‘The Mountain’ provides a tough challenge

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, June 11,
Mountain Shadow, Medal
Monday, and the Bunker Boys played a Medal competition at Mountain Shadow which is always a stiff test for golfers at the best of times - and today proved to be no exception.

Lee Butler wins a ‘near pin’ prize at last.
Paul Smith and Eddie Martin had the best rounds to win with two-over par net 74’s with John McDonald claiming third place with a net 75.
Near pin prizes were won by Paul Smith, John McDonald and William Macey made up for his miserable round by winning the other two.
Friday, June 15,
Green Valley, Medal
Wednesday’s Stableford competition at Pattana Golf and Sports Resort was abandoned due to a menacing thunder and lightning storm half way around the course but there was no problems with the Medal comp held at Green Valley on Friday, June 15.
On another course that is always a tough challenge when playing Medal, we had a three-way tie for first place between Stan Kure, Eddie Martin and John McDonald who all shared the honours with one over par net 73’s.
Near pins were claimed by Alan Freeman, John McDonald, Geoff Hart and Lee Butler who made up for the one that got away on Wednesday at Pattana because of the cancellation!

Am leads the way at Khao Kheow

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

Monday, June 11, Khao Kheow, Stableford
With the dreaded journey ahead, there were a few moans from some of the older generation (no names mentioned) and they decided to miss out on this lovely course. The journey there and back up the ‘7’ was no problem whatsoever, so it was well worth it.
It was certainly worth it for Mikael Andersson as he recorded two 2’s in division 1 and Jack Hinchey also birdied the par 3 third on the C course in division 2.
In the Stableford competition Paddy Wilson’s 34 points just beat Dave Richards by one to take first prize. In the second division and in top form lately, Miss Am’s 39 points easily beat Bev Ewens into second place with an eight-point gap. I think she will be heading into division 1 next week.
Miss Am also got a ‘nearest the pin’ prize, as did Tony Sawyer and Mikael Andersson.
Wednesday, June 13, Bangpra, Stableford
A larger turnout than Monday for this ever-popular venue and more or less the same sort of distance away.
It was a very hot and humid front nine holes for our six groups but the wind got up, the clouds stated to bubble up in the distance and the thunder started in the background, but we were lucky as we missed it all.
Some good scores were coming in, with Burnie Sinclair’s 37 points winning division 2. Ken Foster’s 33 beat Joe Kubon on count back (16/15) to take second place.
In the premier division and trying hard to get down to a six handicap, Dave Richards scored 38 points to take first place, beating Ted Morris by three points and two points further behind with 33 was Les Hall in third.
‘Nearest the pins’ went to Ken Foster and Stuart Solaman in div 2 and Dave Richards the only winner in div 1.
From now on there will be two prizes on each par three for the two divisions to be won. Ted Morris and Jim Lane both got two’s on the 12th hole but there was no winner in division two.
Friday, June 15, Eastern Star, Stableford
Another very hot day here and still a lot of complaints regarding the state of the greens, even after a slight improvement from the previous Friday.
Our no frills day with just the two-divisional Stableford competition.
An amazing 31 points took podium position in division two for Peter Marsh who beat Dave Ross with a 19/17 count back. In third place with 30 points was Ken Foster.
There were slightly higher scores in division 1 with Ted Morris winning with 34 points, just beating Andy Mills by one point and in third on 31 was Tom Sathrum.
Jomtiem Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Paweenas in Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd. Tee off time is normally around 10.30am and Friday is always 9.30am at Eastern Star. Please sign up in the bar or ring Glyn on 086 837 5464.

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Action moves to the boardroom as season ends

We sign off this week for a well-earned summer break, but not before the second instalment of our Quotes of the Season.
Not that there really is a post-season break as far as the football news goes. Cheered on from the sidelines by Tom Cruise, David Beckham finished his four-year stint in Spain by clinching a La Liga winner’s medal on Sunday as his Real Madrid side beat Mallorca 3-1 to pip Barcelona for the title. It was the former England captain’s first piece of silverware for the club and a finish fit for his new Hollywood home.
Now that the league football really is over, media attention turns to transfer speculation and money matters. As much as I love a transfer rumour and would love to speculate over the potential moves likely to take place this summer, the 2006/07 season will be remembered for the arrival of the serious money in the Premiership.
That depends on your definition of ‘serious money’, of course, but with Premiership sides increasingly being snapped up by every billionaire worth his salt there’s no denying that something is definitely afoot. And instead of the Jack Walker local-boy-made-good type that simply wants to invest in his local side, those now taking over Premiership clubs seem to have no connection with the sides they’re purchasing.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Vila are now in the hands of US businessmen and a certain Russian is still pulling the strings at Chelsea, whilst Newcastle were recently sold to an English billionaire. Toon fans might celebrate that fact, but with no previous allegiance to the club or even to the North East, is there any difference between him and the nasty foreigners?
A certain former Thai Prime Minister is still attempting to make a move on Manchester City and even Birmingham look likely to be bought in the coming weeks by Hong Kong based businessman Carson Yeung. Heck, even Blackpool are now owned by a Lithuanian with deep pockets.
Where will this frenzied buying lead to, and what will happen when the money men move onto other investments? With the average Premiership salary having reached over a million pounds per season for the first time ever, it’s clear that an awful lot of people are getting rich extremely quickly, but at what price?
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling as if we’re reaching a turning point sometime soon. Our television screens are already saturated with Premiership football throughout the season, and for the average fan I can’t see how paying everyone twice as much is going to improve matters. So while I’ll be keeping on eye on the world’s favourite division next year I’ll also hope to catch more decent football in the other, less commercial divisions. And one thing’s for sure, I won’t be paying for replica shirts to line any billionaire’s pockets.
Quotes of the
Season, Part Two
“I feel like a badger at the start of the mating season. I don’t know if you know anything about badgers, but they have to wait a very long time for the season to start and then they get two weeks to do all their mating. You can imagine what a badger feels like then - even the females can’t wait for it! That’s how I feel now. I’m absolutely chuffed to bits” - Plymouth boss Ian Holloway discusses qualification for the FA Cup Sixth Round.
“Did you used to play for Barcelona? Because that’s not Barcelona football” - Cesc Fabregas reacquaints Blackburn manager Mark Hughes with how things are done in Spain..
“Managers need to cool down, they’re all getting stressed for no reason, it’s just a game of football. It’s not difficult to do, I’m quite a cool dude really” - Roy Keane.
“I think Jose should button his lip until the end of the season because he is the last person to start talking about referees. His football club have been involved in so many things with referees over the last couple of years. It seems to me if you contest against Chelsea and they don’t get their own way, then something happens either with referees or players threatened or things like that. There is plenty to talk about with Jose and referees and Chelsea and referees. We have a big file” - Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Why should I shut up? I’m not allowed to talk about referees, but he was allowed to do it for the last 20 years of his career. What would he say if Chelsea win a match with a penalty, like they did at Middlesbrough and Tottenham, or the penalty they got in the first minute against Portsmouth?” – Jose Mourinho responds.
“We don’t complain about referees here” - Gareth Southgate.
“We were robbed. That is the second time this season that referee has ruined a game for me. He totally spoilt the night. I am almost speechless that something like that can happen. With one decision, he took our dream away. Never in a million years would Manchester United concede a penalty like that at Old Trafford. If the same situation occurs at the other end in the replay, I would put my house on us not getting the decision” – Southgate’s employee George Boateng.
“Extra time probably came at the wrong time for us” - Mark Hughes.
“I’m very confident I’ll be here next year, because I honestly don’t think there’s a better man for my job” - Stuart Pearce.
“The tactics board has had a karate kick on a couple of occasions, and now the board has been replaced” - Sunderland goalkeeper Darren Ward on Roy Keane’s management.
“Football is made up of subjective feeling, of suggestion and, in that, Anfield is unbeatable. Put a s**t hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it’s a work of art. It’s not - it’s a s**t hanging from a stick” - Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano gives his take on Liverpool’s style.
“Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way football is going. They are very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical and very direct. But a short pass? No. A feint? No. A change of pace? No. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don’t be ridiculous, there is none of that. The extreme control and seriousness with which both teams played the semi-final neutralised any creative licence, any moments of exquisite skill” – Valdano continues.
“Those who did not have the talent to make it as players do not believe in the talent of players. They do not believe in the ability to improvise in order to win football matches. In short, Benitez and Mourinho are exactly the kind of coaches that Benitez and Mourinho would have needed to have made it as players” - yes, it’s Senor Valdano again.
“I know there will be a lot of fans who would love Neil Warnock as their club’s next boss” – Neil Warnock
“His balls are fantastic” - John Terry praises David Beckham
“He said he would take Leeds United out of the Championship when he arrived - and he has” - Ex-Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner pays tribute to Ken Bates.
See you in a few weeks.

St Andrews - a hit with Bert’s golfers

PSC golf from Tropical Berts

Tuesday, June 12,
St Andrews,
Stableford
This course is becoming a regular in our ‘Low Season’ bookings. After last month’s round it was a unanimous decision to play it again this month - the question was, how would it stand up to a second visit?

First and second at St. Andrews: Perry McNeely (right) and Mashi Kenata.

The day started as normal with the players meeting at Bert’s, into cars and a drive up to the course. Being fairly close to Pattaya, it was not a rush to get away, however we arrived in nice time and were soon in carts and at the first tee. This being a quiet time, when we were there, we were off straight away.
The course at St Andrews can be daunting, and indeed a warning is given that players over 18 handicap may find it too tough. Our players in that category however said they found the course a pleasure to play, and would play it again.
As like last month, the layout proved to be in fine condition and the greens were probably even better. However, this course is a tough one; hit the ball straight and you get a good result, off line and you can be up to your neck in snakes and alligators.
Round over and we were soon sat in Bert’s waiting for the results. The winner with a fine 40 points, and playing some excellent golf, was Perry McNeely, with Mashi Kenata second on 39 points and Derek Brook third with 38 points.
A good day’s golf and we shall be back.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Mick O’Meara, Gareth Weeks, Derek Brook, Chris Youngman
Long Put: Colin Cronin, Daryl Evans

Dean & Bowers shoot 61

Phoenix Golf Club Members Group

Mike Gerrard
Wednesday June 13,
Two-ball scramble
The whole of the course (Mountain and Lakes being our challenge for the day) has now been renovated from the bashing it got during the high season and in a couple of weeks, when the greens have finally returned to tip top condition, this course is going to be as good as anywhere.

The winners of this month’s 2-ball scramble celebrate their victories.

The flights for the day were sectioned off between men and ladies, so once again many prizes were handed out.
For the Ladies the inevitable happened, with Prakong Robinson and Mayo Deane proving far to powerful for the rest and winning comfortably with a net 64.6 (we make them play off the yellow tees on the par 3’s as well)
In the Men’s section the winners were another formidable team: Bob Deane and Geoff Bowers coming in with a superb net 61 (some questions asked there). In second place was the team of Brendon Kelly and Paul Smith with net 64 and third was the unpronounceable team of David Czerniejewski and Richard Tzereskieviche with a net 65.8.
Technical awards went to Norm Robinson, Prakong Robinson, Geoff Bowers, Paul Smith, Richard Tzereskieviche and Bob Deane.
With Yang going out first as a two-ball and then waiting patiently for 90 minutes for the rest of the field to come in, we decided he deserved something for his efforts so a token prize of a ball and bag of tees went to him.
Next Wednesday, June 27, will be a monthly medal (Mug) competition and the men will play from the Blue tees and the ladies from Yellows -but to include playing the par 3’s from the White tees. Sign up in advance is advised as we are getting busy. Call myself, Mike Gerrard on 087 091 7565.

Steve makes his mark

PSC golf from the PJ Pool Bar

Thursday’s winners (L-R): Ed Horrocks, Jeff Wylie, Steve Black and Bob Pearce.

David Gardner
Tuesday June 12, Khao Kheow Stableford
1st Jeff Wylie (9) 34pts c/b
2nd Peter Mills (25) 34pts
3rd Keith Hodges (25) 26 pts
Near Pins: Ed Horrocks, Jeff Wylie, Mick Heatley, Ray Allison
Long Putt: Ray Allison
We don’t play Khao Kheow in the ‘High Season’ as the prices charged are higher than many of our regulars are prepared to play. This time of year is different and we can play one or two of these courses each month.
We played the B and C nines from the yellow tees and although only 6,400 yards, it seemed longer. The course was in excellent condition and a pleasure to play, but the night before there were thunderstorms and heavy rain, therefore no run, heavy rough and it wasn’t easy. Everyone agreed though that it was well worth coming so we will put it in the schedule on a regular basis during the low season.
Only twelve players took part, some perhaps deterred by the appalling traffic on the motorway but it wasn’t too bad. Scoring was not good with only two players making more than thirty points. The old adage of never give up was never more clearly proved than today with Keith Hodges taking third place with 26 points!
Jeff Wylie’s game continues to recover, taking first place narrowly on count back from Peter Mills, both players with 34 points.
Thursday June 14, Plutaluang S&E, Stableford
1st Steve Black (27) 38pts
2nd Jeff Wylie (9) 36pts
3rd Bob Pearce (10) 33pts c/b
4th Ed Horrocks (30) 33pts
Near Pins: Bruce Lawrence, Keith Hodges, Barry Quirk
Long Putt: Bruce Lawrence
We have been playing Plutaluang every Thursday for over three months and it has been a popular fixture. Fifteen players turned out today to tackle the South and East course - slightly less demanding than North and West but certainly no pushover.
Scores were much better than last week, reflecting both the difficulty of the course and its playing condition. The fairways have recovered well after the recent wet weather and although the greens were as tricky as ever, there were fewer comments about three-putting and poor chipping.
Steve Black has been playing with us for a month while on holiday and has finally acclimatised to the conditions; he hit an excellent 38 points to take first place. Jeff Wylie took second with 36 points and Bob Pearce, last week’s winner, beat Ed Horrocks on count back to take third with 33 points.
Although our Thursday meetings at Navy have proved successful, there has been a call for more variation. In July we will be playing Plutaluang on alternate Thursdays and one of the other southern courses on the other days. Check the schedule for July and you will see Emerald and Eastern Star as well as Plutaluang on Thursday.

Mission successful for Beaupre

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Sunday, June 10, the Pattaya Golf Society visited Plutaluang to play its popular Sunday Stableford event over the tough North and West nines, on a very hot and sultry day. Pleasantly, the course was a lot less full than on previous visits and with a quality field representing eight different nations the scene was set for an interesting competition.
The greens are improving after the remedial coring and sanding work of late and for the grafters on show the rewards were many.
Sharing third place were Scotsman Craig Boyd and Canadian Rick Schramm with their 34-point scores reflecting their abilities to “manage” the course.
Taking his first podium place since his recent return from UK, in second position, was Chris Hardy and his level par 36 points was an appropriate reward for some strong play.
Heading the leaderboard was another Canadian, Brian Beaupre, on leave from his diplomatic mission in Hong Kong, and his relief at being on a real golf course, instead of a crowded HK driving range, was evident for all to see as he took the win in fine style with 38 points. His gross score of 76 was a splendid effort on his first visit to the course.
There was a dearth of birdie 2’s and sympathy can only go out to Tony Kitchen, who loves the course but was unable to play as a result of a rib injury. He bit his lip, paid the course fee and joined the lads as a spectator, whilst later savouring the ‘Booby Bevy’ by way of compensation. His smile was almost as broad as that of the winner Brian Beaupre.
Deja vue
at Green Valley
On Tuesday, June 12, the Pattaya Golf Society left the OK Corral bound for the challenge of a stableford round at Green Valley on a hot day with the course improving well after the rigours of the high season. The fairways are thickening up and the greens are well on the way to their racing best.
The field was cut at nineteen and under and with the inclusion of some low handicappers, currently in-form, the day was set for some excellent golf.
The “B” Flight struggled in the heat and John Schroeder joined Gilles Akoum on 29 points for a surprising second place, a handful of points behind the flight winner, Ray Underwood, whose 34 points was continuing his run of consistent scores.
The top flight saw the same three candidates from the previous outing take the top three places. Chris Hardy posted another fine 36 points, this time for third place, just one behind an improved effort from Rick Schramm whose second place 37 marked a good day’s work.
Heading the field was Brian Beaupre again. His eye-opening forty points included a first nine 35 “off the sticks” and he only dropped three shots on the in-run to give him the day’s best gross of 74. Brian’s inevitable birdie ‘2’ was joined by those of Chris Hardy, Bill Hewitt, David Thomas and Carl Lovatt for a diminutive share of a substantial 2’s pot.
Stuart Thompson kindly celebrated his birthday with the presentation of “Near Pins” to Brian Beaupre (two), Carl Lovatt and Chris Hardy and Paul Quodomine’s generous cordon bleu efforts went to Graham Jamieson for his longest successful putt on the eighteenth.
French chef Jean Morel eagerly tasted the ‘Booby Bevy’ after his nine hole, nine-point run mid-round and even he could not but smile at the way the golfing day had gone.
Phoenix joy for Hardy and Boyd
It was that time of the month again when the Pattaya Golf Society chose Phoenix as the venue for its monthly distraction on Thursday, June 14; this time a two-ball scramble over the Mountain and Lakes nines.
The day was fine and hot and the course was in excellent condition as the ten teams set out.
Making an early impact was the inveterate pairing of Mikael Andersson and friend “Kermit” and they had already chipped three shots of the gross, including two fine birdie 2’s, before reaching the Lakes nine. Their back nine gave them a best gross total of 67 but their meagre handicap saw this rounded down to net 63 for fourth place.
Regular scramblers Roy Thornton and Rick Holmes saw their efforts stutter with two bogeys on the back nine but their total net 62.6 was good enough for third place.
In second was the pairing of Emiel van der Wiele and Umalai “Ton” Chaysa and only monstrous putting errors on the final two holes put paid to their chances in an otherwise faultless net 60.8.
The winning team of Craig Boyd and Chris Hardy thoroughly earned their victory with one-under gross figures for each nine and their handicap allowance of ten saw the total reduced to net 60. For Chris it was the culmination of a fine week’s golf, following excellent performances earlier in the week.
The 2’s pot was shared by Len Jones, John Schroeder, Yukio Kikuchi, Kaneo Watanabe and the aforementioned prizewinners and the ‘Booby Bevy’ followed tradition by going to the pairing of Paul Quodomine and Keith Barr for the highest score of the day. The appeal of a scramble still gives golfers a splendid day on the course.

Tewin is the ‘Tops’

PSC golf from the Bowling Green

Barry Hooper
Tuesday, June 12, Plutuluang, Stableford
1st Bruce Lawrence (11) 36pts,
2nd Akitosho Ito (11) 34pts c/b
3rd Frank Kelly (15) 34pts
4th Tewin Lamthong (19) 33pts
Near Pins: Derek Frank (2) Takeshi Hakozaki
2’s: Tewin Lamthong, Takeshi Hakozaki and Frank Farrell
Thursday, June 14, Khao Kheow, Stableford
1st Tewin Lamthong 41pts
2nd Harvey Samuel (18) 37pts
3rd Amphan North (19) 36pts
4th Somkin Bunseim (27) 33pts
5th Derek Eastham (13) 33pts
Near Pins: Frank Kelly, Tony Geeland, Joe Kubon, Amphan North.
2’s: Tewin Lamthong, Joe Kubon, Dennis Stepura
Saturday, June 16, Eastern Star,
Stableford
1st Tewin Lamthong 36pts
2nd Liam Ormsby (15) 35pts
3rd Frank Kelly (13) 35pts
4th Rick Scramm (13) 34pts
2’s: None
Near Pins: Tewin Lamthong, Liam Ormsby
In many a group of golfers you will often here comment regarding the inclusion of women in club events. Some want all men events - others are happy for ladies to be included. At the Bowling Green we are always happy for anyone to take part and we have had many ladies join us, but one has been really making her mark over the last twelve months and in particular during the last month.

Saturday winners: Frank Kelly, Tewin Lamthong and Liam Ormsby.
I am referring to Tewin Lamthong (Poopay) who only began playing the game a year ago with a starting handicap of 40. Her handicap is now down to 17 having been cut by 7 over the past two weeks. Despite this she just keeps on winning. Having had only a fourth place on Tues she promptly followed this up with wins at Khao Kheow on Thursday by four points from Harvey Samuel and at Eastern Star on Saturday by six points from Liam Ormsby. Congratulations Poopay keep it coming.
On a lighter front you may have heard of aprés Ski, well we also have aprés Golf. An example of this was to be witnesses at Eastern Star on Saturday when Walter Baechli was seen wearing a bright pair of silk shorts bringing new fashion to the game. What will we see next?
The other development on the fashion front was to see Poopay, who is usually seen playing in trousers, playing in a very pretty skirt. Maybe this is her secret winning weapon?
Our organiser Fergus has returned from his trip back to the UK and whilst there had a hole-in-one, his first in forty six years of playing the game. To celebrate he promptly rang the bell for all present at the club on Thursday. He also offered his thanks to Alan, Derek and Barry for holding the fort whilst he was away and running club events.
The visit to Eastern Star on Saturday was to be the last for some months due to conditions offered not being conducive with the needs of the club and a new venue for the Saturday outings is being arranged.
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 Bowling Green 038-720742 or send an email to [email protected].

Café Ole and Café Kronborg move up the standings

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers – Teuvo, Mai, Dang & Bill.

Three Sisters, led by Teuvo’s 214 game and 554 series, took three points from first place team Brother D. Ooy rolled a 519 series for Brother D.
Montana won three points from second place Beaver Bar & Grill and Montana moved from sixth to fifth place. Café Ole moved up from fourth to third place after taking three points from Mai’s Thai Restaurant.
Café Ole got good bowling from all of their team with Morn bowling a 522 series, Lada had a 527 and Christian a 518-pin count. Café Kronborg moved up to fourth place after winning all four points from VFW Post 9876.
Mai knocked down 519 pins to lead Jack & Tar to a three-point win over Diamond Shop. Dang had a 521 series for Diamond Shop.

Phoenix shows its teeth

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, June 11, Khao Kheow, Stableford
The Khao Kheow B & C layouts were host to a Stableford competition in two flights with the cut at Handicap 19. The course was in fine shape but the greens are still under renovation.

Graham Buckingham, Thursday’s winner at Phoenix.
As is usual the course won the day, with only one golfer on Handicap or better: Marie Rowles took the A Flight with 37 points ahead of Doug Good in second with 33 points on a count back from Gene Rooney in third.
Henk De Bock took the B Flight with 32 points ahead of Kevin Dinan in second with 29 points and Jay Perrin in third with 28 points.
Thursday, June 14, Phoenix, Stableford
This course, now not only a very scenic and picturesque one, is also earning a reputation of being rather difficult. Now if you had asked a few years ago most players would have said it was a pretty course for an easy day out, but now it is tough!
The test on the day was to be Mountains and Lake ‘Nines’, and a tough test it turned out to be. This was shown in the scores, and it was interesting to note that nobody broke their handicap.
The winner was Graham Buckingham with 36 points; in second was Ebrahim with 35 points, third was Bob Nelson with 34 points, in fourth was Koji Yamada with 32 points and in fifth was Derek Brook with 31 points.
T.T.F.N.

Mike & Kew take the honours

I.P.G.C. golf with the caddy shack

Tuesday, June 12, Phoenix, Stableford
Stableford was the format over the Mountain and Lakes courses at local favourite Phoenix golf club on a very hot day. The course was in excellent condition and relatively empty.
Old friend Paul Butler made a welcome return, after being injured for several months, and came second with 33 points, edging out Kieron Keogh on count back. Mark Harrison took the day’s honours with a level par 36-points.
There were two 2’s by Frazer Kearsley and Mark Harrison to share the pot.
Friday, June 15, The Emerald,2-Man Better Ball
A 2-Man Better Ball was the competition of choice at the Emerald, on a course that was in good condition but with some of the pins in frightening positions.
In joint third came Chris Platen & Warren Maxwell and Ramsey Smith & Roger Moore, both teams scoring 40 points apiece but with the former taking the count back.
Second position went to Phil Mitchell & Geoff King with 41 points and the winners were Kenneth Andersen & Mike Allidi on 42 points.
Near pins were sponsored by the Caddy Shack and the winners were Dave Strang, Dean Rae & two from Phil Mitchell.
Not surprisingly with the pin position, there was only one ‘2’ and Paul Smith managed to take the pot for himself.
The Friday format of team games appears to be a great success and if you have a team just put your names on the signup sheet at the Caddy Shack. Everyone welcome.

Ned Kelly rides into town

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, June 11,
Bangpra, Stableford
1st Shane Heavey 44pts
2nd Mark Woods 38pts c/b
3rd Takeshi Hakozaki 38pts
4th Kenny Priddy 37pts
Bangpra with slow greens is a much easier proposition than when they are at their usual speed. With the recent rains the green staff had been unable to cut them down to the normal length, which made putting almost a straightforward job, and that was reflected in the general scoring.
Even so Shane Heavey’s remarkable score was streets ahead of the chasing pack as everything went down the middle and putts dropped in from all angles and distances.
Mark Woods thought that he would be sitting on the top of the winners’ list with what would normally be considered a good return at Bangpra, but he had to be satisfied with second place ahead of Takeshi Hakozaki on count back. Kenny Priddy took the final slot on the podium with a very steady one under handicap.
Takeshi Hakozaki had the only ‘2’ in the first division and Shane Heavey the same in the second division.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed back Rodney Nabbe.
Wednesday, June 13,
Greenwood, Stableford
1st Shane Heavey 43pts
2nd Fred Land 42pts
3rd Brian Libbey 39pts c/b
4th Alan Griffiths 39pts c/b
Shane Heavey was once again out in front but this time only by a single shot as Fred Land started to fulfill his agent’s promises with an outstanding six-under, which would normally have been good enough but, with Shane in such rampant form, it was second place only.
Brian Libbey and Alan Griffiths, both recently much improved, had to be separated by count back for third and fourth places and with Brian firing a gross 38 on the back, Alan had to settle for last spot on the podium.
With so many good cards on a course that gave up too many scoring opportunities, it was no surprise that the CSS on the day went down to 71.
Brian Libbey and Trevor Schirmer shared the 2’s pool in the first division whilst Alan Griffiths had the lone one in the second division.
Back at the Haven before the presentations, The Doc welcomed back Ned Kelly after his outstanding round on Monday. In his defence, he said he was only showing off to his brother. After a quick vote it was decided to award a special reduction for Friday’s competition to try and get his handicap to somewhere in line with his current playing ability with his brother watching.
Friday, June 15,
Plutaluang, Stableford
1st Pierre Bietry 39pts
2nd Lenard Commons 36pts c/b
3rd Alan Griffiths 36pts
4th Yasuo Suzuki 35pts
5th Barry Traynor 35pts
Pierre Bietry, making one of his infrequent visits, made sure of a happy return as he shot three under his handicap to record his first win out of The Haven by a clear three from newcomer Lenard Commons.
Lenard in turn took second from the in-form Alan Griffiths with a much superior back nine as Alan tired over the last two holes.
Yasuo Suzuki, shrugging off the pressures of running the current “Yayuka Tours” trip which includes everything from driving the transport, organizing the food and beverages and looking after the finances, did just enough to secure fourth place by virtue of a better inward nine over Barry Traynor.
After the recent surgery, Ned found it difficult to recreate the fireworks of earlier in the week and had to content himself with a nice few beers instead, whilst explaining to Yasuo where his home club is situated and how to join.
Barry Traynor slipped in his usual ‘2’ in the first division and Mark Woods had the only one in the second division.
Prior to the prize giving Yukio Kikuchi, Kaneo Watanabe, Walter Baechli and Pierre Bietry were welcomed back together with new member Lenard Commons.

Hoare has way with Medal field

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, June 10, Green Valley –
White Tees,
Monthly Medal
A Flight
1st Steve Mascari (6) net 67
2nd Rick Holmes (8) net 70
3rd Nick Strasshine (5) net 71
B Flight
1st Bill Broschart (16) net 67
2nd Ian Grout (13) net 68
3rd Roy Thornton (14) net 71
C Flight
1st Alec Hoare (20) net 61
2nd Ken Kutzing (20) net 70
3rd Loz Shaw (21) net 72
Near Pins: #2 Gareth Gill; #9 Kris Ktirsanajootha, #12 Kris Ktirsanajootha; #16 Ken Kutzing
2’s: Nick Strasshine, Kris Kritsanajootha, Klaus Schackt, Trudy Chadbourn.
Non-counting 2: Alec Hoare
Alec Hoare blew away every Tom, Dick and Harry in the Monthly Medal field with a record net 61. Alec who is no stranger to the winner’s podium has never posted a truly low score, typically placing, when he does at or around his handicap. Whatever back-up he was saving boiled over as he set the all-time low Monthly Medal score, eclipsing the 62’s of Paul “Spot the Dog” Ovens back in December. Alec’s score clearly lead the way in C Flight as fine second and third place efforts by K4 and Loz Shaw nearly went by unnoticed.
Without tapping the vast resources of Elias Sport Information it can safely be said that the net 67 brought in by Billy Broschart would have been enough to win most of the Monthly Medals competed over the last eight years, but alas, on this record-breaking Sunday it was only good for first place in B Flight.
Before you shed too many tears for Billy, how about a thought for The Tile who received only B Flight’s second place loot for his net 68. Roy Thornton, MBE, was one under his handicap in capturing the Flight’s bronze and then only after a brutal count back with The Man of Leisure.
The ol’ President, who won May’s Medal, sent his name to the wall again, this time as the Monthly Medal’s Low Gross with a gross 73. That, when his 6 handicap was subtracted, also provided him a net 67 good for A Flight first. That was three clear of Rick Holmes who made it two A Flight silvers in two consecutive Sundays. Big Nicky Strasshine counted back Blackpool Steve for the Flight’s third place.
Tuesday, June 12, Laem Chabang - Blue or White Tees, Stableford
Blue Flight
1st Jim Brackett (6) 35pts
2nd Steve Mascari (6) 34pts
3rd Kris Kritsanajootha (90) 33pts
White Flight
1st Matt “Ernie” McInerney (19) 40pts
2nd John Hillier (15) 38pts
3rd Peirre Beitry (20) 36pts
2’s: Blues: Steve Mascari, Phil Mitchell. Whites: John Hilier, Colin Davis, Charles Sheppard, Eddy Beilby, Don Lehmer
Ernie McInerny started a nice run under the radar of the handicap chairman as he took White Flight gold with 40 points. Nice Guy Johnny was two back at 38 and Monsieur Pierre a count back winning third with 36. That count back victory came at the expense of the Spencer Davis Group. The Spencer Davis Group are not the people that brought you the hit “I’m a Man” but rather the combine of The Donkey and Gen. Black Jack.
In the Bomber Flight, Jimbo Brackett edged playing partner, The Pres., by a single painful point to take the top step. Kris Krits tidied up the podium, but one more point adrift.
Wednesday, June 13, Crystal Bay C & A –
White Tees,
Stableford
A Flight
1st Sean McGuiness (14) 43pts
2nd Paul Shaw (11) 40pts
B Flight
1st Matt “Ernie” McInerney (19) 41pts
2nd Eddy Beilby (16) 39pts
2’s: Ken Anderson, Ray Dell, Eddy Beilby
Sean McGuiness, one of three of the McGuiness clan to descend upon the Society this week, topped out A Flight and the day with 43 points. The Shack’s Paul Shaw came second with 40.
Ernie, as he did last Wednesday, and again yesterday, took the top spot in B Flight, this time with 41. The Man of Leisure followed him in with a fine 39 points.
Friday, June 15, Eastern Star –
White Tees,
2-Person Scramble Stroke/Medal
1st John Emmerson & Matt “Ernie” McInerney (10.0) net 62
2nd Jeremy Masse & Brian Wilkinson (8.6) net 63.4
3rd John Edwards & Stan Dismuke (11.6) net 63.0
John Emmerson, nobody’s fool (well pretty near nobody’s) knew a hot horse when he saw it and signed up Ernie for the week’s end Scramble. The betting line proved true as they took the top prize with net 62.0.
Jeremy “The Shot” Masse teamed with Wireless, and a count back, to take the silver from the grasp of new comer John Edwards and Jeremy’s sidekick, Stan ‘The Pukie” Dismuke. (Mind you, that nickname was chosen only for its rhyming qualities and in no way infers that Stan is given to the Technicolor Yawn.)
Scribe’s Note: Due to the procrastination of this Scribe last week, is another untold success story for a horse out of the Richard Livingston teaching stable. Eddy ‘The Man of Leisure’, who is constantly improving, hit every golfer’s dream, as he canned his tee shot on the 8th of Pete Dye’s C Course. As a reward, Eddy was handed a large bar bill. People showed up that we hadn’t see in years.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

Due to space constraints last week, neither the Humberto Soto nor the Julio Cesar Chavez jr. bouts were covered. The less interesting of the two is Chavez jr. Like his Pop before him, ‘Junior’ has built his early record of ’32 and naught’ against what former boxer Greg Haugen would call “Tijuana Taxi Drivers that his Mom could whip.”
Those comments were made about the senior Chavez’s record before Haugen fought him for the WBC lightweight title in Mexico. That fight, held in the Azteca Stadium on February 20, 1993 drew a crowd of 132,247 and saw Haugen totally outclassed before being stopped in 5.
Asked about his pre fight comments Haugen said, “I stand by them. My Mom is pretty tough!”
The last fight for Chavez sr. was against Grover Wiley in 2005. The fight ended after 5 with Wiley the winner. O.R. Cross, Pattaya’s Bon Vivant and boxing expert, explains how Julio Cesar Chavez, jr. avenged the loss his father had against Grover Wiley (39-10).
“Chavez jr. took Wiley out in the 3rd with a series of left hooks to the body that he learned from his father. He also put him down in the 1st with that same famous Chavez left hook to the body. This win now makes him 32 and 0 with 25 KO’s but like you say, ‘What’s been the competition?’ They have brought him along carefully and he is probably not ready for the likes of Arturo Gatti.”
The Gatti fight by the way is penciled in for November.
Promoter Buffalo Bob Arum put out the word before his win that Humberto Soto “might” be in line for a Manny Pacquiao fight. Soto dropped Bobby Pacquiao twice on the way to a 7th round KO.
O.R continued, “Soto and Pacquiao put on the second best fight of the evening. Though Pacquiao lost the contest, he proved that he can fight and may just be a tad below his brother in skills. There are a lot of guys out there that Bobby Pacquiao could probably beat but Soto was just a little too much. Now let’s see if brother Manny can get a chance to avenge his brother against Soto.”
After the fight Manny Pacquiao seemed to agree: “If I was there facing him it would have been a different result. Maybe it’s time we face each other and see what stuff he’s made of,” said Pacquiao.
Couple of problems even though it would be a big gate; firstly promoter Bob Arum may not want to risk his “ATM” Manny Pacquiao against someone with the power and skills of Soto. Arum is always very protective of his fighters with the motto of “maximize money while minimizing risk.”
There is also the possibility that Arum may not have the promotional rights to Pacquiao as the dispute between Arum and Golden Boy Promotions is due to be arbitrated soon in court. Should Golden Boy win the rights to promote Pacquiao, they have multiple options with WBC super-featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, WBO 130lb king Joan Guzman, or three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera in their stable of boxers.
Would Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya cut Top Rank and Arum out of a big fight and a pay day? In a New York minute, which like in Tel Aviv is only 58 seconds long.
Another minor problem has cropped up; prior to the Soto - Pacquiao fight Bob Arum made an offer to Joan Guzman. In a statement from the Guzman camp, that offer was accepted.
“We haven’t out-priced ourselves, we have agreed to the terms that Top Rank has presented us with last Wednesday and we are ready and willing to take on Pacquiao whenever he pleases.”
Promoter Arum is faced with a real dilemma - even if he does keep the promotional rights to Pacquiao. It’s been reported that for Pacquiao’s last fight against Jorge Solis he was paid US$5 million. Arum also did the ‘pay-per-view’ himself. To date we know that the crowd at the Alamodome was good but not great and the PPV numbers for the April fight have not yet been released. When a promoter doesn’t release PPV numbers it’s a sign that the fight bombed when the numbers were crunched.
Pacquiao hasn’t been seen on TV since last November and unlike love, in boxing “absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder.”
One that has felt Manny Pacquiao’s power is Thai, Wethya Sakmuangklaeng (86-4). He got knocked “cattywampus” in 2001. Since then he’s run off 31 straight wins which included a unanimous decision over Japan’s Kyohei Tamakoshi recently in Kobe.
Unbeaten WBO light-heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei (27-0) showed enough power to turn the lights out for George “Honey Boy” Blades in the 11th round in Budapest. It was a workmanlike performance that over powered Blades and forced Las Vegas referee Joe Cortez to stop things at the 2:27 mark.
A funny thing happened in Ankara last Sunday. The celebration of local hero heavyweight Sinan Samil Sam’s first fight in his adopted “home country” got derailed.
Sam, at 27-3, was a big favorite over Oliver McCall from the USA, who at 50-8 is considered by many to be playing life’s game with a deck of 51. (Yea, I know I stole that from the Statler Brothers hit “Flowers on the Wall”). Regardless, 51 was all McCall needed to win a unanimous decision over 12.
One of the judges, a pal of the Flying Frog by the name of Daneil Van de Wiele, had it 115-112, so that’s the way it was.
The win for McCall lets him get in line (according to the WBC) to face either Oleg Maskaev, Samuel Peter, Vitali Klitschko or a boxer ‘to be named later’. If post fight comments mean anything, and they usually don’t, the TBA is Sam.
“It was a tough fight,” said McCall. “Sam did not step back though he was seriously injured. I will give him a rematch wherever he wants, either Ankara or maybe Istanbul.”
There are some boxers that bring it all to the table each time out. Ricky “All Action” Hatton is one of those. Like most modern fighters his 40 and 0 record wasn’t built by beating super stars in every fight. What Hatton has done is beat everyone he’s faced and on that alone he’s one of the best.
Critics point out that Hatton’s biggest win, against Kostya Tszyu, might not have been what it seemed. Too many, in hindsight, say Tszyu was on the downside of the hill. Myself and Jeeves would suggest that Kostya wasn’t on the downside of the hill until he got taken to the woodshed by Hatton.
On Sunday in Las Vegas, Hatton squares off against Jose Luis Castillo (57-7-1). Castillo is predicting a KO, pointing out that his resume is built with better fighters and better wins. That would be all well and good except that most of it was in the past when names like Corrales, Mayweather jr. and Casamayor dotted the page. Last out Castillo looked ponderous against Herman Nqoudio (15-0) when he won a “questionable” split decision considering that two of the judges probably filled out their scorecards on the way to the venue.
“It was not the real Castillo out there,” said the fighter afterwards. “When I lost to Diego Corrales the first time, I re-grouped and beat him easily when we met again.”
It’s true that at 140lbs Castillo is probably a better fighter but 8,000 folks from the ‘Motha Country’ that are traveling to Vegas for the fight would disagree. Most will be booked on “economy trips” which will find them just off the famous Las Vegas strip, about 10 miles off, and burned lobster red within 6 hours of their arrival. That aside, after the fight they’ll be singing, “You’ll never walk alone” while celebrating with copious amounts of lager as they do a victory march down the Las Vegas Strip.
If boxing is serious about starting to clean up the sport, a crackdown on steroids would be a great way to start. James “Lights Out” Toney tested positive for Boldenone Metabolite and Stanozolol Metabolite after his May 24 fight against Danny Barchelder. Toney was suspended by the California Commission until May 22, 2008 and fined US$2,500.
Boldenone is an anabolic steroid developed primarily for horses, which in Toney’s case would work. He’s acting like the “north end of a horse going south.” If boxing was serious they’d ban him for life. Oh yes, his opponent Batchelder also tested positive and received the same fine and suspension.
“I say Your Lordship, after viewing the Zudah - Cotto fight on the telly have you changed your mind about it?”
Not really Jeeves. Judah fought the best fight of his life and Cotto’s motto should be “when in trouble, toss a punch south of the border.” In rounds 1 and 3 Cotto whacked Judah with low blows that sent him to the canvas writhing in pain. Judah does ‘writhing in pain’ really well. The second time he sounded like a bar girl after she’s just had a bar fine stolen.
Had to laugh though at referee Arthur Mercante jr., a really good guy, who told Judah, “Shake it off. You’re a champion. Now don’t retaliate.” Easy for him to say, he didn’t get whacked in the “whatevers.”
Ok Jeeves, it’s time for the lager, cigars and country music if you please.
“Right away, Your Lordship.”