Pattaya United still hunting elusive first win

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya United’s winless start to the season continued last Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw away at TTM Samutsakhon.
The match was held at the Educational Institute of Samutsakhon on campus with both teams looking for a win to boost their standings in the Thai Premier League table. Pattaya went into the game lying in 14th position with 2 points while their opponents where four places higher on 3 points.
United’s chances received a blow prior to the kick off when it was revealed that star forward Paolo Roberto would miss the game through injury.
Despite this setback, it was Pattaya who carved out the first real chance of the match when on 13 minutes Tana Chanabut was pulled down by Panuwat Failai, with the Samutsakhon player receiving a yellow card from the referee. From the resulting free kick by Santi Chaipuak, the ball was tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Mantaewa Lasombat and then cleared to safety by a Samutsakhon defender.
Both teams created further half chances during the first period without really looking like breaking the deadlock and the game became a little niggardly and both Prawit Pariwanta (Pattaya) and Tanongsak Pachakata (TTM) received further yellows from the referee.
The second half began much the same way as the first finished with very little flow to the game and no clear cut chances being created. Peeratas Phoruandee (TTM) received another yellow for a foul on Santi Chaipuak but Pattaya were unable to take advantage from the free kick.
At the 60 minute mark Pattaya brought on German mid fielder Deesic Zacha to replace Tana Chanabut, who was struggling to make any impression on the game.
The home team nearly broke through on 71 minutes when Tanongsak Promdad headed the ball past Taweekul in the Pattaya goal, but Niwet Siriwong was on hand to clear the ball before it could cross the line. Promad was nearly through again in the 89th minute but Taweekul once more denied him.
The referee blew the final whistle soon after with both teams having to settle for a point apiece.
Pattaya now have three draws and one defeat from their opening four matches and will be desperate to secure all three points when they take on Navy Rayong FC at home in the Nongprue stadium this Thursday evening, April 9, kick off at 6 p.m.

MBMG Matchplay League

Pattana - Tony’s Tigers 5½ v The Bunker 4½
After a very slow start to the season Tony’s Tigers finally sprang into life and roared into action against last years champions and won a very tightly contested match. Whenever these two teams meet, you can guarantee a keen close game and today was no exception with most of the pairings going right to wire.
The smile on Tony’s face back at Boscoes Bar was evident all through the evening, where everybody enjoyed a few beers and the delightful cuisine and wonderful hospitality from Declan & his staff.
Individual Results (Tony’s Tigers listed first): Emmit White won 5 & 4 v Geoff Parker; Geoff Bowers lost 2 down v J.J. Harney; Andy Mills won 2 & 1 v Paul Smith; Ron Bridge won 2 & 1 v Gerry Cooney; Neal McAllister lost 1 down v Allan Sullivan; Mark Riggall won 1 up v Jack Robertson; Neal Hughes lost 5 & 4 v Tony Robbins; Mike Girling won 1 up v William Macey; Alan Cassin lost 2 down v Rob McDonald; Dave Smith halved with v Mashi Katana
Green Valley - Richman Poorman 2 v Caddyshack 6
The Caddyshack completed the last match of the first three months of the 2009 MBMG Golf Matchplay league with yet another win, to go two points clear of Angkana House. The league will now take its Easter & Songkhran break for the month of April, before resuming in May.
At the same point last year, the Caddyshack held the lead only to lose in the closing stages, giving last year’s title to the Bunker. This is looking less likely to happen again as the Bunker only scored one point this month, halving with the Outback and losing to Tony’s Tigers who just gained their first win of the season.
Individual Results (Richman Poorman listed first): Larry Immelman won 5 & 4 v Clive Bruce; Jerry Langer lost 5 & 3 v Brian Orr; Rick Morton lost 1 down v Jeff North; Glen Finla lost 2 & 1 v Phil Cowes; Kevin Sullivan lost 5 & 4 v Damian Trant; Alan Duckett won 2 & 1 v Peter Henderson; Colin Brooks lost 5 & 4 v Graham Beaumont; Ed Behr lost 3 & 2 v Ramsay Smith

City workers enjoy colourful Pattaya Sports Day

Saksiri Uraiworn
The National Eastern Sports Center was decked out in a myriad of colours as the seventh annual Pattaya Sports Day swung into action on March 27.
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome chaired the opening of the event along with Sitthipab Muangkhum, Pattaya City Manager, and attended and competed by some 2,000 administrators, City councilors, teachers and City employees.
First held in 2002, the annual sporting event was this year divided into the four competing team colors of blue, violet, orange and green. Sports were tailored for employees’ amusement such as running in unison, through a hoop, a Superman relay, a bolster relay and cheer leader and cheer team competitions.
Energetic fun was had by all judging from the cheering, friendship and amusement by the competing teams and their supporters.
Mayor Itthipol said that the day was organized to create unity between the organization’s staff and for them to relax from work and to experience sportsmanship among themselves.

The mayor poses with the orange-team cheer leaders.

Catch us if you can say the green team.

The orange and voilet supporters in full voice.

Wrestling time in May

Ariyawat Noamsawat
Next month will see muscles rippling and bodies sweating as amateur wrestlers from 23 countries descend on Pattaya to compete in the Asian Senior Wrestling Championship 2009 from May 2-7.

(From left): Niti Kongkrut, Director of the TAT Pattaya Office; Assist. Prof. Vangsan Suchantabutr, President of the Thai Amateur Wrestling Association and Pisai Panomwan Na Ayutthaya, Advisor to the Mayor, talk at the press conference held April 3.

The Thai Amateur Wrestling Association (TAWA) is co-operating with Pattaya City, the Sports Authority of Thailand and TAT to organize the wrestling championships and full details of the event were disclosed at a meeting held on April 3 at Pattaya City Hall.
Assistant Professor Vangsan Suchantabutr, TAWA president, chaired the meeting and confirmed that this will be the first time the competition has been held in Thailand. More than 500 athletes, coaches and judges will be at the tournament taking place at the Ambassador City Hotel in Jomtien.
There will be two competitions for 25 gold medals. Twenty one medals will be wrestled for indoors at the Convention Hall and four medals competed for at an outdoor beach wrestling venue. All admission for spectators is free.
Prof Vangsan said that his association was very proud to be given the job as hosts and organizers. He said normally the association held its competitions in the Minibut Building in Bangkok but it would bring this important event to Pattaya to help boost tourism in the city.
Jarin Nopparat, TAWA secretary, said that it was a good sign that many member countries decided to send wrestlers, including the newly-formed Singapore Amateur Wrestling Association which will send a team.
Some 50 Thai wrestlers have been training since February at the Physical Education Institute’s Bangkok campus with 25 having already been selected for the competition.
TAWA expects the meet to provide little more than experience at the Asian competition level for Thai athletes because wrestling is not a popular sport in the Kingdom. Thai wrestling is only ranked seventh or eight in Asia but the team has chances to win at least one silver medal in beach wrestling and two bronze medals in the indoor competition, Jarin said.

UK student takes on extreme marathon challenge to help Thai children

Nick Wright, a final year student at Cardiff University in Wales, will take part in the ultimate endurance test for distance runners when he runs the Namibian 24 hour Ultra Marathon in Africa, on Saturday 11 April 2009. Nick will be running for the Thai Children’s Trust, a charity which raises funds in the UK for disadvantaged and vulnerable children across Thailand and hopes to raise £3,000.
Nick’s amazing adventure will take him into the northern Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world and the largest and most remote National Park in Africa. This will see him run 126km in 24 hours – the equivalent of three full marathons run back to back.
The Cardiff University student chose to raise money for the Thai Children’s Trust after hearing about them from his mother, Sue, who works closely with the charity and has experienced first-hand the work they do. The Trust provides a home, education and a future for over 1,500 children, and reaches out to thousands more through health and nutrition projects.
Nick has been putting in large amounts of training for his marathon. He is a keen sportsman and in September 2008 he and a friend cycled the length of Britain, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Just last month he took part in the Thames Path Ultra Marathon where he ran 50 miles in seven hours 45 minutes. Nick hopes his hard training will stand him in good stead as he tests himself against the extreme African heat.
Says Nick: “I will be completely self-reliant from the start of the race until the end, and will need to carry food and equipment on my back. The run will be tough but the knowledge that I will be raising money for needy Thai children will certainly provide me with great motivation and ease some of the pain I am sure!”
Anyone interested in supporting Nick is asked to visit his sponsorship page at www. justgiving.com/nickwright4.
The Thai Children’s Trust is now the largest UK charity focusing solely on Thailand; supporting projects in Pattaya, Rayong, Nong Khai in the north, the Tsunami area in the south and Burmese refugees in the west of Thailand. Visit www.thaichildrenstrust .org.uk for more information.

Emiel survives storms at Khao Kheow

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

The Pattaya Golf Society visited Khao Kheow on Tuesday, March 31 to play a stableford competition over the B and C nines. It is always good to play the course and be reminded of just how tough golf can be with the emphasis on accuracy, especially on this track.
Today was to have an added dimension however as a number of severe electric storms lashed the course, holding up play and forcing a number of the field to seek refuge in the clubhouse, abandoning their rounds in favour of the safety and sanity of the restaurant.
Those who remained in the two flights continued until the end of a stop-start round and in the top flight Andy Bardill took third place with 28 points, two behind the joint winners Peter Biggs and Chris Voller. The second flight saw Steve McGill take third place with 24 points, a long way behind Evan Millar’s 29 point score and a further two behind the best card of the day, Emiel van der Wiele’s 31 points.
Emiel also had the honour of a birdie ‘2’ on the Island par-three whilst the top flight saw no such heroics, leaving a neat rollover until the next round.
With every finisher a real hero Mr. Len decided against awarding the Booby Bevy, choosing instead to roll that over as well. Bangpra could have a boozy finish in two day’s time!
Medze bounces back
The society took a trip Bangpra on Thursday, April 2, to play a stableford competition in two flights, divided at twenty and under. The Bangpra greens are fine but the general course condition is poor with inadequate irrigation leaving the fairways very dry and hard, making it fair for only the very best of iron players.
With scores destined to be low the competition got underway and in the second flight Jim Proctor’s 28 points took third place, two behind John Mason’s 30 point total. The flight winner was Len Jones with 32 points.
In the top flight Peter Biggs gained third place with his 32 points, two behind Chris Voller’s second place finish. The best score of the day was the 38 points achieved by Joop Medze and it was gratifying to see the Dutch golfer in the frame again after almost two years, having undergone painful shoulder and neck surgery.
There were no birdie ‘2’s in either flight and the Booby Bevy went to Tim Lazecki for his 13 - 5 split.
What a shame Bangpra has found itself in a neglected condition, along with other courses, after a barren high season.
Hogg’s Back at Green Valley
Saturday, April 4 saw the Pattaya Golf Society visit Green Valley for its regular weekend stableford event and found the course in fine condition but the heavens brooding overhead. After a few holes the thunder began and the constant flashes of lightning surrounded the course. By the sixth hole it had enveloped the whole course and sent golfers scurrying for cover. After almost an hour they emerged from their shelters and found sodden fairways and flooded greens.
An attempt was made to regenerate the event but after three more holes the heavens opened again. This proved the final straw for half the field and they left for the comfort of the clubhouse for the second time in three days. Of those who remained Ray Jackson and Mam Morel made a real fist of it by finishing with 34 points each for third place, one behind Chris Voller’s 35.
Ray and Chris both had birdie 2’s on the twelfth and shared the pot as a bonus.
The best score of the day was the 41 points accrued by Aussie Ian Hogg, visiting again after a few months, and his round beggared belief. How on earth could anyone maintain concentration when all hell was breaking around them? He’ll be wanting to play at Songkhran next!

Dobbins wraps up monthly award with stellar round at Greenwood

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook
Tuesday, March 31, Greenwood - Stableford
I always try to slip in a day at Greenwood when no one is watching, as it provides a nice relaxed day out after some of the tougher courses we play at present. You can usually expect to go here and not be destroyed by the course, and it is a great support to the ego in that you can come back and tell tales of the great round you just had.

Craig (left) from Alan Bolton Property Consultants presents the ‘golfer of the month’ award to Scott Dobbins who posted a tremendous gross 68 at Greenwood.
The fact was that on this day the tees were generally forward and so the course was ‘A & B short’ but how nice to go out and feel you have played a great round. Thirty seven points by ‘The Scribe’ was not within binocular range in the A Flight but it was still enjoyable.
This being the last Tuesday of the month, it was also ‘The Alan Bolton Golfer of the Month Day’ and our ‘tame scratch golfer’ Scott Dobbins felt he at last had a chance as he and Dick Warberg led going into the day. Yes, that is ‘Deadly Dick’, last year’s most prolific winner and back with a handicap that one can only dream of. Who would come good?
Sat in the restaurant as the scores came in it was obvious that there were some really good scores and that you would have to have played well to be in with a chance. Maybe the obligatory shower at the end of the round cooled a little of the high scores but not by much.
Back at Bert’s all were tucking into Bert’s Golfers Special, and when this is on he sells more ‘Golfers Specials’ than we have golfers. They come out of the woodwork, but this is really good food and well appreciated, thanks Bert and Pu.
So to the results and in the A Flight, 0 to 16, the winner was Scott Dobbins with 40 points on a count back from Ted Morris in second. Scott’s 40 points meant a gross 68, not bad really. In your dreams! In third place was Perry McNeely with a good 39 points.
In the B Flight the winner was Brian Gabe with 42 points; Brian is coming good just as he is about to leave. In second was Mick O’Connor with 40 points and in third for his first ever prize in Pattaya in any competition, was Keith Phillips with 34 points.
So to the ‘Alan Bolton Golfer of the Month’ and with his fine round Scott Dobbins cruised home.
Near Pins: Scott Dobbins (2), Steve Hamstad, Ted Morris
Long Putt: Scott Dobbins, Colin Cronin
Friday, April 3, Phoenix Lakes & Ocean - Stableford
A small group gathered at Bert’s for breakfast. With five no-shows and one late addition we were down to two foursomes. This ended up being a very good day for those who played as we were able to get around the Lakes and Ocean nines in a little over 4 hours with very little waiting time. This meant we also missed the afternoon shower that is getting very regular this year.
Heading back to Bert’s earlier than usual was also so nice as the Friday afternoon traffic had not yet fully developed and we were quickly sitting down to assorted sandwiches and beverages.
With the smaller than normal group the prize list was reduced but this did not seem to bother anyone, as five of the eight players won something. The overall winner was Henry O’Brian (20), the Friday morning walk-on, with 38 points, followed by Bill Knight (18) winning a count back over Doug Maiko (14) with 35 points for second place.
Near pins went to, Peter Whitehead, Dick Warberg, Joel Flor, and Henry O’Brian.

The Scribe has a miscount but still claims the win

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, March 30, Eastern Star – Stableford
With ‘The Admiral’ away on his annual migration to The USA, it fell to the ‘B Team’ of Mike and Doug to lead a group to Eastern Star, a course we have not played for some time, but as they say ‘a change is as good as a rest’. Reports say the course was in reasonable condition with the greens quite good.
On the day we had two flights with in the A Flight the winner being Doug Maiko with 33 points while Per Olaf Baarli took second over Dave Neal in third on count back, both with 32 points. In the B Flight the winner was Colin Swan with 35 points with Graham Buckingham in second on 34 points and Bon Nelson in third with 32 points.
Thursday, April 2,
Green Valley - Stableford
Some days start different, this was one of them. As we were going to Green Valley the next day, I had to nip in the PSC and pick up the vouchers. As only 18 were booked in I signed for 20, took the book and went home. Next morning bright and early, yes I know I am never early, or particularly bright, it was collect money for competition and green fee as ‘The Admiral’ was still away on his yearly visit home.
After 9 green fees were issued I was rather surprised to find I had only one left. Yes the ‘book’ only had 10 in it. This meant a dash back to PSC and a zoom up to Green Valley. You would have thought I would have known better as I buy the vouchers in bulk, but each course has different methods. We live and learn.
At the course it was time to book in, issue the vouchers to those waiting and dash to the first tee. When I say dash it was not that quick as we had a wait until we could tee off. Hot and bothered, who Me? Well it was nice to get away.
The course was in its usual fine condition, and we moved along quite well, and soon it was time to bring a fine day to and end and hope the hassle had not let The Scribe down in his effort to win. Also it was really hot and we had more than one player suffering from the heat so you have to be careful out there.
In the A Flight, 0 to 18, the winner was yours truly Derek Brook, alias ‘The Scribe’ with 36 points on count back from Doug Maiko in second. In third was Ted Morris with a fine 35 points as he was suffering with the heat.
In the B Flight the winner was Per Anders Karlsen with 39 points ahead of Jan Lovgreen in second with 34 points and Art Bailey in third with 33 points.
Note: Just a reminder that The Ray Rogers Memorial Scramble will be held on Thursday, May 7 at Plutaluang North and South layouts and the party will be held back at Rays house. Sign up sheets will be posted in The Cafe Kronborg from April 20 and the entry fee at present is expected to be no more than 500 baht. T.T.F.N

Jim Hearn adds his name to the trophy

Jaycock bounces back with 43-points at Green Valley

PSC golf from P J Pool Bar

Neil Duncan
Thursday, April 2, Green Valley (White tees) - Stableford
We visited Pleasant Valley on Tuesday for the second time and again got caught by what the Aussies term ‘the wet’. Lots of rain, lots of wind, lots of electrics. Too much bad news to continue this time but the management of the venue have treated us very fairly in my opinion (they certainly don’t control the weather do they?) and accordingly we will respond by making a hasty return.

Thursday’s flight winners: Dennis Jaycock (left) and Dave Day.

Subsequently, on Thursday we went to Green Valley for an early, 08.35 start and as usual enjoyed this fine venue. In the A Division (handicaps 16 and below) Dave Day again took top spot with 38 points followed in by David Clamp with 33 points and Mike Jackson in third spot with 32 points.
In the B Division (handicaps 17 and up) Dennis Jaycock romped home with a splendid 43 points aided by the longest first putt on the 18th green. This result followed on from him carding a not-so-splendid 19 points only a few events before. The Scribe came in second with 38 points and Steve Black, making a welcome return to play with the group, took third spot with 34 points.
Near pin bonuses were won by Roddo x 2, Dave Day and Mike King.
Note: Any golfers seeking to play with our group that wish to know about the group’s format please visit P J Pool Bar & Restaurant on Soi Watboonsamphan (Soi Kanoi) or phone Neil on 089 511 0575.

The gloves are off for Nicky

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, March 29, Green Valley – Stableford
A Flight
1st Peter Lenoury (9) 39pts
2nd Jim Brackett (7) 38pts
3rd Bob Newell (6) 38pts
B Flight
1st Nick Payne (14) 41pts
2nd Joe Mcardle (13) 39pts
3rd Mickael Andersson (15) 38pts
C Flight
1st Kathy Doody (18) 41pts
2nd Alec Hoare (18) 40pts
3rd Geoff Doody (20) 39pts
Near Pins: C B Thompsen, Bob Newell, Mickael Andersson, Yui Bietry
2’s: Five
There was a large turn out for this Sunday’s game at Green Valley, so an extra division was included.

Nick Payne with the “Tetley’girl.
Making the most of the added C Division were Mr. and Mrs. Doody. Kathy, playing off a handicap of two less than Geoff, won C Flight and lady of the day honours with a super 41 points. This pushed hubby Geoff, who carded a fine 39 points into third spot. Sandwiched between the Doody’s was Alec Hoare with a more than impressive 40 points.
A Flight was also a very tight affair just one shot separating the three top places: Peter Lenoury esquire took the honours with a splendid 39 points and Big Jim Brackett won a count back to take second on 38 points over “Chairman Mao”. Bob Patterson, “Loose change” and Steve Mulberry all missed out a shot back.
B Flight was just as tough, as Nicky “Two Gloves” came in from the cold with a man of the match 41 points. Joe Lederhosen Mcyodel, Peter Henshaw and John Hartington all with 39 points were left to sort out the two remaining places. John Hartington with a fine 21 on the back side took second, Peter Henshaw’s 18 back nine gave him third place, while poor old Mcyodel did not yodel loud enough.
Jez Lees, Dave Boran, Barry Copestake, Bob Newell and Yui Bietry shared a very handy 2’s pot
Back at Lewiinski’s Nicky rang the bell to celebrate his victory, and had his picture taken with Miss Tetley’s.
Footnote: Guess whose back in town? Here’s a clue – ear muffs needed all round!
Monday, March 30, Crystal Bay - Bobs Birthday bash 2-man scramble
1st John Hartigan & Andy Byrne, net 61.3
2nd Peter Henshaw & Ben O’Connor, net61.7
3rd Neil Cameron & Mark Wood, net 62
4th Roy Thornton & Michael Andersson, net 62.8
5th Paul West & Geoff Kubas, net 63.1
Bob celebrated his Birthday with a two man scramble, and it turned out to be a great day out for every one. After collecting our compulsory cotton wool (I warned you he was back), the fun and games started.
Bob, who had booked Bernie Nolan to hand out drinks on the course, was let down at the last minute, so she was substituted by Leicester’s very own “Snakebite Georgina” Jackson. The game was very tense on the front nine; no one was interested in the free drinks, except Georgina who had found some Bacardi breezers which went down lovely with the cider. The back nine was a bit friendlier as some competitors started to realize they were out of it and the beer started to flow.
Oh yes, the golf! Taking fifth position on the day were the likely lads, Paul West and Geoff Kubas with a net 63.1. Fourth place went to the Birdie boys Roy Thornton and Michael Andersson, notching a net 62.8. Aberdeen’s Scottish paring of Neil Cameron and Mark Wood claimed third place with a net 62, as second place went to the Irish pair Co Dublin’s Peter Henshaw and the Kerry man Ben O’Connor on net 61.7. Winning the day in fine style were the men on form, from the Emerald isle John Hartigan and Andy Byrne with a fantastic score of net 61.3.
Georgina rounded of the day with a dip in the water beside the drink stop on the sixteenth hole, the very same that the flipper tried out a couple of years back.
Back at Lewiinski’s everybody wished Bob a happy birthday. All in all a great day out enjoyed by every one. Shame Georgina forgot her sun block.
Wednesday, April 1, Pattana - Stableford
A Flight
1st Mark Wood (8) 40pts
2nd Pat Regan (10) 40pts
3rd Des Griffith (5) 39pts
B Flight
1st Eddie Beilby (18) 43pts
2nd Dan Rainbow (15) 41pts
3rd Serge Streaten (17) 36pts
It has been quite a while since the Lewiinski’s gang played Pattana and they found the course to be in excellent condition. Leading his troops from the front off his old handicap was the captain himself, Eddie Beilby, storming home in B Flight with a blistering 43 points for man of the match. Two shots adrift of Eddie was Dan Rainbow, leaving monsieur Serge Straeten to fill the flight with an even par round 36 points.
Aberdeen’s favourite son Mark “happy shoes’ Wood needed a count back verdict to take the A Flight honors over Irelands County Dubliner, Pat Regan. Des Griffith, another paddy closed out the flight on 39 points. Nicky “Two Gloves” nearly made it another photo shoot with 38 points
Seven 2’s were recorded.
Friday, April 3, Khao Kheow - Stableford
A Flight
1st Gavin Knox (12) 38pts
2nd Peter Lenoury (9) 34pts
3rd Paul West (12) 33pts
B Flight
1st Sid Crawley (18) 33pts
2nd Peter Sijm (21) 31pts
3rd Eddie Beilby (18) 30pts
The Lewiinski’s gang traveled to Khao Kheow to play the A and B layouts and found it to be in its usual pristine condition. But as the scores indicate, a tough challenge lay ahead of the field.
Taking the opportunity to further his charge for a lower handicap was The Right Honorable Gavin Knox, returning a best of the day 38 points. Peter Lenoury was four shots back for second place and Paul West and Bob Chairman Mao needed a count back to separate them, both a shot further back, with Paul edging Bob for third spot.
The junior flight resulted in a win for Sid Crawley posting 33 points. Peter Sijm was two shots back for second spot, leaving the captain to bring up the rear with a measly 30 points.
Paul West and Peter Lenoury split a very handy 2’s pot.
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 is provided.

Harvey makes winning return

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, March 30, Green Valley - Stableford
Playing the first of two games at Green Valley this week, Dave Harvey made a successful return to Thailand winning the A Flight with a huge 40 points. Keith Smithson playing off scratch held off the challenge from Paul Smith but only just, beating him on a count back to push him into third place.

Mike Lloyd (albatross) with twice runner-up Keith Smithson.

The three-ball that teed off first took all the honours in the B Flight; PJ, Jack Gayer and Colin Stokes finished first, second and third in that order to leave the rest scratching their heads.
A Flight
1st Dave Harvey (in your 14) 40pts
2nd Keith Smithson (0) 36pts
3rd Paul Smith (4) 36pts
B Flight
1st PJ Redmond (17) 39pts
2nd Jack Gayer (19) 38pts
3rd Colin Stokes (25) 37pts
Wednesday, April 1, Pattana - Stableford
It was close in the A Flight today where David Day just held off the charge from both Keith Smithson and Dave Harvey to win by one point; Keith beating Dave on a count back to claim the runner up spot. The highlight of the day however came on the par 6 hole on the A course where Mike Lloyd had an albatross 3 and didn’t everyone in the bar afterwards get to hear about it!
In the B Flight Keith Allen scored 36 points to come away with the spoils, Geoff Hart was second four points behind and Martin Harvey came third a point further back.
A Flight
1st David Day (15) 35pts
2nd Keith Smithson (0) 34pts
3rd Dave Harvey (14) 34pts
B Flight
1st Keith Allen (26) 36pts
2nd Geoff Hart (21) 32pts
3rd Martin Harvey (21) 31pts
Near Pins: Martin Harvey, Keith Smithson, Dave Harvey and Geoff Hart.
Friday, April 5,
Green Valley - Medal
Another round of golf at Green Valley this time playing a Medal round saw Mashi just edge out Tony Robbins on a count back to win the A Flight and Gordon Melia took third place only one shot behind them.
The cut was handicap 17 and in the B Flight we had Korean “Brus” come in with the best round of the day, carding a four under par net 68 to win by four shots. Brian Maddox took the runner up spot ahead of Jack Robertson who beat Geoff Hart and Reg Smart on a count back.
A Flight:
1st Mashi Kaneta (10) net 73
2nd Tony Robbins (13) net 73
3rd Gordon Melia (12) net 74
B Flight
1st Brus Ka (18) net 68
2nd Brian Maddox (21) net 72
3rd Jack Robertson (22) net 73
Near Pins: Don McPherson, Brus Ka, Gordon Melia and JJ Harney.

Lightning does strike twice

PSC golf from Mulligans Lakeside

Tuesday, March 31, Green Valley - Stableford
Tuesday saw 13 players doing their utmost at Green Valley to secure a podium finish, or at least a technical prize. As per the headline, we again were subjected to some severe weather conditions with lightning & some very heavy rain. These conditions necessitated a 45 minute interlude as the greens needed to drain & the lightning abate.
David Edwards (15) bested the test of weather & course to emerge the winner with a fine 38 points, in second was Jim Fortune (26) one point behind, while John Watson (19) secured third with 36 points.
The Near Pins were won by Alex, Jeff & Terry, while the 9th hole proved too elusive for our group.
Thursday, April 2, Pattana - Stableford
Thursday dawned and off we travelled up Highway 331 to Pattana Sports Club; a trip well worthwhile, as the course was in high order, with some very challenging holes.
The B & C layouts were our test for the day, & despite some strong holes there were several more forgiving ones, where a score was available. The good news was, we did not get rained on today, while only 1 player managed to better his handicap, so I would suggest the course was the overall winner today.
Graham Hiskett (15) repeated his previous weeks form to gain first place with 37 points, followed by Jeff Wylie (8) with 33, edging Jack Gayer on count back. Ken, Jeff & Mr. Nobody shared the Near Pins, Mr. Nobody is in fine form, or perhaps the others aren’t!
Apart from some minor hiccups checking in, I look forward to a return to Pattana, a good, fair test of golf, at a reasonable cost. Certainly a course where some experience would be a valuable commodity.
Note: Mulligans Lakeside is situated looking out over Lake Mabprachan on the way to most of the courses we play. So if you fancy a game on a Tuesday or Thursday, free of “administration expenses”, where all the prize money is available, give Jeff a call on 089 094 1841, or Ray on 081 935 8088. Don’t forget our big tournament on 23 April at Green Valley, tee off times from 9.30. Cheers & Good Golfing!

Cowell has the edge at Eastern Star

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, March 30, The Emerald – Stableford
At this time of the year with players returning back to their home countries and with still more to follow in the near future, there were a surprising 35 golfers out today. It was another very hot and humid day and after nine holes the black clouds moved in. However, to everyone’s surprise there was no rain and the dark skies dispersed after 30 minutes.

Terry Cowell (44pts) and Miss Nom (41pts) after their game at Eastern Star.

There were some tough pin positions out there today and this was reflected in the scores in division 1. Kari Kuparinen playing off 8 came in with 32 points to take third place with Barry Stirling second one point ahead. The winner in the top division today was Jean Bruneau with 34 points.
In the second division Andy Oz ‘s 38 points gave him the win and he was three ahead of the next two players; Bryan Rought beating Miss Nom on a 19/17 back nine count back after they both came in with 35.
A sad day for the ladies today as they will move from the red tees to one in front of the mens’ from April 1.
There were three rollovers plus the day’s input in the second division ‘2’s and two birdies on the 5th for Gordon Everingham and Kallevi Lukkonen, and one on the 7th for Miss Nom meant it was a shared pot with the balance going into the rollover kitty for our 1-2-3 team stableford fun game at Greenwood on April 29. Peter Seward and Barry Stirling split the division 1 pot with birdies on the 15th and 13th respectively.
Near pins went to Kari Kuparinen, Andy Mills, Mam Morel, Howard Stanley, Tony Duthie, Neil Gamble and Miss Nom (2).
The ladies tipple would have been won by a certain person who chipped his third shot into the hole from 95yards out on the third hole, only to be told a few seconds later he had played the wrong ball. He never showed up that evening. Bad luck Tom Breslin!
Wednesday, April 1, Green Valley – Monthly Medal
A tough course for the dreaded monthly medal, and the conversation the previous evening at Siam Cats had been about the location of the yellow tee for the ladies on the 5th hole. After a few beers there were still no answers until we arrived at the course the next day and realised there is only red, white and blue. There were a few smiles from certain members.
Jimmy Johnson won division 2, beating ‘count back’ Burnie Sinclair with a net 36/40 on the back nine after they both finished with net 72’s. In third place after finishing with 74 was Miss Nom who beat Jean Morel on the back nine count back with a 34/37 net score.
Ben Findon’s 73 took third place in division 1 and with a net 71 Andy Oz finished second, but with a remarkable net 68 on this course Jean Bruneau took first place.
Near pins went to Keith Hector, Mam Morel, Howard Stanley (2), Joe Kubon, Jouni Metsanen, Kallevi and Miss Nom.
Jean Bruneau, Ben Findon and Howard Stanley shared the top division ‘2’s pot while in division 2, Jouni and Miss Nom birdied the 9th and 12th holes to split the prize.
Friday, April 3,
Eastern Star – Stableford
Some horrendous rainfall in this area on Tuesday and Thursday this week but not a drop fell onto this course we were told, and with a few hard fairways there was plenty of run from the tee shots.
So our inaugural day with the ladies playing off the yellow tees, one in front of the men and there were no moans whatsoever.
Another very hot day indeed with some very tired players coming in but also a couple of very remarkable scores in division 2. Terry Cowell played his best round ever and came in with 44 points after a gross 85 off a 21 handicap. A disappointed Miss Nom was in second with 41 points after playing her best game for some considerable time, and off the harder tees as well. Jim Lane finished third 8 points behind.
Thirty five points was enough to win division 1 for Barry Stirling with Michael Dige playing off 4 coming in second two points behind and in third place with his last game with us was Howard Stanley with 32.
Near pins were recorded by Harry Riley, Barry Stirling, Roy Thornton, Terry Cowell and Tom Novak.
Harry Riley and Barry Stirling both birdied the 17th to share the premier flight ‘2’s pot and Miss Nom gained some consolation by taking all the spoils in division 2 with her birdie on the 3rd.

Pattaya Ironman qualifies for national team

Pattaya hotelier Stephane Bringer from the Woodlands Hotel & Resort recently participated in 2 Ironman Triathlon events (Ironman Malaysia & Ironman Singapore) and his efforts paid off as he won a qualification spot to represent Thailand at the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida on November 14, 2009. An Ironman triathlon comprise of a gruesome 3.8km swim, 180km cycling and 42km. running. Well done Stephane!

Twenty one different prize winners

IPGC golf from The Haven

It was a fantastic week of golf, almost without rain, that saw twenty one different names on the podium during the three outings. The total green fees amounted to only 1,900 baht for the three days, underlining the great value and competitive golf to be found at The Haven in Soi 13 and with the winners coming from almost all the five continents it also demonstrated the cosmopolitan nature of the group. The week started with a two-person scramble from the picturesque Mountain Shadow course from the blue tees.
Monday, March 30, Mountain Shadow – 2-Person scramble
1st Barry Winton & Russell Exley 48pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer & B.J. Smith 45pts
3rd Kelvin Crouch & Dean Unwin 44pts
4th Rick Holmes & Peter Biggs 44pts
5th Russell Finch & Wilf Wellman 41pts
6th Barry Traynor & Tony Barritt 40pts
With The Doc still hiding back at base, it was left to Russell Exley to step into the breach and help Barry Winton take his consecutive scramble win at Mountain Shadow, with Russell taking the major share of the workload although Barry did slip in another couple of twos to assist in the final total.
Trevor Schirmer at last got back into harness with B.J. Smith after an extended hiatus that had left Trevor missing the podium several times, and it was only the fine score by the winners that denied them another win and having to settle for second spot.
Kelvin Crouch and Newcomer Dean Unwin did well to play the course for the first time and maybe the lack of knowledge even helped in taking the fear out of many of the holes as they took third place ahead of Rick Holmes and Peter Biggs.
Russell Finch took up the challenge of Wilf Wellman who was looking for a partner that did not want to win and combined well enough together to secure fifth place with Barry Traynor and Tony Barritt, the pre-start favourites unable to live up to their billing another shot back.
Due to the format of the day the 2’s competitions were suspended.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed new member Dean Unwin and also welcomed back Peter Biggs, Tom Atkins, Kelvin Crouch, Paul Simpson and Tony O’Neill.
Wednesday, April 1, Crystal Bay - Stableford
1st Paul Hartley 41pts
2nd Dean Unwin 37pts
3rd Chris Knapp 35pts
4th Rick Holmes 33pts
5th Barry Winton 33pts
6th Tony O’Neill 32pts
7th Alan Pilkington 32pts
Paul Hartley decimated the field by four shots, as the wide open spaces of Crystal Bay’s A and B courses allowed for a few misdirected tee shots that he was able to scramble back into play to return his best round for several months.
Dean Unwin added to his first outing win with a steady one under handicap, the latter which is increasingly coming under suspicion of being an “ebay special”, and take second spot two shot ahead of Chris Knapp.
Rick Holmes led Barry Winton by virtue of a better back six of 14 to 11 after they had tied on the inward nine at 17 a piece.
Tony O’Neill got the better of Alan Pilkington in the count back with 18 points to 17, to take 6th place.
Ulrich Bangerter, Rick Holmes and Trevor Schirmer shared the 2’s pool in the first division whilst Tony O’Neill and Chris Knapp, with two, did the same in the second division.
Back at The Haven The Doc welcomed new members Ulrich Bangerter and Sew Lee and also welcomed back Peter Hall.
Friday, April 3, St. Andrews - Stableford
1st Barry Winton 41pts
2nd Serge Straeten 37pts
3rd Russell Exley 36pts
4th Alan Griffiths 34pts
5th Trevor Schirmer 33pts
6th John Harris 33pts
7th Kelvin Crouch 33pts
Barry Winton took his second win of the week with an outstanding round, at the visually stunning St. Andrews course, to record a gross 72, which was two under par gross and which garnered 41 points off his 3 handicap. The round consisted of four birdies, thirteen pars and a single blemish bogey due to a rare three putt. It was easily enough to see off the challenge of Serge Straeten as he strove to take his first win at this course but could not quite match the brilliance of the winner on the day.
Russell Exley, who is also running into a streak of form, took third place with a level par handicap round to keep Alan Griffiths down on the fourth step of the prize winners.
Trevor Schirmer took fifth spot ahead of John Harris and Kelvin Crouch with a better inward nine of 16 against John’s 15 and Kelvin’s 14.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Tony Barritt had the only one in the first division to sweep the pot.
Before the presentations Fred Chadwick was welcomed back and there was also a farewell to Mike Flynn, the last of the South Herts boys returning to England.

Stevenson shows top form

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
This week I am headlining a new boy on the block, his name is John Stevenson. I personally have still to meet him as he seems to have eluded me all week, so no picture I am afraid. However that being said, John obviously dug out his top game and had two wins, one after the other. The first at Phoenix on Thursday in the second division with thirty seven points just edging out Greg Mason and then he went one division better on the Saturday at our change of venue Greenwood with a solid thirty-three, beating John Merritt by three.

Saturday Division 2 winner: Robert Wood.

The day was hampered by a large storm coming through then turning about and coming back for a second session. This obviously did not put John of his game. However, it has to be said that it must have affected many others as most scores returned were much lower than the norm.
The picture honour this week goes to Robert Wood after his fine thirty five-point win on Saturday in division 2 at Greenwood, beating Tristan Gilbert by just one. I asked Robert for his picture at the Travellers Rest long before the announcement of the winners because I could not stay back having to take a fellow golfer to the airport. “Why do you want my picture?” was his response. “Have I won or something?” My answer was, “sorry I don’t know Robert, but you’re a good looking fellow and it is your turn for a picture.”
I don’t think he believed me judging by the look on his face as I rushed out of the door and into my car.
Monday, March 30,
Khao Kheow A&B - Stableford
1st Mike Sanders (10) 34pts
2nd Eddie Townsend (14) 33pts
3rd Charlie Chance (17) 33pts
4th Larry Bland (18) 32pts
Khao Kheow was the venue for the first outing of the week and we had only a moderate turnout so just the one division. I was not personally in attendance and can only offer a report from the results sheet, but I must say that the scores seem low so I can only assume that the course proved tough on the day.
Mike Sanders came out on top with thirty-four points followed by steady Eddie Townsend after fighting off Charlie Chance in a count back, both on thirty-three. Fourth was Larry Bland who came out on top of a three-way count back of his own with Larry Simpson and Ito Akitoshi.
Five 2’s on the day went to Robert Wood at the fifth, Larry Simpson and Eddie Townsend at the twelfth and Mick Flynn and Pat Hannifin at the seventeenth.
Tuesday, March 31,
Plutaluang E & W - Stableford
1st Brendan Moore (12) 33pts
2nd Mark Krysi (31) 33pts
3rd Larry Simpson (9) 32pts
4th Ray Allison (10) 31pts
Tuesday it was off to Plutaluang to play the East & West layouts. This is not always the player’s favourite course, something I have never understood and so it must have been this day as the numbers were down.
Scores were not that high either but Brendan Moore came out on top despite recent handicap cuts with a thirty-three pointer, beating Mark Krysi on the back nine count back. In third was Larry Simpson with thirty-two (he seems to be thereabouts quite regularly these days) and fourth came Ray Allison with thirty-one; he also produced the only ‘2’ on the day to take all the spoils.
Thursday, April 2, Phoenix Lakes & Ocean - Stableford
Overall Winner
Gunnar Vangsnes (22) 39pts
Div 1
1st Hugh Byrne (11) 37pts
2nd Brendan Moore (12) 35pts
3rd Larry Simpson (10) 34pts
Div 2
1st John Stevenson (13) 37pts
2nd Greg Mason (17) 36pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (14) 36pts
Div 3
1st Larry Bland (18) 37pts
2nd Patrick Brown (24) 31pts
3rd Kay Molloy (28) 30pts
The first outing of the new month saw us take another of our regular Thursday outings to Phoenix (Mountain & Lakes). Yet again the course was in excellent condition (although I did hear some rumblings about the greens being a little inconsistent) and yet another big turnout, so three divisions.
Division 3 went to Larry Bland with 37 points, followed by Patrick Brown six back at 31 for second and Kay Molloy third on 30. (It is nice to see the return of the Molloys and the Jacksons from the Emerald Isle).
John Stevenson won Division 2 with 37 points, leaving Greg Mason and Roger Wilkinson to have a count back battle for the other two places with Greg taking the honours with his 31.
Division 1 honours went to Hugh Byrne with 37 points, Brendan Moore was second at 35 and Larry Simpson took third with 34 after winning a count back over Fergus Brennan.
As a slight diversion from the norm, a prize was up for the best score on the day and the overall winner. This went to Gunnar Vangnes with his thirty-nine pointer. Well Done Gunnar
Saturday, April 4, Greenwood A & C - Stableford
Div 1
1st John Stevenson (12) 33pts
2nd John Merritt (13) 30pts
3rd Mike Rushant (13) 29pts
Div 2
1st Robert Wood (18) 35pts
2nd Tristan Gilbert (16) 34pts
3rd Larry Bland (17) 33pts
Saturday was a weekend visit to Greenwood (our regular course Green Valley had a major comp on) and there was a fair turnout but the outing was severely affected by the weather with some players bailing out after nine holes, but you always have the hardened few who carry on regardless. This, however, meant a very late finish and the presentation not able to take place until about seven thirty at night.
This was to be John Stevenson’s day with his first division win and he also took the 2’s all for himself. Second in division 1 was John Merritt with thirty and third, just the one back at twenty-nine, was Mike Rushant.
Division two saw a fine win for Robert Wood with his thirty-five followed by Tristan Gilbert at thirty-four and Larry Bland at thirty-three for third.

Brother D climbs into first place, five teams tied for second

Pattaya Sports Club Bowling League

200 Bowlers: Aht Johansson, Sue Murphy, Graham,
Ooy Pluemkamon, Kran Nielsen and Somrak

Wade Meyers bowled a 546 series to lead Brother D to a four-point win over Café Ole and they are now in first place, three points ahead of five teams.
Canada took three points from Green Chilli behind Ooy Pluemkamon’s very good series of 581 including a 211 game. Bavaria won four points for the second week in a row, this time making their victim Café Kronborg. Zahl led Bavaria with a 516 series and Café Kronborg was led by Kran Nielsen who bowled a 226 game, 576 series and Sue Murphy had a 526 pin total.
Swethai took all four points from Sabai Sabai Friday behind Aht Johansson’s 209 game, 586 series and Graham’s 225 game and 569 series. Nok Kennedy was best for Sabai with a 533 series. VFW Post 9876 took three points from Jack Tar and Sala Thai Restaurant won three from Indiana. Somrak bowled a 211 game, 546 series for Sala Thai and La Montgomery had a 535 series for Indiana.

Rosco tops the ladder with win at Pattaya C.C.

PSC golf with The Outback Golf Bar

Joey’s column
Monday, March 30, Burapha - Stableford
Thirty-eight Outbackers played the Augusta & Belfry nines for the third week running, as Cypress & Dunes are being prepared for another pro event, commencing on Thursday, April 2. There’s the usual pro-am on Wednesday, April 1, in which the Outback Golf Bar has been invited to have two teams.
The day’s main event was the two monthly ladder contenders playing in the same four-ball; Rosco with a one point lead over John Lawton, who flew back to the UK after the game. John was on a charge scoring 21 points on the front nine whilst Rosco seemed unable to get any part of his game working and always looked in danger of not making the necessary 28 points for him to stay leader of the ladder.
John cooled on his back nine (Augusta), managing only 2 points a hole; followed by a complete mess of the Par 5 seventh for a wipe, and only picking up one point each on the long 8th & 9th. However, he finished with 35 points to take second place in Div B and enough to take over the ladder lead from Rosco, who disappointed with only 27. Rosco would have to play Tuesday at Pattaya Country Club and score at least 33 points if he wanted to win the March ladder.
Elsewhere, John Mills & Brian Maddox both scored ‘best of the day’ 37s, to win Div A and Div C respectively and Kevin Moraghan rebounded after his defeat in the MBMG matchplay the previous week, with a fine 36 to take Div B.
There were just three ‘2’s from Dave Boran, Pete Stonebridge & Bob Lindborg.
Div A (0-14)
1st John Mills (12) 37pts
2nd Bruce Milner (13) 35pts
3rd Kerry Beck (12) 35pts
4th Jack Moseley (11) 34pts
Div B (15-19)
1st Kevin Moraghan (16) 36pts
2nd John Lawton (19) 35pts
3rd Peter Stonebridge (18) 33pts
4th Murray Hart (17) 31pts
Div C (20+) (white tees)
1st Brian Maddox (21) 37pts
2nd Peter Gibson (25) 36pts
Tuesday, March 31, Pattaya C.C. - Stableford
Unusually, Rosco decided to join the field at Pattaya Country Club in his final effort to clinch the March monthly ladder. 22 other Outbackers were there including three recently arrived Aussie boys, Bo, Jason & James; in what turned out to be a very wet and windy affair. A vicious storm sent nine of the field packing, delivered thunder & lightning all over the place together with near horizontal rain and left a trail of debris, leaves and branches in its wake.
Surprisingly, 14 were able to finish and Rosco comfortably achieved his goal, winning Div A as well, with an excellent 39 points. Second was Alan Pearce (he know this course well) with a very credible 38 clear by two from Steve Ready & Mark Kembrey on 36, Steve getting the nod for third on count back.
In a depleted Div B, where only six of the eleven starters returned a score, the surprise result of the day was Ben Kembrey coming in second (beaten only on count back) with 32 points, her first ever visit to the podium.
There were only two ‘2’s from Alan Pearce & Chris Ronnblad.
Note: There were one or two grizzles about the tournament being void because of the weather but the soon to be recommended PSC guidelines, will state that if more than half the starters return a score, the result will stand.
Div A (0-19)
1st Rosco Langoulant (14) 39pts
2nd Alan Pearce (18) 38pts
3rd Steve Ready (19) 36pts
Div B (20+)
1st Bo Roberts (20) 32pts
2nd Ben Kembrey (36) 32pts
3rd Suzi Lawton (21) 28pts
Wednesday, April 1, Emerald - Stableford
The official start of the golfing ‘low season’ saw just a small group of twelve Outbackers at the alternate Wednesday venue. Brian Maddox, switching from Siam Plantation, made the right choice as he came out on top of another relatively low scoring day, with 34 points, pipping Pottsy on count back.
Welcome to stranger Michael Waltschek (the long blonde locks have long gone), the lone single handicapper in the field, who scrambled into third with 33 with Chad filling the last podium place on 32. Kathy Doody, whose handicap has been cut twice this week already due to her successive +40pts rounds, found the going a little tougher today, just missing out with 31.
There were no ‘2’s here either.
1st Brian Maddox (21) 34pts
2nd Campbell Potts (19) 34pts
3rd Michael Waltschek (8) 33pts
4th Barry Chadbourn (19) 32pts
Wednesday, April 1, Siam Plantation - Stableford
You could have parked a fleet of buses in the Siam Plantation car park as the caddies sat around with very little to do. Not only has the number dwindled to only fifteen today with the Outback, there probably weren’t many more than forty on the entire course. It is a shame that such a fantastic course as this is laying in waste, being strangled by excessive green fee rates.
Rest assured the Outback has put it’s case to reduce the fee to under the 2K mark and move the playing date back to Fridays, based on the success demonstrated by last years numbers throughout the low season. It is now up to the hierarchy to decide what they want to do, otherwise the continued patronage of the Outback will be regrettably short lived..
On a low scoring day, playing Pineapple & Tapioca, Joe got the business done without the aid of his customary ‘blue flag’ (due to the wet fairways), winning Div A with the day’s top score of 32. His playing partner Kevin Moraghan, although frustrated by his erratic driving, still scrambled 30 points to win Div B. Most of the remainder of the players were made up by an Aussie group who enjoyed surprised success for the minor placings; Kerry Beck (28) and Brian Elsgood (26) in Div A and Geoff Treloar (26) and Howard Marsden (22) in Div B.
There were no ‘2’s so as usual the pot was added to the prize fund.
Div A (0-15)
1st Joe Mooneyham (11) 32pts
2nd Kerry Beck (12) 28ptss
3rd Brian Elsgood (14) 26pts
Div B (16+)
1st Kevin Moraghan (16) 30pts
2nd Geoff Treloar (25) 26ptss
3rd Howard Marsden (20) 22pts
Thursday, April 2, Green Valley - Stableford
Green Valley was the venue for today’s tournament and the 13 Outbackers who played seem to have enjoyed themselves, as the course must have been easy as the scores will show. There was only one division and the places went down to fourth.
We played off the white tees and they were well forward but the course was in great condition; the fairways were like a carpet.
Anyway the scores:- coming in 4th place was Geoff Doody (20) with 34 points, on a count back from Steve Ready also with 34. Third place was taken by the Sugar man with 38 points and on another count back coming in second was Colour Sergeant Chadbourn with 38 also. The winner today was Capt’ Bob with 41 points (gross 74), so the knife will be out from General Jack, the handicap man.
There were four ‘2’s - one from Charles Shepherd and three from the Capt’ (Hmmm, must have been really easy for that to happen!)
A few beers were enjoyed back at the bar and a great night was had by all.
1st Bob Philp (7) 41pts
2nd Barry Chadbourn (19) 38pts
3rd Sugar Ray Handford (19) 38pts
4th Geoff Doody (20) 34pts
Friday, April 3, Greenwood - Stableford
Twenty-seven Outbackers enjoyed a new low green fee rate, spoiled only by the ridiculous policy of one person one cart and, as a result, many chose to walk. The course was in fabulous condition, looking very verdant throughout due to the recent rains, and with absolutely tip top greens to putt on. There is no doubt that the Outback will be back here soon.
The scores reflected the quality of the course, with four guys scoring 40 points or more; Rosco (40pts), winner of Div A, Richard Neville (40pts) runner up, Keith Allen (44pts), winner of Div B and Mick Moore (40pts), runner up Div B..
The share out for the March ladder was also made on Friday and in particular, Joachim, who came last, had the daunting task of drinking the stein of beer without talking before it was finished; which for Joachim; must have been pretty difficult. However, he completed the task with consummate ease and then turned the tables on Rosco (the ladder winner), who having eaten just moments before, struggled to down the beer. Nevertheless, after a couple long pauses for air, he eventually emptied the stein. Nice one Joachi!
There were just two ‘2’s from Mike Waltschek and Dick Hobson.
Div A (0-17)
1st Rosco Langoulant (13) 40pts
2nd Richard Neville (10) 40ptss
3rd Eddie Smith (8) 36pts
4th Bruce Milner (13) 35pts
Div B (18+)
1st Keith Allen (26) 44pts
2nd Mick Moore (27) 40ptss
3rd Orowan Sodok (28) 38pts
4th Stuart Mckenzie (18) 35pts

Losing a John not necessarily a bad thing in Pattaya Softball

The fun bunch of softballers after the double header. (Standing from left to right): Shawn, Scott, Josh, Steve, John Q, John CF, Jason, John S, Greg, Perry (holding baby Michelle), Mark, John Sriracha, Nick, Paco, Alan, Rick (who did a great job of umping), Ice Ice baby, Peter, and Diego; (Sitting from left to right): Rocky, Kevin, Rhys and his pride and joy, Mickey.

Diego Wells
Unlike being a working girl on the mean streets of Pattaya, it seems that losing a John or two in Pattaya softball is a good thing. Our battered bunch of batters often have the pleasure of playing with a plethora of Johns on any given Sunday in Jomtien. There is newly acquired John G. (who has yet to really find that sweet spot on the field), Sriracha John (who is named for his current home town), John C.F. (dubbed for his fetish for Chickens), John Stockton (former Utah Jazz playmaker extraordinaire) and lastly John Q (named, because most of us cannot spell his Irish surname which consists of a whopping 6 letters).
There are also many players without the J in the first name, but as our long time veteran Nick accurately spotted, “Everyone is a John in this town!” So without further adieu, I give you the summary of our exciting Softball Sunday double header, led by our many Johns.
Game 1
Three Johns and a Perry for pitching, took on a single John and a Diego on the mound. It started as a tight, defensive struggle with Perry’s team slugging their way to a 2-0 lead with their best hitting John Mchugh (a surname which often gets lost in translation and ends up being “Q”) stroking a strong double over Greg’s outstretched glove in left centerfield and knocking in another John (Mr. Stockton) from first.
Not to be outdone, in the bottom of the first, Diego banged a 3-run homer over John G. in right center field, scoring both Sriracha John and Peter (no relation to a John).
The teams both earned bagels in the second inning with strong defensive plays at third base by Rhys (3 Johns team) and Kevin (1 John team). In the bottom of the third, hard hitting Jason got even by bashing a ball deep to centerfield for a 2-run shot to regain the lead for the 1 John Diego team.
In the fifth, the leading team pulled away, with a homer from Rhys, a called Triple (sort of like when Babe Ruth did it, but without the pot belly) by birthday boy returning Mark, and RBIs from Peter, Phil, Jason and Rhys.
Then team 1 John Diego team shut them down defensively, with a great diving catch from Rocky in right. A botched Perry run to first base earned him the new title of Charlie Hustle no more, as Sriracha John dropped the short toss from Nakata at 2nd, but our elderly gentlemen quit running before completing the run to first. He will probably never live that one down, maybe his advanced age is finally catching up to him?
In the end a comfortable 13-4 victory for team 1 John Diego. Nakata was awarded defensive player of the game, for his diving catches and accurate tosses at second base (his gift of free shish-kababs had the judges eating out of his hands, literally), while John Q and Jason shared honors for best bat of the game (Jason hit the ball better, but this is John Q’s last week, and the committee is throwing him a bone)!
Game 2
A lot of Johns and other players got shuffled for the back end of Sunday’s double header. John G. and his buddy Howard from NY, left after game one, Perry and Diego switched sides, and Rocky went in for Jim/Bob at second, after he collided with Shawn in right field diving for a ball hit by Jason. As well, Nakata was replaced by Rhys and later Nick, after pulling a hamstring on yet another diving play at second base.

MVP of the day, Jason gets ready to unload on yet another, unsuspecting softball.
So game two saw the 1 John (Sriracha) Perry team jump out to a three run lead in the top of the first due to the Texas blooper triple by Jason that took out Jim/Bob (and Shawn as well). Team 2 John Diego recovered with two runs in the second on hits from Scotty, Rhys, and Stevie (who is already missing Pakistan).
In the third, Perry and his John broke open the game with 6 runs on a comedy of errors by the other team. Greg’s short pop fly on the first base line was booted by the pitcher Diego and caused 2 runs to score. Rocky made an error at second, and Shawn added another at right field, to give Perry’s team 6 unearned runs and find themselves town 9-5 after three innings.
Phil hit a homer in the bottom of the fourth and RBIs from Josh, Diego, and the two Johns (Stockton and Q) gave them a brief 11-9 lead. But team 1 John Perry were too strong, scoring four in the sixth, and adding an insurance run in the seventh to win the game 14-11.
Jason and Greg won co-MVP honors for their hot bats, while Rhys was given defensive kudos for his strong play in RCF, a mere 15 years since his last time at said position.
All in all, it was another glorious day of Softball in Pattaya. So why not get off your hind legs, and come and join the fun. It all starts at 1pm, in Jomtien every Sunday, and we are still looking for a few weekend warriors to join us on the Diamond. (From Pattaya, take Sukhumvit to Soi 85 turn left, follow road for 6km, turn left again at Soi 15, follow that road for 1km, and right beside the small Pattaya airport you will find Jimmy’s field of Dreams).
Player Profile
This week’s profile of an ‘athlete’ is the Boston Bomber, Mr. Johnny Mchugh. It is that time of year again, the time when our old seaman ships out to sunny America, back to work for 6 months.
Chief Engineer John Mchugh (or Q for those who can not pronounce his last name) is a mainstay at Pattaya softball and will be greatly missed. He plays hard, swings a mean bat, is steady with the glove in left field and doesn’t mind screaming the odd obscenity at incompetent umpiring. He is definitely one of our best all-around players with his only fault being, he is a Red Sox fan.
We wish you well on the high seas my friend, and hope that you don’t get too fat working on those cruise ships. Safe travels Mr. John Q.

The Boys and Babes find an appropriate way to say goodbye to John Mchugh (center), by quaffing ales at the rooftop of the TIKI lounge at his Golf Club Bar in LK Metro, following another tough Sunday of softball.