Ambassador hotel hosts Kumite World Championship 2008

Saksiri Uraiworn
Kumite contestants were punching and kicked each other in earnest at the opening of the 2008 World Kumite Championships, which took place at the Ambassador City hotel in Jomtien.

Fighters in action at the 2008 World Kumite Championships held at the Ambassador City hotel in Jomtien.

Kumite is an integral part of the martial art of karate, concentrating on controlled sparring between two opponents. All participants know that fights can be lethal if not controlled well.
Gen. Pracha Promnok, accompanied by Rear Admiral Samak Noophairot, Principal of the International Marital Arts School, and Si Fu Robert Mcinnes, trainer at the Southeast Asia International Marital Arts School, opened the competition on August 30.
The self-defence competitors fight with their bare hands, with both themselves and the referees strictly controlling their blows so that the fighters do not to injure each other. There is a variety of fighting postures and free sparring, labeled with Japanese names such as Kihon, Kata and Yakute.
Pattaya was staging the event to showcase the sport to the local public and media.

Dusit to hosts upgraded WTA tennis tournament

Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd, the license holder for Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments in Thailand has announced that Dusit Thani Pattaya will be the venue for the upgraded WTA tournament which will be held from 7 – 15 February 2009.

Polish star Agnieszka Radwanska is pictured here in the final of the 2008 Pattaya Women’s Open at the Dusit Thani Pattaya. The resort has been chosen to host the new PTT Pattaya Open which takes place in February next year.

The new tournament, which is part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s newly created “international series” will be called the “PTT Pattaya Open” as it is an amalgamation of the 2 existing tournaments held in Thailand, the PTT Bangkok Open and the Pattaya Women’s Open. As part of the “international series,” the Pattaya tournament carries prize money of a minimum of US$220,000.
To meet the new criteria for hosting Sony Ericsson WTA tour “international series” events, a number of improvements have are being made to the venue to bring it up to standard. These include the construction of a fourth court on-site, increasing the grandstand seating capacity to 2,500 seats, improving the lighting on all courts and expanding the administration offices, press centre and the player facilities. The work on improving the venue will be completed by December.
Sarun Rungkasiri, Senior Vice President, Corporate Public Relations Department at PTT Public Company Limited said “it makes sense to amalgamate the two tournaments to create one bigger event, which will enable tennis fans in Thailand to see some of the world’s top tennis players in action. At the same time, we can continue our commitment to provide opportunities for our local Thai players to compete at the highest level of women’s professional tennis.”
Itthiphol Kunplome, Mayor of Pattaya City said “I am delighted that Pattaya continues to be the home of WTA tennis in Thailand. We have hosted women’s professional tennis in Pattaya for almost 20 years. The huge media exposure generated by the tournament plays an important role in creating a positive image of Pattaya around the world as an international sporting venue. With the upgrading of the tournament we can expect even greater media exposure from next year.”
More information on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event in Pattaya can be obtained by contacting Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd: Tel 02-3823491-3, Fax: 02-3823490, website; www.pentanglepro motions.com

The Beautiful Game?: by Riz Taylor

A sorry week for English managers

What an absolutely bizarre week that was. After the ups and the downs of English football over the past few years you’d have thought you’d seen it all, but the events of the past week or so have reached level of weirdness that nobody thought possible.
We’ll start at Newcastle, an old favourite of this column thanks to the club’s continued ability to shoot itself in the foot at any given moment.
Kevin Keegan has resigned as manager of the club, citing the difficulty of working with fans’ favourite Dennis Wise as one of the reasons behind his departure. Wise, the lovable Londoner brought in by owner Mike Ashley earlier in the year as an ‘executive director’ who would apparently support Keegan in the transfer market, now looks to have played a far larger part in affairs that Keegan either expected or could tolerate.
Alright, so Kevin Keegan is a man that probably carries a letter of resignation around in his back pocket in case the opportunity to sensationally resign ever presents itself. He did the same thing many times in his previous stint on Tyneside and most memorably quit as England manager in the toilets after defeat to Germany at Wembley, but you’ve surely got to feel something for ‘King Kev’ as he once again takes his ball and goes home.
A manager of perhaps an older school than his age, Keegan feels that the manager should have a final say in all coming and goings of a football club. Newcastle’s reluctance to back him by allegedly offering big earners Michael Owen and rent-a-thug Joey Barton to anyone willing to take them was the final straw, and he once again finds himself staring down the barrel of a long stint sat around in the sunshine and playing golf.
But much to the disappointment of many a betting man, Keegan wasn’t the first to depart his position in the Premier League ‘sack race’. West Ham’s Alan Curbishley pipped him to the post, resigning as manager of West Ham United under similar circumstances. Curbishley’s exit won’t be as hard felt by the club’s fans as much as Newcastle’s will miss Keegan, but none the less it signifies a change in club structure that managers – English managers in particular – are finding hard to comprehend.
I felt for Curbishley. This is the man that had saved his boyhood Hammers from relegation and then led the club into the Premier League’s top ten last season, yet still a large number of the Hammers’ fans continued to call for his head. He may have had a liking for signing crocked footballers on huge wages in many people’s eyes, but you do wonder how much control Curbishley had in transfer matters.
For the Premier League to lose not one but two honest, hard-working managers who both felt too uncomfortable in their positions to sit things out and wait for a sacking and inevitable financial payoff is a very real window into what the division has become.
Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez gives us an insight into the future. “If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success. But how many teams can win the title? Just one,” said Benítez, whose club will be the next to fall under wealthy Arab control should Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai finally persuade Hicks and Gillett to sell.
“So the rest of the teams who spend big money, the owners will realise they haven’t won, so it could be more pressure and more problems for everyone,” continued the Spaniard. “[Manchester] City will start the season under pressure from the first minute, but everyone knows you can’t win every game. It will be a problem because four or five teams will spend big money, and only one can win.
“As a manager, you have to analyse things properly, because you aren’t a fan. You can’t just say what people want to hear. The Premier League is becoming more and more difficult because so many people are spending money. For us to qualify for the Champions League for five years in a row is important for a club of our stature. We want to win trophies, and to win the Premier League would be amazing. But it’s not easy.”
Saha plays for free
Louis Saha was so desperate to play again he told Everton he did not want a penny until he was back in action, according to The Sun. The former Fulham man left Manchester United in a two million pound deal after four injury-hit years restricted him to just 52 league starts. Saha, 30, is still recovering from a cartilage problem and was prepared to wait until he is fit for his first pay packet - a gesture that would have cost him more than 150,000 pounds.
“It was something I did offer but, in the end, it didn’t happen,” said the striker. “I’d had a few setbacks and I made the offer because that is my type of mentality. I want to be able to look myself in the mirror. I could have been selfish but it wouldn’t have been right.”
This weekend
Liverpool against Manchester United at Anfield is this weekend’s must-see game by anyone’s stretch of the imagination, and despite Liverpool’s poor record against United under Benitez you’d expect them to get something out of this one, and that’s our first game on Saturday evening. Later in the day it’s the battle of the megabucks as Chelsea visit Manchester City. Newcastle are at home to Hull City.
Sunday’s glamour tie pits Everton at Stoke City, and late on Monday (early Tuesday, Pattaya time) you can see struggling Tottenham host Aston Villa.

Dietrich defeats the weather and the rest of the field

Phoenix Tuesday & Friday Group (Members & Guests)

Mike Gerrard
Tuesday, 2 Sept., Phoenix - Medal
It was 10.30am on the morning of our weekly game with our tee time at 12.00 noon. The sky was black, and I mean black. I had a call from Paul Sharples to say he could not get out of the hotel due to rivers flowing through the streets. Sounds like a Mickey Spillane best seller don’t it. Well like most good books it had a happy ending.

Graham Dietrich proudly shows off his newly won PSC golf umbrella.

Thirty minutes later most of the faithful few (including Paul) were at the course and we were even allowed to book carts for the day. Although some of the course was quite wet, it is remarkable how quickly the fairways of Phoenix drain.
This being the first Tuesday of the month, it was our monthly stroke-play trophy day, and the established Lakes and Ocean course was the challenge.
The prize for the best net score today was a beautiful newly designed PSC umbrella, (very apt for this time of the year) which was paid for and sponsored by Toy’s Music Bar.
Graham Dietrich continued his current good spell of form and won by a mile. A net 66 playing off 10 was his score today, and coupled with his 38 points from last Friday playing from the Blue Tees, it is little wonder that I was forced to cut him to 8 until the next PSC review, which will be this Saturday coming.
In second place was the ever-jovial Stuart Gordon with a fine net 71, and yours truly came in third with a net 73 (including a miserable 8 at the last).
Technical prizes went to Graham Dietrich and the Scribe (2), whilst the lucky draw went to the lovable American gentleman, David Czernie.
So it was off to Toy’s Music Bar for the usual celebrations and presentations.
With the main tourist season getting ever near, we move onto the next 4 Tuesday’s for our regular stableford competitions. Our next monthly stroke-play trophy will be on Tuesday 7 October.
Tee times will be harder to come by once the full tourist season starts, so if you want to play one of the best courses in the area during the high season, make sure you book with me (Mike Gerrard) before hand. If you are a member you will enjoy the usual cheap price. However, if you are a guest (and you are most welcome), you can enjoy a discounted price of 1,000 Baht green fee during all the high season (from the 1 November 2008 till 31 March 2009) as a guest of a members group.
Friday 5 September, Phoenix Blue (tiger) Tees - Stableford
At this stage we still only have a four-ball, but it’s sure to increase as time goes by.
The scores this week, mainly due to the heavy conditions, were not so good as the week before however, a great time was had with lots of fun under the strict tough rules of golf.
Contact me, Mike Gerrard on 087 091 7565 if you would like to join either the Tuesday golf or the Friday golf.

Campbell wins low scoring affair at Phoenix

PSC golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Tuesday, 2 September, Phoenix Lakes & Ocean (White Tees) - Stableford
Fifteen of us turned out to play the ever-lovely Phoenix in a single flight. The ‘silver fox’ turned up disguised as the ‘ginger ninja’ but of course it’s up to him.
Ian Campbell (22) kept his eyes on the ball to take top spot with 33 points, with David Gardner (9) runner up with 31 points followed by Peter Mills (23) also with 31 points and Neil Duncan (13) also with 31 points. Fifth prize went to Denis Dunkley (9) with 29 points.
Terry Bayley and Martin Haynes had near pin bonuses whilst ‘Good Ol’ David sunk the longest first putt on the 18th green.
Norman Jones and Denis Dunkley tell us that they have enjoyed playing with us during their holiday and in acknowledgement of this sponsored the day with merchandise prizes of booze, head covers, balls and a kit bag.
Readers of my little efforts will be aware of my poking some fun at participants’ kit bags. Well have I got news for you! Yours truly won the brand new light grey on dark grey Callaway kit bag with a separate boot compartment underneath. Oh such joy! Out goes the tatty old round-the-world backpack and in comes this state-of-the-art item. Chuffed to bits I am. Photo to follow.
The average score for the day on the 12 cards returned was a humble 26.6 points.
Thursday, 4 September, Green Valley
Thursday’s play at Rayong Green Valley was rained off. The managemnt very sportingly gave us 9-hole ‘rain cheques’ so we supported their restaurant extra well in return.
The hut in which some players took shelter on the course was apparently struck by lightning. There was this big bang instantaneous with white/blue flash followed by smell of electric train toys, burnt paint etc. Goes to demonstrate that us golfers really must take shelter whilst lightning is say five miles away from us rather than when it gets right on top of us.
NOTE: 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.

Lovatt shoots last day 64 to capture Outback Decanter

PSC Golf from the Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s Column
Monday, 1 Sept., Burapha - The Outbacker Decanter (Day 1)
Harvey Samuel was the only player under a handicap after the first day of this inaugural 36-hole stroke competition. The Decanter, which marks the first anniversary of the Outback Golf Bar and attracted a field of over 70 players, will become the premier event in the Outbacker calendar.

Jack & Bob with the Outbacker Decanter winner, Carl Lovatt (center).

Threatened by thunderstorms and heavy rain, the players escaped with a only a couple of showers that varied according to where they were on the course, but generally play was able to continue uninterrupted.
In the damp conditions from the proper medal tees (the blue markers) on A & B, the course played long and the narrow fairways were difficult to find. Some complained that the tee markers were so far back that on a number of holes they could not reach the fairway with their tee shot, but nobody said that it was supposed to be easy. A thirty-six-hole stroke play tournament is meant to be a true test of golf, and after all, isn’t that what handicaps are for?
The scattered showers also made for difficult putting conditions as many holes were doused and others remained dry, resulting in varying green speeds.
Generally the scores reflected the conditions, with Harvey opening up a four stroke lead from two Outbackers on 73, Frank O’Neill & Capt’ Bob. One shot further back, were three more regulars, Barry Chadbourn, Bob Lindborg & Alan Bishop together with 2 handicapper, Steve Morton.
Players who did not make the cut for the Decanter had their score converted to stableford points and carried forward to the second day.
Wednesday, 3 Sept., Burapha (Day 2)
The two-day Decanter was staged to mark the coming of age of The Outback Golf Bar, just one year since it opened on 6 Sept 2007. Nigel Cannon told the story of how the bar was born with Capt’ Bob, Jack the Lad and of course Queen Lot. Her team of little helpers and especially the success of Mr. & Mrs. Cook must not be forgotten either, he went on to say.

Capt’ Bob with Lumpy Russell, who scored 42 points at Siam & Briany Christie.

Harvey Samuel, the clear leader on day one, had a nightmare of a start with a ten on the first hole. But he’s made of sterling stuff is our Harvey and instead of giving up as most would, he dug in and proceeded to play the next seventeen holes 3 under his handicap, to end up fifth.
Frank O’Neill looked as though he was going to take the Decanter but faltered at the last two holes, finishing double-bogey, double-bogey and had to be satisfied a net 69 to come second.
The round of the day came from Carl Lovatt, who with a net 64 catapulted himself up the leaderboard from 8th to take the Decanter by three clear shots on 139. That’s a great round of golf Carl.
Marc Levy also played well for his 66, as did Alan Bishop who also shot 69, as prizes were awarded right down to Pottsy in tenth place.
There was also a two-day stableford competition for those that failed to make the cut for the Decanter. The scores may seem low, but remember that all the top scorers were playing in the main Decanter tournament. The surprise winner was Ted Gardner with a total of 62 points, from Des Scott on 60 and Peter Allen with 59. Prizes in this tournament were awarded down to seventh place.
The remaining players were in two more daily competitions, 1st day strokeplay & 2nd day stableford, split into the usual three divisions.
It had been impossible to unravel the complex scoring system until the end of the second day; no one was to know whether they had won anything in the matrix of four separate tournaments until the last score was counted. Nobody could win two prizes and finally, when all the calculations had been completed, some 41 players out of the average field of 66 for the two days walked away with a prize.
Additionally, there were a number of sponsor prizes kindly donated by: The Courtyard Restaurant & Bar, Khun John’s, Mulligans on the lake, Best Secret Bar, Orchid Bar, The Horn Bar, Paradise Bar, & Boxing Roo. All well recommended if you fancy a beer or a bite to eat. Thanks guys & one girl!
There were eight near pin prizes (Day 1) - John Emmerson, Jim Moreton, Bruce Milner & Kathy Doody; (Day 2) - John Emmerson, Steve Morton, Paul Greenaway & Bob Philp.
There were additionally a total of fifteen ‘2’s over the two days (Day 1) - Alan Bishop, Steve Morton, Bruce McAdam, Bruce Milner, John Emmerson & Charles Sheppard; (Day 2) - Frank O’Neill, Bob Philp, John Emmerson, Shane Ruddle, Brendon Dougal, Paul Sharples, Alan Thomas, Paul Greenaway & Briany Christie.
Day 1 Results (Stroke)
Div A (1-12)
1st Steve Morton (2) net 74
2nd Neil Varty (1) net 75
3rd John Emmerson (6) net 75
4th Bruce Milner (10) net 76
Div B (13-17)
1st Bob Lindborg (16) net 74
2nd Keith Hector (13) net 75
3rd Martin Zimmerman (17) net 76
4th Graham Hiskett (13) net 79
Div C (18+)
1st Suzi Lawton (22) net 79
2nd Sugar Ray Hanford (18) net 80
3rd Bruce McAdam (19) net 80
4th Mike Wing (18) net 81
Day 2 Results (Stableford)
Div A (1-12)
1st Vincent Smyth (10) 36pts
2nd Chris Davisson (9) 34pts
3rd Alan Thomas (6) 34pts
4th Paul Greenaway (11) 33pts
Div B (13-17)
1st Brian LeButt (17) 36pts
2nd Kevin Moraghan (16) 36pts
3rd George Bishop (17) 36pts
4th Joe Mooneyham (15) 35pts
Div C (18+)
1st Gary Hewson (28) 38pts
2nd Joachim Oestreicher (24) 37pts
3rd Brendon Dougal (19) 34pts
4th Alan Griffith (20) 33pts
2-Day Stableford Competition (Decanter non-qualifiers)
1st Ted Gardner (10) 62pts
2nd Desmond Scott (9) 60pts
3rd Peter Allen (22) 59pts
4th Briany Christie (1) 58pts
5th Mike O’Brien (20) 57pts
6th Geoff Doody (20) 54pts
7th Ian Covill (13) 53pts
The Outbacker Decanter (2-Day stroke play)
1st Carl Lovatt (16) net 139
2nd Frank O’Neill (15) net 142
3rd Marc Levy (12) net 143
4th Alan Bishop (17) net 143
5th Harvey Samuel (18) net 143
6th Barry Chadbourn (20) net 145
7th Bob Philp (7) net 147
8th Paul Bourke (11) net 147
9th Hans Kafka (18) net 148
10th Cambell Potts (19) net 148
Friday, 5 Sept., Siam Plantation - Stableford
Due to a major tournament here today with a shotgun start, everybody needed to be clear of the Pineapple course before 12.30. With a six-group limit and an earlier than usual start time, this was easily achieved. Sugarcane was then opened as the back nine just for the Outbackers to complete their round at their leisure.
Lumpy Russell recorded the best round of golf here since the Outback Golf Bar started coming here back on 23 May. He amassed an incredible 42 points, which round the course is some eight shots below handicap; apparently he was putting them in from everywhere.
Capt’ Bob, playing alongside him, was skinned alive for all eighteen holes as the third member of the group, the flamboyant Greg Richie, also played well to make 34 points to ease into third place. Second was Kalarni Makaneole, who also played extremely well for his 38.
There was only one ‘2’ coming from Briany Christie
1st Lumpy Russell (11) 42pts
2nd Kalarni Makaneole (11) 38pts
3rd Greg Richie (17) 34pts
4th Anucha Pulbrook (24) 31pts
5th Robert Cross (8) 31pts
6th Briany Christie (1) 30pts
Friday, 5 Sept., Green Valley - Stableford
Kevin Hamilton can look forward to a new handicap after an excellent 42 points in a rain interrupted round. The storm caused a number of players to leave the course, mostly because of the severe flooding. So although some seventeen Outbackers set out to play, only twelve scores were returned.
There were no ‘2’s on the day.
As a side note, sound travels at 1,100 feet per second and there are 5,280 feet in a mile, that means as a rule of thumb, for every five seconds counted between seeing the lightning and the thunder being heard, the storm is one mile away. It is the Outback Golf Bar’s absolute minimum recommendation that if you can count 15 seconds and the next count is less, take immediate shelter until the storm passes. The professional circuit guideline is fourteen miles.
1st Kevin Hamilton (19) 42pts
2nd Peter Emslie (18) 34pts
3rd Bob Lindborg (16) 34pts
4th Norm Martin (26) 31pts
Note: Monday 15 Sept. (Burapha), Weds 17 Sept. (Phoenix) & Friday 19 Sept. (Siam Plantation) is the Ryder Cup Pattaya style. Sign up at Outback Golf Bar, The Golf Club in Soi LK Metro or Lewiinski’s.
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.

Thomas Aces at Eastern Star

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Sunday, 31 August, saw another memorable day for the Pattaya Golf Society as they played out their usual Sunday stableford competition at Eastern Star.

David Thomas, right, is congratulated by Mr. Denis after his hole-in-one at Eastern Star.

Almost four years to the day after Alan McGrory had come up with the group’s first competition hole-in-one, David Thomas added his name, the sixth, to the list. Most recently, at the end of July on the same course, Aussie Barry McIntosh had the honour with an ace on the seventeenth and this time the canny Kiwi fired another on the sixth, his six iron inexorably finding the bottom of the cup on the tough 170 yard par three. It marked his first in competition golf and it will remain in his golfing memory for a long time.
Elsewhere it was to be a day for the ladies. In joint fourth place were Bobby Shirkey and Ken Deringer with 33 points each. Bill Fenton produced his best ever round to finish third on 35 points, a mere point behind local lady member Ya Chaiyanont who recorded level par figures for second place. Unusually Ya’s best gross of 82 was matched by another Thai lady regular, Mod Churaiska and the benefit of a slightly higher handicap gave her the victory with 38 points.
Old friend Masashi Iizumi had just returned to his golfing home at the OK Corral and recorded the day’s only birdie ‘2’ but his face retained the infectious smile as he acknowledged David Thomas’s feat in scooping the 2’s pot. For Masa the Booby Bevy was inevitable!
It was also a day when Chris Voller cemented his second successive “Player of the Month” award with an all-time high score of fifty points, but he did not begrudge the canny Kiwi the limelight. You never know in golf Chris, who’s next?
Greenwood
goes to form
We travelled to Greenwood on Tuesday, 2 Sept., to play a stableford competition over the B and C nines and found the course bereft of golfers. It must be said that at present the course is not the challenge it normally is as the white tee pegs have been on the forward tees for more than a month now, making it a drive and a short iron track for the longer hitters.
So it proved on this day as the results went completely to form. In joint third place were Chris Voller and Tony Thorne with 37 points each and sharing the victory were David Thomas and Rick Schramm, both recording 38 points.
There were no birdie 2’s and the Booby Bevy went to Ken Deringer, no mean golfer himself, for his failure to break par, thereby letting his long-hitting peers and playing group down. Altogether it had been a bit of a yawn at Greenwood.
Schramm & Kure
Tie at Emerald
Thursday, 4 Sept., the Pattaya Golf Society visited a very quiet Emerald course at Ban Chang to play a stableford event under brooding skies.
Beginning well the group took advantage of the cooler conditions with many of the field returning good sub-par scores over the front nine. Then the inevitable happened as the thunder struck and lightning flashed, causing most of the field to seek the comfort of a kiosk. When play resumed after more than thirty minutes, not unexpectedly, scores began to change as stiffness and a loss of rhythm affected those restarting their rounds.
Nevertheless, Len Jones managed to hold his game together, returning 36 points for third place, his card showing a 21 - 15 split. Two points ahead were the joint winners Rick Schramm and Stan Kure, their cards showing a similar profile. It was especially pleasing for Stan as his previous visit had seen him fretting with a dose of the shanks. Obviously he had now found a “kure”!
The large rolled-over 2’s pot was shared by Rick, Stan, Len, Chris Voller and Simon Kendall.
The biggest loser on the day was Ian Wilson who had shared the lead at halfway only to find it dissipate on the back nine and he enjoyed the Booby Bevy at his leisure later back at the OK Corral. The day had been typical of golf in the wet season, good golf punctuated by frustrating delays.

Riley makes winning return at Eastern Star

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, 1 Sept., Green Valley – Stableford
As we approached the course today the clouds became darker and more intense and just after we had all changed the heavens opened. After talking to the starter and explaining that we had eight groups instead of the six booked he replied, “You can start 15 minutes earlier.” At this point the rain was easing off and there were blue skies in the distance as the first group out was the ladies, their faces saying it all as they teed off in the rain.
There were two rollovers in the 2’s today and it was all to play for. Ben Findon’s birdie on the tough 9th hole was not good enough to secure the pot outright as Neville Scurrell also got a ‘2’ on the 12th to share the kitty.
Tony Duthie, Joe Kubon and Mam Morel all shared the Division 2 prize that included a rollover from Eastern Star the previous Friday, after they all birdied the 12th hole.
Nearest the pins went to Simon Kendall, Neville Scurrell, Paddy Wilson, Alan Bissell, Tony Duthie (2) and Miss Nom.
In the stableford competition, Neville Scurrell beat Mikael Andersson on a 21/18 back nine count back to finish third in Division 1 after they both returned 35 points. Ben Findon also lost out on a count back of 19/16 to Simon Kendall who won the division with 36 points.
Ian Wilson’s 37 points were enough to win Division 2, Jack Hinchey was second with 35 and in third position after two months in the medical doldrums was Rick Newman who beat Tony Duthie on count back after they both finished with 34 points.
The ladies tipple was awarded to Alan Bissell for his two shots off the tee that never made the ladies tee.
Wednesday, 3 Sept., Greenwood - Monthly Medal
A slightly smaller field than normal was due to the traveling distance involved and the fact that the format for the day was the monthly medal. The course was deserted when we arrived and the B and C nines were in exceptional condition.
A net 76 placed Alan Bissell in second place in Division 2 with the winner, Tony Duthie, coming home in two shots less. Slightly better scores in Division 1 with Dannie Larsen the runner up with a net 72 and the winner was Jean Morel finishing with a net 71.
There were no 2’s recorded in either division.
Paul Butler returned today and unaware of his winnings from the 2 June after finishing top in division 1, he donated the prize to share for everyone playing in the rainbow extravaganza on 24 Sept. at Emerald. Many Thanks Paul.
Friday, 5 Sept., Eastern Star – Stableford
After 3 and 4-month absences respectively, it was good to welcome back into the Jomtien fold Harry Riley from the UK and Andy Oz from down-under.
Only one temporary green today, the 17th, at this ever-improving course and there were two rollovers to play for in the 2’s pot. Kevin Walsh’s birdie on the third gave him the Division 1 pot whilst none were recorded in the second flight.
In the stableford competition the two aforementioned arrivals finished in the top three in Division 1 with Andy Oz in third place with 32 points, in second with 36 was Kevin Walsh and winning the day was Harry Riley on 37 points.
Jimmy Johnson posted his best ever score to win Division 2 with 40 points, the organiser was second with 32 points and two arch rivals were tied for third on 31 points; Miss Nom beat Miss Oam on count back to at last put a smile on the old man’s face.
Note: Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Siam Cats, Soi 5 Jomtien Beach Rd. at around 8.30 am for a 10.00am tee off time. Please sign up in the bar or call Glyn on 086 837 5464. Our new website is up and running with all of the IPGC monthly fixtures as well as our own schedule. There are weekly updates on handicaps, results, rules and regulations and the photo gallery.

Bill Key defies the weather

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar

The famous weather controllers of Three Sisters Golf group failed to perform on 2 Sept. at Pattaya Country Club as the skies opened up and the lightning flashed. The day began with a bit of fog that quickly cleared up only to be followed by a slight drizzle.

Tuesday’s winner Bill Key, left, with runner-up Ray Britland.

The two “Pauls,” normally the first off the tee at 6:30 a.m. begged off with colds. Even some of the regular caddies fell victim to colds and flu like symptoms.
Herbie, Dale, Sus and Bob gave it their best shot but when the skies opened up they gave in to Mother Nature. The dampened group retreated to Caddy Shack II where the “no-shows” did show for some nice ham sandwiches and a beverage or two.
Finally Bill Key, Ray Britland and his wife pulled in having completed the full 18. Bill finished with a respectable 34 points while Ray and his wife kept their scores confidential. Nonetheless, being the only group to finish, Bill Key got the win with Ray taking a reluctant second place. Hopefully Mother Nature will see all the regulars back in form next Tuesday.

Tough times at Treasure Hill

PSC golf from The Bunker
Monday, 1 September, Treasure Hill - Stableford
1st PJ Redmond (19) 31pts
2nd William Macey (10) 28pts
3rd John McDonald (6) 28pts
The long drive to Treasure Hill is always a pain but the beautiful but very challenging course makes the journey worthwhile. And as usual the course lived up to its reputation, putting the Bunker Boy’s through torture as the scores were to reflect.
PJ Redmond came out on top with a pretty ordinary 31 points while William Macey and John McDonald both came in with 28 points - William taking second place on a count back.
If you need any more proof that this is one of the toughest tracks around the fact that only two par three greens were hit will show you; the two prizes went to Gerry Cooney and Richard Scoby.
Wednesday, 3 September, Bangpra - Stableford
1st Alan Sullivan (12) 36pts
2nd Reg Smart (24) 35pts
3rd Geoff Parker (15) 35pts
Playing golf at the vastly improved Bangpra is getting better all the time. The maintenance carried out on the fairways and greens has improved the course immensely and the work that has been done on the clubhouse makes this course great value for money.
I’m told the Japanese style toilets are a treat in themselves; Duncan Lee going to the extreme of having chili for breakfast in the bar to make sure he needed to visit the loo’s when he got to the course!
On the playing side Alan Sullivan continues to improve his golf, getting down to a twelve handicap from nineteen only a few months ago. Alan won with 36 points, beating old warhorse Reg Smart into second place on a count back while Geoff Parker took third just one point further back.
Geoff won two of the near pin prizes with Alan Sullivan and JJ Harney claiming the other two.
Friday, 5 September, Crystal Bay - Medal
A Flight
1st Mashi Kaneta (12) net 71
2nd Stan Kure (12) net 73
3rd Geoff Coc (12.9) net 77
B Flight
1st Richard Scoby (13) net 73
2nd Geoff Parker (15) net 73
3rd Colin Stokes (23) net 73
There was a big turn out for the ever-popular Crystal Bay and the field was split into two flights, the cut being made at handicap 12.9. This put Geoff Cox (12.9) into the A Flight and Richard Scoby (13.0) in the B Flight and this was to have some significance as the results show.
There was a three-way tie in the B Flight with a count back deciding that “Scoby” won, Geoff Parker got second and unlucky Colin Stokes had to settle for third place. The A Flight was more clear cut where Mashi won by two shots ahead of Stan Kure (playing on his “home” course) and Geoff Cox being fortunate to get in the A Flight took third place.
Near pins were shared by William Macey, Colin Stokes, Peter Habgood and Duncan Lee (who did have the pleasure of visiting the loo!)

The Scribe falls foul of the Rule Book

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, 1 Sept., Khao Kheow – Stableford
The Pete Dye designed Khao Kheow A & B layouts were the host to a stableford competition where once again the course was the ultimate winner.

P.S. Basi was a winner on count back at Greenwood last Thursday

We started out with relatively dry conditions but there was thunder in the area and after about eight holes a storm came in and we had to stop for about 40 minutes. After resuming the course was sopping wet for the rest of the round.
Graham Buckingham was the overall winner with a magnificent 31 points (yes 31 points). In second was Monte Sykes with 29 points with Henry O’Brien in third on 27 and Bill Plath in fourth on count back over Martyn Topham, both with 25 points. Noted the scores are not great, but you only have to score enough points to win, and after rain this course can be a real monster.
Khao Kheow is currently offering various special deals so check out their website for details.
Thursday, 4 Sept., Greenwood – Stableford
All the players like to go to Greenwood. When you have played some of the really hard courses it is nice to return to reality and play a course that is not only forgiving, but is also pleasure to play. This course is in very good condition considering it is classed as one of the lesser venues, but it is on everyone’s list of favourite places to play when you take into count overall value.
After a few weeks of disasters, I quite looked forward to a good day out, and in fact that is how it turned out, with only a misplaced penalty causing the scribe to be beaten on count back. This course always helps a long hitter, especially when they can keep it on the short stuff. If I learned anything on this day it was to carry a rule book with me.
So after a really enjoyable day the winner was P.S. Basi with 39 points on count back you’re yours truly in second. In third place was Monte Sykes, now playing off a handicap of 4, with 37 points and in fourth was Mike Winfield with 36 points.
With the roads now much easier to navigate, the drive there and back were much easier, but beware that Route 7 now has 90km/h speed limit signs on it. T.T.F.N.

The “Nearly’s” make it at last

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
Some of our golfers try week after week to make the top spot only to come up short time and time again. Well this week two of them finally made it. Roger Wilkinson won the B flight on Monday at Pattana and Ito Akitoshi the A flight at Phoenix on Thursday. Matt Gibbons “Mr Second” carried on just as he left off last week and was second yet again on Saturday at Eastern Star.

Fergus Brennan: Saturday’s winner at Eastern Star.

“Mr Organiser” Fergus took the win of “A” at Eastern Star with Steve Gould taking the “B.” The shortage of two’s of late is also over with four on Monday, just the one on Thursday and three on Saturday.
The weather also tried to mess up things a bit this week with delays both on Monday and again on Saturday but our hardy participants rode it out as they always seem to do and then carried on with play.
Monday, 1 Sept., Pattana - Stableford
A Flight (0-14)
1st George Robinson (12) 36pts
2nd Robert Lamond (5) 35pts
3rd Billy Fitzgerald (14) 34pts
B Flight B (15-up)
1st Roger Wilkinson (15) 32pts
2nd Gunner Vangsnes (22) 31pts
3rd Frank Kelly (16) 30pts
2’s: Billy Fitzgerald, Alun Webber, Robert Lamond, George Robinson
First outing this week was to Pattana, a course not visited by us a great deal, this time on Monday due to a large event planned for the Tuesday. We had a good turnout and two divisions and the course, as you would expect with a big comp planned, was in tip-top condition. However, the weather played up and caused delays during play and affected the playing conditions preventing players from enjoying the full potential of a well-prepared course.
George Robinson thirty-six points came out on top of the A Flight and Roger Wilkinson won the B Flight with thirty-two. Nice to see him have a win at last.
Four 2’s were recorded by Billy “Whiz” Fitzgerald, Alun Webber, Robert Lamond and George Robinson.
Thursday, 4 Sept., Phoenix Lakes & Mountain - Stableford
A Flight
1st Ito Akitoshi (9) 38pts
2nd Harvey Samuel (17) 34pts
3rd Fergus Brennan (10) 34pts
4th Roger Wilkinson (15) 32pts
B Flight
1st Gary Hall (22) 37pts
2nd Alan Evans (25) 36pts
3rd Alun Webber (23) 33pts
4th Peter Morris (23) 31pts
2’s: Alun Webber
Thursday, and it was again back to one of our regular visits to Phoenix Lakes and Mountain and yes, once again we had a very good turnout and two flights, 0-18 and 19 up.
A Flight saw a win for Ito Akitoshi with thirty-eight points. Nice to see him back at the top again. He was followed by Harvey Samuel with a good thirty-four points on count back over third placed Fergus Brennan. B Flight belonged to Gary Hall with a great thirty-seven points and just the one ahead of Alan Evans on in second. One point further back in third was Alun Webber who also recorded the only ‘2’ on the day.
Saturday, 6 Sept., Eastern Star - Stableford
A Flight
1st Fergus Brennan (10) 36pts
2nd Matt Gibbons (14) 36pts
3rd George Robinson (11) 32pts
B Flight
1st Steve Gould (19) 33pts
2nd Ted Senior (17) 33pts
3rd Garry Hall (22) 31pts
2’s: Kevin Read, Matt Gibbons & Dean Rice
Saturday we went to our usual weekend venue at Eastern Star. We had yet another good turnout on the day the numbers are definitely picking up again.
Like the previous week it turned out to be no easy day for anyone, the weather was unkind with rain delays during the round and the pin placements were still testing.
So no fabulous scores were posted but this failed to deter organiser Fergus Brennan from taking the spoils in A Flight with a count back thirty-six pointer over “Mr. Second” Matt Gibbons. George Robinson came in third.
I have reported many times over the past weeks second and thirds for Steve Gould so it gives me great pleasure to see him take the win of the B Flight with thirty-three points and a count back win over Ted Senior. Garry Hall was third.
Three 2’s were recorded by Kevin Read, Matt Gibbons and Dean Rice.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

For eons the world has had a go at us Yanks for the perceived way we act. “You’re arrogant, you don’t care what anyone thinks and you think you’re better than anyone else.”
Depending on your viewpoint those people that engage in such actions are either right or wrong. There was a time when the US of A ruled the heavyweight division of boxing. If you were the best heavyweight boxer in America, you were the best in the world.
That’s no longer the case as the power, such as it is, in the heavyweight division has shifted to those fun loving folks from Russia, with Samuel Peter adding a touch of Africa to the heavyweight stew.
With the demise of the USA, Germany has become the center of heavyweight boxing with fighters based there pretty much ruling the roost. All are from either Russia or former soviet dominated countries.
What started this dissertation of fact on heavyweight boxing was a story that appeared on-line last week in regard to Nikolai Valuev’s win over John Ruiz. One line particularly caught my eye: “International media praised the Russian giant for a much-improved performance.”
Because of the full disclosure clause in TSR’s contract with the Pattaya Mail, it must be stated that said TSR doesn’t give a “rat’s posterior” what the international media says about anything, at anytime or anywhere.
Today’s heavyweights when compared to actual boxers are pathetic. A heavyweight with an actual jab is as rare as rhythm on the stage at the TQ. You are as likely to see a heavyweight that can go 3 sluggish rounds without sucking air as snow on Beach Road.
Think TSR jests?
On September 14 Eric Esch, with a record of 77-7-4 with 58 KO’s, will fight for a European belt against Brit, Mark Potter (21-5) in Blackpool. Two points here: Potter holds no titles having lost in bids for the BBB of C, the Commonwealth title and the vacant BBB of C southern area heavyweight tile. Eric Esch? That would be the famous Butterbean.
One final comment on the recent Valuev-Ruiz fight. Sir Frog wades in with, “Hi Buddy, saw the fight last Saturday morning between Valuev-Ruiz at 5 a.m. As I expected, boring! I fell asleep after the 5th round. I can say that Valuev’s jab has improved. Ruiz was hanging around and was aggressive but it’s not easy to hit a guy from 1.33 meters. There will never be an exciting fight with Valuev. He is too big. There should be a little Tyson with the new upcoming generation of boxers.”
Don’t hold your breath Sir Frog.
The Countdown … Oscar & Manny
From now until December 6 everyone and their brother will be wading in with opinions, fact and just plain useless blather. It can accurately be written (so of course it will be) that this match will be the closest thing to Holyfield-Tyson since … well Holyfield-Tyson.
Might be good to place in the back of the mind that Pacquiao will be moving up two weight classes for this encounter. That’s a big jump in less than 6 months with no fights in between.
It should also be remembered that in his last fight Manny Pacquiao looked great against a guy, David Diaz, who looked terrible in his fight leading up to Pacquiao. Some, including this space, attributed that bad showing to “saving something.” In retrospect Diaz saved nothing as he had nothing. Unlike Diaz, De La Hoya will actually throw punches.
Former WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul had a dose of Pacquiao back in 1998. Chatchai got knocked “cattywampus” in 8. After the fight he said of Pacquiao, “(He’s) fearless, kind hearted and with the heart of a champion.”
The Three Dot Lounge…
‘Hello there, Mr. Dunahee. Same thing? Phuket Island Lager? No problem Mr. Dunahee.
‘I read that Ricky Hatton has decided that Floyd Mayweather Sr. is going to take over his training. Yeah, my thoughts too. Won’t make any difference, especially when it’s actually a Mayweather assistant, Lee Beard, that’s flying over to Manchester to do the actual work. Yeah, love to be a fly on the wall the first time Floyd Sr. and Hatton engage in a conversation. Each will need a translator. Yeah, I could train Hatton for the November 22 fight in Las Vegas with Paulie Malinnaggi.
‘Mr. Dunahee, what’s your take on former featherweight champion Scott Harrison going back to jail? Read where he hit his girlfriend. Man he’s got problems. Lately he’s been arrested for drunk driving, lost his world title, lost his boxing license and filed for bankruptcy. He sure looked great when he whipped your pal Wayne McCullough but as you say, “a bum is a bum.”
‘Hit ya again Mr. Dunahee? Ok, well have a good week.’
Strange guy that Mr. Dunahee - but a big tipper.
The Bell tolls
Last week former middleweight champion Joey Giardello passed away. From 1953 until 1967 he fought the best in the world. In fact not only fought the best but beat most of them. His record of 101-25 works out to almost 10 fights a year. He fought Sugar Ray Robinson (won), Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Dick Tiger and Rubin “Hurricane” Carter to name but a few.
Hall of Fame promoter J. Russell Peltz said of Giardello, “He was the greatest middleweight ever to come out of Philly and one of the few white fighters of his era who fought every tough black guy out there.”
Massacre in Manchester
T’was not a good night for favorites in Manchester last Saturday night. TSR has always identified Amir Khan as a “star in waiting” or the “next great” boxer in the UK. Those titles may still be in play but “undefeated” no longer holds.
Last week TSR noted that Khan’s opponent, unknown Breidis Prescott, packed a darn good punch and he had 17 KO’s from 19 wins. There had been some trepidation in the Khan camp about their fighter’s ability to take a punch.
At 33-1 Colombian Prescott, making his European debut, needed only 54 seconds of the first round to land two left hooks while scoring a KO over Amir Khan, who is now 18-1.
“I’ve got no excuses, the better man won,” said Khan later. “He caught me cold in the first round. It was just one of those fights. I lost in the amateurs and came back, and I will do the same again. I am going to come back strong.”
It’s always a challenge for a quality boxer to come back after that first loss. They either learn moving forward or regress, becoming just another boxer.
Nicky Cook (29-1) was the underdog on the same card when he challenged Alex Arthur (26-2) for the WBO super-featherweight title. Cook won a surprisingly easy UD (117-111, 117-112, 115-114) where Arthur’s performance was described as “flat.”
Houston
No massacres in Houston, but there were two good fights by guys that were out to redeem themselves.
Super-featherweight Rocky Juarez came out of the Olympics a number of years ago touted for greatness. He never made it. Like Amir Khan he was fed opponents to build a record, but that only works for so long. When asked to step up against the likes of Humberto Soto, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez he came up short.
Coming off the loss to Marquez it seemed to be the “same old story” against ex jr. lightweight champ Jorge Barrios. Despite the bogus deduction of 2 points in rounds 3 and 9 Barrios led on all cards going into the 11th round. Juarez put on a display of guts and effort, dropping Barrios while opening a cut to the side of Barrios’ mouth that would halt the fight at the 2:55 mark.
The companion fight was between former lightweight champions Juan Diaz (34-1) and Aussie Michael Katsidis (23-2). Both boxers were coming off the first losses of their careers: Diaz at the hands of Nate Campbell and Katsidis getting KO’d by Joel Cassmayor while leading.
The bout was an example of “first fight after the first loss”. Both boxed well with Diaz getting the win via a split decision (116-112, 115-113 and 113-115). Most that viewed the bout, including TSR, had Diaz winning at least 10 of the 12 rounds so the final outcome seems closer than it was. How judge Glenn Hamada, of the state of Washington, could see it for Katsidis must be the 9th wonder of the world.
Katsidis trainer Brenden Smith told his boxer throughout the contest, “You’re doing fine. Just perfect. Beautiful.” He must have known something cause Katsidis was getting beaten to the punch and his opponent was throwing more punches and with more power. Go figure.
Jeeves Report
On Sunday morning at 10 a.m., Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will get a “live” TV card from the Cebu Coliseum in the Philippines. The supporting bout of the “big card” will be when promising super-featherweight Joel De La Cruz battles former WBA super-bantamweight champion Somsak Sithchatchawal.
Somak has had a great career with a record of 57-3, including a world title. Mr. De La Cruz? The press release announces, “De La Cruz has a record of 15-4 with 3 knockouts. He won the Philippine Boxing Federation super-featherweight title with a unanimous ten-round decision over Dondon Lapuz.”
As the Master likes to write, “Now the rest of the story.” De La Cruz actual record is 2-4 and his big win over Dondon Lapuz was less than advertised. Mr. Dondon is 11-29 including losing the last 8.
IQ check
Back in August the Las Vegas home of Floyd Mayweather jr. was burglarized. In what may well be the largest robbery in Las Vegas history, discounting what casinos do every day, the robbers walked away with over $7 million in jewels and cash. No one has been arrested and there are 1.8 million suspects, which just happens to be the metro population of Las Vegas.
The loss may force Jr. to un-retire, there’s a shock, and face Oscar or Manny next year. Floyd is doing his part to catch the bad guys as he offered a $100,00 dollar reward. That ought to do it. I got $7 million in jewels and cash and I turn myself in for $100,000. Look out MENSA.
Jeeves Time
‘Your Lordship, I’ve laid in a goodly supply of magic elixir, the humidor is chocker-block full and there’s enough sounds for weeks. I’m off to Bourbon Street Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Bangkok to help Doug celebrate his 22 years in business. But not to worry because I’ll be back Sunday to attend the Jesters Care for Kids FREE Fair.
‘I also want to apologize for remarks I made last week implying the your Lordship is a “drunk master.” Got an e-mail from the Singapore Sucker, “In my humble opinion his Lordship is not a drunk but a master of many skills.” I’m somewhat confused though with the meaning of this e-mail from a Miss Rinda, “Skitamarinky dinky dink… skitamarinki doo...”’
‘Elementary my dear Jeeves. Like the motto of Bourbon Street it means, “Eat fish live longer, Eat oysters and love longer.” For safety’s sake start with 6 oysters. Life is good.’

More monkey business at Bangpra

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Thomas Cotton
Tuesday, 2Sept., Bangpra - Stableford
1st Mashi Kenata 36pts
2nd Dick Warberg 36pts
3rd Mike Phillips 35pts
4th Don Carmody 35pts
Near Pins: Mashi Kenata, Al Thomas, Derek Brook
Long Putts: Peter King, Mike Phillips
Fifteen warriors met at Bangpra on Tuesday morning and were thrilled with the newly renovated clubhouse and luxurious new change rooms.
As we teed-off, the weather was sunny and it was pleasing to behold a green course, which had been rather brown and dry just a few months ago. But the sunniness soon gave way to clouds, distant thunder and a gentle drizzle which dampened the course and made the playing muggy.
The local resident macaque population was quite amused at the stress this put on the golfers and on one hole a small troupe made off with the flag and one of the player’s balls. A few others mocked the invaders by naughtily mounting one another. In no time there was a full revolt against the invaders underway.
This ignominy took its toll on the golfers, whose pace slackened and the foursomes gradually became separated from each other until in the back nine, they were sprawled out like Napoleon’s Grand Armee retreating from Russian in 1812. The last groups were taking more than five hours to complete the round.
Perry McNeely’s five-some fought a valiant rearguard action against the taunting monkeys. The walking wounded were very glad to escape the hostile simians as they reached the shelter of the clubhouse.
The new changing room showers were a delight for the defeated sapiens, many of whom revelled in the spanking new stainless steel shower fixtures and full-length mirrors which enabled the bathers to admire their physiques or attend to their wounds.
Later we rendezvoused in the further safety of Topical Bert’s Beach Bar to re-hydrate and honour those amongst us who had bravely acquitted themselves in the simian invasion.