SPORTS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Compton and Pearce stay cool as players swelter in the heat

Brother D takes over at the top

Mike scrapes home

Alex scores best of the day at Treasure Hill

Thai team “The Lofts Southshore” wins Platu Open 2008

Golf tournament brings welcome relief to children’s Drop-in Center

Brian bests the field by one at Burapha

“Free Drop” aims for a hat trick

Ray’s ‘Big Day’ at Greenwood

Adventure Racing - pushing yourself to the limit

The Beautiful Game?

Wylie & Campbell on fire at Greenwood

Scambler at the double

The Square Ring

Captain Bob Heath triumphs at last

Brian shines at Crystal Bay

Dr. Mike just misses the mark

Son’s advice helps Kari win at Navy

PATTAPA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Compton and Pearce stay cool as players swelter in the heat

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook
Tuesday, March 11, Greenwood – Stableford
Early morning in Bert’s is always peaceful and quiet as the aroma of coffee fills the air and the golfers, strength renewed, make their way to the transport for the trip to the golf course, which on this day was to be Greenwood.
The course itself was nice and quiet, so it was not long before we were off on the A & C nines, a fair test of golf. Greenwood, as always these days, was in great condition and as it was empty ahead good speed could be made. Mind, the heat got to some of the players later in the round and as they started to struggle so their scores deteriorated. Quite a tough day!
Later, back in the cool air-conditioning of Bert’s, or should I say the ‘Arctic Circle’ as Bert does like it cold, the results were revealed.
In the A Flight (0-13) we had some good scores and Bob Pearce won with 38 points ahead of a 4-way count back for the minor places that saw Mashi Kenata in second ahead of Robin Lennon in third, Rocky Jones in fourth and just missing out was Steve Hamstad.
In the B Flight (14+) the winner was Steve Compton with 39 points ahead of Mick O’Meara in second with 38 points. Mick must have been surprised to be in the B Flight with a handicap of 14, but that is life. In third we had a count back on 34 points that was won by Carole Kubicki with Paul Scully in fourth.
A special mention must be made of Mashi Kenata in the last group who won the longest putt on C9 with a massive putt of 2 inches. Nor to mention the fact that Kevin Dunne did not bother to mark his 3-foot putt as he was in the first group, hard luck Kevin!! T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Perry McNeely, Mick O’Meara, Brian Gabe, Rocky Jones
Long Putt: Dick Kerr, Mashi Kenata


Brother D takes over at the top

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers: Bill, Mai, Kran, Leen, Nual, Tue, Rich, Jan & Max.

For the second week in a row Brother D won all four points in their match and they have now taken over first place. This time their victim was team Canada. SaBai Friday dropped into second place after only managing to win two points from Diamond Shop.
Balls Galore moved up one place into fifth after taking three points from Café Kronborg. Jack Tar won all four points from House of the Golden Coin. Café Ole took three points from Montana and VFW Post 9876 won three points from the third place team Beaver Bar & Grill.
Best bowlers of the day were: Rich Montana, 218 & 235 games-621 series; Max 235 game-575 series; Jan 204 game-555 series; Kran 203 game-553 series; Bill Key 205 game-545 series; Mai 207 game-545 series; Tue 212 game-551 series; Rich 529 series and Leen 204 game-525 series.


Mike scrapes home

Phoenix Thursday Golf Group

Mike Gerrard
Thursday, March 13, Phoenix Ocean & Mountain
Our second Thursday outing, with just a select few signing up for today’s game on the Ocean and Mountain course. After deciding which players needed to use carts all the players went into the draw at 11.30am. At last the bulk of the tourists seem to have all gone home and it was back to normal with no one booked on the course in front of our groups.
I had been invited to play at Siam Golf Club the previous day and although I do not like playing two days in a row I thought it would be nice to see what the new (Old Course) at Siam was like. I have to say compared to the original it is a much better and more forgiving from tee to green. But on and around the greens, is a test too much for the average handicapped golfer.
The manicure was superb, but I think the texture of the fairways at Phoenix is a little better. When you are told that 34 points (which is what I had scored) was rated as better than handicap it seems the designers have gone a little too far. Along with having to pay out as near as damn it 3,000 baht as a guest it is little wonder that non-members will not be frequenting this venue too many times in a year.
Back to Phoenix and I think it is fair to say that most people leave here with a feeling that they have played a superb course. Although not long, it is a fair challenge for amateurs with slick, true greens and lush fairways.
Today’s scores were not too impressive with myself winning with 35 points (two good days for me) and Charly Frost claiming second place with 33 points. The heading of “Mike scrapes home” was just that. After hitting possibly one of the longest drives of my life on the last, from only 100 yards out I ended up with 7 and no points. I, and a few of my fellow players were all very tired at the end of the day. The heat is rising quickly in Paradise.
Technical prizes went to myself (1) and Bob Lindborg (1).
The Thursday golf at Phoenix is open to all players, members or guests with an official handicap. Players without a handicap will be welcome to join in but will not qualify to take part in any competition until they establish a handicap with any official body. ie. PSC, IPGC, TGA or any other body worldwide. However certificates will be required for outside handicaps.
We are also looking to play on Mondays as well. For both days golf, registration is by phone call only to myself on 08 709 17565 and before 4.30pm the previous day.


Alex scores best of the day at Treasure Hill

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, March 10, Treasure Hill – Stableford
Treasure Hill was host to a stableford competition in two flights with the cut made at handicap 16. The course is in fine condition at present except for the bunkers, which have more sand in them than the average beach. However we already knew that and played ‘Winter Rules’ in them.
The weather is turning warm now is it not? And for some the heat causes them to struggle towards the end of the round and is a big factor at times. It has to affect the scores. Me? I take a cart and watch the ‘poor people’ struggle. Keep fit indeed!!
Alex Kazazis won the A Flight with the best score of the day, 35 points. In second was Kris Helgasson with 33 points with Maurice Beaudine in third on a count back over Elias Magnusson, both 30 points.
Barry Hooper took the B Flight with 33 points ahead of Carole Kubicki in second with 32 points and Uwe Kessler was third with 31 points.
Near Pins: Richard Kubicki, Maurice Beaudoin, Jan Lovgren, Bill Plath
Long Putt: Martyn Topham, Walter Bachli
Thursday, March 13, Greenwood – Stableford
This is always a favourite day out for most of the ‘golfers’ in Pattaya, especially with the improvement in the standard of the roads and we now get there much quicker and more relaxed.
So on this day playing the A & C nines and with the course being nearly empty, not only did we get around fast but were back in Pattaya nice and early.
Greenwood was in its normal fine condition and there was a stiff breeze to keep the growing heat of late at bay. Sat in the restaurant later as the results came in we found that there were lots of count backs and some good scores.
In the A Flight (0-15) we had a three-way count back at the top with all on 37 points. The winner was Doug Good with Larry Simpson in second and Doug Maiko in third.
In the B Flight the winner was also decided on count back with Kris Helgasson winning and Bent Moeller in second, both with 40 points. Close behind in third was Bob Nelson with 38 points. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Ebrahim, Tristan Gilbert, Derek Brook, Mike Rushant
Long Putt: Bent Moeller, Bill Plath 


Thai team “The Lofts Southshore” wins Platu Open 2008

Spinnakers out, the Platus fight for position.

Kipsan Beck
Over 120 sailors enjoyed 2 days of racing over the weekend March 8-9 for the Platu Open 2008 and the Gulf Charter Race Series 2008. Sailing from Ocean Marina in Jomtien, competitors saw huge variations in weather from very light winds early morning Saturday to a major rain storm passing through where winds gusted to 25 knots before settling to more moderate Gulf conditions.

“The Lofts Southshore” crew take a break.
The Platu is a 25-foot keelboat created for Thai waters by famed designer Bruce Farr. As Asia’s largest one-design keelboat fleet, 13 boats lined up to start with skippers and crews from Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.
After 4 races on day 1, the leading 3 boats were almost level on points, meaning every race on day 2 would be important. In the final race, the Thai team “The Lofts Southshore” squeezed past Malaysian Rolf Heemskerk by the tightest of margins to win the last race and the 2-day series. Thailand’s SEA Games gold medallists earned a podium finish with 3rd place overall.
“We ended up tied for first with Rolf after 7 races, so it came down to a count back where luckily we had 1 more win,’ explained winning skipper Scott Duncanson.
Having won the sportboat division in both the Kings Cup and Langkawi regatta with his Phuket 8 class ‘Raimon Land’ in the last 6 months, Scott rates this win as the sweetest so far. “This is the toughest regatta in South East Asia and we were pushed to the limit,” he said.
At the same time, the other classes continued the Gulf Charter series of monthly racing. Sportboats raced 7 short courses, and a battle between the scribe’s “Pornstar” against the recently launched “Big Blue” saw both boats hitting speeds of over 14 knots in the high winds on Saturday, with the Shaw designed “Pornstar” just prevailing overall.
Larger boats sailed 2 long distance races around the islands outside Pattaya, facing strong winds and waves on day 1. In keelboats, David Bell’s “Magic Roundabout” won day 1 while Pascal Leray’s “Breakaway” sailed well to win day 2.
Kirati Assakul got his catamaran “Sonic” up to speed on day 2 to win the multihull class after “The Sting” retired on day 2 after sailing the wrong course following a win on day 1. “Voodoo Doll” sailed well both days to stay on the podium. “Fun Wes” and “Thai Raver” finished with a win apiece in the cruising class.
Ocean Marina’s next race will be the final weekend in the Gulf Charter Series on April 5-6. Then from May 1-5, more than 400 centreboarders, windsurfers and boats from throughout the region will join the Top of the Gulf Regatta 2008, the largest sailing regatta in Thailand.
Note: OMYC Sailing is a non-profit organization formed to promote keelboat and multi-hull sailing at Ocean Marina, Jomtien. It also encourages the development of future yacht racing in Thailand, by promoting the children’s international Optimist Class of dinghies. Racing is held monthly, and is supported through sponsorship from Raimon Land, Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Gulf Charters, Bluewave Water Sports and Simpson Marine. Beginners and experienced sailors are welcome to join. For more information visit www.omycsailing.com

Light winds greet the sailors early on Saturday morning.


Golf tournament brings welcome relief to children’s Drop-in Center

Organisers of the 2007 John Preddy Memorial Golf Tournament pose with youngsters and supervisors from the Pattaya Children’s Drop-in Center on their recent shopping spree.

Funds raised from the 2007 John Preddy Memorial golf tournament were recently put to good use with a donation made to the Pattaya Children’s Drop-in Center under the auspices of The Father Ray Foundation.
Tournament organizers, players and customers from the Bunker Bar on Soi Chaiyapoon also escorted some of the center’s resident children on a toy shopping trip to Carrefour to give a little added cheer to the lives of these youngsters, many of whom have been neglected by their families or forced into awful situations due to them coming from a background of poverty.
Some of the items purchased included football boots which the boys at the center will use when they take teams from the Pattaya Orphanage, The Children’s Home and Sarnelli House from Nong Khai on Saturday, March 29 at the Redemptorist Children’s Home.
Everyone is invited down to watch the youngsters play soccer and cheer them on.


Brian bests the field by one at Burapha

PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s Column
Monday, March 10, Burapha - Stableford
Div A (0-10)
1st Brian Holden (8) 39pts
2nd Jack Moseley (8) 38pts
3rd Scott Dobbins (0) 38pts
4th Richard Line (9) 35pts
Div B (11-17)
1st Les Phillips (17) 38pts
2nd Ken Little (12) 38pts
3rd Frank O’Neill (15) 38pts
4th Bob Martin (17) 37pts
Div C (18+)
1st Geoff Moodie (25) 38pts
2nd Geoff Doody (23) 37pts
3rd Pottsy (20) 35 pts
4th John King (25) 34pts
2’s: Brian Holden, David Evans, Les Phillips, Suzi Lawton, Kathy Doody, Mick Leighton, Paul Buckland, Scott Dobbins (2)
Back on A & B this week off the blue tees, some 47 Outbackers came to their regular ‘home course’ spot. They teed-off on time and had the usual smooth round on this well presented course. The greens were a little fluffy on the back but that did not seem to deter many of the Outbackers from playing well and racking up another series of good scores and nine 2’s.
Thirty-eight seemed to be the number for the day, achieved by Jack Moseley, Scott Dobbins, Les Phillips, Ken Little, Frank O’Neill and Geoff Moodie. Brian Holden pipped them all with a fine 39 points, well played Brian!
Wednesday, March 12, Greenwood - Stableford
Div A (0–18)
1st Ken Little (12) 36pts
2nd Peter Iseli (18) 34pts
3rd Mab Jina (15) 33pts
Div B (19+)
1st Bruce McAdam (22) 40pts
2nd Joachim (27) 36pts
3rd Alan Jones (33) 36pts
2’s: Sugar Ray, Jed Goodridge, Fred Jones & Harvey Samuel
This was a tale of two competitions: the regular weekly stableford and the matchplay event against Café Kronborg. It was also the tale of two nines at a ridiculously overbooked course which spoiled the day.
The Outbackers playing C & A nines, were started on ‘C’ course (big mistake!) as the intrepid golf society (lucky b’gg’rs) were started on ‘A’ course. After the Outbackers completed their front nine, there were five groups from another society, waiting to tee off on ‘A’ course. The resulting 45-minute wait meant the best part of a five and a half hour round.
This course is too far away on a poor road to endure this kind of mis-management. You’ve got a great course in great condition but … Get your act together Greenwood!
Friday, March 14, Emerald - Stableford
Div A (0–17)
1st Sugar Ray (17) 37pts
2nd Pat Regan (9) 36pts
3rd Neil Hughes (16) 34pts
4th Bob Martin (17) 33pts
Div B (18+)
1st Peter Allen (26) 36pts
2nd Dave Headington (18) 33pts
3rd Dennis Persson (18) 33pts
4th Mark Kembrey (20) 32pts
2’s: Pottsy, Trudy Chadbourn & Pat Regan
A funny thing happened on the way to the …10th. A five-ball appeared from nowhere in the middle of the fairway, despite cries of “FORE” from the waiting Outbackers on the tee they remained unperturbed and just waved back. Marshals don’t always come along when you want one, but one did. The Outbackers voiced their frustration and thinking little more of it, as the marshal sped off down the fairway, resigned themselves to a long wait and a slow back nine! Lo & Behold, they looked up and couldn’t believe their eyes as they 5-ball was being shepherded off the course back to the first tee.
Apparently, it was discovered afterwards, the 5-ball had already jumped in ahead of the previous group but had been told to step aside by the same marshal. Maybe there’s hope yet!!
That’s all for now. If you have any thoughts, scandalous stories or suggestions, why not drop me a line at [email protected]
Note: 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 this month is to Bangpakong on 26th March.


“Free Drop” aims for a hat trick

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar

Herb Ishinaga
“Free Drop” Jim was at it again last week. Once more he bested the field with 38 points to win the day. Jim is due to go back to the USA soon and hopes to do the ‘hat trick’ before he leaves. He is already talking of winning next week! I’m sure the rest of the golfers will be on their toes to prevent that. No one in our group has done it before that I know of. It would be a first and great for Jim.
Running in second place was Sus Ige. Although Sus came up with a couple of birdies, he messed up other holes to drop back into second with 35 points. He was tied with Rollie Weese but won out on count back. Rollie has had some hard luck recently as he has missed out a couple of times by a stroke or on count back. I hope that one of these days he will break through to win the day.


Ray’s ‘Big Day’ at Greenwood

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Tuesday, March 11, the Pattaya Golf Society took the ever-easing journey up route 331 to glorious Greenwood to play a stableford round over the A and C nines. The day remained hot and humid but the threatened rain never came to spoil the fun for the two flights, cut at 20 and under.
Scores were to be excellent with an average of 33 points and in the top flight Emiel van der Wiele took yet another podium place with a steady 35 points for third, a mere point behind runner-up Jesper Hansen. John Mason took the flight and he was disappointed with 37 points because at one stage he threw away points unnecessarily after a caddy had not raked a bunker properly, leaving him an almost impossible shot.
In the second flight Len Jones, Peter Marsh and Evan Millar all shared third place with 35 points whilst Paul Quodomine went two better with a carefully constructed 37. The day’s best score was recorded by Ray Underwood and his 41 points could have been even better had he not squandered points with just six holes to go. It represented his best score since a net 63 on the same course last year.
There were no birdie 2’s and a handsome pot would be rolled over at Eastern Star two days later.
Paul Quodomine received the ‘Booby Bevy’ as a result of a late arrival back at the OK Corral. It also served as a “thank you tipple” for the man who had spent hours slaving over a hot, and sometimes very testy, computer, putting the finishing touches to an excellent video of the recent visit by our Canadian golfing cousins. Cheers Paul and Cheers Ray, for your excellent performances.
Taki’s superb performance
Because of an enforced cancellation at Emerald due to a double booking, the PGS had the pleasure of an empty Eastern Star golf course on Thursday, March 13, where they played the first of their two Order of Merit events for the month.
The course was well-turned out with the greens more consistent than usual and the scene was set for some fine golf in a strong breeze.
The single flight was not to be disappointed with both Mikael Lindberg and Roy Thornton sharing third place with excellent net scores of 75 as the wind got stronger through the afternoon.
Chris Voller loves playing in Ban Chang and amazingly he held his concentration to post a very creditable net 74 for second place, but the finest golf the course has seen for a long time was played by the gentle Japanese giant Kasuo Takimoto. His gross 73 included four bogeys and three birdies, giving him a net score of 69. No one could have performed better in the circumstances and even his fellow single-digit handicappers stood in awe watching his impeccable iron play.
There were no 2’s for the second successive round and a large turnout will be anticipated at Phoenix in a few days time.
Old friend Rob Heath was making a very welcome return to the group, enjoying his annual holiday from work in Bangkok, and his lack of practice on all except driving ranges showed in his performance, which had his playing group listening to the word “seven” so many times. It was inevitable that his return would be marked with the ‘Booby Bevy’ on a day when Eastern Star had succumbed to the skill of Taki-san.
Dreon wins tight affair
Another large group represented the PGS at Plutaluang on Saturday, March 15, playing a stableford event over the testing North and West nines. The day remained hot and humid throughout and for some the round became an ordeal as exhaustion set in.
Holding down fourth place were the duo of Kazuo Takimoto and John Schroeder whose scores of 32 points each were sufficient for the minor placings. In third was Ken Lankshear, one of our Canadian “brothers”, and his round of 33 points was an appropriate way of ending his current stay.
One point better saw Emiel van der Wiele end a fine week with yet another placing, his 34 points almost doing enough to ruffle the feathers of the eventual winner, Bruce Dreon. Bruce’s 35 points marked his first round in a long time with the group and it was a fine winning return for the golfer from Arizona.
Paul McNally managed the first Saturday birdie ‘2’ in three outings and took home the large pot whilst the day’s organiser, Mr Denis, took a large draught of the ‘Booby Bevy’ after a round which saw him struggle to get the ball off the tee all day. After all he had just returned from a freezing visit to UK and sitting, huddled in front of a glowing fire is not the best practice for success at Plutaluang.


Adventure Racing - pushing yourself to the limit

One team’s account of their recent participation in the 2008 River Kwai Trophy

Claire Adams
When my partner, Cindy, arrived in Bangkok at the beginning of this year and was put in touch with me after a casual question about running and biking in the city, little did she know that 6 weeks later we would be taking part in our very first Adventure Race – The North Face River Kwai Trophy 2008.

Adventure Racing is a test of both the physical and mental faculties.
There was certainly an amount of fear and trepidation as the weekend drew near, especially for Cindy who had never experienced off road running or biking.
Cut to the beautiful Sayoke district in Kanchanaburi on March 1st and we, along with all the other adventure racers, started the out on foot with a short run down to the river where we collected our kayaks for the first part of the race.
We soon discovered that we really weren’t very good at kayaking! I’m sure that we completed at least one and a half times the distance of most other competitors and I think Cindy was held back by the complete novice sitting in the back – I know what I have to work on for next time.

“Oops, lost balance”: team kayaking proves to be anything but easy.
Still, we weren’t last out of the water (but only just) and we transitioned through the first checkpoint quickly to start the jungle run. The run started well, through countryside close to the river. We had a few tributaries to swim/wade across and a few ropes to pull ourselves up and out of the water. A quick check for leeches (thanks Peter for putting that into our minds) and we were off on a long dirt road section up a mountain.
After the mandatory water fill up we climbed a little more and then it was the scramble down the mountain. The leaders in the Extreme race passed us on the way up and it was a great boost to hear the cheers from everyone. We then had another up hill scramble until we reached the top of the mountain. From this point we had the most incredible views across the valley and wished we had cameras with us.

A rope ladder section in the “middle of nowhere” provides a vertical challenge.
We made our way across the rocks on the ridgeline and then we had to use ropes to come down. It was pretty steep in places and where there was no bamboo to hold on to, to stop the slide to the bottom, we had long stretches of rope. Once we reached the track at the bottom we knew (and hoped) that we were close to the next transition point as we were out of water.
Our prayers were answered as we stood on the banks of a lake and could see other racers swimming or floating across. It was wonderful to don the life jackets and immerse ourselves in the cool water and we were soon floating on our backs using a frog kick to propel ourselves across the water. All too soon though it came to an end and our bikes were waiting for us.
Ten minutes into the ride we came to another stop, told to park our bikes and run (!) 100 metres to the next task. As we came over the small hill we could see a platform over a small quarry with a tyre on a zip line. Bamboo rafts in the water were tied together to form a walkway from one side to the other.

Adventure racers take on one of the biking stages with the stunning scenery of the Sayoke district in Kanchanaburi province as a backdrop.
The task – stand on the tyre, zip down the wire, drop off when you hear the whistle, swim to the rafts and get back to the side. Easy! Except the two guys in front of us didn’t hear the command to drop off when they heard the whistle. As they headed into the side wall at the end of the zip line they both did amazing backward somersaults into the water. Everyone was screaming at them and Cindy and I were quaking in our boots!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained and I was the first to go. The second I heard the whistle I jumped! No problem – swam to the raft and waited for Cindy before we made our way back to the side. Great fun.
Back to the bikes and we pedalled through glorious countryside with the mountain we had climbed in the distance. By this stage we had been going for around 4 hours and fatigue was beginning to set in as we hit the first hill. We weren’t the only ones. Everyone was pushing their bikes up the hill but once we were through that section we were back in the shade and on fairly flat trails.
We started to pass people who were just too exhausted and the first of many riders who had punctures. The Extreme racers started coming through and overtaking us at great speeds. We passed my mate Peter and his partner Walter as they were fixing the first of Peter’s 5 punctures – how can one rider be so unlucky?
Eventually we came to a rickety old bridge across the River Kwai and we were soon back in the grounds of the Pung Wan Resort. We were still expecting another 5km run at this point so were amazed to see the finish line as we came out of the trees.
There was an overwhelming feeling of joy on both our parts as we crossed the finish line. We achieved our goal. We finished in around 6 hours 20 minutes. The most grueling, but most fun race that we have ever taken part in and you won’t be able to keep us away next year!!
Note: Claire Adams and Cindy Doulgeropoulos from the “Team 37” finished 53rd out of 70 teams competing in the “Adventure” category of this year’s North Face River Kwai Trophy.
The next event organized by Active Management Asia and the Tourism Authority of Thailand under “The Amazing Adventure Race Series” will take place in Chiang Mai on May 18: “The Chiang Mai Challenge 2008.” For more information go to www.event-2.active-asia.com or Tel: 02 718 95 81-2.


The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

‘Big Four’ - Big Games

Strap yourselves in and settle down for the climax of what could prove to be a scintillating last couple of months of the 2007/08 season. As the Premier League heads into the Easter weekend and a set of fixtures that usually settles a few matters, everything is still to be fought over.
But then Easter has arrived a little early this year, which might explain why even the obvious spots, such as Derby’s unchallenged domination twentieth place, is yet to be rubber-stamped.
None of the other relegation places are settled either. Fulham’s brilliant win over Everton on Sunday hands the Cottagers a huge lifeline in their bid to retain Premiership status and all that lovely lolly, whilst Wigan’s top-flight future looks all but assured after another great result, this time versus struggling Bolton.
Despite all this relegation fun, which will go on for weeks, it’s the top of the table that deserves our attention this weekend. With respect to Saturday’s fixtures, which include West Ham’s crucial visit to Everton, bottom three Bolton at home to European hopefuls Manchester City and a six-pointer at St.James’ Park as Newcastle United host Fulham, most thoughts will be cast towards events on Sunday.
It is THE weekend of the season for the so-called ‘Big Four’. Liverpool and Manchester United open proceedings at Old Trafford early Sunday evening our time, followed later by the London derby as Arsenal visit Chelsea. You couldn’t really ask for a lot more.
I’m the first to jump on the anti-‘Big Four’ bandwagon and I’ll tell everyone until I’m blue in the face that the FA Cup semi-final line-up is the best thing to happen in years, but even I can’t deny that the weekend ahead is nothing less that mouthwatering.
There’s no messing around at this crucial point of the season. No excuses for poor performances will wash, and there’s certainly no room for rotation policies and resting players in a weekend that means everything to the fans and players alike of all four major contenders. It’s absolutely on the line for all concerned, and resembles a cup competition all of its own.
Which brings us nicely around the European Champions League draw. You’ve got another week to wait for those fixtures, but how beautifully set up that is. The English clubs were looking to avoid one another in the last eight, and all looked to be going swimmingly for the Premier Leaguers as all were drawn separately from each other.
This, though, was only the rehearsals, and the very first tie drawn in the real thing brought us Arsenal against Liverpool. Chelsea or their opponents Fenerbahce will play the winners of that one in the semis, whilst in the other matches Manchester United face Roma once again and will play the victors of Barcelona and German side Schalke 04.
Arsenal and Liverpool will soon become sick of the sight of each other. The filling between the sandwich of their two Champions League fixtures against each other is another meeting at the Emirates stadium. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident his side can match Arsenal over two legs, as well as in the Premier League game in between.
“It was a possibility and now we will see how we can afford these three games,” he said. “The first thing is to think about Arsenal and I think it’s important to go one step at a time. Nobody wanted to play an English team - in this case, we could play two English teams. But it’s not the worst moment for us. We have confidence, we are playing well, we are scoring goals.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters: “We have the holders and the finalists on our route, having just knocked Milan out which was a big hurdle. We were strong enough to knock the holders out so let’s do it against Liverpool.”
Fantastically interesting quotes I’m sure you’ll agree, but as things hot up over the coming weeks there’ll be no hiding place for anyone, and that’s what makes it so appealing. The big four clubs of the English game, so dominant for so long, have to finally show what they’re made of against each other in both European and domestic competitions. No more squabbling over who’s best – the games over the coming weeks will decide that for us, starting this very weekend. I’m salivating at the very prospect of it.
Champions League quarter-final draw:
Arsenal v Liverpool (First leg 2 Apr/Second leg 8 Apr)
AS Roma v Man Utd (First leg 1 Apr/Second leg 9 Apr)
Schalke 04 v FC Barcelona (First leg 1 Apr/Second leg 9 Apr)
Fenerbahce v Chelsea (First leg 2 Apr/Second leg 8 Apr)
One down
for Rangers
Rangers twice came from behind before beating Dundee United in a penalty shoot-out to win a pulsating Scottish League Cup final, with Kris Boyd the hero after scoring both equalisers and then firing the winning penalty.
As well as sitting in prime position to take the Scottish Premier League title, the Glasgow giants remain as Britain’s only side remaining in the UEFA Cup where they’ll take on Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals. The last eight draw also pitted Serie A side Fiorentina, who knocked Everton out on penalties, against PSV Eindhoven, who inflicted the same punishment on Tottenham.
The Ibrox club secured their place in the last eight after defeating German outfit Werder Bremen 2-1 on aggregate, and Rangers chief executive Martin Bain is confident they can go all the way. “We have nothing to fear and it’s all about enjoying it,” he muttered.
Mysterious ways
A footballing priest has been sent off in a church tournament for throwing his shirt at a referee, Italian media reported last Sunday. The incident happened in the Clericus Cup, with the actions of the Burkina Faso priest leading to Paul the Apostle’s College being eliminated.
In a memorable day for Italian amateur football, the president of minor league club Doria has decided to pull his side out of the championship, the division below Serie C, because of anger at refereeing decisions.
“We are retiring the team,” Franco De Rose told Italy’s ANSA news service. “We are tired of having to submit to injustices every Sunday.”
I know you got Seoul
South Korea will call on three of their English Premier League players to join the national team for next week’s historic 2010 World Cup qualifier against rival North Korea, its football association said last Monday.
The Korean Football Association has requested Park Ji Sung of Manchester United, Seol Ki Hyeon of Fulham and Lee Young Pyo of Spurs to play in Wednesday’s match.
The game was moved to Shanghai by FIFA after North Korea refused to allow the South Korean national anthem to be played or its flag displayed at a stadium in Pyongyang.


Wylie & Campbell on fire at Greenwood

PSC golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Tuesday March 11, Eastern Star (White Tees) - Stableford
Eighteen of us turned out for a visitation to Eastern Star where the fairways were found to be in superb condition. Rain threatened but held off.

Ian Campbell (left) celebrates his first place at Greenwood with Ken Hole (right) who came last.

David Gardner (H/C 8) took first place in the lower handicaps division (0-21) with a solid 37 points with Barry Quirk (H/C 13) taking second place with 34 points and Tony Chetland (H/C 21) third with 32 points.
The higher handicaps division (22+) found the course a tougher proposition with Ian Campbell (H/C 23) coming in first with 31 points followed by Owen Walkley (H/C 24) with 30 points and Leroy Huntingdon (H/C 24) in third place with 29 points.
David Johnson and Paco had near pins with Course Fairy the other two and Ian Campbell had a monster longest first putt on the 18th green. The average score for the day was 27.5 points.
Thursday, March 13, Greenwood A & C (White Tees) - Stableford
Nineteen competitors made the trip to Greenwood which was in excellent condition. After all there are no bad golf courses in Thailand, it’s only that some courses are better than others.
The course was set up short, as usual, and this was reflected by the very high average score of 32.2 points. Maybe we should bash it off the back tees next time out at Greenwood?
In the lower handicaps division (0-20) Jeff Wylie (H/C 7) scorched the course with 41 points, which included four putts for a blob on his near pin short hole! Barry Quirck (H/C 13) was bridesmaid the second time in a week with 38 points and our ‘Canuck from Campbell River’ Dennis Jaycock (H/C 20) was third with 37 points.
In the higher handicaps division Ian Campbell (H/C 23) also had a scorcher with 41 points, being chased home by Peter Mills (H/C 25) with 37 points and Owen Walkley (H/C 25) came in third with 35 points.
Other near pins on the short holes were claimed by Owen Walkley, Bob Drumm and Barry Quirk. The longest first putt on the 18th green was nabbed by Jeff Wylie from under Bob Drumm’s nose because Bob omitted to put his name on the card!
Our man with the very posh leather kit bag complete with Concorde bag tag had a total relapse by once again turning up with a plastic shopping bag as his kit bag, which means he richly deserved to win the Paradise Bar golf shirt for the most golf for the day.
Note: Any golfers seeking to play with our group that wish to know about the group’s format please visit P J Pool Bar & Restaurant on Soi Watboonsamphan (Soi Kanoi) or phone Neil on 0895110575.


Scambler at the double

PSC golf from The Bunker Bar

Monday, March 10, Crystal Bay - Stableford
Monday saw Tony Scambler win his third game on the bounce to put himself well in the lead for the ‘golfer of the month’ title after missing out so narrowly on the last game of February. Tony won the A Flight with 40 points, one point ahead of John King 39 points with Gerry Cooney in third on 37 points.
Bernie Stevens won the B Flight with 39 points and Alan Sullivan took second place beating Eddie Martin on a count back, both finishing with 34 points.
Tony Scambler almost made it a clean sweep by also winning two near pin prizes with the other two going to Bernie Stevens and Tony Robbins.
Wednesday, March 12, Greewood - Medal
The Medal competition had a smaller field at Greenwood on the Wednesday and we saw Rocky Jones make a triumphant return to win with a net 69, playing off a handicap of 9. Second place went to Geoff Hart on net 70 and third went to Dave Keats net 71, both players seeming to have benefited from a recent lay-off.
Near pins went to John Graham, Rocky Jones and Tony Scambler.
Friday, March 14, Emerald - Stableford
Tony Scambler was at it again at the Emerald golf course on Friday, winning with an impressive 40 points. Alan Sullivan took second place with 35 points beating Ron Ryan on a count back.
Bryan Rought had the best score of the day winning the B Flight with a huge 42 points with Geoff Hart a disappointed second place with 40 points. Raleigh Gosney took third place with 38 points.
Near pin prizes went to Bernie Stevens, Geoff Cox, Geoff Hart and Ron Ryan.


The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

What a fight Pacquiao-Marquez II!! Ok, it wasn’t round 13 from Pacquiao - Marquez “Encuentro par Uno” but as the Frog wrote, “it damn sure was better then watching two Russian heavyweights dancing and kissing each other. That’s what I call boxing.”
This may not come as a big shock to many but Las Vegas is a gambling city. It’s a city built on gambling and maintained for the purpose of gambling, which translates to “suckers losing money to others.” People in Las Vegas like to bet.
The odds shifted slightly a couple of days before the Pacquiao - Marquis fight after Bobby Pacquiao got KO’d in one round by unbeaten Urbano Antillon. Antillon at 22 –0 may have just arrived on the 135lb scene but is probably a soon to be major player. Since 2006 he’s 5 and naught with 5 KO’s.
The Mexican native, now living in California like a lot of native Mexicans, has a Thai connection as one of his wins came against Thongchai Por Pratomoong. Antillon’s probably not yet ready for IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell but against Cassamayor or any Diaz, Antillon would be right there.
That aside, Mannay Pacquiao was a big favorite when the opening bell sounded before a sold out house in Vegas last Saturday night. Every TV in the Philippines was turned on with thousands also watching on PPV. Those inside boxing felt that Marquez had a great chance of getting the win. He almost did win, losing by a single point on the card of Tom Miller (114-113) after Judge Jerry Roth and TSR gave it to Marquez (115-113) and Duane Ford had Pacquiao winning 115-112. For some reason the score of TSR wasn’t counted.
The Frog croaked: “Marquez had Pacquio’s legs wobbling from a right hand at the end of the 2nd with Pacquiao then taking control by flooring Marquez at the end of round three with a left hand. He also nearly put him down again at the bell.”
The Marquez knockdown in the end would decide the fight. In the 7th they butted heads with Marquez escaping with a cut that the doctor checked then gave the “fight on” sign. Most missed the fact that Pacquiao also got nicked over the eye, which blossomed into a full-blown cut in the 8th thanks to a Marquez right hand. In the 9th Marquez received a serious cut on the right eyelid that was as wide as a Teelock’s creditability.
Take away the Pacquiao knockdown and it was an even fight. Marquez fought by far the smarter fight by using all his boxing skills to the fullest. Pacquiao was Pacquiao, showing flashes of his old aggressiveness, power and the delight in punching someone in the mouth.
Pacquiao got US$5 million and Marquez a little more than one million for the contest. Forget that, as both fought like they were fighting each other for their last nickel.
Rematch?
“I don’t like the decision, I still feel like a champion. It’s not about one round. I connected with more punches, more jabs, and I feel like I won ... the people know who really won the fight,” said Marquez.
He’s right but people don’t score the fight.
Pacquiao? “This business is over,” said the champ.
Next up for Pacquiao will be WBC lightweight champ David Diaz on June 28. Quoting the Frog, “Chapeau for both!”
Terdsak fails again
Thailand’s Terdsak Jandaeng has three losses on his record and all three came in the USA in title fights. WBO feather champ, Steven Luevano (35-1), was the latest with an easy 12 round decision over the Thai (119-109 twice, 118-109).
Terdsak’s problem is that his many years of Muay Thai boxing have left him with no balance which hinders his ability to deliver more than one power shot at a time. Tersak got a 4th round knockdown but couldn’t follow up to close the deal. Still the Thai is young, 26, tough as nails and can hit. The advice? Get another trainer and get rid of that Thais style English boxing.
Daiz – Campbell surprise
Due to the constraints of time, space and ability, the best fight of the Peter-Haye weekend was between Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (33-0) and Nate Campbell (31-5).
This one for the IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight title seemed to be set up for Diaz. He was the “Baby Bull” fighting in the Plaza de Torres in Mexico against a boxer many thought was not competitive. The betting was that in the end Diaz (El Toro), would have had a kill and be awarded ears, tail and hoofs.
Campbell however outworked and out punched Diaz with non-stop action. At the end of 12, Diaz had an “ugly” cut spewing blood from his damaged eye. Campbell won a MD (116-111, 115-112) with the blind judge scoring it (114-113) for Diaz.
“I knew he couldn’t take it,” said Campbell. “I knew I was the bigger puncher. I said I was going to take him out into the deep water and drown him and that’s what I did.”
Drowned in a Bull Ring? There’s one for Ripley.
Boxing’s Senior Tour
Heck, former lightweight champ Saoul Mamby at 60 went back in the ring for the first time since 2000. He took the time off after a rather bad decade of the 90’s when he went 5-10. Overall since he first turned pro in 1971 Mamby is 45-34.
Mamby’s first try at a world title was a losing effort to Saensak Muangsurir in Korat back in 1977. This time out in the Cayman Islands was a 10-round win over Anthony Osbourne whose record of 6-25-1 is indicative of his abilities. Still at 60 going 10 rounds is something.
Writing of older guys getting back in the ring, Markus Beyer (34-3-1) has returned following one and half years on the beach. Last Friday he met Murat Mahmudiov (16-3) from ‘Mother’ Russia. Beyer tossed a shut out over 8 rounds (80-72).
Next up for Beyer? Maybe Roy Jones jr.
“If two great fighters and champions come together for a big fight, that always means big money,” said Beyer. In the case of Jones jr. he left out the word “former,” as in past, used to be, and not now.
Then there’s 36-year old former WBO heavyweight champ Herbie “You can run but you can’t” Hide. He KO’d someone called Rudiger May in 2 rounds in Germany. May is now 43-14 but not the WBC international cruiserweight champ. Nope, “The Dancing Destroyer,” that be Hide, has the title. The win by Hide may provide an opportunity for one more cruiserweight fight for ‘Brit of the Hour’ David Haye. A fight between the two might ring the bell at the box office.
“Now I’ve got a message for David Haye: ‘Don’t go up to heavyweight! I’ve been there and done that. Come and fight me. Wherever, whenever, I’m ready for you. I’ll beat you up like you’ve never been beaten up before!’” gushed Hide.
One could make the case for Hide as in this comeback attempt he’s a sturdy 7-0 with 7 KO’s. He’s fought mostly in Germany with side trips to third world boxing countries Turkey and Arkansas, USA. That 7-0 tally might be balanced though by his opponent’s records of 104-64, or in other words, not too Chablis. Take away Hide’s last two opponents and it’s 42-59. Still a Hide-Haye fight would probably do blockbuster business.
TSR asks and boxing answers
As TSR writes so shall it be on earth. Last week it was it questioned in this column about the chances of a “do-over” between Wonjongkamn and Naito. “No problemo senor” came the news out of the Womnjongkram camp. Well maybe a little problem. Although still ‘numero uno’ for the WBC at 112lb, that doesn’t insure a title shot. First may be a mandatory, possibly within five months.
Promoter Wirat may also have made a mistake in sending a letter to the WBC concerning the scoring of the fight.
‘’We wanted the WBC to review the fight and the scores.”
Bad “Eye Deer Ah,” (little Canadian lingo.) Joe Kozumi thought Pongsaklek got a gift with a draw. The promoter also blamed the ‘open scoring’ saying, “He went on the offensive but found it difficult to catch Naito.” That’s not scoring, that’s ability.
Pongsaklek’s sponsor, Kratingdaeng (Red Bull), confirmed that they would bring the mandatory fight to Thailand even though it would cost a lot of money. Please deliver the Red Bull to my suite at the Diana Inn.
Monday in Bangkok
On deck Monday at the Rajdamnern Stadium is an interesting bout between former WBA super-bantam champ Somsak Sithchatchawal (56-2-1) and Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (32-1).
Somsak’s run as WBA super bantam champ didn’t last long as he won it from Mahyar Monshipour in Paris and lost it less than 3 months later to Celestino Caballero. Before the loss to Caballero, Somsak went 32-0-1.
Poonsawat’s loss came on his only trip outside Thailand when he challenged Wlasimir Sidorenko in Germany. He lost 120-108, 116-112 and 115-113. Might be worth a look see.
Jeeves Time
“Your Lordship, I have some results in from the land of Oz.
“Almost no one’s favorite boxer, Anthony Mundine (31-3), was said to have had a ‘tougher than expected’ bout when he retained his WBA super middleweight title. The bout was also called ‘grueling’ even though Mundine won 120-108, 119-109, 117-111 at the Sydney Entertainment Center.
“Gareth Hogg (12-1), an up and coming Aussie based light-heavyweight, got another win last week. He had no trouble with Thai Komgrit Nanakorn whose record was incorrectly reported as 10-6 but was really 0-4. ‘No trouble’ means 120-108 twice and 119-109. Nanakorn, called a Thai import, has never had a recorded fight in Thailand. It was written that Hogg was an ‘Australian-based Englishman’ but Your Lordship, weren’t all that lived there at one time ‘Australian based Englishmen’?
“I also got e-mail from the Lord of Pattaya. He says, ‘I agree with the bigger waist equals smarter theory.’ Also from South of the Border that your use of the word ‘Stinker’ in regard to the Peter fight was wrong.”
Well Jeeves, I rate a fight as a “stinker” if I wouldn’t pay to see the two boxers fight again. This one was a “stinker.”
On another front, The Frog enjoyed the correlation between possible brain damage to Kelly Palvik and campaigning for Hillary Clinton. He wrote, “I like that one, hahahaha.” Not often do you get a “4-ha” rating from the Frog. The following week Pavlik had dinner with Bill Clinton. Maybe exchanging phone numbers?
Jeeves, JEEVES!! Poor Jeeves, have to remind him of everything as he hasn’t recovered from St. Pat’s Day. He has Irish amnesia. That’s where you forget everything but the grudge.
“Yes your Lordship, I found this e-mail in the dust bin. It’s to you and reads: ‘Dear Chowderhead. Just a note to keep you on your toes! A WBO featherweight fight is 126lbs not 124lbs and in the first Marquez-Pacquiao fight judge Bert Clements scored it 10-7 instead of 10–6. Your Best Pal – BT.’ What do you have to say for yourself your Lordship?”
I expect extra lager with the cigars and music this week Jeeves.


Captain Bob Heath triumphs at last

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, March 10, Emerald - Stableford
Division 1
1st Bob Heath 43pts
2nd Russell Exley 37pts
3rd Jim Slattery 36pts
Division 2
1st Reed Welch 37pts
2nd Yukio Kikuchi 37pts
3rd Paul Taylor 36pts
After fourteen years of playing with The TAGGS group out of the IPGC, from their various homes, Bob Heath was finally victorious, in the first division, and not in a shy way, as he swept away the field by six clear shots to claim his first top spot and a standing ovation at the crowded prize giving. Many of the appreciative audience previously just knew him as Captain Bob from South Herts, who plays along with us for a couple of months every year. They now regard him in a totally different light and some were even seen to approach him to see if he could be available for some future team events as the main man.
Russell Exley, who would have been the headline man but for Captain Bob’s feat, took his first of three podium positions during the week, this time in second place ahead of his playing partner Jim Slattery in third. It set up a keen re-match in the matchplay contest to be held later in the week.
Reed Welch was another first time winner in the second division by a very close count back over Yukio Kikuchi with Paul Taylor another shot back in third spot.
Wilf Wellman had the only ‘2’ in the second division whilst Bob Heath shared the first division quadruple roll-over 2’s with Alan Griffiths.
Wednesday, March 12, Crystal Bay - Stableford
1st Mark Cooper 40pts
2nd Geoff Picken 37pts
3rd Russell Exley 36pts
4th Brian Libbey 36pts
5th B.J. Smith 35pts
6th Rodney Hayes35pts
Mark Cooper took the top placing for the day with an excellent four-under, over the very well prepared and conditioned A and B courses at Crystal Bay to deny Geoff Picken his first solo division win.
It was a well deserved return for the effort Mark has put in over the past weeks to improve his play, with hours spent honing his game plan at the local wineries deep into the night with the assistance of many and varied willing helpers.
Russell Exley was again to be found among the prize winners as his good form continues during his quest to become a single-figure handicapper, although he had to stay tough over the closing nine to claim the count back from Brian Libbey by a couple.
B.J. Smith also showed a return to form with his first prize for a little while to consign fellow Aussie, Rodney Hayes, to the last step.
Once again Wilf Wellman had the only ‘2’ in the second division; while Barry Winton and Russell Exley shared the much-reduced Division 1 pool.
Friday, March 14, Phoenix - Stableford
1st Russell Exley 39pts
2nd Phil Groves 37pts
3rd Alan Griffiths 37pts
4th Geoff Picken 37pts
5th Vic Barton 36pts
6th Yasuo Suzuki 36pts
After three good results in the week, Russell Exley finally made it to the top spot on the winners list, with an outstanding three -under and after having started with an out of bounds on the first hole on the Mountain he managed to complete the front nine in just 38 strokes. It was due only to dropping five shots over the last three holes that he only equaled his previous lifetime best and did not set himself a new landmark. The week’s efforts still produced a full shot drop in handicap to help him on his way to the magic target.
Phil Groves was another to find himself in the prizes for the first time in a while, with a good effort that saw off the challenge of Alan Griffiths on the last three holes and claim the count back from Alan in third and Geoff Picken in fourth place.
Vic Barton denied Yasuo Suzuki for the last meaningful prize on a crowded podium.
With fairly good scoring, it was a surprise that there were no 2’s in either division but that no doubt was reflection on the conditions which made club selection on the par threes a bit of a lottery.


Brian shines at Crystal Bay

PSC golf from The Caddyshack

Monday, March 10, Greenwood - Medal
Monday was a trip up north to the lovely and very reasonable priced Greenwood for a Medal competition.

Brian Orr was Friday’s Division One winner at Crystal Bay.

This format always sorts out who is playing consistently and on this day third place went to Graham Beaumont with a very tidy round of net 72. In second place was Ramsay Smith with a nice 2-under par round of net 70, but the most consistent and best golfer on the day was Peter Henderson with a solid net 68 to take first place.
The 2’s pot was shared by Graziani Amdeo and Jeff North.
Friday, March 14, Crystal Bay - Stableford
Today was a visit to the very nicely manicured course of Crystal Bay for a stableford round. With some great fairways and well-kept greens, this course always seems to bring in some sub-par rounds and today was no exception.
In Division One, Jeff North was pushed into third place on count back by Ian Covill after both came in with 37 points each, but way ahead and winning the division with a very respectable 41 points was Brian Orr.
Keith Hector scored 37 points for second place in Division Two but Ramsay Smith went one better with 38 to take the victory. Ramsay also scored a ‘2’ as did Brian Orr and Jeff North.


Dr. Mike just misses the mark

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
Story of the week has to be Dr. Mike Morten who missed a hole in one by just four inches at Eastern Star on Saturday. Playing the 171yd seventeenth hole he decided to attack it with a driver. His shot was pin high and all present thought it was in the hole but it was not to be as it rolled up just to the side. A tough one Mike. Still it was a very easy two and definitely a near pin.
Monday, March 10, Emerald - Stableford
A Flight (0-16)
1st Paul Hinson (16) 43pts
2nd Fergus Brennan (9) 36pts
3rd Brendan Moore (13) 36pts
4th Bob McPhail (14) 36pts
B Flight (17-up)
1st Peter Morris (27) 33pts
2nd Greg Mason (18) 32pts
3rd Paul Challis (30) 29pts
4th Eddie Townsend (17) 28pts
Near Pins: Bob McPhail, Roy Holmes, Fergus Brennan (2)
2’s: Brendan Moore, Fergus Brennan,Bob McPhail
Monday at Emerald we had a good turnout and as usual the course was in good shape. The B flight saw Peter Morris take the honours with 33 points, just piping Greg Mason who was enjoying his last full week of golf in Pattaya.
The A flight had Paul Hinson win by a full nine-point margin with 43. Fergus Brennan found his form again to take second after a three-way count back over fellow players Brendan Moore (another of our regulars who is returning home) and Bob McPhail all on 36.
Tuesday, March 11, Phoenix – 4-Ball Better Ball
1st Jeff Norman and Brendan Abbott - 45pts
2nd Andy Galvin and Frank Kelly – 43pts
Individual Stableford – Paul Challis
2’s: Steve Carleton, Andy Galvin
Tuesday saw a change of format from the usual Stableford to a 4-ball better ball event. However it was not without its problems as it was discovered, after all the reminding to players about filling in scorecards correctly, that the man himself Fergus had to disqualify himself for not having signed his card and losing out on first spot both for his team and the top stableford.
Jeff Norman and Brenda Abbott subsequently took the top place with 45 points followed by Andy Galvin and Frank Kelly with 43. The top individual stableford scorer on the day was Paul Challis.
Thursday, March 13, Pattana - Stableford
A Flight (0-17)
1st Fergus Brennan (8) 37pts
2nd Ito Akitoshi (8) 36pts
3rd Niall Cronin (10) 36pts
4th Pierre Cere (7) 35pts
B Flight (18-up)
1st Greg Mason (18) 37pts
2nd Brendan Abbott (25) 37pts
3rd Andy Galvin (20) 35pts
4th Jeff Norman (19) 35pts
2’s: Niall Cronin, Dean Rice, Fergus Brennan, Mab Jiwa, Bob McPhail, David McFeely
Near Pins: Fergus Brennan, David McFeely, Niall Cronin, Frank Kelly
Thursday’s outing was to Pattana and again the same names as earlier in the week were at the top of the listings with Greg Mason taking the B Flight on count back from Brendan Abbott, and Fergus Brennan taking the A Flight with 37 points from Ito Akitoshi on 36.
Saturday, March 15, Eastern Star (White Tees) – Stableford
A Flight (0-16)
1st Ray Trembath (11) 37pts
2nd Frank Kelly (14) 37pts
3rd Tony Molloy (11) 37pts
B Flight (17-20)
1st Andy Galvin (20) 40pts
2nd Harvey Samuel (19) 39pts
3rd Brian Prudden (20) 34pts
C Flight (21-up)
1st Peter Morris (27) 32pts
2nd Paul Challis (30) 31pts
3rd Richard Moore (28) 30pts
Near Pins: Tony Molloy, Dr.Mike Morton, Ray Trembath, Roger Wilkinson
2’s: Giorgio Baccioli, Peter Byrne, Mike Morten
Saturday and the usual weekend visit to Eastern Star saw a very large turnout in three flights.
The top honours on the day went to Peter Morris in the C Flight with 32 points from Paul Challis with 31. B Flight honours went to Andy Galvin with Harvey Samuel in second and in the A Flight, Ray Trembath after a four-way count back triumphed over Frank Kelly, Tony Molloy and Brendan Moore.
Reminder - If anyone is interested in golfing with the Travellers Rest we play every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at 7:45 a.m. for breakfast and transportation and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 for further information.


Son’s advice helps Kari win at Navy

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

The ladies at Siam Cats celebrate Faa’s birthday.

Monday, March 10, Plutaluang – Stableford
With no wind at all and temperatures higher than expected for this time of the year, it was a struggle for both divisions today.
In the two-divisional stableford contest, 32 points by Bruce Lawrence was the best score in Division 1 followed by Peter Seaward on 29 and Ole Dungaard with 28.
With his son over here and playing off scratch and a few lessons on the side, Kari Aarnio won Division 2 with 39 points and Andy Oz was second 7 points behind after beating William Chang on a 17/15 count back.
William Chang and Les Hall shared the second division 2’s pot after they both birdied the 3rd hole on the west course. There were no winners in the first division.
Near Pins went to Ole Dungaard (2), Ben Findon, Chris Holmes, Tony Duthie, Jack Hinchey and Jean Morel.
Wednesday, March 12, Green Valley – Stableford
It was our first visit here for two months and with 34 players out today, Mikael Andersson’s 37 points was enough to win Division 1 with Bill Hewitt beating Ted Morris for second on a 12/10 count back after they both came in with 35 points.
Les Hall’s 38 points won Division 2 with Colin Mearns second on 37 and Jean Morel third on 36.
Les also birdied the 16th to take his second 2’s prize of the week, whilst Howard Stanley and Paddy Wilson shared the first division rollover purse after birdies on the 9th and 2nd.
Near Pins were recorded by Andy Mills, Paul Richard, Howard Stanley, Paddy Wilson, Tony Duthie, Jean Morel (2) and Les Winch.
Friday, March 14, Eastern Star – Stableford
With a slightly smaller field than normal today there were only two places in each division up for grab. Geoff Stubbs took Division 1 with 37 points and Andy Mills was second with 34. The ladies dominated Division 2 with Miss Nom finishing on 37 for first and Miss Oam second with 35.
There were an amazing five 2’s today with Mikael Andersson and Andy Mills sharing the first division pot and Glyn, Colin Mearns and Andy Oz laying claims to the Division 2 purse.
Near Pins went to Mikael Andersson (2), Andy Mills, Geoff Stubbs, Glyn, Jill Stanley and Andy Oz.
There was a free buffet afterwards at Siam Cats for everybody to celebrate Faa’s belated birthday as Olaf was in Germany last week. Many thanks to them both.