Walker strolls home at Eastern Star

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, 29 September, Plutaluang – Stableford
After an eight-week absence due to the condition and renovation of the course, we all arrived and it was suggested by our regular caddies to play the North and South nines, this is now described on the new scorecard as the old course.

Miss Nom, Surre Walker and Miss Oam at Siam Cats.

We were all bemused back in the clubhouse at the new handicap ratings on these two nines, the lighthouse par 3 is now rated the second hardest hole of this eighteen, while the par 4 third hole on the south course, which many of our players have never been on in two, is now stroke index 17, it maybe a misprint …who knows.
In the 2’s competition there were no winners in division 1, so a rollover ensued to Green Valley on Wednesday, whilst in division 2 Guy Russell’s birdie on the lighthouse hole won the pot plus the one from Royal Lakeside.
A warm welcome back to Kari Aarnio after a five month sabbatical, and with 21 points on the front nine on the south course the eyebrows were raised, but the wheels fell off with 7 points on the back nine.
Andy Mills won Division 1 with 36 points, with Andy Oz coming in second 2 points behind and Ben Findon finishing third after beating Kevin Walsh on a 16/15 back 9 count back after they both score 31 points.
Off the cigarettes now and on body building steroids, Rick Newman’s 36 points took Division 2 (please read Wednesday’s report) - his best round for a long time. Glyn Evans beat Jimmy Johnson on a 17/13 back six count back to finish second after they both returned scores of 35.
Wednesday, 1 October, Green Valley - Monthly Medal
It soon comes around, the first Wednesday of the month and the long awaited monthly medal and on this course, as with every other course with the IPGC, their are no drop zones, so panic sets in on the 5th and 7th holes with some of the higher handicap players.
There were 34 players out today and only two non-return cards handed in, quite impressive. Keith Hector’s net 71 wiped the smile off Andy Mill’s face at the presentation as he beat him by 1 shot to win the premier division. Mam Morel, now in the top flight came in third with 73.
In division 2, William Chang beat Bryan Rought on a back 9 count back of 48/44 when they both come in with net 72 scores. Burnie Sinclair, at last, took third position after beating Gordon Everingham on a 33/30 back 6 count back with both on net 73.
Nearest the pins went to Mikael Andersson, Ben Findon, Bill Hewitt and Ted Morris in Division 1 and to Gordon Everingham (2), Ken Foster and Page Thomas in Division 2.
There was a rollover from Plutaluang in the 2’s and today’s large field made Ted Morris a happy man after his birdie on the easy par three 12th hole, while Gordon Everingham’s birdie on the 9th in Division 2 was a more worthy payout.
In the ladies tipple competition we had our first ever runner up when after reaching the green in two on the 15th it took 6 putts for Russell Benson to complete the hole. But the winner, with six balls in the water on the second, and 23 shots recorded on the first two holes was Rick Newman, well done.
Friday, 3 October, Eastern Star – Stableford
This was our last game before the exodus to Kanchanaburi for a 72-hole competition over five days. It was a very cloudy and cool day as we teed off and then some slight drizzle on the fifth and six holes before the humidity and temperature soared immensely within minutes after the sky had cleared.
In the 2’s today two people shared the purse in Division 1, Barry Traynor and Paddy Wilson after they both birdied the third hole, in Division 2 a rollover is carried over to Khao Kheow on Monday 13th.
Surre Walker recorded her first podium position with a win in Division 2 with 41 points, Miss Oam was second with 36 points and in third place was Jimmy Johnson with 34.
Lower scores in Division 1 with Tom Sathrum beating John McLoone 19/15 on a back nine count back after they both finished on 32 points. Paddy Wilson came in third with 30 points.
The ladies tipple would have been awarded to a certain person for teaching his wife the game, and then asking to go out with her and two other ladies. The pink skirt still awaits ...Cully Monks.
Note: Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Siam Cats, Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd. at around 8.30am for a 10.00am tee off. Please sign up in the bar or ring Glyn on 086 837 5464.

Mashi is the man for September

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday 29 September, Khao Kheow - Stableford
The final game of the month saw the closest finish to the golfer of the month competition that we’ve ever had in The Bunker with no fewer than seven golfers in with a chance to take this coveted trophy: Scotty, Gerry Cooney, Mashi Kaneta and Reg Smart being among those with a chance.

Mashi Kaneta, left, the Golfer of the Month for September.

Well, the only one who got in the frame today was Mashi who finished third to give him 8 points which was just enough to pip Gerry Cooney by one point to take the title for September.
Ron Ryan won the comp with 35 points, which is a pretty good knock at Khao Kheow, Glen Cunningham was second and PJ Redmond was there again to claim fourth.
Near pin prizes were shared around between “Aussies” Ferdi and Scotty, Glen and Ron getting the others.
1st Ron Ryan (15) 35pts
2nd Glen Cunningham (3) 31pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (12) 29pts
4th PJ Redmond (20) 28pts
Wednesday, 1 October, Treasure Hill - Stableford
Dave Booten stole the show today but not in the stableford competition but in the near pin comp where he won all four prizes, a feat which takes some doing especially when the 2nd hole is 213 yards (SI 3).
Gerry made up for losing out on the golfer of the month title by a whisker by being victorious today, winning fairly comfortably four points better off than Gordon Melia, with Mario Benavidez taking third spot.
1st Gerry Cooney (10) 35pts
2nd Gordon Melia (14) 31pts
3rd Mario Benavidez (25) 30pts
Friday, 3 October, Phoenix - Medal
A large group turned up at Phoenix so we had two flights again in a Medal competition with the cut being made at handicap 14.
The greens had been heavily sanded and made putting treacherous with lots of 3 and 4 putting going on which severely affected some scorecards.
However “PJ” continued his rich vein of form by winning the B Flight again with a net 73, a shot ahead of Dave Booten while Ron Ryan found himself in the B Flight for a change and finished in third place.
That wily old campaigner Mashi mastered the conditions to win the A Flight with a level par round and “Scoby” took second place ahead of Gerry on a count back.
A couple of new faces won a near pin prize each they were Jim Swander and Terry Hamilton, the other two went to Glen Cunningham and “Scotty” Eaton just before he returns to Oz!
A Flight
1st Mashi Kaneta (12) net 72
2nd Richard Scoby (12) net 74
3rd Gerry Cooney (10) net 74
B Flight
1st PJ Redmond (20) net 73
2nd Dave Booten (22) net 74
3rd Ron Ryan (15) net 76

Quality golf on show at Phoenix

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Reporter Barry Hooper
My subject for the header of this report was an easy one this week. It has to be the great golf that was produced at Phoenix on Thursday by the four-ball group of Phil Knight (43) Brendan Abbott (41) Robert Lamond (40) and Fergus Brennan (38).

Thursday’s winners: Robert Lamond, John Dennis, Brendan Abbott and Phil Knight.

This was quality golf and the shot making of Phil on the day with three birdies and an eagle, with two of them chips, in were class by anybody’s standards. Well done gentlemen.
Tuesday 30 September, Khao Kheow A & B - Stableford
1st Dean Rice (15) 33pts
2nd Amphan North (11) 32pts
3rd Eammon Murtagh (17) 32pts
4th Lars Strom (20) 31pts
2’s: Frank Kelly
First outing of the week was to Khao Kheow A & B on Tuesday. The numbers were a little lower than of late so just the one flight and prizes down to fourth. But then this course is not to every bodies taste.
It was a tight pointed affair as well with only four points covering the first eight places. Dean Rice took the win with thirty-three points, just the one up on Amphan North and Eamonn Murtagh (nice to see him and Nijole visiting with us again) having a count back tussle for second and third, both at thirty-two. Lars Strom (another returning regular) was fourth with thirty-one points after pipping Frank Kelly on a count back.
Just the one ‘2’on the day by Frank Kelly.
Thursday 2 October, Phoenix (Mountain and Lakes) - Stableford
Division 1 (0-17)
1st Phil Knight (11) 43pts
2nd Robert Lamond (5) 40pts
3rd Fergus Brennan (10) 38pts
4th Frank Kelly (16) 37pts
c/b Matt Gibbons (11) 37pts
Division 2 (18 up)
1st Brendan Abbott (22) 41pts
2nd John Dennis (29) 37pts
3rd Nijole Murtagh (28) 34pts
4th Paul Mades (18) 31pts
2’s: Phil Knight, Ted Senior
Thursday and it was again back to one of our regular visits to Phoenix (Mountain and Lake) and again we had a very good turnout and two divisions, 0-17 and 18 up.
As I reiterated at the start of the report, unless you were playing quality golf on this day you were nowhere in the prizes.
Division one saw Phil Knight take the win with forty-three points. Robert Lamond after his win last week at this course could only manage second on this occasion with a forty-pointer. Third was Fergus Brennan with his thirty-eight.
Division two went to Brendan Abbott with forty-one points, John Dennis found himself four back in second with thirty seven and Nijole Murtagh was third at thirty four.
There were two 2’s recorded by Phil Knight and Ted Senior. Phil later found himself being cut two shots as a result of his great day’s play and is now in single figures at nine.
Saturday 4 October, Eastern Star - Stableford
Division 1
1st Frank Kelly (16) 37pts
2nd Hugh Byrne (14) 37pts
3rd Chaten Patel (14) 35pts
4th Sunny Khana (13) 33pts
5th Rob Herald (15) 33pts
Division B
1st Peter Morris (23) 36pts
2nd Lars Strom (20) 36pts
3rd John Dennis (29) 34pts
4th Steve Gould (19) 33pts
5th Barry Hooper (32) 33pts
2’s: Hugh Byrne
Saturday we went for our regular weekend visit to Eastern Star. The numbers were back up from the previous week’s outing and we had two flights. I again personally managed to venture out now the schools are on holiday.
The weather was very hot but a little breeze at times did take the sting out of it. The course was still not in great shape, particularly some of the reintroduced and reworked greens but one has to let nature do its work I suppose. This did affect the scores posted with only thirty pluses being good enough at the top of the two divisions for the wins.
Division 2 went to Peter Morris after count back with Lars Strom with both players on thirty-six points. In third was John Dennis at thirty four. Division 1 went to Frank Kelly (Mr. Steady Eddie himself), again after count back, with Hugh Byrne in second, both players at thirty seven. Third was Chaten Patel at thirty five.
Just the one ‘2’ on the day and that went to Hugh Byrne.

Sykes in full flow at Bangpra

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Monday, 29 September, Bangpra – Stableford
Bangpra Golf Club was host to a stableford competition in two flights with the cut at handicap 19. The course on the day was in fine condition with very fast greens.

Monte Sykes
Monte Sykes continued his fine run and took the A Flight with a fine 39 points, the best score of the day and in fact a Gross 73. In second was Henry O’Brien with 37 points and in third was Kris Helgasson with 36 points.
In the B Flight the winner was Daryl Evans with 37 points ahead of Graham Buckingham with 35 points and in third was Peter Basi with 31 points.
Near Pins: Morten Christianson, John Swanson, John Christie, Mike Winfield.
Thursday, 2 October, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Well, you all know what is coming next: a group of golfers getting their you know what’s kicked. Mind it is not unexpected, all the golfers know they are in for a hard time and most realise that if they hang in and get somewhere near their handicap, they will probably be in at the shake up. This is not a course that you need 40 points to win on.
The test for the day was to be the A & B Nines, probably the best 18 holes, if not the easiest. On getting onto the course we realised it was still very wet, so we did not get much run. Obviously we also found the rough difficult to get out of, and those of us who were regularly in the rough really suffered. The greens were also a bit slow and seemed not to have been cut that day.
All in all a really tough day, however also a really good day as the weather was quite cool with occasional showers. Let me just say that this is a great course, a bad shot is punished, but play well and you will be rewarded. Some days however it is just too tough.
Naturally when we sat in the restaurant all knew they had not broken the bank, in fact they did not need to. The winner with 34 points was Walter Bachli, and to his surprise and most of us, he won by 5 points. In second with 29 points was Monte Sykes ahead of Mike Winfield in third on count back. We then had a four-way count back for fourth that saw Graham Buckingham fourth with Paul Sharples, Daryl Evans and Dave Richardson just losing out. T.T.F.N.

Daryl Evans

Walter Bachli

The Beautiful Game?: International Rescue

Riz Taylor
International fixtures take over this weekend, so rather than the option of a plethora of matches from the world’s finest domestic league you’ll be treated to the likes of England at home to Kazakhstan, Wales versus Liechtenstein or Holland at home to Iceland.  Hardly seems fair, does it, but given the current tension around the Premier League at the moment it’s probably a good time for a break.  More on that later.
Why not broaden your horizons this weekend?  I’m going to try and find something a bit more challenging, starting with Scotland versus Norway at 21:00 Pattaya time – if indeed it’s on the telly anywhere, or perhaps you might fancy Russia’s fixture away in Germany at 01:45 on Sunday morning for a decent game between two fairly evenly matched sides.
Newcastle latest!
With no Premier League fixtures to preview it’s a great chance to fill you in on this week’s latest instalment from the soap opera that is Newcastle United.  Caretaker manager Joe Kinnear endeared himself to the local press last week with the following press conference on day one.  I rather enjoyed it myself, and thought it would be wrong not to share.  Taken from The Guardian, with the naughty words edited out for this family newspaper.
JK Which one is Simon Bird [Daily Mirror’s north-east football writer]?
SB Me.
JK You’re a ****.
SB Thank you.
JK Which one is Hickman [Niall, football writer for the Express]? You are out of order.  Absolutely ******* out of order.  If you do it again, I am telling you you can **** off and go to another ground.  I will not come and stand for that ******* crap.  No ******* way, lies. ****, you’re saying I turned up and they [Newcastle’s players] ****** off.
SB No Joe, have you read it, it doesn’t actually say that.  Have you read it?
JK I’ve ******* read it, I’ve read it.
SB It doesn’t say that.  Have you read it?
JK You are trying to ******* undermine my position already.
SB Have you read it, it doesn’t say that.  I knew you knew they were having a day off.
JK **** off. **** off.  It’s your last ******* chance.
SB You read the copy?  It doesn’t say that you didn’t know.
JK What about the headline, you think that’s a good headline?
SB I didn’t write the headline, you read the copy.
JK You are negative b******s, the pair of you.
SB So if I get a new job next week would I take the first day off?  No I wouldn’t.  If I get a new job should I call my boss and tell him I am taking the first day off?
JK It is none of your ******* business.  What the **** are you going to do?  You ain’t got the balls to be a ******* manager.  ******* day off.  Do I want your opinion.  Do I have to listen to you?
SB No, you can listen to who you want.
JK I had a 24-hour meeting with the entire staff.
SB Joe, you are only here six weeks, you could have done that on Sunday, or Saturday night.
JK No, no, no.  I didn’t want to do it.  I had some other things to do.
SB What?  More important things?
JK What are you?  My personal secretary? **** off.
SB You could have done the meeting Saturday night or Sunday.  You could have had them watching videos, you could have organised them.
JK I was meeting the ******* chairman the owner, everyone else.  Talking about things.
SB It is a valid point that was made in there.  A valid point.
JK I can’t trust any of you.
Niall Hickman Joe, no one could believe that on your first day at your new club, the first-team players were not in.  No one could believe it in town.  Your first day in the office.
JK My first day was with the coaches.  I made the decision that I wanted to get as much information out of them.
NH But why Monday, no one could believe it?
JK I’m not going to tell you anything.  I don’t understand where you are coming from.  You are delighted that Newcastle are getting beat and are in the state they are?  Delighted, are you?
NH Certainly not.  No one wants to see them get beaten, why would we?
JK I have done it before.  It is going to my ******* lawyers.  So are about three others.  If they can find something in it that is a court case it is going to court.  I am not ******* about.  I don’t talk to ******* anybody.  It is raking up stories.  You are ******* so ******* slimy you are raking up players that I got rid of.  Players that I had fallen out with.  You are not asking Robbie Earle, because he is sensible.  You are not asking Warren Barton?  No.  Because he is ******* sensible.  Anyone who had played for me for 10 years at any level ... [but] you will find some **** that ...
Other journalist How long is your contract for Joe?
JK None of your business.
SB Well it is actually, because we cover the club.  The club say you are here to the end of October, then you say six to eight games which would take it to the end of November.  We are trying to clarify these issues.  We are getting no straight answers from anyone.  How long are you here for.  It is a dead simple question.  And you don’t know ...
JK I was told the length of contract.  Then I was told that possibly the club could be sold in that time.  That is as far as I know.  That’s it finished.  I don’t know anything else.  But I have been ridiculed.  He’s trying to ******* hide, he’s trying to do this or that.
Steve Brenner (football writer for the Sun) We are all grown men and can come in here and sit around and talk about football, but coming in here and calling people ****s?
JK Why?  Because I am annoyed.  I am not accepting that.  If it is libellous, it is going to where I want it to go.
Newcastle press officer What has been said in here is off the record and doesn’t go outside.
Journalist Well, is that what Joe thinks?
JK Write what you like.  Makes no difference to me.  Don’t affect me I assure you.  It’ll be the last time I see you anyway.  Won’t affect me.  See how we go at Everton and Chrissy [Chris Hughton, assistant manager] can do it, someone else can do it.  Don’t trust any of yous.  I will pick two local papers and speak to them and the rest can **** off.  I ain’t coming up here to have the **** taken out of me.  I have a million pages of crap that has been written about me.  I’m ridiculed for no reason.  I’m defenceless.  I can’t get a point in, I can’t say nothing, I can’t do nothing, but I ain’t going to be negative.  Then, half of you, most of you are trying to get into the players.  I’m not going to tell you what the players think of you, so then you try and get into them in some way or another, so I’ve got a split camp or something like that, something like that.  It’s ongoing.  It just doesn’t stop.
Journalist It’s only been a week.
JK Exactly.  It feels more like a year.
….and we’ve run out of room for the rest, but I’m sure you get the jist of it.  Enjoy the internationals, and meet you back here next week to preview the weekend’s Premier League matches.
….and we’ve run out of room for the rest, but I’m sure you get the jist of it.  Enjoy the internationals, and meet you back here next week to preview the weekend’s Premier League matches.

Dabber swims to the top

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, 29 September, Green Valley - Stableford
1st Mark Campbell 39pts
2nd Mike Dabanovich 39pts
3rd Peter Sumner 36pts
4th Tony Barritt 36pts
5th Norman Isherwood 35pts
6th Alan Griffiths 35pts
Once again it seemed that the Monday white tees were in the weekend positions, as the scoring was well above normal and in the event the CSS went down to 71 reflecting the relative ease of play.
Mark Campbell continued his low scoring run with a three-under and although he waned a little over the inward half, he still did just enough to hold off the challenge of playing partner Mike Dabanovich on count back, with a 19 against Mike’s 17 after Mike had opened up strongly. The result meant that Mark’s handicap had now been reduced to technically a single figure one, with a total of 1.8 shots lost over the last two competitions and at its lowest for 2 years.
Peter Sumner also had another very steady round at level with a good back nine that saw Tony Barritt into fourth place on count back over the back six, 12 to 11.
Norman Isherwood just took fifth spot ahead of Alan Griffiths by virtue of a count back of 19 against 18.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed back Ole Stamnes.
Wednesday 1 October, Emerald - Stableford
1st Chris Davisson 39pts
2nd Alan Griffiths 38pts
3rd Barry Traynor 35pts
4th Geoff Picken 33pts
It may be a fairly short course but the Emerald always gives the golfer something to think about. With its rolling fairways one is very rarely facing a level area from which to play the next shot, so the ability to play a range of strokes gives a player the edge.
Chris Davisson made one of his infrequent appearances but still remembered enough to take the day’s top honour but just by a whisker from the in-form Alan Griffiths. Barry Traynor did enough to take third place but surprisingly did not manage a ‘2’ in his steady round that left him two shots ahead of fourth place Geoff Picken.
Another day without a 2 in either division starts to make the rollovers very attractive.
Friday, 3 October, Khao Kheow
(Yellow Tees) - Stableford
1st Mike Dabanovich 40pts
2nd Russell Exley 33pts
3rd Rick Holmes 26pts
4th Alan Griffiths 26pts
The day started ominously with clouds covering the mountains halfway down to their bases and the air almost completely still, it was certain that there would be an outbreak of thunder and lightning at some time, it was just a matter of how soon.
Everyone got on with the round as fast as possible but just after the first groups passed the half way point the heavens opened, followed swiftly by heavy thunder and both sheet and forked lightning which brought a sudden halt to the day’s play. Fortunately most of the groups were near enough to a drinks stop and were able to sit it out in relative comfort.
After an hour or so delay, half the players decided enough was quite enough and returned to the clubhouse, but a few groups were left to await the draining of both fairways and greens, which happened very quickly once the main rainstorm had passed and the lightning abated. There were still some additional water hazards to contend with as the drains just could not manage the weight of water in such a short time. This certainly affected the scores dramatically for some although Mike Dabanovich seemed to relish the conditions as he improved upon his front nine with an inward 21 points having been delayed exactly after the front nine.
Was there a hint of some webbed feet to be seen, or was it just a passing shark?
Four-under was by far and away an outstanding score considering the conditions towards the end of the round, although once the rains had passed the temperature was tolerable, the extra difficulties the rains had brought made for some, slogging through the muddy conditions difficult.
One big advantage was that the course management had taken further steps to reduce the severity of the rough and this helped tremendously in the conditions, otherwise the course would have been completely unplayable.
Russell Exley was the next best although three-over for him would be viewed as a poor result, the conditions having played their part fully.
Way back amongst the finishers were Rick Holmes and Alan Griffiths and it will be a very long time before they get on to the podium with such low scores but with so many falling by the wayside or unable to finish, on the day it was good enough.
Before the weather worsened there were three 2’s on the front nine all on the 5th on the A course. Norman Isherwood had the only one in the first division to sweep the pot including the rollovers, and Ole Stamnes and Roar Berger had one each to share the rollovers in the second division.

Happy returns for Andy Bardill

Pattaya Golf Society IPGC golf from Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

A relatively empty course and a severe rain lashing welcomed the Pattaya Golf Society to The Emerald at the start of their Sunday association, having made the break from a below standard Eastern Star on 28 September.
Challenging for the “Player of the Month” title, current holder Chris Voller was pitted alongside his old adversary David Thomas and their head-to-head added some excitement to the proceedings, but David came out on top, relegating Chris to third place with 35 points. David’s best gross of 77 gave him a level par 36 points for second place but it hides the quality of his golf in testing and soggy conditions.
The winner was the returning Swiss golfer, Andy Bardill and his summertime golfing on his local alp helped him to 40 points for a fine win.
Chris Voller took some consolation with his two birdie 2’s, on the fifth and seventh, and he shared the pot with Michael Sim whose perfectly executed chip on the fifteenth gave him his first prize with the group.
Alex Sala returned to the group and showed promise with a twenty point front nine but fell away badly to add just twelve more points and the biggest split margin was duly recognised with the Booby Bevy.
Rain or shine The Emerald is always a course which golfers enjoy and on this occasion things were no different.
Voller brings down the curtain
Tuesday, 30 September was an important day for the Pattaya Golf Society as they played their final stableford round out of the OK Corral. They visited Crystal Bay for the first time in a few months and found a much-improved A & B course which was a little soggy after heavy rain.
It was the conclusion of the group’s “Player of the Month” competition and the two leaders, Chris Voller and David Thomas, were matched together again.
Erik Antonnen’s game is holding up well at the moment and his ball striking is sweet but he could only muster 32 points for a share of second place with Kazu Agune. Chris Voller held all the aces as he posted a score of 37 points to take the win and possession of his third consecutive monthly award.
For David Thomas there was the consolation of the day’s only birdie ‘2’, the chipping maestro working the oracle yet again on the signature A8 par three.
Later, in the final presentation, the group said a temporary goodbye to Japanese golfer Shuichi Kodaka then turned their attention to their new “clubhouse” at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar on Soi Buakhao where the warmest of welcomes awaits them for their next fixture. Full details at www.thebunkerboys.com
Old Faces, New Era
A new era dawned for the Pattaya Golf Society on Thursday, 2 October, as they played their first competition from their new “clubhouse”, Rabbi’s Elephant Bar on Soi Buakhao. The spacious new premises welcomed the golfers and friends old and new and what better way to celebrate the auspicious occasion than by playing stableford golf at Green Valley!
The course was fine but the remedial work on the fringes and surrounds of the greens caused some concern as the areas under reconstruction were not indicated as GUR. The only clubhouse notice said “coring”. However, resilient golfers these PGS players.
There was a tight finish as Ken Deringer, Andy Bardill and John Rehm all shared third place with excellent sub-par scores of 37 points leaving the master of Ban Chang, “Kermit” to his friends, to rule the roost with a splendid gross 73, 40 points. This was an outstanding round in the circumstances and it was pleasing to see one of the group’s premier golfers take the inaugural victory at the REB.
David Thomas and Andy Bardill both shot 2’s on the sixteenth for a share of the bonus pot and after a strenuous month of golfing distractions, organiser Len Jones thoroughly enjoyed the Booby Bevy for his lacklustre performance on a day when his mind was anywhere but “at the races”.
The day ended with a warm presentation reception back at Rabbi’s and the golfers were all of one mind that the future looked decidedly “rosy” at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar.

Montana increases lead as Café Kronborg moves into second

Montana increases lead as Café Kronborg moves into second

200 Bowlers: Tue, Antero, Tukata & Kran.

Montana took all four points from Canada and increased their first place lead to three and one half points as Café Kronborg moved into second place after winning all four points from House of the Golden Coin. Kran bowled a 224 game and 571 series for Café Kronborg.
VFW Post 9876 dropped from second to third after losing three points to Brother D. Antero led Brother D with a 214 game and 547 series. Montgomery took three and one half points from Sabai Sabai Friday with no one bowling well due to the bad oil condition on the lanes.
Mai bowled a 516 series to lead Jack Tar to a three-point win over Café Ole and Sala Thai won 2.5 points from Bavaria with Kaew bowling a 519 series for Sala Thai and Tue had a 209 game and 544 series for Bavaria.

Results & Standings 3 October (week 13)
Team                                        Points        Standings
Montana                                    4 – 0          34.5 - 13.5
Café Kronborg                            4 - 0              31 - 17
VFW Post 9876                         1 - 3              30 - 18
Sabai Sabai Friday                     0.5 - 3.5           26 - 22
Montgomery                              3.5 - 0.5        25.5 - 22.5
Bavaria                                     1.5 - 2.5        23.5 - 24.5
Brother D                                  3 - 1           23.5 - 24.5
Café Ole                                   1 – 3             21 - 27
House of the Golden Coin           0 – 4             20 - 28
Jack Tar                                    3 – 1             18 - 30
Canada                                      0 - 4              18 - 30
Sala Thai Restaurant                  1 - 3         14.5 - 29.5

Yui goes bananas at Plantation

PSC golf from the Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s column
Monday, 29 September, Burapha - Stableford
It was an Outbacker Birthday Cup event on the A & B blue tees at Burapha and 49 Outbackers turned out to celebrate Jingjo O’Neill’s fiftieth! Given the two-tee start, which is the norm here when there are more than 40 players, everybody was away by 10.30 and back in under four hours.

Pimusa, Jingjo and Eddie

The course was in fantastic condition and the grainy greens as tricky as ever to read. One person who clearly doesn’t have a problem reading these greens or he has an extremely good caddie is Eddie Smith, who once again scored in excess of forty points here to win the overall prize with a brilliant 41 points. This follows his 42-point round here three weeks ago and has earned him another handicap cut down to 8. Well played Eddie!
Eddie will also have his name added to the Outbacker Birthday Cup honours board back at the bar.
Pimusa has also been playing well of late, and her handicap is steadily coming down; the 37 points she scored today was enough to give her outright second overall.
Jack Moseley woke up today from his non-playing mode, and scrambled to 36 pts to win Div A from Chris Davisson. Paul Lavender beat George Bishop on count back to win Div B, both on 36. Marlene Prudden produced another good round (36 pts, Div C winner), to follow Friday’s win at Eastern Star.
There were the usual 500 Baht vouchers for the near pin prizes won by Bob Lindborg, Bill Hewitt, Bruce McAdam & Kevin Hamilton and ‘2’s were two a penny, with eight of them coming from Eddie Smith, Jan-Piet Andersen, Bunny Forde, Alan Campbell, Pimusa, Bill Hewitt, Bob Lindborg and Jack Moseley.
Overall
1st Eddie Smith (9) 41pts
2nd Pimusa Tonkhoksoong (16) 37pts
Div A (0-12)
1st Jack Moseley, 9 36
2nd Chris Davisson, 11 35
3rd William Hewitt, 12 33
4th Bernie Segrave, 7 32
Div B (13-17)
1st Paul Lavender (14) 36pts
2nd George Bishop (17) 36pts
3rd Bob Lindborg (16) 35pts
4th Rosco Langoulant (13) 35pts
Div C (18+)
1st Marlene Prudden (24) 36pts
2nd Jan Slotten (18) 35pts
3rd Suzi Lawton (22) 35pts
4th Ray Underwood (24) 34pts
Wednesday, 1 October, Royal Lakeside - Stableford
An easy forty-five minute drive from the bar is Royal Lakeside, just past the start of the elevated highway on Sukhumvit in the Southern suburbs of Bangkok. The course had been deluged by rain overnight, leaving many more water hazards than normal, carts were not allowed onto the course and the lift clean & place rule was in effect. Even that was difficult to apply to a course that could only be described as extremely soggy.
It didn’t seem to daunt our winners however, with Capt’ Bob who can play great golf in any conditions, taking Div A on 36pts, from the recently cut Sugarman (now 18) with 35. Marlene Prudden had already caught the attention of the handicap committee with her recent wins at Eastern Star and Burapha, and she won again today with 39 points. That is about as far as she can go off a handicap of 24 (23.6) and has been cut immediately to 22 (22.4 exact). Good golf Marlene!
There were only two ‘2’s today from Marlene Prudden & Jack Moseley.
Div A (0-20)
1st Bob Philp (6) 36pts
2nd Sugar Ray Hanford (18) 35pts
3rd Brian Prudden (19) 34pts
Div B (21 up)
1st Marlene Prudden (24) 39pts
2nd Norm Martin (25) 36pts
3rd Mike O’Brien (21) 34pts
Friday, 3 October, Siam Plantation - Stableford
Fifty-three Outbackers, including a strong contingent from the Golf Club, descended upon a busy Plantation course destined to play the Tapioca and Pineapple nines. At 10.55am, five minutes before the designated start time the first two groups teed off from their respective first tees, by 11.40 everybody was on the course.
Yui Bietry, playing for the first time with the Outback Golf Bar, played the round of her life scoring an incredible 46 points, smashing the previous record of 42 by an Outbacker and easily winning the day. In second overall, was another lady and regular Outbacker, Karagit Kanlaya, better known as Jum, also with a fantastic score of 40. Both these ladies have earned substantial handicap cuts, Yui from 21 to 17.3 and Jum from 36 to 33.
Dave Stockman flew the flag for the men in Div A with an excellent 36 points off 5 and Joe Mooneyham struck form in Div B with 39, to have his handicap reduced to 14.1.
Amazingly there were six ‘2’s today coming from Bob Philp, Ted Pease, Yui Bietry, Dave Stockman, Pat Regan & Robert Lamond.
Note: - Just as a reminder to all players in all tournaments, sign up and properly complete your scorecard with your full name, not just your nickname and your handicap. Please also hand it in as quickly as possible after your round even if it is a no return card. It delays the result for everybody, if this information is not readily available.
Overall
1st Yui Bietry (21) 46pts
2nd Kanlaya (Jum) Karagit (36) 40pts
Div A (0-10)
1st Dave Stockman (5) 36pts
2nd John Levy (10) 33pts
3rd Phil Knight (9) 32pts
4th Robert Lamond (5) 31pts
Div B (11-16)
1st Joe Mooneyham (15) 39pts
2nd James McCallan (11) 36pts
3rd Nate Wellhert (12) 36pts
4th Bob Lindborg (16) 33pts
Div C (17+)
1st Roger Griffith (20) 32pts
2nd Michael Frizzell (24) 28pts
3rd Jorma Liila (27) 26pts
4th Brendon Abbott (20) 26pts
Friday, 3 October, Green Valley - Stableford
Only a small turnout at the alternate Friday venue, and Peter Gibson, who has been off the course for sometime came straight back to winning form scoring 36 points off his 28 handicap. Second was Mike O’Brien on 35, with Barry Chadbourn taking third with 33.
There were no ‘2’s, so the pot was added to the prize fund.
1st Peter Gibson (28) 36pts
2nd Mike O’Brien (21) 35pts
3rd Barry Chadbourn (19) 33pts
That’s all for now. If you have any thoughts, scandalous stories or suggestions, why not drop me a line at [email protected]. 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.

Chonburi FC draw a blank as title rivals take over at the top

Final matches this weekend to decide the Thai Premier League 2008

Chonburi FC line up prior to the start
of their match against Samutsongkhram FC.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Provincial Electricity Authority trounced Nakhon Pathom FC 4-0 on their home ground last Saturday to take over at the top of the Thai Premier League as previous leaders Chonburi FC dropped to second spot after only managing a goalless draw against Samutsongkhram FC at the Sirindhorn Stadium, Assumption College, Sriracha, home of Chonburi FC.

The local fans never lost their voice despite there being no goals to cheer.

Last weekend in the Thai Premier League, eight matches were played in the penultimate round of games for this season’s title and for local fans the highlight of the week was the match between last year’s champs Chonburi FC and Samutsongkhram FC, with the home team hoping to move one step closer to retaining the trophy they won in such fine style last year.
Chonburi went into the game with high hopes of securing maximum points on their home ground but their opponents mounted a resolute defence and were able to repel everything that Chonburi threw at them.
The resulting draw leaves the Provincial Electricity Authority Team top of the table with a 2 point lead on 58 points but Chonburi can still take the title if they manage to beat Bangkok Bank by more than 2 goals this coming Saturday and the leaders lose their match against Bangpra FC.
The games on Saturday all kick-off at 16.00 hrs with the fixtures as follows: BEC TERO Sasana vs Krungthai Bank; Bangkok Bank vs Chonburi FC; TOT Corporation vs Port Authority of Thailand; Julalongkorn United vs Bangkok University; Custom Department FC vs Thai Army; Nakhon Pathom FC vs Thailand Tobacco Monopoly; Bangpra FC vs Provincial Electricity Authority; Samutsongkram FC vs Osotsapa M-150.

Choburi mount an attack in their opponents half.

Hawthorn beat favourites Geelong in Toyota AFL Grand Final

Peter Cummins
The two leading teams of the 16-strong nation-wide Toyota Australian Football League, Geelong and Hawthorn played out the Grand Final of the 2008 season before a crowd of 100,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the home of the League in its 150-year history.
Geelong (the Cats), as the reigning premiers, after a remarkable season of 21 wins to one loss, added to 42 wins of their last 44 games in 2007, 2008 - were poised for their second successive premiership, having beaten Hawthorn (Hawks) in their previous encounters. To the Hawks, it was a sweet victory, reinforced by the accurate goal scoring, winning 18-7 (115) to Geelong’s abysmal and unusually inaccurate 11-23 (89). (A goal, between the two big posts, equals six points in the Australian game.)
No doubt, the Geelong entourage was bitterly disappointed, after almost perfect scores for two long, hard seasons, to lose the last, all-vital game. But, that’s sport.
No doubt, the celebrations lasted well into the Melbourne night, as the Hawks secured their 10th title since a golden era of five flags between 1983 - 1991, beating Geelong in 1989, their last Grand Final encounter.
It was a tough, physical game, the hallmark of this brand of football with the players (18 per side) wearing no protective clothing, shoulder pads or face masks which permeate some other codes.
Nevertheless, it was clean, fast and exciting, with no brawling among the teams - or the huge crowd. High marking and long kicking (one remarkable goal honed in from more than 70 metres out) featured on a perfect, windless day.
The Australian Football League formerly comprised some 12 teams based in Melbourne Victoria, eventually spreading throughout the continent to all states except the Northern Territory and Tasmania. However, the Tasmanian islanders, who strongly support Hawthorn, also felt the victory was theirs.
Probably, the advent and development of this national game (‘obsession’) is a microcosm of the history and development of Australia itself, in the 150 years of ‘Aussie Ruling’.
For example, a story from the 1958 Grand Final mentions one of the heroes, Thorold Merrett, smaller than a sparrow, at 168 cm, 62 kg., holding down the key full-forward position for Collingwood that year. Or, way back in 1908, tiny Vin Gardiner - all 162 cm of him, weighing in at 58 kg - was Carlton full-forward.
Nowadays, Aussies are much bigger and the ranks of the players include Italian, Greek, Irish, and French surnames, as well as a large contingent of indigenous Aboriginals who are among the genre’s best players.
But even 50 years ago, just on 100,000 spectators jammed into the Melbourne ground, filing in to see ‘Sparrow’s’ under-estimated Collingwood team bring down the mighty Melbourne.
Fast forward to 2008: Hawthorn’s key forward, Lance Franklin - a mere ‘slip of a boy’, at 1m96, 101kg and the Geelong ‘midget’, Brad Ottens, 2m.02, 108kg, are somewhat larger - yet, faster - than the players of yore.
As usual, Raimon Land and the Australian Thai Chamber coordinated the direct coverage, held in the spacious ballroom of the Shangri-La riverside hotel, with some 2,000 enthusiasts packing in to the area to be regaled by free-flowing beer, Aussie wine and other beverages. A ‘special treat’ with a home-town touch, was delicious Aussie meat pies, baked in Phuket by the famous ‘Lady Pie’.
In this writer’s misspent youth, when he also played and supported Aussie Rules, being a height and weight compatible with Thorold Merrett and Vin Gardiner mentioned above, meat pies were not only consumed by the truck-load, but they served as suitable ammunition to attack an obnoxious spectator from an opposing camp (Mac Sennett anyone?). Lady Pie’s delectable products were too good to allow even spillage and the good news is that they will soon be available at such supermarkets as Central and Villa.

A good day’s golf

Golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Plutaluang Navy North and South, Tuesday 30 Sept (white tees) Stableford
A dozen of us turned up to yet again contribute to David Gardner’s pension fund when he romped home in first place with 35 points and two near pin bonuses in a three way count back with David Johnson second and Tiger Jumparnit third. Ian Campbell came in fourth with 30 points.
Bob Drumm had a near pin bonus and Brian Hardwidge knocked in the longest first putt on the 18th green. The average score was 26.9 points.
One can only suppose that there is good reason for management to now twin North with South and West with East and revise the stroke indices. The alterations hardly impact on a good day’s golf at this excellent venue. However, altering the stroke index to give most of us a shot at North 3 is a bit painful as we are now obliged to throw the stroke away as well as drowning two balls to card our zeros when attempting this impossible hole. It is great that on his return to the fold Mike Brooke could still remember P J Pool Bar’s location.
Pattaya Country Club, 2 October (white tees) Stableford
Lower handicaps division (0 – 19)
1st Dennis Jaycock (17) 36 points
2nd David Smith (14) 31 points
3rd David Gardner (10) 31 points
Higher handicaps division (20 and up)
1st Paul Smylie (23) 38 points
2nd Willy Nachbur (23) 37 points
3rd Bill Jones (30) 33 points
Newcomers David Smith and Dawie VandeBerg joined us and two divisions were the order of the day as decided by Good Ol’ David.
Bob Drumm, David Gardner and Yves Philibert won near pin dividends, Yves also scooping the longest first putt on the 18th green. The average score was about 30.5 points. There is no picture this week because someone forgot to bring his camera although Mike Brooke was not the culprit this time.
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.

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

Ok guys, enough is enough. On Sunday morning WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter (30-1) will defend his title against Vitali Klitachko (35-2) at the 02 World Arena in Berlin. Please lets be clear, Samuel Peter is the WBC world heavyweight champion.
Vitale Klitschko is a guy that hasn’t been in the ring since an 8th round KO of ‘punching bag’ Danny Williams in December of 2004. Some boxing fans think he left everything he had on the mat of the Staples Center in Los Angeles on the night of June 21, 2003. On that night he fought the fight of his life against Lennox Lewis. Klitachko was ahead on all cards (58-56) when referee Lou Moret correctly stopped the fight due to cuts.
Should any readers look to other boxing sources, perish the thought, they might read that Vitali Klitschko is the Champion “Emeritus”. What’s that title worth? With 200 Baht and the title “Emeritus” you can buy a cold one at Jamesons, The TQ or Tim’s.
In this case “Emeritus” either means that “I kept the pictures from the Christmas party and I know your significant other would not be please” or “I am a payday cause everybody loves the Klitschko’s.” As they say, “you can put a dinner suit on a donkey and you still have an ass.”
It has always been a mystery to TSR why the boxing world went out of their gourds for the Brother’s Klitschko. The have the same boxing skills as Orca the killer Whale. To the credit of trainer Emanuel Steward, Wlad Klitschko can now almost walk and throw a punch at the same time. For this and this alone Steward is the next candidate to turn water into wine.
“The Klitschkos fight like robots,” said Peter. “Like big amateurs. But I am not a robot. I am a skilled fighter and a puncher. I am the true champion. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not a world champion — I don’t know why he keeps saying he is a champion. I will chop him down like a big tree.” TSR concurs.
Jeeves on Giardello-Carter
The Lord of the Manor got an e-mail last week suggesting he contact writer Arne K. Lang whose book “Prizefighting: An American History” is the ultimate source on boxing. The e-mail said: “Arne Lang was at the Carter fight and Giardello did not have a mark on him at the end unlike the movie.” The movie referenced here is “The Hurricane” released in 1977 staring Denzil Washington and directed by Norman Jewison.
In a phone interview Lang laughed saying “I wasn’t old enough to have attended the fight. I did do extensive research while working on my book on boxing. I did find out that when the decision was announced there was no controversy on press row as to the fact that Giardello won the fight.” The fight was held December 14, 1964.
Lang, being a good guy, did a little research on the decision. As the TSR guessed, a 5-point must system was used where the winner of a round got 5 points. The “official scores” were 72-68, 70-67 and 70-66. Lang found that the AP said, “that Giardello won with a rousing finish over the last five rounds.” Lang points out that “the AP card favored Giardello by only 1 point (69-68).”
The UPI saw it differently. According to Lang “The UPI writer said that the decision was fair, but he wrote: “Giardello was no ball of fire. At the end he looked more like the loser.”
Lang then added a little local Las Vegas insight: “The fight was originally scheduled to be held in Las Vegas at the convention center. Giardello was training at the now just a memory Thunderbird with Carter training at the downtown El Cortez.
“Word on the street was that Carter looked terrific, with one sparing partner being taken to the hospital after a workout. The odds on the fight favored Carter. At the 11th hour the fight was cancelled in Las Vegas. Lang wasn’t sure of the exact reason. ‘I forget the exact reason why the fight fell out in Las Vegas. The promoter from outside Nevada failed to get all of the promised money in escrow,’ he said.
“The fight was moved to Philadelphia, Giardello’s home town. With the switch came a change in the odds now favoring the hometown boxer.”
Giardello won a unanimous decision by a substantial margin. Lang added, “You know that Giardello sued the director of the movie Norman Jewison for defamation of character. He won and collected.”
Jeeves Jives…
What would TSR not be without the weekly De La Hoya-Pacquiao update? Couple of items this week, De La Hoya and Pacquiao have been on a press tour and when they stopped in New York City De La Hoya opened a can worms.
While billed as Oscar’s last fight; that might not be true. “There’s no doubt about it. My mind can still do it, my body can still do it, I’m going to ride the wave for a little while,” said De La Hoya. Translation? A win and he will return for at least another fight. That one against (drum roll please) Floyd Mayweather jr. Not surprised?
Anytime a politician is associated with boxing it’s boxing that’s tarnished. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is a Filipino politician from Cagayan de Oro City. He’s probably up for re-election so needed to keep his name in the papers. He recently “asked local boxing officials to cancel Manny Pacquiao’s license to fight for fear that he will be hurt, or killed, in his Dec. 6 showdown against Oscar De La Hoya. His requests were shot down.”
Felix Trinidad has also said that the weight difference between De La Hoya and Pacquiao will cause Manny to lose.
Tarver-Dawson in Las Vegas
There are boxers that hang around boxing, fighting infrequently, collect titles and leave hardly leave a footprint in the sport. Antonio Tarver (27-4) is one of those boxers. Tarver is 2-1 against Roy Jones jr., he’s 1-1 against Glenn Johnson and does have a win against out-weighed and over-aged Bernard Hopkins.
His last defense was a one sided unanimous decision over Clinton Woods who seems to be called in when a light heavyweight needs an “opponent”. Tarver fights Chad Dawson (26-0) for the IBF title on Sunday morning. Tarver’s tough to fight and is a step up for Dawson. Referee Jay Nady may need to be wearing dancing pumps because at times that’s what Tarver does. At other times he becomes the “octopus man”.
Tarver may have hit the nail on the head when he said, “I have a lot of Chad Dawson’s on my resume, but he doesn’t have one Antonio Tarver. I’m going to take him into uncharted waters. He’s going to get a crash course.”
Tarver has a point but Dawson doesn’t seem too concerned. “This is a fighting game, not a talking game. You keep running your trap, your big-a** mouth. You find out what happens Oct. 11.”
This one will either be good or bad. Could go either way.
Results:
Abraham-Marquez at Jako Arena, Bamberg, Germany
When Jeeves was but a young lad back in the ‘Mother Country’ he was not the best of students. When exams were staring him in the face, which he couldn’t pass, he would get the flu and take to his bed. That was probably not the case with IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (27-0) as he got ready to face the double tough Raul Marquez in Bamberg last Saturday night. That aside his actions were the same.
The day of the fight Abraham woke up with a fever, swollen lymph nodes and “typical” complaints of a cold. “I wanted to fight, but in this physical condition, I can’t climb into the ring. The doctors have forbidden me.”
Wonder if Jeeves had his mother write on the note to the school, “Jeeves was absent from class during exams because the doctor had forbidden it.” Regardless, fight off. They’ll try again on November 8.
Norwich
British lightweight Jon Thaxton (34-8) got a 3rd KO over Juan Carlos Diaz (36-2). In addition to the KO he annexed the vacant European 135lb title. With that and 100 Baht you can get a draft and a table dance at the Windmill off Walking Street.
On the same card a slimmed down Herbie Hide (45-4), he’s now a cruiserweight, also went 3, scoring a TKO over Aleksejs Kosobokovs (12-10). It was Hide’s first bout in Britain since 2004 as he’d gone to Germany, which proved to be a bad “Eye Dear”.
At Temecula, CA
To most casual boxing fans the name Sergio Martinez, even with a record of 44-1-1, was just another Latin fighter. Well those that saw him destroy Alex Bunema (30-6-2) in 8 got an eye full.
Martinez, who was on a 28-fight win streak, now 29, was born in Argentina, moved to Spain and now lives near Los Angeles. He has one ingredient that can’t be taught - “speed”. My goodness he’s fast. He beat a man, Alex Bunema, that wasn’t exactly chopped liver. Bunema had 6 losses but three of them were quality as he lost to Jermaine Taylor, Kassin Ouma and Bronco McKart.
The win, which was for the “interim” WBC title in the light middleweight division, sets up a Vernon Forrest-Sergio Martinez match. Why does Martinez now becomes the “interim’ champ when there is a champ? TSR has “No EYE DEAR”. Forrest would be in deep water. The only question about Martinez is his 33 years of age. No problemo as to him age is like a gnat on an elephant’s rear.
The main even at the ‘Injun’ Casino matched a pair of young world-class featherweights in Yuriorkis Gamboa and Marcos Ramirez. Ramirez had the experience with a record of 25-1. Gamboa had the talent. The winner would become a major player in the featherweight division.
The bout lasted only two rounds but what a couple of rounds they were. Ramirez got the upper hand in the first stanza when he landed an “elbow” that put Gamboa (12-0) on his backside. The two were trading blows on the ropes when Gamboa went down. Gamboa got up with “evil intentions” which translates to mounting a “ferocious attack” even though visibly hurt.
Gamboa dropped Ramirez twice in the second round: he used a lead right uppercut to the chin to knock down Ramirez the first time and although Ramirez beat the 10 count by referee Jerry Cantu he was in deep water with no water wings. The end came shortly after the knockdown, accelerated by left hooks, good right hands and a hard left to the ribs placing the period that ended the sentence at 1:41 of the second.
Jeeves Time
‘Your Lordship you can see that I’ve laid out your sumptuous repast for another week of your arduous work, research and the dedication for which you’re noted.
‘Ukrainian heavyweight contender Vladimir Virchis retired from boxing after losing to Cuban Juan Carlos Gomez. Before the loss he was ranked #1 by the WBC. “I feel sorry for delivering such a disappointing performance to such a big group of my friends, supporters and Ukrainian boxing fans. I have been seeking an occasion [to call it a day] for quite a while. I shall never return to prizefighting again,” said Virchis.
‘Your Lordship?’
‘First Jeeves, forget the raise. Second “Cheewit dee khrup.”’

Serenity Blue Wave Series 2008

Sattahip Race Weekend October 11-12

The next race weekend in the Serenity Blue Wave Series will take place in Sattahip.
The start will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 11 with skippers’ briefing at 9:30 a.m. The race will finish in Sattahip Bay and yachts will anchor overnight in front of the YRAT office just east of Sattahip town.
In late afternoon, sponsors will host a party at the Sattahip Navy Base Sailing Club Restaurant.
On Sunday, plans are to start around 10 a.m. for the race from Sattahip back to Ocean Marina.
For those of you who wish to stay in Sattahip on Saturday night there appears to be following accommodation options:
Sattahip Navy Base Building - Room rate 600 baht. Telephone 038 437962.
Sports Center - Room rate 480 baht. Telephone 038 438593.
Please note that these hotels are normally full over the weekend so you may have to book early.
Alternatively, if you wish to return to Pattaya we can organize a van or two at a price of about 3,000 baht per trip (10 persons).
Look forward to seeing you there.
Visit www.omycsailing.com/news-flash.shtml for updates on sailing at Ocean Marina.

Chris Davisson and Paul Henshaw share the week

Lewiinski’s Golf Society

Rayong Green Valley, Sun Sept 28
A Flight
1st Davisson, Chris (12) 43 pts
2nd Grout, Ian (9) 42 pts
3rd Patel, Chaten (14) 41 pts
B Flight
1st Bietry, Yui (21) 41 pts
2nd Davis, Colin 39 pts
3rd Shrosbree, Mike 38 pts
Near Pins: No. 2 Bruce Milner, No. 9 Bruce Mcadam, No. 12 Ian Grout, No. 16 Tom Byrne.
Twos: Ian Grout a brace, Mark Wood, Yui Bietry, Mike Shrosbree, Sim Davis and Robert Mcvie.

Bob Newell, the new governor of Lewiinski’s Golf Society.
Its official! Bob Newell is the new governor of Lewiinski’s Golf Society. As from the 1st of October, Colin reverts back to his old moniker, the Donkey.
A Sunday welcome to customer friendly Green Valley. Most of the tees were as far forward as could be. Word has it Peter Ring and Joe Tynon are greasing the palm of the green keeper.
Chris Davisson led the rampage with a blistering 43 pts to win A flight and the day. Chris was followed by the new club drunk, Ian “The Plastered” Grout, who carded a super 42 pts and was singing his head off in the showers after the game (a lot better than the night before I might add). The song I hear you ask? On a hill far away in Shrewsbury. The whistling did not last long as news of Chris’s 43 pts came in to the club house.
Third place was filled by Chaten Patel with a very respectable 41 pts. Skippy Milner just missed out with 38 pts. A whole bunch of guys had 37 pts.
B Flight was just as tight, with the magician’s wife, Yui Bietry, shooting a great 41 pts. Colin the Donkey Davis took second on 39 pts. Third place saw a three way 38pt count back with Mike Shrosbree edging John Finnerup, who finished runner up (excuse the pun). Tom Byrne was the countback victim.
St Andrews Tues Sept 30
A Flight
1st Mark Wood (8) 37pts
2nd Paul Henshaw (13) 37pts
3rd Bob Dibben (13) 36pts
The superb Desmond Muirhead designed St Andrews was the venue for today’s Stableford comp. Returning to Lewiinski’s from his short break in Scotland, and to form was the ever impressive Mark “Happy Shoes” Wood. Mark’s 37pts beat Paul Henshaw in to second place virtue of a count back. Third place was filled by Bob Dibben with an even par 36 pts. Two 2s were recorded by the Right Honorable Seamus Cotter and Joe “Hot Pants” Mcardle.
Crystal Bay, Wed October 1
1st Paul Henshaw (13) 39 pts
2nd Bob Newell (6) 34 pts
Paul Henshaw went one better than yesterday, by winning at Crystal Bay by three clear shots. 39 pts is impressive on this very tough layout. Try as he might, the new governor just did not have enough in his tank, but at Crystal Bay this is still a fair score. The only two of the day was carded by Ian Middleton.
Emerald, Friday October 3
A Flight
1st Henshaw, Paul (12) 36 pts
2nd Davisson, Chris (12) 35 pts
B Flight
1st Beilby, Eddie (16) 37 pts
2nd Potts, Campbell (18) 35 pts
Driving to the Emerald golf course, the storm clouds were gathering and things looked bleak to say the least, but the lads teed off on time. The heavens opened up on about the fifteenth hole, the lighting was so severe it became very dangerous, and quite a few golfers called it a day.
However, A flight was won by the man in form, Paul Henshaw, with an even par round of 36 pts. Second place was filled by the other inform golfer Chris Davisson, one stroke behind.
B flight was grabbed by our man Eddie the Eagle with a match winning 37 pts, and B flight glory. Campbell Potts took second place with 35 pts.
The Skippy twins both finished one out of the prizes, and it doesn’t look like it will be long before Mr. Jon Finnerup will be Jon Winner up.
Note: Jez Lees will be missing from this Sunday’s line-up as he attempts his 3.5KM Cross Pattaya Bay Charity Swim. A few balloons on the finish line should ensure Pattaya’s most famous balloon chaser makes it home safely! Seriously though, it’s not too late to sponsor him. All donations are going to the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage and the designated Rotary Club charities. See Colin at the bar for more details.

Welcome to Jim Bryan’s group

PSC Golf from the Outback Golf Bar

Friday, 26 Sept, Siam Plantation
Sugarcane & Tapioca provided the blend of nines for a cocktail of 40 Outbackers; one part from Jim Bryan’s group who teed off at 8 a.m., one part from John Emmerson’s The Golf Club and one part from the Outback Golf Bar. Ably mixed together by Capt’ Bob Philp, with a light breeze and a touch of sun, produced a day of moderate scoring, with Mike Allidi top scorer, winning Div A on 35 points. Course specialist Paul Greenaway just pipped Capt’ Bob on count back to take second, both on 33.
Welcome to Jim Bryan’s group, who joined us for the first time today and congratulations to Jim for winning Div B also on 33pts, narrowly beating Keith Worboys on 32 and two more of his playing compatriots, Jimmy Little (32) and Bob Finley (31). Oddly enough, Div B was the biggest division of fourteen players, yet was only spread over three handicaps, 13, 14 and 15.
Div C, from handicap 16 upwards, was won by John Kendall with 32, two clear of Mike Padilla, Jack Hinchey and Bob Lindborg all on 30 points.
There were a few grizzles from the two thirty-six handicappers in the field, saying that they had no chance of winning matched against the rest of the division. However, it would be fairer to say, neither of them had any chance of winning, period! This is a tough course, make no mistake, most courses of this caliber would probably recommend that high handicappers don’t play it.
There were three 2s coming from John Emmerson, Paul Greenaway & Larry Immelman
Div A (0 - 12)
1st Allidi, Mike (4) 35
2nd Greenaway, Paul (11) 33
3rd Philp, Bob (6) 33
Div B (13 - 15)
1st Bryan, James (15) 33
2nd Worboys, Keith (15) 32
3rd Little, James (14) 32
Div C (16+)
1st Kendall, John (16) 32
2nd Padilla, Mike (19) 30
3rd Hinchey, Jack (22) 30

Paul Sharples aces A2 at Greenwood

PSC Golf from Tropical Bert’s Beach Bar

Winners with Pu, alias ‘The Boss’.

Tuesday 30 Sept, Greenwood (Stableford)
Bert’s on this morning was full of golfers taking advantage of Bert’s Golfers Special Breakfast, and of course with hot tea and coffee the place smelled just like it should. Then into cars and up to Greenwood.

Paul with Certificate and ‘Hole in one Ball’.

The drive up there is now quite good, although one of our players did manage to fall foul of ‘The Plod’ and he should have known better, it was the 30th of the month. Still the day really did turn out well for him and I will highlight it later.
The course was nearly empty, and with a great special offer on, all the players set off to play the A & C nines in a good mood. They were not let down as the course was in excellent condition, well worth the drive. This is a course where you can go out and have a good day and not be too severely taxed. It is by no means easy, but then it is not extra difficult.
The changing rooms here are good as well and the restaurant, whether upstairs or out front produce good food at a reasonable rates. To top it all off the staff here are really friendly. Probably this course is the favourite of all the courses if you put in all the factors. My players think so.

Mashi, left, wins Alan Bolton Golfer of the Month.

On this day we also had the Alan Bolton Golfer of the Month to decide, although it was nearly decided as all Mashi had to do was ensure none of the other one time winners this month won, and even if they did a second or third place would be enough.
Back in the changing room the last group came in and we heard the good news that Paul Sharples had had a ‘Hole in One’ at the A2, and it made up for his bad start to the day. We also saw that there was some good scores and that Mashi was not amongst the winners, but would he be the Golfer of the Month?
The drive back is now pretty straight forward, but on this day we all drove in the left hand lane and did not drive fast. The second fairytale is that when we got back we did not have a beer at Bert’s.
Beer in hand, all awaited the presentation, and first of all it was announced that Paul Sharples had had a hole in one. The things I will do for a free beer, and of course Paul duly obliged and we could all slake our thirsts again.
So to the results and the winner of the day was the scribe, Derek Brook with a fine 41 points. In second place was Phil Barnsley with 37 points ahead of Colin Cronin in third with 36 points. We then had a three way countback on 35 points that saw Paul Sharples in fourth, Les Charles in fifth and Daryl Evans just losing out.
So to the winner of the Alan Bolton Golfer of the Month, and Mashi hung on to win, so well done Mashi.
Near pins: Paul Sharples (Hole in One), Derek Brook (2), Jim Swander.
Long Putt: Jim Swander and Colin Cronin.

Smashing end to table tennis duels

Captain Somsak Trithan presents certificates to Open winner Nikom Wongsiri, Yutthana Tapboonmee (second) and Rathakorn Apiwattanasorn (third).

Saksiri Uraiworn
Pattaya Men’s Classic Table Tennis Princess Cup 2008 has bounced and smashed its way to a sweaty and successful completion.
Winner of the men’s open category, Nikom Wongsiri of the ABAC Association team, collected the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn trophy, cash and a certificate. Yutthana Tapboonmee of the Air Force Team came second and Rathakorn Apiwattanasorn of the Pattaya City Team came third.

Some of Thailand’s top table tennis stars took part in the Pattaya Men’s Classic Table Tennis Princess Cup 2008.
Table tennis players ranked in the top 16 in the country competed in the event for the prized trophy.
Captain Somsak Trithan, vice chairman of the Thailand Table Tennis Association, chaired the closing ceremony at the Pattaya School 7 indoor stadium at Ban Nongpangkae on September 29, attended by Sanga Kitsamrej, competition director, Ronakit Ekasingh, deputy mayor of Pattaya, Pattaya city councilors, organizing committee members and players.
Other results were:
Singles under 12 years: Padasak Tanviriya of the Pattaya Team.
Singles under 15: Yos Laorphiphat of the Butterfly Team.
Singles under 18: Pattana Srirat of the Central Team.
Men’s open 40-50 years: Vichai Ngam-bencharong of the Pattaya Team.

Three Sisters - rainproof?

At 0530 on Tuesday, September 30 the streets were still wet, the rain had just stopped and the sky was full of ominous dark clouds. The Three Sisters gang proceeded to the Pattaya Country Club knowing full well that the weather was under control.

Bill Thompson on the left, Larry Ball on the right.
As the first group teed off at 0615 the fairways were very wet and little fairway roll was to be had. The greens were wet but the intermittent sun dried them in good order.
Later a combination of warm sun and a brisk breeze completely dried the course.
As the groups finished and repaired to Caddy Shack II for some of Herbie Ishinaga’s regular and “spicy” sausages, the leaders were identified as Sus Ige (36) and Brian Orr (33). A photo was taken of the winner and runner up but alas, late comers began filtering in with knock out scores.
Bill Thompson showed up with a 36 as did Larry Ball but on the count back, Bill took first place. Both knocked off Sus on the count back. As it is the end of the month, Bill gets to have his name engraved on the Three Sisters trophy. With sympathy for the earlier “winners”, the new “winners” posed for the camera. No hard feelings as everyone has a few SMLs and Herbie’s sausages.”

Chas bags a Double

Lewiinski’s Golf Society

Green Valley, Sept 21 - Stableford
A Flight
1st Roy Thornton (14) 41 pts
2nd Paul Henshaw (13) 39 pts
3rd Chaten Patel (14) 36 pts
B Flight
1st Chas Shepard (15) 40 pts
2nd Bruce Mcadam (21) 38 pts
3rd Pierre Bietry (15) 36 pts
Near pins: No 2 Chas Sheppard, No 9 Marilyn Dibbon, No 12 Peter Brighton, No 16 Kris K
2s: Seamus Cotter a brace, Bruce Milner and Peter Brighton.
Hidden Six Winners: 1st Pierre Bietry and 2nd Roy Thornton.
Sunday was mad hot, and as humid as could be. But this did not hinder Roy Thornton M B E who amassed 41 pts to complete a man of the match, and top spot in A flight double. Paul Henshaw took second place with an excellent 39 pts. Rounding out the flight was Chaten Patel with 36 pts on C/B over Bruce “Skippy” Milner.
B flight saw the man of leisure, Chas Sheppard, triumph with 40 pts, two more than Bruce “Boomerang” Milner on 38 pts. Pierre the “magician” Bietry closed the flight and the prizes with an even par 36 pts.
One ball missed the prize giving back at Lewiinski’s, he took a short cut back down Soi Six, and got stuck in a traffic jam for about an hour.
Laem Chabang, Sept 23 - Stableford
A Flight
1st Chas Sheppard (15) 39pts
2nd Pierre Bietry (15) 37pts
3rd Paul Henshaw (13) 36pts
The beautiful Laem Chabang hosted the Lewiinski boys to a Stableford comp, and it was the man of leisure, Chas Sheppard, who took the course apart with a superb 39 pts. Pierre the “Magician” cast his spells, and sang his magic wands to no avail - his 37 pts was good only for second place. Paul Henshaw showed his mettle with an even par 36 pts for third place. No twos, so a carry over at Green Valley on Wednesday
Green Valley, Sept 24 - Stableford
A Flight
1st Rick Holmes (10) 36 pts
2nd Trevor Shirmer (13) 34 pts
B Flight
1st Geoff Picken (25) 37 pts
2nd Stephen Steele (20) 34 pts
Lewiinski’s golfers, and The Alternative Golf Gentlemen’s Society, teemed up to play a Stableford comp, while the teams from both societies fought out a match play contest. Leading the field home in B Flight with a super match winning 37 pts was Geoff Picken. Second place in B Flight was Stephen Steele on 34 pts.
A Flight was won by Rick Holmes carding an even par 36 pts. Trailing in second place was the ever impressive Trevor Shirmer on 34 pts on C/B over Norman Isherwood who took third place. David Somers also on 34pts was the unlucky golfer. Rick Holmes carded the only two.
The match play game ended all square, four points each; this gave the Haven the match play title. No individual results to hand, congratulations to the Haven.
Treasure Hill, Sept 21 - Stableford
1st Bob Dibben (9) 35 pts
2nd Geoff Kubas (22) 34 pts
3rd Seamus Cotter (11) 34 pts
Treasure Hill again proved to be a tough golf course, as the scores indicate. Bob Dibben won the game with 35 pts. The next four competitors carded 34 points apiece, so it was down to the dreaded count back. Second place went to Geoff Kubas. Third place was filled by “The Right Honorable” Seamus Cotter. The unlucky two were Peter Henshaw and Chaten Patel. No twos were recorded, rollover Tuesday.
Note: Lewiinski’s is situated on Pattayaland Soi 1, Beach Road Soi 13/3 near Walking Street. Anyone wishing to play with us, just pop in and add your name to the list, otherwise give Bob a ring on 0800968232. Transport is provided.

Day belongs to Gerrard and Anderson

PSC Phoenix Golf Tuesday Group (members & guests)

Mike Gerrard
Tuesday 30 Sept
The day belonged to the two best golfers of the day, namely myself as winner with Matt Anderson a close second. It only took 3 hours 10 minutes for 18 holes - the course (Mountain and Lakes) was almost empty.

Mike Gerrard and Matt Anderson win the day at Phoenix.
The first on Mountain was quite busy when we got to the tee, so we asked the starter if wee could start on Lakes first. Superb. There was hardly anyone on that nine. However, it has to be said this could be because the greens are so bad at the moment. Ocean is now closed so the greens on that course will be bad for a few weeks when they open that nine.
At this time of the year it would be hard to find any course that has not had some maintenance done to prepare it for the high season. That’s if it is any decent sort of course that is.
However, as always it is a pleasure to play this course.
By the time we had played the lakes and arrived at the tee on Mountain there was, again, hardly anyone on the course. So we flew round that very quickly.
Until the end of October visitors and guests can enjoy the green fee of 700 baht. From the 1st of November visitors and guests can still enjoy preferential rates at 1,000 baht green fee as a guest of the members group. I think you have to admit that this is a superb deal to play such a lovely golf course during the high season.