Apres Golf at Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort & Spa

Mike Franklin
With the golf over at Eastern Star we switch to party mood at the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien for the Awards Ceremony and an evening of fine food and entertainment. Starting at 6pm, with the huge stage set and dining area down by the beach, it will be in time to watch the beautiful sunset and begin the evenings’ festivities.

The Grand Buffet opens at 6pm and will be open all evening. It will include Appetizers, Salads, a variety of Main Courses, four live stations of Seafood BBQ, Suckling Pig, Pasta and Tempura, a whole Roast Ox (courtesy of hard Rock Hotel) and mouthwatering Sweets. There will be two free beers per player, and free flow of soft drinks. There will be a six-piece Live Band and Singer, the Pinnacle Queens Show-dance group, and fireworks. For registered player’s guests the charge for the evening is 550 baht.
In addition to the awarding of the Technical and Team Trophies, there will be a Charity Draw with high value prizes including flights to Dubai, Singapore and Samui, accommodation packages to Koh Samui & Phuket including a week at Sea Pearl Resort, Patong Beach, top restaurant vouchers to the Mata Hari, Manhattan Steak House, Casa Pascal, a Jameson’s Free Carvery Every Week for a Year and more. Other prizes include a Diamond Ring, Membership for two at the Dusit Fitness Center, Nike Golf merchandise and golf packages. A 50,000 baht voucher from Trident will be included against the purchase of the Trident T-pod Tricar, offered for a Hole-in-One on Hole # 6, if not claimed and the vehicle will be on display at the party.
There is ample parking adjacent to the party area and directions to the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort will be in the starter packs at Registration. Every player will win a prize in the Players Lucky Draw that will be by lucky number at Eastern Star during the day.
The Pinnacle Grand Jomtien is offering special Room rates for participants in the tournament. For information contact: prjgm @pinnaclehotels.com
Of course none of this is relevant unless you play in the tournament first. The Entry form for the Pattaya Mail - Mike Franklin Classic is on this page. Enter now, as the two shotgun starts are filling up.

Pattaya Mail Golf Classic - Sign-Up

Sign up for the
Pattaya Mail -
Mike Franklin Golf Classic between 2pm - 6pm this Saturday at Jamesons Irish Pub.

There is an opportunity to sign-up for the tournament, and select an available starting hole, on Saturday June 16 afternoon in the Bar at Jameson’s between 2pm and 6pm.
There is a choice of two Shotgun starts at 06.45 am and 12.30 pm, each limited to 25 teams of four. No handicaps required as handicaps are calculated on the day based on team performance. The ’36 System’ method of scoring is on the left of this page.
Call into Jameson’s on Saturday afternoon and sign-up.

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Quotes of the Season - Part One

Welcome, friends, to another roundup of all things football. Or should that be ‘soccer’? Soon the footballing world will cast its eyes to that hotbed of the beautiful game that is Los Angeles, as David Beckham and family prepare to move into their modest two-bedroom flat on the outskirts of the city before the man himself begins life at the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Just what the Americans will make of Beckham remains to be seen, but after a rich run of form that has kept Real Madrid in the hunt for the Spanish Liga title (still to be decided) along with an England recall, maybe Beckham is wondering whether signing up for a couple of years of third-rate Stateside ‘soccer’ really was the right decision for a player still at the top of his game.
The club versus country rows that are all too familiar these day are likely to reach new heights should England boss Steve McClown decide to retain the services of his side’s former captain in his quest to take England to the European Championships next summer. The LA Galaxy will rightly be miffed at paying Beckham his not unsubstantial wages only for him to miss games through international selection. And then there’s the constant travelling as Beckham takes regular nine-hour flights back and forth, putting himself at risk of deep-vein thrombosis. Aviation expert Farrol Kahn told the BBC: “We first thought that DVT was mainly a problem for the elderly, but we’re increasingly finding that it can occur to people much younger.” Regular visitors to Pattaya beware.
But then Beckham will have enough cash floating around his current account not to worry about a few hundred thousand here or there, which is good news after his England colleagues announced their decision to give up their payments they receive for playing international football in order to support a new ‘Team England Footballers Charity’. Chelsea skipper John Terry told reporters that “Every player to a man is looking forward to supporting this charity” without the slightest hint of his nose growing any bigger.
Could this be true? Modern, over-paid footballers are actually giving something back to the game and to those in need? What is happening to our game, and more importantly where does this leave poor, unsuspecting football writers who make a modest living complaining about greedy footballers?
Anyway that shocking revelation has left me speechless, unlike the following football folk coming up who have made it onto the first part of our Quotes of the Season, borrowed mostly from the excellent Football365 website. Enjoy.
Football quotes from the 2006/07 season
“A select group? The champions will come from a select group of one” - Peter Kenyon’s pre-season predictions on Chelsea’s fortunes prove a little premature.
“I’ve not had to ask permission from Geraldine to take the job. I’m one of the few men in this life who are not under the thumb. I’m stronger than that. Did she want me out of the house? Listen, she’s wanted me out of the house for the past 27 years and has often asked me not to come back again. But I always show up, and really, she can’t do without me, because I’m brilliant” - Martin O’Neill informs the world of his decision to return to management at Aston Villa.
“I have never known hatred like Manchester United’s and the poison dripping from their fans never ceases to shock me” - Steven Gerrard tells it how it is.
“It is disgusting. Why say things after the event when you were part of the problem and when you are just as culpable as the manager? Does Frank want to tell his story or does he want to make money? It is cowardly and he was not brave enough to stand up at the time and admit we were going wrong. Unfortunately that is the self-obsessed world football has become” - Reading’s Dave Kitson cements his friendship with Frank Lampard after the Chelsea midfielder released a book moments after arriving back from England’s World Cup failure.
“I believe in the very near future West Ham can become bigger than Chelsea and maybe within seven years even challenge Manchester United” - Kia Joorabchian comments on the move of his infamous Argentinean clients that would cause much discussion, before failing in his bid to buy the Hammers
“It is a massive coup for us. I’ve no doubt this will give us a real chance to compete with the very best teams in the Premiership and in Europe” - Alan Pardew offers a taste of things to come at Upton Park, a few months before being sacked and moving to relegated Charlton.
“I was in North London in February and had just got out of the car when this complete stranger came right up to my face and said, ‘You’re gay, you are!’ and went away laughing. It takes a lot to get under my skin, but that got to me ... not that being gay is a bad thing” - Ashley Cole won’t be visiting Pattayaland Soi 3 anytime soon.
“Everyone’s very comfortable on the ball and almost all of them are athletic. We play what I call ‘orgy football’: the other team know they’re going to get it, but they don’t know from whom or where from” - Cardiff’s now ex-chairman Sam Hammam might be more at home in a certain other Pattaya soi.
“The worst thing about playing Chelsea is having to listen to Mourinho afterwards. He talks absolute bollocks. He should shut the f*** up” - Barcelona’s Edmilson gets his point across.
“Places like this are the soul of English football. The crowd is magnificent, singing ‘F*** off Mourinho’ and so on” - Jose Mourinho loves Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.
Let’s start with a song I heard from away fans in two consecutive matches at home: ‘Four-nil, and you still don’t sing!’ Why don’t they sing? They’re always quiet. For a team with this record at home, I think the players deserve more support. I’m not happy when 1,500 away fans, maximum 3,000, support more than our own people” - Mourinho isn’t so enamoured with the support at his club’s own Stamford Bridge.
“Big clubs do get the decisions - I’m not moaning about that. I just want to make Aston Villa a big side so that we get them too” - Martin O’Neill reveals his masterplan.
“The ever-smiling Steve “Magnificent” McClaren is without doubt the most two-faced and false person that I have ever had the misfortune to meet in football, who should first spend his time actually trying to understand his own players’ mentality instead of wasting so much time trying to understand the English press. I was absolutely shocked and totally disgusted by the way he treated me. Only in England could such a man with such obvious and limited abilities be made national coach” - Massimo Maccarone won’t be sending his old Middlesbrough boss any postcards from Italy.
“I will reiterate to you all that there is no price on Matthew Upson. I have had the complete backing of the board over my stance on things because of the situation we find ourselves in. I couldn’t give a s*** if we have got an unhappy player or not. He is not going, full stop. Whether it is 8million, 9million, 10million, it wouldn’t matter.
“Of course, if someone says 20million you can’t say no but that is hypothetical and I can’t see anyone putting in that sort of bid. At the moment it is 8million, 9million, 10million we are talking about and the answer is ‘not for sale’. My message is clear to Alan Curbishley. It would take crazy money and that’s not 8million, 10 million - and the board are 100% behind me” - Steve Bruce, speaking on January 26, reassures everyone that defender Matthew Upson will remain at St.Andrews. He was sold five days later for 6 million pounds.
“It’s a load of nonsense. We were all gutted to lose at Arsenal and all disappointed. But to criticise our stamina is absolute nonsense. I am not sure what he is doing or why he has done it. I think he is just trying to make himself look great again, you know. It is all ‘Look at me, I am the great Arsene Wenger’” - Sir Alex Ferguson loses his rag after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reportedly suggested to his team that United tire in the last 20 minutes.
“We’ve had the snow this week so we’ve done very little training. We’ve built an igloo, and had a snowball fight. I’ve built a large Danny Shittu-sized snowman” - Adrian Boothroyd’s guide to winter training.
“They call themselves professional referees. They’re not professional. They might be full-time but they’re not professional. There’s a big difference. Professional means you’re good, or should be good. It’s our living - some of these fellows think it’s a hobby to them.
“ A leading Premiership manager told me he was the worst referee in the league. I have to be careful but I thought it was there for all to see today. I’ll get a letter off the FA no doubt, asking me to explain my comments. Maybe I’ll send them a video of the game and say: ‘there are my comments, you tell me about it’” - Paul Jewell offers his opinion of ‘top referee’ Phil Dowd.

Yasuo moors up and wins

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, June 4,
Khao Kheow, Stableford
1st Yasuo Suzuki 39pts
2nd Terry Hodgkiss 35pts c/b
3rd Kenny Priddy 35pts c/b
4th Phil Groves 35pts c/b
5th Russell Exley 35pts c/b
After a great round Yasuo Suzuki easily took the day’s honours by a clear 4 shots. He even missed a very short birdie put on the last, which was cause for some slight barracking at the prize giving. In response he was quoted as saying, “If you have two for it, take them”.
Terry Hodgkiss had another ‘nearly great’ round after dropping off to sleep on the front nine. He awoke to claim second place with 4-under on the homeward stretch while Kenny Priddy led Phil Groves and Russell Exley with a more usual number in the count back.
Fred Land had the only ‘2’ in the second division whilst Phil Groves and Yasuo Suzuki shared the first division with one each.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc, still standing in for Richard, welcomed back Paul Simpson, Trevor Schirmer and B.J. Smith, the latter two having spent an equal time between the casinos of Macau and Disneyland in Hong Kong during the last week, and Dave Spendley who was back to celebrate his 45 birthday with his family (shurely shome mishtake).
Wednesday, June 6,
Mountain Shadow, Stableford
1st Terry Hodgkiss 35pts
2nd Tony Barritt 34pts
3rd John Teague 32pts c/b
4th Mark Woods 32pts c/b
Terry Hodgkiss was again charged with “keeping a lid on it” as after a meager 11 points on the front, he amassed an incredible six-under on the back nine, which is as many as anyone can remember being scored at Mountain Shadow’s tough layout.
Tony Barritt was left to rue the missed chances on the inward half as he slipped to two-over following a good front nine and had to settle for second on the day.
John Teague just took third ahead of Mark Woods, who scored his first podium for some time, by virtue of a very tidy back nine.
Al Keith had a ‘2’ - which was the only one in the first division and John Teague had the same in the second division.
Friday, June 8,
Phoenix Mountain Lakes, Stableford
1st Fred Land 38pts c/b
2nd Brian Beaupre 38pts c/b
3rd Rick Schramm 38pts
4th Takeshi Hakozaki 37pts
Fred Land at last showed why he had been tipped to take a pot load of prizes during this trip as he held off the challenge of Brian Beaupre in the count back on the back six. Rick Schramm was in the same count back but could only muster a weak 16 on the back and had to be satisfied with third after also losing out in the beer match with his playing partner Brian Beaupre.
Takeshi Hakozaki put in one of the rounds he is always capable of when he is going for it but on the day it turned out to be not quite good enough to do better than fourth place.
As usual al Keith had a ‘2’, which again was the only one in the first division and Chris Knapp made a beauty from the edge of Lakes 7 to sweep the second division pool.
Prior to the presentation Allan Heavey was welcomed as a new member and his brother Shane, Rick Schramm and Brian Beaupre were welcomed back.

Graham & Sonthaya lead the way

Jomtien Lions Charity Golf Tournament 2007

Graham & Sonthaya receive the winners’ trophy.

A splendid day was had by all at Burapha Golf Course for the Annual Jomtien Lions Charity Golf Tournament.
The winners of ‘Best Team’ category were Graham Isherwood & Sonthaya of Go-Fast - one of the main sponsors. Meanwhile, the Best Gross Score prize went to Alister Ironside.
Many thanks go to all the sponsors for their generosity and support of the tournament. The proceeds raise from the event will go to the hearing and school projects.

Mills the man at Monthly Medal

Jomtien Golf with the I.P.G.C.

Monday June 4, Plutaluang, Stableford
Another strong field for this time of the year and after Sunday’s horrendous storms in the area we were all wondering if the course be open. On arrival with our drive between the East and South nines the course looked in good condition, as it turned out to be later.
After his remarkable recovery from heart surgery, Ken Foster’s 32 points secured him first place in division 2, closely followed by Tony Sawyer on 31 points who had a better count back over Joe Kubon. Geoff Stubbs won the top division with 37 points followed by Andy Mills on 35pts and Chris Holmes on 34pts.
There was a 2’s rollover in the lower division and with his last game for six weeks with us, Alan Bissell birdied the 4th on the south and shared the double kitty with the sand lady, Miss Nom who got a two on the very difficult south 7th. Roger Hill’s ‘2’ on the same hole won the only division 1 prize
Andy Mills, Geoff Stubbs, Alan Bissell and Dave Ross all won nearest the pin prizes and yet again the generous Andy donated the whiskey to the girls behind the bar at Paweenas.
Wednesday 6th June
Green Valley -
Monthly Medal
A surprising 28 starters today for the dreaded first Wednesday of the month (especially on this course) for a medal round and a welcome return to Doug Carrysforth and Jack Hinchey after their recent illnesses.
An amazing gross 76 (Net 68) saw Andy Mills claim the top podium position in division 1 followed by Ted Morris’s 79 (Net 70) in second place and Dave Richards (Net 73) in third.
In division 2, Tony Duthie’s Net 72 was three shots better than second placed Miss Am, who beat Rick Newman on the back nine count back.
There was no nearest the pin winner on the par three second hole, but Chris Holmes, Miss Am and Burnie Sinclair all won on the other three. Chris also had the only ‘2’of the day.
Friday June 8,
Eastern Star, Stableford
A smaller Friday field than normal so we decided on a front nine, back nine and overall competition for the only division. Miss Nom won the front with 19 points, she then tied the back nine with Martin Anderton, both with 19 as well, and she won the match with her 38 points.
Note: Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Paweenas in Soi 5, Jomtien beach road at around 9am for a 10.30am tee off. Please check in the bar or ring Glyn on 086 837 5464.

Czernie in great form at Phoenix

Phoenix Members Golf Group

Wednesday June 6, Stableford
A good crowd of 19 players (including a couple of ladies) went out to tackle the Mountain and Lakes course on Wednesday.
We have made a new ruling for our Member’s days at Phoenix. From now on the ladies, if playing from the red tees, will play the par three’s from the yellow tees. This creates a fairer proportion to the difference in yardage to the Men’s tees. So far no kick backs from the ladies, but still early doors.
The winner in the A Flight today was our champion judo guy Brian Jacks with 39 points and second was the in-form Prakong Robinson with 38 points.
The B Flight winner was David Czernie with a superb 41 points and second with 40 points was the new apprentice scribe, Graham Hiskett. Had Graham’s handicap been half a shot lower he would have won the A Flight.
Technical prizes went to Uli Leuenberger, Brian Jacks, David Czernie and Geoff Bowers.
Sunday June 10, Stableford
Only a small field turned out today, but some good scores were returned nonetheless - out of the nine players only one scored under 36 points.
The winner today was regular Bob Deane and finishing in joint second place, even after a count back, were Prakong Robinson and welcome return visitor Phil Smith.
Technical awards went to Brian Jacks, Jack Spencer and Bob Deane.
NB: If you fancy a game with good company come and join the Sunday, Wednesday or Friday groups here at Phoenix Golf Club. Start time on Sunday 12.16pm and Wednesday and Friday 12.30pm. Call either Mike Gerrard on 08 709 17565 or Ron Bridge on 08 145 25995

Japanese domination at Greenwood

PSC Golf from the Bowling Green

Barry Hooper
Tuesday June 5,
Greenwood,
Stableford
1st Takeshi Hakozaki 38pts
2nd Colin Cronin 35pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson 34pts
Near Pins: Takeshi Hakozaki and Akitisho Ito (2)
2’s: Akitisho Ito

Saturday Winners: (Back Row) Walter Baechli and Brian Beaupre; (Front Row) Mashi Kaneta and Frank Kelly.

Greenwood saw the return of the Japanese contingency to dominate the day with Takeshi taking first place and Atikashi peppering the par 3’s. Colin Cronin took the second place but three behind the winner, with Roger Wilkinson just one back in third
Thursday June 7,
Phoenix,
Stableford
1st Tewin Lamthong (22) 43pts
2nd Stuart Thompson (6) 38pts c/b
3rd Roger Wilkinson (15) 38pts
4th Frank Kelly (15) 37pts
Near Pins: Dick Warburg, Tewin Lamthong, Takeshi Hakozaki, Les Cox
2’s: Frank Kelly, Takeshi Hakozaki, Roger Wilkinson, Dick Warburg
Played off the white tees on the super Ocean and Mountain courses, we had a great day and saw our lady Tewin come to the fore to win with 42 points. This was four in front of second placed Stuart Thompson who had the better of the count back over Roger Wilkinson in third.
There were four winners in both the near pin and 2’s on the day.
Saturday June 9,
Eastern Star, Stableford
1st Brian Beaupre (6) 36pts
2nd Frank Kelly (15) 35pts c/b
3rd Walter Baechli (13) 35pts
4th Mashi Kaneta (13) 34pts
2’s: Brian Beaupre, Roger Wilkinson
Near Pins: Brian Beaupre (2), Alex Sala, Rick Schramm
Brian Beaupre made this his day with a competition win, two near pins and a share of the 2’s. Hot on Brian’s heels in the Stableford comp were (Mr Steady) Frank Kelly and Walter Baechli, with Frank taking the second spot on count back.
It was good to see the numbers of entry back up after the previous weeks outing had to be abandoned because of player shortage. Welcome back boys and girls.
Note: If anyone is interested in golfing with the Bowling Green we play every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at Bowling Green at 7:45am and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 or the Bowling Green 038-720742 or send an email to [email protected].

Trudy on top at Green Valley

PSC golf from the Peacock Place

Monday June 4, Green Valley,
Stableford
Monday saw the golfers head for Green Valley and what superb condition the course was in. We played a stableford competition and the winners on the day were in division one: Gary Blackburne (6) in first with 36 points, Bob Drumm (15) second on 35 and Jack Spencer third, also with 35 points but losing on count back.
Division two saw the lovely Trudy Chadbourne (26) in first with a great 37 points, second place went to Frank O’Neill (16) with 35 points and in third was Mark Brenton with 33 points.
There were two 2’s on the day, both by the Tiger - well done mate.
Wednesday June 6, Khao Kheow,
Stableford
On Wednesday we played at Khao Kheow - this course would have to be up there with the best in the area, the condition was magnificent.
We played the B and C layouts off the yellows and you guessed it, the course won by a country mile. We only had the one division as there weren’t too many players, due I think to the terrible state of the highway.
The winners on the day were David Arrowsmith first with a fine 31 points, second was Wendy Khan with 30 points on a count back from Bob Wighton the birthday boy in third with 30 points also.
There were no 2’s so there was a roll over to Bangphra.
If you are looking for a game with friendly folks just give Bob a call on 087 941 2474 or call into the Peacock Place opposite Lake Mabprachan.

Smith gets back to winning ways

PSC Golf from The Bunker

Monday June 4,
Burapha, Stableford
Monday saw The Bunker Boys play Stableford at Burapha where we witnessed Paul Smith get back to winning ways. Paul won the A Flight with 37 points, ahead of William Macey in second on 34 points and Charlie Gooch and Alan Freeman in joint third.
The B Flight was won with the same score with Trevor Sharman claiming first place, second place went to Eddie Martin with 30 points and third went to Peter Habgood with 29 points.
Near pin prizes were shared by Mam Morel, William Macey, Alan Freeman and Charlie Gooch.
Wednesday June 6,
Greenwood, Medal
Greenwood was the venue on the Wednesday for a Medal comp and we had last month’s ‘golfer of the month’ come good again - John McDonald won the A Flight with a gross 76 (three under par net 69). In second place was William Macey with net 71 and Charlie Gooch shared third place again, this time with Mashi Kaneta on net 72.
In the B Flight we had a tie for runner up spot between Mam Morel and Geoff Hart on net 75 whilst Peter Habgood took the honours with a one-under par net 71.
John McDonald rounded off a fine day of golf by winning two near pin prizes, the others going to William Macey and Alan Freeman.
Friday June 8,
The Emerald, Stableford
The Emerald hosted the second Stableford comp of the week, and with just the single flight Alan Freeman scored 35 points to win first prize. Second place went to Mashi Kaneta 33 points and Gary Austin and Gerry Cooney shared third place with 32 points.
Alan Freeman, John McDonald, William Macey and Mashi Kaneta shared the near pin prizes between them.

Scramble format proves as popular as ever

I.P.G.C golf with The Caddy Shack

Friday, June 8 and the challenge was Khao Kheow A & B courses for a 4-man Texas scramble. The course was in excellent condition and good shots were rewarded highly.
The rules of 3 drives apiece were no problem for the winning team of Phil Mitchell, Keith Fortt, Damien Trante and Geoff King, as by the twelfth hole they were all in and it was fire at will. From there on, choosing the best of some huge drives between them, the birdies came fruitfully and they shot a gross 64 (Net 59) which put them in first place.

The winning team (L-R): Geoff King, Phil Mitchell, Keith Fortt and Damien Trante.
Meanwhile, the teams were queuing up behind them and second place was won on count back with a score of 60.2 by Gary Bellchambers, Gary Strickland, Brian Firrinhgo and Carl Blackburn: they were left ruing the fact that they missed a couple of easy chances that may have given them the win.
Coming in at third place were the hot favorites of Mike Alidi, Yasou Suzuki, Kenneth Andersen and Mr. Takimoto. They actually had the lowest gross of an incredible 61, but their 0.8 handicap did them no favours. In the not so far away fourth place was the team of Tony Duthie, Les Hall, Chris Holmes and Alan Duffas with a net 61.9.
The Technical prizes of nearest the pin were won by Phil Mitchell, Trevor Sharman, Chris Platten and Kenneth Andersen. Kenneth also took the longest prize award.
Once again The Scramble was a huge success and The Caddy Shack is going to be holding more frequent team events so pop in and check out the schedule.

Thong shines at the Emerald

PSC golf from the PJ Pool Bar

David Gardner
Tuesday June 5,
The Emerald,
Stableford
1st Thong Pimblett (30) 43 pts
2nd Jeff Wylie (9) 39 pts
3rd Ian Campbell (25) 34 pts
4th David Gardner (9) 32 pts c/b
Near Pins: Ed Horrocks, Jeff Wylie, Jimmy Fortune, Ray Allison
Long Putt: Thong Pimblett
The Emerald is always a popular course and our meetings here are usually well attended. On this day 16 players gathered at PJ Pool Bar before making their way down to Ban Chang.
Playing conditions were good, although it was hot and humid. By the end of the round all were feeling the effects, particularly those choosing to walk.
Emerald always plays harder than the rating of 69 and only two players scored more than 34 points. Thong Pimblett, who won at Greenwood in the thunder and lightning last week, dismissed a one shot handicap cut at the weekend, putting together a remarkable round of 43 points. It included a back nine of 25 points. Husband Roy pointed out that this was more than some managed over 18, no names given!
Jeff Wylie, whose game has been suffering in recent weeks bounced back with a decent 39 points in second place. Ian Campbell’s 34 points in third place looked poor against the two leaders but was still a good effort on this tricky course.
Thursday June 7, Plutaluang N&W, Stableford
1st Bob Pearce (10) 31 pts
2nd Jeff Wylie (9) 30 pts c/b
3rd David Gardner (9) 30 pts
4th Neil Duncan (14) 29 pts
Near Pins: Jeff Wylie (3), Neil Duncan
Long Putt: Neil Duncan
The North and West at Navy is a very difficult course, being 6700 yards off the white tees and a having a high degree of technical difficulty. Even so, you would have expected one of the fourteen players to score more than 31 points.
It is all too easy to get off to a bad start on North. There is the dangerous par-five second followed by the infamous lighthouse third hole. Fail to score on these two and it is an uphill battle few manage to win.
The course played well, but seemed very, very long after the recent rains. Bob Pearce completed his round grateful to better the psychological ‘not too bad’ score of thirty points. In the final three-ball Bob was partnered by Jeff Wylie and David Gardner, neither expecting their 30 points to trouble the scorers. In an hour or so it became clear that they were an embarrassing first second and third. Such is golf.
Technical prizes were shared by Jeff Wylie and Neil Duncan; Jeff taking three of the four near pins. Clearly his iron play was on the mark even if he disappointed with other departments.
Our move to PJ Pool Bar is proving successful. We are attracting new players each week from our new catchment area on Soi Kanoi. Come along and see us on Tuesday and Thursday for a friendly game of golf.

Bill’s big Pay Day

Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Sunday June 3, the Pattaya Golf Society took itself off to beautiful Bangpra International Golf Club to play a stableford competition over the well-prepared course. Having lost a lot of its legendary colour during the recent rains, the course was still in good condition and as a result there were to be some excellent scores.

David Thomas (right) the PGS “Player of the Month”.
As usual it was a single Sunday flight and there was the added zest of a triple rollover in the 2’s subplot.
David Thomas once again came up with the best gross figures of the day, giving him 36 points, despite his erratic putting, and in fourth place on 37 points was new IPGC member Mam Morel, proving her potential from a handicap of 28.
Visiting US Philosophy Professor John Schroeder found plenty to occupy his mind during his excellent round of 37 points, which eventually gave him third place. The plaudits were to be for the top two golfers however, as first Len Jones returned his second best score of the year, forty points, only to find that the old warhorse Bill Hewitt had usurped this with a staggering 42 points, on a day when nothing went awry. His gross figures of 39 and 41 belied his 14 handicap and he had the added glory of one of the two birdie 2’s, on the seventh hole. He shared the huge pot with David Thomas whose birdie came on the twelfth.
Chris Hardy accepted the ‘Booby Bevy’ as consolation for his mediocre performance but it tasted so sweet after four months of hard graft in the UK. Welcome back Chris, times will get better.
Blues win for Lovatt
Tuesday June 5, saw the Pattaya Golf Society visit Laem Chabang to play a stableford event in two flights off the blue and white tees. The “B” and “C” courses were well presented but the greenkeeper had overlooked his GUR signs and white paint on certain fairways and the partly excavated trench on B7 formed an integral part of the course!
A surprising number of golfers had chosen to play off the blue tees and they enjoyed the challenge whilst the mere mortals and rabbits savoured the prospects off the usual whites.
In the white flight, John Schroeder and Paul Quodomine pushed hard for a podium place with their 31 point cards but Joop Medze held them at bay with his second placed 33 points, just one behind the flight winner Ray Underwood, who overcame a nightmare start to return fine figures for the back nine.
The blue flight saw Yasuo Suzuki smiling after his level par round of thirty-six points but he rued scratching a hole on the back nine when he saw that Stuart Thompson had gone one better to take second place with his 37 point card. The day’s hero was Carl Lovatt who threw off a series of disappointing scores to return an excellent 38 points for the course and take the victory. Carl used his long hitting to good effect on the challenging “C” course, returning home with twenty points, including a scratch on hole C3.
There were two birdie 2’s and the recipients were David Thomas, as always, and Chris Hardy whilst the ‘Booby Bevy’ went to Graham Jamieson who missed the departure by five minutes and spent the day nursing a first day hangover.
The highlight of the presentation back at the OK Corral was the award of the May “Player of the Month” to David Thomas and it could not have been more thoroughly deserved after a string of excellent returns. All had enjoyed the day’s golf and another visit next month may see more volunteers for the testing blue flight.
Schramm’s gem at Emerald
Thursday June 7, the Pattaya Golf Society had the pleasure of calling at the Emerald golf club in Ban Chang to play a medal round on a hot and humid day. The course continues to be in fine shape and even the recent sanding of the greens did not spoil the proceedings, indeed putting was to be the big test of the day.
A quality field with the average handicap a mere 14 set about their task and the first impact was made by Mikael Andersson who eagled the second hole on his way to a fine score of net 75. His gross was just one shot short of the best of the day, that of David Thomas whose net 72 resulted in second place.
Canadian Rick Schramm, on leave from his posting in South Africa, returned with an excellent net 71 and, but for a putting embarrassment on the seventh would have carded an even better score.
In addition to his eagle on the second, Mikael Andersson also took a ‘2’ on the fifteenth to receive the pot whilst Paul Quodomine suffered the indignity of “losing” a ball on the fourth fairway and could only put the loss down to an errant squirrel. For him the ‘Booby Bevy’. Golfers are like fishermen in the tales they tell!

Brother D standing tough with a Beaver biting on their tail

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers: Bill, Mai, Leo & Dang

Brother D remains in first place but they did not put any space between themselves and Beaver Bar & Grill as each team won three points in week seven. Ooy bowled a 548 series and Konrad a 509 for Brother D as they took three from Jack & Tar who were led by Mai’s 535 series. Beaver Bar & Grill got a 219 game, 566 series from Bill Key as they took three from Café Ole.
Morn bowled a 504 series and Lada had a 206 game, 502 series for Café Ole. VFW Post 9876 lost three points to Montana but remain in third place.
Diamond Shop got three points from Café Kronborg with Aht leading the way with games of 187, 180, 184, 551 series and Nual added a 510 pin count. Kran was best for Café Kronborg with a 517 series. Leo had a 517 series to lead Mai’s Thai Restaurant to a three point win over Three Sisters.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

‘Your Lordship, you really should clarify your remarks about your fellow Yank, Shannon Briggs. Last week you wrote: “Briggs’ after-fight comments are what one would expect from a low life bum.” Would you like to explain Your Lordship?’
Thank you Jeeves, and like those that serve in the Congress of the USA, I would like to extend and revise my remarks.
Mr. Briggs is not a low life bum. Mr. Briggs is a ‘knucklehead’. He said after the fight, “I had pneumonia. I was on Zithromax for three days, antibiotics for fifteen days. Don King took me to the best pulmonary doctors in the country. The doctor told me not to fight. I told him I would pull out if he’d pay me US$1.8 million dollars.”
O.K. let’s call a time out here, return the running lips to a neutral corner and consider what this ‘knucklehead’ said. Briggs goes to a doctor, although he never states when, where or who. Then ‘Mr. knucklehead’ asks the doctor to give him US$1.8 million not to fight? I don’t think so. But heck, even if he didn’t ask the doctor, why would anyone give him money not to fight? Next, did the ‘Dictator’ of the New Jersey Control Board, Larry Hazzard, know of this trip to a doctor? Probably, as the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board assigned Dr. Michael Kelly to review all of Briggs pre-licensing medical as well as pre and post fight medical exams.
“Mr. Briggs’ lungs were examined both prior to and after the bout, said the Board. “Mr. Briggs was questioned about how he felt after the bout. Mr. Briggs was cleared to fight by Dr. Kelly and Dr. Kelly saw no reason for him to seek medical treatment after the bout. The NJSACB had no concerns about Briggs’ physical ability to compete that night.”
Remember that Briggs asked for a postponement of the fight in March because of pneumonia but at that time said, “I never went to a doctor.” Now he’s not well and won’t fight if someone will give him US$1.8 million dollars. Heck Shannon, me too!!
Of the March delay and his ‘phony’ pneumonia claim Briggs said, “They called me a liar and a phony. They threatened to sue me. They said I’d never get another fight ... that I’d never fight on TV again.” I have no idea who ‘they’ were, are or was, but they were probably 100% correct.
Briggs continued, “With all due respect to Muhammed Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, I’m the greatest of all time because I did it with asthma. I won the heavyweight title twice with a disease.”
As the late Irene Maude Reed, Grand Dame of the Reeds, would say, “My God the bridge.” The only thing that Briggs is the greatest of all time at is being a ‘phony.’ Briggs should be ashamed to mention his name with that of Robinson and Ali. The only thing he has in common with them is that he’s fought as a professional boxer - and him being a not a very good one at that.
One of the Muslim terrorist suspects arrested in connection with the plot to blow up oil lines to JFK Airport in New York City was Abdel Nur of Guyana. The name may not ring a bell but his nephew is Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis who was the first Guyanan world champion boxer. He won the vacant WBA welter title in February of 2001 when he knocked out James Page in seven.
The fight in Las Vegas was televised throughout the USA and made “Six Heads” an instant star. He was exciting, throwing punches from all angles. He defended successfully once against Larry Marks.
Against fellow wild man Ricardo Mayorga, Lewis went ‘loopy’ - head butted like a Billy Goat and opened a nasty cut causing no-nonsense referee Marty Denkin to stop the fight after two rounds. The rematch was no contest as Mayorga whacked out Lewis in five. Since getting KO’d in two by Antonio Margarito in “Ought 3”, Lewis has gone 1-1-1 against Denny Dalton.
Asked about his uncle the terrorist, Lewis said, “I never knew him as a person who would be a terrorist.” And the nickname? Story is that Lewis once hit a boxer so hard that when looking up the downed fighter said, “He looked like he had six heads.”
After a 30-year absence, big time boxing returned to Antwerp in Belgium last week. Gotta love the guy at the top of the card. Local hero Jackson “Sugar the ball brains” Osei Bonsu (24-1), defended his EBU 147lb title against Italian Cristian De Martinis (20-1).
It was a classic struggle with De Martinis kissing canvas 3 times in rounds 3 and 4. In the final round with both boxers giving it their all, De Martinis was rocked by a vicious right hand that dropped him harder than a broke punter during Cobra Gold. The challenger was out on the canvas for 15 minutes before being taken out by stretcher. He remained in hospital for a couple of days. Is there a better nickname than “Sugar the ball brains”? Nope.
My goodness, gracious - what a great day of boxing on Sunday. To those that whine about things that are wrong with boxing, a day like Sunday will ‘cure the patient’. The one not recommended in these corners was Antonio Tarver coming back after a year off. Right again. Fell asleep three times in 12 rounds. Tarver won, who cares?
The real action took place before more than 20,000 screaming fans in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Miguel Cotto and Zab Judah put on what could only be labeled a “great show.”
Our pals Patrick the ‘Flying Frog’ and O.R. Cross both watched the fight last Sunday - Patrick from his five-star Belgium Restaurant.
‘The Frog’ wrote: “One of the best fights I saw this year. First two rounds Cotto was hit by Zab with uppercuts (but) Zab couldn’t finish. Cotto survived to continue his attacking game plan. Cotto got a point deducted for 2 low blows. Zab was cut on the right eye in the fourth and had problems to see. Cotto continued hammering and Judah took a knee to escape the assault. Cotto continued to brutalize Judah in the tenth. Judah was floored by a right hand in the eleventh and referee Arthur Mercante jr. stopped the fight after Cotto’s follow-up assault.”
Sometimes two guys see the same fight different - not this time! O.R. concurs with ‘The Frog.’
“The Cotto/Judah mixer has to be my personal ‘fight of the year’”, wrote O.R. “Miguel Cotto is now 40 and 0 but it didn’t come to him easily. He was the stronger of the two but Judah had the faster hands. Zudah hit Cotto with three very quick uppercuts in the 3rd and used that weapon frequently until the end. Judah went down in the 1st and 3rd from low blows. The first one looked like a questionable delayed reaction to my eyes. The one in round three was clearly flagrant. Judah also sustained a cut on the right eye in that round.
“Judah staggered Cotto in the 7th with more uppercuts. In the 9th Judah took a knee after Cotto gave him a whacking in the corner. In round 11 the accumulation of Cotto’s punches put Judah down for an eight-count. The referee stopped it at 49 seconds into the 11th. Judah gave an excellent, super fight!”
O.R. probably would have given a more detailed account except he had some ‘problems’.
“Enough rambling from this end. Off to the TQ to try and mend some fences that were broken when your manservant told the TQ girls that I said they couldn’t dance, even if someone put fire ants in their panties.”
For readers of this column in America, the fight will be replayed tomorrow on HBO. The ‘Flying Frog’ hit it out of the park when he ended with, “Cotto is a true champion for me and a very nice guy as well.”
That’s true but this fight will only enable Cotto’s critics to point out that no one has had this much trouble with Judah. Neither Carlos Baldomir nor Floyd Mayweather jr. had any trouble handling either Judah’s power or speed. Cotto’s ability to take a punch has been questioned and those questions still remain. Hard to believe that Judah is a better fighter than when he was destroyed by Kostya Tszyu or lost to Cory Spinks.
This fight may have been Judah’s Alamo, (clever reference to Pernell Whitaker beating JC Chavez in the Alamo Dome only to get robbed of the win back in 1993), or showed that unlike a painting by Rembrandt, Cotto has some flaws. As Mom use to say: “Use pays your money and takes your choice.”
Jeeves, if I told you that the WBC had named Jermain Taylor ‘Boxer of the Month’ for his win over Cory Spinks and that Kelly Pavlik was runner up, what would you say?
‘Your Lordship, I would then reckon that using the same rules you are the best boxing writer in the world, the next great Bolshoi Diva will come from the line of either the TQ or Tiffany’s, pigs are flying, the cow jumped over the moon and we had best get into the lager, cigars and music a bit early this week as the world has gone crazy.’