble (2), Bob Benda, Fergus Brennan, Keith
Hodges, Nooket Gummer (2) and Mac McGaskill.
Long Putts: Bob Noble, Keith Hodges, Nigel Perry and Ray Spurling.
Paul Smith makes a hat trick
PSC golf out of The Bunker
Mountain Shadow Country Club
The week started the same way as last week ended with Paul
Smith back on top of the leader board. His exceptional play led him to victory
with a score of net 73. In second place, William Macey shot a net 76 and in
third place was Jim Payne with a score of 78. Near the pins were won by Sonny
Ruth Sip (2), Granville Swanton and Fred Griffin.
Century Ban Chang
On Wednesday, June 15 the Boys from the Bunker headed south
for a competition at Century Ban Chang, a stableford competition was set with
two divisions. In division “A” Paul Smith scored 44 points to take first
honors. In second was Mark Gooch with 39 and David Lightfoot scored 37 points to
take third place. In division “B” Jim Payne and Ron Souter tied for top
honors with 33 points. Third place had joint winners also; John Preddy and Tony
Sheppard both returned 29 stableford points. Near pins were won by Paul Smith,
Willy Hogg, Jim Wooler and Geoff Parker.
Plutaluang Navy Course
(Sattahip)
The week ended with a medal competition and once again Paul
Smith returned home as the victor with a net 71 followed closely by joint
runner-ups William Macey and Granville Swanton returning scores of 72.
Paul also won two near pins and William Macey and Fred
Griffin took the other prizes.
The Bunker Boys are located on Soi Chaiyapoon (near X-zyte
Disco and across the street from Tony’s Disco II). Monthly golf schedules are
available or consult the Pattaya Mail every week.
PSC golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday
June 13
Noble Place
Strokeplay
The Noble Place Country Club was host for a Strokeplay
competition in Two Flights, A Flight 0 to 18 and B Flight 19 and above.
 Noble
Place winner Jeff Wylie.
Aussie Jeff Wylie took the A Flight with a net 67, and
off a 5 Handicap that is a fine win indeed. Bob Rasmussen was second with a
net 71 and Philippe Berra was in third with a net 73.
Dr. Hans Probst won the B Flight with an amazing net 64,
ahead of Colin Cronin with a net 68 and Irishman Kevin Dinan with a net 72.
Thursday June 16
Crystal Bay
Stableford
This was a fine day out. Arriving at the course we were
straight onto B1, with a clear run ahead. Mind as usual it was a little
windy but who cared, this course has always been one of my own personal
favourites, and since it was changed from Natural Park Resort, we do not
seem to have played it nearly enough. The fairways were in fine condition,
and it was a pleasure to put on these greens. The front nine zipped by, a
thing of joy.
 Nigel
Perry
After the B nine holes, we went back to the A nine to
complete the round. Both nines are seemingly similar, they tend to follow
the same sort of pattern, but the A9 is a fine par 5 that is reachable with
two good shots, and lends an edge to the last hole.
Back in the Restaurant as the scores came in, it was
obvious the scores would not be too high. In the A Flight, 0 to 16, the
winner was Monte Sykes, just returned and in his first round back. Monte
shot 38 points and was well ahead of Philippe Berra in second with 34
points. In third we had a countback on 32 points, won by Ian Edwards with
Derek Brook just losing out.
 Monte
Sykes
In the B Flight, 17 upwards, the winner was Nigel Perry
with 38 points. Nigel was playing his last round before returning home.
Have a good and short trip. In second was Alex Backlund with 37 points,
ahead of a countback for third on 34 points, won by Sture Brisholm with Po
Reilly just missing out.
Round over we then had the only downer of the day, driving back up
Sukhumwit at peak hour. T.T.F.N.
Bangpra tough, but needs rain
PSC golf off The Grapevine
 Colin
Cronin & Jeff Wylie with Grapevine staff Da and Nong.
Thursday, June 16 saw the Grapevine
golfers head to Bangpra for a stableford event. Fairways were hard due to
the lack of recent rain. However, the club is working hard so that when rain
comes the improvements will be well worthwhile. So come on a bit of rain!
The golf was patchy, but 2 scores of 40 points saw first
and second decided on a countback, with Jeff Wylie pipping Colin Cronin 21
points to 19 on the back 9. Colin was disappointed to miss out for the
second time in a week, but is well pleased with his golfing form and maybe a
handicap alteration.
The technical prizes were shared between Ray Spence (2)
and Jeff Wylie (2) with the unclaimed prizes going in to the lucky draws.
These were won by Rich, Nooket, & Mike. So, despite the golf course
being dry, all enjoyed the day out, had a few laughs back at the Grapevine
with some good company. A day well spent!
If you want to have an enjoyable day of golf, come on down to The
Grapevine, Soi Regent Marina (off Beach Road) and sign up. Cheers & good
golfing. JW
39s rule the day in Ban Chang
PSC Golf from McAllister’s Bar & Grill
Overnight rains failed to dampen the spirits of the
determined golfers on this fine day out. The course was a little soggy here
and there but very playable after the maintenance crew preparations for the
previous Saturday’s inaugural McAllister’s Banchang Open which was
enjoyed by all. A couple of greens were under coring and top dressing that
had been delayed due to the aforementioned event but that is as expected
before the advent of the rainy season.
This was mostly a day for the regulars but we were happy
to welcome new and returning players, some just back from trips overseas and
others finally getting out of bed in time and feeling in adequate shape to
straggle along. The pace of play was very good with no one ever complaining
of being held up throughout the round.
Back at the pub, cards were collected and scoring
calculated while all enjoyed a libation and a fine meal as we have come to
expect. It was a surprise to see that we had a three-way tie for first with
all scoring 39 points. A count back ensued and falling into first was Paul
Kraft with the best back nine, second with the last six under control was
the perennial Dennis Willett closely followed by Daryl Evans. Holding down
fourth on his own with 38 points was Jeff Wylie, happy that he decided to
come back after a fair absence in Australia and elsewhere.
Our most recent scribe and narrator has fled the scene to
Canada for a while on filial duty, somewhat overdue, but expects to return
to the foray within about three weeks wearing full armor protection.
Well done all.
The Beautiful Game?: Reasons to be Cheerful
Riz Taylor
It’s always exciting when your team is linked with new
players. Whether your particular favourites play in the Premiership, the
SPL, the Cola-Cola Sherpa Van Championship or even Serie Z, there’s always
that potential signing around the corner that can create a buzz amongst the
fans.
There are exceptions, of course. My heartfelt sympathies
were with Birmingham City supporters last year as the horrifying prospect of
signing of that oversized pantomime horse Emile Heskey started appearing in
gossip columns and then, slowly, became an awful reality.
I like to play a computer game called ‘Football
Manager’ when I’m not busy taking in the delights of Thailand. The
theory behind the game is a simple one - take over as boss at your favourite
club and guide them to glory. The world of computer gaming evolves at a pace
that makes it hard for anyone aged over eleven to keep up with, yet this
game, a new version of the highly successful ‘Championship Manager’
series, really is a true gem thanks to the staggering detail involved.
Perhaps you’d like your club’s scouts to travel
around Paraguay in your search for a bargain midfielder that might change
your fortunes, or train your promising young defender to improve his
positional awareness. Maybe you take pleasure in making unflattering
comments about Arsene Wenger to the media in attempt to create ‘mind
games’ between the two of you. It’s all possible, but before you jump on
a motorbike taxi and shout “To the shops!” please note that this game
has affected many a relationship, such is its addiction factor.
Yet I have a confession to make - I have been known to
cheat. Whilst the game is all about achieving miracles with the meagre
transfer budget that your team is allocated by the chairman and board, I
often sneakily double this amount before I commence the game. It’s
shameful and something I’m not very proud of.
The reason I give my club a few extra million to play
with? Well, it’s purely down to the buzz of signing new players. I want to
be a big noise in the transfer market and have the resources at my disposal
to create a team of my own choosing, not simply be stuck with the overpaid
bunch of no-hopers already employed at the club.
It’s easy to get confused between the game and real
life. In my current effort I’m involved in an increasingly nasty war of
words with Glenn Hoddle. As yet there is no option to insult his weird
beliefs in ‘faith healing’ or the fact that he’s had the same haircut
for the last thirty years, but that’s something for a later version of the
game, perhaps. And it’s not all about making enemies - I’m getting quite
friendly with Reading boss Steve Coppell, and am thinking of inviting him
over for a barbecue.
Things were also going well with Leeds manager Terry
Venables, but unfortunately envy got the better of the cheeky cockney as I
moved my way up the table. Our relationship was never quite the same
afterwards.
Too much detail, perhaps. Getting back to the original
point, transfer rumours are the lifeblood of football. If your team is
useless then a special acquisition can turn things around, and even
supporters of the most successful teams welcome new blood into the ranks.
At this time of year all men are equal. The cup final is
still a possibility and league struggles are months away. It’s a time to
be optimistic.
Yes, even for those poor Birmingham fans. Mikael Forsell
has finally put pen to paper and rekindled his love affair with Steve Bruce
by signing for the Brummie outfit for a reported 3 million pounds, spurning
Everton’s romances. You’d think that the free-scoring Finnish hitman’s
return to City would please the fans, but a number of them were too busy
protesting over the club’s attempts to sign Lee Bowyer from Newcastle
United, as the club search desperately for a combative, ball-playing
midfielder to replace Robbie Savage.
Who in their right minds wouldn’t want Bowyer, someone
who hasn’t played a decent game in years and has a history of fighting on
and off the pitch?
I just don’t understand it. What a miserable bunch!
Big guns headed this way!
Would you like the good news or the bad news first?
Here’s the good news. Three of the Premiership’s
top-ten finishers will be making their way to Thailand next month, to take
part in the ‘Premier League Asia Trophy’ in Bangkok. They’ll be joined
by the Thai national team in the knockout event, and the matches will be
played at Rajamangala Stadium on July 20 and 23.
The bad news? It’s Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers
and Everton.
Only joking! And it’s not all doom and gloom anyway.
The trio’s visit is great news for Thailand and the growing army of
Premiership fans in the Kingdom. The teams will also coach local youngsters,
hand out gifts and visit Phuket during their trip.
Everton in particular will look to further their unique
relationship with Thailand. Toffees’ director Keith Wyness recently
travelled here to hand over a cheque for over 7.5 million baht after a
tsunami appeal at the club.
Manager David Moyes told Everton’s website: “Through
Everton’s partnership with Chang Beer I have learned first hand the
passion that people in Thailand, and in the Far East as a whole, have for
football.”
It could be just the tonic for anyone missing Premiership
football. And the icing on the cake is that Premiership referees Steve Dunn
and Howard Webb will officiate the matches.
And who doesn’t miss shouting at referees?
World champions humbled
Riz Taylor
Bangladesh celebrated a famous one-day international
victory over world champions Australia on Saturday.
The world’s lowest rated international side came to
Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on the back of a ten-wicket mauling by England,
and were expected to provide little more than a warm-up for a Australian
side with a point to prove after successive defeats to England and Somerset.
But after Adam Gilchrist was trapped lbw with only the
second ball of the match by Mashrafe Mortaza the Australians found
themselves in difficulty. The out-of-form skipper Ricky Ponting quickly
followed, and when Matthew Hayden departed with the score on 57 Australia
were forced to play a more considerate game, finishing their innings on 249
for 5.
The hero for Bangladesh was Mohammad Ashraful, who came
to the wicket at 73-3 and plundered a run-a-ball century, his country’s
second hundred in their one-day history. Aided by captain Habibul Bashar the
pair put on 130 in 23 overs before Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Rafique held on
to see the match out in the final over.
The greatest victory in Bangladesh’s cricketing history
sparked jubilant scenes in the nation’s capital of Dhaka, and brought
credibility to their participation at the game’s highest level.
After their victory, which some UK bookmakers had quoted
50/1 against, Bangladesh skipper Bashar told Sky Sports: “I am the
happiest man in the world today. This win can take us a long way.
“We need to improve a lot of things but after this we
can go forward to the next game and do a lot of things.”
England March On
Australia’s miserable tour continued on Sunday as Kevin
Pietersen powered England to victory in the rivals’ first one-day
international clash in Bristol.
Australian openers Gilchrist and Hayden started
confidently before England fast bowler Steve Harmison rocked the batting
order with three wickets in four deliveries.
And after Paul Collingwood took a stunning catch at point
to see off Hayden, again off the bowling of Harmison, it was left to Michael
Clarke and Mike Hussey to see off a confident England attack and dampen the
spirits of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Hussey’s 84 from 83 balls helped steady the ship, but
further wickets slowed the Australian effort and the tourists finished on
252-9, with Harmison finishing with figures of 5-33.
England looked in trouble at 160-6 before Pietersen came to the rescue,
hitting 91 runs from just 65 balls as England recorded their fourth
consecutive win over Australia in all competitions.
Dubliner crowned champions against Shrewsbury Duck
MBMG Casuals League
With league leaders and perennial champions The Dubliner
booked to play the unpredictable and randomly talented AFC Shrewsbury team
in their last game of the season, the second placed Londoner outfit were
praying for a mighty whities slip up to keep their title dreams a reality.
In fact, at the Shrewsbury team’s elegant end-of-season ball on the
previous evening, Londoner lynch pin Neil Torrance was even reported as
urging a tired and emotional Ian Squires (Shrewsbury’s Leo Sayer
look-a-like, self confessed ‘cheese’ DJ and erstwhile midfield hardman)
to “Do us a favour” and “Stick one up” the opposition, with the
promises of complimentary Beefeaters for the whole team... The result,
however, could not have been further from what the Londoner required.
Not only did Shrewsbury fail to put up much of a
challenge, they failed to turn up at all for the highly anticipated 3 p.m.
kick off - at least not early enough for league supremo Sanderson who
immediately declared Junior’s jubilant Dubliners 3-0 winners by default,
and therefore league Champions. This may well be the first time that a
championship has been decided on a mobile phone...
A bedraggled Shrewsbury team finally turned up for what
they thought was a 4.30 p.m. kick off, only to see various white shirted
Dubliner boys playing with themselves on the bottom pitch! A friendly was
hastily arranged (a 2-0 score line proving a moral victory of sorts for the
orange team) as questions were asked as to how someone with such glaringly
obvious organisational shortcomings (Squires) can be allowed to teach some
of the country’s top young people. Following the game, the Dubliner stars
disappeared down to a fast food restaurant for a celebratory meal, thus the
league ended not with a bang, but with a Wimpy. Ian Squires was last seen
incognito in the Yannawa area, awaiting the revenge of El Torro...
Please visit www.somtam.com for more updates on the MBMG
International Casuals League
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
With all the attention played to the end of Mike Tyson
many have forgotten that there is still a heavyweight division albeit yet in
total disarray. The usual suspects names lead the list of champions and
challengers. One wonders, it’s a slow week so wondering is allowed, if
Kevin McBride has not been propelled into a “Championship” fight by
beating Tyson the way that Danny Williams was? Saw Audley Harrison fight on
the telly a couple of weeks ago from an Injun Casino in California. I know
my pal “TV Star” Phil Jones won’t believe this but he’s actually
getting better. Still a long way from becoming a journeyman but getting
better.
Oleg Maskaev (30-5) and Ray Mercer (33-5) have
resurrected their careers after both being on the rubbish heap, more times
than the Christmas tie your mother-in-law gave you five years ago that your
wife keeps finding. The new kid on the block is Samuel Peter (23-0) who
steps in the ring on July 3 (Pattaya Time) against something called Taurus.
Neither fighter has fought anyone you’d have heard of - or ever will.
Maskaev lost 3 of 5 between July 2000 and March, 2002. He lost to Kirk
Johnson (29-0), Lance “Gofi” Whitaker (22-1) and Corey Sanders (22-6).
The loss to Sanders was really bad, as Maskaev had pummelled Sanders for 7
rounds before getting clocked in the 8th. Since then he’s had 8 straight
wins including over previously undefeated David Defiagbon (21-0) who is
trained by pal Hedgeman Lewis. Might kinda put the name Maskaev in the back
of the mind in the heavyweight division.
Tonight at the Porkungpao Restaurant in Bangkok. “Yes
sir what you have tonight?” “Well let me see. I’ll have the Spicy Crab
with Thai Noodles, rice and Lemon Grass-Shrimp Soup and two bottle of that
great Island Lager Beer from Phuket.”
“No have.”
“No have what?”
“No have Island Lager Beer.” “Do you have dessert?”
“Have.”
“What ?” “Dessert.” “What do you have for dessert?”
“Have WBC Asian Fly Champ Panomroonglek Kratingdaenggym
defending his title against Filipino Bernando Orlos for the fourth time.
Kratingdaenggym no lose any fight. He 6 wins no loss. Filipino no loss any
fight.” “How many fights has Filipino won?” “No win, no loss, no
fight.” “How can a boxer be champion with only 6 fights and four title
defenses.” ‘This Is Thailand.’
Really big box fight in the USA that will take place as
the sun rises over the once crystal blue waters that litter the beach’s of
Pattaya. One of the great warriors of boxing Arthuro Gatti (39-6) faces the
daunting task of taking on against Floyd “The Jerk” Mayweather (33-0).
Some think that Mayweather is the best fighter pound-for-pound in the World.
Some also think that a Band Aid on the outside of the cheek will help a
tooth ache. I t’s all relative. Regardless Gatti may have a difficult time
defending the WBC Light Welter Title he won in his match with Gianluca
Branco (32-1) in January of 2004. No one would argue but that Mayweather
probably has the fastest hands in boxing. His problem, besides being a jerk,
is that those hands are very brittle. The fight will probably swing on
Mayweather’s hands holding up to the pounding on Gatti’s that is
expected.
Gatti for his part is no chopped liver. In the only fight
he was really in deep water was when he got in against a bigger Oscar
DeLaHoya. That contest in 2001 proved that a good big man could be a smaller
little man. Gatti’s problem may be that if Mayweather doesn’t have a
problem with his hands can Gatti out box him. The answer is no! There is an
outside chance that Gatti may actually be able to knockout Mayweather if he
can catch him. Many would love to see Mayweather flat on his backside. Why?
“He’s a club fighter that they put on HBO. He’s never been in there
with a guy like me. His last six opponents I could beat in one night. His
last six are not on the same level as my last six.” That of course is
horse feathers. One of the raps on Mayweather is that he’s held HBO
hostage and forced them to match him with set ups. He’s tried to fool the
boxing public but they’ve stayed away from his matches in droves Gatti
wins and it’s my shout.
Remember Tata Polinar? He was the 8-15 boxer that was
suppose to have lost to “world-rated Medgoen Singsurat “ last May 27.
Instead a dastardly imposter played the part of the sometimes happless gent
from the Philippines. The real deal had a tough time of it when he did show
up for his fight against Manabu Fukushima. He “floored Filipino Tata
Polinar in every round and finally demolished him with a wicked body shot at
1:46 of the third session in Tokyo, Japan”. Love the part off the wire
about Tokyo, Japan. Does anyone know another place named Tokyo?
Both Glencoffe Johnson (42-9-2) vs. Antonio Tarver (22-3)
made names for themselves by beating Roy Jones jr. the self proclaimed
greatest fighter that ever lived. Both gentleman got KO wins and both were
on the top of the world. Johnson was a victim of his own ability and desire
to “fight anyone, anywhere and anytime.” He is the guy that went into
the other guy’s neighborhood only to end up getting mugged.
Tarver’s a different story. He was the “next in
waiting” except he never was able to get to the top of the hill. When he
did he committed the old sin of allowing his mouth to overload his brain.
There first meeting in Los Angeles last year resulted in a 112-116, 115-113,
115-113 win for Johnson. Glencoffe took the win as he did his loses with a
air of class. Not old Tarver. He had more stalls than a livery barn: “I
wasn’t ready.” The judges robbed me. I will prove Saturday night (Sunday
morning in Dreamland) that I am bar none the best light heavyweight in the
world.” Guess what? He did, winning a convincing one sided decision in a
fight that had it’s moments abet few and far between.
On that same card from Memphis was Ike Quartey (35-2). Talked about
taking a break. Quartey was 34-0 when he fought Oscar and Fernando Vargas
back to back in ’99 and 2000. He lost SD to Oscar and a one sided UD to
Vargas. He then retired to his native Ghana where he did what ever other
great retired Ghanaian fights do which is get bored. Name another great
fighter from Ghana? How about Azumah Nelson at 39-5-2? Five years later
he’s back in the ring against Clint McNeil scoring a 8th round KO. Six
months later he’s in the ring Verno Phillips (38-9-1). The fight itself
was a yawner except for a one stretch towards the end of round 9. Philips
landed a left hook that sent Quartey to the canvas. Just seconds before the
end of the round Quartey again went down but the referee ruled it correctly
“no knockdown”. Inexplicitly Philips did nothing in the 10th to win the
fight so didn’t. Quartey 20 on the comeback trail. This won a UD 95-94,
95-94, 96-93. The Square Ring had it 96-95 for the winner. That Square Ring
guy is really good. Let’s drink to him.
Major players join forces to promote marine tourism: Ocean Marina’s monthly series
By Peter Cummins
Giants of Thailand’s burgeoning marine industry, the
Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Jomtien and the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in
Pattaya intend to pool their considerable resources to promote the
Kingdom’s marine infrastructure which, like many other sectors, was
devastated in the wake of the tragic tsunami on last December.
At the
Ocean Marina Top of the Gulf awards. Gasson (2nd left).
Meanwhile, closer home, to show that development is in
for the foreseeable future, the Ocean Marina Yacht Club has just finished
its monthly racing programme which, according to Bill Gasson, was a big
success, considering many of the skippers/crews had just finished two
successive week-long regattas, the “Top of the Gulf” at Ocean Marina and
the ever increasingly-popular Koh Samui Regatta, the fourth in the series.
Noting this, Bill was very pleased with an entry of eight
yachts, some 50 sailors, with a big fleet of the Farr 25 Platu, designed
especially for Thailand.
Bill
Gasson addresses a group on what’s ahead for the yachting fraternity.
Sailed in the ongoing south-westerlies, although a little
slow at times, nevertheless, it was keen, close racing, with Top of the Gulf
reigning keelboat champion, Saranya (Pouk) Makinson, helming Gary
Baguley’s “Magic Roundabout” who came out on top of the pile, just
ahead of John Vause “Buzz 8” and Pascal Leray’s “Hi Jinks,” third
before the procession of Platus, led by ever-improving Alex Skaria’s team,
Aey, 2005 Coronation Cup champion, Neil Semple, John Lomax and Brian Hume,
fourth to eighth in the open division and first to fifth, respectively, in
the Platu class.
 Saranya
Makinson catches the increasing southerly.
This is the first part of a three-part story, tracing the
rapid developments and the positive effect the marine sector is having - and
will continue to have - on revitalizing the tourism industry - especially
here in our beloved ‘City by the Sea.’
Tourism, previously Thailand’s biggest export and
foreign-exchange earner has, since the tsunami, slumped to a disastrous low
and, now, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is looking to the
Kingdom’s beautiful coast-lines, beaches, waterways and seas for a revival
of the flagging tourism industry.
Thus, the Ocean Marina/Royal Varuna initiatives are in
tune with this new trend and are well placed to contribute to and benefit
from developments in the marine tourism industry.
 “Buzz
8”, born and bred at the Ocean Marina hits a light spot during the racing
In fact, the Pattaya-Jomtien area is singled out by the
TAT for a massive disbursement of funds and, next year, will spend some 10
million baht promoting the resort overseas, as a
dynamic and diverse center for all sports, especially
marine-related.
In fact, according to Chattan Kunjara Na Ayutthaya, TAT
Director for the Central Region 3, with the assistance and cooperation of
local authorities and the immense private sector based in the
Jomtien-Pattaya environs and along the Industrial Estates in Rayong,
Pattaya, particularly, is starting to “ride the crests” of an economic
wave.
The city and environs, continued the Director, “are
poised to become a prized destination for sports and family recreation”.
On the broader front, TAT aims to launch Thailand on the
world market as a premier marine leisure destination, while the Harbour
Department is looking into the feasibility of building municipal marinas in
strategic locations.
Since the Royal Thai Government abolished the crippling
tax and excise duty on the marine infrastructure, some two years ago, it
has, indeed, been a ‘green light’ for the now-huge Marine leisure sector
which is a great boon to tourist influxes.
Thus, the ‘zero tax’ syndrome, after years of
lobbying by the country’s marine leisure industry ended in an unique
collaboration between the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sport and the
newly-formed Marine Alliance of Thailand ( MAT ) - a grouping of private
sector marine industry players.
The
Ocean Marina fleet goes off a slow start line.
Most encouraging was that Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra’s government recognized the enormous potential of Thailand ‘s
marine leisure industry and targeted it for special government attention.
But what of the private sector? Hardly sitting around,
waiting for Government initiatives to, ‘kick-start’ the marine sector,
with Charter companies such as Sunsail, establishing new bases throughout
the Kingdom and replacing many of their now-aging Jeanneau charter craft.
Already, many yachts, powerboats and other craft have been imported under
the new tax rule, while several International yacht charter companies have
applied for licenses to operate in Thailand.
One of the major aims of the Ocean Marina and Royal
Varuna Yacht Clubs is to complement each other’s racing, cruising and
activities programmes, ensuring maximum participation in all individual and
combined events.
Next week: The format.
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