HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Royal Selangor defeats Indonesia in final of Thai Polo Open 2008

Tom Breslin takes two

‘Happy days’ for Phonsie

Koji fires 45-pointer at Greenwood

Scott shows some style at Burapha

Dabanovich sparkles at Emerald

Generous Media support for UNICEF’S Child Protection Program

Mam’s day out

Mashi tops the leaderboard at Lakeside

Lennart shows his ‘Sunday Best’

The Beautiful Game?

Wylie takes the booty at Treasure Hill

Waltschek at the double

The Square Ring

Brendon has a ‘belter’ at Greenwood

A bumper harvest for the ‘Farmer in the Dell’

Trembath triumphs at Royal Lakeside

King Berger the best of the week

Powell powers through with 44 ‘big ones’

Lance bowls 614 series to lead VFW Post to four-point win

No repeat for Storm as Bert’s register first win

The Road to Super Bowl XLII – Part 2

Mam’s the word

Royal Selangor defeats Indonesia in final of Thai Polo Open 2008

The victorious Royal Selangor team raise the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup. Pictured from left are: Harald Link, C.E.O. of B.Grimm & Co., Peter Abiesheganaden, Dato Mohamed Moiz, Ms.Panida Nganthavee, Senior VP and Head of Representative Office, Credit Suisse, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Malaysia, H.R.H.Crown Prince Abdullah of Pahang, Malaysia, Shaik Reismann, Edham Shaharndin, Wolfgang Huppenbauer, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Ltd.

Staff reporters &
siampolonews.com
The Mercedes-Benz - Credit Swisse Thai Polo Open was an 8-10 goal handicap tournament held at the Thai Polo Club in Pattaya from 5-12 January 2008, and competing for the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup.
A total of seven teams took part in the tournament, namely Royal Selangor, Royal Pahang and Jogo Polo all from Malaysia, Hamburger Polo from Germany, Indonesia Polo Club, Singapore Polo Club and the local team, Thai Polo.

Some sartorial elegance is always a part of any Polo tournament.
This charity tournament was organized, as in previous years, by Mr. Harald Link, CEO of B.Grimm Group in order to raise funds for the Chitralada Vocational School Project of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and this year drew the largest number of entrants in the history of the event.
The teams played out a round-robin format over the course of three days until only four teams were left to contest the semi-finals last Thursday.
In the first semi-final, Indonesia scored a great victory over Singapore. The two teams were tied at 7 goals apiece going into the 4th chukka when a penalty put Indonesia one up. Estrada converted again for Indonesia and Federico replied for Singapore but it was too little too late as the final score remained at 9-8.
The second game saw Royal Selangor take on Thai Polo for a place in the final to face Indonesia. The Malaysian team started strongly and were 6-4 up at the end of the 3rd chukka. In the final chukka both teams swapped scores as Thailand fought desperately to narrow the gap, but when the final bell rang Royal Selangor were the winners by a 9-7 scoreline.
The final day, Saturday, January 12, was a fantastic day of polo and family entertainment. On the field, Singapore came out of the blocks early to defeat local favourites Thai Polo 4-2 in the third place playoff match. This then left the stage set for the afternoon final between Royal Selangor and Indonesia.
The final game was as close as they come with the ball changing directions constantly and free scoring from both teams. In the final minutes of the last chukka, Indonesia were trailing by just ½ a goal and Santiago for Indonesia had several good attempts at goal, but then Ed broke away and put the final goal away for Selangor, giving them an 8½-7 victory and the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup for 2008.
During the final day of the event, guests also enjoyed a variety of entertainment in a classic atmosphere specially designed for horse enthusiasts. In addition to the sporting spectacle, a buffet lunch was provided in the air-conditioned Marquee and the polo field itself was surrounded by fun-filled activities for all the family to enjoy.
Highlights included a Mercedes car show, kiddies pony rides, music by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, games with many prizes and the traditional stomping of the divots between chukkas. And before the curtain came down on this year’s tournament, guests not only witnessed the cup presentation to the Royal Selangor team but also enjoyed an outside dinner party as the sun slowly sank below the horizon to end a wonderful day and a wonderful week’s polo.

The polo teams and sponsors at the Mercedes Benz – Credit Suisse
Thai Polo Open 2008.

Thai Polo move the ball downfield against Singapore.

Royal Selangor (red) take on Indonesia in the final.

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

The Pattaya Golf Society’s first Sunday outing of the New Year saw a large field travel to Plutaluang on Jan. 6 to play a stableford event over the North and West nines. The course was generally in good condition but yet again the uncut greens made putting a work of art on the inconsistent surfaces.
The competition was destined to be tight with Andy Parkinson amassing 33 points for third place and slowly finding his Pattaya form. Just one point better were Tony Kitchen and Chris Walsh, the latter having overcome back problems to post his best score this trip. The winner was Thai lady golfer Mam Morel who again impressed with a level-par round of 36 points.
Chris Voller, Richard Newman, Paul McNally and Lyndsay Joshua all shared the birdie 2’s pot and Ian Wilson secured the ‘Booby Bevy’ for his sartorial challenge, blending as he did, subtle pinks with lavender balls!
Simple for Simon
Tuesday, January 6, the Pattaya Golf Society kept it’s long-awaited appointment at The Emerald for a strokeplay event on the well turned out course but with some decidedly wicked pin positions.
The field was kept as one flight for the Order of Merit event and competition was tense, especially amongst the distinguished low handicappers making up a quarter of the group.
In fourth place with net 75 was Emiel van der Wiele and his score emphasized his current consistency. Ahead of him in third was Paul McNally and the Tynesider’s best gross of 73 included an eagle on the third, his accurate sandwedge complementing his 320-yard drive. His net 72 was a shot behind Andy Parkinson, one day wed, and his one-under total will be almost as memorable as his honeymoon no doubt!
The day’s winner was Simon Kendall, an excellent ten-handicapper who fired net 70 for a thoroughly deserved win.
Joining Paul McNally with an eagle was David Wilkinson, on the stroke one hole no less, and the more standard 2’s of David Thomas and Craig Boyd all took a share of the large pot.
Canny Scot, Craig, was also involved in a “flutter” with partner Chris Hardy and when the latter five-putted on a par-three hole Craig’s banter showed no mercy, until he later five-putted himself, thereby losing his “challenge” by one shot. He picked up the Booby Bevy as a consolation.
Duthie defies
Korean invasion
High season horrors were apparent at Crystal Bay on Thursday when the Pattaya Golf Society visited to play a stableford event over the B and C nines.
Currently the area is under Korean domination and they buzzed from empty tee to empty tee regardless of who was playing, competitions were disrupted and their antics brought them to the attention of the marshalls on more than one occasion. Be warned Pattaya golfers!
Despite this the two flights cut at sixteen and under managed to keep their game together.
In the top flight Peter Duncan joined Craig Boyd, Andy Parkinson and Alex Sala on 32 points for a share of third place behind the joint winners David Thomas and the PGS ‘Player of the Week’ Simon Kendall, winner in two of the three events played. Their scores of 37 points were a testimony to their patience as much as their skill.
In the second flight Len Jones and Bill Pickersgill shared a lowly third place with 32 points, a couple behind runner-up Ian Wilson’s 34 and the winner Tony Duthie, who scored the best card of the day, 38 points.
Sam Fitzsimmons, Ronnie Ramsay and Andy Parkinson all had birdie 2’s and they joined Mark Graham whose brace on B4 and B6 gave him the lion’s share of the pot.
Jean Morel arrived at the OK Corral before the departure and left one of the two golf bags he was carrying and when he picked up his bag at the caddy stop he found he had deposited his bag and not that of a friend at home base. He was consoled with a delightful red wine from Mr. Denis’ vast cellars.
Ian Wilson and Simon Kendall generously donated their winnings for a special technical prize at Eastern Star in the future as they took their leave of Pattaya for this trip.
Full marks then to the real winners on the day, those who continued to uphold the good manners of the IPGC in the face of intense provocation. Crystal Bay is not the place to visit at the moment.

Mashi tops the leaderboard at Lakeside

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, January 7,
Crystal Bay, Medal
Monday was a Medal competition held at Crystal Bay where we had a count back to determine the winner of the B Flight - Geoff Hart beating old mate Dave Keats after both shot level par net 72’s. Charlie Gooch took third place with a net 74.
In the A Flight Tony Scambler found a bit of form and also came home with a level par net 72 to top the division.
William Macey took two of the near pin prizes along with Geoff Hart and Dougy Crowe.
Wednesday, January 9,
Royal Lakeside, Stableford
It made a nice change to get away from the crowded local courses by traveling the extra distance to the Royal Lakeside Golf Club to play a Stableford competition.
With hardly anyone on the course - and with it in superb condition - Mashi Kaneta took advantage by winning the A Flight with the best score of the day scoring 41 points. Tony Robins meanwhile beat Tony Scambler on a count back, both with 38 points to take second place.
Alan Sullivan won the B Flight with 36 points, Dave Keats came second with 35 points, and Geoff Hart took third place with 34 points.
Near pin prizes were shared around between John Thorber, Tony Robbins, Eddy Graham and Gordon Melia.
Friday, January 11,
Bangpra, Medal
Gerry Cooney got back to winning ways at Bangpra golf course on Friday.
Playing a Medal comp Gerry won the A Flight with a two-under par net 70; William Macey was a shot behind on net 71 and third place went to Tony Scambler with a level par net 72.
Neil Griffin had a rare win in the B Flight shooting a level par net 72. David Johnson was second with net 73 and Bryan Rought took third place with net 76.
Near pins went to Dougy Crowe, Gerry Cooney, William Macey and Geoff Parker.

Lennart shows his ‘Sunday Best’

Phoenix Golf Club Members Group

Mike Gerrard
Sunday, January 13, Stableford
So another record for our group today: at exactly 11.30am we had a full compliment of 32 players signed up. It seemed everyone was happy (I mean the organisers of course)
Lakes and Ocean were the challenge today and with the weather getting a little warmer now the course is drying out quickly, which means the conditions are fast. You would think this would make the scoring a little harder. Think again McDuff.

Sunday’s winner Lennart Loquist (center) with Mike Poustie and Kitty Stor.

Due to our Sunday group using a totally unique handicapping system (don’t even think that I am going to try and explain it) we have a policy of not publishing the scores. There would be too many eyebrows raised. But I hasten to add that the day is completely based on a fun and mixed gender day.
If you are looking for that kind of golf give us a call, you would be more than welcome. We have a database of almost 300 players now. God help us if they all appear on the same day.
Our winner today was Lennart Loquist, with our very own handicap man Mike Poustie in second and one of our lovely ladies, Kitty Stor claiming third place. Lennart will be playing off a much lower handicap next time out, as do all of our winners.
Technical prizes went to Bob Deane, Joe Miller, Alastair Aitkin and Dennis Dixon.
With Bob Deane getting a technical award all were relieved to here that he could not qualify for the lucky draw, even if we allowed his wife, Mayo to pull the card out. So this week the lucky draw prizes went to Tira (a welcome return after a long absence) and Ben Hogsrtom.

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Shearer 1 – 0 Allardyce

As a small-time football writer constantly on the search for stories to excite you, the, err, good people of Pattaya, there are always a few subjects to fall back on in a quiet week.
The continual ineptitude of just about everyone connected with English Football Association, for example. Everyone seems to be agreed that an overhaul is long overdue at Lancaster Gate, but you won’t hear that from me too often in these pages because it’s a constant source of amusement. What foreigner watchers make of events at the governing body of the home of football is anybody’s guess.
FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick recently announced the appointment of Fabio Capello as new England manager. A more experienced and successful club manager you’ll be hard pressed to find, and nobody’s doubting that he’s just the right kind of man to fill the shoes of the great Steve McLaren.
Like a Labrador that’s just fetched the morning paper for his owner, Barwick seemed to want a pat on the back and perhaps a tickle under the chin for his part in hiring the Italian. But let’s not forget that Capello signalled his desire to manage England immediately after McLaren’s dismissal. Barwick’s ‘achievement’ in hiring a man that already wanted the position is hardly mind-boggling, especially so given that Barwick travelled to Italy armed with a blank cheque. Capello has signed for a staggering six million pounds each calendar year, and given England’s lack of fixtures this works out at around a couple of million per game. Nice work if you can get it.
Anyway where were we? Oh yes, stories coming out of the same places again and again and again. You see how easy this job can be sometimes? I hadn’t even planned to discuss the FA, and there goes half a column.
No, this week’s theme is the factory of football stories that is Newcaste United, unsurprisingly. The club hasn’t won anything since William the Conqueror notched both goals in the Sherpa Chariot Trophy in the final of the year 1069, and yet seems to think that it should be scooping league and cup titles on an almost weekly basis.
I mean seriously, where do these cheeky Geordies get off? They break back into the Premier League and have an admittedly fantastic couple of years under Kevin Keegan, and since that modern heyday they think that having 50,000 people turn up to watch football in a one-club town with pretty much bugger all else to do gives them the divine right to be competing with big boys from here until eternity.
That’s a bit tongue-in-cheek of course, a paragraph to get Magpie fans choking on their cornflakes this Friday morning. Most Toon fans I know will quietly admit to simply wanting a bit of entertainment on a Saturday afternoon and a regular place in the top six or seven clubs in England, but it’s undeniable that in recent years the expectations seem have risen sharply at St. James Park.
I think we’re all aware that the club has been in turmoil over the last decade or so, if not longer, but in more recent times there have been clouds hanging over the city that simply won’t disappear. The sacking of Sam Allardyce simply continues a trend of firing the manager when things aren’t happening for the club, and as long as this continues it’s hard to see things improving. That’s great news for yours truly and his newspaper column but pretty sad stuff if you actually follow the club.
I like Allardyce. I think he’s making a very good fist of being the most astute English manager in the game today, but admittedly that’s a very murky pond with little competition for that particular accolade, as Brian Barwick will happily tell you. It’s just that Big Sam seemed to want to make Newcastle a bigger and better Bolton, but lost the support of the players too early into the journey to ever have a chance of achieving his goal. I’m sure he’s done rather well for himself out of the whole thing though, and there’s no doubt he won’t disappear for long.
It’s Alan Shearer that annoys me. Sorry Magpie fans, but your former number 9 is constantly linked to the manager’s post at St. James Park and yet refuses to ever rule himself out of the running. We now hear that he feels it’s too early for him to take the reins of his hometown club, but why couldn’t he have come out and said that months ago? Why hover in the background allowing his name to be banded around when Allardyce was obviously struggling for support? He might be a former legend on the pitch (though costing a then British record 15 million pounds, a fortune in wages for the return of no silverware whatsoever is hardly legend material at any other club) but Shearer continues to cast a long shadow over every coach the black and white side ever employs. Refusing to back them by ruling himself out of taking over until after they’re sacked doesn’t seem very supportive or saviour-like to me.
Newcastle fans that want Shearer as manager at this stage, before the BBC pundit has any worthwhile managerial experience of his own at any level, quite frankly deserve everything they get. That idea might have worked for Sunderland, who were struggling at the bottom of the Championship last year, but it simply won’t cut it for a side looking to break back into the really big time. What next, Frank Lampard as next Chelsea boss? Theo Walcott as a natural successor to Arsene Wenger?
A number of managers have been linked with the vacant post, notably Harry Redknapp and more recently Mark Hughes. Perhaps by the time you read this the job will have been filled, but Shearer’s presence in the wings has destabilised more than a couple of bosses in recent times, and whoever takes over will have to face that little challenge before even contemplating how to remould a bunch of under-performing and vastly overpaid individuals into a team capable of competing at the very top.
I want Newcastle to do well. The Premier League needs a good Newcastle team to step up and take on the usual suspects at the top. Owner Mike Ashley says, “Now is the time to put away my Newcastle shirt. I’m not saying I will never go back on the terraces but now I have to be in the boardroom - I have to be hands on.
“I want a team that will go all out to try to give Chelsea a walloping, that will try to stuff Tottenham and that will be brave and bold enough to attack Manchester United,” he continued. That’s a fantastic concept, but the one thing that Newcastle United need now, more than anything else, is patience with the incoming manager. And no amount of money can buy that.
Jurgen for Bayern
Bayern Munich have announced that Jürgen Klinsmann will take over as head coach of the club at the start of July, as he returns to the club where he won Uefa Cup and German championship honours in a two-year stint as a player between 1995 and 1997. He will replace Ottmar Hitzfeld, who had already announced his decision to step down at the end of the season.
When asked why he had chosen Bayern over the Premier League, where he has been linked with the Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool posts to name a few, Klinsmann replied: “Because I did not have any offers from England,” which sorts out that argument. “Bayern is the No1 club in this country and I had a lot of other options, but this was by far the best offer I received,” he gushed.
Meanwhile in Spain, the former Welsh international defender and Fulham manager Chris Coleman will be staying at Real Sociedad, for the time being at least. “The new president has made it clear it is important we continue, as have the players. While they consider our work is useful, we will stay,” Coleman told a news conference.
This week
A number of reasonable Premier League matches this weekend, but frankly nothing to shout at the telly over. Fulham at home to Arsenal on Saturday might be interesting and Everton visiting Wigan Athletic on Sunday, but for a decent game of footy I’d be looking at Manchester City against West Ham immediately afterwards.
Draw specialists Liverpool take on Aston Villa on Monday night, but the conclusion to the League Cup semi finals look very interesting indeed. Arsenal visit Spurs early on Wednesday (Pattaya time) with the score at 1-1 after the first leg, and Chelsea take on Everton 24 hours later.
That’s all for now so have a great week!

Wylie takes the booty at Treasure Hill

PSC golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Tuesday, January 8, Treasure Hill (White Tees) - Stableford
1st Jeff Wylie (7) 37pts
2nd Jim Walton (22) 29pts
3rd Mike Brooke (25) 28pts
There was nothing dirty about the dozen players who made the trip to Treasure Hill this day. Although long and a stern test of golfing ability, Treasure Hill is one of my and the group’s favorites and on Tuesday the course was presented in really superb condition, manicured to near perfection. The greens were as close to championship standard as any we play on in our vicinity although their fast speed caught many out, possibly reflected by the low average score of 25 points.
Allan Cassin, Mick Heatley and Mike Brooke got nearest to the pins on short holes 2, 17 & 6 whilst Jim Walton used his wonderful black and white vinyl Century 2000 kit bag to carry away the money for the longest first putt on the 18th green.
Thursday, January 10, The Emerald (White Tees) - Stableford
Legs eleven took on our fortnightly visit to The Emerald, which proved to be its usual tricky self. Starting ahead of the esteemed Asean Explorer Group we were round in good order to find that Mike Brooke (H/C 25) had carded a very respectful 38 points ahead of runner-up Allan Cassin (H/C 10) with 34 points. The ever-consistent David Gardner (7) came in third with 30 points ahead of Paul Smylie (H/C 26) after a three way count-back.
Near pins on the par threes were collected by Mike Brooke, Allan Cassin, “Packo” Frank Waterhouse and David Gardner, who also snaffled the longest first putt on the 18th green.
Neil Duncan slunk off with the Paradise Bar golf shirt muttering darkly, “When the game gets tough the tough guys go to the bar.”
Reminder: Any golfers seeking to play with our group that wish to know about the format please visit P J Pool Bar & Restaurant on Soi Watboonsamphan (Soi Kanoi) or phone Neil on 089 511 0575.

Waltschek at the double

PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s Column
Monday January 7, Burapha, Stableford
Div A (0-12)
1st Mike Waltschek (8) 37pts
2nd Des Scott (10) 37pts
3rd Roger Ison (11) 35pts
4th Bob Philp (8) 34pts
Div B (13-18)
1st Don Frances (13) 37pts
2nd Suzi Lawton (18) 37pts
3rd Barry Chadbourn (18) 36pts c/b
4th Bob Van Mol (13) 36pts
Div C (19+)
1st Brian Maddox (19) 39pts
2nd Brendon Dougal (20) 38pts
3rd Rob Gandley (22) 35pts
4th Dennis Persson (20) 33pts
Fantastic golfing weather and the blue tees on the A & B nines - just about as good as it can get for 44 outbackers.
Mike Waltschek and Don Frances continued their good form into the New Year and set the early pace for the January ladder.
There were five 2’s today, coming from Bob Van Mol, Dennis Persson, Bill Hewitt, Ray Atkinson & Rob Gandley.
Wednesday, January 9, Greenwood, Stableford
Div A (0–10)
1st Mike Waltschek (8) 41pts
2nd Jack Moseley (9) 37pts
3rd Des Scott (10) 35pts
Div B (11–18)
1st Matt Anderson (14) 38pts
2nd Alan Bishop (17) 37pts
3rd Don Frances (13) 35pts
Div C (19+)
1st John Morel (21) 39pts
2nd Brian Maddox (19) 37pts
3rd Mam Morel (24) 34pts
What a great little course this is, fully deserves the title as one of the most improved courses in the area.
Today the course was busy and although we were originally scheduled to play B & C nines, the management was quite happy to switch us to start on ‘A’, to get us away on time.
It was another spectacular round from Mike Waltschek (he’s gonna get cut soon) and a good round from birthday boy, Brian Maddox, to follow his 39pts on Monday. Happy Birthday Brian! Alan Bishop found the winners circle for the first time in a while with 37pts to take second in Div B, and the ‘Morels shared first & third in Div C.
Also welcome back to Wendy & John Khan who we haven’t seen for some time.
There were four 2’s today coming from Mike Waltschek, Matt Anderson, Bob Philp & Nigel Cannon.
Frank O’Neill was awarded The Outback Golf Bar shirt for his uncharacteristic low score of the day and for the wonderful support he has for the bar. Thanks Frank.
Friday, January 11, The Emerald
Div A (0–15)
1st Bob Wighton (9) 37pts
2nd Jack Moseley (9) 36pts
3rd Don Frances (13) 34pts c/b
4th Mike Waltschek (7) 34pts
Div B (16+)
1st Dennis Persson (20) 35pts c/b
2nd John Khan (22) 35pts
3rd Les Easton (15) 30pts c/b
4th Barry Chadbourn (18) 30pts
If there were an award for the most improved course in the area, then this would be the other major contender for it. Can’t be bad playing two courses like Greenwood and Emerald in the same week.
Lots of golfers here as usual, but we were away pretty much on time and although at times seemingly slow, we were round in about four and a half hours.
Bob Wighton played well in his first game since recovering from his recent disagreement with his motorbike. Apparently the story was Bob wanted to go round the corner but the bike didn’t. Well played mate!
Dennis Persson won the Div B thanks to hole 12 (index 1) where he chipped in for 5pts and hole 13, which he parred for another 3pts. The form horses, Don & Mike were there again in third & fourth respectively, and I see you have been cut Mike!
There were four 2’s today, coming from Jack Moseley, Roger Kidd, Geoff Doody & Les Easton
Reminder: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down on the list or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474. More information can be found on our website www.outbackgolfbar.com. The Bus Trip is back in January 2008, Banpakong on Wed. 30th.followed by Bob’s Birthday party at the bar.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

Question - should any boxing fan with even a scintilla of gray matter still in operating condition care that next Sunday Roy Jones jr. (51-4) is boxing Felix Trinidad (42-2) at Madison Square Garden in New York City? The logical and rational answer is, “No way Jose.”
It is also a fact that if The Square Ring doesn’t cover this fight, these spaces in the Pattaya Mail will print more golf scores with pictures of old guys in bad clothes (all with a “deer in the headlight” look) and their caddies. So consider this a public service.
Funny but when The Square Ring writes something, the international media picks it up even before it’s published. Scary that. Tom Dahlberg is a well know columnist for the Associated Press. He has two questions for Roy Jones: “Why in the world are you still fighting, and what makes you think anyone will pay $49.95 to endure the pain of watching it?”
The answer is that Jones is fighting for the money and to feed his ego. As a public service The Square Ring will now proceed with an in-depth analysis of Jones-Trinidad.
Since 2004 Roy Jones jr. is 2-3, losing twice to Antonio Tarver and once to Glen Johnson. His two wins came against Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw, who has always been less than his 21-0 record indicated.
Felix Trinidad has only been in the ring four times since late in 2001. He got KO’d by Bernard Hopkins in a fight where Trinidad was never a factor. Then “Tito” KO’d the human punching bag Hacine Cheriff in 4 and followed that up by stopping a “really fat and out of shape” Ricardo Mayorga in 8. In his last outing in 2005 he lost big time (120-107, 119-108, 119-108) to Ronald “Winky” Wright.
Even with the diminished skills of Jones and the fact that he’s lazy, he’ll have little trouble getting rid of Trinidad who has no chance. Upon further review maybe pictures of old guys that play “whack st***” would be more entertaining.
The full boxing card at Madison Square Garden has more stiffs on parade than the first night of Navy shore leave in Pattaya.
Cory Spinks (36-4) will make an appearance against Verno Phillips (41-10) for an IBF title. Spinks was always big on running his mouth but provided little action in the ring. He did look better against Jermain Taylor when he lost a split decision where the scores should have raised some eyebrows. One judge had it 117-111 for Spinks while the other two had it 115-113 and 117-111 for Taylor. Man it’s bad when a guy’s seeing eye dog has a bad night. Phillips is one of those guys that hangs around, fights once a year and gets a pay-day.
The other “yawner” of the night will probably be Andrew “The Foul Pole” Golota (40-6) against Mike Mollo (19-1). Golota did win both his fights in ’07; beating Jeremy “Master” Bates in 2 stanzas and he also KO’d Kevin McBride. The later win gave Golota the IBF North American heavyweight title.
Mollo? He was KO’d by deVarryl Williams in ’06, which tells you all you need to know about him.
Big double-dipper bantam title card in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ last week. One of the storylines leading up to the night of boxing was “how gentlemanly” the boxers were to the press.
The top of the card had Hozumi Hasegawa (22-2) making his fifth defense of the WBC bantam title he took from Veeraphol Sahprom in April of ’05. The opponent this time was Italian Simone Maludrottu (25-1). Joe ‘K’ wrote of the last press conference: “The handsome Italian challenger, said, ‘We, European boxers don’t speak big nor shout loudly before the title bouts like in the US. We’re modest people.’”
Turns out he had a lot to be modest about. Hasegawa won a UD in what was described as a “gory” bout. One of the judges, Duane Ford of Nevada has judged four of Hasegawa’s last 6 fights (Have judge will travel). The referee was the underrated ‘good guy’ Kenny Bayless from Las Vegas.
The second half of the evening activities saw WBA bantam champ Wladimir Sidorenko (21-0) extend his title winning streak to 5 with a “workman like” UD (119-110, 118-110, 116-112) over local lad Nobuto Ikehara (27-2).
Sidorenko, a German-based Ukrainian, has a Thai connection also. His second WBA title defense was against an undefeated Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (24-0). The Thai got his first and only loss via the UD route. Since then Poonsawat has gone 7 and naught so maybe another title shot might be on the horizon. In the first fight with Sidorenko one judge had it 115-113, which is only one round away from the Thai getting a “push.”
Over the past weekend The Square Ring, in all their finery, planned to attend a world heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s been a long time between heavyweight title fights for “Moi.”
This one matched ‘Wheckless” Will Champman against Carlos “Boom” Barnett and was for the vaunted IBA title. IBA? Well yes, IBA. That would be a problem as maybe the only person associated with the organization that anyone would know is President Dean Chance. Old Geezers and baseball fans will recognize the name Dean Chance as a big league pitcher from the 1960’s when he won 20 games twice, won the Cy Young Award in 1964, tossed a no-hitter in 1967 and ended his career at 128-115 with a 2.92 ERA.
Neither of the boxers engaged in the IBA heavyweight title fight will ever be confused with an all time great. Willy Chapman has an overall record of 21-28 but upon closer review he’s 3-10-1 lately. Carlos Barnett is 10-1.
At the press conference held at the Orleans Hotel/Casino, Chapman took the mike for an articulate if not well thought out few minutes. Chapman is a school teacher in Las Vegas so he’s probably used to lecturing kids on what to do and how to think.
“You fans have got to learn to recognize that just because boxers aren’t throwing punches in the late rounds doesn’t mean that they’re not good boxers,” said school teacher Chapman. “Don’t boo. Consider what they’ve done in the early rounds.”
That ladies and gentlemen in a nutshell sums up the mindset that that has sent boxing to the back of the line of sport. “Sure it’s a 10 round fight but I can only box for 6 so don’t boo me.” If you can’t fight for 10 rounds don’t get in the ring!
Was all ready to announce that while I’m visiting ‘Land of Smiles’ in April, there will be a big-time fight probably on TV. Rumor was that on April 12 Antonio Tarver (26-4) and Jeff Lacy (23-1) would hook up to fight for Tarver’s IBO (I Be Ordinary) light heavyweight title. The secondary match on the TV card was going to be WBC champion Chad Dawson (25-0) against Glen Johnson, the best 46-11-2 boxer in the world. Then flying though the air came the message that “Tarver-Lacy is not confirmed.”
What is confirmed is that on Saturday afternoon on April 12, The Square Ring will be hosting an afternoon of Muay Thai fights at the Bangkok Stadium, which are shown weekly on Channel 11.
The plan now is to leave Pattaya on Friday afternoon, checking in to Bourbon Street on Washington Square with Friday night free. Then on Saturday a nice buffet and a trip to the Muay Thai fights where all those in The Square Ring party will be treated as VIP’s. VIP in this case means free for the fights. More details as the time grows closer.
Going to wrap this week’s column up as it was a slow seven days in boxing and Jeeves has arrived with a goodly amount of lager, a nice Cohaba provided by my pal Joe from England, and some good old time 1960’s rock and roll for the music box.
“Your Lordship, you mentioned that you attended the IBA world heavyweight championship fight. Who won the fight?”
Don’t know Jeeves.
“Why not your Lordship?”
Because Jeeves I got to my assigned seat in the front row by the ring only to find 25 large-butted phony photogs dressed like bums, all with instamatic cameras and having a Friday evening social. Now Jeeves, the lager, cigars and music if you please!

Brendon has a ‘belter’ at Greenwood

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, January 7, Royal Lakeside, Stableford
Royal Lakeside was the venue for a stableford competition in two flights: A Flight 0 to 19 and B Flight 20 and above. The course on the day was in very good condition with the grass like Astroturf and also very fast greens.
Walter Bachli took the A Flight with 40 points ahead of Karlotta Eisendotter in second with 36 points on count back over Brendon Byrne in third.
Jan Lovgren was the winner of the B Flight with 40 points, with Ray Phillips in second with 39 points and Peter Hammond in third with 38 points.
Near Pin: Don Richardson, Peter Blackburn (2), Elias Magnusson
Long Putt: Mike Winfield (2)
Thursday, January 10, Greenwood,
Stableford
On this day we had a pretty full house, and were soon on the first tee ready to go; that was when we remembered the tee off time was thirty minutes hence. Never mind it gave us some time to catch our breath, before we were away on the test for the day, the B & C Nines.
As usual the course was in fine condition, and with fair weather we could expect some good scores - and we got them.
In the A Flight (0-18) the winner was Koji Yamada, despite a 2 shot cut for Tuesday, with 39 points. I foresee a couple more shots less next time he plays. In second was Jerry Kurtz (surprise, what?) with 37 points. Jerry does not usually play well but with his new handicap will be a contender. In third was Kevin Dunne with 36 points and in fourth was Derek Brook with 35 points.
In the B Flight (19-up) the scores were better, but then they have a few more shots to play with. The winner was Brendon Byrne had a fine 41 points ahead of P.S. Basi in second with 39 points. We then had a count back for the next two places with Volmer Buley in third, Henry O’Brien in fourth and Einar Utoft just missing out, all had 38 points. T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Alain Taddet, Kevin Dunne, Marty Allred (2)
Long Putt: Peter Blackburn, Jerry Kurtz

A bumper harvest for the ‘Farmer in the Dell’

IPGC golf from Lewinski’s

Sunday, January 6, Green Valley, Stableford
A Flight
1st Paul Shaw (10) 41pts
2nd Seamus Cotter (12) 40pts
3rd Simon Kendall (11) 40pts
4th Jack Grinvold (6) 38pts
B Flight
1st Ray Dell (15) 43pts
2nd Jez Lees(16) 42pts
3rd Ian Halfpenny (17) 39pts
4th Brian Wilkinson (13) 38pts
C Flight
1st Justin Fowlis (24) 45pts
2nd Larry Nicholas (20) 39pts
3rd Eddie Bielby (19) 36pts
4th Robby Bennet (19) 36pts
Ladies
1st Mol Thongjiew (17) 39pts
2nd Nok Sankla (14) 37pts
It’s inevitable in Pattaya that whenever a new golfer wins with an outstanding score, eyebrows are raised and questions are asked. When it emerges that the golfer in question hails from Liverpool, the fingers really start pointing. The fact is though, most scousers don’t fit the stereotypical image of ‘dodgy scally’. Furthermore, we’ve all enjoyed similar days at some point and have been very happy to turn in the card of our lives.
So it’s congratulations to Scouse Justin on what is presumably the best round of his fledgling golf career. Let’s see how he handles the 6 shot cut dished out by the donkey.
Justin’s 45 points gave him a massive 6-point victory in C flight. Runner up was the old crustacean himself, Larry Nicholas with 39 points. Larry actually played in the same group as our winner Justin, and was heard griping about his playing partner’s handicap as early as the 2nd tee. Clearly Larry was paired against him rather than with him.
‘Steady’ Eddie Bielby played to his 19 handicap in third spot, but I suspect it wasn’t done merely by bogeying his way around. Room for 4 places in today’s field and the lucky beneficiary in C flight was Robbie Bennet.
B flight also found conditions suitable for scoring, so much so that 3 players on 38 points (The Donkey, Roy Thornton and Lee Addely) fell short of the prizes. Little consolation for them in the fact that the winner was Brian ‘Wireless’ Wilkinson who pocketed his first winnings of a very barren trip. Ian Halfpenny stayed one clear of the chasing pack to secure third on 39 pts. Winning more than the ha’penny was the Principle (and scribe) who sees his handicap finally getting somewhere near where certain others claim it belongs. 42 points was good, but not enough for top spot, which goes to our title guy Ray ‘farmer in the’ Dell who shot a gross 80 to amass 43 points and claim top spot.
Paul Shaw had the best of the day in a very competitive A division. Paul shot a gross 77 for 41 points, leaving him one clear of Seamus Cotter and Simon Kendall who were locked on 40. Wacko Jacko makes the frame more often than not on a Sunday. On this occasion his 38 points was enough to squeeze onto the extra podium available.
Monday, January 7, Mountain Shadow, Stableford
A Flight
1st Frank McNamara (12) 32pts
2nd Grant Jackson (+3) 32pts
3rd Colin Davis (14) 29pts
B Flight
1st Toralf Fredrikson (18) 36pts
2nd Geoff Kubas (18) 31pts
3rd Bill Weinaut (14) 29pts
A glance at the winning scores for Sunday and Monday is enough to tell you about the relative difficulty of Green Valley’s Sunday layout and that at Mountain Shadow. Thirty-two points in Sunday’s A flight left you in eighteenth place, yet it was enough for first the very next day at Mountain Shadow. The astonished winner was Frank McNamara playing off 12.
It’s always nice when proper golfers join our group. We’ve got 2 playing with us at the moment, a plus 2 golfer in Robert McCarty from Ireland and a plus 3 player in Grant Jackson from England. Grant picked up second place with 73 shots for 32 points, adding further evidence to the difficulty of Mountain Shadow on the day. Finally in third, three points behind the proper golfer was The Donkey.
Toralf Fredrickson had plenty of room to spare in B flight. With 36 points he was the only player on the day to play to his handicap, so certainly was a deserving winner. Geoff Kubas picked up yet another podium spot in second, while Bill Weinkaut helped himself to a pair of 2’s en-route to third. Bruce McAdam lost out on count back to Bill, but he’s won enough already recently.
It’s worth mentioning that Justin Fowlis finished twenty third with 25 points following his 6 stroke cut.
Wednesday, January 9, Bangpra, Stableford
A Flight
1st Ray Dell (15) 40pts
2nd Jim Munns (12) 39pts
3rd Simon Kendal (11) 36pts
B Flight
1st Linda Lee (26) 35pts
2nd Justin Fowlis (18) 34pts
3rd Eddie Beilby (19) 32pts
40 points, a ‘2’ and first place! Wow! Yes, Ray ‘farmer in the’ Dell showed us that Sunday was no fluke as he blazed his way around a tough Bangpra for his second win of the week and bring his harvest to 11-under for the week so far.
Story of the day, however, belongs to Ray’s playing partner Jimmy Munns aka Capt. Fogg. Jim finished just a point behind Ray as he picked up his own birdie ‘2’ for 4 pts plus an Eagle 2 for 5 points on ‘the monkey hole’ # 6, stroke index 1. Well done Jim.
There was yet another ‘2’ for third place finisher Simon Kendall on 36pts.
Things were more sedate in B flight which had a lady winner in Linda Lee on 35 points. Interesting to see Scouse Justin bouncing back to muster 34 points for second place off his new 18 mark. ‘Steady’ Eddie Bielby was just that for the B flight bronze.
Friday, January 11, Pheonix, Stableford
A Flight
1st Paul West (8) 38pts
2nd Frank McNamara (12) 37pts
3rd Ray Dell (15) 34 pts
B Flight
1st Bob Lindburg (17) 37pts
2nd Mike Craighead (22) 34pts
3rd Larry Nicholas (20) 32pts
The Farmer in the Dell rounded off a heck of a week with a 34 point third place at the Pheonix. Rumour has it he had a further podium finish elsewhere on Tuesday. Keeping Ray from a hat trick of wins were Paul West and Frank McNamara who finished first and second on 38 and 37 respectively.
The ‘Guru of Green Valley’ showed he can play elsewhere with a fine 38 pts to win B flight. And finally, in a good day for the super seniors Mike the Mechanic and Larry the Crustacean took second and third to round off another splendid week of Lewinki’s golf.

Trembath triumphs at Royal Lakeside

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
Monday, January 7, Greenwood - Stableford
A Flight (0-14)
1st Frank Higgins (12) 40pts
2nd John Merritt (13) 38pts
3rd Fergus Brennan (9) 38pts
B Flight (15-20)
1st Steve Gould (18) 39pts
2nd Peter Basi (20) 37pts
3rd Neil Allison (20) 37pts
C Flight (20-up)
1st Alan Evans (24) 37pts
2nd Lars Strom (22) 35pts
Near Pins: German Odermatt, David Askew, David McFeely, Alun Webber
2’s: Robert Wood, Brendan Moore (2) Derek Lucas, Alun Webber, German Odermatt, Frank Higgins

A Flight winners at Eastern Star: Craig Boyd, Philip Knight and Danny Whelan.

Mondays outing was the long trek to Greenwood but our golfers like this course and it is always worth the effort to go there. Frank Higgins (a new name to me) put in a 40-pointer to win from one of our regulars, John Merritt. Steven Gould took the B flight from Peter Basi and Alan Evans was the victor in C flight with Lars Strom in second.
Tuesday, January 8, Royal Lakeside - Stableford
A Flight (0-14)
1st Ray Trembath (11) 42pts
2nd Matt Gibbons (14) 39pts
3rd Fergus Brennan (9) 39pts
B Flight (15-up)
1st Amphan North (16) 46pts
2nd Mod Chaviraksa (18) 43pts
3rd Arthur Rowley (29) 42pts
Near Pins: John Pegrum (2) and Amphan North (2)
2’s: Matt Gibbons (2) Amphan North (2) Ray Trembath, Joh Pegrum, Neil Allison, Fergus Brennan
The T.R.G.G. went to Royal Lakeside G.C.” on its Tuesday outing last week. I cannot remember the last time that we visited this club it is that long ago.
Ray Trembath was top man on the day with a good 42 pointer, a full three clear of second placed Matt Gibbons who took this on count back with a back nine 23 over Fergus Brennan, who scored 17 on the same holes. Amphan North was in the frame again with a B flight winning 46 points over Mod Chaviraksa in second on 43 points.
Eight 2’s were recorded. I cannot remember when I last wrote that.
Thursday, January 10, Plutaluang N& W (White Tees) - Stableford
A Flight (0-18)
1st Mod Chaviraksa (18) 37pts
2nd Robert Wood (16) 36pts
3rd Steve McGrath (11) 35pts
4th Matt Gibbons (14) 34pts
c/b Tony Perry (16) 34pts
B Flight (19-up)
1st John Thornber (20) 42pts
2nd Lars Strom (22) 36pts
3rd Jack Robertson (22) 33pts
4th Tony Burnett (23) 33pts
Near Pins: Fergus Brennan, Tony Geeland, Stuart Rogers, Tony Perry
2’s: Fergus Brennan, Keith Marsden, Robert Wood, Stuart Rogers
Thursday and Plutaluang was the course of the day. I was not in attendance personally but heard lots of mutterings from the members that the greens were not up to scratch and could have done with being cut. Maybe this had something to do with the generally low scores returned.
However one player mastered things and returned a 42-point card. That was John Thornber, winner of the B flight who was a clear six points ahead of his nearest rival Lars Strom on 36 points. A 37-pointer from Mod Chaviraksa won the A flight with Robert Wood in second spot on 35.
Saturday, January 12, Eastern Star (White Tees) - Stableford
A Flight (0-13)
1st Philip Knight (12) 39pts
2nd Danny Whelan (13) 36pts
3rd Craig Boyd (10) 35pts
B Flight (14-21)
1st Roger Wilkinson (16) 37pts
2nd Andy Galvin (19) 37pts
3rd Dean Rice (16) 33pts
C Flight (22-up)
1st Sergio Volpi (23) 36pts
2nd Alan Evans (24) 35pts
3rd Lars Strom (22) 35pts
Near Pins: Erik Anttonen, Brendan Moore, Andy Galvin, Danny Whelan
2’s: Steve McGrath, Pierre Cere, Lars Strom
Saturday and our regular weekend visit to Eastern Star saw a large entry of over forty players make the trip. Things went very smoothly with a late tee off at 11 o’clock.
Serbio Volpi took the C flight from Alan Evans; Roger Wilkinson the B flight over Andy Galvin and Phil Knight the A flight from Danny Whelan.
The 2’s pot was shared by Steve McGrath, Pierre Cere and Lars Strom whilst near pins went to Erik Anttonen, Brendan Moore, Andy Galvin and Danny Whelan.
Reminder: If anyone is interested in golfing with the Travellers Rest we play every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at 7:45am for breakfast and transportation and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 for further information.

King Berger the best of the week

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, January 7, Bangpra, Stableford
Division 1
1st Alan Griffiths 34pts
2nd Brian Libbey 34pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer 32pts
4th Kenny Moss 32pts
Division 2
1st Chris Knapp 32pts
2nd Brian Kelly 30pts
3rd Derek Holt 30pts
4th Fred Land 30pts
The exceptionally fast greens returned to Bangpra to thwart the best efforts of the hopefuls and resulted in a day when only two managed to get within the buffer zone and an increase in the CSS of two strokes to 74.
Alan Griffiths was one of the two and he took the top step in the first division ahead of the other, Brian Libbey, by count back. Trevor Schirmer and Kenny Moss just did enough to stop an increase in handicap with Trevor just getting the edge, also on count back, for third.
In the second division, Chris Knapp was as surprised as any with his two-shot win in front of Brian Kelly and Derek Holt, with Fred Land just losing out on the back nine.
In line with the overall difficulty of the course there were no 2’s in either division.
Wednesday, January 9, Khao Kheow, Stableford
Division 1
1st Barry Traynor 37pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer 37pts
3rd Kelvin Crouch 37pts
Division 2
1st Roar Berger 42pts
2nd John Teague 35pts
3rd Lynn Ward 34pts
A much easier day for the second outing of the week resulted from a false start off the newly positioned white tees, which are now in the old yellow positions, after waiting for a previous group of golfers playing from the short tees. Even with the eagle eyed “Doc Whitestick” on the tee for at least 15 minutes prior to the start, the first group teed off from the whites and the day’s competition was set for a slightly gentler pace.
Barry Traynor led in a gaggle on one-under by count back, with Trevor Schirmer going one better than the last round in second ahead of Kelvin Crouch, who still amazingly manages to play any kind of golf after getting to bed at 5.30 am and rising an hour later on golf days.
Roar Berger reveled in the shortness of the course, as he returned his best score of the year, which sealed a two-shot drop in handicap for the next week’s competitions. He was followed in by John Teague and Lynn Ward several shots back.
Russell Exley and Phil Groves had one each in the first division 2’s whilst Lynn Ward had one and Hakan Hedlund had two in the second division.
Friday, January 11, Emerald, Stableford
Division 1
1st Mike Dabanovich 38pts
2nd Roy Thornton 36pts
3rd Tony Barritt 35pts
4th Brian Libbey 32pts
Division 2
1st Fred Land 36pts
2nd Lynn Ward 35pts
3rd Roar Berger 33pts
4th Dave Spendley 31pts
For the third time in the week the numbers required a two division split at 15 +, and allied to being booked to follow two other competitions, it was a miracle almost equal to Lazarus walking, that all the competitors finished before dark.
In the second division Fred Land completed a good week with a long awaited win, albeit by a single shot from Lynn Ward with Roar Berger, who was finding it a little harder from further back on the teeing ground, in third and Dave Spendley rounding out the podium in fourth.
Mike Dabanovich managed to get himself involved in one of the previous day’s competitions at the same course and by getting away in front and being able to play at a reasonable pace, won them both and although the Soi 13 win was worth double he did not have the benefit of the pile of wagers that he had arranged in the first of the two. His only regret was that he did not have the phone number of the third competition organiser to try and make it a unique treble day.
Roy Thornton led in the rest of the first division by a shot from Tony Barrit and Brian Libbey.
Overall it was quite a tough day, as the CSS went out to 74, which will result in a few exceptional handicap reductions for the next week’s golf.
In the second division 2’s John Ward had one and Ole Svenningsen had two and in the first division Mike Dabanovich, Barry Traynor and Kelvin Crouch had one each.

Powell powers through with 44 ‘big ones’

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar

Well, the Three Sisters golf New Year has begun. It started off with a bang and a good turn out. Initially it looked like the scores were not going to be too good - 33 points was the best score posted for quite a while - in fact there was a tie for first at 33 points.

Tuesday’s first and second: Doug Powell (left) and Bob Pearce.
As the day wore on the lead changed hands as Bob Pearce rolled in with a score of 37 points. Then, just as Bob was having his picture taken for the paper, in walked Doug Powell with a winning score of 44 big points. It was the best score posted for quite a while and beat the field by 7 strokes.
Bob Benda, Paul Kraft and Rich Murphy were all on 33 points tied for a distant third. It seems that the early starters may be at a disadvantage with the wet greens and fairways. In any event, next week will be another story as the hangovers from the holidays wear off.

Lance bowls 614 series to lead VFW Post to four-point win

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers: Rich, Nual, Barry, Tui, Sven, Somrak, Lance, Bill & Hakan.

Brother D moved up to fifth place after taking three points from House of the Golden Coin with Konrad leading the way with a 521 series. Diamond Shop is still in second place but gained ground on Golden Coin after taking three points from Montana.
This week’s headline man Lance bowled games of 187, 230 and 197 for a 614 series to lead VFW Post 9876 to a four-point sweep over Balls Galore. Somrak had a 521 series for Balls Galore.
Beaver Bar & Grill moved into third place after taking all four points from Café Kronborg. Barry had a 575 series for Jack Tar and Sven a 574 series for Canada to offset Barry’s good bowling and both teams ended up with two points each.
Rich Montana led Café Ole to a three-point win over SaBai Friday, bowling a 570 series with Tue adding a 540-pin count.

No repeat for Storm as Bert’s register first win

MBMG Pattaya Golf Matchplay League 2008

Two more matches of the Golf Matchplay league were played last week.
In the first match Tropical Bert’s took on Tony’s Storm Troopers, fresh from their recent win against Kronborg. This time The Storm Troopers were easily defeated by an in-form Tropical Bert’s team - Tony himself suffering a heavy defeat against Tom Cotton.

Tropical Bert’s and Storm captains, Perry and Tony shake hands following their match on Tuesday.

Later in the week on Friday, Tropical Bert’s were up against the matchplay specialists, The Golf Club. The match was played at Plutaluang which once again was extremely busy.
Perry, Tropical Bert’s captain, issued a ‘dog licence’ to Ernie McInerny but it was not enough to prevent the win for The Golf Club that led to much discussion and celebration back at the bar in Soi LK Metro.
Note: The MBMG Matchplay league comprises of teams from nine golfing venues in Pattaya who want to play individual matchplay golf against each other. The participating bars are: Outback Golf Bar, The Golf Club, Caddyshack, Café Kronberg, Tropical Bert’s, Angkana House, Storm, The Driving Range and The Bunker. For further information or if you would like to play, please contact Jack at the Outback Golf Bar or email jack@ outbackgolfbar.com

Tuesday, Jan 9 Greenwood – Tropical Bert’s (Home) v Tony’s Storm Troopers (Away) Home 61/2                                       v Away 21/2 Hans Collett (won 3 & 1)                     v Steve Nowell Anders Pedersen (halved)                   v Dave Smith Paul Sharples (won 4 & 2)                  v Sam Fitzsimmons Derek Brook (won 4 & 2)                     v Alan Duffus Kevin Dunne (won 3 & 2)                     v Brian Jacks Frank Pilkington (lost 5 & 4)                v Ben Findon Colin Cronin (won 3 & 2)                      v Les Hall Joel Flor (lost 3 & 1)                            v Kari Arnio Tom Cotton (won 6 & 5)                       v Tony Duthie

Friday, Jan. 11, Plutaluang – The Golf Club (Home) v Tropical Bert’s (Away) Home 6                                 v Away 4 Andy Leach (won 5 & 4)          v Robin Lennon John McHugh (won 2 & 1)       v Hans Collett Tom Herrington (won 3 & 1)     v Mick O’Meara Brian Wilkinson (lost 5 & 3)     v Kevin Dunne Kris Kritsanajootha (won 3 & 2) v Steve Hamstad Dave Driscoll (won by 1 hole)    v Joel Flor Jeff Calrow (lost by 1 hole)        v Brian Downey Mark Reid (won 2 & 1)              v Dick Warberg Ernie McInerny (lost 7 & 6)        v Perry McNeely Alan Atwell (lost 4 & 3)             v Anders Pedersen

The Road to Super Bowl XLII – Part 2

by Howie Reed
Darts commentator Sid Waddel likes to say about his sport, “it’s a funny old game.’ Well how about this round of the NFL Playoffs?
All went to form on day one with Green Bay and New England winning. But on day two the underdogs became the ‘top dogs’ with two major upsets leaving Indianapolis and Dallas only thinking about “what might have been.”
Next Monday we find out who makes it to Glendale Arizona for Super Bowl XLII on Monday February 4 for the 6:18am kick off.
Green Bay Packers 42 v Seattle Seahawks 20
There are a couple of truisms in life: Never trust a weatherman’s 7-day forecasts and “I love you all my heart forever’ is only a temporary situation.
The weather for this NFC match up in Green Bay was supposed to be in the 30’s and sunny. It turned out 27F and snowing like ‘all get out.’ Things started out well for the visiting ‘Seahags.’ With their first two possessions Green Bay, in particular running back Ryan Grant, fumbled deep in their own territory. In less than four minutes Seattle had a 14-0 lead. Then the skies darkened and snow started falling.
Over the following 56 minutes Green Bay would score on their next 6 possessions on their way to an easy 42-20 win and home date against the New York Giants for the NFC championship game.
Along the way running back Ryan Grant, who was being fitted for ‘goats horns” after two touches, was outstanding, gaining over 200 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns. The old pro Brett Favre worked his magic, tossing to a bevy of receivers for 173 yards and 3 TD’s.
Seattle fans had to feel sorry for their QB Mat Hasselbeck who played well enough to make the game closer, except for the Packers DB that consistently mugged his receivers with nary a penalty flag hitting the snow covered field. When his receivers weren’t being mugged they were dropping passes that your average 10-year going “to the Chevie and turning in” would have caught with ease.
New York Giants 21 v Dallas Cowboys 17
This was a game that the Cowboys were supposed to win easily. Didn’t happen. As this game kicked off the team that scored first was 1- 6. Didn’t seem to bother the Giants as they took the ball starting from their 23 in 6 plays for a 7-0 lead.
The Cowboys controlled the second quarter, holding the ball for 10:28. In that time they would score twice, once starting from their 4 and the other the 10. They rode the legs of Marion Barber who on those two drives would gain 97 yards on 12 carries.
Dallas started the second half by taking the kickoff, holding the ball for 8 plus minutes and kicking a FG for a 17-14 lead. A punt by Dallas late in the 3rd was returned by R.J. McQuarters for 25 yards and a New York 1st down at he Dallas 37. Giants QB Ely Manning connected on 3 of 4 passes to move the Giants to the Cowboy 9. From there, 6’4" RB Brandon Jacobs would tote the pigskin the final yards in 2 carries for the 21-17 lead and the win.
New England Patriots 31 v Jacksonville Jaguars 20
There is a reason that the New England Patriots went through the regular season 16-0. They are good. The Jacksonville Jaguars found out how good when they dropped a 31-20 decision, which sent The Jags home from the playoffs and scampering to get tee times.
New England’s QB Tom Brady was as close to perfect as a QB can be, completing 26 of 28 for 262 yards and 3 TD’s.
Jacksonville went “toe to toe” and “cheek to jowl” with the Pat’s but two mistakes would doom their excellent effort.
In the first quarter, after each team had driven to score, the Jags took the ensuing kickoff and started a drive when QB David Garrard went back to pass, was hit and fumbled. New England recovered going on to score for a 14-7 lead.
In the third quarter, with New England leading 21-14, Jacksonville put together a drive starting at their own 31. With third and 11 from the Pats 21 Garrard tossed a perfect pass across the middle into the waiting arms of Dennis Northcutt for what would have been the tying score. The problem was that Northcutt saw Pat’s DB Rodney Harrison flying towards him with evil intent, got alligator arms and dropped the ball. The Jags settled for a field goal but it was too little and too late.
In the 4th at 31-20, the Jags tried one last time but when Garrard tossed his first interception of the night it was all over. “Good night and drive home safely.”
San Diego Charges 28 v Indianapolis Colts 24
The Colts just before kickoff were made 11-point favorites. So much for the ‘smart money.’ In a game that had 457 yards in offense it was the Charger defense and some suspect play and play calling by the Colts that would decide the game.
The Chargers lost RB LaDainian Tomlinson late in the first half, which changed their game strategy even though Michael Turner filled in with 87 yards rushing. Trailing 17-14 late in the 3rd quarter the Charges grabbed the lead when QB Philip Rivers hit “mite sized” Darren Sproles with a screen pass for 56 yards and a 21-17 lead. At the end of the play Rivers fell awkwardly on his leg, went down and would not return.
Indy answered back just barely in the 4th on a 55-yard pass from Manning to Rookie Anthoney Gonzales for a 24-21 lead. San Diego then faced a daunting task. They had to come back without star RB LaDainian Tomlinson and with backup QB Billy Volek who had thrown a total of 7 passes all year.
Starting at his own 22, Volek went 3 for 3 and 48 yards, Michael Turner tossed in 4 runs for 14, add in a 15 yards penalty and Volek culminated the drive with a one-yard sneak.
With 4:46 left and only down by 28-24 the Colts were primed for another comeback win but it wasn’t meant to be. With a 2nd and 5 from the San Diego 34, Manning twice tried to go deep unsuccessfully. They made the 4th and 5 and with a penalty added on it was first and goal from the 9. With second and goal from the 7, Manning threw 3 incomplete passes to Joesph Addai, turning the ball over to San Diego.
With 2:10 remaining, three Time Outs and the 2-minute warning, why didn’t the Colts kick the sure FG, use their Time Outs and get the ball back needing only a FG to win? No logical answer. Regardless San Diego travels for a Monday 3am game against New England.
AFC Championship
San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots - Monday Jan. 21, (3am Thai)
The “wise guys” think this one will be a blow out with New England favored by 14 to 15 points. CBS pro football analyst Dan Dierdorf said during the Colts-Chargers game, “The Patriots have to be licking their chops because whichever team gets there will be beat up. These guys are going at each other.” True fact.
The two teams met in week 2 with the Pat’s winning 38-14.
“They just jumped on us like a spider monkey,” San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal said. “I don’t care how you look at it, they just played better than us.”
The Chargers beat Indy by giving them the short stuff, stopping the long ball and waiting for Indy to make mistakes. Won’t work against the Pat’s cause they don’t make mistakes. If Tomlinson and Rivers can’t play or are only 50% the Chargers are in the “deep stuff.” Tom Brady will pick them apart.
NFC Championship
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers - Monday Jan 21 (6:30am Thai)
The Packers are favored by 7 after beating the Giants 38-14 in week 2 of the season. They accomplished the win over the error-prone Giants when Brett Favre completed 14 second half passes for three touchdowns. Both teams are different now. The Giants don’t make stupid mistakes and Green Bay has found a running game with Ryan Grant.
The weatherman/persons say it will be 7 degrees with possible snow showers. No, that’s 7 degrees Fahrenheit, which is -13.89 Celsius for the ET visitors. The Ice Bowl II cometh.

Mam’s the word

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, January 7,
Plutaluang - Stableford
With 36 players out today and a last minute switch by the starter from the North and West to the South and East courses there were a few expletives as we headed up the hill to the first tee. With a ping-pong ball draw now being made for each group placing it should keep everyone happy.
In the stableford competition Mam Morel bounced back after a couple of months in the doldrums to win division 2 with 42 points, beating another in-form player Rick Newman by 3 points. Joe Kubon pipped Dave Ross for third place on an 18/15 count back after they both finish with 37 points.
In division 1 Burnie Sinclair won with 35 points, and with a greater count back of 20/18 on the back nine, Paddy Wilson came in second beating John McLoone after both scored 34 points. So two more polo shirt winners donated by Faa and Olaf go home smiling.
2’s: Herma Fitzgerald, Ted Morris, Mam Morel
Near pins: Herma Fitzgerald, Ted Morris, Burnie Sinclair, Ted Morris, Joe Kubon, Risto Manerus and Mam Morel (2).
Wednesday, January 9,
The Emerald – Stableford
All nine groups arrived here at the course on a very hot day with no breeze whatsoever.
Raivo Velsberg beat Arthur Hancock on a greater back nine count back of 20/19 to win division 1, both on 38 points, while John Smith also beat Mikael Andersson with an 18/16 count back after they both finish with 32 points.
In division 2, with his best ever stableford score, Cully Monks won with 40 points, beating Andy Crabb by 5 shots whilst in third place was Tarja with 34, beating Miss Nom and Tony Sawyer on count back.
Fred Duffy won the ladies tipple after winning his prize for nearest the pin on the 7th and then recording a 5 on the card.
2’s: Mikael Andersson, John Smith, Glyn Evans
Near pins: Mikael Andersson (2), Srithong (2), Richard Baldotto, Andy Crabb, Fred Duffy, Jack Hinchey.
Friday, January 11,
Eastern Star – Stableford
After a 5-hour round last Friday expectations were of a similar nature today, but as the round progressed it became apparent it was going to be worse, with each group this time experiencing a five and a half hour game.
Raivo Velsberg won division 1 again with 33 points followed by Paddy Wilson in second on 32 and Jussi third with 31.
In division 2, Tarja won with 35 points while Miss Oam beat Cully Monks on a 20/16 count back for second after both finished with 34 points.
2’s: None
Near pins: Jim Connelly, John Smith, Sussi, Christy Knight, Andy Oz, Rob Schwab, Tarja.
Reminder: Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Siam Cats, Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd. at around 8.30 for a 10.00am tee off. Please sign up in the bar or call Glyn on 086 837 5464.