Treasure Hill tames the ‘tigers’

PSC golf from The Peacock Place

Monday, February 19,
Treasure Hill, Stableford
Our allotted venue for Monday was Treasure Hill and Captain Bob had some wild notion that we should all play off the tips. He was going to give the ladies some concession and suggested they play off the white tees. In the event, due to some restlessness in the camp, common sense prevailed and it was agreed that players with a handicap of 10 or lower would play the tips and the rest of us off the whites. The ladies of course would play off the reds as usual.
Us wimps who elected to play the whites waited with baited breath to see if our tigers could take the course apart. You who have played the course before already know the answer. It was a resounding NO. Only one of our tigers got anywhere near his handicap and even he could only manage 33 points. Jeff Wylie, who has collected many a trophy in Pattaya, rose to the occasion and walked away with first prize. In second place with 29 points was Mike Waltschek and the rest of the flight floundered between 27 and 20 points.
The B flight or the ‘wimps’ section was won by Richard Tereszkiewcz with a great 37 points followed by Alan Bishop with 33 points, Linsay Joshua with 32 points and Wendy Khan with 31 points.
There weren’t many 2’s recorded on the day but the one achieved by Michael Waltcher is worth noting. He played off the black tees and the 13th measures 252 yards. He almost got a hole in one using a driver and had only a 2-foot tap in for his birdie. The only other 2 was recorded by Les Phillips.
Wednesday, February 21,
Khao Kheow, Stableford
Wednesday saw us journey out to Khao Kheow, which is always a favourite. A great test of golf and usually in good condition but on this occasion we found the A 9 had been heavily sanded and there were a few disappointed golfers.
The scores in the main were pretty keen with the A flight 0 to 20 being won by Dave Arrowsmith (6 H/cap) with 36 points, Carol Wright (13) coming second with 35 points and Captain Bob (7) finishing third with 35 points. As I said, “these guys are good.”
The B flight 21 to 36 was won by Brendan Dougal with 35 points and in second place was Wendy Khan with 34 points, winning on count-back from Paul Crossland.
Four 2’s were recorded, two of them by Seamus Copper and the other two by Dave Arrowsmith and Captain Bob.
Come and join us if you would like a game of golf with a friendly society. We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and our schedule appears in The Pattaya Mail. If you would like further information call Bob on 087 941 2474 or David on 087 928 7859.

Kubicki hits form at Eastern Star

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Monday, February 19,
Eastern Star, Stableford
Eastern Star was host to a Stableford competition in two flights; A Flight (0-19) and B Flight (20-up). The course was in fine condition but a little on the dry side due to lack of rain.
Don Richardson took the A Flight with 38 points ahead of Takeshi Hakozaki in second and Mike Winfield into third, both on 37 points. In fourth was Pete Hammond with 36 points, beating both Cees Bosman and Bill Plath on count back.
Carole Kubicki won the B Flight with a fine 41 points ahead of Colin Swan in second with 36 points, Dave Richardson third with 35 points and Kevin Dinanin fourth with 34 points on a count back from Jan Lovgren.
Near Pin: Oddur Olafsson, Dave Richardson, Ebrahim, Pete Hammond
Long Put: Colin Swan, Rob Brown
Thursday, February 22,
Greenwood, Stableford
Another full house met at The Cafe Kronborg for the long haul to Greenwood. There were several groups booked here pretty much at the same time, and we were pleased to be able to get off on the A Nine as soon as we were ready.
As expected though, we zipped around the first nine only to be met at the start of the B Nine with a few groups slipped in to make life difficult. Still the wind was the main problem and continued to rise as the day went on and it looked like rain, but the caddies assured us it would not.
In the A Flight, 0 to 15, the winner was Kris Helgasson with 39 points. Then we had a three way count back on 37 points that saw Kevin Dunne in second, Derek Brook in third and David Gardener in fourth. In fifth was Kim Welkelmsen with 36 points.
In the B Flight the winner was Cees Bosman with a fine 40 points ahead of Elias Magnusson with 38 points and Jannie Jaspers in third place with 37 points. We then had a count back on 36 points that saw Joop Jasperse in fourth with Peter Hammond in fifth.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Cees Bosman, Graham Buckingham, Dick Kerr
Long Put: Christian Hanson, Mike Winfield

Fergus sings the blues no more

PSC golf from the Bowling Green

Barry Hooper
Tuesday, February 20,
Khao Kheow, Stableford
A Flight
1st Donald Hendry (10) 40pts c/b
2nd Bernie Seagrave (13) 40pts c/b
3rd Brian Heelan (13) 40pts
B Flight
1st Harvey Samuel (20) 32pts
2nd Tony Jones (19) 31pts c/b
3rd Bob Richardson (16) 31pts
C Flight
1st Andy Galvin (21) 33pts
2nd Jack Robertson (26) 32pts
Joe Kuben (29) 30pts
Near Pins: Terry Dalton, Ed Graham, Tony Hoelhouse, Donald Hendry
2’s: Jimmy Chawke, Brian Heelan
Three flights for the trip to Khao Kheow with play going off the yellow tees. A three-way tie in the A Flight saw Donald Hendry claiming the top honours over Bernie Seagrave and Brian Heelan on count back after all three players had finished with 40 points. Harvey Samuel and Andy Galvin were respective winners in the B and C Flights.
Thursday, February 22,
Greenwood, Stableford
Flight A
1st Derek Eastham (11) 38pts
2nd Frank O’Hara (11) 37pts
3rd Ed Graham (14) 37pts
Flight B
1st Brian Blackford (19) 37pts
2nd Bob Richardson (16) 36pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (13) 35pts
Flight C
1st John Morel (30) 38pts
2nd William Chang (36) 36pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (13) 35pts
Near Pins: Tom Herrington, Derek Eastham (2)
2’s: Gerry Dooley, Derek Eastham(2)
A packed field in three flights teed it up off the white tees at the excellent Greenwood course. Derek Eastham got back into winning ways, taking the A Flight by one point from Frank O’Hara. Brian Blackford and John Morel were top dogs in the B and C Flights.
Saturday, February 24,
Eastern Star, Stableford
Flight A (0-16)
1st Fergus Brennan (12) 38pts
2nd Bernie Segrave (12) 37pts
3rd Barry Power (0) 36pts
Flight B (17 up)
1st Alf Rigby (33) 36pts
2nd Mike Wing (20) 35pts
3rd Brian Blackford (19) 33pts
Near Pins: Brian Blackford, Greg Mason, Pat Regan, Andy Galvin
2’s: Barry Power(2) Andy Galvin (2)
Just the two flights this Saturday playing off the white tees at Eastern Star. Fergus, the event organiser who has been sidelined for some weeks due to a recent operation, does not seem to have suffered much for the layoff and came back fighting fit and in real form this week to take top honours on the day. Well done Fergus, good to see you back playing again.
If any one is interested in golfing with the Bowling Green we play every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at Bowling Green at 7:45am for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 or the Bowling Green on 038 720 742 or send an email to [email protected]. Just give us a call and join us for a great day of golf.

Neil’s sub-par round a highlight at always tough Emerald

PSC golf from the Oohsa Bar

A Flight
1st Neil Duncan (16) 38pts
2nd David Gardner (11) 35pts
3rd Jeff Wylie (7) 33pts c/b
4th Alan Cassin (11) 33pts
B Flight
1st Yves Philbert (26) 33pts c/b
2nd Gus Dickie (36) 33pts
3rd David Childs (19) 30 pts
4th Roy Pimblett (21) 29pts
Near Pins: Alan Cassin (2), Jeff Wylie, Gus Dickie
Long Putt: Ian Campbell
A little more than our usual numbers this week with 28 players making their way to the Emerald. It was very hot waiting to start on the first tee so those with carts seemed to have an advantage already. Luckily before long a breeze got up and it turned into a pleasant day.
Scoring was patchy although the course was in good condition. The greens were fast and true, but some of us took a while to get the pace, others never did. Unless you were below the hole, two-putting was your only thought.
Neil Duncan was the only one to play to handicap with 38 points, reinforcing Emerald’s reputation of being a tough track. Congratulations to Yves and Gus for coping best in the B flight with 33 points. It wasn’t easy out there.
After the golf most returned to Oohsa Bar for Malcolm’s meal followed by the presentation. It is surprising how many seem to get lost in Ban Chang on the way! Formalities were concluded by around 6pm when the ‘killer pool’ got under way. Into March next week with a visit to Treasure Hill on Tuesday 6th. It should be a good day.

Orowan the best, but Wing & Sorensson close behind

February Diana Seniors & Ladies Open

Mike Franklin
It is always nice to hear a golfer say, “That was my best round ever”, and that was the case with Orowan Sodok in the February Diana Seniors & Ladies Open at Pattaya Country Club. Orowan scored a winning 42 Stableford points in the Ladies division, with Gerd Lindberg runner-up with 37 points.

February Diana Seniors & Ladies winners: Ostein Sorensson Orowan Sodok and Mike Wing.

The Seniors managed to conjure up a 4-way count-back on 37 points for the runner-up spot, finally won by Chris John. The other three in contention were Alan Hughes, Joel Flor and Bernie Seagrave. No problem for Mike Wing winning with 39 points.
The Super Seniors, not to be outdone, were also in count-back mode on 38 points with Ostein Sorensson’s 20 points on the back-nine beating Roy Pimblett’s 18 points on the back. Sadly for Roy, he has had now successive count-back losses so far this year.
The technical prizes were well spread: Near Pins were won by Alan Pearce, Bernie Seagrave, Werner Schwarz and Pid Ovegren and the Long Putts went to Terry Welch and Leif Linner.
It was a fine, breezy and mostly overcast day, but noticeably hot.
We will do it all again in March on Thursday 29th at Pattaya Country Club. Sign up at the Green Bottle or at the Diana Garden Resort Driving Range.

Mike takes it off the ‘Tiger Tees’

Phoenix Members Golf Society

Wednesday, February 21, Stableford
A good turn out of 30 players showed up for today’s challenge of the Ocean and Mountain courses. The usual scramble for a caddie again became a problem, but as it turned out we all managed to tee off on our allotted tee times.
With lots of entrance fee money to distribute we decided to have extra prizes hoping most people would receive something.

Mike Gerrard, right, and guest winner Clive Robinson, left, being presented with the tiger tees prizes by Members Chairman, Ron Bridge.

Second place to our guests for the day went to Terry Turner with 32 points, playing off 27 - nice to see him over 30 points at last. The winning guest was the ever-reliable Gary Blackburn with 40 points playing off his 7 h/cap. This was a fine knock by Gary after returning a miserable net 84 the day before in the IPGC Championship. Funny old game ain’t it.
Third place in the member’s group went to Terry O’Conner with 37 points playing off 14. Second came Brian Jacks with 38 points off 16, and our winner for the day was the lovely Angela Poustie with 41 points off H/cap 34.
Technicals went to Bob Davison, Gary Blackburn, John Biugazzo, Chris Barnes, Kale Karlberg and Per Rosun.
Friday,
February 23,
Monthly Mug
Fridays at Phoenix is ‘Tiger Tees’ day and I think due to the big IPGC tournament going on this week and coupled with the fear of playing from back tees, we only had 7 players today.
I have to say that if all of you golfers enjoy a challenge you should try playing from back tees more often. You will then realise that golf is NOT the easy game it seems to be. Today was no exception and it was made all the more difficult by playing stroke play for the coveted pewter mug.
Thanks to our two guests Clive Robinson and Bob Rasmusson who showed up; Clive pipping Bob by one shot to win the guest’s prize. With only 5 members playing today there was only enough finances for the mug and a golf ball to present to the winner Mike Gerrard, shooting a net 76 off 16 H/cap.
Technicals went to Ron Bridge and Barry Winton, which left 2 golf balls for the lucky draw. By the fact that Mike Poustie and Bob Rasmusson were the only two players left in the clubhouse who had not won anything, it was decided that they have one ball each.
Sunday,
February 25,
Stableford
Twenty players turned out on fine day where we saw both the temperatures and scores starting to rise.
Third place went to Barry Winton with 41 points; second was our Japanese friend Yukio, also with 41 points, and the winner for the day was the celebrated Brian Jacks who has been playing very poor of late, but he hit some form this week. He recorded a score of 46 points today playing off a Sunday handicap of 19. He will be cut to 8 next week so as they say in Thailand, “Sum num nah.”
Technicals were claimed by Angela Poustie, Bibbi, Peder and Linda Martin.
Linda and her husband Colin sadly leave this week to go back to their own little Shangri-La in Spain. Lovely having you with us and come back soon.
This Sunday is the Group Championship teeing off from 12 Noon. Please book in early at about 11am. There will be many prizes on offer and a party after the game in the Phoenix restaurant with a set buffet. There will also be some special guest artistes appearing to entertain us. For details on the golf activities phone Ben Hogstrom on 086 1575 310, Ron Bridge on 081 452 5995 or Mike Gerrard on 087 091 7565.

Rabbits run amok at Emerald

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Tuesday, February 20, the Pattaya Golf Society left the OK Corral in Soi Rungland to enjoy a medal round at the ever-testing Emerald course at Ban Chang.
The track did not disappoint and it was gratifying to see that the recent excessive pace of the greens had relented and putting was now an easier task. The two regular flights were divided at eighteen and under and results would show some surprises.
In division one, John Wassall fired net 76 to take third place whilst old hand John Cunningham demonstrated his supreme consistency again with net 74 for second place. Heading the flight was the “Flying Finn”, Erik Anttonen, and his level par 72 again held sway. The day’s best gross score, a very creditable 80, was posted by Kazuo Takimoto.
The second flight was to throw up some excellent golf and not a few surprises. Tony Kitchen was having the round he had hoped for until two quadruple bogeys on the back nine brought him back down to earth but his level par net 72 was still good enough for third. Dave Corrigan, the epitome of all golfing “rabbits”, suddenly found his game and tasted his first success with an excellent net 68 to take second place behind an exhilarated Len Jones who, coming off the back of a golf free week in ‘Nakhon Nowhere’, decimated the course with net 67, his finest performance for three years or more.
The PGS rabbits were certainly showing a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field.
The day’s 2’s pot was shared by Ray Underwood, Wally Barstow and lady “newbie” Srithong Tannert H?ser, whilst the Booby Bevy went to Jorma Liila whose fifteen shots on the eighth were followed by eleven on the ninth. Events like this prove the fascination of the noble game.
Finnish flourish
at Greenwood
Seemingly half of Pattaya’s golfers were at Greenwood Golf Club on Thursday, Feb 22. They had obviously heard that the OK Corral’s Pattaya Golf Society were holding their popular monthly Four Person Scramble at the course and wanted to be part of the fun of the day.
Ten quality teams had entered and this time the “Ambrose” system of team handicapping was applied, which basically gave each team 12.5% of their aggregate handicap. Competition was destined to be tight and early favourites were identified as the “Birdie Boys” team, led by Roy Thornton and the untried “Team Japan” led by Yasuo Suzuki.
The course, always a pleasure to play, was set out over the “B” and “C” nines and from the start the fun essence of the format was there for all to see. At the end of a day of exhilaration and frustration the “Birdie Boys” team of Roy Thornton, Rick Holmes, Chris Davisson and Claus Nilsson took a keenly contested third place with their 59.4 shot total. Less than a shot ahead was the team composed of Len Jones, Vic Barton, Mick Maw and Mikael Andersson and their second placed total of 58.5 was due in no small part to the strength and long hitting of the Swedish element in the “Toon Army” team.
The day’s winner was “Team Finland” led by Erik Anttonen, with compatriots Vesa Turunen, Jorma Liila and lady golfer Sari Tamminen all playing their part to good effect and their score of 57.2 was helped by a monstrous eagle three on B8.
The 2’s on the day went to the team of John Cunningham, Bill Hewitt, Harry Cowling and Rob Dolan for their effort on B5 and the “Birdie Boys” similarly on hole number C6.
A packed presentation later welcomed back old friends Freddy Braun, Alan Murdoch and “Dirty Jim” and the former was destined to receive the Booby Bevy after he had signed for a Long Putt technical prize on B9, unaware that it was for another group’s competition! For the smiling Swiss golfer it was all part of the enjoyable spirit conjured up by the day.

Apple Jitchana shows her class at The Emerald

PSC Golf from the Beaver Bar & Grill

Friday Winners: Bob, Bobby, Apple and Larry.

Friday, February 23, The Emerald, Stableford
Another good turnout of 31 golfers started the day at The Emerald under cloudy skies which emptied into a major downpour towards the end of the event. There were two flights again this week - A Flight for handicaps 0-20 and B Flight for handicaps 21 and above.
Apple Jitchana (14 H/cap) ran out a clear winner in A Flight with 42 points from Larry Willett (20), who again took second place with 38 points whilst Bill Knight (19) with 36 points rounded out third place.
Bobby “BJB” Clark (34) had a good score of 37 points to take out first prize in B Flight, this after having shot 47 points earlier in the week at Pattaya Country Club. Second prize went to Bob Lawrence (33) with 36 points on count back from Gordon Everingham (27) also with 36 points.
Near pins were won by Mikael Anderson on #5 and Eddie Blackwell on #13.
Handicap cuts are expected to be handed to Bobby Clark and Larry Willett both of whom have been scoring well in the past few weeks. Special mention was made of Apple’s performance by Bill Thompson in handing out the prize pool back at the Beaver Bar & Grill. Apple’s handicap has already been plummeting over the past months and Bill, playing with Apple through the heavy downpour, understood why this is happening as he witnessed very good ball striking that saw her shoot 6 shots under her handicap of 14. On #18 Apple’s second shot on the par 5 flew more than 200 yards even after clipping the trees to land just short of the green.
A happy crowd of golfers gathered back at the Beaver for the prize giving after which they were sighted enjoying the refreshments and attention that all bars on the street have to offer.
All golfers are welcome every Friday at The Emerald - show up with a recognized handicap before 7:45, pay a 200 Baht entrance fee and get set for an entertaining day.

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Premiership leads the way, but at what cost?

I’m not sure about you, but the biggest football story for me over the last week didn’t revolve around the Premiership survival race, diving, great goals or even Chelsea’s Rumbelows Coca-Carling Endsleigh Cup victory over Arsenal on Sunday.
Congratulations to Frank Lampard and co, but the sight of a female fan being carried away from the crowd problems at Manchester United’s Champions League fixture with Lille suddenly brought back memories of the bad old days of British football.
Time was when hooliganism reigned supreme in the game, mostly in England of course. Some of you Pattaya folk will remember these days with nostalgia - I expect one or two of the residents even shouted a few nasty words from the terraces once or twice - but although everything surrounding the game was much more intense and probably more enjoyable in those days, we should be thankful for at least some of the modernisation of football.
Thankfully, in Britain at least, scenes like those witnessed at Hillsborough back in April 1989 are a thing of the past. The human crush that resulted in the death of 96 Liverpool fans was a turning point for the game, leading to the conversion of stadiums into all-seat affairs.
What the authorities didn’t see coming was the football clubs themselves sensing and snatching the opportunity to send ticket prices through the retractable roof. In a matter of a few years the problem of hooliganism had also seemingly been solved, as the working classes could no longer afford to go to the football and make the trouble for which that group of people were given the blame.
That’s all very general, of course, and to suggest that football fans of both sets of supporters now regularly meet up in cafes to discuss the upcoming match over prawn sandwiches and a nice drop of red would be taking things a bit too far. Still, watching top-level football in England these days is nothing like the experience it once was. Far from turning up with your mates in the terraces and finding a spot to congregate and watch the game, these days it’s more like being part of a theatre audience.
But for all the lost atmosphere, seeing fans locked in behind fencing trying to escape a crush is a horrifying sight, and however much you miss being carried across a terrace by a surging throng of supporters after a goal, it’s strange in this day and age to see police attempt to quell a problem they clearly didn’t understand by resorting to firing off tear gas into the masses. The supporters that escaped the melee by clambering over the fences were rewarded with a beating from the same confused police officers.
And this was in a SEATED area, you’ll have noted, not a terrace. That there were no deaths at the stadium in Lens seems to be something of a miracle. Whilst the crush was later put down to panic, hindsight is a wonderful thing and the whole incident is certainly not something I’d ever like to experience.
The debate over who exactly was at fault in France looks set to continue for some time, but in the meantime fans back in England are finally taking a stand after being fleeced by clubs year after year since clubs started charging serious money for the matchday experience.
What is it with Manchester United? First they become many fans’ club of choice to win the Premiership and wrestle the title away from ‘Evil’ Chelsea, and now a number of their supporters are hitting the headlines for refusing to be taken to the cleaners by greedy clubs desperate to cash in on their loyal attendance.
United fans were in the news again on Saturday, but thankfully for all the right reasons this time around. Sick of paying through the nose to watch their team play, a number of supporters boycotted Fulham’s bars, programme sellers and hot dog stands in protest. You can see their point. Wherever United go, prices are sure to rise. At Fulham, as an example, the visit of Manchester United falls under the ‘Category A’ bracket, and ticket prices rise accordingly.
Alright, so half of the club’s fans live in London anyway, but I’m all in favour of their protest. Look at the figures: ticket prices at Craven Cottage on Saturday were 45 pounds, whilst Manchester City’s travelling supporters will pay just 25 for their corresponding fixture. Why the discrepancy?
Protest organiser Pete Boyle told the BBC: “If a few thousand Reds don’t buy a thing or place any bets maybe we can persuade Fulham to reduce their prices to a reasonable level next season. We have to pay inflated prices everywhere. If other clubs cannot fill their grounds with their own fans it’s not down to us to balance their books.”
It’s not just United fans that are being treated shoddily. Portsmouth and Newcastle also take a large number of fans on away trips, and both sides fall into the ‘A’ category. “It’s obscene for clubs like Fulham to exploit successful away teams and is a sad reflection on the way football has gone,” said Mike Hancock, the Portsmouth MP who is campaigning on behalf of fans. “It is the loyal genuine fans, those who turn up in the rain and freezing cold and make football the greatest spectator sport in the world, who are being disregarded. Not many who sit in the fancy boxes at Old Trafford will have been at the Cottage. Fans are being ripped off. It’s a scandal if they don’t do anything about it. With the new overseas money, there is no excuse.”
That new money comes from renegotiated contract on Premiership TV rights, which will see every club scoop at least 30 million pounds. With the arrival of all this cash, surely it’s time for clubs to start reducing ticket prices?
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside agrees. “It is a serious issue that has reached saturation point across the country,” he said last week. “We feel duty bound to make a stance by reducing the cost for our season ticket holders, and I’m sure other clubs will follow suit next season and listen to public opinion.”
Whether other clubs will follow the lead of clubs like Bolton and neighbours Blackburn, both of whom have both offered discounted tickets in a bid to entice supporters during the current season, remains to be seen. But surely there’s a breaking point somewhere when people will stop paying through the nose to watch Premiership football. Fans in Germany have to pay between 10 and 15 pounds to watch Bundesliga games, and it’s no surprise to see that attendances are far higher.
It can be argued that the German league isn’t as strong as its English and Spanish counterparts, but the league is more competitive, the atmosphere is better and there are even safe areas for fans that prefer standing up to watch their football. If that means having a weaker league, would that be so bad?
The English game may lead the way with crowd safety in response to some of the horrors the eighties, but while the Premiership is slapping itself on the back it’s about time that clubs realise that, with a lack of atmosphere in all-seater stadiums, huge prices and dwindling attendances, there is still much to be learned from continental Europe.

The scissors are out for the Sand Lady

Eddy Beilby triumphs in 6th Lewiinski’s Open

IPGC golf from Lewiinskis

On the advertising marquee, the 6th Lewiinski’s Open is billed as “Just Golf, and Four Days of it at That”. The format is to play all four rounds of stroke play “just like the guys on TV”. This year, due to booking constraints, the four rounds were split between Peter Thompson’s Green Valley and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.’s Eastern Star. After the first two days at Green Valley the scores are tallied, and the top fifty percent, and ties, are invited, after a day’s rest, to day 3 and 4 of stroke play. That one-day respite is the only concession made to the rigors of age and Pattaya nightlife.

Steve Mascari presents the Overall Champion Trophy to Eddy Beilby.
Those who felt the lash of the cut line and those who decline the invitation to the main event have their scoring slates wiped clean and start afresh in a two-day Stableford. The gals, in the meantime, have their own four-day Stableford running the extent of the event.
Day One leaders were two of the Sugar Shack guys, with net 68’s, Chas Li (8) and John Warren (25). Good Guy Gary (6) was but a stroke back at net 69. Meaning no aspersions to the Day One contenders, but as we see every weekend on ESPN, it is difficult to go wire-to wire.
That was borne out on Day Two as the Irish Gnome (19) and Gareth Gill (10) dipped into the red numbers at -1. That gave them a two-stroke lead over The Donkey (15) and three strokes over the trio of Masayuki Matsumoto (4), Peter LeNoury (10) and The Guru of Green Valley (19). Day One heroes all went south (or is it north?) as Chas and John both shot net 80’s to balloon from -4 to +4. G.G.G. (6) had a nightmare net 84 to go to +9.

The lovely ladies at “394 Third Road” are poised to host the two Open buffets.
‘Moving Day’ (Day Three), and a venue shift to Eastern Star Resort, saw The Donkey (15) take a commanding 3-stroke lead, at +2, courtesy of a net 73. The Gnome, The Demon Deacon (9) and The Guru (19) were stretched out in one-stroke increments from +5 to +7. At +8 were Masayuki, the Pride of Aberdeen and our Title Guy.
Day Four had more traffic going north and south than there was when Lord Mountbatten partitioned India and Pakistan. Day Three leader, The Donkey, looked like an Arab smoking a shisha pipe as he wrapped his lips around the ol’ exhaust pipe, inhaled deeply several times and ballooned from +2 to +11 courtesy of a gross 96/net 81. The Gnome had a gross 95/net 76 to just fall off the podium at +10. The trend continued as The Pride of Aberdeen went 83/77 to crash out at +13.

Steve Mascari presents the Ladies Champion Trophy to Trudy Chadbourn.
As indicated there was a Ying for the Yang. The Guru of Green Valley steadied the ship and shot 91/83 to come good for the Bronze. Good Guy Gary (6) shot the round of the tournament with a gross 73 and went a long way to mitigating his Day Two nightmare. His superb effort was rewarded with the tournament’s Silver Medal. Eddy Beilby (19) complimented the rounds of 78, 73, and 73 with a fine net 69, for a 293 total (+5) and a one-stroke victory over the 2005 champion, G.G.G.
The Men’s Low Gross was, as one would suspect, a battle between G.G.G. (6) and Masayuki Matsumoto (4), a battle of the tournament’s lowest handicappers. Gary had the Day One lead (along with Chas Li (8) but the aforementioned Day Two disaster juxtaposed their position by Day Four as Masayuki had +26 and Gary had +30
Day One of the Plate competition at Eastern Star was led by Bob Dibben’s (8) 39 points, three ahead of Arthur Hancock’s (12) 36. On Day Two of the Plate both players were seen in South Pattaya, on the pipe, as they each garnered 28 points on the day. Kris Krits coupled 36 points to his opening day 35 to take The Plate with 71 points. Sweet Lou Szigligeti prevailed on count back from Dudley Doo-right to take second in the two-day event
On the Lady’s side, Ms. Chadbourn broke from the gate to a seven-point lead with 34 points. Day Two’s 35 points stretched that lead to 12. Maralyn Hayes-Dibben closed the gap nominally on Day Three with 36 points to Trudy’s 33. Day Three’s 9-point lead stayed constant in the final count as The 2007 Ladies Champion, Trudy, and Maralyn matched 28’s on Day Four.
Special thanks to the Golf Manager Bob Patterson for organization and administration and to President Steve Mascari’s assistance in course marking and at the registration desk. Retired Golf Manager John Emmerson was also an appreciated hand in course organization. Also the reward of high marks for The President’s selection of crystal trophies, which were considered by many as being the nicest they have seen. Wednesday and Friday’s post-tournament lavish buffets were both well attended at Steve Mascari’s new venture steak house, known by its address “394 Third Road”.
Congrats to our champs: Eddy, Masayuki, Kris and Trudy. Equal kudos to the other trophy winners: Gary, Bob and Lou. And thanks to all that participated and hope to see you all next year in this, Pattaya’s most unique tournament, The Lewiinski’s Open.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

Boxing is a unique sport for a number of reasons. One of those is that like Morton salt, when “it rains in boxing it pours”. With boxing there’s either a plethora of ‘sometimes meaningful’ matches or a vast wasteland: Sometimes both in the same week. Then there are matches that should never see the light of day or night.
A week last Wednesday, IBF#5 super bantamweight Fahsung 3K Battery (57-8-1) was in one of those matches best kept in the dark when he took on Daniel Diolan (18-20-1) in Bangkok. First the promoter, Jimmy Chaichotchuang, misreported Doilan’s record and then had the “cojones” to say, “This will be a good fight for 3K Battery against tough Daniel Doilan.” Yeah? Doilan is 3-15 in his last 18.
The fight went 4 rounds so maybe old 3K needs a new battery. Maybe one like the bunny uses. In fact 3K was outworked in the first two rounds and needed three knockdowns in the 4th to end the fight at 2:30.
3K’s claim to fame is that he got clocked by Manny Pacquiao. Since then he’s gone 12-0. The record of those boxers is 95-131-17. 3K’s promoter preached, “We are hopeful of getting a world title opportunity in 2007.” Not as long as 3K continues to fight stiffs you won’t.
“Your Lordship.”
Yes, Jeeves.
“Your Lordship, Ricky Hatton has signed a contract to fight two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo. Hatton will be putting his 40-0 record on the line against Castillo’s (55-7-1) at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 23. Both fighters have good power so it should be a good scrap.
“Castillo said: ‘The truth is I feel very motivated to face Hatton, a fight that will be spectacular and that undoubtedly I will win.’”
“‘You become a great fighter by fighting great fighters and Jose is one of them’, said the 28-year-old Hatton. ‘I am so excited about this fight and I am living my dreams by topping the bill in Las Vegas again. This fight does not need anyone to sell it’, Hatton told Sky Sports. ‘Mayweather jr.-De La Hoya will be a chess match. Our fight will be a war.’”
“I noticed your Lordship that a lot of boxing old timers were busy since the last column.”
So proceed on Jeeves.
“David ‘The Tuaman’ Tua (47-3) had to work a little harder than he wanted to in defeating Robert Hawkins (21-6). Two of the judges had it 96-94 and one 99-91. No KO and that’s not good.
“Tommy Morrison (46-3-1) had been out of the ring since 1996 when he tested positive for HIV. Now 10 years later the HIV is gone as is his opponent John Castle (4-2). Morrison KO’d Castle in the second round after losing the first.
“On that same card was Heavyweight “Baby” Joe Mesi (34-0). Mesi, like Morrison, can only fight in third world countries or West Virginia because of medical problems. This time out he stopped George “The Big Cheese” Linberger (29-8-1) at 1:55 of the first round. Some, My Lord, might be impressed, but not I. Mr. Linberger was once KO’d at 14 seconds of the first round by Eric Esch. You know Mr. Esch better as Butterbean.”
I saw that fight Jeeves. It took place at a major casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004. On the same West Virginia boxing card last week was one of the best-kept secrets in boxing, super featherweight Humberto Soto (41-5-2).
After watching the fight I looked for an “adjective” to describe the performance against Humberto Toledo. It was a scintillating third round KO by Soto in which he showed power in both hands. Love to see him in against Pacquiao, Barrera or Morales.
Lot’s of fights coming up this weekend from around the world. Chris John the WBA featherweight champ is probably the best boxer to call Indonesia home. He defends tomorrow against Jose Rojas at the Indoor Tennis Stadium in Jakarta. It’s called the “Dragon’s Den” as “Dragon” John never looses there or anywhere else for that matter.
This is the second time around for these two. The first fight in 2004 ended in a draw following a clash of heads which injured both fighters. At the time Rojas was ahead. “I’m more concerned about his head rather than his punches,” said John recently.
In Southern California there’s a double dipper going on Sunday. It was turned down by Las Vegas so ended up in Carson, California. A lateral move to be sure. With a large Mexican population the Israel Vazquez (41-3) - Rafael Marquez (36-3) WBC jr. feather tussle heads the card. Hard to choose between the two. They are evenly matched with Vazquez maybe getting the nod on having fought better opponents. The truth is that as Mom use to say, “You pays your money and takes your choice.”
The second half of the card features Australian world champion Vic Darchinyan (27-0) defending his IBF Fly title against Victor Burgos (39-14-3). Darchincvan is one of the most entertaining fighters in the world. He should get by Burgos probably by a late round KO. “I have many fans in the USA because my fights always are knockout wins ... when I fight Burgos it will be a KO win for me.”
That result would set up a Darchinyan-Jorge Arce battle royal.
Also on Sunday from the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto (28-0) defends his WBA welter title against Oktay Urkal (38-3). Cotto was supposed to be the next superstar but he’s been unable to gain that position in a division that’s led by Floyd Mayweather jr. and a rejuvenated Shane Mosley.
Urkal rarely fights outside Germany and one would think this was just a “pay day fight”. Internationally his back-to-back losses to Vivian Harris designated him as “Ok, but nothing special.”
For Cotto this is a tune-up for a big money fight against Zab Judah on June 9, probably in New York as part of that city’s Puerto Rican Day celebration. Other events include a parade and one year a gang rap in Central Park.
A week from Sunday was supposed to be a big time heavyweight title double header. The day was going to start off with Wladimir Klitschko (47-3) defending his IBF/IBO heavyweight title against Ray Austin (24-3-4) from the SAP Arena in Mannheim. That fight will go ahead as scheduled but the second half of the “double dipper” is gone. The WBO heavyweight title fight from Madison Square Garden between champ Shannon Briggs and Sultan Ibragirnov was postponed. Seems that Briggs came down with “walking pneumonia”. Kind of reminds me of the old rock and roll song from the 1950’s, ‘Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu’.
Yes Jeeves.
“I remember that song your Lordship as it was one of my favorites growing up in the ‘Mother Country’. It was recorded by Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and the Clowns. In 1957 Smith formed the Clowns with blues singer and transgender artist Bobby Marchan and then signed a long-term contract at Ace Records. ‘Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu’ was a hit in that year. Not only that your Lordship but Smith, from New Orleans was a piano player for Little Richard, Lloyd Price and others in the 50’s. He played piano on the big hit ‘I Hear You Knocking’ from Smiley Lewis and was the original voice on the big hit ‘Sea Cruse’, but was replaced on the record by first Frankie Ford and then Bobby Darin.”
Jeeves you are a bottomless fund of information.
“Plus, your Lordship, I also have lager on ice, three cigars brisked and a “Rockin to the Oldies” CD on the music machine.”
Jeeves, you are indeed a treasure.

Montana regain first place

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers - Rich, La and Sven (Barry not shown).

Montana only managed to win two and lose two points against Shenanigans but never the less moved back into first place after VFW Post 9876 lost three points to Café Ole. Diamond Shop took three points from Jack & Tar and House of the Golden Coin won three from Three Sisters.
Café Kronborg dropped down to fifth place after losing four points to Mai’s Thai Restaurant: Barry rolled a 227 and 215 games, 598 series, for Mai’s Thai Restaurant to lead his team to victory. Domicil and Brother D split their match with each team getting two points. Some good series were bowled with Rich getting a 561 series, Mio 552, Leen 550, Somrak 537 and La 533.