Drumm finds the going good at Navy

PSC Soi Khao Noi Golf Group

Tuesday, Oct. 6, Phoenix Lakes & Ocean (White tees) - Stableford
Eleven players turned out to take on this very good and popular venue where Allan Cassin kept up his good form, turning in a winning score of 38 stableford points. Rob Gandley with 35 points pushed Willy Nachbur into third spot on count back.

Bob Drumm’s winning swing? (archive image).

Rob and Willy also had near pin and long putt bonuses with two bonuses not being won and going to boost the kitty for the purposes of staging a rip roaring Xmas party.
Thursday, Oct. 8, Plutaluang E & W (White tees) - Stableford
Wet, wet, wet, but green, green, green with the deep rough being about ‘as high as an elephant’s eye’. Bob Drumm shrugged off the rain and the unusual course combination to take first place with 39 points, with second and third places for the second time in the week being decided on a 35-point count-back with Brendon Dougal having the better score on West than John Roddis. Allan Cassin stuttered and came fourth with 34 points.
Derek Tree and Bob Drumm both won two ‘technicals’ while Brendon took the other.
Note: Any golfers seeking to play with our group that wish to know about the group’s format please phone Neil on 089 511 0575.

Wet-Wet-Wet

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Barry Hooper
What a week: rain, rain and more rain! We only had the one outing this week without it and many players remarked that they thought they were playing back in the UK, or some other usually wet part of the world. But being the hardy types that they are (tough guys and gals these golfers) they battled on regardless. Fortunately the sun shone well on Saturday for a little while, at least until we returned back to the bar in Pattaya.
Monday, Oct. 5, Bangpra - Stableford
1st Nick Noble (12) 33pts
2nd Alan Rawson (14) 33pts
3rd John Lay (7) 32pts
4th Jim Sykes (11) 30pts
The first foray was to Bangpra on Monday and Mr. Nick Noble of last week’s fame continued where he left off with yet another win. Granted this one was on a count back over Alan Rawson, both at thirty-three, but a win is a win. Jon Lay was third with thirty-two, his newfound handicap of seven probably having something to do with that.
There were no ‘2’s so the traditional bell ring back at the T.R. bar at the presentation.
Tuesday, Oct. 6, The Emerald - Stableford
1st Jim Sykes (11) 37pts
2nd Frank Kelly (12) 35pts
3rd Alan Rawson (14) 35pts
4th Dean Rice (14) 33pts
5th Peter Morris (21) 33pts
Tuesday had us visit the Emerald where we have not been in some time. This was obviously a good choice judging by the size of the entry. Not an easy course this one, it has to be managed well, particularly the front nine.

Saturday’s winners: Mark Bell, Yvonne Nielson and Gerald Thwaites.

Jim Sykes obviously managed it well it seems and came home with thirty-seven points to win and be two up on Frank Kelly in second spot. In third was Alan Rawson, also with thirty-five, but losing out this time to Frank over the last three holes.
Only a solitary ‘2’ on the day and that came from Mark Bell at the seventh
Thursday, Oct. 8, Phoenix (Lakes & Ocean) - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Hugh Byrne (10) 38pts
2nd Ted Senior (11) 37pts
3rd Nick Noble (12) 36pts
4th Jim Sykes (11) 35pts
Div. 2
1st Yvonne Nielson (16) 39pts
2nd Roger Wilkinson (17) 38pts
3rd Pat Noble (34) 36pts
4th Alan Evans (23) 34pts
Eddie Townsend 34 hc15 c/b
Thursday and out to our regular venue of Phoenix. Rain was the order of the day again; you never got dry on this day, stop, start, stop, start. We had a good turnout despite the weather so two divisions.
Division 1 had Hugh Byrne at the top of the list (have not reported that name in some time) with thirty-eight points, followed in by Ted Senior at thirty seven who found himself in front of Nick Noble (36) this time.
Division 2 went to a new visiting lady player in our midst. I am referring to Yvonne Nielson who came home with thirty-nine and three positions better than last week at the same venue. She was followed in by one up on our regular players Roger Wilkinson (he always seems to be thereabouts every week) at thirty-eight. Pat Noble was third with thirty-six and Alan Evans won a count back over Eddie Townsend for fourth.
Two ‘2’s came from Russell Nielson and (Mr. Two) Ted Senior, both at the sixteenth
Saturday, Oct. 10, St Andrews – Stableford
1st Mark Bell (11) 38pts
2nd Gerald Thwaites (10) 37pts
3rd Yvonne Nielson (15) 36pts
4th Fergus Brennan (9) 34pts
Saturday and off to St. Andrews this week, a change from the usual venue. Actually same place but a different course, but at least in did not rain today.
Not every body’s choice this course, a bit big for some, but we had a great turnout so some must like it. Particularly it seems our Antipodean friends. Mark Bell has only just got back from Oz and straight away he was in winning form, taking the day with thirty-eight points. Another returnee, this time from the UK and Bradford to be precise, was Gerald Thwaites who was just one back in second with thirty-seven. But it was another Aussie in third, this time it was Yvonne Nielson at thirty-six points.
The boss was back out today, granted only a fourth place but he told me that he really enjoyed the day.
Three ‘2’s came from Mod Chaviraksa, Peer Brun and Jim Sykes.
Note: If you want any further information about the golf outings played by the TRGG please contact Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or call in to the Travellers Rest in Soi LK Metro.

Murphy the man for all seasons

PSC golf from the Three Sisters Bar

Rain accompanied the players as they made their way to the Pattaya Country Club, this 7th of October. The stalwart players that they are, the group waited and waited and finally were rewarded with the rain stopping but the skies remained overcast with occasional glimpses of the sun.

Winner Dale Murphy (2nd left) with his main supporter and wife, Pootida Murphy, and runner up Herbie Ishinaga (right).

No one expected long rolls on the fairway and they didn’t get any. Winter rules were applied whereas players were permitted to lift their ball, clean the mud off, and replace it. In many cases that also necessitated taking the ball from a puddle of water and moving it to semi dry ground.
Except for Dale (Crash) Murphy, most of the players didn’t fare well in the scores department. Back at Caddy Shack II, cards were tallied and Dale had a very respectable 40 points, with the next highest score going to Herbie Ishinaga with a 33. Herbie also provided snacks as well as ham slices, sausages, and corned beef. And as the players settled in Caddy Shack II, the rains once again made their appearance.”

Seagrave strokes it round in six under

PSC 92nd monthly members golf tournament

Derek Brook
Friday, October 9 - Pattana
The competition was always going to be about who could walk on water, and I have occasionally been accused of thinking I can, but here was a real test. It has been raining for days and when we got there the skies were heavy with rain, with dull light and a steady drizzle. The Caddies immediately put the rain covers on the bags and we hoped we would not have too much rain. Well we did, and it became like a paddling pool with nearest point of relief for the ball many yards from the original spot.

A & B Flight winners, Bernie Seagrave (right) and Derek Brook (left), with the PSC golf guru Perry McNeely.
It all started so well with leaving a wet Pattaya and driving up carefully on wet roads. Of course we passed many ‘rear enders’ on the way up, but as we got there and booked in it seemed it might dry up. Max was pulling his hair out, well maybe not really, as players cried off and he had to reschedule some groups. I would have thought a free shower would have gone down well.
On the first the notice was ‘Carts on Paths Only’ so it was going to be a long day as we were to play the B & C Nines. The B nine was wet but the rain held off, only soggy ground to play off however as everywhere was soaked.

C & D Flight winners, Bill Collis and Nigel Perry with Golf Chairman Perry.
A tough front nine and I expected poor scores. Anyone with a good score under these conditions would be having a round of a lifetime. Onto the C Nine and it started to rain and we slipped past the 4-ball ahead as they took cover in a rest stop. It was pouring down, but at least skin is waterproof, not so it seems are golf shoes as my nice fairly new golf shoes started to leak due to the soles coming loose. Never seen that before!!
Somehow we sloshed on and finished the back nine and I personally was surprised to find I had walked on water on the back nine and had a particularly good nine, roll on the count backs.
The stories of woe in the showers were all around but then it was time to face the drive back on wet roads. When I was a vehicles service manager I loved it to rain as it brought me so much accident work to do I made a lot of money, and this day was no different for the ‘workshops’ here as I saw many accidents and the ‘recovery vehicles’ were there in force. It is an ill wind etc.
The meeting for the night was at the Moon River Pub and the food there is as good as any we encounter. Nothing will be said about the drink situation as I sometimes wonder if the management of some of the establishments we visit know how to sell it and make a good profit. The presentation was after the band, I assume that is what they call groups now, and they were excellent.
The winner of the A Flight was Bernie Seagrave with a ‘magnificent’ net 66. In those conditions remarkable but even a blind dog can find a bone. In second place was Gary Richie with a net 70 and in third was Bob Newall with a net 72.
B Flight winner was ‘The Scribe’ Derek Brook with a great back nine and a net 72. In second was Graham Hiskett with a net 74 on count back over Mick Payne in third and Mashi just losing out.
Winner of the C Flight was Bill Collis with 38 points ahead of Eddy Bielby with 37 points in second and Peter Blackburn in third with 36 points.
Nigel Perry took the D Flight with 37 points on count back over William Chang in second. In third was Peter Ranvert with 36 points.
Perry thanked all the sponsors for their continued support and all his helpers, particularly Max and Matt, and also the one who saved us from having to have near pins and long drives on the B Flight as he picked the pins up by mistake 9 holes early. If you do not do anything, you do anything wrong. Have a nice month. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Ted Sardner, Toivo Tordeok, Tony Porskoli, Kevin Dinan, Bernie Seagrave, Mick Shrosbree, Frank Pilkington, Niks Svensson
2’s: Bernie Seagrave, Bob Newel, Mark Woods, Jeff Wylie, Dick Warberg, Sture Brisholm, Peter Henshaw, Pierre Bietry, Claude Schumacher.

Nit topples Nang in count back battle at Eastern Star

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, Oct. 5, Pattana – Stableford
There was a field of 46 players out today with a large majority using their rain check vouchers from last month. But the forecast was not promising with all the bad weather from the Phillipines heading here over the next few days.
We tee’d off 15 minutes earlier than our schedule and were playing the B and C courses today - there were a few moans after the round regarding the holitized greens on the back nine, but this is the low season after all.
There were three divisions today in the stableford competition with four placings in each. Coming home first in the A Flight was Bryan Rought with a moderate score of 33 points. He finished two ahead of Rob Lamond in second, who himself was a point in front of third placed Peter Seward. Ian Middlemiss took fourth place on count back after finishing with 28 points.
William Chang took the B Flight with a best of the day 38 points, Jimmy Johnson was second on 33 and Mike Theedam third on 30, one ahead of Kalevi Luukkonen in fourth.
Barry Rawlinson was the top man in the C Flight with an even par 36 points. Nar Hector, Ken Foster and Miss Nang filled the remainder of the podium on 31, 30 and 28 points respectively.
Near Pins went to (Div. 1) Terry Cowell, Gary Hartsbourne, Bill Hewitt and Rob Lamond, and (Div. 2) Gordon Everingham and Darren Steffes.
In the 2’s today there was only one winner; Keith Hector birdied the 7th on the B course to take the prize in A Flight.
Friday, Oct. 9, Eastern Star – Stableford
There were only two divisions out today and a welcome return to Karl Flood who won A Flight with 35 points. Steve Ironside finished second with 33 and in third place Harry Riley beat his better half on a 17/15 back nine count back after they both returned scores of 32.
In the second tier, Miss Nit beat Miss Nang on a 21/20 back nine count back after they came in with 37 points each; Barry Rawlinson finished third with 36.
In the ‘2’s competition Paul Butler and Karl Flood shared the honours in division 1 after they both got birdies on the tough 13th, while in division 2 Miss Nom got the only one on the 3rd to keep her smiling for the rest of the round.
As the last group left the 18th the heavens opened up and we realized we had been very lucky today weather wise.

Marcel Wittwer top scores at Pleasant Valley

PSC golf from the Café Kronborg

Peter Blackburn
Monday, Oct. 5, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
The weather was fine and not too hot as twelve of us headed off from Café Kronborg right on time, bound for the challenging Pleasant Valley. It was nice to see Peter Hammond back with us from Bournmouth in England after a six month absence.

Mike Winfield, The Admiral and Marcel Wittwer at Pleasant Valley.
The journey was a quick 45 minutes in duration as there was surprisingly very little traffic for a Monday morning and our first group was able to tee off at 0920 in perfect conditions for golf. This was not to last however as after a couple of holes the clouds were getting lower and sure enough, after 6 holes the storm hit us and we sheltered at the drink stop between holes 6 and 7 (eventually all 3 groups) for around 30 minutes.
When we continued we were amazed to find that the course had drained practically immediately and no water at all was to be seen on the greens. This course is turning out to be one of the best maintained in the area and a credit to the Green keeper and his staff.
Stuart Rifkin was once more struggling but after a couple of tips from Marcel (HMAS) Wittwer he finished his round fairly well. I make the comment about Marcel as he had 38 points after 17 holes and wiped the last!
We had enough guys for 2 flights, A for 0 to 17 and B for 18 and over. Marcel’s score was easily good enough to win A Flight & Bill Plath came second on a count back from yours truly (oh those four 3-putts!).
Mike Winfield made it two wins in a row to take out the B Flight on a count back from Martyn Topham. Peter Hammond had a good round first up to finish in third place.
A Flight
1st Marcel Wittwer (13) 38pts
2nd Bill Plath (15) 34pts
3rd Peter Blackburn (15) 34pts
B Flight
1st Mike Winfield (21) 35pts
2nd Martyn Topham (30) 35pts
3rd Peter Hammond (18) 32pts
Thursday, Oct. 8, Greenwood B & C – Stableford
After yesterday’s terrible rainy day it was good to see the weather being kind to us and all fingers were crossed for our visit to Greenwood. A good group of sixteen golfers departed Café Kronborg at the normal 0815 time and it was nice to welcome Ric Bevington from Canada, Anil Rikhye from Geneva, Switzerland, Les Hall from Sheffield in England and Bunt Moller from Denmark. Also good to see Mr Walter Baechli back from his brief visit to Japan.
The journey took the normal 55 minutes and as the Greenwood car park was practically deserted we knew the course would be just about all ours and our first group teed off at 0945. There had obviously been considerable rain overnight as the fairways were very wet in places but otherwise the course was in great shape and as usual the greens were fairly quick and very true. It was hot and sticky, particularly towards the end but we were rain free and managed to complete our round in four hours and twenty minutes which included a couple of much needed drink breaks.
As the scores reflected most people found it somewhat tough and no-one was able to get within less than three shots of playing to their handicap. We had A Flight at 0 to 17 and B Flight for 18 and upwards.
Bill Plath took out first place in A Flight and Walter Baechli was second on a count back from yours truly. Interesting to note that all three winners in A Flight had a handicap of 15. In B Flight the winner was the consistent Colin Swann, from Alan Ewing in second place and Mike Winfield in third.
A Flight
1st Bill Plath (15) 33pts
2nd Walter Baechli (15) 31pts
3rd Peter Blackburn (15) 31pts
B Flight
1st Colin Swann (24) 33pts
2nd Alan Ewing (24) 32pts
3rd Mike Winfield (21) 31pts

Voller’s maiden “Ace”

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

Thursday, October 8 saw the Pattaya Golf Society visit nearby Phoenix to play a stableford event over the Mountain and Lakes nines. The field had been reduced by the previous day’s monthly IPGC events at Eastern Star and also the weather, which was downright filthy!

Chris Voller (left) is congratulated on his ace at Phoenix by Rabbi.

In the gloom however there was one bright highlight as Chris Voller fired his maiden hole-in-one. He accomplished the feat on Lakes 2 using a six-iron and, as the ball entered the hole directly, he did not have the pleasure of seeing it roll in. It was only confirmed when he reached the green, believing it had rolled through into the bunker.
Elsewhere there were two other birdie ‘2’s but the PGS policy is that the ace gets the lot.
Chris’s ace helped him to a share of second place with Kazuo Takimoto on 33 points, the winner being John Bell, playing only his second event with the group, who recorded 38 points.
The hero of the day dutifully rang the bell back in Soi Buakhao to conclude the presentation and Rabbi generously decided that he would award any PGS holes-in-one with a special prize as a memento in the face of the club’s refusal to honour the feat, saying the ace awards were only for Mountain 8! Since when has this been the signature hole amongst the par threes at Phoenix? At least Rabbi knows a little about customer relations.
Better times at Rayong C.C.
The Pattaya Golf Society returned to Rayong Country Club (aka Great Lakes) on Saturday, October 11 to play a stableford competition on Sir Nick’s best layout in Thailand. After years of unattractive inactivity the course is getting a new lease of life and since our last visit there have been steady improvements. The greens are coming on though they are still slow and in need of a roll, but they are nevertheless playable and the cost to the discerning golfer is an excellent bargain. The course could well end up as the PGS new weekend venue as others dally with high green fees and expected hordes of tourists.
The competition was very tight as Bob St Aubin and John Haugen shared second place with 35 points each two behind the man of the moment Chris Voller. Fresh off the back of his hole-in-one at Phoenix he again recorded two birdie ‘2’s for the lion’s share of the bonus pot, Tony Thorne taking the third slice. Chris’s gross total of 77 gave him 37 points on a day when he never three-putted. Such has been the improvement in the greens.
The Booby Bevy went to Mr Len after “blowing it” with a 23 point front nine total and losing all rhythm with his irons after that, giving him a 23-8 split. The joy of the day was enhanced by the warm welcome and the peaceful and empty golf course at Rayong CC.

More wet weather golf

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, Oct. 5, Khao Kheow - Stableford
1st Vincent Gras 40pts
2nd Shane Heavey 31pts
3rd Roar Berger 31pts
4th Trevor Schirmer 30pts
5th John Mabry 29pts
After a slow start to his golfing tour of Pattaya, Vincent Gras, is making a few waves prior to his departure at the end of the week. Playing from the yellow tees with the course pretty well sodden and having to use the local “lift and place on the fairways” rule did little to stop his rush towards the top step of the podium and his first grip of the horn at The Haven. Winning by nine from fellow Oz traveler, Shane Heavey, he made it look all so easy, hardly missing a fairway but not being too lucky around and on the greens.
Shane took second by count back from Roar Berger with a better back 6 of 10 to 4 after they had tied the nine on 14. Trevor Schirmer and John Mabry made up the balance of the mentionable players, one and two shots further back.
There were no 2’s in either division, no doubt due to the tees being almost on the blues.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcome back Erik Donnestad, John Mabry and David Spendley, the latter at last able to try to play golf again following a situation that occurred during last Songkran in April, when a drunken reveler broke his upper arm with a plastic water cannon, whilst he was riding his motorcycle home in the afternoon.
Friday, Oct. 9, Greenwood - Stableford
1st Rodney Hayes 35pts
2nd Russell Finch 32pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer 31pts
Rodney Hayes celebrated his return to his place in the sun with a hard fought-for win, albeit over par, as the field battled a course that was played almost from the back blocks and with the CSS going out to 73, as all but Rodney failed to come to terms with the course.
Russell Finch slipped into second place and just covered his day’s outgoings after some hopeful estimates of his abilities to cope with the course conditions to turn in an acceptable score.
Trevor Schirmer again got on to the podium with a score which he would normally not find unacceptable but considering the day’s conditions it was just about right.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Keith Emerson had the only one in the first division to sweep the pool and roll over.
Back at The Haven, The Doc welcomed back Keith Emerson and Rodney Hayes. Rodney was traveling to Pattaya on the proceeds of the sale of the 54 inch plasma tv which he bought specially to watch the Ashes, and which he unfortunately sold prior to the One Day International series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy International series in SA.
There were also farewells to Vincent Gras and Andrew Szarbo, now able to return to Oz following the successes in SA.

Bridge in Paradise: by Neil Robinson

When I read about this hand (reported by Andrew Robson) it struck me as an example of good defence - nothing spectacular, just good solid partnership play to take advantage of declarer’s stumble.  The hand occurred four boards from the end of a long match.  But this was not just any match - it was the final of the Women’s Bridge World Championship held in Beijing last year.  The English team was playing the Chinese team.  The overall match was eventually won by a margin of just one IMP - the equivalent of a single overtrick.  This board was worth five IMPs to the eventual winners, so it turned out to be critical to the championship.
At the table where the English team sat NS, they bid 2H and made 3H, for an overtrick.  Now watch what happened at the table where the Chinese team were sitting NS.  The bidding is shown below.  The Chinese South made a try for game by bidding 3H.  North declined the invitation and 3H was the eventual contract.

South       West           North         East

1H             P                   1NT            P

2D             P                   2H              P

3H             All pass                         

Dealer: South, all vulnerable

                     S: A94

                     H: Q10

                     D: 862

                     C: QJ974       

S: 10832                              S: Q765

H: 83                                   H: AJ4

D: A975                              D: 43

C: K32                                C: A1086

                     S: KJ

                     H: K97652

                     D: KQJ10

                     C: 5

West led the two of spades.  Dummy played low and declarer beat East’s queen with the king.  Now, declarer led a low trump.  If she had put in dummy’s queen, she would have made the contract.  However, she played the ten and East won the jack.  It still looks like declarer only has four losers, two trump tricks, the ace of diamonds and one club (since she only has a singleton club) and therefore she will make the contract.  So can you see how the defence could score the critical fifth trick to get the contract down?  The English pair at the table did.
East switched to the four of diamonds.  West won the ace and returned the diamond five - her lowest card, asking for a club lead.  Declarer won and led a second trump to the queen and East’s ace.  Now East, trusting her partner, made the key play.  She underled her ace of clubs.  West won the king and led a third diamond.  East ruffed, taking the contract down one and showing the power of good communications in effective defence.  Four hands later, the English team were holding the gold medal.
Please send me your interesting hands at: [email protected].

“Mr. Consistency” does it again

IPGC Monthly Medal Results

Wednesday, Oct. 7, Eastern Star
Div. 1
1st Steve Mascari (2) net 68
2nd Erik Donnestad (4) net 72
3rd Russell Exley (9) net 75
Div. 2
1st Joe McArdle (13) net 73
2nd Ted Gardener (11) net 73
3rd Mike Theedam (18) net 73
4th Roy Thornton (12) net 73
Div. 3
1st Vincent Gras (19) 38pts
2nd B.J. Smith (23) 36pts
3rd Barry Rawlinson (27) 35pts
Ladies
1st Nit Watcharaphin (22) 39pts
2nd Orawan Meeraka (36) 37pts
3rd Pranom Foster (20) 30pts
The third Member’s Monthly Medal looked set to be overbooked until the day of the competition dawned and the incessant rain caused around a dozen cry-offs, but it was still a record turnout even with the low season in full swing and many members still holidaying in their original home countries.

Division 3 winner Vincent Gras (left) collects his medal.
With Glyn Evans controlling the registrations and Chris Knapp and Russell Exley acting as starters prior to their own tee offs, proceedings went extremely smoothly as usual.
The overnight and morning rain required the implementation of a “lift and place on the fairways” ruling and the conditions also determined that the scoring would be difficult with length off the tee at a premium, but those that did start found the weather conditions to be ideal with cloud cover throughout the days play. The greens were in good shape as were the fairways, given the amount of water that they had absorbed, but the wet rough caused many problems for the errant golfers.

Monthly Medal winner Steve Mascari (right) with IPGC Chairman Chris Knapp.
In the Ladies division Nit Watcharaphin topped the list and took home the medal by a couple of points from Orawan Meeraka, scoring a better 20/19 for the two nines against 19/18 and holding her nerve over the closing holes to win her first Medal, with Pranom Foster slipping into third place a further seven points adrift.
The third division was headed by Vincent Gras, who has enjoyed a good run of form recently, winning his previous outing earlier in the week on Monday, and he took the Medal with a solid two under handicap round with a pair of nineteen’s as the third division also played the Medal under the Stableford scoring system, with nothing particularly special about his round, just steady scoring and no blobs on the card. B.J. Smith started exceptionally well with 22 points on the front nine but faded a little coming home, recording a couple of zero holes which proved the difference in the final outcome in securing him second place. Barry Rawlinson did it the other way round, having started slowly with 15 on the front, then picking up the pace and closing with an inward half of 20 which just got him into third place.

Nit Watcharaphin (right) was the Ladies winner.
The second division was a closely contested affair with the top four all returning the same scores in the stroke play format and the winners being determined by count back for the first three places and the Medal.
Heading the count backs, was Joe McArdle with an excellent 32.5 (gross 39) which included six pars and a birdie, which bettered his front nine by eight shots and which proved to be good enough by three to take his first Monthly Medal and a win that will surely be talked about throughout the Monaghan County in many clubs, bars and tea houses for months to come, after the news breaks in the Irish Times. Ted Gardener took second spot with a better inward half of 35.5 after a steady outward nine with Mike Theedam just getting the better of Roy Thornton with 37 against 38 to lock up third.
The best score of the day was returned by Steve Mascari, arguably Pattaya’s most consistent golfer, as he has only been outside his handicap buffer zone, of one, three times in fifteen competitions over the last six weeks, with a stunning gross 70 (net 68) which included five birdies and just three bogeys and more than one lip-out. It was outstanding golf by any standards and well worthy of his second Monthly Medal in as many months and a result that firmly cements him at the top of the Player of the Year table. The score should also be viewed in the knowledge that the day’s CSS went out to 73 with just 12% of the counting golfers reaching the required standard for the day due to the conditions, and resulting in another step down to a handicap of one at 1.3 exactly.
Erik Donnestad played one of his best rounds in Thailand, no doubt having taken some of his own advice as a golf teaching professional in Norway on the way round, with a level net par of 72 to take second place ahead of Russell Exley, who amazingly still managed to concentrate after dealing with all the problems of the late cry-offs and having to reorganise the start sheet before starting his round but still carded a very creditable three over for third place.
Following the completion of the rounds, the golfers returned to the Siam Cats in Soi 5 Jomtiem for the prize presentations and buffet, with Chairman Chris Knapp doing the honours assisted by Glyn Evans and thanking all the IPGC venues and golf organisers for once again making it a great day for golf and camaraderie, and also giving special thanks to Russell Exley and Stephen Beard for their preparatory work and scoring on the day.
A full report of all the scores can be accessed at www.ipgc.org together with the date of the next Monthly Medal to be held on the 4th of November at The Emerald.

Special notice regarding PSC Fishing

Mike Gerrard
Ahoy Mateys!
The last couple of trips have proved to be reasonably poor regarding the inferior way in which the contacts, who in the past have taken good care of us, have organized these latest outings. It has to be said in slight defence of the boat owners that the weather conditions have been quite rough of late and going out to deeper waters has not been a good idea anyway.
But by taking the usual attitude in this part of the world by trying to make a few bucks without doing anything for it, we can no longer be confident of their support.
So a new chapter is about to begin. After talks with the regular stalwarts who make the pilgrimage each trip we have decided to change the contacts. We have now secured the use of a beautiful, much bigger boat (approx 100 feet in length), that would be capable of catering for up to 10 fishing passengers and with ample room on the upper deck for pleasure trip or spectator passengers. There are superb catering facilities and relaxation areas on board. This boat will also cope with slightly rougher conditions and is much sturdier.
This will not only enable us to accommodate more people, but allow the skipper of the boat to go further out into deeper waters, where we have seen definite catches of big fish on board as it returns to the harbour.
The costing of these future trips will also prove to be cheaper as long as we get a minimum of 7 fishing on the boat.
Our next planned trip is on Sunday 8th November 2009, with another one penciled in for the November 22. We would hope to continue this trend throughout the hoped for high season, going out each 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
In addition to our regular fortnightly trips anyone who wishes to charter the boat for their own private day out can do so.
Prices are two tiered: Pattaya Sports Club members can enjoy a 10% discount on all advertised prices. For instance PSC members individually 1500 baht* (based on 7 passengers minimum. Private charter 10,000 baht. Non PSC members add 10%.
For bookings or further information please contact me (Mike Gerrard) on 087 091 7565. Tight lines chaps and legs crossed gals!

New 30-week league kicks off

Pattaya Sports Club Bowling League

A blast from the past - PSC bowlers from 11 years ago.

The new PSC Friday league kicked off last week with one of our long time sponsors dropping out due to injury of their Captain. Captain Kran Nielsen is unable to bowl because of medical problems and we will miss her and the Café Kronborg team.
Nok Kennedy started off hot as she bowled games of 217, 183 and 188 for a 594 series to lead her Sabai Sabai team to a four point win over Brother D. Green Tree Pub and Restaurant, new sponsor, won four points from Indiana. Bill Gibson led Green Tree with a 511 series.
Bavaria also got off to a good start winning four points from the U.S. Marines (USMC) Team. Jack Tar won three points from VFW Post 9876 and Café Ole split their match 2-2 with Canada. Tue Amphanon and Sue Murphy both bowled a 513 series for Canada and Ooy Pluemkamon had a 202 game and 537 for Café Ole.
Overall the bowling on week one was not too great as many bowlers are complaining about the lanes at Pattaya Plus Bowl. The management of PS Plus Bowl is trying to correct the problems.

Results & Standings Oct. 9 (week 1) Pos.    Team                               Score        Standings 1         Sabai Sabai Friday             4 - 0               4 - 0 2         Green Tree                        4 - 0               4 - 0 3         Bavaria                              4 – 0              4 – 0 4         Jack Tar                            3 – 1               3 - 1 5         Canada                             2 - 2               2 - 2 6         Café Ole                            2 - 2               2 - 2 7         VFW Post 9876                 1 - 3               1 - 3 8         Indiana                              0 - 4               0 - 4 9         Brother D                           0 - 4               0 - 4 10       U.S. Marines (USMC)          0 - 4               0 - 4