The quick and the spud

IPGC golf from The Haven

Friday April 14,
Eastern Star,
Rainbow Stableford
1st Brian Beaupre, 40 pts
2nd Larry Richard, 38 pts
3rd Joe McArdle, 36 pts
4th Tim Williams, 35 pts
A format that is fast becoming a favourite of all the players out of The Haven was once again held at Eastern Star Resort, but it did not seem to favour those that had played the format previously or indeed the local members. There are obviously several nuances to the way the game can be played dependant on the conditions, prevailing wind, and also taking into consideration the way the player is hitting the ball on the day. It would seem that the drawing board is still the master with most of the competitors for the time being.
Brian Beaupre, having not played the system before struck off the blue tees on the first 6 holes, as it seemed like a good idea to get them out of the way. Indeed it seemed to work as he came home with the day’s bacon by two shots.
Larry Richard similarly was a greenhorn but also managed to get a grip of things early to run out a clear second. Joe McArdle, suing all his members local knowledge only just leveled with Mr. Par but easily wiped the floor with the rest of his members’ 4 ball, none of them getting within 4 shots of him as he strode into third place. The final place was taken by new man Tim Williams who used his, seemingly hundreds of, shots to good effect.
Whilst there were no “twos” in the second division, Barry Winton slipped in the only one in the first division to scoop the pool. Before presenting the prizes Richard welcomed back Brian Beaupre and Larry Richard.
This week’s report has been prepared by the head lunatic, he having been left in charge due to the usual scribe, Brian Kelly, preparing for a heart operation from which we all wish him a speedy recovery
Monday April 17,
Khao Kheow,
Monthly Medal
1st Brian Carruthers, 73
2nd Jim Gabert, 77
3rd John Squitiero, 78
For the first time since the monthly medals started to be played for, there were no contenders in the second division and the whole of the field comprised handicappers of 14 or below. But with such an exclusive field it was no surprise to find the scores higher than normal, as the course gives nothing for a poor shot and then makes it almost impossible to get it back as well. To score well at Khao Kheow one has to be on top form and thinking all the way round from the first tee to the last putt.
Brian Carruthers got very near to beating the course, but slipped up over the last two holes, taking bogeys when pars were required. But he still finished way in front of the rest of the hopeful contenders who were led by Jim Gabert, with what for him was a very modest result. John Squitiero was a further shot behind following a very good start which was impaired with a quadruple bogey on the penultimate hole on the C course which was due to a couple of trips to the water that guards the green to the left.
Barry Winton stroked in the only “two” of the day, for the second competition running, to again sweep the pool.
Before presenting the prizes, “The Doc” standing in for Richard who was unavoidably detained on his way to The Haven, welcomed new member James Moyser and welcomed back Troy Misiak, Brian Carruthers, Jim Gabert, John Squitiero, Mark Campbell and Moe Deverdenne.
Wednesday was a day of rest due to the annual Songkran celebrations, which make traveling around Pattaya a less than enjoyable experience.
Friday April 21,
Bangpra,
Stableford
1st Tom Baigent, 37 pts
2nd John Desmond, 36 pts
3rd Barry Traynor, 35 pts
4th Moe Bertrand, 34 pts
Slow greens at Bangpra would seem to be a contradiction in terms, but true it was, as several players found putts to be several feet (yes feet) short, not just once or twice but all round the course. Perhaps somebody sprayed the greens with some special formula following the recent government directive for everyone to reduce speed. Whatever the reason, it certainly added an extra dimension to what was already a notoriously difficult track.
It was also one of the slowest rounds for a few years, with the whole competition having to follow a group who also seemed so mesmerized by the greens that they slowed their whole game to the rate of 20/25 minutes a hole, and for once the marshals did not seem to notice. The first group to follow them should have been forewarned as they could be seen not to be regular golfers by their dress code, which consisted of a mixture of jeans, cut off at the crotch, tee shirts proclaiming their sexual prowess, flimsy soccer shorts, and bandanas to top off the ensembles.
Tom Baigent was the only player to better par, and that only by a shot, to become the first New Zealander to win out of The Haven for some considerable time. John Desmond, making a welcome return from his work in Europe, took second place with a solid workmanlike par round. He was followed by Barry Traynor also just returned from his holidays and Moe Bertrand rounded off the podium to make it a 100% returnees.
Before the prize giving, Richard now happily recovered from his fear of water and able to get out and about again, welcomed back Dave Lacey, Moe Bertrand, Tom Baigent, John Desmond, Barry Traynor, Gaute Moen and David Wolstencroft.
There was also a big welcome and round of applause for the welcoming of Rebecca Johansson, daughter of Peter, who had just been delivered an hour and a half earlier. Peter garnered another outburst of appreciation as he rang the bell to celebrate further.
A noticeable continued absentee was Fred “the spud that will not move”, and it is hoped that he has not left it so long that he will no longer be able to find the door when he does finally make an effort to leave his self imposed hibernation in Jomtien.
It was no surprise, with the greens as they were, to find no “twos” on the day, not even from The Bear.

Missed penalty proves costly for Seaboard FC

Seaboard FC traveled to Bangkok last Saturday for an away fixture against the Winking Frog in the MBMG International Football League. Both teams have enjoyed a good season so far with both positioned in the top four of the league going into the last few weeks of the season.
Seaboard were looking to improve on their last performance which saw them lose their unbeaten home record but would have their work cut out against a buoyant Winking Frog side. Seaboard would also have to go into this match with some key players not available.
Manager Rick Bryant once more turned to youth to fill the gaps and gave starts to teenagers Jake Baker and Colin McCubbin.
The game kicked off in very warm sunshine and it was Seaboard who made the early running with their now familiar neat passing game and it took only 3 minutes for Francis Taku to find Paul Derbyshire following a flowing move, but Derbyshire was unlucky to see his powerful shot just clear the crossbar.
This was an early warning to the Winking Frog side who produced their first chance of the afternoon on 6 minutes, when a speculative shot from fully 35 yards deceived Mark Coombs in the Seaboard goal and struck the top of the crossbar before going over.
Most of the next passage of play was condensed in the middle of the park but Seaboard managed to create a further opening on 17 minutes when Taku again found Derbyshire, with the ball running loose to Keng whose powerful shot from 18 yards out was comfortably taken by the keeper.
The Winking Frog were to open the scoring however one minute later with a certain amount of controversy. Seaboard defender Lee Homer appeared to be deliberately pushed by a Winking Frog forward while trying to make a clearance, with the ball dropping nicely to another unmarked attacker who gratefully hammered home from 8 yards. The Seaboard players immediately surrounded the referee to ask why they had not been awarded a free kick but he was not going to change his decision and the goal stood.
Seaboard immediately took the game back to the Winking Frog and one minute later John Campbell latched onto a loose ball in the box to drive home and bring Seaboard back on level terms.
Another moment of controversy was to follow on 24 minutes when following a Seaboard corner, a shot from the edge of the box was heading for the goal before a Winking Frog defender guided the ball around the post with his hand. The referee amazingly claimed not to have seen the incident and awarded a corner to Seaboard, where a penalty and red card for the defender should have been the outcome.
The Winking Frog were to make the most of their lucky break on 30 minutes when a long ball over the top of the Seaboard defence saw their forward lob the ball over the onrushing Coombs and into the net for a 2-1 lead.
Seaboard once more took the game to the Winking Frog and were rewarded for their efforts 7 minutes before the break when a free kick from Campbell was not dealt with by the Winking Frog defence and Brian Wilkins was able to run in and head home from close range.
Half Time Score - Winking Frog 2 Seaboard FC 2.
Seaboard kicked off the second half hoping to continue with the majority of play but they were to go behind for the third time of the afternoon one minute after the restart. The ball broke loose on the edge of their box after some slack defending and the onrushing Winking Frog forward lashed the ball past Coombs in the Seaboard goal.
Coombs, who had been suffering with an injury for most of the game, was soon replaced by Frank Weinberg between the posts.
Seaboard took the game to their opponents once more and were offered a chance to draw level halfway through the second period when Keng turned quickly on the edge of the box and was brought down, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. John Campbell stepped up to take the kick with his powerful shot beating the keeper but rebounding back into play off the crossbar and cleared to safety.
With this opportunity spurned, Seaboard started to take chances at the back by pushing players forward and were nearly caught out twice on the counter attack but Weinberg in the Seaboard goal saved well on both occasions.
Deep into injury time Seaboard did eventually fall foul of a counter attack when the unmarked Winking Frog striker ran onto a through ball and slotted home. The final whistle was soon to follow.
Final Score - Winking Frog 4 Seaboard FC 2.
Seaboard’s next fixture is a home game against the Dubliner at Darasamut School in Sriracha on Saturday April 29, Kick Off 4:00pm.

Reg lands a Ray as the storm clouds gather

Saturday fishing with Tropical Bert’s

As I stood on my balcony at 6:30am, sipping a cup of hot coffee, I was surprised to see how calm the sea was, just like a millpond. This was going to be a great day of messing about in a boat and dipping a line in the water.

Reg wins his fight with the Ray.
Arriving in Bang Saray, and parking near the pier, I was surprised to see so many young men on the pier, then I realised they were probably home from the sea and getting ready for the Songkran ‘Activities’. Mind, I reached the boat without getting wet, and as I was to spend the day at sea I would not have been too upset if I had been soaked. They will save it for later no doubt.
Safely on the boat with my two fishing partners for the day, Diamond Dave and Reg of Bert’s fame, it was cast off and away we go. The weather was perfect and as we passed Monkey Island, a light breeze got up that ruffled the water, and all was well with the world.
The Captain, Pong, obviously had a firm idea of where he wanted to fish, as something over an hour later he anchored in a bay and the big rods went out. Then it was time for the small rods to keep the smaller fish coming in, but it was slow work. For some reason, where the big fish are the small ones seem to be in short supply.
Sitting in a deck chair on a boat and resting your eyes is great and the scream of the reel in the distance through the mists of awakening leads to an unconscious dash to take up the rod, sometimes in a haze. On the first dash, Reg was there like a rocket, and had a hard fight to bring in a Ray. Reg found it was quite a battle but soon went into the rhythm needed to bring the fish aboard. A Ray can be quite a challenging fish to land. Trying to get all that surface area through the water puts a real strain on the shoulders.
Whilst the rest continued to pull in barbecue fish I thought I would continue to rest my eyes, and it was with quite a start I heard the reel scream, and found reaction put me on the rod. It was obvious this was no Ray, as it had taken the live bait on the float and the line screamed. Not long after, the fish turned towards the boat and jumped, and it seemed we had a good-sized Barracuda on the line, and this held until we had the fish on board. The fish was pretty long, about 4 feet, but it looked thin and its mouth didn’t look correct. Reg’s remark that it had green teeth struck a bell and I realised for the first time we had hooked a ‘Longtom’ or Gar. This fish also has green bones but has two very long jaws with sharp conical teeth. My wife says she doesn’t care - “it tastes just fine”.
With the water speeding up it was time to float and catch the small fish, and this was about the time we started to get calls from Pattaya saying that the weather was turning foul and that we should come in. We already knew as we could see the black clouds over the coast and the lightning flashing down. It is very cosy with the sides down running into the storm and 1 hour later we slipped into a rain swept Bang Saray after a fine day out.
And the moral of the story is this: if the weather is going to be bad - go fishing!
T.T.F.N.

Rossi set for 100th MotoGP appearance in Turkey

Camel Media Services
Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi reaches another special milestone in his illustrious career this weekend as he contests his 100th consecutive premier-class race in the Grand Prix of Turkey. The Italian and his team-mate Colin Edwards travel to the Istanbul Park circuit, located 300 kilometres north west of the capital city of Ankara, looking to build on tentative first impressions of the track from last year, when they finished second and seventh respectively in a race won by Marco Melandri.

World champion Valentino Rossi of Italy will be hoping to mark his 100th consecutive MotoGP appearance with victory in Turkey this weekend.

The third round of the current season will also be Rossi’s 160th appearance in all classes since making his 125cc debut in Malaysia in 1996. So far he has amassed an incredible tally of 80 victories, his latest coming just over two weeks ago in the Grand Prix of Qatar; a triumph that also moved the 27-year-old level with Mick Doohan on 54 premier-class wins, leaving him second only to the legendary Giacomo Agostini, on 68.
As well as taking him level with Mick Doohan in terms of career wins, Valentino Rossi’s victory at Qatar also pulled him to within striking distance of the all-time record Grand Prix points total, currently held by Max Biaggi. Having now scored a total of 2886 points in all classes, Rossi will move ahead of Biaggi simply by finishing in ninth place or above this Sunday. However, as always, his only target is victory at one of only two circuits on the current calendar where he has yet to climb onto the top step of the podium in at least one of the three classes.
“Qatar was like the start of my championship but we’re already behind in the points and we need to do our best to catch up,” said Rossi. “My rivals are very strong and we need to be able to fight for the win again in Turkey. Istanbul isn’t one of my favourite tracks and we had a really hard time there last year - we had already won the championship and it was difficult to stay 100% focused at that stage of the season, plus we had some set-up problems with the bike. This time we go there feeling fully motivated.
“We don’t know how the new bike will react at this circuit; I hope that it will go well and that we won’t have any vibration problems. There are some fantastic fast corners so if the bike is working well it could be great fun to ride there. We tested again after Qatar and we made some improvements, and although we still haven’t completely solved our problems hopefully even if they do reappear at some stage, we’re going to be able to cope with them better now.”
NB: Supersports Ch 1 and Star Sports will screen live coverage of The Turkish MotoGP from 18:45 on Sunday April 30.

Tewin teaches the boys a lesson

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Thursday April 20, Pattaya Country Club, Stroke - The Monthly Mug
Only one competition this week as it was decided early on to have a week off for Songkran. So after a week of little golf we were hoping for a good turnout for the Monthly Mug and it was not too bad for this time of year.

Tewin receives the April Monthly Mug from ‘The Admiral’
Early in the morning the players gathered at the Cafe Kronborg, including Dave who only got in at 2am. How keen can one be? I would have been sleeping. Then it’s into the transport and off to Pattaya Country Club.
Pattaya is always a friendly club so it was not long before we were into golf gear and onto the first tee. The course as such was not in too good a condition. This time of year is generally regarded as a recovery time for the courses and it had been raining so some of the bunkers were full of water, and most had washouts. Still the test was the same for all.
Waiting as the cards came in, it seemed that the first person to return with a net score under 70 would win, and so it turned out to be. With the results in it was into the cars and back to the Cafe Kronborg.
Back on home ground the golfers were relaxing whilst the order was finally sorted out, and then the winners were declared. In the A Flight, 0 to 17, the winner was Rick Evans with a net 71, ahead of a count back for second won by Ted Morris with Bill Plath in third, both on net 74.
In the B Flight we had three players on net 70, so a count back was needed. The winner was Chris John with Gordon McKnight in second and Kevin Dinan in third.
And so to the ‘Mug’, and the winner was a young lady just finding her way in the game, and obviously learning fast. So the The Kronborg Monthly Mug for April was awarded to Tewin Lamthong, who won by a whopping 7 shots, with a net 63.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: #5 Wayne Koch, #7 Tewin Lamthong, #12 Gordon McKnight, #16 Chris John

Kastor and Limo win London Marathon - Scott’s still out there!

The Boston and London Marathons signal the start of what has commonly become known as marathon season. Last week over 35,000 people trampled over the streets of London in what was rather over dramatically billed by the press as ‘The race of the century.’
Unfortunately for the race organizers and spectators, the men’s and women’s world record holders, Paul Tergat and home favourite Paula Radcliffe were forced to withdraw in the week leading up to the race due to injury. And without the Paul and Paula double act, the race lost a little of its pre-event sheen
As things transpired, it was one of Kenyan Paul Tergat’s fellow countrymen who took the line honours when Felix Limo out-sprinted compatriot Martin Lel over the closing 200 meters to cross the line first in a time of 2:06:39. Highly fancied Ethiopian track legend, Haile Gebrselassie was unable to stay with the pace over the closing stages and finished a disappointing ninth.
In the women’s event, Deena Kastor broke her own American record to win in a time of 2:19:35 and becomes only the 4th woman in history to hold both the Chicago and London titles at the same time, after Ingrid Kristiansen, Paula Radcliffe and Joyce Chepchumba.
For those of you who prefer to trot along at a more sedate pace, spare a thought for Englishman Lloyd Scott who decided to run this year’s London marathon dressed as a knight in shining armour, whilst dragging a 10ft dragon behind him to celebrate St George’s Day. Scott, who holds the record for the slowest marathon on record, (five days, eight hours, 29 minutes and 46 seconds) dressed as a deep sea diver calculates that this time it could take him as much 7 days to complete the course. It’s highly possible that as you’re sitting down to read this article, he will still be out there completing the last few miles. Of course, it’s all to raise money for a worthy cause but the man is obviously certifiably mad.
NB: For interested parties, don’t forget that the Pattaya Marathon this year will be held July 16. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.pattaya-marathon.com

League gets tighter as top three teams lose

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers - Bill, Dang, La and Jon

Café Kronborg bowling without their captain lost three points to Montana but still remain in first. Friends beat second place Grape Vine and took three points in that match and third place House of the Golden Coin lost three to Domicil. France got three points from Jack & Tar and they remain in fourth. Café Ole got all four points from Brother D to move out of last place. Shenanigans won three from Mai’s Thai Restaurant and Three Sisters won three from VFW Post 9876. Dang bowling for Café Ole had the best series of the day as she knocked down 563 pins with games of 200, 177 and 186.

The Square Ring

by Howie Reed
Jim Armstrong of America’s Denver Post newspaper put into words what many have thought since the heavyweight era of Ali-Foreman-Frazier. “I’d rather watch George Foreman and Joe Frazier fight over prunes at a salad bar than pay to see these geeks.” The geeks in this case refer to the current crop of heavyweight ‘frauds’.
Talk to any boxer who’s retired and he’ll tell you that he probably stayed around a little to long. I had a pal who was a world-class professional bull rider who retired and got on with his life. Doing a radio interview once I asked him, “When did you quit riding bulls?” “About two years before I quit entering”, was his answer.
I was reminded of that situation while watching former Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison (19-2) lose a unanimous 10 round decision to journeyman Dominick Guinn. It was truly a terrible effort coming from someone who had previously stated, “I know I’m going to be world champion this year.” He reminded one of Michael Grant who for some reasons couldn’t or wouldn’t throw a punch.
“I’m just not getting it right. We’re going to figure it out but I know I’ve got to let my hands go more. I came on strong in the end but it wasn’t enough... I wasn’t hurt at all at any time but I just didn’t put my foot on the gas. I’m obviously disappointed but I’ve just got to go back to the drawing board.”
The only person that should go to a drawing board is an architect or an artist. Harrison is neither. Oh, by the way, he’s not a world-class boxer either.
The performance of the now former IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (39-3-1) against Wladimir Klitschko last Saturday night in Mannheim, Germany can only be described as “pathetic”. The “experts” for a couple of years now have voted Chris Byrd as the number 1 heavyweight in the world. The Square Ring, when voting in the Boxing Writers Poll, never made that mistake. Byrd might have been top of the polls for some of his ‘out of the ring’ exploits but never for his fighting.
Klitschko took control from the opening stanza scoring a knockdown in round 5 before ending it at 41 seconds of round 7. In his corner after the 5th round, Byrd asked his father/trainer/cutman Joe, “What did he hit me with?” He had no clue. Afterwards Byrd spoke honestly, “I was never in the fight.” He was right on that score.
You might check these spaces next week to see how Samuel Peter (25-1) makes out against Julius Long (14-7) tonight at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. Peter lost a close fight to Klitschko last September. Peter was leading when he tired in the championship rounds of 11and 12. Word is that Peter has corrected his problems so a rematch may be in the works.
Next Sunday at another ‘Injun’ casino in Connecticut, Zahir Raheen (27-1) gets a chance to prove that he belongs among the top lightweights in the world. He shocked the world when he easily handled Eric Morales last September. He’s been riding the pine since then but now gets fading super star Acelino Fritas (37-12), who got beat into submission by Diego Corrales.
With his impressive win over Jeff Lacy there is no doubt that WBO/IBF super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has become “the man”. At 41-0 he and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (36-0) are the only major undefeated world champions. The key for Calzaghe and his handlers is to take advantage of his Lacy win and make money. In the past Calzaghe made money but never gained the respect he deserved because of “dodgy” opponents. The big opponent out there now is Antonio Tarver (24-3) who has a June 10 appointment with Bernard Hopkins (46-4-1) on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. Tarver should have little trouble but knowing Tarver he’ll probably fight down to the opposition and produce yet another snoozer.
While awaiting the outcome of that one, Calzaghe needs a money fight. It was supposed to have been Clinton Woods on July 8. Well, fight fans can forget about that one for now. Woods is a Sky TV fighter and Calzaghe fights on ITV1. Looks now like Calzaghe will fight “Contender TV’s” Peter Manfredo (25-3) on July 8 at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Peter Manfredo the Contender loser you ask? Yep. Seems that Manfredo is going to ride his win over a “shot” Scott Pemberton last February. Calzaghe will slaughter Manfredo who will be in over his head.
Next Monday there’s a big time May Day box-fighting card on the grounds of the 11th Infantry Regiment, King Rama IX’s Guards in Bangkok. WBC flyweight king Pongsaklek Wonjongkam’s (60-2) will be making his 14th title defence against Japan’s Daigo Nakahiro (13-1). A win for Pongsaklek would match the record for the most successful world title defences in flyweight history. Mexican Miguel Canto also has 14 from 1975 to 1979.
Maybe Pongsaklek’s most spectacular defence was on April 19, 2002 when he KO’d Japan’s Daisuke Naito in 34 seconds. Wonjongkam’s two losses came at the end of 1995 and mid 1996 to Jerry Pahayahay who was 24-18 and 25-21 when he hung the two L’s on the champ. Just as there are horses for courses there are some boxers that can’t beat another boxer for reasons that defy logic.
Also on the same card is former WBC flyweight champ Medgoen Singsurat (43-4, 30 KOs) against Allan Lerio, who has “no official record.” Some might remember last May when Singsurat boxed Tata Polinar. Medgoen got the 5 round KO except two weeks later a reporter discovered that Tata Polinar was actually Joel Avila, who used Polinar’s passport with his picture. Tata at the time was training in Cebu province for an upcoming fight. Something dodgy is boxing? Surely you jest?
WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison (25-2-2) is struggling to gain some world wide acceptance. He’s been very successful in flying under the radar. His proposed “big time match” against Joan Guzman has fallen through. In a holding pattern he takes on Mexican Martin Honorio (21-3-1) at the Kings Hall in Belfast, May 20. It’s a keep busy payday. Honorio has won 4 on the trot but was Ko’d by William Abelyman, who Harrison clocked.
The highlight of the evening may be Olympian Amir Khan, who is now 6-0 with 5 KO’s. He takes on experienced Hungarian Laszlo Komjathi (24-10-1) who by the by, has lost 6 of his last 10.
After WBA featherweight champ Chris John (37-0) dispatched Juan Manuel Marquez last month the word was that he was coming to the USA for a big money fight. Maybe so, but not before he first defends against Renan Acosta (17-4) from Panama on July 2 in Jakarta. Acosta earned this title shot by losing 2 of his last 3. What about John fighting in the USA? Representative Tony Priatna said, “Of course, yes. The USA is our project for Chris, maybe after the fight against Acosta.” Or maybe never. One thing is a sure bet, it’s time for a beverage as Jeeves has just arrived with my end of column refreshment. “Fine man that Jeeves.”

Long hitting Larry leaves the field in his wake

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar

It was a hot muggy day but luckily the rains never came. The dew was heavy on the greens and fairways causing the balls to run slow and short. The scores however showed a different story.
Leading the pack was long hitting Larry Emerson. Larry swings so hard he almost comes out of his shorts when he tees off. With his long trunk and short legs he might look a little strange but he can hit a ball a long ways. His driver was working and so was his putter as he posted 41 points to win the day
In second place was Lewis Boyd - he came in with 38 points. Lewis has been on a good run recently as he also won down at Banchang this past week. Following Lewis was a group of four golfers on 37 points: Kenny Mau, Dick Kerr, Sus Ige, and Aaron New. All scored well but not enough for the day.
Again poor Ole Tully held the bag and headed for the cellar. His score improved but not enough to get past the cellar door. With his bright smile and attitude towards the game, who cares? He is there every week giving it his all and having a good time with the rest of us. Keep it up Tully!

John Cunningham does the weekly double

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Tuesday, April 17, Mountain Shadow, Medal
The Pattaya Golf Society spent the Songkran week as best they could, trying to keep dry, and found that the only real solace was to be found on the golf course. On Tuesday, they chose to visit Mountain Shadow for a medal competition and there were two very fine performances from both Chris Holmes and John Cunningham and their near faultless rounds of net 73 and net 72 respectively gave them the victory on the day: they were pursued, albeit at a leisurely pace, by Tony Kitchen and Noel O’Brien.
John Cunningham shot the day’s best gross with 80 and he also added a “two” to his excellent card, sharing the pot with playing partner Chris Holmes who birdied the fifth and eighth. The Booby Bevy’s destination was assured when Daz Martindale announced he had left his change of golf gear back at the OK and a lift home was denied to the perspiring player until he had invested in some new gear from the Pro Shop.
Thursday, April 19, The Emerald, Stableford
The large group who made the journey up to the nearby Emerald course at Ban Chang were disappointed to find the very attractive course in such poor shape as a result of all the renovations that are ongoing. Once again it proved to be a John Cunningham “masterclass”. The canny Scot, bearing four half fingers and a dicey thumb on the grip hand, played through the pain barrier to record the week’s second successive best gross, this time an excellent 78, and he managed his habitual birdie “two” as well. He finished his round with thirty-eight stableford points, one ahead of Paweena’s Rob Heath and his 37, and James Moyser’s 36.
The other “twos” were recorded by Don Nellis and an amazing eagle two on the second by David Thomas. At the other end of the listings was poor Tony Kitchen, so often running on gas, and proof that golf can take you from hero to zero in a very short time indeed!
Roll on 25th, bye bye John, come ye back but nae so soon!

Rod takes the ‘Tankard’ at Treasure Hills

PSC golf from The Grapevine

Thursday April 20, Treasure Hills
With many regulars not in town and those of us that were, still wary about venturing out so soon after Songkran, one of our smallest fields contested the monthly tankard at Treasure Hills golf course. The course itself was in excellent condition and under blazing sun, those present tested their skills.

Rod Sutherland savours his Tankard win.

Rod Sutherland, with a nett 79, pipped Alan Gummer on a count back. Not many tales to tell this week as all golfers conceded the course had the better of the day. Congratulations to Rod, though, as he made the most of his opportunities.
Long putts were claimed by Dick Warberg and Roy Pimblett, and as some form of consolation for his count back loss, Alan Gummer won the only nearest to pin awarded for the day.
Thanks to those who contested the Tankard, considering the holiday/election distractions, and the very busy schedule on offer this time of year. Cheers and good golfing.

Derek and Rod beat the rain and the field

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Tuesday April 18, Noble Place, Stableford
This was to be a different day at Tropical Bert’s. This was the day of the water throwing at Banglamung and the day before Pattaya’s day of the free shower, and what do they do, they close the bars from 1800hrs. I am never left anything less than amazed sometimes.

Tuesday’s winners: - Rod (left) & Derek (right)
So we booked in at Bert’s for one of his complimentary breakfasts, and took off for the sane area of Noble Place and a normal presentation at the course, because there was no way we could get back and to Bert’s bar before the 1800hrs curfew.
On to the course, and surprise, surprise we were to play the A & C layouts; it must be said that we rarely play C of late. We set off on the A nines and they were not too bad, a bit bare but you can chip and put well on them. The C nines on the other hand have been under going some improvement work, and to put it kindly they are not yet up to standard, and not really enjoyable.
The pace of play was fairly quick, and the storm clouds were gathering, so the first few groups finished in the sun. Then it rained, and as I was looking out onto the course at the stragglers in the pouring rain and me, sitting there drinking a cold beer after a nice hot shower, I felt a little sorry for them. Well, wouldn’t you?
All the players in and the results were declared with the A Flight, 0 to 19, being won by Derek Brook with 38 points, ahead of Kevin Dunne in second with 37 points, who beat Tony Oakes on count back. The winner’s thanks went to Kevin who did not check his new handicap and played off 1 shot less than he needed to. He would have won on count back playing off the correct handicap. How sad!
In the B Flight we had a fine net 38 points from Rod Sutherland, which won him the flight. We then had 4 players with 35 points, so on count back Tewin Lamthong was second, Tim Holt third with Mike Wing and Max Matthews just missing out.
With the presentation over, the scribe got into his car and zoomed back to Bert’s to beat the deadline, which was accomplished. It was nice to see other players had the same idea, for a while.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Brendan Devlin, Tony Oakes, Derek Brook, Ted Morris, Rod Sutherland
Long Put: Bob Pearce, Kevin Dunne, Tim Holt, Peter Harris

A less than ‘Noble’ 13 for Clark

IPGC golf with The Caddyshack

Tuesday April 18, Noble Place, Medal
Songkran holiday week always sees a reduction in numbers for the golf outings. Those who are sane get out of Pattaya for a while, whilst the sober stay indoors.
Noble Place was chosen as today’s venue for a Medal competition over the A & C courses. With the reduced numbers, there was only one division and in a three-way tie for second, on net 76, came Mike Allidi, Don Francis and David Keats. Beating them to the top spot by one shot however was Joop Medze. The “twos” pot was won by Mike Allidi whilst the ‘Bananas’ went to Clark Alexander for his career best 13 shots on C4 - Well done Clark!
Thursday April 20, Treasure Hills, Stableford
Treasure Hills always provides a tough test of golf and today’s scores reflected this. In joint third came Bill Hewitt, Mark Joshua and Bob Philp with 27 points. Second on the day was Daz Martindale with 28 points whilst Austin Langton topped the podium with 29 points. Josh collected the “twos” pot and the ‘Bananas’ were awarded to the person who often takes 3 putts from 2 feet - Mr. Loy.