SPORTS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Sattayanant Abdulkari takes out the first Pattaya Mountain bike Downtown 2006

Brazilian street soccer team visits Thailand

Pattaya goes football mad

Don & Joop take top billing

Sports Quiz

Alan Griffiths scores and runs

The Groom sweeps the field off its feet

Deja-Vu at Crystal Bay

Stan & Rich share the spoils at popular Bangpra

Marty ‘on fire’ at the Emerald

Phil leads the Aussies home at Burapha

‘Matelot’ Mick shows the way at the Navy

‘No Show’ takes the plaudits at Pattaya C.C.

The Beautiful Game?

The Square Ring

League leaders getting hard to catch

PATTAPA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Sattayanant Abdulkari takes out the first Pattaya Mountain bike Downtown 2006

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Sattayanant Abdulkari, SEA Games silver medalist won the women’s class in the first Pattaya Mountain bike Downtown 2006 held last Sunday in Pattaya. Her arduous training schedule and competitive experience were the main factors as she coasted over the finish line.

Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, Pattaya deputy mayor presents first prize to Hill A winner Thanpol Jarupeng from the Chainart District team.
At just 18, Sattayanant has had a wealth of experience winning silver in the Philippines last year at the SEA Games.
“I’ve trained very hard and you really have to love riding, something I’ve loved since I was very young,” said Sattayanant. “I’ve only been training seriously for the last 4-5 years.”
Sattayanant told reporters that her father was her coach and that she had received a great deal of support from her family and her school, especially leading up to last year’s South East Asian Games.

Mountain bikers enjoyed the challenging Pattaya course and are looking forward to another event.
The inaugural event, which took place in Pattaya on June 11 is just one of six rounds in the national mountain bike competition. Points from each course are counted to the overall competition as to who will be this year’s national champion.
Racing kicked off in front of the Pratumnak Fitness Park with Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, Pattaya deputy mayor presiding over the formalities. He was joined by Anupong Udomrattankulchai, Pattaya Running and Cycling for Health Club (PRCHC) president and more than 150 cyclists taking part in the event.

The race was jointly organized by city hall, PRCHC, Thailand Cycling Alliance Group and the Knobbyonline.com website dedicated to cycling in Thailand. The event is the first of its kind utilizing off and on-road skills with the course involving a downhill of 1.5 km of challenging obstacles beginning at the recently opened extension of the public park and ending at the Bali Hai pier.

The warm atmosphere and beautiful course conditions were well received by all the riders.
The event was open to nine classes: Boys under 15, Downhill A, Downhill B, Men’s 30-39 age groups, Men’s Over 40s. Free ride class, Hardtel class, Women’s Open and a weight class of 85kgs and up. Each rider was taken on their best lap on the hot Sunday afternoon.
Results for the Pattaya event saw Sattayanant Abdulkari from the Siam Bike team winning first place n the women’s category, Chatchai Rujinarnont, from the Chainart District team was the Boys under 15 winner, Vichai Promklang won the Hardtel class. Thamarat Rujinarnont kept it in the  family winning the Free ride class and in the 30-39 age group Supote Nongyai was first; with Montree Boonsen winning the men’s over 40 category and in the heavyweights, 85kgs and above, Theerapat Janrat pounded the competition to win his class. Hill B winner was manop Abdulkari from the Bike Line team and in the Hill A group, Thanpol Jarupeng from the Chainart District team also landed in the winners’ circle.


Brazilian street soccer team visits Thailand

The Brazilian street soccer team trains with Team Fairtex

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A representative team from that great soccer nation Brazil flew into Thailand June 3, to show their skills under the Nokia ‘Defend Your Turf’ project to promote street soccer in Asian countries.
The eight members of the Brazilian street soccer team from Rio de Janiro, are traveling around India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand to promote street soccer in these countries.
To mark the occasion, Thailand set up its own team of youngsters to play against the Brazilian stars on June 4 at the Siam Discovery Center in Bnagkok. Street soccer is extremely popular in Brazil and is normally played in open areas at the side of the road. The game requires a lot of individual skill and, not surprisingly, the Brazilians have taken to the game like ‘ducks to water’.
Carlos Eduardo, the coach and team manager of the South Americans commented that both he and his players were very impressed by the standard of soccer they had seen in Thailand. Talking about the trip he said that the Thai national team is heading in the right direction and appears to have left other teams in the region standing.
Following the competition in Bangkok, the Brazilian team made a trip to the Fairtex Sports Club & Resort in Pattaya where the players took full advantage of all the excellent facilities before flying off to their next destination.


Pattaya goes football mad

Like venues all over Pattaya, the Green Bottle Pub at Diana Inn welcomes the start of World Cup 2006.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
June 9 - the start of the World Cup finals in Germany and reports came in that Pattaya, along with the rest of the planet had gone totally ‘football crazy.’
Shops and restaurants throughout the city decorated their premises with bunting and flags of all the participating nations and employees dressed in football kits to add colour and atmosphere to the occasion. This was especially true along Pattaya Third Road and Walking Street in South Pattaya where matches were broadcast live on giant screens. The Green Bottle Pub at Diana Inn also added to the festivities, broadcasting the games on their own giant screen, giving out promotional tickets to guess the results and also offering reduced ‘world cup special’ drinks prices to enable the fans to celebrate or alternatively drown their sorrows.
With the tournament not due to reach its conclusion till July 9, we can expect to see these scenes repeated many times over the coming month.
Other than all the fanfare surrounding the opening of the tournament, Pattaya launched its own mini-world cup with the Pattaya Paradise Futsal 2006 competition, which has been organized by Box Assets Company and the Saang Fan Company. Fixtures that take place in the real World Cup in Germany are repeated in a somewhat smaller, though no less competitive version next to the beach near Bali Hai Pier.
And with the presence of the large TV screens, spectators now have the chance to watch 2 games for the price of one.

The Pattaya Paradise Futsal competition is being played concurrently with all the World Cup games in Germany.


Don & Joop take top billing

IPGC golf from The Caddy Shack

Tuesday, May 6,
Noble Place,
Medal

Noble Place was the venue for Tuesday’s outing with a Medal competition being held over the challenging A & C courses. The winner of the day’s event was Don Francis with a respectable score of net 69. In second came Ben Findon with a net 71 and third place went to Nile Sheehan with a net 77.
There were no “twos” recorded on the day and the ‘bananas’ were awarded to Al Mcgrory for his unremarkable net 83 score.
Thursday, May 8,
Green Valley, Stableford
Our second trip of the week took us to beautiful Green Valley for a Stableford competition. Joop Medze took the honours with 35 points, 2 ahead of second placed Mike Allidi. Jan Eriksen completed the podium places with a score of 29 points for third.
Jan also took a share of the “twos” pot with David Keats whilst the ‘bananas’ went to Paul Davies, who, with a new driver to improve his game managed to trail home with a paltry 15 points.


Sports Quiz

Congratulations to Steve Johnson who was the first to answer all 3 questions for last week’s quiz. Thanks to all who tried and in case you were wondering about the answers, here they are:
1) Which 4 countries have appeared in soccer World Cup finals but never won the trophy?
Answer: Holland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia (all twice) & Sweden
2) Which bridge(s) are crossed in the London marathon?
Answer: Only 1 – Tower Bridge
3) What was used in the 1973 FA Cup Final and never used again?
Answer: An orange football
This weeks Questions are:
1) Who is the only male tennis player to win the US Open on 3 different playing surfaces (grass, clay & hard-court)?
2) Name 5 boxers to defeat Muhammad Ali as a professional
3) Between the 1966 and 2006 World Cups only four England captains have played for three different clubs while captaining their country, who are they and for a bonus, which clubs were they playing for?


Alan Griffiths scores and runs

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday June 5, Green Valley - Stableford
1st Arthur Hancock, 40
2nd Tony Barritt, 39
3rd Takeshi Hakozaki, 38
4th David Winter, 37
5th Alan Griffiths, 36
Playing on his second home course Arthur Hancock made his local knowledge tell as he slipped into first place after Tony Barritt just failed to finish off a fantastic final run which included 3 birdies in the last five holes. This followed a poor start, which saw him three putt the first three holes until he began to listen to the caddy’s advice regarding line and weight. Arthur’s round was a real gem as he went round without a blob or 1 pointer on the card.
Takeshi Hakozaki came in just a further point back to secure third with newcomer David Winter taking fourth ahead of the weeks ever-present Alan Griffiths.
Before presenting the prizes Richard Livingston, the resident PGA teaching professional, welcomed new members Barry McIntosh, Peter Lim, Barry Urbano and David Winter and also welcomed back Randy Haupt and Trudy Chadbourn, the latter having been incapacitated due to a serious wrist injury.
There were no “twos” in either division and the pots were therefore carried over.
Wednesday June 7, Khao Kheow -
Better Ball
1st Alan Keith & Serge Straeten, 39
2nd Barry Traynor & Paul Hartley, 37
3rd Tony Barritt & Alan Griffiths, 32 c/b 9 17
4th Trevor Schirmer & B.J. Smith, 32 c/b 9 15
Alan Keith made a long awaited return to Thailand for a short holiday, before taking early retirement from his day job to take up a relaxed job knocking the ball round the local courses as he hones his 5 handicap towards a plus number.
With a steady partner in Serge Straeten and no language barrier between them they combined to make a very difficult course on the day seem not quite as insurmountable as most of the contenders in the other groups, and ran out winners by two shots from the pairing of Barry Traynor and Paul Hartley, who could never quite get on terms.
Tony Barritt picked up the man in form but unfortunately still struggled with the advice that was flowing from not only his caddy but Alan Griffiths and his caddy too. It took a while to get through but finally it was enough to take third place ahead of the Trevor Schirmer and B.J. Smith on count back.
Prior to the prize giving Richard welcomed back Alan Keith. Due to the format, the “twos” competition was not played for and was again carried over until the next outing.
Friday June 9, Eastern Star - Stableford
1st Alan Griffiths, 37
2nd Ger Lodge, 35
3rd Peter Emslie, 34 c/b9 19
4th Al Rolnik, 34 c/b9 18
Alan Griffiths, playing his last game before returning to supervise the installation of a few rows of seats in The Arsenals new stadium in North London took advantage on a low scoring day to chalk up another one in the win column by a handy two strokes from Ger Lodge who has recently returned for an extended rest.
Peter Emslie at last played a round somewhere near to his new handicap to take a grip on third place by count back ahead of Al Rolnik who also reached the podium after an extended period in the doldrums.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new member Mike Poustie and also welcomed back Bubbles Davies, Ger Lodge and Chris Knapp.
Once again there were no “twos” in either division and so again the pools were carried forward.


The Groom sweeps the field off its feet

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, June 4, Green Valley,
White Tees -Stableford

A Flight
1st Larry Watson, 39 points
2nd Julian Clarke, 38 points
3rd Jim Wickstrom, 37 points
B Flight
1st Jan Erikson, 37 points
2nd Rick Sharp, 36 points
3rd Joe Mooneyham, 35 points
C Flight
1st Stan Dismuke, 41 points
2nd George Jackson, 38 points
3rd Eddy Beilby, 37 points
D Flight
1st Place Jez Lees, 42 points
2nd Nat Meesuk, 42 points
3rd Noy Pimmoen, 35 points
NP’s: #2 Doug Lynch; #9 John Emmerson; #12 Mark Wood, #16 Phil Mitchell
2’s: Julian Clarke, Jim Wickstrom, Mark Wood, Phil Mitchell, Jim Brackett, Doug Lynch, John Emmerson, Colin Davis, Stan Dismuke, George Jackson, Mike Shrosbree, Alec Hoare
Non-2: Noy Pimmoen
The Principal was actually playing against guys as well, although the D Flight podium would have suggested otherwise as he led the Nat (ural) and Ms. Summers up the steps to collect the loot. Jez, always battling the pitching and putting woes that stifle his significant athletic prowess, won a count back over Nat, who herself can probably be as good as she wants, should she ever choose to pursue the game seven days a week. The two players co-shared the best point total of the day.
Stan had seen his good mate, Jeremy Masse, start to make a significant separation between their two handicaps and must have decided it was time he put it in gear. His C Flight winning 41 points were three clear of the oft-honored One Ball, and yet another ahead of the Man of Leisure.
Irish Larry Watson, who visits annually, and who has always brought a low handicap with him from the Old Sod, is finally playing to his abilities in the LoS. His 39 points served notice to the premier players that there is another guy in the weekly mix. He was followed up the podium by The Dispatch Rider and Dudley Dooright, architect of the day’s low gross.
It is going to take a bit to finally highlight the performance of our Title Guy as he was headed up the B Flight steps by The Quiet One and The Hermit. If a third for Joe wasn’t particularly noteworthy in and of itself, certainly the fact that he edged Mike Gaussa, The Donkey and Barry Urbano on count back was.
Tuesday, June 6, Khao Kheow C & B, Yellow Tees - Stroke/Medal
A Flight
1st Johnny McHugh, net 69
2nd Rick Sharp, net 72
3rd Joe Mooneyham, net 74
B Flight
1st Charles Sheppard, net 70
2nd Tony Molloy, net 73
3rd Dave Porter, net 74
NP’s: #B8 - Bob Lindborg
2’s: John McHugh, Tony Molloy, John Emmerson, Stan Dismuke
Big hittin’ Johnny McHugh threw in some accuracy as he navigated the yellow tees of the C & B courses of Mr. Dye’s local offering in shooting an A Flight-winning gross 76, net 69, both best on the day. The Hermit, apparently arising from golf hibernation, held down A Flight’s second slot and our Title Guy wielded the count back scythe again to hold on his second third of the young week. This time his victims were the quartet of The Lady’s Man, the Quiet One, Steve Smith and Jim-Bob Brackett.
In B Flight, Charlie Sheppherd somehow found the front door of the bar, the tee on each of the holes and the return van to claim his B Flight first prize, resultant from his fine sub-handicap net 70. That left him comfortably ahead of newly arrived Irish guest, Tony Molloy, and the Valet’s Best Friend..
Wednesday, May 7, Eastern Star, White Tees - Stableford
A Flight
1st Joe Mooneyham, 38 points
2nd Johnny McHugh, 36 points
3rd Colin Davis, 36 points
B Flight
1st Harvey Samuel, 36 points
2nd Sugar Ray Hanford, 36 points
3rd Dave Porter, 33 points
NP’s: #13 - Steve Smith
2’s: Steve Smith, Tony Curran, Andy Redmond,
There’s the Title Guy, fresh off two bronzes, and now adding a bit of the gold to his treasure trove, with an A Flight winning, and Man of the Match supporting, 38 points. Tuesday’s top man, Johnny McHugely edged The Donkey with the slide rule. Chief Engineers will do that to ya.
Harvey Samuel, or was it Samuel Harvey, edged Sugar Ray with a little math in B flight, while the Valet’s Best Friend earned his second third in two days. Is Dave trending down? You’ll have to wait until next week to see.
Friday, May 9,
The Emerald,
White Tees - 2-Person Better Ball (Stroke/Medal)
1st Seamus Cotter & Alan Ashby, net 63
2nd John Emmerson & Poo Supaporn, net 63
3rd Chaten Patel & David Hamilton, net 65
A good sized field paired up for two person better ball at the ever, albeit slowly, improving Faldo/Muirhead design in the city where all the girls have flat heads. Seamus Cotter, himself an infrequent, but welcome, mid-week Society player extended an open hand to a Society newcomer, Alan Ashby, a Patong Beach publican, and in so doing put together the day’s winning team. That was much to the chagrin of the GM and the First Lady who lost the top rung on count back. Are there no limits to which the Old Silverback will go to in making a new fella feel welcome? The Rajah was not going to expose himself to the fickled winds of fate in choosing a partner. He brought along his mate, David Hamilton, and together they edged The Donkey and the Man of Leisure on count back for the last pay slot.


Deja-Vu at Crystal Bay

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

A number of welcome members are returning to these shores after various mid-year breaks in Europe and elsewhere, and such was the case at the OK Corral on Tuesday, June 6, as the Pattaya Golf Society ventured to Crystal Bay to play a weekly medal event over the “A” and “B” nines.
The course is always a pleasurable challenge with its wide fairways and expanses of water and the greens, though not as pacey as on the previous recent visit, still held surprises for the party.
Under a cloudless sky battle commenced and before long it became apparent that the “cream” would rise to the top. The antipodean pair of Stuart Thompson and David Thomas were going head-to-head, with New Zealander David holding all the aces after nine holes but a sparkling in-run saw Stuart post a gross 39 to record a total of net 78, equalling his partner for a share of second place.
In the previous six weeks the vagaries of the Scottish summer had restricted John Cunningham to a mere nine holes but his return, with the sun on his back, did the trick. He quickly entered his PGS mode and produced yet another fine round, the only blemishes being “rusty” dropped shots on the first nine. He finished the day, as so often, at the top of the table and his net 77 marked a fine return to his adopted homeland.
Rob Dolan achieved the day’s only birdie “two”, from off the green on A8 and his joy signalled one of the few occasions when he has managed to cross the water on the picturesque hole!
Tony Duthie, recently hospitalised with pneumonia, found rehabilitation tough, losing all his balls by the seventeenth but his caddy came to the rescue with one she had kept for a special occasion and Tony proceeded to immerse this as well on the final hole. His return was thus marked by the Booby Bevy. But for him, as with the other players, the highlight of the day was merely being on a beautiful course with fine friends.
Stu-pendous!
Far off Noble Place gets better with every visit and this was no exception on Thursday, June 8 as the Pattaya Golf Society chose to call in to play a stableford event. The continued work on the course is turning an already fine golf track into something special and, as communications improve, the course is destined to become a Pattaya favourite.
The “A” and “C” nines formed the backcloth to proceedings as the four groups set out on an empty course. After nine holes the field was buzzing with the exploits of diminutive Aussie Stuart Thompson, who had completed the front nine in a superb gross 35 giving him a staggering 23 points off his 8 handicap. For some, putting on the repairing greens was a test but not for Stuart whose eyes and hands stayed true. Inevitably he was to stutter slightly on the in-run but he retained his composure to return a score of 42 points to win the day in immaculate style.
John Cunningham completed a fine week with a score of 37 points for second place and Len Jones showed the tablets are working well as he posted a creditable 35 points for third place, and another step on the road to recovery after his recent health problems.
There were no birdie “twos” and a substantial rollover was expected at Green Valley next time out.
The prime candidates for the Booby Bevy were the two competitors who had chosen to compete for the fashion highlight of the day with their trousers but as Jim Wilson seemed hell bent on matching Bill Hewitt’s Heineken intake record on the course, all bets were off! As the day progressed his short putts became longer and “tap-ins” became “top-ups”. It had been a seriously good golf day indeed.


Stan & Rich share the spoils at popular Bangpra

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Tuesday May 30, Khao Kheow - Stableford
I always like playing at this course, it is one of the best in the area, and also at this time of the year one of the best value, it must be on the top of everyone’s hit list because on this week the other major golf outlets of P.S.C. went there.

Bangpra winners Stan Everingham & Rich Murphy
On this Tuesday we had a good turnout, and after breakfast at Bert’s off we all went down the road to Khao Kheow with a couple of extra groups. All was well at the course and we were soon off on the A & B layouts.
The conditions were as expected, wet, but if people read the score card they will see that the course has made a local rule that allows a drop ‘Through the Green’, so help was at hand.
Round over and with the results coming in, it was noticeable we had two players who had beaten their handicap - one in each division, and this is better than average at this course.
Back at Bert’s, and after some of the host’s fine food, the results were declared by Tim. The winner in A Div was Dick Warberg with Stu Thompson as runner up, and in the B Div, Rich Murphy was the winner with Tewin Lamthong as runner up
Near Pin: Stu Thompson, Stan Everingham, Fergus Brennan, Tewin Lamthong, Colin Cronin, Bob MacGuire
Long Put: Stan Everingham, Carl Lovat, Tong Pimblet, Dave Eastham, Rod Sutherland
Tuesday June 6, Bangpra - Stableford
Put this course on the schedule and you can be sure of a full list. So it was on this morning, and as I entered Bert’s, the place was packed with players filling up on Bert’s food.
The trip down is not too bad, so it was not long before all were safely signed in, and were at the first tee.
So onto the course, and as all who come here know, this venue is a real pleasure to play. One thing I saw on the course that was interesting, was a very large lizard, probably 3/4 feet long walking up the path by the 10th green. Of course we all got out of the way.
After my normal in the clubhouse, Rainbow Ice Cream, it was time to leave for the home range and a cold one at Bert’s. When we arrived, everyone was already tucking into the food, however we managed to get their attention long enough for Tim to do the presentation.
The winner of the A Div was Stan Everingham with Steve Hamstad in second, whilst in the B Div the winner was Rich Murphy with Mark Brenton in second. However, the star of the day was Steve Hamstad with a second and three near pins.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Steve Hamstad (3), Derek Brook, Colin Cronin, Bernie Cairns, Rich Murphy
Long Put Dick Warberg, Derek Brook, Su Muangmatcha, Derek Eastham


Marty ‘on fire’ at the Emerald

Peacock Place Golf Society News

Thursday June 8 saw the third gathering of The Peacock Place Golf Society. The Emerald GC was the chosen venue and a very popular choice it turned out to be. Twenty three golfers arrived at The Peacock in good time to sign the entry sheet, pay their dues and enjoy a hearty breakfast before arranging the transport and heading for the course. Captain Bob decided to add spice to the occasion and announced that we would be playing a medal round instead of a wimpy Stableford competition today. We would be playing the game as it was intended. A significant number complained in unison but to no avail. Medal it was going to be.
We headed for the course and made it in 30 minutes. Down Route 36, right at the Green Valley turn off and left just past Green Valley. It’s clearly signposted. No need to go all the way to Bangchang and turn left. Our starting point is so convenient for all the courses.
The weather was glorious and the course not too bad but the fairways are still recovering from burning as a result of over feeding with fertilizer. The greens I have to say were magnificent and very fast. Too fast for yours truly as my score card will testify.
The course in the main won as many who recorded no returns will admit, our illustrious Captain included but a noble few returned cards to be pleased with. Our winner that day was Marty Allred who plays off 1 and returned a net 70, great golf. The runner up in the A flight was Don Frances who returned a net 72. In the B flight, Brent Dalby Returned a 72 and Phil Smith a 74.
Some of our party could not be dissuaded from dropping off at Bangchang Village for some reason or other but we all returned to The Peacock Restaurant at 5pm for the prize giving and to sample the delicious morsels prepared by Dao and her lovely handmaidens.
Another great day was had by all.
NB: If anyone would like to join us or obtain details of our group, telephone 07941 2474 and contrary to last weeks information, The Peacock Restaurant is only 8km from the Sukhumvit Road.


Phil leads the Aussies home at Burapha

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Monday May 29,
Crystal Bay - Stableford

The pristine Crystal Bay A & B layouts were host to a Stableford competition in one flight. The course was not very busy because high season prices are still being charged.
Aussie Gene Rooney won the day with a fine 39 points, in second was Aussie John Christie with 38 points with Brian Blackford third with 35 points and John Swanson fourth with 33 points.
Thursday June 1,
Khao Kheow - Stableford
What more can one say about this fine course except it was wet - all the courses are at this present time, and Khao Kheow does not seen to drain as well as some of the others.
The test for the day were the B & C layouts, and with them being so wet they played long and difficult, so I was not expecting good scores and was not disappointed.
With quiet times at hand, one flight was all we had, and the winner was John Christie with 35 points. We then had a three way tie on 33 points that was a count back situation, with Gene Rooney in second, John Swanson in third and Ted Morris in fourth.
Monday June 5,
Burapha - Stableford
The Burapha A & B layouts were host to a small group for a Stableford competition in one flight. The course on the day was in very good condition even though there was a lot of rain over the weekend.
Aussie Phil Sheppard was first with 41 points ahead of fellow Aussie Gene Rooney in second with 38 points. Another Aussie, Marty Allred was in third with 37 points, and just to show that not all the players were Aussies, Rick Evans was fourth with 36 points.
Thursday June 8,
Crystal Bay - Stableford
What a super course this is, and how sad that most players will not pay the little extra to play it. This is one of the courses that does not have a ‘Low Season Special’, and it showed on the day, with a small turn out from the Cafe Kronborg and a nearly empty course.
Those who were prepared to make the trip were treated to ‘millionaires golf’, with a nearly empty course and the A & C layouts in great condition. The greens in particular were of high quality, being fast and tricky, but all added up to a great day out.
Sitting in the fine, and empty, clubhouse the cards as they came in were not great, quite unsurprising when you consider the tricky greens.
The winner with 34 points was John Swanson with Walter Bachli in second with 33 points, in third was Dave Richardson with 31 points and Colin Blues in fourth with 30 points.
T.T.F.N.


‘Matelot’ Mick shows the way at the Navy

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, June 5,
Khow Kheow - Medal

A Medal competition was played at Khow Kheow on Monday and with a relatively small field we only had one flight which saw Paul Smith come out on top with a net 74. In second place was William Macey with net 76 and last month’s ‘golfer of the month’, John McDonald finished third with net 78.
On the notoriously tricky par three holes, only three greens were hit by Paul Smith, William Macey and Clarke Alexander.
Wednesday, June 7,
Noble Place - Stableford
Another reduced field for a Stableford competition at the lovely Noble Place on Wednesday had John McDonald finishing third again with 32 points, second place went to Dave Lightfoot with 36 points and today’s first prize went to Tony Geeland, who finished with 37 Stableford points.
Only three Near Pin prizes were awarded again, one going to PJ Redmond and two being claimed by Paul Smith.
Friday, June 9,
Plutaluang - Medal
The Royal Thai Navy Golf Course at Plutaluang was the venue for the last Medal comp of the week and with the cut at 17 and under, ex-matelot Mick Ramshaw took advantage of the familiar surroundings to win the B Flight with a three under par net 69 - six shots ahead of runner-up Tony Geeland who shot a net 75.
The A Flight was much closer with wily fox P.J. Redmond coming out on top with net 73, just pipping runner-up Bruce Lawrence, who was one shot behind with net 74. Yet again only three of the par three greens were hit - prizes going to Matty Anderson, Scotsman John Bruce and Mick Ramshaw.


‘No Show’ takes the plaudits at Pattaya C.C.

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar

The first week of June - We were lucky again as the weather was perfect for golfing. Herb Ishinaga almost made it a hat trick but missed by a stroke to Joe Albright. Known to a few as “No Show” Joe, he slipped by with a sleek 39 points. This was enough to win the day as Herb faltered on the back nine. Herb came in with 38 points after scoring 22 on the front nine.
Coming in with a strong 37 points was Marty Allred. Marty playing off a 2 handicap had a great round. He scored 6 birdies and 5 bogeys to shoot one under his handicap. Marty plans to stay out here for a while so we just might see his name quite frequently around the golfing scene.
Kenny Mau had a bad day as he battled it out with Rollie Weese for the cellar position. In the end the younger Kenny managed to stay out to the basement. Rollie, with a not too bad a score, fell back into the cellar as Marvin and Tully were not there to help support him. With luck, Rollie will get back out next week.


The Beautiful Game? :World Cup glory? This may hurt a little

Riz Taylor
After falling for the hype yet again, I’d forgotten just what a nerve-jangling experience watching the World Cup can be. One moment you’re hailing the arrival of the famous tournament and are making bold predictions, the next you’re biting off your nails as your team fail to put away the likes of flippin’ Paraguay. This is usually followed by a volley of obscene language directed at the television.
Or at least that’s what happened to me as I settled down to watch England take on the South Americans last weekend.
I say ‘settled down, but what I actually mean is ninety minutes of relentless pacing up-and-down and heated discussion of England’s failings with random strangers. I also yelled at an almost innocent Mexican referee thousands of miles away, as a lacklustre England toiled their way to an unimpressive 1-0 victory in Frankfurt on Saturday.
But the English aren’t the only team putting their fans through the mill. Forget for a moment the supporters of the World Cup minnows - those goofy, face-painted visitors from across the globe grinning for the cameras at every opportunity as they rejoice at simply reaching the finals - and instead spare a thought for the fans of the supposed superpowers of world football for whom nothing less than a win will do. The French, the Spanish, the Germans and even the English are amongst the teams harbouring genuine ambitions on the trophy, but so many hopes are about to be dashed.
I understand this. England have no divine right to win and, judging by recent form, they won’t get even close to it either. My head knows this, and yet my heart will simply not accept it.
The reality of the World Cup arrived as I stood in the bar as the national anthems played. Worst-case scenarios sprang to mind, and the letdowns of previous campaigns were never far from memory. But then, just as I nervously sipped my first beer - Goal! Carlos Gamarra put David Beckham’s left-wing free-kick past his own keeper, and all was well in the world.
Relief. But what I hadn’t bargained for were another 87 minutes of tension, as England did what has now become familiar and set about defending their lead rather than moving in for the kill. It’s a worrying habit that the side have developed in recent tournaments, such as against Argentina in the last World Cup. And I’m not sure how much more of this I can stand.
Holland were unable to break down Serbia after their opening effort from Arjen Robben and Portugal couldn’t kill the game against lowly Angola. Some nations are experienced in sitting on a slender leads, but it’s not for everyone, not for me, and certainly not for England.
Two years ago we were watching Greece bore their European opponents into submission. Good luck to them, I suppose, but it’s not what we turn on the television for. A “beautiful game” it was not, and for the fans - even those of Greece - it was a form of torture.
England need to avoid getting on this particular bandwagon, or face the dire consequences. Sven Goran Eriksson’s gambles on the unfit Rooney and Owen along with unknown teenager Theo Walcott suggested a less restricted approach this time around, yet still the side seem desperate to practice the very un-British art of holding on for grim death.
The following weeks are sure to be full of thrills and spills for all fans, but here’s one person that won’t be throwing himself off a hotel if his team find themselves a goal down. England, Holland, Portugal and others are actually better when they’re behind, and chasing a game isn’t half as scary as desperately holding on. Going a goal or two down? Bring it on.
Scotsman hits World Cup headlines
Been a while since you’ve seen that particular headline, but that’s exactly what happened as one Scotsman made the World Cup news in Glasgow last week. The man, in the midst of a messy divorce, charged into his local bookmakers to lay 27,000 pounds on Brazil to win the World Cup in an apparent attempt to spite his greedy wife.
Coral said the punter, thought to be in his 50s, had placed the bet to “stop his wife getting hold of his money”.
Simon Clare, a spokesman, said that if the bet came in the customer planned to keep any winnings secret from his spouse and use the cash to help buy a house after they separate.
Mr Clare said: “This is the most unusual explanation for a big bet in Coral history but at the end of the day Brazil may end up winning and this punter could walk away with over 90,000 pounds.
“This is by far the biggest cash bet we have struck on the World Cup and it took the manager half an hour to count the money. While she was counting and recounting, the customer told her his story of how he was going through a bad divorce and wanted to stop his wife getting hold of his money.”
Any Pattayans in similar circumstances will need to come up with a different plan, as gambling, we should remind you, is illegal in Thailand!
Germany’s unlucky mascot
Being a mascot for a top game is the dream of every schoolboy, but surely leading out the hosts in the opening game of the World Cup finals cannot be beaten?
Well it can actually, particularly if you are six-year old Louis Moffat from Gateshead in England. The youngster was selected from 50,000 entrants in a McDonald’s Happy Meal competition, but instead of lining-up alongside heroes such as Michael Owen and Frank Lampard, Louis found himself leading out Germany in their opener against Costa Rica.
Louis’s mother Denise, 47, said: “He told everyone he’d be meeting David Beckham and Michael Owen and has talked non-stop about walking out with David Beckham. On the day the tickets arrived, I opened them and saw it was for Germany versus Costa Rica.
“I thought ‘Oh, that’s not right’ and broke it to Louis gently when he came home. His face fell a mile when I told him. He wanted to meet the England team and this just isn’t the same.”
But it’s not all disaster for Louis - he’ll still have the chance to meet Steven Gerrard after McDonald’s arranged for him to be a Liverpool “player escort” at the FA Community Shield game against Chelsea on August 13th. The offer was made “as a gesture of goodwill’’. Aaah.
More to come
Some humdingers coming up, including from the ‘Group of Death’ tonight as Argentina, who are starting to worry me, face Serbia & Montenegro, and later it’s Holland against the decent looking Ivory Coast.
Enjoy the action and if you plan on having any World Cup parties in your bar, watch out for those balloon-chasers who mysteriously seem to arrive just as the food is being served. Auf Wiedersehen for another week.


The Square Ring

by Howie Reed
A couple of weeks ago I belatedly published a story on the recent Danny Green-Anthony Mundine mega fight in Aussie. I wrote, “Not seeing the fight on the telly or in person I relied on news reports, which is always dangerous.”
Peter B e-mailed in to say, “Your info on the Mundine / Green fight was way off the mark. Sadly Green is a shadow of what he was not so long ago and was out boxed and out smarted from start to finish.”
Thanks for the note. And the moral of the e-mail? Don’t trust the media.
Prior to taking his honoured spot at the TQ, O.R Cross, penned an e-mail about ‘the fight that wasn’t’.
“Since we didn’t get the main event today (Castillo/Corrales) because of the overweight of Corrales, I have a financial question for you. How much did the sheep pay to see what, to me, was not even a very good undercard?”
It was officially reported that anyone who so wished could turn in their Castillo-Corrales tickets and receive a full refund. On the other hand, if you opted to attend what became the main event, Vic Darchinyan-Luis Maldonado, your tickets were discounted 75%. The original price for tickets ranged from $1,500 at ringside to nose bleed seats for $50.00. The estimate was that between 2,000 and 2,500 attended, which would have produced a live gate of $30,000 USD. The two promoters, “Gas Bag” Gary Shaw and “Whining” Bob Arum, were responsible for the $135,000 dollar rental on the Thomas & Mack, which was the venue for the occasion.
O.R. signed off with, “I could also hear your guffaws in downtown Pattaya when your nemesis Bob Arum, Castillo’s promoter, said, ‘I was mortified and embarrassed.’”
Yes and you could have added that I also chortled. Having covered boxing for a number of years I can state categorically that there is nothing in the world that can embarrass Bob Arum. Just like the ‘ladies that walk to music’, Mr. Arum worships at the alter of the almighty Dollar, Peso and I’m sure given the chance the alter of the Baht as well.
The State of Nevada, the City of Las Vegas, the Nevada Commission and both promoters were strangely silent about the cancelled fight for a week. Maybe they figured that if they didn’t utter a peep, no one would figure that the “fix” was in and the “cover up” on going. T’was not to be.
The WBC has issued a “CYA” statement that explains: “Wasn’t our fault.”
The organization has suspended Castillo for 6 months but that means almost nothing as the WBC can be bought off. The Nevada Commission is maybe different. They filed a disciplinary complaint against Castillo, which could result in a fine of $250,000 USD and a suspension. There are also rumours of a lawsuit by Diego Corrales and his promoter “Gas Bag” Gary Shaw has said there is “no question” - he will sue. Who will he sue? Almost everyone.
“I believe he never tried to make the weight and he and his people perpetrated a fraud and a charade upon the public,” Shaw said. “He thought he’d bargain his way to another fight. (Top Rank’s Bob) Arum and Beltran knew he was not on weight, but they never said anything.”
For once I agree with Shaw. Why would Bob Arum think he could talk Shaw into having Corrales fight over the weight? Heck he did it once and the betting is he did it twice but Corrales was too smart.
Two fights took place last Sunday. The Boardwalk in Atlantic City played host to Antonio Tarver (24-3) and Bernard Hopkins. This was by far the highest profile fight when compared to Miguel Cotto (26-0) - Paul Malignaggi (21-0) for the WBO junior welter title up the road a piece in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Neither contest was of any consequence on the landscape of boxing but a big easy lopsided win by Hopkins (118-109 on all official cards) did allow him to say “adios” to the fight game with a flourish.
“Tarver may have landed ten punches during the fight if that. Hopkins was in great shape and led from the opening bell,” reported The Square Ring’s correspondent, who watched the fight while getting a “free” meal at a friends’ house. Maybe this loss will shut Tarver’s mouth, which usually overloads his ability as it did against Hopkins. Tarver lost an additional $250,000 USD by betting Hopkins that he’d KO him in 6.
Cotto has been characterized as an over protected, pretty good boxer with a suspect chin and maybe a problem making the 140 pound weight limit. Holding the weigh-in at 1pm the day before the fight may lead some credibility to that theory. With about 33 hours until the opening bell that’s plenty of time to re-hydrate and add bulk.
Malignaggi’s manager Sal LoNano whined, “This is a disgrace. Why is it at 1 o’clock? I’ve never heard of such a thing. It’s usually at 5pm. I’m concerned about the safety of my fighter. He’ll be fighting a super middleweight. It (early weigh in) gives Cotto an edge; four extra hours to put weight back on, and four less hours of starving himself to make the weight. It’s just not fair and I’m very upset about this decision. I think we should consider asking a few doctors for their opinion about the potential safety and health issues of an early weigh in.”
Yes Sal, and with their opinions and 5 baht you can make a local phone call.
Cotto won an easy decision (115-112, 116-111 twice) against Malignaggi, which was expected as the loser, like Tarver, is mostly hype. It was written: “Malignaggi fought on bravely and took everything Cotto threw. Cotto continued to batter Malignaggi down the stretch”.
On Sunday Jermine Taylor puts up his 25-0 record against spoiler Winky Wright(50-3). This fight for the WBC middleweight crown should be a win for Taylor, especially now that he has Emanual Stewart doing the training chores. Taylor is a good student of boxing, smart and hard working. When you add that to Stewart’s intelligence and training methods, Taylor should get the win. The danger here is that Wright has the ability to make the opposition fight down to his “style” which includes a lot of holding, a lot of hiding and a lot of running
There’s an interesting title match on July 15 at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg between WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko (18-0-1, 6 KOs) and challenger Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (24-0, 15 KOs). Interesting in that it’s a title match between undefeated boxers, which is rare. Poonsawat has never fought outside of Thailand and will bring to Germany good power, with 15 KO’s from 24 wins. On the other hand, Sidorenko is called the “Ukrainian mini-power plant” but has only 6 KO’s from 18 wins.
They have two common opponents in Richardo Cordoba and Leo Gamez. Both beat Gamez easily. Cordoba got a draw against Sidorenko and a split decision loss to the undefeated Thai.
His Lordship: “Jeeves did you know that WBA super bantamweight champion Somsak Sithchatchawal was named the best Thai professional athlete of 2005-2006?”
Jeeves: “I did Master. I see that award was presented at the Sports Day function organized by the Sportwriters’ Association of Thailand. He received the trophy from his Majesty the King. Somsak impressively knocked out Mahyar Monshipour in round ten to capture the WBA 122lb crown in Levallois-Perret, France on March 18 in one of the biggest upsets of the year.
Hmm’, The Sportswriters’ Association of Thailand? I say Master are you a member of the Sportswriters Association?”
His Lordship: “Sadly no Jeeves. I’ve been cast aside like an old shoe my good man.”
Jeeves: “Perhaps a little amber liquid would cheer you up sir?
His Lordship: “I’ll drink to that.”


League leaders getting hard to catch

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers - Kran, Mark, Mio and Wade.

First place House of the Golden Coin split their match against Shenanigans with each team winning two points but still are safely in first place. Grape Vine gained one point on first as they took three points from Domicil as did Café Kronborg who also won three from Brother D. Fourth place France, led by Captain Mark’s, best series of the day 590 won three from Mai’s Thai Restaurant.
Friends are in fifth place taking three from Café Ole and sixth place Montana got three from Three Sisters. VFW Post 9876 moved up several places after winning all four points from Jack & Tar.
Ten weeks to go in this league but the dominant teams seem to get stronger every week.

League Table June 9 (week 20)
Team Points Standings
House of the Golden Coin 2 - 2 50 - 30
Grape Vine 3 - 1 48 -32
Café Kronborg 3 - 1 46.5 - 33.5
France 3 - 1 45 - 35
Friends 3 - 1 44 - 36
Montana 3 - 1 43.5 - 36.5
Domicil 1 - 3 40 - 40
Jack & Tar 0 - 4 38.5 - 41.5
Shenanigans 2 - 2 38.5 - 41.5
Three Sisters 1 - 3 38 - 42
Mai’s Thai Restaurant 1 - 3 35.5 - 44.5
VFW Post 9876 4 - 0 32 - 48
Brother D. 1 - 3 31.5 - 48.5
Café Ole 1 - 3 29 - 51