|
Ocean Marina forges ahead with racing in the Gulf
Peter Cummins
To celebrate the second anniversary of the ongoing Ocean
Marina monthly regattas, a big fleet turned out at the Marina for a weekend
of close, exciting sailing.
Sponsor of the event was David Bell’s Rakahng-Crestcom
Management Training Company, and, appropriately enough, winners received
traditional brass “rakahng” (bell) prizes.
 Olaf
Reese on a ‘shake-down’ cruise of “Voodoo Child.”
According to David, craft in three divisions faced a
light south westerly breeze which gradually filled in during Saturday
afternoon to around 8-9 knots.
On Sunday, a good morning wind of some 10 knots, gave the
crews all they needed, though it was not quite enough for Olaf Reese’s new
super-fast Firefly Class catamaran Voodoo Child - built in Phuket - to show
its true performance capabilities. Nevertheless, Olaf thrashed the rest of
the catamaran fleet in all three races.
In the Farr 25 Platu Class, the competition was closer
for the first three positions, with national Platu champion, Skipper Neil
Semple coming to the fore with two first places and one third position.
Second was Simon Medd with three second places, and third, Virot Nualkair,
with a two second placings plus one sixth position.
The Ocean Keel Boat Division was dominated by John Vause
sailing Bill Gasson’s now famous Buzz 8, with two firsts and one third
placing, equal on five points with David Pollard’s Foreign Exchange which
finished with a first and two second placings. John won on the count-back.
Third overall in this division was was Pascal Leray, last month’s sponsor,
sailing his X-99, Hi-Jinks.
The Second Anniversary Regatta was significant for
sailors from Bangkok and the Eastern Seaboard, bearing in mind that up until
two years ago, there was never any regular keel boat racing in the area.
As the prime mover behind this initiative, Bill Gasson
said at the awards presentation: “It is really encouraging to see the
series take-off so well. More and more keelboats are coming to the area and
we expect to see yacht racing develop significantly in the coming months. It
is also a great opportunity for sail training for the second Top-of-the-Gulf
Regatta planned for May 2006.”
It is also most satisfying to note that property
developer, Raimon Land, is now firmly behind yacht racing in the Kingdom,
from the Pattaya-Jomtien area to Phuket and anywhere in between.
The next Ocean Marina regatta will be held over the
weekend of October 8 - 9. In fact, the last three months of this year will
see a large number of national and international regattas.
Phil Harper of Gulf Charters Thailand announced that the
company can also provide charter yachts to enthusiasts who may wish to join
future Ocean Marina events which are held on the second weekend of the
month.
For more information, contact Phil by e-mail: phil@
gulfchartersthailand.com
Fire and Gas Pattaya FC heat up with a pre-season friendly
This football season sees the emergence of a Pattaya
football team that intends to set the Bangkok Casuals League alight! Fire
& Gas FC, formally known as The Racing Club Pattaya and gratefully
playing all their home games in the past at The Regent’s International
School.
Pattaya’s
newest football team Fire and Gas Pattaya FC after their season warm-up
match.
To celebrate the inauguration of Fire & Gas Pattaya
FC a friendly was played last Saturday at The Regent’s School. The teams
were comprised of club members and divided into Academics and Non-academics,
both sporting the red hot, new kits. It was keenly contested match with the
odd heated moment as each side had a point to prove. The Academics took the
lead with a scorching cross from Dale and simple tap in from the young Kyu
Bak Lee. The second half saw the Non-academics equalize as the game
threatened to fizzle out, Spencer Bragg being the main threat. In the dying
seconds though the Academics turned on the gas and thread a clever ball
through to Kyu Bak whose scorching pace left the defence for dead and scored
his second to win the game.
Keeping
in step for the upcoming Casuals League, both the academic and no-academic
players took to the pitch for some serious play.
The club has now been strategically bought out by Fire
and Gas Pattaya Ltd, a local company owned by Paul Farnworth. Fire & Gas
provide systems to protect industrial equipment from fire or explosion. They
mainly do large manufacturing plants or refineries, but will also provide
alarms for large commercial premises like schools or warehouses. This is the
first time that Paul has sponsored a football team and he hopes that the new
relationship will ignite the team’s performances this year and send them
to the top of the ladder.
All the players and back room staff (Terry Wilcox in
particular) would like to thank Paul for his kind sponsorship, which has
provided two brand new kits and a large proportion of the league fees
required to play in the Bangkok league, sponsored by MBMG.
All home games this year will be played at the Horseshoe
Point and away fixtures at Patana International School in Bangkok. The first
league fixture of the season is October 1. Any players who would like a game
of football please feel free to contact Phil Drake at:
[email protected] or Terry Wilcox at: wilcoxft @hotmail.com.
A great start to what should be an explosive season for F&G. You can
follow your favourite Pattaya football team and all their results in the
Pattaya Mail and on the league website at www.somtam.com.
Get ready for the BNH Hospital Bed Push 2005
The annual Bangkok Hospital is set race in a fortnight’s
time. The event aims to raise funds for Thai charities is schedule to run
(literally) on Saturday, October 8 at 4 p.m. starting from the BNH Hospital.
This popular activity is for those looking for a bit fun
for a good cause.
If you would like to participate or need more details,
please contact the International Centre by phone on 02 686 2700 ext 3377 or
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Donations can also be made directly to: BNH Hospital Bed
Push, Siam Commercial Bank, Sathorn Branch, Savings account No.
101-2-22555-3
Pattaya to have its own world-class motor racing circuit
International motor and motorcycle events planned
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya is to have its own motor sports racing
circuit, to be built at a cost of more than 1 billion baht and capable
of holding international motor racing and motorcycle events.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed
between city hall and sponsoring company Thailand International Motor
Sport Complex Co Ltd.
 Kriskrai
Sukonritikorn (left) exchanges a signed MOU with Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn
Co-signing the agreement were Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and Kriskrai Sukonritikorn, managing director of TIMC
Co.
The total investment to construct the venue on an
area of 347 rai at Huay Kainao, in Khao Mai Kaew, will be over 1 billion
baht. It is expected that the circuit will be able to host world
championship motorcycle and car racing events within four years.
Kriskrai said that each major race meeting is
expected to attract at least 20,000 spectators.
Mayor Niran said that the ability to host world-class
race meetings will encourage even more people to visit the city,
boosting the local economy with their spending power.
An
artists impression of the Motor Sport Complex.
The Thailand International Motor Sport Complex will
include a world standard road course 4,200 meters in length, a cart
field, a multi-purpose sports field to hold safety driving courses, an
auto course, and an area for dirt bike action.
There will initially be over 15,000 covered seats,
the number to be expanded to 20,000 in the second phase construction.
The grounds will have parking for more than 4,400 cars with pits and
paddocks to support about 200 racing cars, a control center, a
pressroom, and a four-floor medical center.
“It’s a great opportunity for all Thais, especially Pattaya
residents, to become part of the exciting world of motor racing,” said
Kriskrai.
Nongprue District Cup kicks off this weekend
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The 5th Football Tournament Nongprue District Cup 2005,
scheduled September 24 to October 30, was announced in a press conference at
Grand Sole Hotel last week. Heading up the announcement were Santsak,
Ngamphiches to the interior minister advisor, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Chonburi
MP and local dignitaries.
Organisers
and local dignitaries announce the 5th annual Nongprue Football cup at a
press conference last Friday. Games kick off at the central sports in Soi
Nernplubwan this Saturday.
Teams competing this year include Police FC, Military,
Telecommunication Organisation Thailand (TOT), Bangkok Bank, Bangkok
University, EGAT, Chonburi FC and the Coke Football Club from Bangpra. Each
of the teams are vying for the many prizes and trophies on offer during the
month long tournament.
The opening highlight will includes a special exhibition
match between the TV Stars team and the Nongprue VIP team.
All games to be played at the central sports field, Soi Nernplubwan and
admission to spectators is free of charge.
All to play for in the Superstars Challenge
Round two of the three bar superstars challenge between
the Caddy Shack on soi 17, Sweethearts Bar on Soi Buakaow and the Bowling
Green took the lads for the second round of golf to the Royal Navy course
at Sattahip.
Ready
for the tee off at the Royal navy Course
With each team specialising in different events, the
two-man better ball format suited some of the novice players. Mind you some
of the new 36 handicap players will reportedly be wearing sombreros next
week, as the word “Bandit” was heard muttered several times round the
course (no names mentioned). Every body had a great time in the heat, and
with Roy Mitchell’s handicaps working out very well the event was too
close for call.
Back to Danny and Charlie’s bar with echoes of “come
on you Sweethearts” for the pool leg. Fine food was served again for the
hungry lads prior to the commencement of the drinking, sorry I mean pool
competition.
Once again some of the big hitters fell short of the
target. Reg and Glen from Sweethearts moved up the table in the singles
chart from bottom to 7th with 100% in the pool, as did Danny and Charlie
from Sweethearts and Roy Mitchell and the boss Keith Fortt from the Caddy
Shack.
The standings after two events are Sweethearts 124
points, Caddy Shack 115 points and the Bowling Green 115 points.
Next week the final episode as the players meet their doom at the hands
of the Bowling green Boys on their home turf as Bowls and pool conclude the
Superstars Challenge.
Wednesday Quiz League
Soi 6 Wednesday Quiz League
Philp flies off another birdie…
Golf with The Caddy Shack
Tuesday the September 13 of the
guys and gals travelled from the Caddy Shack to Noble Place, its probably
the furthest course we go to but its a good challenging course and excellent
value for money.
 Bob
Philp smiling after his birdie two.
The competition today was a medal round and B & C
courses were selected. The golfers were split into two divisions with the
cut being 17 and under. Division two saw Tony Duthie and Ben Findon tying
for 2nd place with one over par net 73, 1st place went to Don Head with a
net 71. Division one golfers with handicaps 17 and under resulted in Jan
Eriksen scoring a net 76 to take 3rd place, in 2nd place came Steve Nowell
with a net 75. However, out in front again to take 1st place was Mike Allidi
who shot a 74 gross and net 71, well done Mike that is a very special round.
The Twos were shared between Don, Steve, Mike and Ben. The most feared prize
in the Caddy Shack was awarded to Ed Trayling after receiving 3 demerit
points on his buggy licence for driving on the fairways and golf rage. We
think the marshal was very lenient, as we would have withdrawn his licence,
so come on Ed stick to the Fairway code. The complimentary Sunday lunch was
won by the charming Mam Trayling.
Tuesday the September 15 saw the golfers from the Caddy
Shack travel to Eastern Star golf course to play its weekly Stableford
competition, as usual the golfers were split into two divisions with the cut
at 16 and under. In Division two, Rob Bennet scored 31 points to record 3rd
spot, in 2nd was Ben Findon with 33 points the winner was David Lightfoot
with 37 points.
Division one results were 3rd place Paul Smith with 35
points but the joint winners of the day were Steve Nowell and Jim Wickstrom
with 37 points. Bob Philp recorded the only two of the day to take the
precious pot. The Bananas were awarded to Emmet White for his meagre 24
points, not long ago Emmet won the competition in fine style and now in last
place, this is a tough game. The free Sunday Lunch was won by lucky winner
David Lightfoot.
All golfers are welcome to come on Tuesdays and Thursdays
we leave at 11a.m. for a midday tee off. The Caddy Shack is on the second
part of Soi 17 (same road as the Harley Bar).
Next Tuesday the September 27 play is at Phoenix for a medal round and
Thursday the September 29 at Treasure Hills for a Stableford comp.
Soggy swings and snorkels the order of the week
IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday September 12,
Century Ban Chang, Stableford
1st Mikael Andersson, 38 pts
2nd Arthur Hancock, 35 pts
3rd Roy Thornton, 34 pts - cb9 18, cb6 13, cb3 8
4th Glynn Nicholas, 34 pts - cb9 18, cb6 13, cb3 7
No so many moons ago Mikael Andersson was a twelve
handicapper but over the recent months has played so well he now plays off 6
and still he continues to lead the field. Monday was no exception as he
returned a very creditable 76 gross to beat the chasing pack by three clear
shots.
Arthur Hancock played a solid round to take second place
without playing to his handicap. Roy Thornton showed real determination to
beat Glynn Nicholas over the last three holes after a protracted count back
that went to the last three.
Before presenting the prizes Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed new member Tony McCormack and welcomed
back Jan Johansson, Volker Esser, Al Rolnik, Barry and Trudy Chadbourn.
There were no two’s in the second division and Mikael
Andersson had the only one in the first division to make it a very
worthwhile day trip to Rayong as the pot included a carry over from the
previous competition.
Wednesday September 14,
Pattaya Country Club, Snorkeling
1st Roar Berger, 37 points - cb
2nd Glynn Nicholas, 37 - cb 1 canoe
3rd Peter Aitcheson, swam the last 50 m
4th Roy Thornton, DNF due to lack of clubs
An extremely wet day meant that the field was drastically
reduced to those players with a high enough off the ground RV to firstly be
able to reach the course. It was then a survival of the fittest in a
competition that more resembled the first leg of a triathlon than golf.
Roar Berger turned in the winning score which was decided
on the driest card and the best breast stroke on show. Magellan belly
flopped into second, with the aid of the lake-masters personal transport,
just ahead of Peter Aitcheson who had to give second best to the course over
the last two lakes. It was a bad day for Roy who only found one of the
clubs, which slipped out of his wet grasp, due to the depth of the water in
most areas.
There were no twos on the day and precious few fours.
Richard congratulated the whole field on a splendid effort to keep the flag
flying in the face of exceptionally adverse conditions.
Friday September 16,
Siam Country Club, Stableford
1st Martin Hayes, 35 pts
2nd Peter Johansson, 33 pts - cb 18
3rd Rob Dolon, 33 pts - cb 16
4th Barry Traynor, 32 pts - cb 17
5th Dave Shaw, 32 pts - cb 15
Martin Hayes again showed the benefit of the practice
range and put together a workman like round even though the conditions,
after what seems like almost non-stop rain for four days, were far from
ideal. Thirty-five points may not seem much of a score but it was good
enough by 2 to take the honours.
Peter Johansson got back to the second step of the podium
by countback from Rob Dolon whilst Barry Traynor slipped in front of David
Shaw to claim the last slot also by countback.
Prior to the prize giving Richard welcomed Ken Graham and
Rob Dolon and welcomed back Volker Esser for the second time due to a
clerical error on the part of the scorer.
Martin Hayes and Glynn Nicholas shared the twos in the
first division whilst for the third time there were no winners in the second
division.
Patel pushes hard
at Phoenix
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral
The Pattaya Golf Society based at the OK Corral in Soi
Rungland chose Phoenix, Lakes and Ocean, as the venue for its weekly medal
event on Tuesday, September 13, under heavily brooding skies which were to
be the portent for twenty four hours of heavy rain. The day stayed dry
however as a strong breeze kept the clouds moving. The course was finely
honed and the PGS welcomed back old friend Harry Cowling for is annual stay.
He performed reasonably well in the experienced field, shooting a jetlagged
net 78, whilst namesake Harry Riley went two shots better to take third
place with net 76. Saranya Chaiyanont kept the focus on the Riley household
with her cute 74, the only blemish being her quadruple bogey on Ocean 8, the
hardest hole on the card. Winning the event was Indian accountant Chaten
Patel, currently very much in form, whose net 73 was a fine balance sheet
for the day.
There were no birdie twos but Ken Graham’s extended
stay was enhanced by the Booby Bevy, having damaged his reputation as the
“rollover king”, failing to win at two attempts, thereby causing riots
in his native Belfast at the weekend! There were no riots in Soi Rungland
later, only the ominous signs of thunder threatening to drown the applause
for the field.
Burapha Blues
On Thursday, September 15, the PGS left the OK Corral for their
weekly stableford event, this time at Burapha, playing the “A” and
“B” nines off the blue tees. The day was warm and thankfully the clouds
were high but the signs of the recent downpours were still in evidence, with
damp fairways providing little run and slowish greens. The course was to
play very long and the field did well to post some good scores. A clutch of
golfers, Barry Pethig, John Cunningham, John Healy and Steve Bugden all
presented cards bearing scores of 32 points to share the minor placing
whilst Bill Hewitt fired the day’s best gross of 87 to head them with 34
points. The day’s top score was achieved by first-time guest player,
Rowley Morris, who bemused his playing partners with 40 points. Rule 19 will
be initiated on his next guest appearance! John Healy’s birdies on the
par-three A3 and A6 gave him sole ownership of the thrice rolled over twos
pot and he shared his luck by ringing the bell back at the OK. Len was not
left out either as he supplemented his intake with the Booby Bevy for his
appalling round. “Rubbish?” No, it wasn’t that good! Cheers John.
Mike Gerrard performs at Ban Chang
PSC McAllister’s Golf
September 16 - Equally comfortable with a
microphone or a golf club in his hand, Mike Gerrard showed at Century Ban
Chang last Friday that he can also perform equally well on the course
shooting 37 points to beat Stuart Thompson also with 37 points on countback.
On the first sunny day after some very heavy showers during the week, the hot
sun turned the soaking fairways into a steam bath. It was not the heat and
humidity that had our PSC Vice President Dennis Willett in lather however -
it was his putter. Dennis shot 84 off the stick, a round that included 39
putts. Simple math shows that Dennis must have been on the green in
regulation a lot more times than he was not. It also shows that there must
have at least 3 three-putts, although none of this could be confirmed because
your scribe was too afraid to ask. Unfortunately we do not have photographs
of the winners, presumably because they fled the scene rather than listen to
Dennis recount his putting plight.
Don McAllister put on the usual welcome back at McAllister
Bar & Grill with the complimentary buffet and his friendly staff.
This Friday is the PSC Monthly Members Tournament,
although there will be someone at Century to organize a round for those
players who wish to challenge this course one more time.
Pair’s scramble at Phoenix Golf & C. C.
Shenanigans Very Friendly Golfing Society
Maybe something to do with the date being the thirteenth
of the month had an effect on a booking mix up at the golf course but after
some confusion all teams got away, albeit late, to a very enjoyable round of
golf. Recent heavy rains seem to be handled very well at Phoenix with very
few wet lies to contend with.
(l-r)
Larry Willet and Ian Warwick regular partners on the golf course returned a
net 64.6 to put them in second spot after their round at Phoenix and to
receive their just rewards from Gerry Carpenter.
The scramble format, always a popular one, allows each
partner to shine here and there. This Tuesday was no exception with a lot of
odd shots followed by good recovery by the teammate.
The team that should have won managed to struggle into
third place with a net 66.4. This was the pairing of Mikael Andersson an
Arthur Hancock. To say that Arthur’s putting was brilliant hardly covers
how good it really was. By my count three or four of the near misses should
rightly have dropped giving them an easy win.
Feeling very confident in the clubhouse was the regular
pairing of Ian Warwick and Larry Willett having stormed the course with a
superb round resulting in a net 64.6 only to find that put them in second.
In first with the best recorded score for the pairing with net 64.2 were
Phil, the monster, Taylor and steady Gerry Carpenter. Prizes were duly
awarded at Shenanigans in the evening.
The next outing will be at Burapha on Tuesday September
27. The format will be a pair’s better ball Stableford competition on the
C & D course and gives all participants a chance to tune up for the
Shenanigans Irish Open, which will be held at the same venue on Friday the
30th. Sign up at Shenanigans with Simon your ever-friendly landlord who is
promising a great day out for all.
Standings do not change much but top two teams lose
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
200
Bowlers – Morn, Bill, Tui, Udom and Lenz.
Mai’s Thai Restaurant remains in first place but lost
three points to Brother D. Shenanigan’s also lost three points to last
place House of the Golden Coin and are now tied for second with Three
Sisters who beat Jack & Tar and took three points in that match. VFW
Post 9876 is steadily moving up the standings and they won three points in
their match with Friends and are now tied for fourth with Brother D. Domicil
won four points from Grapevine and Cafe Ole got three from Cafe Kronborg.
Best bowlers of the day were:
Tui, VFW Post 9876: games of 185, 169, 214 – 568 series
Lenz, Mai’s Thai Restaurant: games of 206, 184, 161 – 551 series
Morn, Domicil: games of 200, 170, 170 – 541 series
Nual, Cafe Ole: 534 series
Udom, Shenanigans: 205 game – 521 series
Teuvo, Friends: 520 series
Mio, House of the Golden Coin: 515 series
Bill Gibson, Cafe Kronborg: 200 game - 514 series
Tom and Ian hit top form at Pattaya Country Club
PSC golf from The Grapevine
Following a full day of rain on Wednesday,
34 golfers left The Grapevine for the short trip to Pattaya Country Club
hoping for fine weather and hot golf. The weather stayed fine with a gusty
wind, keeping the temperature down which was great for golf. With some
notable exceptions, hot golf was not the order of the day. 
(l-r)
Ian, Keith, Tom, Keith and Vincent.
The most notable exceptions were in the B Flight with Tom
Herrington (21) showing rare form to record a hot 44 points. Keith Hodges (25)
picked up 2nd with 39 points, while Keith Avery (27) returned to form with a
creditable 38 points.
The A Flight was much tighter with scores of 38 points from
Ian Edwards (14) and 37 from Jeff Wylie (6) – the only two to break their
handicap. Ian followed up his runner-up position of last week to climb the next
step to the top of the podium this week. Third place was secured by Vincent
Smyth (11) with a solid 35 points, just pipping Roy and Mashi on countback.
Technical prizes on the day were spread around with near pins
being picked up by Ian (2), Bob and Fergus in the A Flight, while Graham, Keith,
Tom and Nigel grabbed the B Flight pins. Long putts were picked up by Dick and
Gordon on #9 with Mike and Chris getting the goodies on hole #18. Thong was
lucky draw winner and well pleased, she was, as Roy was not so fortunate this
week.
All in all another great day of golf with good conditions, good hospitality
from our hosts, and good company. What more can you ask for? If you want to join
in, come down to The Grapevine on Soi Regent Marina (Soi 0) off Beach Road and
sign up. A good day is assured. Cheers and good golfing. JW
Jan dodges a host of 2s for the Medal
IPGC Golf From Lewiinski’s
Sunday September 11
Green Valley, White Tees
Monthly Medal
1st A Flight: Bob Philp, net 65
2nd A Flight: Jim Wickstrom, net 66
3rd A Flight: Mike Allidi, net 67
1st B Flight: Jan Eriksen, net 63 - Monthly Medal Winner
2nd B Flight: Brian LeButt, net 68
3rd B Flight: Chicka Smith, net 71
1st C Flight: Alec Hoare, net 69
2nd C Flight: Kevin Moraghan, net 71
3rd C Flight: Mike Crawighead, net 71
Near Pins: #5 Barry Collier; #16 John “JtB” Dearden
2s: Jim Wickstrom (2); Mike Allidi; Rick Sharp; Brian
Holden; John Emmerson; Nigel Jones; Jim Munns; Gerry Power (2); Dave
Tanner; Jan Eriksen; Glen Perkinson; Mike Craighead; Marlene Prudden; John
“JtB” Dearden
Non 2s: Clive Bruce (2); Klaus Schackt; Ken Kutzing; Rob
Dolan
It is probably the closest a Monthly Medal winner has
ever come to losing the title slot and that is certainly no slur on this
month’s winner, Jan Eriksen. In fact, quite the contrary, as Jan tied the
second all time best winning score ever with a gross 79, net 63.
The demon that nearly overshadowed Jan was a veritable
avalanche of 2s. There were twenty-two of them in all, a circumstance that
nearly forced this scribe to abandon the traditional listing of same. (They
must still survive PM sports editor’s cutting room floor). Ascending to
acknowledgement in this prose was the duet of 2s posted by Jim Wickstrom,
Gerry Power, and Clive Bruce. Just a word on Clive’s 2s, he didn’t
enter the 2s comp thereby joining Paul Young as the only players to bungle
a brace off bi-stroke beauties, hereinafter referred to as non-2s. Further
highlight must be awarded Mike Allidi as his 2 came on a par four 6.
Jan’s score, a B Flight winner, was five clear of the
fine effort of Brian LeButt and yet another three clear of that Aussie
footballer (who can do a Haka that would make a Kiwi proud), Chicka Smith.
Stories abounded in A Flight as well as Bob Philp had
every reason to expect his 74/65 to hold up for the Medal, and both the A
Flight silver and bronze medal winners were sub-par gross! Mike Allidi’s
gross 70 bettered Jim Wickstrom’s 71 for medalist honors.
Is there a story left for C Flight? Only that Alec Hoare
continued to prevail in this flight, with a first with a net 69, thus
bettering the count back sorted duet of Kevin Moraghan and Mike the
Mechanic.
Tuesday September 13
Laem Chabang, A & B
Black or White Tees
Medal
1st Black Flight, Peter Barathy, net 73
1st White A Flight, Richard Garland, net 70
2nd White A Flight, Phil Corbin, net 71
1st Place White B Flight, Terry Wagner, net 74
2nd Place White B Flight, John Exall, net 74
Near Pins: #A2: Pete Murray; #B8 – Trevor Cottrill
2s: Blacks: None; Whites: Phil Corbin; Nigel Jones; Trevor Cottrill; Terrry
Wagner; John Exall.
The Blue Bombers changed their moniker this Tuesday, by
stepping back to the 6,865-yard Black tees of Laem Chabang Mountain/Lake,
and as is often the case a high handicapper is afforded an advantage, as
everybody struggles a bit, but he has the strokes to cure it. Peter Barathy
did just that as he used his athleticism to beat the single digit lot with
a net 73.
A saner lot was split up into two Flights of White.
Richard “El Supremo” Garland edged Hawaii’s Phil Corbin by a single
stroke to win A Flight. Phil still needed a count back over Auusie guest
Terry Durkin, to hold onto the last A Flight step.
Phil’s traveling mate, Terry Wagner, used a count back
to take the B Flight top rung form rounding-into-form Yank, John Exall.
Wednesday September 14
Mountain Shadow,
Blue Tees, Stableford
1st Jan Eriksen, 35 pts
2nd Masashi Kaneta, 32 pts
3rd Chaten Patel, 32 pts
2s: Chaten Patel
It was back to imposing Mountain Shadow, especially when
embellished by rain, and the scores reflected it. And brave group pressed
on through local downpours to play the round, with only a subset of them
taking on the daily competition. Our Monthly Medal winner continued a fine
week with a just below handicap 35 points. One of the nicest fellows on the
course, Masashi Kaneta, had the better of Chaten Patel and Blackie
Blackburn on count back. And poor Blackie was pushed off the podium
entirely as the result of the unfavorable dispersal.
Friday September 16
Burapha, A & B
Blue or White Tees
Stroke/Medal
1st Blue Flight: Serege Straeten, net 71
2nd Blue Flight: Julian Clarke, net 72
1st White A Flight: Chicka Smith, net 69
2nd White A Flight: Terry Durkin, net 70
1st White B Flight: Peter Barathy, net 63
2nd White B Flight:Warren Holland, net 71
2s: Rick Sharp; Whites: Terry Durkin; Roger Verville (2); Max Arlen; Warren
Holland; Dave Schelling; Marlene Prudden.
Off to old friend Burapha on Friday and a field that
sorted itself into one-third Blue tees, and two-thirds White tees. Le
Monsieur took the Bomber division with a fine net 71, followed closely by
Julian Clarke. The irrepressible Chicka Smith took A Flight of the White
Tees with a fine net 69, just one ahead of the man from Downunder, Terry
Durkin. The Man of the Match was Peter Barathy with a handicap shattering
gross 83, net 63. A ways back, but ahead of everybody else, was Korean
resident and Pattaya aspirant, Warren Holland at net 71.
2s of note were those of Warren’s traveling mate fro
Korea, Roger Verville, who had two and Marlene Prudden who had here second
of the week.
Beth lofts a win
PSC golf from Tropical Berts
Tuesday September 13, Phoenix, Stableford
Another day, another Tuesday, another slow start to the
day, another great day of golf. This is a really tough life.
 Didn’t
we do well!
So meet at Bert’s for breakfast, sort out the teams of
players, then up to Sukhumvit, turn right, down the road and turn left,
follow the signs and there you have it, a golf course.
Not a bad one, very pretty with great views and getting
better, the test for the day the Lakes and the Ocean, the weather a bit
wet, no go off the fairways, well let’s get to it.
The course at present is in fine condition, a bit soggy
but always worth a visit, and on this day all played and enjoyed the day
out.
The round over some sat and had a drink at Phoenix, but
most loaded up and went back to Bert’s for a bite to eat and a few beers.
Back at Bert’s the food was on and all warmed up with some hot pot and
crusty bread, before Bob got the presentation under way, and declared the
winner as Beth Lill, our lone Lady won for the day. Till next week T.T.F.N.
Results:
Winner Beth Lill
Near Pins: Derek Brook, Marty Alred, Beth Lill, Dick Warburg, Bill Campbell
and Frank Pilkington.
Long Putts: Vince Smythe, Beth Lill and Dick Warburg.
Sports Quiz
Last Week’s sports quiz answers are:
1. Who captained Liverpool in this year’s European Cup Final?
Answer: Steve Gerrard
2. Which recent All Black has gone to play at fly-half for Northampton?
Answer: Carlos Spencer
3. Which driver won the 2003 World Rally Car Championship?
Answer: Petter Solberg (Norway)
Remember, be the first to send in the correct answers and win a weekend
carvery for two at Jameson’s Irish Pub.
1. Who captained Australia in this year’s Cricket Ashes?
2. Which team won the first ever English FA Cup in 1872?
3. Who got the Silver medal in the Women’s 800m at the Paris 2003 World
Athletic Championships?
The Beautiful Game?: Harewood lights up predictable Premiership
Riz Taylor
So here we are: Half a dozen games into a new season is
barely a heartbeat in the scheme of a Premiership fixture list of 38 games per
side, but already Chelsea are clear favourites to retain the title after another
win, this time against second placed Charlton, stretched the champions’ lead
at the top and maintained their 100% record. Ominously Jose Mourinho’s men
have also yet to concede a goal.
Is it all becoming too predictable and barely worth watching?
It seems so for some fans, as for the first time in Premiership history it’s
becoming easy to acquire tickets for even the most prominent of matches.
Over Saturday’s five fixtures there were over 27,500 unsold
seats for matches across the country and this in a league that enjoys branding
itself as the world’s most popular. Premiership representatives will point to
the 17,343 seats that were available at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland’s
uninspiring fixture against West Bromwich Albion, and another 8,887 that were
untaken for Aston Villa’s televised evening match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Whilst these empty spaces can be explained by a poorly
performing home side and the television factor respectively, the startling truth
hit home after it was revealed that the Charlton versus Chelsea fixture was only
declared a sell-out a mere 48 hours prior to kick off.
A London derby between the first and second placed team
would, in previous seasons, have seen fans gobble up tickets in a feeding
frenzy, but the growing predictability of the Premiership and spiralling ticket
prices seems finally to be choking the enthusiasm of supporters up and down the
land. Amongst other concessions made by Charlton to attract customers, the club
were forced to offer tickets almost 25% cheaper than last season’s
corresponding fixture to ensure a full house.
Those uninspired fans would have done well to head across
London to Fulham, where another derby between sides in the capital provided a
far more entertaining spectacle than the table topping affair. Fulham began the
game by creating chance after chance and testing the impressive West Ham
goalkeeper Roy Carroll on several occasions, but it was the Hammers that ran out
winners thanks to a predatory display from striker Marlon Harewood.
The former Nottingham Forest man scored one goal and forced
an own-goal for the other as his side left Craven Cottage with a 2-1 win. The
match-winning performance came after a hat-trick on the Monday against Aston
Villa, and saw Harewood take his tally to four goals in five days and propel him
into the league’s leading scorers.
Hammers’ boss Alan Pardew was full of praise for his
striker, telling reporters: “Marlon Harewood has always had potential to cause
major damage, he has got such body strength. He has to play at full pace.”
West Ham now find themselves unlikely guests in a Premiership
top five that also contains Manchester City and Charlton Athletic.
Predictable? Says who?
William,
Prince of Football
Prince William is to succeed his uncle Andrew, better known
as the Duke of York, as president of the Football Association. The 23 year-old
prince will become the figurehead of an organisation with its reputation in
tatters after being rocked by tales of ineptitude, sex scandals and the
long-running fiasco over the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium.
The Duke, who has been castigated for failing to show enough
interest in the game, said: “I am certain Prince William will be a real asset
to the organisation, particularly in his ability to demonstrate the benefits of
participation in football to young players.”
William is the first royal to show more than a passing
interest in the game, having played matches during his time at Eton, and is
known to be a fan of Aston Villa. Presumably that’s because he knows all about
being bossed around by a miserable old so-and-so that everyone wishes would
retire.
Pasta? No Thanks - Pass the
jaffa cakes
In a situation bearing a remarkable similarity to Chelsea’s
seemingly unstoppable march on the back of Russian millions, in Scotland it’s
Heart of Midlothian who are setting the early pace in the Scottish Premier
League with a 100% record.
Last November Vladimir Romanov, a Lithuanian born in Russia
and estimated to be worth over two hundred million pounds, took control at
Hearts and vowed to challenge the Glaswegian hold on the SPL that has remained
unbreakable since 1985 and the days of Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen.
Hearts now top the table with an eight point cushion, and
could find themselves challenging the traditional duopoly of Rangers and Celtic
sooner than Romanov or indeed anybody else might have expected.
But the Edinburgh club’s success could be down to a little
more than huge cash injections or even the tactical brilliance of manager George
Burley – it could be down to a diet of jaffa cakes. Observers have spotted
Hearts’ players scoffing the circular chocolate snack with the orange
flavoured centre after matches, prompting speculation that the team is choc-full
of chocaholics.
Hearts’ fitness coach poured cold water over the rumours,
telling UEFA’s website: “”Players are supposed to eat up to six grams of
carbohydrates as soon as possible after each game, so that’s why we give them
the jaffa cakes. I’m sure it doesn’t have any bearing on the results, but
it’s not doing any harm either.”
Several players are rumoured to be keen to join the revolution at Tynecastle,
among them Paul Gascoigne, Jan Molby, Micky Quinn and the porky ex-Sweden
midfielder Tomas Brolin, who is thought to be requesting an extortionate 20,000
jaffa cakes a week.
PSC golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday September 12,
Crystal Bay Stableford
The Crystal Bay And Country Club was host for a
stableford competition in two flights; A Flight 0 to 15 and B Flight 16 and
above on the A & B Layouts. The course on the day was in fine condition
with very fast greens.
 Marty
Alred
Marty Alred took the A Flight with 40 points, Einar
Johansson was in second with 39 points and Jeff Wylie was in third with 36
points.
Fergus Brennan took the B Flight with 38 points on a
countback over Keith Hodges in second and ‘Old Steady’ Arthur Bailey in
third with 36 points.
Thursday September 15,
Burapha, Stableford
This was always going to be a tough day, after all it
poured it down on the day before, and it was decided to play off the Blue
tees on a waterlogged course. Still the A & B Course, or the old course,
is a really fine course and the favourite of most who play at Burapha.
 Brian
Noguer
So it was that the players teed off on the first under
overcast conditions and with instructions not to take the carts off the cart
path. Ever noticed when this happens that one player hits the ball left and
one right? A long walk over soggy fairways always awaits some one; it always
helps to be the driver!
So the day progressed with a strong wind, still this is a
course to enjoy, and sat later in the restaurant the general opinion was
that it had been a fine day. The greens had been a little of a lottery, some
wet, some very wet, but it was better than no golf.
The winner at the end of a tough day was Brian Noguer with 34 points,
ahead of a three way countback for second on 32 points, which saw Rick Evans
in second, with Neil Skilton in third and Barry Collier in fourth. T.T.F.N.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
The biggest thing on the telly these days are various reality
shows. If you’re in showbiz (writing is showbiz) and don’t have a reality
show you’re nothing. I have my own reality show it’s just not on the telly.
I call mine “Life”. That aside most of the shows deal with the dysfunctional
and their day to day struggles. If there is a dysfunctional sport, and there is,
let’s call it boxing. Case is point is the continuing saga of Ricky “The
Hitman” Hatton, Frank “The Sleezeman” Warren and a cast of characters that
would make a Thai Government blush. It now appears that Hatton has forsaken the
promotional efforts of Frank Warren for those of Dennis Hobson. Hobson’ first
move was to schedule a fight between Hatton (IBF champ) and Carlos Maussa (19-2)
the WBA title holder. “I said after I beat Tszyu that my next fights would be
unification matches,” stated Hatton. “Dennis has put his money where his
mouth is and put this deal on the table for me because he said he could get me
what I wanted.”
Who is Carlos Maussa? He’s a fighter out of Columbia that
after getting stretched by Miguel Cotto (TKO 8) had a couple of “come
backers” then got in the ring as a big underdog against Vivian Harris. He
knocked Harris “cattywampus” in 7 stanza’s. Is he creditable? Sure. One
thing about promoters they never stay out of the game for long. After Hatton
announced the Maussa contest in steps Warren in conjunction with Don King.
How’d you like to draw to that pair during your Friday night poker party? I
quote from the press release: “ A massive offer of Euros 2.5million (US$4.1
million) has come from Frank Warren and Don King for IBF jnr welterweight
champion Ricky Hatton to fight WBC/IBF/WBA welterweight champion Zab Judah.
Warren is hoping that this will stop the undefeated IBF light-welterweight
champion from leaving him... Hatton would get a share of the pay-per-view money
in addition to US$4.1 million to meet Judah at welterweight poundage. Warren is
declaring Hatton’s proposed fight with WBA light-welter champion Carlos Maussa
will not happen. Warren has stated he has an agreement to promote Hatton’s
next three fights and has started legal proceedings. In fact late last week he
“reportedly produced such a document. “I’m confident the fight will not
happen for various reasons,” said Warren. A Warren statement and “Teelock, I
love you all my heart forever” have about the same staying power. Warren-King,
Wash out !
Sometimes you see something, get all excited then have to
“relax and wait.” The following headlines jumped off the page recently -
Green-Mundine Set. This could only mean two things. Either you had a well
trained dog named Green-Mundine or the box fighting contest between Danny Green
(20-2) and Anthony Mundine (24-3) was signed, sealed and delivered. Like
negotiating with number #26 at the TQ (Nice plug huh Woody?) it’s not yet a
done deal. The two fighters have agreed in “principle” (although I didn’t
think Mundine had any) to a meeting something between February and April of
2006. Both would have tune up fights. If both win, the fights on, maybe. Many in
the land from whence came Foster’s and Olivia Newton John think the attendance
will surpass the largest live gate in Aussie history. That occurred in March of
1992 for Jeff Fenech-Azumah Nelson. “Mundine has been installed as a betting
favorite but it will be Green who will be the favorite of the majority of
Australian fight fans.”
I’m sure you rushed out to get this week’s Pattaya Mail
to find out if Prawet Singwancha (26-2-1) beat. Jun Pardena (3-3) or how
Saenghiran Lookbanyai (13-0) did against. Joven Jorda (14-22-3 on Wednesday at
the Pattavikorn Market in Bangkok. Haven’t a clue, mate. But I can bring you
the up to date results from Las Vegas Nevada in the battle between Marco Antonio
Barrera (60-4) vs. Robbie Peden (25-2) for the WBC/IBF jr. Lightweight. No
problemo! To put in print that the crowd, not a sell out, was pro Barrera would
be an gross understatement. Not only is Barrera one of the most popular fighters
out of lower America (called Mexico by some) but this was Mexican Independence
Day. Marco Antonio Barrera (61-4) had little trouble with Peden (25-3) last
Sunday in Las Vegas. At fight time Peden was at odds of +450 which means you
would have gotten $450 back for each dollar bet had Peden won. Not a chance.
Marco Antonio Barrera (60-4) got a very professional unanimous decision (getting
118 on all cards) to unified the WBC and IBF super featherweight titles over
twelve round.
Last week in this column was, “Some Yank reporter (Chuck
Johnson, USA Today) - wrote that when Robbie Peden won the IBF Feather title in
February of this year he “is the first Aboriginal world champion since
lightweight and bantamweight champ Lionel Ross in the 1960’s and 1970.”
Stupid Yank wrong! You may have forgotten, heck if you can’t remember last
night how the heck would you remember last week, that Peden is half Aboriginal
and half Scott. Got an e-mail from Cousin Bruce, “Lionel Rose was never a
lightweight champion. Peden being half-Scot is a plus and Pacquiao should have
stayed at 126.” As usual Cousin Bruce is spot on.
Now logic will tell us that if there is one stupid Yank
writer can another be on the horizon?” The answer is yea. I plead guilty.
“Gidday Howard, Steve here from the land of Oz pointing out your mistakes
again, what a pain eh? Your comment that Anthony Mundine is full Aborigine,
Wrong Bucko. Anthony Mundine, who is a full Aboriginal as opposed to Peden’s
half, is actually not correct, his mum is ‘dinky di’ Aussie white women. So
like Peden he is only half. I would also challenge the fact that he was a
genuine world champion as you might remember at the time Sven Otke was the super
champion and Mundine won the secondary title. Considering Mundine was knocked
out by Otke he can hardly claim to be the best in that weight for the WBA. You
guessed it we still don’t much like Mundine down here and will hopefully see
Danny Green put his lights out early next year.” A reader that’s half right
is a reader to be treasured. If the WBA says Mundine was the “world champ”
he’s was world champ. Buy the lady a drink.
Sunday Wladinir Klitschko just night get the call to retire
from boxing when he faces hard hitting Samuel Peter. The latter hits too darn
hard and has too much heart for the “faint hearted one.” Klitschko’s
trainer Manny Stewart says, “he has panic attacks.” Not a key to success.
Welcome the new force in the heavyweight division. Next Thursday at the
Colorline Arena in Hamburg WBO heavyweight Champ Lemmon Brewster (32-2) gives
Luan Krasnigi (28-1-1) a title shot. Who is Luan Krasnigi? Good question! He’s
the typical European heavyweight who’s fought the usual suspects, built a
record that looks good but isn’t. What’s that get you? A heavyweight title
shot. Ho Hum sports fans. For fans of the Tuaman, that would be David Tua,
he’s set to get back in the ring on October 21 against Cisse Salif (17-4).
Sissy? An interior designer or a ballet dancer OK but a heavyweight fighter? I
think not. “Yea had a tough fight last out, beat a sissy.”
Got a note from my pal Patrick, aka the Flying Frog. He’s going into the
promoting business with Pieter Hoover to present a “Battle of the Belts” in
Bangkok on January 7. “In the Main event the famous 7 time World Champion
Ramon “Diamond” Dekker coming out of retirement to fight a Japanese TBA,
also World Champion Ray Simpson will fight the December 5, 2004 Kings Cup
Champion Wayne Parr and many others. More details coming up in the next
months.” Watch this column for more information. Reports circulated that
“Manny Pacquiao told a national TV audience in the Philippines that he plans
to stop drinking liquor and cut down on gambling.” In that case I’ll have a
double someone has to take up the slack.
Duncan returns a winner
PSC golf with The Bunker
Green Valley Country Club -
Monday September 12
A brilliant morning for a stableford competition. The Boys
from The Bunker headed south to play one of their favorite courses. The
conditions were perfect for Duncan Lee and Paul Smith who returned the best
scores of the day with 37 stableford points. New comer Mashi Kaneta was in third
spot with 32 points. Near the pins were won by John King, John Hughes and Mashi
Kaneta.
 After
a long break from golf, Duncan Lee is enjoying golf again and playing again with
the boys from the Bunker Bar.
Phoenix Country Club – Wednesday September 14
It was only the second rainout of the year, but Geoff Parker
and Eddie Martin still arrived hoping for a clearing of the skies, but they had
to settle for a morning of tea.
Pattaya Country Club –
Friday September 16
What a perfect morning for golf, the weeklong rain was gone
and the conditions were perfect for golf. Roger Privett returned the best score
of the day to win the “A” division with 40 stableford points. Bob Pearce was
second with 39 points. Granville Swanton and Paul Smith shared third place with
37 points each. In division “B” Stephen Davies returned from England in
great form as he scored 39 points to take first honors. A four-way tie for
second place with 34 points each went to Duncan Lee, Sonny Ruthsip, Jim Wooler
and Bryan Rought. Near the pins were won John King, Bob Pearce, Paul Smith and
Roger Privett.
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.
Terry triumphs in the last round…
PSC golf from the Three Sisters Bar
With the course a little drier, Siam had carts for the
cripples. As it was, we all played at Siam rather than a split group like last
week. The scores still reflected that handicaps are working as the winning score
for the day was 38 points. It may be that the wet grounds are also causing
problems for the golfers. Shooting the winning score for the day was Terry
Curtis with 38 points followed by Doug Chalkley and Daryl Evans with 37 points
each. Most of the field averaged around 32 points.
 Terry
Curtis returned 38 points to win the last round at Siam before the Three Sisters
moves to Pattaya Country Club.
The bag holder this week disappeared for picture taking as he
claimed that his face was on file. Paul Kinner has won previously and has also
held the bag before. Today was bag holding time as his game fell apart and he
managed only 18 points. Another high flier that crashed for the week was Bill
Gibson - he was just at the top last week and nearly made the cellar this week.
Bill managed 22 points along with Paul Donahue and Rollie Weese. All were happy
that Paul had slipped pass them and headed for the cellar.
Due to pricing and course conditions, the Three Sisters Golf will be headed
for Pattaya CC from next week. If things go well, this will be our new venue.
|
