PSC Golf from McAllister’s Bar & Grill

Friday July 8
Century Ban Chang
Stableford

Rumor has it that anyone who is keen enough on the game of golf to build their own four practice holes in their own back yard is attempting to improve his game. This is the case with Larry Ball as he stepped up to the podium in first place once again. No champagne seen flying around as in F1 and MotoGP but at this amateur level a Heineken or two will have to suffice, albeit that it consumed rather than being dispensed upon all and sundry.

Missing a few noted early birds this week the group actually teed off at somewhere closer to the appointed hour of 08:00 as opposed to the 0 dark 30 preferred by the groups planning to be back at McAllister’s in time to claim their appointed seats. It was later clarified that some simply cannot stand the pace in Banchang during the evening and still front up for golf the next morning.

As it turned out if we had all gotten off half an hour earlier we could have avoided being drenched by a sudden storm that blew in. This was a storm not a rain shower and it really came down hard causing a couple of early retirements from the arena. Unfortunately some scores were affected in a negative fashion by the same event. Who said those early birds didn’t have a good plan in mind?

Back to the aforementioned winner for the week, Larry Ball pipped Dennis Willet on count-back with both scoring 39 points courtesy of a very fine back nine performance by Larry. In third was Graham Hiskett with 38 points later discovering that he had not kept himself up to date on his handicap, which had risen by a shot. However, the card had been signed and submitted so the result stayed.

Next week will be a non-event for McAllister’s, as the majority will be joining the PSC for the 50th monthly members tournament. All will be back to normal come Friday the July 22 and newbies are welcome if the can arrive at Century Banchang somewhere close to 0800 and check in with Dennis at hole number one.

Many thanks go to Don McAllister as always for the excellent repast and the lucky door prizes that were highly appreciated by those who never seem to get anywhere near the winners circle.

More next week.

IPGC Golf from The Haven

Wednesday July 6
Phoenix Mountain/Ocean
2 Person Scramble

Following hard on the heels of Richard’s birthday celebrations (see separate report), it was Haven golf manager, Roy Thornton’s 50th bash and he chose to hold a 2 person scramble over the same Phoenix Mountain/Ocean layout, so all those who played on the 4th July Independence Day celebrations had a distinct advantage of how the course would play!

A great day for everyone, winners and non-winners alike, who all enjoyed some superb scores, some great golf and in scramble tradition - great fun! Memorable rounds, particularly from Barry Winton and our host Stephen Beard. How fantastic for everybody to see Stephen back on the golf course for the first time in 18 months following his serious illness and how fitting that he should be a winner! Great credit to Barry for teaming up with Stephen and we can assure you that the “doc” played his part to the fullest. What a fantastic round by Brian Wilkinson & Dean Airey and who will ever forget “Deano” getting on the green at Ocean 9 with driver and 5 iron! A great feat, a great score and a great win!

At the end of the day however, a huge thank you to the birthday boy, Roy Thornton, for all his hard work and generosity, top quality golf shirts, cash prizes, super trophies and a magnificent buffet dinner that all made for a day that many will remember for years to come.

Special thanks also to Richard Livingston for emceeing the presentation and to Lumyai and her staff for taking care of everybody so well and for the scrumptious food which was devoured by all. As a final note, it was very fitting and kind of Roy to award the Ladies trophies and cash prizes (there being no ladies taking part) to Wanicha for her assistance in the admin and to Lumyai for the buffet. Much to Stephen’s surprise and horror (?), Lumyai rang the bell to celebrate, put the 1,000 baht prize in the tip box for the staff and handed Stephen the 2,000 baht tab for the round of drinks! Well done Lumyai, well done Stephen and especially, well done Roy!

Results:
Best Gross/Scramble Champions
Brian Wilkinson and Dean Airey, net 61.2
Division 1: Winners: Stephen Beard and Barry Winton, net 65
Runners Up Pete Murray and Richard Garland, net 66.4
Division 2: Winners Mark Joshua and Phillip Jacks, net 62.2
Runners Up Peter Johansson and David Childs, net 67
Technical:
Near Pins: M4 David Smith, M8 Roy Thornton; O5 Patrick Scullion, O7 Dean Airey.

Friday July 8
Eastern Star
Stableford
1st John Teague, 40 pts
2nd Barry Winton, 38 pts
3rd Barry Traynor, 36 pts - c/b3 8
4th Bob Lindborg, 36 pts - c/b3 7

Inclement weather indeed! Soon after teeing off, the sky darkened and the storm hit Ban Chang. As the wind grew to a force 6 and the rain lashed down, the hardy Haven golfers continued their round virtually without a pause and once again, the Brits felt comfortably at home and swept the board! John managed to compile his best ever back 9 shooting a fantastic 42 gross for 25 points which gave him a grand total of 40 points for a great win in dreadful conditions. Chasing close behind, Barry Winton, also enjoyed a great round, shooting a superb 74 gross to net him 38 points on a day when he would normally expect to take the honors. However, his disappointment was tempered as he hit the only “2” of the day to scoop the double rollover Division 1 pot and Barry was seen celebrating in some style in Ban Chang and well into the night back at the Haven. Those other Haven stalwarts, Barry Traynor and Bob Lindborg also played extremely well on a difficult day and as both scored 17 points on the back 9, were only separated by a countback that went to the last 3 holes. Hard on their heels was yet another Brit, Brian Kelly, whose 19 points on the back was just a tad shy for a podium placing! However, despite the weather, the course was in great condition and the large turnout enjoyed a memorable day’s golf. Prior to the presentation, Richard Livingston, now complete with a comfortable fitting bottom denture firmly fixed with the aid of Poligrip adhesive, welcomed back Takeshi Hakozaki, David Shaw & Tony Quaid.

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral  

The Pattaya Golf Society’s largest field of the low season travelled to the tasty Crystal Bay course at Bangpra for their weekly medal competition on Tuesday, July 5, and the combination on offer was the delicious “A” and “B” nines, with its mixture of trees, water and sand. Add to the mix a strong breeze and you have the recipe for a fine day’s golfing challenge. The day started with a headache for the starter as two cars bearing five golfers decided to take a circuitous route and get lost but eventually all got off on time. The course was to play long as the white tees were pushed back to their furthest extent and in division two the field also found the racing, undulating greens were difficult to come to grips with but casual golfer George Meigh managed better than most with a fine net 76. Two were destined to post the same score of net 77 and Barry Pethig and Ken Graham shared the flight title. In division one the scores were better. Current PGS Player of the Month, John Cunningham, enjoyed his first visit to the course and posted an excellent net 75 with but one six on his card. Sunny Khanna is still showing good form and his net 74 was good enough for second place. One of the drivers who earlier had enjoyed visiting the Chonburi hinterland was former London cabbie John Healy. Whilst having the “knowledge” may have helped him in his previous life his experience of the course helped him to get over the poor start to the day and he posted the day’s best gross of 82, recording a score of net 73 which included eight pars and a birdie. The size and pace of the greens prevented any birdie two’s from being recorded and the booby was presented to Mr. Denis because he inexplicably forgot that the prize had been changed and had donated a fine hand of bananas. He received a big hand when they were presented! Crystal Bay was in fine form, as was John Healy, the man who nearly missed out.

Sunny Khanna Wait to Return to Pattaya!

On Thursday, July 7, the Pattaya Golf Society left the OK Corral and took the well trodden route to the Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang for their weekly stableford event, over the South and East nines, under heavy skies. The course was well turned out and for some it was a relief to find slower greens than two days previously at Crystal Bay. All the principals showed up well with the first three all shooting par or better. John Healy continued his good form, collecting nineteen points on the South nine, only to falter on East 3, eventually adding another seventeen points to level par. Going one better was Brian Wilkinson and his 37 points belied his poor start to the back nine, picking up only two points on the starting two holes. It was left to Sunny Khanna to post the day’s best score and his 39 points served to remind him of his time in Pattaya when he returned to UK only hours after his victory. Ken Graham celebrated in style when he took the twice rolled-over twos pot for his birdie putt on the tricky South 4 hole, his putt curling and rolling teasingly down the slope into the hole. The new OK Booby Bevy could have gone to newbie Kris Pinyoun for excessive cell phone use, or Gary Bingham for his low score, or indeed John Cunningham for a similar embarrassment. It went eventually to Len Jones as his caddy also allowed her ‘phone to interrupt play and he gleefully accepted the booby on her behalf. Such things happen on an enjoyable golf day with the Pattaya Golf Society.

Suchada Tupchai

August 11 will see the Lions Charity Golf Tournament played at the Burapha Golf Club, with the winner receiving the coveted Princess Somsawali Cup.

Supot Potnetrakom, head of the organising committee, said that the competition, an annual event staged by Pattaya Lions Club, has been successful over the years with proceeds going towards activities that benefit society’s underprivileged in areas of education, public health and promotion of sports against drug use.

This year’s tournament format will see the field separated into three flights: A (1-9), B (10-17), C (18-24) as well as ladies’ and seniors’ flights in a stroke play game over 18 holes. Prizes include best gross and net scores and prizes for flight winners and placings as well as a host of technical prizes. Prizes on offer include a Honda Jazz and plenty of gold.

Shotgun start for the tournament is 11:30am on August 11.

For further details and registration please contact Pattaya Golf Club or Greenway Driving Range on tel 038 231 388, 038 232 083, fax 038 232 084; or Yongwit Kewcharoen at the Lions Club of Pattaya on 038 488 395 or 01 983 9372.

PSC golf with The Bunker

Green Valley
Country Club -
Monday 4 July

As usual Green Valley was in excellent condition when the Boys from the Bunker played a stableford competition there on Monday. In division “A” Roger Privett continued his fine run of form to win with 43 stableford points, second came Paul Smith with 35 points and in Joint third place were Granville Swanton and Sunny Khanna both with 34 points. In division “B” Bryan Rought took the honours with 42 stableford points. Runners up were Enda Naughton, Bob Turner and Fred Griffin all with 34 points. Near the pins were won Roger Privett, Fred Griffin, Eddie Martin and Enda Naughton.

Bryan Rought posted some great scores to put him in the hunt for ‘Golfer of the Month’.

Burapha Golf Club - Wednesday July 6

Roger Privett again stood on top the winner rostrum, but today he shared it the Ken Graham both with a net 74, in third place was Paul Jordaan with net 77. Near the pins were won by Enda Naughton (2) and John King.

Phoenix Country Club - Friday July 8

Playing the mountain course first, in rain and then the ocean in sunshine. A battle between John Mckoen and Danny Lomas resulted in a tie for first place both with 36 stableford points. A three was tie for third place with John King, Paul Smith and Granville Swanton, all with 34 points. Bryan Rought won “B” division with 42 stableford points. Second was Ron Souter with 40 points and third came Tony Shepherd with 36 points. Near the pins were won by John King, Bryan Rought, Paul Smith and Danny Lomas.

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.

Tuesday July 5
Crystal Bay
Stableford

I always liked this course, through all its name changes, after all it is pretty much the same course, I don’t even miss it when I am zooming down Sukhumvit and looking for Natural Park Resort. Well not often!

Winners with Max (left) & staff.

The morning started as normal. Meet at Bert’s, breakfast, into the cars and down the traffic jam called Sukhumvit, to Crystal Bay. Arriving there a pleasant book in, to this fine Clubhouse, and onto the fine course. The test this time being the B & A nines. For some reason we always play it that way around, if I ask them maybe they will change the names around so it sounds better.

Fine golf on a fine course, mind it was a bit dry, but not too bad. The round flowed quite well, and it was not long before we were relaxing in the fine clubhouse, before the mad drive back in the rush hour traffic.

Back at Bert’s the chicken and chips were waiting, whilst Max sorted out the contenders, all wanting to buy the beers all night. So we had two winners, Ray (No R) Spence, for those who have less shots to play with, and Alan Gummer for those with a lot of shots to play with.

Then the night being young, a good time was had by all. T.T.F.N.

Winners: 0-18 Ray Spence and 19-36 Alan Gummer

Near Pins: Ray Spence, Derek Brook, Jeff Wylie, Mike Wing, Punyanut Gale (2), Alan Gummer and Keith Avery.

Long Putts: Jeff Wylie and Derek Brook

Monday July 4
Treasure Hill
Stableford

With the admiral taking a rare day’s sick leave for a final inspection on a “dodgy peg”, a good turnout of some thirty-one golfers sailed north to Treasure Hill for this Monday’s challenge.

Rodney Clarke

And a tough challenge it turned out to be, as the course was found to be a combination of two extremes, with the greens being in excellent condition and the fairways suffering somewhat it would appear, from the recent drought.

Having said that however the course was more than playable and our intrepid group soldiered on without complaint.

All was plain sailing it appeared for the rookie organizers, until an oversight on their part resulted in the last group failing to collect the technical prize markers and the prospect of a last minute dash to the six designated greens loomed large.

Rick Evans

Highly tuned athletes as they are, this did seem a somewhat daunting task following a round of golf and a couple of “tigers”, but to their relief the day was saved by the Treasure Hill management, who promptly organized a buggy and driver to make the collection, so a big thank you to them.

On with the competition then and with the scores reflecting the difficulty of the course only one man, Brian Gaussa, managed to beat his handicap to win the ‘B flight’ with 38pts from Wayne Koch 35pts in second and Gene Rooney 32pts in third.

In the ‘A flight’ that fine golfer Monte Sykes once again pulled out the stops to take first place with 36 pts from the amiable Irishman Fergus Brennan 35pts in second and Clive Robinson 34pts coming third.

Technical Prizes:

Nearest Pins: #2 Steve Hamstead, Fergus Brennan, Frank Kelly; #6 Karsten Kristensen

Long Putts: #9 Monte Sykes; #18 Gordon Evingham

Thursday July 7
Bangpra
Stableford

This course seems to be in favour at present as it is played so often. Normally this time of the year the really good courses get played, because they are not as packed as in the high season, so we play Bangpra. Unfortunately this year, with the shortage of water, the course is bone dry. This has mainly affected the fairways, where divots do not disappear and brown patches are apparent, however the greens are also suffering because the temptation is to leave too much grass on, thus they are playable by mere mortals.

Monte Sykes

So on this day the conditions were really tough, with a strong wind and hard ground. In the circumstances it was not surprising that nobody beat the course.

In the A Flight, 0 to 17, we had a countback for the win, with 36 points, won by Rick Evans, with Ebrahim in second. We also had a countback for third, on 35 points, won by Jim Boyd with Ron Gale just losing out.

In the B Flight, 18 upwards, the winner was Rodney Clarke with 36 points. Rodney has just returned for his annual 3 weeks holiday and promises to go home with a reduced handicap. In second we had a countback on 35 points, won by Dave Richardson with Pete King in third.

This is the place where I would normally tell all about the super hot tub in the changing room where you can ease away the aches of a game of golf, followed by my normal Rainbow ice-cream, the best in the area. Next time maybe! T.T.F.N.

Near Pins: #8Jim Boyd; #12Ebrahim