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Treasure Hunt Island Race and slalom windsurfing
event gets underway this weekend..
The Amara Sailing Center is hosting the annual windsurfing
treasure hunt race in Pattaya this weekend, 24 -25 December. This is an open
class fun event where sailors of all ages are invited. Over the course of
the 2 days, competitors will take part in a slalom event where sailors race
around a short course with many turns and also the real fun, the windsurfing
treasure hunt.
 Fast
and fun windsurfing action coming to Pattaya this weekend
In this event, Sailors burst across the start line and
down to the beach, they must fight at the waters edge to get their equipment
away from the beach. Then it’s out into the wild seas between the Island
and the headland. These waters in front of Amara Windsurfing enjoy strong
winds and big waves at this time of year.
Sailors will then scream upwind hugging the cost to
Varuna Yaht club before rounding the bouy and heading for the Island. Once
at the Island, sailors must swim there gear ashore and go looking for hidden
treasure. This treasure must then be carried back to Amara Windsurfing in
perhaps the toughest part of the race - the downwind run. About 9km of huge
swells and winds gusting up to 30knts: Truly terrifying for even the most
experienced of sailors.
Afterwards, when all the sailors have returned safely, a
party and prize giving ceremony will be held on the beach opposite Surf
Kitchen on Jomtein Beach Road.
The Thai national windsurfing team has just returned from
competing in Australia and they will join sailors from Korea, Germany and
Singapore in taking part this weekend. All experienced sailors are invited
to enter these fun adventure packed races.
The event is sponsored by Amara Windsurfing, Starboard,
Severne Sails, Singha, Surf Kitchen, Pattaya City and Cuttlebone
Kiteboarding: For further information and inquiries visit the website at
www.amarasailingcenter.com
No jacket required
2005 Phil ‘the shirt’ charity bowling tournament
The annual Phil ‘the shirt’ lawn bowling tournament
was held last Saturday, Dec 17 at the Pattaya Lawn Bowling Club. The
tournament was originally conceived as a way to celebrate Phil ‘the
shirt’ Clear’s birthday but it has also taken on the added purpose of
raising funds for various charities in the area.
Some
of the colorful shirts seen in action at last week’s Phil ‘the shirt’
bowling tournament, Dec 12.
Throughout the day, Phil’s friends and local bowlers
competed against each other in a knockout format and there was also a side
competition to decide who was bold and brave enough to wear the most
outrageously colored shirt. Actually, you could substitute the word
‘shirt’ for ‘ensemble’ as players donned hats, pants, shoes and of
course shirts in a wide variety of shades, colors and hues. It was certainly
a day to keep your sunglasses close to hand, sunshine or not.
Once the final bowling had been completed, the winners
were announced as the team comprising of Lek, Phil, Rolex Peter and Dave
‘the Pro’ whilst the winner of ‘the fashion’ event was Willy from
Chaplin’s Bar.
Following a sumptuous meal laid on by the Bowling Club
staff, a raffle was held to help raise funds for the Lions Club Jomtien
Pattaya. In total, over 13,000 baht was collected and this money will be
used to help buy hearing aids for children from low income families as well
as contribute towards a school project in a poorer region of northern
Thailand.
Phil
(far left) presents ‘the shirt’ to the 2005 champions, (L-R) Phil, Dave
‘the Pro’, Lek and Rolex Pete.
A big thanks goes out to all who took part in this annual fun event and
also to the sponsors and Bowling Club staff who helped to make this day such
an enjoyable one. Maybe next year though Phil, you will have to re-name this
the Phil ‘full-ensemble’ tournament... Just a thought!
Champion Yodsaenklai wins WBC title and sets his eyes on KI
When Yodsenklai Fairtex visited the Pattaya
Mail offices last month, before flying out to fight in Australia, his
parting line was, “Don’t worry, I’ll bring the WBC belt back to
Thailand.” Well, true to his word, Yodsenklai did indeed return with the
belt after achieving a stunning victory over Australia’s John Wayne Parr.  Yodsenklai
proudly wears the WBC belt he won in spectacular fashion against John Wayne
Parr, 10 December.
Now, after winning the first WBC Muaythai world title,
Thailand’s super champ Yodsaenklai Fairtex is eyeing the prospects of
fighting in the K1 max. Thailand has never won the K1 heavyweight Grand Prix
or the Super Welterweight K1 Max but now that Yodsaenklai has won the WBC
world title, K1 glory would be the final topping off.
Returning to Thailand, the 20-year-old champ said he was
still buzzing with his sensational victory over Australia’s hero John
Wayne Parr.
“The build up to the fight was incredible. The papers
were running stories and all along the Gold coast the talk was ‘Xplosion
and WBC Muaythai. The night of the fight was really great with all the
special effects, fire, flames and really slick introductions. It made me
really proud to represent Thailand at the highest level of Muaythai.”
Yodsenklai continued, “I have a great respect for John
Wayne. He had the crowd right behind him and I was so pleased that his
supporters were great sports and cheered me after I had won the title. If
the opportunity presents itself, I would certainly come back to Queensland
and Surfer’s Paradise. I love the people and the beaches and the big
Muaythai event.”
Meanwhile JWP said he had overcome the disappointment of
his loss and was now focused on taking on Steve Wakeling, the Fairtex
sponsored UK champion, for the WBC Middleweight title contest on 12 March
2005.
“The extra weight will be helpful and I will be giving
everything I’ve got to beat Steve who I understand has great fighting
talent. I will need to produce my best to win.”
Parr said his fight plan against Yodsaenklai came unstuck
when he was felled by a huge head high kick in the second round.
“After the kick down I had to land a big equalizer but
I couldn’t get close enough to him. I just couldn’t catch him.
Fortunately I have a second chance and the fight with Wakeling is really
important.”
Yodsenklai has currently resumed training in Bangplee but it is rumoured
that he will soon be moving to the new Fairtex sports resort in North
Pattaya to make use of their state of the art facilities.
170,000 baht raised
for the Camillian Center
Camel Charity Classic Winter Tournament 2005
Saturday December 12 golfers from Banchang and Pattaya
competed in the Camel Winter Tournament. The tournament proved once again to
be a great success with over 170,000 baht raised for the St. Camillan Center
for children with HIV/AIDS. In total, 96 golfers teed off from 6:30 am
onwards and we had some great performances, (although some of the scores
were affected by the “Bloody Mary’s” out on the course.)
 Winners:
Brian, Bill, Steve, Kim
The prize giving was held at the Camel Pub, Restaurant
& Hotel, Banchang and the night was enjoyed by all with excellent food
provided along with entertainment by a Philippino band
As always, special thanks goes to all the sponsors and to
Gordon & Trevor for helping out on the day.
In no particular order, the sponsors were as follows: Mc Allisters Bar,
Rainbow Bar, Offshore Bar, Bader, Expro, Alcan, ALE Heavylift, Chevron, The
Booze Brothers (Keith & Trevor), DSL -Pattaya Sports Club, Rooney
Contractors, EK Crane Logistics, The Cider Company “Apple Honey”,
Scottish Bill, BJ Pipeline Services and Jane Car Rent
PSC McAllister’s golf
Another Friday comes around and again the turnout was
very good. The Emerald golf course is improving every week and new golfers
are turning up for this event, which tees off between 7.00am and 8.00 am. In
first place this week on count back was Carl Baumann with 38 points; 2nd
place went to Calvin (Sus) Ige, also with 38 points (cards checked by Larry
Willet) and in 3rd place, as always in the running was Jeff Wylie. All
returned to McAllister following the golf and with Christmas just around the
corner, they enjoyed some Christmas cheer and once again wandered hither and
tither.
 Calvin
(Sus) Ige, Carl Bauman and Jeff Wylie pose with ‘the Don’ (second right)
McAllister’s golf society plays every Friday morning at Emerald
Banchang. All are welcome to come down and join in. Just show up at the golf
course between 7:30 am and 8:00 am and you will be sure of a game with a
very friendly group of golfers.
Tony Scambler tames Mountain Shadow
PSC golf with The Bunker
Navy Course Sattahip Monday 12 December
Paul Edgar started the week off by returning the best
score of the day after scoring 38 stableford points to take first place in
division “A”. Joint runners-up with 37 points each went to Tony Scambler
and Alan Freeman. In division “B” Joint winners with 37 points were Jan
Von Spellen and Doug Landsborough. Charlie Gooch was third with 36 points.
Near the pins were won by Tony Scambler (2), Paul Edgar
and Charlie Gooch.
Mountain Shadow Country
Club - Wednesday 14 December
Mountain Shadow only gave into one golfer when the play
was set for a medal competition on a windy day. Tony Scambler with an
impressive net 69 returned the winner in division “A”. John King came in
second with a net 76 while Alan Freeman came third with a net 81. In
division “B” Sean McVitty and Brian Lund shared top honors with net 79.
Third place had joint winners with net 87 each achieved by Gary Austin and
Sunny Ruth Sip.
Near the pins were won by Gordan Melia, John King and
John Preddy.
Noble Place Country Club -
Friday 16 December
The best golf this week went to Tony Scambler and Sean
McVitty. Sean playing in the “B” division returned a stableford score of
44 to take top honors, and Tony Scambler returned 43 points to take top
honors in the “A” division. Peter Habgood scored 40 points and Gerry
Cooney 39 points as they finished second and third in the “A” division.
Neil Griffin scored 40 points and Thea Von Spellen scored 39 points as they
finished second and third in the “B” division.
Near the pins were won by David Booton, Richard Baldotto,
Bob Turner, and Peter Habgood.
As a reminder, during the high season, all golfers must
register for their golf 15 minutes prior to departure time. 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.
Klaus Edges The Mechanic for Medal
IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s
Sunday 11 December
Green Valley - White Tees, Monthly Medal
1st A Flight: Klaus Schackt, net 67 (Monthly Medal Winner)
2nd A Flight: Jim Wickstrom, net 68
3rd A Flight: Mark Wood, net 71
1st B Flight: Roy Thornton, net 71
2nd B Flight: Pete Stonebridgem, net 71
3rd B Flight: Barry Copestake, net 71
1st C Flight: Dave McFeely, net 68
2nd C Flight: Paul Shaw, net 70
3rd C Flight: Steve Mulberry, net 71
1st D Flight: Mike Craighead, net 67 (Monthly Medal Qualifier)
2nd D Flight: Ian Grout, net 72
3rd D Flight: Ken Kutzing, net 74
NP’s: #2 Chaten Patel; #9 Jan Erikson; #12 Brian Holden; #16 Jim Munns
2’s: Jim Wickstrom, Rick Sharp, Jan Erikson,; Jim Munns,
Don Lehmer, J.J. Wright, Jez Lees, Vic Hester, Chaten Patel
It came down to two wily, seasoned Society members to see who
would hoist the Silver Tankard. Would it be the Volkscomputer or Mike the
Mechanic, both had net 67’s. Mike has the treachery and guile that comes from
surviving on seven different continents during a long and distinguished career
in the Airline business. But as soon as the winner was going to be determined by
count back, there was little doubt over who was the home team. Klaus opened up
an Excel program that had data going back to the inception of the Society in
2000. He cohesively made the argument that the only fair way to do the count
back was to take the mean of the holes after the drink stops, sum them, divide
by “pi” out to twelve places and then normalize the result. Certainly no one
could question Klaus’ calculations, given the rum sodden condition of most of
the membership’s brains. What was clear was that both players would join the
other eleven monthly medal winners plus those that tied in the Gold Medal
competition shortly after the New Year.
Klaus’ 67 gave him A Flight as well despite a gross 72, net
68 effort by Jim Wickstrom. At least Jim had a little lucre and the Low Gross on
the day to show for his excellent outing. Mark Wood rounded out the premier
Flight with a fine gross 77, net 71 effort. Seven of the nineteen golfers in A
Flight shot in the 70’s.
Mike’s net 67 led the other end of the results spectrum as
his D Flight winning 67 led Ian Grout,, down from BKK for the Holidays, by a
comfortable 5 and third place K4 but an even more robust 7 strokes. Kenny had to
count back against Shameless, Ms. Trudy and the Principal to hold the bronze
step.
The Haven’s Roy Thornton has, along with the Chadbourns,
become a pleasant addition to the Society’s Sunday outings. Roy Made it pay
off as he took a three way count back victory over the Headmaster and Barry
Copestake. Pete’s second place victory should pay his airport taxes as he was
down, to his second to the last round, before he spends Christmas in the UK.
Dave McFeely’s brilliant net 68 didn’t put him in the
Gold Medal round, but it did give him a two stroke victory in the penultimate
Flight over the Shack’s Paul Shaw. Fellow Shacker, Blackburne Steve, edged the
aforementioned Barry Chadbourn on count back to round out the day’s scoring.
Monday 12 December
Green Valley -White Tees, Stableford
1st A Flight: John McHugh, 41 points
2nd A Flight: Doug Lynch, 37 points
3rd A Flight: Simon Philbrook, 37 points
1st B Flight: Roy Thornton, 44 points
2nd B Flight: John Hillier, 39 points
3rd B Flight: Jim Munns, 38 points
1st C Flight: Nat Meesuk, 39 points
2nd C Flight: Ken Kutzing, 38 points
3rd C Flight: Vic Hester, 37 points
Near Pins: #9 Toy Theobald; #16 Simon Philbrook
2’s: Simon Philbrook, Mark Wood, Ray Dell, Vic Hester,
Barry Chadbourn, Trudy Chadbourn, Toy Theobald
December is one of many holidays filled months on the Thai
calendar. To mitigate the expense to the Society, it returned to Green Valley
for the second day. Because it was Green Valley, many members chose to play both
days and such was the case for our Man of the Match, Roy Thornton, who graced
the top of the B Flight podium with 44 points, and a gross 78. Roy was followed
in, in order, by Johnny Hillier with 39 points and Capt Fogg’s 38 points
Johnny McQ showed some renewed form coming off the Barry tour
with an A Flight winning 41 points over 2 handicapper Doug Lynch and 6
handicapper Simon of Philbrook.
The ladies were well represented in C Flight by the Nat(ural)
and her 39 points, with K4 and The Inflictor stretched out in one point
increments behind her.
Monday and Tuesday 11 and 12
December Green Valley -White Tees,
Eclectic - Stableford
1st A Flight: Jim Wickstrom, 46 points
2nd A Flight: Klaus Schackt, 46 points
3rd A Flight: John McHugh, 44 points
1st B Flight: Ray Dell, 50 points
2nd B Flight: Roy Thornton, 50 points
3rd B Flight: Dave McFeely, 46 points
1st C Flight: Jez Lees, 46 points
2nd C Flight: Mike Craighead, 46 points
3rd B Flight: Vic Hester, 45 points
51 golfers chose to play a third competition over the two day
start of the week at Green Valley. It was an eclectic, which is where a player
takes the better of his scores over the two days on each hole and sums them. It
is no surprise that familiar names graced that awards dias, “The Farmer in
the” and Roy MBE had the best of the field at 50 points apiece. A count back
put Roy in B Flight’s second place despite his superlative ham and eggs
efforts. Dave McFeely rode his winning score on Sunday to take the last spot in
B.
Jim Wickstrom bettered Klaus on count back before he could
invoke the secret formulas. John McQ did similarly to old mates Mark Wood and
Capt. Fogg.
Interestingly, The Principal, who didn’t figure in Sunday
‘s or Monday’s money showed the sum was better that the parts as he bested
the hard luck Mechanic on count back for C Flight. The Inflictor rounded it out.
Wednesday 14 December
Crystal Bay A & B - Blue or White Tees, Stroke/Medal
1st Blue A Flight: John Emmerson, 36 points
2nd Blue A Flight: John McHugh, 33 points
3rd Blue A Flight: Phil Groves, 32 points
1st Blue B Flight: Sugar Ray Handford, 35 points
2nd Blue B Flight: Chaten Patel, 34 points
3rd Blue B Flight: Pat Manley, 33 points
1st White Flight: Ken Kutzing, 37 points
2nd White Flight: Ray Dell, 37 points
3rd White Flight: John Squitiero, 36 points
4th White Flight: Chaba Carnery, 35 points
2’s: Blue: None. White: John Squitiero
It was off to the fine display at Crystal Bay for the
mid-week fixture. The GM was the top man off the Blues wining A Flight of the
longer setup by three points over a busy J. McQ. The Swim Instructor, returning
to the site of the origin of his moniker, rounded out A Flight.
Sugar Ray quietly edged The Raj and one of the caddies to the
scions of Industry, Pat Manley, with 35 points off the Blues in B Flight.
Sanity and some blustery weather led a large group to the
forward White Tees, and K4 continued to make it a productive week with a top of
the table, count back winning 37 points. “The Farmer in the”, no stranger to
the week’s pay window, was the unlucky victim of K4’s count back. Old friend
John Squitiero edged Joe’s better half, Chaba, by a single point to complete
the four place White Flight. John Squitero had a lonesome, but prosperous
“2” on the day.
Friday 16 December
Mountain Shadow - Blue Tees, Stableford
1st A Flight: Tom Sathrum, 38 points
2nd A Flight: Gordon Kerr, 36 points
3rd A Flight: Paul Young, 34 points
1st B Flight: Eric O’Brien, 40 points
2nd B Flight: Tom Breslin, 33 points
3rd B Flight: Brian Lee, 31 points
2’s: Tom Sathrum (2); Joe Carney
When the Society plays Mountain Shadow, the field usually
takes on the Blue Tees because they are only 6276 yards. Undaunted, The Big E
rounded out the week with a big 40 points at the treacherous Mountain Shadow
layout. It was a massive seven points ahead of Irishman Tom Breslin’s 33
points. Brian Lee probably spent Friday evening sleeping on the couch as he
edged Kevin Dunne and his charming wife, Linda, on count back for the last B
Flight position.
Red-hot Tom Sathrum continued his winning ways with 38 points
and two “2’s” in A Flight, two in front of the Galloping Gourmet, Gordon
Kerr. Newly arrived, but frequent visitor, Paul Young took the third position in
the top Flight.
Sports Quiz
Unfortunately, there were no correct
entries submitted last week. Thank you to all who tried and better luck next
time. In case you were wondering about the answers, here they are:
1) Who won the Women’s 10,000m at the 2002 European Championships in
Munich
Answer: Paula Radcliffe
2) What is the biggest win in a FA Cup Final
Answer: 6 - 0 (Bury beat Derby)
3) How many times did J. Kurkowska win the Women’s World Championship for
Archery (Target)
Answer: Seven
This weeks Questions are:
1) When was the first FA Cup Final held at Wembley?
2) Who won the World Matchplay Championship in 2002 and 2003 at Wentworth?
3) Who was the first American to win the Formula One Championship?
Beware the sickly golfer
PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s
Tuesday 13 December
Noble Place (Stableford)
By the time this is printed it will be pretty close to Xmas
and Bert will be in the process of moving to his new location, opposite Greg’s
Kitchen. The only reason I mention this is so that the ravenous hoard that turn
up for Bert’s free breakfast will know where to go and Bert will not be left
with tray loads of crispy bacon, toast and scrambled eggs, not to mention hot
coffee, going to waste. Of course that will not happen, the players of late have
been turning up in ever increasing numbers as Bert’s fame spreads. Indeed,
Bert promised me he will lay on a special Xmas dinner for the golfers on return
from playing, one day over the holiday period.
 Winners
Derek Brook (left) and Pete King (right) with one of Bert’s lovely staff
So on this day the normal suspects turned up early to fill up
and set off for Noble place, led by the scribe arisen from his sick bed for the
day. Is it my imagination, or are nearly all people in the area suffering from
chest colds and flu?
Still the run up to Noble Place was fine and it was not long
before we were getting ready to tee off to play the A & B layouts. At
present this course is in fine condition and with the value for money of it’s
green and caddy fees, it is about the favorite destination of the golfers at
Tropical Bert’s. So onto the course, and for once it was full steam ahead, as
the course was quiet and the weather was perfect. It doesn’t get much better
than this. It was soon noticeable that the normal suspects were playing well,
and reports came back that one ‘ Mr King’ was having a field day, and that
the scribe had taken a cart and between periods of feeling sorry for himself, he
was playing well... beware the sick golfer!
Back in the restaurant as we awaited the scores coming in, it
was noticed that the price of food and drink here is very reasonable and the
fare is also very tasty. The drive back for a change was quiet, probably due to
the fact we came via Sri Racha, and on arrival, it was nice to see all tucking
into some of Bert’s best food, today it was fish and chips. All agreed it was
delicious.
So to the presentation, and in the B Division the winner was
Pete King, whilst in the A Division the winner was Derek Brook, proving once
again that the organizer is allowed to win.
T.T.F.N.
Winner Div A: Derek Brook, Runner Up: Steve Hamsted
Winner Div B: Pete King, Runner Up: Rich Murphy
Near Pin: Jackie MacPherson, Eric O’Brien, Dan Boardman, Pete King, Colin
Cronin, Thea Van Spellen, Dick Warberg, Don MacPherson, Kevin Dunne, Rodney
Beckett
Long Put: Vincent Smythe, Martin Bullen, Donald Hendry, Gordon Everingham
Paul Kinner wins
a close contest at Siam
PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar
Another Monday and another holiday: - Due to the holiday
rates at Pattaya CC most of the Monday golfers headed up to Siam for a
change as many of us have memberships there. The course wasn’t in bad
shape but it could be better.
 Graham
Ramsay and Paul Kinner - first and second at Siam C.C.
Scores for the day were tight, as the top end and the
bottom were separated by a mere 10 points difference. Tied at the top were
Paul Kinner and Graham Ramsay - both had 39 points each. Graham managed a
better back nine to win out on the day. Following close behind were Bill Key
with 38 points and Alan Pearce with 37 points respectively.
There was a change at the bottom as the geriatrics failed to show. Paul
Kraft and Dale Murphy tied for the cellar position with 29 points each. Paul
managed a better back nine to escape holding the bag. I believe that this
was the first time that Dale had slipped into the cellar. He is normally
near or at the top of the list but the golf gods finally caught up with him.
Mai’s Thai Restaurant regains first place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
200
Bowlers - Mio, Leo, Somrak, Ooy, Lenz, Nun, Antero and La. With
only three weeks remaining in the current league Mai’s Thai Restaurant has
jumped back into first place after taking three points from Friends. Mai’s
was led by Lenz who bowled games of 227, 187, and 190 for a very good 604
series. Shenanigans fell out of first place after losing three points to Caf้
Kronborg. Kran bowled a 572 series and Jim had a 534 pin count for Caf้
Kronborg. Sven bowling as a spare rolled a 523 series. Domicil split their
match two-two against Jack & Tar and VFW Post 9876 also split theirs
against Brother D. Captain La Montgomery led her Three Sisters team to a
four point sweep over Grape Vine as she bowled games of 202, 214, and 208
for a league best 624 series for women bowlers. Lance tipped over 532 pins
bowling as a spare. House of the Golden Coin took three points from Caf้
Ole as all four bowlers bowled well in the match. Mio, Golden Coin had a 213
game, 581 series and Paul (P.K.) a 523 pin count. Ooy led Caf้ Ole
with a 200 game, 542 series and Somrak added a 202 game, 533 series. Good
bowling was also shown by spare bowlers Antero who had games of 227, 222,
160, 609 series and Nun who had a 202 game, 543 series.
Jomtien 8-Ball Pool League
Jomtien Pool League - Knockout Cup round one
Regular League fixtures were suspended
for a week to play the first round in the Knockout Cup. Pairing were drawn
randomly and it turned out that ‘home advantage’ was the order of the
day with all home venues coming out on top. Matches are played to the normal
League format - 6 singles and 3 doubles.
Last season’s champions Paweena’s drew home against
Simple Simon for a Soi 5 derby. Given their relative standings on the League
Table, Simple Simon might have been favourites but the hosts led the way all
night and had little trouble seeing off their neighbours 6-3.
All three Soi Welcome venues played at home. Carefree Bar
started strongly but de Windmolen pulled them back to 3-3 at the break.
However, the hosts kept up the pressure taking the first two doubles to see
themselves through - the final score being 5-4. Moonshine were runners-up in
last season’s Cup but they will have to be content going for a minor
trophy this time around. At San Snack Bar, they trailed only 4-3 after the
first doubles but couldn’t finish the job giving SSB the 6-3 victory.
Lucky Bar were back on form after their surprise League defeat last week,
making short work of Rose & Thistle to go into the second round with a
7-2 victory.
The other team coming off a surprise League defeat was
Country Club who bettered Lucky Bar’s comeback with a comprehensive 8-1
score line against the visiting Cosy Bar.
In other matches: Echoes continued their unbeaten run,
going through 6-3 against Elephant Bar; and Hide-A-Way showed why they are
second in the League by having little trouble taking a 6-3 victory from Sky
Bar.
The first round winners will advance in the Cup with the
losers competing for the Plate trophy. The draw for Round 2 will take place
in a couple of weeks and the matches will be played February 9.
Next week the regular season will resume with the match
of the day expected to be at Hide-A-Way with Simple Simon visiting. Both
teams have equal points at second on the ladder so one of them will break
clear.
Results (home team first): Paweena’s 6 v 3 Simple Simon, San Snack Bar
6 v 3 Moonshine, Lucky Bar 7 v 2 Rose & Thistle, Echoes 6 v 3 Elephant
Bar, Carefree Bar 5 v 4 de Windmolen, Country Club 8 v 1 Cosy Ba r,
Hide-A-Way 6 v 1 Sky Bar
Jimmy Flanagen captures the Monthly Mug
PSC golf from The Caf้ Kronborg
Monday 12 December
The Royal Thai Navy Plutaluang, Stableford
The Plutaluang Navy’s South and East layouts were host for
a Constitution Day Stableford competition in two Flights, A Flight 0 to 19 and B
Flight 20 up. The course on the day was in fine condition and the inexpensive
drinks in the clubhouse were enjoyed by all.
 Jimmy
Flanagan (left) accepts the ‘Monthly Mug’ from Dave Richardson
Tore Eliassen took the A Flight, with 42 points, Frank Kelly
was second with 40 points and Phil Dwyer was third on a count back from Bill
Plath in fourth, both with 37 points. Jorgen Olegal took the B Flight with 41
points, Kevin Dinan was second with 39 points, Henk De Bock was third with 36
points and Ernst Hansen was in fourth with 35 points ahead of Uwe Kessler and
Old Arthur Bailey on count backs.
Near Pin: S4 Kris Helgason, S7 Gene Rooney, E2 Peter Hammond,
E5 John Swanson
Long Put: S9 Kevin Dinan, E9 Frank Kelly
Thursday 15 December
Pattaya Country Club, Medal Monthly Mug
The Cafe Kronborg took our monthly trip to Pattaya Country
Club to let all the players do their best to try and win the prime monthly
competition, The Monthly Mug. The players met at The Cafe Kronborg in the middle
of the night, well 07:30 am, and toddled off to the course on the transport. On
this day there were a lot of players, (over 50) but for once, they were quite
well behaved and we were able to get to the course, book in and in fact tee off
quite early thanks in part to the course management who are usually quite good
here.
The winds blew, and wigs had to be tied down, still the
course was in fine condition, with grassy fairways and hard, fast, tricky
greens. Quite a few of us were blown to oblivion however, and as usual we could
expect only the brave to come through. Sat in the restaurant and partaking of
the food, the scores started to come in but with nothing outstanding for a
while. With 50+ players, we always expect someone to come out of the woods, and
with a net 68 leading the way we began to hear rumors of someone putting
together a sub net 60 round. We also had a net 64 as well near the end.
The A Flight, 0 to 16, saw some really close scores and a lot
of count backs. The scores were within 1 shot, with the winner Takeshi Hakozaki,
second Tony Scamber and third Kenny Mau all scoring net 71 and places decided on
count back. We also had a count back for fourth, on net 72, with Paul Avery
beating Bob Pearce out.
Before most of the competitions I remind the players that
they have to fill their card in correctly or, as we play by the rules, I shall
have to disqualify them. As is usual, we had incorrectly filled out cards; the
sad thing is the man who would have won the B Flight, and indeed The Mug if he
had not finished 7, 9 on the last two holes, put down an incorrect handicap.
This allowed the B Flight, 17 up, to be won by Arthur Bailey, (Old Mr. Steady),
with a net 68, on count back over Tyrone Bridge in second. In third we had Tom
Breslin with a net 71 and in fourth we had Barry Kerr with a net 72.
So to the winner, and with a fine net 64 Jimmy Flanagan came
to the fore to win The Mug. Finally a Merry Xmas to all our readers.
T.T.F.N
Near Pin: #5 Tom Breslin, #7 Rick Evans, #12 J.B Russell, #16
Jimmy Flanagan
Long Put: #9 John Swanson, #18 Noodle
Fair winds and fast greens test PSC golfers
55th Members Open at Sriracha, Friday 16 December
It was with some trepidation that 113 stalwart golfers
set out on Friday 16 December for the 55th PSC Member’s Open at Sriracha.
Would the course be in good shape and would there be enough carts for some
of our more elderly members let alone for Ed Trayling and his iron lung?
However, the biggest worry were the extensive road works near the course,
designed to confuse and misdirect any stray Farangs who dared to venture off
the beaten track. Fear not gentle readers all our misgivings were in vain
and we had a most enjoyable day with a stiff breeze but no rain to mar the
proceedings.
“Chris
John, the golf chairman with all the winners.”
The new management led by Khun Nitiphat quickly proved up to
the task and the course was completely empty prior to the start, a rarity in
Thailand. As a result the round was completed at a brisk pace with no holdups at
the turn. The course itself was in better shape than our last visit and with a
new management company taking over the maintenance duties next week, further
improvements are expected. The big talking point was the speed of the greens and
many a golfer paid the price of leaving the ball above the hole with four putts
as a reward. “Like lightening” said Ian Edwards, at least that’s what I
think he said. A welcome sight was the return of the crocodiles on the first Par
3 although they seemed to have lost weight on their holidays.
The tough conditions on the day restricted the number of
golfers under par to seven with many high scores in evidence. The low gross and
winner of the Karl Lislevan trophy was Barry James with a 76 whilst the low net
and Dr. Sam trophy went to Nigel Canon with 42 points. Elsewhere Vincent Smythe
led a record entry in the A flight with 69, Dennis Edmunds the B flight with 72,
Graham Ramsay the C flight with 37 points, Hank De Bok D flight with 40 points
and the Ladies flight went to Ploy Thongpen with 31 points.
At the presentation afterwards, the golf chairman, Chris John
thanked all the organizing committee consisting of Ian Edwards, Tony Oakes, Alan
Pearce, Herb Schwieterman and Bernie Tuppin back from his pilgrimage to Angkor
Wat. Sponsors for the day were The Harley Bar, The TQ, Diana Group, The Hotshot
Bar, Shenanigans and The Blue Parrot and Sriracha Golf Club. That the day was a
resounding success was due in no small way to the help and assistance received
from the Sriracha management team and our thanks to all concerned.
Results:
Winner (Karl Lislevan Trophy): Barry James, 76 points
A flight
Winner: Vincent Smythe, 80 points
B Flight
Winner: Dennis Edmunds, 72
C Flight
Winner: Graham Ramsay, 37 points
D flight
Winner: Hank De Bok, 40 points
Ladies flight
Low Gross:Ploy Thongpen, 85
Winner: Ursular Lehner, 36 points
Near pins: Vincent Smythe, Takeshi Hakosaki (2), Barry James,
Rob Aughton, Mike Seely, Harri Nyman, Elias Magnusson, David Foulk, Nik Reiter,
Donald Hendry, David Johnson, Walter Anderson, Brendon Dougal, Chris John, Cecil
Williams, Oiloi Helling, Brigitta Luning, Ploy Thongpen.
Long Drives: Ryszard Baranowski, Rob Aughton, Rick Monaghan,
Arne Skorge, Ursular Lehner.
Long Putts: Mam Trayling, Jean-Paul Michiels, David Johnson, Brendon Dougal
Winner to ‘bananas’ in a week
I.P.G.C. golf with the Caddy Shack
Tuesday 13 December the golfers from the Caddy
Shack went to Bangpra for a Stableford competition. The players were split
into two divisions with the cut being 16 and under. The winter wind has
arrived and was blowing a gale; this made the golf a bit tricky and the
scores in division two suffered a little. Peter Allen shot a net 79 to
finish in 3rd place, Norm Robinson shot a net 76 for 2nd place and Alan
Bissell shot a net 72 level par for 1st place. In division one they handled
the conditions very well and some good scores were recorded; in 3rd place
was Mike Allidi with a net 73, in 2nd place was Steve Nowell with a net 70,
but the winner of the day and the best net score was Sam Fitzsimmons with a
68.
 From
winners to bananas, Alan and Yui Bissell
There were two “2”s on the day shared by Mike Allidi
and Jan Eriksen. The bananas were awarded to Kenneth Andersen for his gross
88 score. A lot of us would be very proud of an 88 gross but if you are a 4
handicapper, this is not acceptable and could not go unnoticed by the
committee. The yellow perils were thus, graciously accepted by Ken. The
lucky winner of the Sunday dinner was Tony Duthie.
Thursday 15 December the Caddy Shack decided to put
on a 2 man Texas scramble. This is always a popular choice and with the
course of Treasure Hills adding to the mix, many teams turned out. The
course was in great condition and is always a challenge: in 3rd place was
Steve Nowell and Terry Phur with a net 70.40; in 2nd place was Mark Joshua
and Don Francis with a 69.80 whilst in 1st place was Richard Wardell and
Michael Waltschek.
There were two “2”s on the day shared between the
teams of Les Hall / Glyn Evans and Bill Hewitt / Geoff Hart. After his nice
win on Tuesday and then the worst score today, the bananas were awarded to
Alan Bissell and his wife Yui Bissell. Tuesday we go to Sattahip for a
Medal round and we leave the Caddy Shack at 10.00am.
Joker slips in a 68 at Burapha
IPGC golf from The Haven
Mon 12 Dec
Mountain Shadow, Stableford
1st Rick Holmes: 41
2nd ony Quaid: 40 c/b 23
3rd om Sathram: 40 c/b 21
4th rian Kelly: 38
5th ichard Garland: 37
It is not so long ago that Glyn Nicholas was christened
“Magellen” for getting lost on the way to Mountain Shadow. Today,
Magellen managed to get lost on the course! Teeing off in the first group
from the white tees, he realized his error when his group reached the 5th
hole, which was just a 105yd pitch over the water. From then on Glyn’s
round disintegrated as he started to imagine the comments about his
leadership that would be flying back at the Haven.
The six groups following Glyn had little option but to
follow off the white tees and most players managed to enjoy the
“holiday” and play the tough layout off forward tees for the first time
in their lives! Scores were excellent as could be expected and it was great
to see Rick taking the honors after his forced absence from the links with
back problems. Tony and Tom enjoyed a close battle for second place with
Brian and Richard completing the podium placings. Commiserations to Paul
Hartley and Richard Feltham who just missed out on count back.
Playing off the forward tees, there was always going to
be plenty of “2”s despite the difficult greens and the rollover jackpot
in division 1 was shared by Alan Howell, Dave Shaw, Glyn Nicholas & Rick
Holmes, whilst Richard Feltham scooped the pool in division 2. Prior to the
presentation, Richard Livingston, the resident PGA professional welcomed
back Russell Exley, Del Bailey, Fred Land, Richard Feltham and John
Squitero.
Wed 14 Dec
Khao Kheaw B&C, Stableford
1st Alan Howell: 35 c/b 17
2nd David Dines: 5 c/b 16
3rd Paul Hartley: 32
4th Roar Berger: 31
What’s up Doc - 18 golfers? Just about half the usual
field. Is the course getting a poor reputation or are golfers getting bored
with Khao Kheaw? Well reports suggest that conditions were good except
possibly, the “greens” on the renovated C course, which need ‘growing
in’. Still, Alan and David made the most of the day with a very close
finish, just settled on count back and much to their surprise, Paul and Roar
completed the podium placings. In the “2”s competition, Joe Kirkpatrick
took the division 1 prize, whilst Ole Stamnes chipped-in for the prize in
division 2. Prior to a surprisingly early presentation, Richard Livingston
welcomed Joe Kirkpatrick and bade farewell to the “Iceman” Jens
Gunnarsson.
Fri 16 Dec
Burapha A&B, Medal
Division 1 (0-17)
1st Joe Kirkpatrick: 68
2nd Roy Thornton: 72 c/b 33
3rd Norman Isherwood: 72 c/b 36
4th Karl Holm: 73
Division 2 (18 plus)
1st Alex Tait: 67
2nd Barry Chadbourn: 68
3rd Richard Feltham: 69
4th Micky Moore: 72
Beautiful golfing weather, sunny but cool and windy, a
course in superb condition and the penultimate game in the 2005 Order of
Merit. All the ingredients for a large turnout and some great golf! Despite
some of the white tees being on the blue tee boxes, scores were excellent,
particularly in division 2 where Alex found some form to beat off a strong
challenge from Barry and Richard but the man of the day, perhaps even the
week was Joe (Joker) Kirkpatrick for his superb 68 gross, which easily took
the honors in division 1
Joe, an old friend of Barry Winton, hails from San
Francisco but has been living and playing his golf in Scottsdale, Arizona
for some years. In the mid 90’s he played on the Hooters Tour and only
missed his European Tour card by one shot! All tour players have a nickname
and Joe was christened “Joker” by the great man himself, Jack Nicklaus!
Joe had met Jack’s son Gary at a Pro-Am at Pebble Beach and was introduced
to the Master as “Jo-ker-patrick”. Next day at practice, Jack tapped him
on the shoulder and presented him with a golf hat, embroidered on the inside
were the words “Joker”.
Joe is over here to practice and acclimatize before
traveling down to Malaysia after Christmas to try for his card on the Asian
Tour. We all wish him well! Back to the competition and the “2’s”
prizes; Joe Kirkpatrick and Barry Traynor shared the pool in division 1,
whilst Fred Ewins, Alex Tait, Roar Berger, Fred Land & Richard Feltham
all took home a small share of the division 2 prize. Prior to the
presentation, Richard Livingston, welcomed back Alan Griffiths, Paul Taylor
& Graham Hiskett before bidding a brief farewell to Roar Berger &
Ole Stamnes.
Jubilant Jones nabs
Noble Place win
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral
Tuesday, 13 December, saw the Pattaya Golf
Society take route 331 up to Noble Place for its weekly medal event on a
fine warm day. The course was in excellent condition and marks superb value
for money, as another large Pattaya golf group had discovered, teeing off
just before the PGS. Scores were to be good as the field averaged net 74,
with Paul Scully, always thereabouts, firing net 72 to share third place
with Tore Eliassen. John Cunningham, ever consistent, recorded the day’s
best gross and another sub-par round with net 71 to take runner-up place.
The day auspiciously marked the exact first anniversary of a broken toe,
which deprived Len Jones of three months golf and he was determined to blow
away the sad memory. His heavy artillery worked wonderfully well, his light
armour only occasionally backfired, and his putting was laser guided as he
took victory with his best round of the year, net 68. The racing greens
prevented any birdie 2’s although Denis Smith was unlucky to lip out from
off the green and the challenge was to move on to Mountain Shadow two days
later. A cell phone interrupted Noel O’Brien’s group and he was awarded
the Booby Bevy despite the claims of Mikael Andersson and Jim Wilson for
playing the wrong ball. Everyone was a winner on the day as they had enjoyed
a feast of good golf on a course, which is as good as any in the province,
but at a fraction of the cost.
Dual winners
at Emerald
For the second successive Thursday a booking made by the Pattaya Golf
Society had been put on the back burner by a local club, in favour of a
larger competition, and so we snubbed our nose at Mountain Shadow on 15
December and withdrew to the fine course at Emerald Ban Chang instead.
Finding it was a sports day made the decision even more sensible and the
scene was set for a tight competition. The on-going improvements to the
course are making it an even finer challenge and the fast rolling greens
give an advantage to the “touch” players. The weather was unseasonably
chilly and the ever-present cool breeze reminded John Cunningham of his
Scottish heritage as he warmed up with 34 points, sharing the score with
playing partner Ya Chaiyanont. Both took the victory, one point ahead of
Harry Riley and Rob Dolan, whilst Harry took consolation with his birdie 2
on the fifteenth, which so nearly became his third hole-in-one. Len Jones,
the leader after ten holes, slumped over the next five, into the strong
wind, and his demise on the leader board gave him the Booby Bevy. Emerald is
rapidly becoming a jewel of a venue.
The Beautiful Game?:
Bosman : Ten years on
Riz Taylor
If I asked you to name a famous Belgian, chances are
you’d come up with names such as Audrey Hepburn or cyclist Eddie Merckx.
Or perhaps Jean Claude van Damme, star of Hollywood classics
‘Legionnaire’ and ‘Universal Soldier - The Return’ pops into your
mind. And well he might.
But this is a football column, of course, not a review of
terrible action movies. This month sees the ten-year anniversary of what
officially was the “European Court of Justice Judgement on the
Compatibility of Football Federation Regulations within Community Law”. To
you and me this ruling goes by a more familiar name, and overnight it made
another Belgian, unknown until 1995, one of the country’s most famous
sons. His name is Jean-Marc Bosman, and the court’s findings would soon
come to be known as the ‘Bosman Ruling’.
As a footballer, Bosman himself was undistinguished. In
1990, having spent six years at RFC Liege, the striker wished to move to
minor French club Dunkerque. Despite his contract being at an end, Liege, as
they were entitled to do under the old system, refused to sanction the move
unless a substantial transfer fee was paid. Bosman was furious and a
five-year court battle followed that would alter the face of modern football
forever.
Fast forward five years and in December 1995 the ECJ
finally ruled that football’s transfer system contravened the Treaty of
Rome. A club would no longer be able to retain a player’s registration at
the end of his contract and would now be powerless to prevent him moving on.
For good measure the ruling also overturned UEFA’s enforcement of the
‘three plus two’ rule that stated that clubs playing in European
competitions could field only three ‘foreign’ players and must also play
two players who had graduated from the club’s youth system. This change
benefited English sides that had been hampered by other British players from
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland being classed as foreigners.
In theory these rulings were a welcome change to an
unfair structure, but in practice what followed was the birth of a greedy
system that supporters still find themselves footing the bill for. Suddenly
the balance of power shifted from the clubs to the players, who could now
hold their employers to ransom as they neared the end of their contract.
Agents, too, became fat from the increasing influence they were able to
exert over the game as a whole. Clubs were forced to pay players far higher
wages and offer longer contracts than previously had been necessary. This
was fine when times were good, yet when the cash dried up many found
themselves in deep financial trouble. Leeds United, Derby County and
Bradford City famously hit difficulties and Chelsea were saved only by the
intervention of billionaire Roman Abramovic. In continental Europe clubs
such as Lazio, Parma and Borussia Dortmund have also needed to pawn the
family silver and grovel to their bank managers to ensure survival.
Former Scotland international John Collins was the first
man to leave Britain under the new system and was among the first
beneficiaries. “What Bosman did was bring football into the business
world,” he said. “In any other business if you are a successful chief
executive or businessman and you want to leave the company at the end of a
fixed-term contract then you can. That wasn’t an opportunity for
footballers before Bosman.
“I still live in Monaco today and in all honesty if the
Bosman rule hadn’t come in I probably would never have come here in the
first place. You didn’t need to be an expert mathematician to realise that
by not having to pay a transfer fee when they signed me from Celtic in 1996,
Monaco were able to contribute much more in terms of a wage offer. It worked
well in my favour: great timing and a great opportunity for me both
financially and in terms of completely changing my family’s life.
Whilst Collins was a winner, ironically the biggest loser
from the new system was Bosman himself. “I expected to win my case, but
not so decisively,” he told World Soccer magazine in 1996. “It was a
total defeat for all my opponents. I feel proud I had the courage to do
something no other player had the courage to try. I showed that football is
not above the law. I hope that in the years to come other players will
realise precisely how much I have done for them.”
They didn’t. Within weeks of the verdict the Belgian
had lost his job, his home and his wife, who left due to the financial
strain that was placed upon the marriage. Although Bosman received
compensation four years later it was insignificant and this world famous
footballer, now 41, now lives in his mother’s house in Charleroi.
Finally, though, life may be about to improve for the man
who has left a lasting legacy on the modern game. FIFpro, the international
association of players’ unions, want Bosman to work as an ambassador for
the organisation. A modest living from football is surely the very least
that’s owed to a man that gave his comrades earning power beyond theirs
and anybody else’s wildest dreams.
Keane decides on Celtic
The Roy Keane saga, which has gathered pace since the
Irishman’s high profile departure from Manchester United last month,
finally came to an end last week as he signed an eighteen-month contract at
Celtic, the club he supported as a boy. He will be registered as a player
when the transfer window re-opens on January 1st.
“He’s a top player and all the players, especially
the young players, look up to him,” said manager Gordon Strachan. “We
will be looking for his influence for the rest of the season.”
Tough Spanish tests for
British sides
Chelsea will have to overcome Barcelona once again if
they’re to progress to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The two sides met at that stage last season, and despite some fantastic
football the tie became more famous for the war or words between Jose
Mourinho and Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard. The ‘Special One’ alleged
that Rijkaard had visited the dressing room of referee Anders Frisk at
half-time in the first leg in Spain, influencing the sending off of Didier
Drogba shortly afterwards. This time around Chelsea, as a result of
finishing second to Liverpool in Group G, will have the disadvantage of
facing the Catalan giants in Barcelona for the decisive second leg.
Arsenal drew Real Madrid, prompting the first footballing
return to England for David Beckham since moving to Spain, whilst Rangers,
who have reached the knockout stages for the first time, were also drawn
against Spanish opposition in Villareal. German champions Bayern Munich will
play AC Milan in another mouth-watering tie. The full draw:
Chelsea v Barcelona, Real Madrid v Arsenal, Werder Bremen
v Juventus, Bayern Munich v AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven v Lyon, Ajax v Inter
Milan, Benfica v Liverpool, Rangers v Villarreal
Feast of football
No games this weekend while the world goes shopping, but the Christmas
season will give us a full program of Premiership fixtures on both Boxing
Day (Monday) and Wednesday 28th, which includes the Merseyside derby. I’ll
leave you with this Christmas teaser: three European nations have lions on
their shirts. Which ones? The answer next time if I remember, but until then
Merry Christmas and see you next week.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
I know in two days you’ll be celebrating Christmas in
the Land of Smiles. In the mode of the Holiday Season, I wish all my
readers and editors a very Merry Christmas. I’ve been told that some in
the Land of Smiles, (Pattaya Beach Branch), will visit the TQ for their
annual “snow in Pattaya” romp: fake snow, real beer and sometimes, real
girls! What a Christmas Day it will be with treats and treasures for all.
Boxing is a sport that when it’s ‘real’, has a
universal appeal that transcends nationality and economic status. It’s
one person against one person. Another sport that’s person on person is
darts, as is procreation although some don’t consider the latter a sport.
Silly people.
It’s not surprising that great darts players are big
fans of boxing. Got a note from one of those great dart players. Mr. Dave
Whitcomb was one of the best in the first golden age of darts. He retired
and is now back competing in the World Professional Tournament. His first
match was last Wednesday against Roland Shelton from Holland, a former
champion. A man of dry whit, Dave wastes little time before getting to the
point. His advice was as follows:
“Don’t know if you have had a chance to watch
Williams v Harrison yet which was Saturday night. If you haven’t, don’t
bother unless you are having trouble sleeping, in which case this is a sure
fire remedy for insomnia. Harrison was like an arthritic donkey and
Williams wasn’t much better. It was one long complete bore from start to
finish. Any American top ranked fighter will put both of these boys to
sleep inside 5 rounds, as they have nothing going for them. How Williams
was able to beat Tyson nobody knows.”
Audley ‘The Fraudly’ has another take on his loss to
Williams. “One loss is not the end of anyone’s career. It would have
been nice to have retired as a world champion with a 36-0 record but it is
not written like that. I still believe I have the skill, ability, heart and
fortitude to be the heavyweight champion of the world.”
Williams take on the contest? “He has no heart. He was
actually running away. He will dwindle away and never be seen again.”...
You pays your money and take your choice.
Even with the recent loss of Hashim Rahman from the Don
King stable of heavyweights, the electric haired one still holds most of
the winning cards. Rahman filed for bankruptcy and when a Federal
Bankruptcy Judge in Las Vegas heard the case, he ruled that Rahman’s
contract with King was invalid. He further ruled that Rahman’s contract
with Top Rank and Buffalo Bob Arum was the valid one. There are those that
think that Rahman will be lucky to get by James Toney when they meet early
next year.
I may have been incorrect in my report on the adventures
of ‘Monkey House’ and his lamented Grammar school ‘T-Rock’.
Specifically I wrote that he lost her when she decided to go to secondary
school. I stand corrected, as ‘Monkey House’ has now answered from the
Monkey Den. “T-Rock only left middle school because she learned
everything there was to know. She has so far managed to extract 1,000,000
baht from a Swedish gentleman, has two other prospects and all three are
unaware of each other. Despite her tender age of nineteen, T-Rock very
smart and clever girl.”
Nineteen?? Bout time she left Grammar school.
Yeah, I know you’re tired of reading about Thai
fighters that achieve something then get in the ring with lesser boxers and
end up going nowhere. A case in point is former WBC fly champ Chatchai
Sasakul Singwangcha (52-3) 33 KO’s. He ruled the roost from May 1997
until December of 1998 when he got KO’d by Manny Pacquiao in the 8th. Up
to that fight he had been fighting “quality opponents”. From that point
forward he ran off 19 in a row most against boxers of inferior talent. Last
week in Japan he got in the ring with undefeated prospect Kuniyuki Aizawa
(10-0-1), 7 KO’s. Aizawa got off the canvas in the third to win a UD
(97-95,97-95 and 96-95). Even assuming that maybe being the hometown guy
helped Aizawa; the former champ should still have eaten him for lunch
I was one of those, that write about boxing that thought
that Samuel Peter (24-1) was the real deal in the heavyweight division. I
accepted the fact that he was a ‘pure puncher’ but would not fall into
the “Tua Trap” where he moved with all the ability and speed of a
grounded sea turtle. In September Peter displayed all the aforementioned
traits in losing to Wladimir Klitschko over 12 rounds. Peter’s management
were philosophical in defeat: “That’s OK he’s young, he’ll get in
the gym and his trainer will work to improve his mobility.” They then
talked about him next fighting a top-notch heavyweight. That didn’t
happen. Instead his camp wisely put him into the ring with trail horse
Robert Hawkins (21-4). Peter’s management spoke of giving him a
‘different look’ in the ring. That’s not the impression Peter gave
shortly before the fight. “I’m going for a knockout. I will not leave
it to the referees and judges anymore.”
This is precisely the attitude that doomed David Tua and
prevented him from reaching his potential. It is a wonder why many of the
heavyweights don’t listen to their trainers and more importantly don’t
learn from their mistakes. On his loss to Klitschko, Peter remarked:
“He was holding me, tying me up. That referee wanted
the fight for Klitschko. I did everything I could, but the referee didn’t
say anything about holding. He never told him ‘if you hold, I will
disqualify you.’ I fought a good fight, but he was grabbing me and tying
me up and never got a warning. The referee won that fight for Klitschko. I
would have stopped him in round five. You have to fight inside the ring,
not putting your head and body outside the ring, but the referee wouldn’t
warn him for anything. He was putting his head outside the ropes. From now
on, I won’t leave it to the judges or referees.”
Yes, Peter KO’d Robert Hawkins but he learned nothing.
He won’t be a factor in any real heavyweight bouts. That’s if there is
such a thing as a ‘real heavyweight’.
At the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin last Sunday, John
Ruiz (41-5-1) put his WBA heavyweight title on the line against 7-foot
Nicolay Valuev (42-0). As an added attraction, the now divorced Laila
“I’m not a lesbian” Ali destroyed 6’2" Asa Sandell in five,
when the referee mercifully stopped the bout. Laila cruised to victory
under the watchful eye of her father, Muhammed Ali, who was in Germany both
to watch his daughter fight and also to collect a lifetime achievement
award.
For Ruiz the trip was not so good. He lost a majority
decision (116-113, 116-114, 114-114) to Valuev and his WBA crown. Ruiz took
the decision with the class that he has exhibited throughout his career.
That can’t be said for Ruiz’s jackass trainer/manager, Norman Stone. He
reportedly got in a fight with a member of the Valuev camp and tried to
steal back the WBC belt at the conclusion of the bout. Hopefully they
didn’t have to go to the scorecards for that one. Pattaya visitors will
recognize the Stone persona. He’s the typical loudmouth ex-pat full of
joy-juice jerk that always causes trouble when happy hour ends.
Me? My happy hour has just arrived. Check with me later.
Dick & Nile lead the way
at Century Chonburi
PSC golf from the Grapevine
With the coolest day in an eon, 28 golfers headed off
from the Grapevine up Highway
331 to do battle with the course & conditions at Century Chonburi. This
course is one of the best value venues around, although the cold showers on
this particular day were a severe test in themselves.
On the day the course itself was in fine condition, but
the weather really escalated the level of difficulty. To the fore on the
day were Dick Worden (32) with a very creditable 40 points to take the 19+
flight, while in the 0 - 18 grouping, Nile Sheehan (16) shot a fine 84 to
also score 40 points. The runners up in each flight were Don MacPherson
(16) & Ray Glenwright (25) both with 38. The technical prizes are
always tough to get at Century as a couple of the par 3’s are real
testers. On this day the winners were Tom, Roy, Donald, Fergus, Nigel &
Kuni while Don & T.J. picked up the long putts.
Following our return to the Grapevine we were treated to
some tasty chicken wings and veggies, a welcome repast on this cool windy
day. I mentioned earlier that 28 golfers headed off to Chonburi, but like
all trips not all went smoothly with a new crewmember unable to locate said
golf course. Brian has promised us he knows the way to next week’s venue.
I am confident this will be the start of many enjoyable golfing days with
his new mates. Gordie happily welcomed the respite afforded him.
If you think you would like to join in for some good
golf, camaraderie and a general enjoyable day, come down to Soi Regent
Marina & sign up.
Cheers & Good Golfing
Seaboard FC beat Bangkok United
to take winning run to four games
Seaboard FC played their last game before the Christmas
break in the Bangkok MBMG Casuals League last Saturday at Horseshoe Point
against Bangkok United. Manager Rick Bryant was prepared for a tough
afternoon as United had done the double over Seaboard last season. Bryant
was particularly pleased however to welcome Lee Homer back into the centre
of defence after illness and also for the return of last seasons player of
the year Danny Stevens from Hong Kong, who had to settle for a place on the
bench.
 Seaboard’s
John Campbell (right) tussles with the Bangkok United defence
The opening minutes saw both teams showing some
composure on the ball but play was contained mainly to the middle of the
park. It was Seaboard however, who were the first to create an opening when
on 3 mins, some neat interplay between Ernest Romario and John Campbell
resulted with Romario shooting from an acute angle but the Bangkok keeper
managed to get down well to his left and push the ball wide for a corner.
It was Campbell again 2 minutes later that gained possession of the ball
just inside his own half and threaded a delightful pass through to Romario
who should have done better from close range. Seaboard were to take the
lead however on 9 mins when Jake Baker was fed the ball by Craig Banks and
he ran on from the halfway line to calmly slot past the advancing keeper
and score to justify his selection in the starting eleven following his
impressive display in Bangkok the previous week.
Seaboard should have doubled their lead on 17 mins when
after playing a neat one two with Romario, Mark Brittain found himself
clean through the Bangkok defence but he lashed the ball wide from 12 yards
out when it seemed easier to score.
Seaboard were now dominating the game and managed to
create a series of chances which, with better finishing could have sewn the
game up before halftime. With Banks dominating the midfield again this week
and Homer and Brian Wilkins solid in defence, goalkeeper Mark Coombs was a
virtual spectator for most of the half.
10 minutes before halftime Seaboard contrived to miss a
series of half chances when Brittain found himself one on one with the
keeper and having failed to score, the ball ran loose in the Bangkok
penalty area. Several players had shots blocked before Baker finally hit
the ball high and wide from 6 yards out.
With Seaboard exerting continual pressure on the Bangkok
defence it seemed only a matter of time before the second goal would come
and it was to be Romario, who after playing a one two with Brittain, ran on
to dummy the goalkeeper and a defender on the line before tapping the ball
into the empty net. Further chances were to be created by Seaboard in the
remaining minutes of the half but these were to come to nothing. The
halftime whistle could not come soon enough for a disheartened Bangkok side
and Seaboard went in at the break with a two-goal advantage.
Manager Bryant made a couple of changes at halftime
introducing Stevens up front and reserve keeper Torn came in to take over
from Coombs between the posts. The second period was to start as the first
had finished with Seaboard continuing to press and within a few minutes of
the restart Romario found himself one on one with the Bangkok keeper after
a great ball from Stevens but he failed to convert the chance. Both full
backs Christian Elembe and Keng were having a good afternoon supporting the
Seaboard attack on numerous occasions. One such move saw Keng drive the
ball just over from 25 yards.
It was 12 mins. into the half before Seaboard were to
score their third goal. Adam Gardner tackled back well in the middle of the
park and fed a good ball through to Stevens whose cross field ball over the
top found Brittain and he drove home for his first of the afternoon. This
was to signal the start of a scrappy patch to the match with both sides
having players booked and Romario literally having the shirt ripped off his
back by the Bangkok United defence.
Halfway through the second period Seaboard were to put
the result beyond any doubt when a mix up in the Bangkok defence saw the
ball run loose to Stevens who found Brittain unmarked in the box and he
scored with ease.
One minute later it was to be 5-0 when Stevens yet again
latched onto a loose ball and he found Romario out wide. Romario cut inside
two defenders to square to Brittain who gratefully slotted home from close
range to complete his hat trick. Further changes were made with the
introduction of Cliff West up front and young Colin McCubbin replaced Keng
at left back. West was to make an almost immediate impact on the game when
he was to pick up the ball in midfield and after some neat passing between
Romario and Stevens, he was on hand to hammer home from close range off the
post. Seaboard were to score their last goal of the afternoon 10 minutes
from time when a cross from Stevens was deflected into the path of Romario
and he gratefully nodded past the stranded keeper.
Bangkok were now a well beaten side and were to show
their frustration with an appalling tackle on Romario by one of their
defenders who was immediately red carded by the referee. The last action of
the afternoon saw West hit the post from close range after a cross from
Romario and the introduction of Surin up front who showed some neat touches
during his brief spell on the field. Final score Seaboard FC 7 Bangkok
United 0.
Rick Bryant was clearly delighted with his sides’
fourth consecutive win and strong finish to the year. Seaboard have now
scored 51 goals in their opening 8 fixtures of the season and will go into
next year full of confidence.
Seaboard’s next game is in Bangkok against Les Gaulois
on Saturday 7th January and the next home game at Horseshoe Point will be
against the Scandinavian Vikings on Saturday 14th January, kick off 4:00pm.
Seaboard FC have been fortunate enough to secure the
sponsorship of AGS Four Winds International Movers and Cranes and Equipment
Ltd. Europe-Middle East-Asia for this season and would like to thank them
for their continued support.
Anybody who could be interested in joining Seaboard FC, whether their
stay in Thailand is for a long or short period is more than welcome to come
down to the football pitch in Naklua every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm,
contact us at [email protected] or call Peter on 01 810 1470.
Sporting shorts
In the 1930 World Cup semi-final in
Uruguay, Argentina scored a disputed goal against the United States.
Shouting abuse at the referee, the American trainer dashed out to tend to
an injured player. The crowd of 80,000 roared with approval as he ran on to
the pitch, threw down his medical bag, broke a bottle of chloroform,
accidentally anaesthetized himself, and was promptly carried off by his own
team. Scottish
Samba?
During a tight match one day, Partick Thistle manager
John Lambie was informed that one of his strikers had sustained a
concussion and did not know who he was.
“That’s great,” Lambie replied. “Tell him he’s Pele and get
him back on!”
Pattaya City Council and the
Chonburi Amateur Boxing Association announces the Pattaya Golden
Gloves Amateur Boxing Tournament
Pattaya City Council in cooperation with the Chonburi
Amateur Boxing Association held a news conference to announce the first
Pattaya Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament, which is to be held 21-27 December
from 2:00 pm onwards, at Thepprasit Boxing Stadium. Mr Poramet Ngampichaet
from the office of the Prime Minister and Vice President of the Chonburi
Amateur Boxing Association presided over the news conference with Mr
Somchai Manothavorn, President of the Chonburi Amateur Boxing Association.
Mr Poramaet said that amateur boxing is a popular sport
amongst the public and the Thai youth in particular. The government
supports both domestic and international competition and Thailand has
created a name for itself in international amateur boxing competition,
especially in the recent Olympics. The present competition has received a
support grant of 600,000 baht from Pattaya City Council with hopes of
bringing success to the young and using the event as a selection process
for Chonburi boxers to compete in national competitions.
The competition and the judging will abide by the rules
of the Thailand Amateur Boxing Association under Royal Patronage and will
consist of three, two-minute rounds and will be a straight knock out
format, one loss and you’re out. Only boxers studying at schools in the
Pattaya and Chonburi municipalities will be eligible to compete and none
must be over 17 years old. The competitors will compete in seven weight
categories; cotton-weight, mini-weight, paperweight, pin-weight, light
fly-weight, fly-weight and bantamweight..
The winners will receive medals and a certificates and
1,500, 1,000 and 500 baht study grants. Trophies and 2,000 baht study
grants will also be presented to the best boxer and the best rising star.
An 8,000 baht study grant will go to the highest scoring team. For team
points, the team must enter boxers in at least 4 weight classes with each
class consisting of at least 4 boxers. If less than 4 boxers are entered,
the boxers can compete for medals but points will not be added to the final
team score. Seventeen teams totaling 84 boxers have already entered the
competition.
Anyone interested in additional information may contact Mr Jakkaphan
Naklada at Laem Chabang School of Engineering at Sukla, Sri Racha, Chonburi
20230 tel. 0-6303 1867 , 0-9098 8811 or Mr Narong Kittiwongtrakul at
Chonkanayanukul School in Chonburi, tel. 0-9099 2779 or
www.banglamung.ac.th
Khru Yodthong sets up foundation to help young boxers
A foundation is to be set up by the greatly respected
Thai boxing instructor Khru Yodthong Sriwaralak to help and support those
who love the sport and to help ensure that it maintains its role as part of
Thailand’s heritage.
 Khru
Yodthong, Chairman of the Sid Yodthong International Camp Foundation
presided over the meeting.
Khru Yodthong made the announcement on December 15 at
the Diana Garden Resort Hotel, where he said that he had the intention to
set up the Sid Yodthong International Camp Foundation one year ago. He has
the cooperation of Somchai Manothaworn, chairman of the Thai amateur boxing
association in Chonburi, and the foundation is ready to go ahead.
“Sid Yodthong International Camp Foundation will be
transferred to the government,” said Khru Yodthong “The main purpose of
the foundation is to help and support youth who love Thai boxing for its
skill in sparring and competition. It is also to help poor students who
have good grades.”
The foundation, he added, is entirely non-political.
Khru Yodthong is chairman and Somchai is the foundation manager. Initially
there are seven foundation members.
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