John Wong’s late show secures New Years Cup victory

Thundering hooves and lightning strikes at Polo Escape

Action from the New Years Cup polo tournament held last weekend. (Photo/Camille)

Tom Claytor
The earth trembled last weekend at Polo Escape as the four teams of Kuppa, Polo Escape, Adamas and Siam Polo Park competed in the 2-goal New Years Cup tournament, and no one had any idea what lay ahead.
The first day, saw a very close victory for Kuppa over Adamas 8-7 with Paul Cheung scoring two beautiful goals, and Siam Polo Park defeating Polo Escape 5-1.
The finals, on Sunday, left everyone on the edge of their seats as the first game for 3rd and 4th place between Adamas and Polo Escape was a 3-3 draw. Then when Siam Polo Park took the field with Kuppa, everyone was expecting Aron Harilela and Federico to tear up the field, but they were in for a great surprise. Lucas missed three 60 yard penalties in a row and another shot in front of goal. Tom also missed two shots in front of goal and Eric nearly had his leg broken by Federico’s under-the-neck shot.
However, it was a flash of lightning at the far end of the field with three seconds left on the clock in the last chukka that brought SPP even and then to victory due to goal difference. The flash of lightning was none other than the legendary marathon umpire from China, Mr. John Wong.
John (and especially his wife) thought that he had retired from polo 5 years ago, but he kindly and quietly agreed to assist SPP for a couple of chukkas with Camille Fuller. Tommie Lockey also was recruited at the last minute on both days to help SPP, and they all played brilliantly. Each of these players scored a goal for the SPP team, but it was John Wong, the lightning bolt, that reminded everyone that old polo legends never die.
Federico was scoring for Kuppa from all points of the field, and Lucas was shouting “escucharme” to everyone on his team (but no one on his team could understand what he wanted them to “listen to”).
Tom stunned all the players by backing a beautiful pass from Lucas all the way back to him, because he saw Manchester United do this on TV and thought it might work as Federico was barreling down on him. It worked brilliantly, but Lucas was so shocked to see his pass come back, that he forgot about the line and made a foul.
Khun Patpat is in training for the future CEO position at Polo Escape and played a very solid game for her home team. Robin and Suzy and all the Polo Escape staff organized a very nice tournament with excellent communication and a delicious dinner on Saturday. Khun Dang and Dave Floyd came to manage and coach the SPP team and Peter and Ivy were on hand to lighten the evening.
Thanks to Khun Vichai and Daniel for their support to bring the SPP team to Polo Escape, and thanks to Jaime Miranda for returning to the field after too long an absence - the Gallego is back!

Thongchai has good reason to celebrate on eve of Royal Trophy

Thongchai Jaidee says becoming a father for the second time was the catalyst for his storming finish to the 2008 season, which saw him record thrilling back-to-back wins in December.

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee will be hoping it’s third time lucky for Asia at this year’s Royal Trophy. (AP Photo).

The Thai hero smiled broadly as he explained: “When there is an extra mouth to feed, you realise you have to play well! But it was no coincidence that I played my best golf just when my second son arrived safely. Even when everyone tells you it is all going perfectly before the birth, it is still on your mind.
“The baby coming made me feel more relaxed, more content. When you can play golf with a smile on your face you usually play better. I could not have been happier with the way I played in December.”
Thongchai’s second son - appropriately named Champion - was born on December 5, just as he was completing his second round at the Vietnam Masters. He celebrated by winning the title after a tense three man play-off, and then made a whistle stop visit to Thailand to give the baby a kiss before flying on to compete in the Cambodian Open.
There was no need for a play-off this time, as Thongchai turned in a dazzling performance. He posted rounds of 68-66-64-66 to charge to 24 under par, winning by a massive six shots.
He could not be going into this week’s Royal Trophy at the exclusive Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi in better form, or in a better frame of mind.
He added: “Everything in life seems perfect. The new baby is so good that I have not had a single sleepless night since I got home from Cambodia. It was the same with my first son, Bank. It is good that they listen to their father when I tell them it is time to sleep!
“Now I would like continue playing my best golf during the Royal Trophy, in front of our own Thai spectators. After winning twice I am naturally confident about my game, and I am looking forward to teaming up with my friend Prayad Marksaeng, or anyone else Joe Ozaki, our Asian Captain, wants me to play with.
“We are blessed that so many players in the Asian Team had very successful seasons in 2008 - Prayad, of course, S.K.Ho, Hideto Tanihara, Liang Wen-chong, and Ryo Ishikawa all won tournaments. I feel this is the best team we have chosen for the Royal Trophy, but Europe will be very strong again as well. So it should be a great match.
“However, we must not under-estimate them. I know from playing on the European Tour just how difficult it is to win there. They still have eight outstanding players and they deserve to be respected. But I have a good feeling about this week.”
Thongchai’s feel-good factor is helped by the fact that his son was born on HM the King’s 81st Birthday. His Majesty donated the perpetual trophy that Asia and Europe will do battle for this week, and Thongchai believes his son’s birth date could prove to be a good omen. He added: “Perhaps that is a sign that this is our lucky year. I certainly hope so because it would be good to keep the mood of celebration going.
“The Royal Trophy is becoming more and more popular. Lately, wherever I go people wish me good luck at the Royal Trophy. It would be great to reward their loyalty and their support with a first Asian win. We will all be trying our hardest to make that happen.”
The match between Asia and Europe will kick-off this Friday and Saturday with the foursomes and four-ball games and Sunday will see 8 singles matches take place to decide the destination of the trophy. All the matches start at 11 a.m. and the gates will open to the public at 9 a.m. with access to the players practice range.
Tickets are priced at 1,000 baht for each days play or a 3-day match ticket is available for 2,000 baht. Outlets in Pattaya to obtain tickets include the Pattaya Driving Range on 3rd Road and the Au Bon Pain shops in the Royal Garden Plaza and The Avenue Mall on Pattaya 2nd Road.

Dusit Thani Pattaya and Siam Plantation to host Honda LPGA Thailand 2009

The Honda Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) Thailand event will be held from 26 February to 1 March 2009 at the Siam Country Club, Pattaya Plantation course. Preparations are underway at Dusit Thani Pattaya for the hosting of the golf spectacle that boasts a list of the best women golfers who have made quite a reputation for themselves and the sport as well.

The “Pink Panther” Paula Creamer is penciled in for a return to Pattaya to compete in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2009.

Channel 7 and Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd, the main sponsors, are pleased to continue their involvement in this world class women’s tournament, featuring 60 leading professional women golfers competing over 72 holes with no cut for a purse of US$1.45 million.
Make a date in your diary to come down to Siam Plantation and watch the world’s top women golfers including Lorena Ochoa and Paula Creamer battle for the title, while enjoying the interesting activities on offer. Golf fanatics should not miss the Honda LPGA 2009.

Azarenka adds to star names for Pattaya tennis tournament

The PTT Pattaya Open has attracted 5 of the world’s top 20 players, after teenage star Victoria Azarenka from Belarus ranked No 15 in the world became the latest player to confirm her participation in the tournament.
The 1.80 metre tall Belarusian first came to prominence as a junior where she achieved the remarkable feat of winning all four junior Grand Slams as well as being named Junior World Champion in 2005. Since then she has made steady progress and in 2008 broke into both the singles and doubles top 20 on the back of 2 final appearances in Brisbane and Prague and 3 semi-finals in Berlin, Montreal and Stuttgart. Her most outstanding performance though in 2008 was in doubles when she reached the finals of the Australian Open with partner Shahar Peer.
Azarenka joins a stunning line-up of top 20 stars in Pattaya, which includes No 7 Vera Zvonereva, No 11 Nadia Petrova, No 12 Caroline Wozniacki, and No 19 Dominika Cibulkova.
Despite the strong field for the 2009 PTT Pattaya Open, the organizers of the tournament will maintain ticket prices at the same level as 2008: Prices are 200 baht for 7-8 February, 300, 500 and 800 baht for 9 – 12 February and 300, 500, 800 and 1,000 baht for 13 - 15 February.
For ticket bookings, please contact Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd on 02-382-3491 – 3. Website: www.pentangle promotions.com

What price is a child’s smile at Christmas

The Baan Jing Jai Christmas Scramble Charity Golf Tournament

Roy Thornton
One hundred golfers took part in the Baan Jing Jai Christmas Scramble at Eastern Star Golf Course on Thursday the December 18. The aim of the competition was to raise funds to give the children of the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage a Christmas to remember.

The Gross score winners – Kermit’s Mob collect their trophies and golf bags.
The format of the tournament was a four-person Texas Scramble using the Max 5 formula, that is to say, that the maximum drives each team member can have during the round is 5. As the aim of the competition was to raise funds for charity, teams could purchase up to 4 Mulligans to be used by one player at a time during the round. The winning gross score team of Kermit’s Mob used them to good effect by carding 3 of their birdies with the use of Mulligans.
Also during the tournament, there were two extra competitions held at the par 3 third and thirteenth holes, the winners of these being John Emmerson and Martin Grimoldby.

The Golf Club team who missed out on the trophies by 0.1 of a point.
Although the teams were there to compete for the many trophies and prizes on offer, they all found time to stop for photo shoots and enjoy the free drinks supplied throughout the day by the Secrets Bar hotel, restaurant and nightclub. The weather and the condition of the course could not have been better, and everyone who took part enjoyed the day.
The vast number of birdies being recorded around the course was evident from the cries of jubilation going up every few minutes throughout the day. The gross score winners may have been clear cut at the end of the day, but the eventual net score winners were very close indeed, and after a few problems working out some of the scorecards, the winners of the net score competition was in fact the Birdie Boys, ahead of Tony’s Tigers, who themselves just edged out the Golf Club by 0.1 of a point.

Short Time Boys team enter into the spirit of day.
The golf over, everyone retired to Shenanigans at Jomtien for a superb buffet and the presentation. Live music and good food helped to entertain the vast crowd whilst the winners were being sorted out, but even then we managed to get it wrong and had to correct it later on. Still red faced, but nobody seemed to mind because the true aim of the day was the children.
A raffle of 40 prizes, all donated, took place after the presentation and that was then followed by an auction of a set of golf clubs donated by John and Suzi Lawton, and Arsenal Football Club memorabilia donated by the club for this special occasion.
Since the competition, we also received items from Liverpool Football Club that we auctioned after the recent PGS Christmas Scramble courtesy of Rabbi’s Elephant Bar who also had a collection after their presentation. The total amount raised was 118,100 Baht to be spent on the children of the Baan Jing Jai for Christmas.
The total amount collected far exceeded our expectations, and therefore, we were able to take the children in manageable groups to a certain large superstore before Christmas to buy them all a new pair of shoes, a new set of clothes, underwear and socks. We then spent the next week shopping for presents to match each child’s dream for Christmas and stocking fillers that included tooth brushes, toothpaste and books in addition to the normal fruit, chocolate, biscuits and balloons.
The children of the Baan Jing Jai, although being brought up as Christians rather than Buddhists, unfortunately had to attend school as normal during the Christmas week, so the only full day available was Saturday December 27. This was a day that the Haven Hotel had already booked with the orphanage to give the children a free party and use of the swimming pool at the hotel. So we asked Stephen and Lamyi if we could distribute the Christmas presents and stockings to the children whilst at their party, who were happy to invite us along to add to the day’s activities.
The children arrived at the Haven all dressed in their new clothes and shoes, and for the first time in the two years that we have been trying to help them, you would not recognise them as the children from the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage. They were all so proud of their new outfits, and this added to the smiles on their faces when they opened their Christmas presents and found that their dream present was indeed now a reality. This was a priceless sight for everyone who came down to see what their hard work and generosity had achieved.
In no particular order the generous sponsors of this year’s event were Eastern Star Golf Club, Shenanigans. Secrets Bar hotel, restaurant and nightclub, Golf Click, Kermit, Dennis and Larry Willett, St. Andrew Golf Centre, John & Suzi Lawton, Arsenal Football Club, Liverpool Football Club and Russell Exley.
Amongst the extensive list of helpers were Ted and David (Par 3s), Colin and the Lewiinski’s crew, Russell and the Haven crew, John Emerson and The Golf Club, Bob, Jack and the Outback Bar, Dennis, Larry and the Beaver Bar, Tony, Barry & Charlie, Rick and Mikael, Norman, Len and Rabbi’s Elephant Bar, and last but not least Wanicha
God Bless everyone, from the sponsors, helpers to all the players who made this wonderful event possible.

The older children sing Christmas carols as a Thank You to everyone.

The Birdie Boys with Caddies, Ted and Wanicha
take time out to pose at the 13th Tee.

Santa hands out presents to the eager children.

Priceless smiles on the faces of happy children.

The Baan Jing Jai Christmas Scramble Results Gross Score Winners: Kermit’s Mob (59 gross) Net Score Winners: Birdie Boys (57.7 net) Net Score Runners-up: Tony’s Tigers (58.4 net) Technical Prizes: Long Drive Men: Bryan Seib; Long Drive Ladies: Suzi Lawton Near Pin 2nd Shot Hole 5: Rick Holmes Near Pin Hole 3: Suzi Lawton; Near Pin Hole 6: Jim Wickstrom Near Pin Hole 13: Mark Cooper; Near Pin Hole 17: Dave Stockman Hit the Green Hole 3: John Emmerson; Hit the Green Hole 13: Martin Grimoldby

Sports Bag

Dear Pattaya Mail
Many correspondents over the past complain about the practice of a differing pricing policy adopted at various localities/amusements for locals to the detriment of the Farang.
So I feel compliments must be made to the Pattaya Sports Cub officials who have over the past month or so taken time out to negotiate with various golf clubs a further group discount. This discount is monitored by way of a voucher issued by each golf club, for the benefit of the PSC golfing membership and of course the Golfing Bars.
It is a welcome development especially during the difficult times that are currently upon us all, especially those of us who live here on a permanent basis.
So it is with great disappointment, that one of the most prominent golfing bars has decided to increase the price of the voucher to its own supporters, not sufficient to make a profit on food, beer, refreshments, transport (plus an existing administration fee) from the attending players on match days, they now want to make a profit on the voucher as well.
I am appalled, and it makes a mockery of the great initiative made by Perry at the PSC.
The golf clubs themselves are suffering from a lack of visitors due to these difficult times, but they are the ones who should be receiving the extra revenue, not the greedy golf bar owners.
Robert

Hailing homeruns in the Holiday Season softball session

Perry’s Pascifists (Front row Left to Right): Mickey the mascot, Scotty, Rocky; (Back Row standing Left to Right): Rhys, Rick, Mike, John E, Curtis, Mark, Perry, Nick (holding the bats).

Diego Wells
On our first softball game to ring in the New Year, it seemed that even the weather wanted a high scoring, action packed affair. The wind was gusting, and it was howling toward left field all day. It made the normally impossible home run wall in leftfield, and the roof above it, fair game for any hard and high hit balls.
Consequently, there was a host of homeruns, with John Mchugh and Diego both dinging one off the roof, John Stockton hitting the wall, Mikey knocking one to the warning track and using his deceptive speed to earn an inside the parker, and even Bullwinkle’s buddy Rocky, smashing his first inside the park homerun.
Perry, our grand poo-bah of petty provocations, wanted the weekly headline to read “Diego doesn’t matter”, but since yours truly is writing the weekly column, and the team I was traded to came within one of a victory in Game 2, after a 13 run defeat in Game 1, I beg to differ. More accurately, it was hailing homeruns on our first Sunday Softball game of 2009.
Both games were fast paced, and fun, as today was truly a hitter’s day at the Jimmy’s field of dreams in Jomtiem.
Game 1
Perry’s Pacifists were slow to start Game 1, going hitless in the first two innings, and being down 7-0 to Phil’s Philanthropists with the highlight being John Mchugh’s high fly ball off the roof in left centerfield. But from the third inning on, the bats of Perry’s team got red hot. Scotty, Mark, Rick, Diego, John E, and Perry himself slugged the ball, and batted twice through the order in the fourth to break out on top 13-8.
Philly’s team struck back in the bottom of the inning to tie the score, with clutch hits from Fred, John E and S, Josh and Shawn. In the end Perry’s Pacifists were just too strong, smashing 8 runs in the fifth, and 10 more in the seventh, to win going away 32-19
Game 2
One trade was made to even out the teams, Diego for Curtis, and crazily yours truly thought it would make a 13 run difference. As reported above, it did not, but Game 2 turned out to be a much tighter battle.
Rhys arrived late, and somehow snuck his way on to Perry’s team, and earned defensive player of the game for his diving stabs at 3rd base. Phil’s Philanthropists got off to a great start with 4 runs in the first and 5 in the second, highlighted by dingers by John Mchugh and Diego. However, it wasn’t enough as Perry’s Pacifists were relentless with their bats, scoring 10 in the third and never trailing after that inning.
Shot of the game was Rocky’s rocket over the heads of the left fielders that turned into an inside the park homerun. Phil’s team fought until the end, but Singapore Tom’s blooper to right field was caught by Curtis and they came up 1 run short. Final score 21-20, and the first double header of 2009 went to Perry’s Pacifists.
All however, had a blast, and we hope to see you on the diamond next Sunday at 1pm.

Bob gets his name on trophy in year-ender

PSC golf from The Three Sisters Bar & Grill

The usual suspects began teeing off at 0620 hours on December 30 as the trio of threesomes gave their best at the Pattaya Country Club. Someone must have left the sprinklers on as several of the fairways were soaked, and that did not bode well for long rolls after hits. The weather could not have been better though, as the sun was accompanied by a cooling breeze.

Tuesday’s winners: Sus Ige on the left, Bob Benda on the right.

Some golfers, unknown, must have played with flashlights as it was just getting light at 06:20 and there were no signs of the early worms other than their footprints and tire tracks.
Round over and all the players retired to Caddy Shack II and enjoyed some snacks as “Grandma” took everything out of Herbie’s car except the hot dogs. After a short wait the dogs showed up and following a quick cooking they were soon devoured along with a number of beers.
On to the golf, and coming in again at the top of the leader board was Bob Benda on 37 points, followed by Sus Ige with 33. As this was the end of the month tournament, Bob’s name will be engraved on the Three Sisters trophy.

Head leads the way at Eastern Star

9th Annual PGS Scramble Results

Winners: Frank, Niall and Ian Higgins and John O’Shea (57.7)
Runners-up: Len Jones, Masashi Iizumi, Dave Thompson and Steve Howard (58.3)
Third place: Brian Libbey, Alan Pilkington, Rod Howett and Fred Chadwick (58.5)
Technicals:
Near Pins: Jack Robertson, Chris Voller, Mikael Andersson and Bob Newell
Long Drives: Michael Dige, Frazier Davy and Ian Higgins
Other prize winners: Colin Davis, Tony Duthie, Michael Dige, Dave Richards and Daz Martindale, courtesy of the warm generosity of computer company MAX iT and its local manager Khun Wan Meeraka.

Ireland’s choice at Eastern Star

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

PGS Scramble Runners-up, the “Booby Bevy Beware” team of Dave Thompson, Steve Howard, Masashi Iizumi and Captain Len Jones.

The ninth Annual Pattaya Golf Society Scramble was held at Eastern Star on Monday, December 29, on a course at present set up to play very tough and the competitors also had a strong breeze to contend with all day. It did not detract from the fun however as the teams set out to end he year in the finest possible way on the golf course.
The format puts extra onus on putting and the greens at Eastern Star have yet to become consistent. Maybe it was for this reason that the favourites amongst the large field struggled to get away from the rest of the teams but, for whatever reason, the contest was destined to be very close.
Tee off rules for mixed teams had been modified since the previous event, in the interests of equity, and it is amazing in this age of instant communication that a few teams chose to not read the information sheets provided, thus unwittingly “dequeueing” themselves.
The more fastidious mixed team of Pat Murphy, Jim Ferris, Dave and Margaret Wilkinson had done their homework well and took seventh place with a net 59.5, less than two shots off the top slot. Above them were the Birdie Boys, perennial favourites, the quality team of David Thomas, Rob Lamond, Matt Gibbons and Bubbles Davis, and the PGS ACE team of Stu Thompson, Alex Sala, Ray Banks and Jack Robertson.
In third place was the lesser fancied Haven outfit of Brian Libbey, Alan Pilkington, Rod Howett and Fred Chadwick and their net 58.5 was destined to be close. Amazingly the runners-up were the unglamorous and hastily assembled “Booby Bevy Beware” team of Dave Thompson, Steve Howard and Masashi Iizumi, expertly led by Len Jones, and the captain’s experience of the Max 5 system was put to good use throughout in assembling a score of net 58.3. They were to lose out by only 0.6 of a shot to the “Ireland’s Choice” team of the Higgins’s and John O’Shea whose net 57.7 was the best recorded score of the day. In true “Irish Joke” fashion they chose to pay their entry fee, play their golf, win the day and then miss the presentation altogether!
Rabbi’s Elephant Bar on Soi Bukhao is not too difficult to find and amongst those successfully navigating down the crowded soi were the Near Pin winners, Jack Robertson, Chris Voller, Mikael Andersson and Bob Newell, and close behind were the Long Drive winners Michael Dige and Frazier Davy. The third flight winner, Ian Higgins, had obviously gone back to ESR to look for his ball!
The lowest handicapped golfer in the field was Mike Moir, playing off 0.4, and he generously sponsored through his IT company, “MAX iT”, a lucky draw for an LCD monitor screen and this was won by Colin Davis, as well as a consolation prize for the last placed team.
Finally the Booby Bevy prize went to Chris Voller’s team for the captain’s failure to read the rules, thus wiping out an otherwise winning score of 57.5.
At the crowded presentation Len Jones applauded the warm support he had received from Roy Thornton, Colin Davis, Bob Newell, Russell Exley and Tony Duthie, as well as the unstinting support of his usual registration and recording team of Mary Jones, Pennipha Ratchakit and Khun Doungrudee. Final thanks of the evening went to the hosts Rabbi and Pueng and their attentive staff for their magnificent buffet and finally the many golfers themselves, without whom the PGS Annual Team Scramble could not happen.
Fine Finn-ish to the old year
The Pattaya Golf Society drew the curtain on its golfing year on Tuesday, December 30, with a trip to Ban Chang for a stableford competition at The Emerald golf club. It marked the 145th competition of the year for the group and all the regulars turned out for the end of year event.
The large field was cut at 14 and under and the course was showing signs of distress with bare tight lies and greens which were desperate for a cut. However the course is usually a good test and so it was on the day.
In the second flight Larry Slattery, Sharon Burton, Ann Silawong and Steve McGill all shared third place with 31 points each, whilst Brian Kelly went one better to nab second place in an unaccustomed, for him, second tier. The winner was Phil Burton, his 33 points taking a rare win on this his final round this stay.
In a competitive top flight Wichai Tananusorn’s 35 points took third place whilst Harry Riley enjoyed the day with 38 points for second. The winner was Erik Anttonen and his 39 points gave him the best gross figures as well, an excellent 79.
Erik also had the pleasure of a brace of birdie 2’s to join Peter Masters and Helene Lindberg in a share of the pot, and Michael Lindberg unbelievably had a “nil return” which, in a stableford round, guarantees the player the Booby Bevy.
Thus the golfing year ended for the Pattaya Golf Society. It had been an eventful one, looking back, but the group is already anticipating the New Year and would like to thank all the many friends who have supported us all year. Here’s to the next one!

Whitehead sneaks in by one

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook
Tuesday, December 30, St Andrews – Stableford
The last day of the year saw a big turnout to play the fine St Andrews Course, a course that is a bit different and is very difficult. In fact it is recommended that the higher handicappers do not play it, although the biggest supporters of the course amongst Tropical Bert’s players are amongst them.

Bill Knight at 70.
The day started with Bert’s packed out with golfers and then into transport for the relatively short trip to the golf course, where it was a quick book-in and into the carts for the trip across to the St Andrews 18 holes. This being a hilly golf course carts are compulsory, mind for the older player it makes no difference.
The course itself is in many respects a bit gimmicky, however it is well presented and when the wind blows, as it did on this day, it can become a really difficult test. The fairways are well defined and the greens are not just fast, but the designers have in my opinion, tried to be too clever. Still a test that you either like or hate. On the day the course was fairly full, but we still moved fairly well except on some of the par 3’s.

Perry (left) presents the Alan Bolton ‘Golfer of the Month’ award to Peter Whitehead.
Round over, and back at Bert’s the place was packed waiting for the results, and also who would win the Alan Bolton ‘Golfer of the Month’ award. And with such a large turnout we had five winners in each flight.
In the A Flight, 0 to 16, the winner was Pierre Bietry with a fine 40 points and obviously a ‘chop’ of 1 shot. In second place was a young man, Nial Higgins, with also scored a good 37 points. In third place was Richard Kubicki with 36 points and in fourth was Brian MacDonald with 35 points. In fifth was the scribe with 34 points on count back over Mashi Kenata, which was a surprise as Mashi usually wins the count backs.
In the B Flight the winner was Peter Whitehead with 36 points ahead of Frank Pilkington with 34. In third place came Jack Merrick with 33, and in a count back on 31 points Les Charles came in fourth and Joel Flor was in fifth.
The race for ‘Golfer of the Month’ prize was really tight and any one of half a dozen golfers were in the running. However, with his win in the B Flight Peter Whitehead slipped in by one point. Well done Peter and the bag suits your eyes sometimes. We were lucky that at ‘great expense’ we had The PSC Golf Chairman with us, and shy as he is he was persuaded to do the presentation. Thanks Perry.
Presentation over, we realised that it was Bill Knight’s 70th Birthday so of course we had to celebrate his Birthday, Xmas, New Year and a fine year of golf at Bert’s. Happy New Year to all our readers. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Frank Higgins (2), Perry McNeely, Brian MacDonald, Dick Warberg, Joel Flor
Long Putt: Philippe Perret, Colin Cronin, Dick Kerr, Jack Robertson

“Sim-ply” the best

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, December 28,
Green Valley (White tees) - Stableford
A Flight
1st Claus Birk Thomsen (11) 41pts
2nd Ian Halfpenny (11) 39pts
3rd Silvio Bizzotie (12) 39pts
B Flight
1st Roy Thornton (13) 38pts
2nd Andrew Byrne (14) 35pts
3rd Jez Lees (15) 34pts
C Flight
1st Sim Davis (32) 34pts
2nd Ger Lodge (16) 33pts
3rd Eddie Beilby (17) 37pts
Near Pins: #2.Mike Lowen, #9 Jez Lees, #12 Jim Munns, #16 Andrew Byrne
Baan Jing Jai hidden six: 1st Mike Shrosbree, 2nd Roy Thornton
The “Principal” and Ian “Loose Change” both suffered a two shot reduction in their handicaps after last Sunday’s heroics, and both players were in the frame again this Sunday.
Claus Birk Thomson carded a best of the day 41 points to win the man of the match and A Flight honors. “Loose change” came in second on 39 after a count back over Silvio Bizzotie, who finished third, and the unlucky John Grindvold.
Roy Thornton MBE took control of B Flight with a super 38 points. Second place was filled by Andrew Byrne on 35, leaving the “Principal” to grab third spot on 34. “El Presidente” came up one shot short.
C Flight belonged to Sim Davis, her card of 34 points managed to win the flight, despite hitting her partner Colin’s ball on the fourth hole. The resulting penalty unfortunately cost Sim a hidden six first prize. “My bad lie” as they say. Second and third places needed a count back with four players’ tied on 33 points. Ger Lodge had the better back nine for second place, Eddie “Captain Courageous” was good for third, and Big Kevin Hamilton and Alec Hoare were the count back victims
Wednesday, December 31,
Green Valley - Stableford
A Flight
1st Seamus Cotter (12) 43pts
2nd Ben O’Connor (11) 39pts
3rd Mark Wood (8) 39pts
B Flight
1st Sim Davis (32) 37pts
2nd Ger Lodge (17) 36pts
3rd Miriam O’Farrell (17) 36pts
The final game of the 2008 season was played out at Green Valley. The winner on the day, and probably the most consistent Lewiinski’s player of the year, was Seamus Cotter V C. Seamus’ staggering 43 points was by far the best of the day. Second and third place in A Flight were separated only by a count back, Big Ben O’Connor edging Aberdeen’s pride and joy Mark Wood into third place after both carded 39 points.
B Flight saw Sim Davis and Ger Lodge battle it out again, but the result was just the same, Ger losing out to Sim’s 37 points by just one stroke. Sim made sure there were no mistakes today. Miriam O’Farrell rolled in 34 points for the final place on the rostrum.
Friday, January 2,
The Emerald - Stableford
A Flight
1st Peter Raite (8) 37pts
2nd Bob Newell (8) 36pts
3rd Gareth .Gill (9) 35pts
B Flight
1st Andrew Byrne (14) 38pts
2nd Mick Shrosbree (15) 35pts
3rd Peter Henshaw (16) 34pts
C Flight
1st Miram O’farrell (23) 34pts
2nd Gary .Crutchfield (20) 28pts
3rd David Thompson (18) 28pts
A combination of new arrivals, old stalwarts, and holidaying “workers” saw the best midweek turnout for many months.
Peter Raite broke 80 gross to take the A Flight over Bob the “Gov” Newell and Gareth Gill, Gareth beating another couple of single figure guys Jack Spencer and Paul Bray on count back.
In B Flight, Andrew Byrne used his new 3 wood to great effect to score a handicap reducing 38 points, while Mike Shrosbree, enjoying a few days off, pipped Peter “El Commandante” Henshaw.
In an almost unprecedented mid week C Flight, Miriam O Farrell secured her second podium position in as many appearances, beating off a couple of guys who appeared shocked when their 28 points was good enough to win some evening drinking vouchers.
Note: Lewiinski’s is situated on Pattaya Land Soi 1, Beach Road Soi 13/3 near to Walking Street. Anyone wishing to play with us just pop in and add your name to the list or call Bob on 080 096 8232. Transport to/from the course is available.

J.C. top scores at Pattaya Country Club

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

J.C. Lhoste

Brendan Byrne

Derek Brook
Monday the 29th December:
Pattaya Country Club – Stableford
We decided to give Pattaya Country Club a try after a nine month break from this venue, but no apparent improvement in the facility was noted. The greens and the bunkers were satisfactory but there seems to be a complete lack of attention to detail in the work done. It was not a great day out and was not money well spent.
On the day we had a stableford event in two flights with the cut at handicap 18. Brendan Byrne took the A Flight on a count back from Paul Huneker in second, and John Gardener in third, all with 37 points. Paul Peckstone was in fourth with 35 points.
In the B Flight the winner was J.C. Lhoste with 40 points, ahead of Mike Winfield who took second place on a count back over John Swanson, both with 39 points. In fourth was Karen Brown with 37 points.
There was no golf outing on Thursday with it being New Years Day. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Dave Richardson, Richard Kubicki, Peter Sorenson, Brendan Byrne
Long Putt: Mike Gosden, Liu Gui Lan

Alan Evans signs off 2008 in style

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
The end of 2008 has arrived. Roll on 2009. It was an eventful year in many respects and the first full year of play for the TRGG at the Travellers Rest. Who knows what the New Year will hold. Only time will tell.

Tuesday’s winners: Lui Gui Lan, Paul Huneker, Mod Chaviraksa and Fergus Brennan.

One player decided to end his year with the top score of the final week. Some may remember that he was out of action for many weeks after having a ceramic sink collapse onto his foot in his home earlier in the year. I am of course referring to Alan Evans.
Well bounce back he did after his enforced lay off and he has continued to be there or there abouts on many occasions since. But this is the best way to end any year. With a forty pointer at Bangpra on the thirtieth of December to take top honours and just beat Paul Pickston, a new name in our midst, by a single point.
Saturday,
December 27, The Emerald - Stableford
Div 1
1st Mike Gosden (8) 34pts
2nd Fergus Brennan (10) 32pts
3rd Mod Chaviraksa (13) 31pts
Div 2
1st Paul Huneker (15) 31pts
2nd Eamonn Murtagh (18) 29pts
3rd Liu Gui Lin (13) 29pts
2’s: Fergus Brennan, Ken Lucente and Wilf Wellman
We visited Emerald on Saturday, December 27 for our weekend outing. We had great participation including a couple of top level players who are here in Thailand to participate in the qualification events for the Asian tour in January. They did not take part in the main comp on the day but it was good for the local regulars to see them in action.
Division 2 was won by Paul Huneker with thirty-one points, two back on twenty nine and winning second place on count back was Eamonn Murtagh, just beating Liu Gui Lan.
Division 1 was taken by a forty-two pointer from Mike Gosden, the boss Fergus was second at thirty-two and in third was Mod Chiviraksa.
Monday, December 29, Khao Kheow A & B - Stableford
Div 1
1st George Robinson (11) 33pts
2nd Guy Fraser (11) 33pts
3rd Ray Trembath (9) 32pts
Div 2
1st Nijole Murtagh (26) 35pts
2nd Bill Priestley (20) 31pts
3rd Eamonn Murtagh (18) 30pts
2’s: George Robinson
Khao Kheow was the venue on Monday, December 29 with round over the A and B courses. Once again we had a great turnout as one would expect at this time of the year.
Division 2 went to Nijole Murtagh with the top score of the day at thirty-five points. Four back in second was Bill Priestley and in third was Nijole’s husband Eamonn on thirty.
The premier division saw a count back fight for the top honours between George Robinson and Guy Fraser, both at thirty-three with George edging it. Third place was taken by Ray Trembath at thirty-two.
There was only the one ‘2’ on the day from George Robinson.
Tuesday, December 30, Bangpra - Stableford
1st Alan Evans (26) 40pts
2nd Paul Pickston (12) 39pts
3rd John Merritt (14) 36pts
4th Eddie Townsend (16) 36pts
5th Alun Webber (23) 35pts
2’s: None - so bell rung at the bar
Tuesday, December 30 was the final event of the year was at Bangpra. Numbers it must be said were a little down for this trip, the players must have been saving their energies for the New Year celebrations. So it was just one division on the day and prize places down to fifth.
As mentioned at the beginning of this report Alan Evans took the top spot on the day with a great forty pointer. Paul Pickston was in second, just one shot back and we then had a count back for third and fourth places with John Merritt just edging it over Eddie Townsend, both at thirty-six. Finally in fifth spot was Alun Webber with thirty-five points.

Wounded warriors find that winning feeling

PSC golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Tuesday, December 30, Plutaluang N & W (White tees) - Stableford
Fifteen of us saw out the old year of golf with a convivial round at Navy. Willy Nachbur (24) nabbed the honors with 37 points with Frank Waterhouse “Khun Paco” (11) being runner-up just a point behind. Bob Pearce (12), John Roddis “Khun Roddo” (11) and Rob Gandley (21) came in 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.

Thursday’s winners - a couple of patched-up old crocks.

Craig Wease, Steve Lunt, Paco and Roddo had near pin bonuses with Paco rounding out a good day down at mill by sinking the longest first putt on the 18th green.
The average score for the day was a high 33 points considering we played North & West.
Friday, January 2, Greenwood A & B (White tees) - Stableford.
Nineteen of us saw in the new year of golf with a genial round at Greenwood. The scribe (14) continued his good, handicap reducing form (possibly because he is now able to walk again rather than limp as a result of an off-the-wall but successful cure of some plantar warts that had plagued him for a long time), winning the A division (0-14) with 38 points. Second and third places went to John Roddis (11) and Mike Jackson (12) with 37 points apiece.
Willy Nachbur (24) also continued his run of good, handicap reducing form (possibly resulting from cortisone treatment for spinal pain) making it two in a row by winning the B division (15+) with 37 points. Second and third places went to Tony Chetland (21) and Charlie Raj (18) with 35 and 34 points respectively.
Near pin bonuses were won by Mike Jackson, Rob Gandley and Steve Lunt whilst Bob Drumm, having craftily placed his chip shot to the correct ultimate distance, sunk the longest first putt on the 18th green. The average score was 30.6 points.
We had planned to go to Treasure Hill this day but as the management of that course wished to charge holiday rates for the 2nd January we switched to Greenwood whose management sought only to charge normal rates.
As Aka O’Reilly (now fully recovered from his tumble) points out, every retired golfer in our group and presumably the local area has been hard hit by a triple whammy which has emerged over the last 6 months or so. Investment returns on retirement income producing assets have been shockingly negative, the baht exchange rate (on GBP for example) has plunged from 68 : 1 to 49.25 : 1 and many local prices are rocketing up e.g. a piece of bait at the croc park has gone up from 30 baht to 50 baht.
Thus a saving of 300 baht for each of us to play an equally excellent course translates in hard times to a 5,700 baht stack of rehydration fluids. This stack is well worth having by us and well worth noting by golf course managements whose financing quandaries do however have our sympathies. Happy New Year one and all.

Sheffield ‘booms’ it at Burapha

PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s column
Monday, December 29, Burapha - Stableford
The difficult pin positions only added to the frustration for many of the 37 Outbackers who tackled the Crystal & Dunes course from the blue tees. It wasn’t a great deal easier for 16 Outbackers in Division D who played from the white tees, unless your name is Peter Gibson. Peter followed up his win the previous Friday with another excellent round to score 40 points off his new handicap of 28, which earned him a further cut to 26. He was four clear of Doug Eames, who claimed not only his second ever podium finish but also his first birdie ‘2’. Well played you two!
James Sheffield is in a different class, and so he should be playing off plus two. This young man is here to try his hand at qualifying for the Asian Tour, playing at Green Valley this week. Stories of him reaching all the par-fives in two with a driver and wedge were rife, leaving another long hitter of the ball, Briany Christie, way back in his wake. Apparently his putting let him down, four putting one of the greens, nevertheless, he did enough to win on count back from Paul Sharples, both with 33 points. Good luck this week James!
There were a bundle of ‘2’s coming from Joe Mooneyham, Doug Eames, Capt’ Bob, Briany Christie, Murray Hart, Nick Collins, Ian Hart & John Cogan.
Div A (+2-11)
1st James Sheffield (+2) 33pts
2nd Paul Sharples (9) 33pts
3rd Bob Philp (7) 32pts
4th Michael Waltschek (6) 31pts
Div B (12-15)
1st Robert Ford (15) 34pts
2nd Joe Mooneyham (12) 32pts
3rd Paul Lavender (14) 31pts
4th Bob Lindborg (15) 30pts
Div C (16-19)
1st Kevin Moraghan (16) 33pts
2nd Campbell Potts (18) 31pts
3rd Bruce McAdam (19) 29pts
4th Peter Stonebridge (19) 28pts
Div D (20+)
1st Peter Gibson (28) 40pts
2nd Doug Eames (36) 36pts
3rd Wayne Hansen (25) 33pts
4th Martin O’Neill (36) 32pts
Wednesday, December 31, Pattaya C.C. - Stableford
The New Years Eve venue was switched twice in the last week due to reports that Pleasant Valley’s back nine was a little suspect and had not really matured enough, and also Phoenix’s inability to come up with a sensible green fee. Pattaya Country Club was chosen at the very last minute as they were prepared to negotiate an excellent holiday green fee for the 40 Outbackers who played.
This course has an excellent layout but is drying out in places, giving way to some very hard skinny lies and some very unpredictable run and bounce. Together with some uneven greens, some of which had been well watered, it made this no easy track.
Pat Regan, Peter Stone & Kathy Doody however, all had other ideas, scoring 38 points apiece and winning their respective divisions. Capt’ Bob took second in Div A with 35, whilst there were three more in Div B with that same score; namely Kevin Moraghan, John Kittilsen and Bruce Milner.
Kathy was seven clear of her nearest rivals, Paul Crosland, Joachim Oestreicher and Neville Steward all with 31.
There was only one ‘2’ coming from Alan Carter.
Note: Pattaya Country Club is due to become a regular Tuesday slot for the Outback Golf Bar with about a 10am tee time for next three months, give Bob a call if you fancy a hit.
Div A (0-13)
1st Patrick Regan (9) 38pts
2nd Bob Philp (7) 35pts
3rd Bob Pearce (12) 32pts
Div B (14-18)
1st Peter Stone (17) 38pts
2nd Kevin Moraghan (16) 35pts
3rd John Kittilsen (18) 35pts
Div C (19+)
1st Kathy Doody (20) 38pts
2nd Paul Crosland (23) 31pts
3rd Joachim Oestreicher (24) 31pts
Friday, January 2, Siam Plantation - Stableford
Although Tapioca & Pineapple had been set up considerably shorter than in the past, the 66 golfers who played here still toiled around the difficult undulating greens. All the best scores of the day were in Division C, handicaps 15 to 18, with John Exhall occupying the top spot with an excellent 36 points. Right behind him, on 35, were Alex Sala & John Kittilsen and a further two back was Kevin Moraghan with 33.
Neville Steward put his previous week’s performance behind him to play well today, scoring 33 points and enough to win Division D. His win underlined the ‘never give up scenario’ - after hitting his ball left of the green on the par 3 eighth on Pineapple, it bounced some 120 yards down the path and gave him an unsighted second shot up the hill, over the long grass into the green. He didn’t play that too well, ending up in the long grass, but he got his sand iron on it, popped it on the green and two putted for a point.
Whilst all this was going on, his playing partners had left the green, waiting on the next tee and the following group, looking somewhat bemused, were already on the same green on which he was looking to salvage his point. Well done Nev!
There were five ‘2’s from Paul Greenaway, Joe Mooneyham, Martin Grimoldby, Jack Moseley and Jack Grindvold.
Regrettably, the course was overbooked, probably since it was a holiday and the management had a considerable headache accommodating the additional six Outback groups. In the past this has not really been a problem as they have welcomed the extra revenue with open arms. However, there may be signs that there are a few golfers around now and to be fair, the Outback must try in the future to get the numbers right. To that end, the start sheet, which must consist of full names and handicaps, will close at 12 midday the Thursday before. Additional names can go on the reserve list in case of a cancellation and play the alternate course if no place at Plantation becomes available.
Note: the booking has been increased to 16 groups during January.
Div A (0-10)
1st Jack Moseley (9) 32pts
2nd James Bragg (10) 32pts
3rd Martin Grimoldby (6) 32pts
4th Michael Waltschek (6) 31pts
5th Bob Philp (7) 30pts
Div B (11-14)
1st Silvio Bisotto (12) 33pts
2nd Paul Young (13) 33pts
3rd Paul Greenaway (11) 32pts
4th David Conroy (13) 32pts
5th Guy Fraser (11) 31pts
Div C (15-18)
1st John Exhall (15) 36pts
2nd Alex Sala (18) 35pts
3rd John Kittilsen (18) 35pts
4th Kevin Moraghan (16) 33pts
5th John Calvert (17) 31pts
Div D (19+)
1st Neville Steward (19) 33pts
2nd Peter Stonebridge (19) 32pts
3rd Brian Maddox (21) 31pts
4th John Cogan (20) 30pts
5th Peter Gibson (26) 29pts
Friday, January 2, The Emerald - Stableford
Emerald was the alternate course and 11 Outbackers made the trip. Why was Bruce McAdam so far ahead of his rivals? Did he play more than 18 holes? Or, was he that much better than the rest? Miles ahead, so far, that he earned 2 points for the new monthly ladder and a handicap cut to 18.4. Second was his mate, B1 and third was the organiser for the day, Chad.
Well done guys, and Capt’ Bob has promised that you can have a ‘typed’ start sheet next week!
There were no ‘2’s, so the pot was added to the prize money.
1st Bruce McAdam (19) 39pts
2nd Bruce Milner (14) 31pts
3rd Barry Chadbourn (19) 30pts
4th Murray Hart (15) 29pts
5th Campbell Potts (18) 28pts
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.

Mini Adventure Race set for Pathum Thani

After the tremendous success of the 2 first events, the third race of the “Outdoor Unlimited” Dash series will take place on Sunday January 18 in Pathum Thani.
The series of races is targeted at those interested in getting a first taste of Adventure Racing without the stresses and strains of training for the full blown events like the River Kwai Trophy.

The “Outdoor Unlimited” Dash series leg 3 takes place in Pathum Thani on January 18.

“We estimate that the front runners will complete the course in about 1:30hr,” said race organiser Serge Henkens. “The slower participants should arrive at the finish line in maximum 3 hours.
“What we want is that the participants can be back home for lunch and spend the Sunday afternoon with their families. These sprint races (or mini adventure races), will give the opportunity to athletes who have never competed in an Adventure Race to have a taste of adventure. It will also help everyone to prepare for longer competitions. It will definitely help in the development of this fantastic new sport in the kingdom. As the distances are much shorter, these races are accessible to everyone,” said Henkins.
Categories in the event will be divided into Men, Women, and Masters Men (Over 40 years of age) and the disciplines involved are mountain biking, running and mystery tests. The approximate course distance is running 8km and biking 15km.
There will be 30,000 baht in prize value for each race with 5,000 baht going to the winners of Women and Men categories, and prizes for top 3 in each category. Entry fee will be 500 baht if registration and payment is made in advance and 600 baht on Race day. There will be a short trophy ceremony after each Dash where medals and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 in each category.
This is also the perfect preparation for the next “The North Face River Kwai Trophy” that will, take place in Kanchanaburi on February 28; 2009. The 4th edition of this very popular Race is set to attract 150 teams from Thailand, South East Asia, USA and Europe. For more information visit www.adventuredash.com or www.riverkwaitrophy.com.