Taki’s turn at the helm

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

The Pattaya Golf Society began its weekend golf at Rayong C.C., the former Great Lake Golf Club, on Sunday, October 18. This place has so often been shunned by Pattaya ex-pat golf groups because of its conditions in the past, especially the bunkers and lack of semi-rough, when “off the fairway” meant a visit to “the land that time forgot”!
Things are changing at the course with new ownership and the clubhouse now has a very welcoming feel about it and the course is slowly taking shape. The staff and the starter are also very accommodating. The main problem since the takeover has been with the greens but these are gradually improving and are better every visit. They are still slow but the onset of the dry season will make it considerably easier to treat them with regular maintenance.
The course has always been popular with Korean golf groups and Sunday was no exception but progress was generally good.
A close encounter ensued with Chris Voller, Masanori Takano and Tony Lambert sharing second place with 32 points each. The length of some of the par fours demands long hitting off the tee and all four of the principals possessed that, especially the winner Kazuo Takimoto. Taki has found a rich seam of form over the last week or so and his name is usually at the top of most people’s favourites list with the PGS currently. His gross 81 was a fine return on a track with very little run and slow greens.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the Booby Bevy went to Jim Ferris for the shot of the day, his tee shot on the third which ricocheted back from a tree, over his head, narrowly missing him and the water, to the rear blue tee box and from which he barely made the red box.
It had certainly been an enjoyable day at Rayong C.C. and the group is looking forward to playing the course regularly at weekends during the high season. For details please contact Mr Len at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao, or check the group’s popular website at http://www.pattayagolf society.org
Emerald abandoned after nine!
The competition was abandoned after nine holes but two golfers continued to the bitter and very damp end and Emiel van der Wiele managed to post a score of 34 points, including a “2”! Someone is going to kop it!
Belgian bites back
It was with trepidation that the PGS left Rabbi’s Elephant Bar on Thursday, October 22 as the rain was pouring down and the thoughts of a repeat cancellation for the second consecutive event was uppermost in the golfers minds.
Arriving at Greenwood to play a medal round they found the skies clear and conditions good and the day was to be a warm one. The B and C nines were generally in good condition but the white tees were set well back and with little run evident the course was playing very long.
Chris Voller posted the day’s best gross score again with 83 the best anyone could offer, giving him third place with net 77. One shot ahead of him was Kazuo Takimoto, very much in form at the moment, with 76 net. The winner was Emiel van der Wiele and his net 74 was ample reward for the Belgian golfer who manfully had completed his round with a partner and a probable winning score, at The Emerald two days earlier, when the rest of the field abandoned after nine.
There were no birdie ‘2’s and the main prize fund was thus increased. Boss for the day, Tony Thorne, chose not to award the Booby Bevy as there were no clear candidates although newest IPGC member and six-handicapper Tony Lambert was certainly in the frame for his drab performance, and the highlight of the presentation later in Soi Buakhao was the return of “Banjo” Bannister for his annual trip. A ray of sunshine on a dull damp day in Pattaya!

Back tees prove a real test at Pleasant Valley

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, Oct. 19, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
As we left Siam Cats in torrential rain and headed up Sukhumvit towards the 36 for our journey up the seven, it looked very pessimistic for today’s game. But the mountain range near Khao Kheow appeared and there were blue skies in the distance, so things were looking up weather wise.
This was our first ever visit here as Jomtien Golf and the majority had heard many stories and reports relating to this course. There were seven groups out and as they all arrived back at the clubhouse there were numerous comments and suggestions regarding this venue if we return.
We played off the blue’s today, our normal rule of one in front of the back tees, but this became a controversial issue as the majority of the players thought a 205yd carry over water on the 5th and even more so the 230yd drive you need on the 11th to escape the bird conservation hazard was too much. The majority of the tees we played off today had black, blue and white markers so this could have been a one off, we need to look into this.
Thirty five points won both divisions today with Andy Mills coming up trumps in division 1, Georges Faber second three points behind, and in third place in his last game with us before his return in the new year was Mike Theedam with 31 points.
Nar Hector, playing some lovely golf lately won division two ahead of Noi Emmerson in second on 34 and in third place with his first ever placing was Darren Seethes with 30 points.
Keith Hector and Peter Seward both birdied the tough 5th to share the 2’s in division 1 and with no great surprise a rollover ensued in division 2.
NOTE: Due to the inclement weather both Wednesday’s and Friday’s fixtures at Green Valley and Eastern Star were rained off.

Rodney Hayes takes control

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, Oct. 19, Khao Kheow - Stableford
1st Geoff Picken 38pts
2nd Rodney Hayes 37pts
3rd Rod Howett 34pts
4th Erik Donnestad 33pts
5th Paul McNally 31pts
Considering that the course was completely sodden and with the addition of even more rain during the round, it was very commendable to find the scoring pretty difficult, moving the CSS out to 74, up from 72 from the yellow tees, which are the furthest back with the white tees being the forward ones on this course.
Geoff Picken had a great day’s golf, cleaning up in all departments and he turned out to be a most generous winner both with his largesse at the bar and his praise and thanks for all the assistance received in his practice sessions at the Bang Chan driving range, which he claimed had helped immensely to finely hone his short game.
Rodney Hayes, who would normally have been found to be in first place with his score at this course, had to be satisfied with second spot, just a shot back and two in front of Rod Howett, after Rod returned his best result for some time.
Erik Donnestad took fourth a couple of shots in front of Paul McNally, the latter finding trouble a few times as his tee and second shots got into trouble by being too long in many instances.
Trevor Schirmer slid in the solo 2 in the first division on the 184 yard par three A3. After watching one of his playing partners, Paul McNally, cruise an 8 iron on to the green, he took out his 3 rescue club to get a little closer to the pin which worked a treat, setting up the easy birdie.
Geoff Picken had the only 2 in the second division to claim the huge rollover pot and squeaked the horn one more time to celebrate late into the night.
Back at The Haven, the Doc welcomed new members Benny Hansen, and Norman Riskey and also welcomed back Bubbles Davies, Yasuo Suzuki and Paul McNally.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, The Emerald - Stableford
1st Yasuo Suzuki 38pts
2nd Erik Donnestad 38pts
3rd Peter Sumner 36pts
4th Chris Knapp 35pts
5th John McNamara 34pts
Yasuo Suzuki took his first win since returning and playing himself in, in readiness for the upcoming tourist season, although he only prevailed over Erik Donnestad after Erik had slipped to lose the count back over the inward half by 19 to 17 following his outward nine of a gross 35 for 21 points off his four handicap. But it was a solid performance by Yasuo and bodes well for this tour’s golf in the next few weeks.
Peter Sumner, getting in some practice prior to shearing a few sheep at another golfing venue the following day, slipped in a very tidy round of level par that was to be the precursor to a six under round the next day, which will ensure a further cut in his handicap next week.
Chris Knapp with a one over round, and John McNamara one behind him, filled out the balance of the mentionable names.
On a slightly lighter note B.J. was seen to be struggling after the front nine as he stroked his tee shot on the short tenth to a position resting on top of the low hedge just in front and to the left side of the tee, and then attempted to play a wonderful recovery from waist high to eighteen inches from the cup but just failed, losing his ball somewhere in the region of 150 yards left.
Chris Knapp had the only 2 in the second division and Trevor Schirmer continued his par three form with another on to take the first division pool.
Before presenting the prizes, the Doc welcomed new member Tony Holloway and also welcomed back Len and Jim Higham, John McNamara, Masanori Takano and Chris Braiden.
Friday, Oct. 23, Rayong C.C. – Stableford
1st Rodney Hayes 39pts
2nd Bob Heath 38pts
3rd Gerry Hannan 37pts
4th Erik Donnestad 37pts
5th Roar Berger 35pts
Following a strangely subdued round at the Emerald, where oddly enough he did not figure in the prize giving, Rodney Hayes came back to full prominence with a classic round over a course he had not seen before and one that still needs a lot of work to be done to get it back to the shape that Sir Nick Faldo originally designed. But even so, it still affords the player with an extremely good test of golf at very reasonable prices.
With the CSS moving down to 71 it was clear that the course was in pretty good shape for scoring as the whole field did well against their handicap levels.
Bob Heath, better known to our readers as “Captain 2000” and famous for being one of the few Super-Heroes to wear his monogrammed underpants on the inside of his trousers, claimed second place with an almost unbelievable two under after preparing feverishly for the days test, spending the previous night at the bar until the early hours with his swing guru.
Gerry Hannan came back to Pattaya golf with a very good day’s effort to take third place which was augmented with his efforts on the par threes. Erik Donnestad again returned an excellent round of 75 gross but again missed out with a lesser back nine to lose the count back to Gerry by 19 to 18.
Roar Berger rounded out the list of winners with a reasonable one over round.
Whilst there were no 2’s in the second division the first division saw a few, with Rodney Hayes and getting Joe McArdle getting one a piece and Gerry Hannan claiming two.
Prior to the presentations, the Doc welcomed back Bob Heath, George Oakley and Joe Peters and also welcomed the return of the old Great Lakes course now re-named as the rather grand sounding Rayong Country Club, but just as challenging as it always used to be.

Sumner and Hansson both card 42 points to share the weekly spoils

PSC Soi Khao Noi Golf Group

Tuesday, Oct. 20, Phoenix Mountain & Lakes (White tees) - Stableford
Fifteen took on the ever-pleasant Phoenix and at least we managed to play the Mountain nine dry. Mats Hansson shrugged off the wet back nine to card 42 stableford points which meant that David Clamp had to content himself with second place with a solid 38 points. Brian Taylor had the best of the 35 point count-back leaving Allan Cassin to pick up fourth prize.
Thursday, Oct. 22, Plutaluang S & E (White tees) - Stableford
Some like Navy, some do not, so most reasonably a bunch of do nots decided to play elsewhere this day leaving just four groups who got round the course in double quick time.

Thursday’s top three: Ian (left), Nuan and Pete.

Peter Sumner followed Tuesday’s winner by carding 42 stableford points on a handicap of 11, an excellent return when being off the fairway by inches mostly meant a dropped shot due to the ‘roughness of the thick’. Ian Campbell, Nuan Keddie and Willy Nachbur were 2nd, 3rd and 4th with 39, 37 and 35 points respectively.
In spite of the heavy going the average score was 31.9 points. It in perhaps interesting to note that although the group has undoubtedly been well rained on consistently for 6 weeks we have not been rained off - yet!
Note: Any golfers seeking to play with our group that wish to know about the group’s format please phone Neil on 0895110575.

Parker fires solitary sub-par round of the week

PSC golf from the Bunker Bar

Monday, Oct. 19, Treasure Hill - Stableford
Light drizzle in the morning but when we arrived at Treasure Hill the course was dry and empty! A fine round saw the first group to tee off finish their round in three hours (the joys of the low season!) The course was in great condition and we await the decision on next month’s high season rates before deciding whether to keep Greenwood on the schedule.

Geoff Parker
Gerry Cooney returned to winning ways, playing Stableford format Gerry beat Mashi on a count back in the A Flight both scoring 35 points, Gordon Melia came a close third a single point behind them. Geoff Parker won the B Flight with the best score of the day ahead of Paul Edgar and William Macey.
A Flight
1st Gerry Cooney (11) 35pts
2nd Mashi Kaneta (12) 35pts
3rd Gordon Melia (14) 34pts
B Flight
1st Geoff Parker (17) 37pts
2nd Paul Edgar (17) 36pts
3rd William Macey (16) 34pts
Near Pins: William Macey, Homma, Andrew and Paul Smith.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, Greenwood - Medal
Drove to the course through heavy rain but arrived with bright sunshine welcoming us. Unfortunately it didn’t last too long as the first downpour hit us on the 6th hole. After a 45 minute stop at a drinks hut we pressed on. Two more showers during the rest of the round and several players took the option of a rain check after 9 holes. The rest soldiered on and finished the round on a soggy but perfectly playable course.
Because of the rain the scores were quite modest, John Graham winning the A Flight ahead of Gerry Cooney and Scotty Eaton. Geoff Parker had another win in the B Flight so he’s challenging for the ‘golfer of the month’ title. Aussies Ferdy and Andrew came in second and third to make sure there were three Aussies out of six winners in the frame.
A Flight
1st John Graham (12) net 75
2nd Gerry Cooney (11) net 76
3rd Scotty Eaton (3) net 79
B Flight
1st Geoff Parker (17) net 78
2nd Ferdy (19) net 83
3rd Andrew Ralph (20) net 91
Near Pins: Scotty, Ferdy and William (token Brit).

It’s a case of double ‘Jeff’ Ardy

PSC golf from The Golf Club

The golfers prepare to tee-off at Soi Dao Country Club.

Monday, October 19, Green Valley - Stableford
1st Jeff Calrow (14) 39pts
2nd Geoff Doody (22) 39pts
It was certainly tough at the top today and, with a number of players equaling or bettering their handicaps, the winner certainly earned it.
Our extremely rainy season has continued to batter us and many of the local courses have suffered accordingly, leaving many of us with distant memories of dark, damp days back in our homelands, or at least the Brits amongst us anyway! Green Valley, however, was in pretty good shape, making a bit of a mockery of the management’s decision to ban all carts today.
Back in town was part Oz/part Brit, Gabriel ‘the webmaster’ Enright. His 36 points was solid and steady but not good enough. Falling into that same category were Roger Koehler and Canadian Brad Sproxton. They both returned 36’s and can be pleased with their day’s golf. Better still was another new returnee, all the way from Hawaii, Billy ‘the kid’ Gneiting, signing in with a 38. On many other days this could have got in the frame.
Our two headliners were the stars of the day, sharing top-billing with their 39’s. Again, on any other day 21 on the back would normally be enough, but for the possessor of that score, Geoff Doody, it meant only second place and him ruing the easy miss on number six.
Our other Jeff (Calrow) would not be denied. He faltered a little on the front before stringing together 3 exceptional birdies on the bounce. It was a fantastic effort and a match-winning performance.
Tuesday, October 20, Soi Dao - Stableford
1st John McHugh (9) 35pts
2nd Ken Graham (16) 33pts
c/b Jez Lees (14) 33pts
Near Pins: Jez Lees
Our originally planned 1 night 2 day trip proved to be so successful it quickly and unanimously was extended to one more night and day, largely due to the fact we had copious amounts of red wine left to drink. A little bit of over-ordering perhaps? The trip subsequently (late into the night that is) became known as the ‘First Franzia Frenzy.’
Despite seemingly average scores on the first day they were in fact pretty good under the circumstances. The course had obviously had significant rainfall in the preceding days, or maybe even weeks, and was very wet underfoot and playing extremely long. This played into the hands of the monster hitter John ‘Mohammed’ McHugh. He is striking the ball fantastically well at the moment, obviously benefitting from his new semi-retired status. He took the first day singles with 35 points, beating by 2 the new boy Ken Graham and the ‘Principal’ Jez Lees. Jez missed out on count-back on the back 6 but got a little consolation by taking the near pin award.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, Soi Dao – 2 man scramble
1st John McHugh & Roger Koehler, net 64.6
2nd Bob Newell & Ken Graham, net 67.2
Near Pins: John Mchugh
On day 2 the John McHugh show continued and the course had dried up a little, making play slightly easier. The scramble format was welcomed by the group, who were all suffering a little from the previous evening’s excesses. No copy-books were blotted, however all were on their best behaviour.
Seamless and new boy Ken put together a steady, if unspectacular, round and took second spot. Mohammed got lucky with the draw to be partnered by the ever-smiling Roger Koehler, a player much improved of late and very useful off his 23 handicap. They were the runaway winners with an excellent 64.6.
McQ continued to pick up the prizes by taking the near pin too.
Thursday, Oct. 22, Soi Dao - 2 man better-ball
1st Bob Newell & Roger Koehler 42pts
2nd Mark Wood & Brad Sproxton 41pts
Near Pins: Bob Newell, Ken Graham
A break from tradition was made for the final part of the trip. Our group ventured away from the hotel on site and stayed 15 minutes up the road at a really nice and inexpensive complex and a very pleasant evening in a local Thai restaurant set us up nicely for the final day’s competition, a 2 man better-ball.
All players were eagerly looking forward to the draw, anticipating who they wanted. Bob Newell got the prize of Roger Koehler but could he put it together again or would the seemingly unstoppable McQ take the money again?
Once again our luck held out with the weather, the 10 minute downpour on the second day proved to be the worst we would get on the trip. We had only a couple of light showers on the final day.
As things turned out big ‘Mo’ faltered badly, his partner, Jez, must have wondered what all the fuss was about. The others in their group did no better, perhaps they were fatigued after spending five and a half hours on the course! There’s leisurely and there’s leisurely guys!
Bob and Roger ham and egged perfectly and they had to hold off Brad Sproxton and the Aberdonian crooner Mark Wood. Roger made a crucial putt on the eighteenth to nick the win with 42 to their 41. Amazingly both Mark and another big gun, ‘giz a fag’ Grout, failed to take any cash on this trip, despite both playing some cracking golf.
Please note, the Golf Club intend to run a regular Soi Dao trip through the high season, starting in December. This will be on the first Tues and Wed in the month and places will be strictly limited so it would be advisable to get booked in early.

Gritty Gerrard steals it at the death

PSC golf with the Phoenix Tuesday Group

Mike Gerrard
All looked well as we gathered on the first tee on Mountain and Lake course: with our biggest field of the new season and with nice clear skies we were all looking forward to a good round of golf.

Tuesday’s winners celebrate back at Toy’s Music Bar.

As the third group sauntered down the first fairway some ugly looking clouds (reminded me of the ex wife) suddenly started to gather and it was obvious that a good drenching was imminent.
It’s amazing how luck can change so quickly. Yours truly had been drawn in the first group but just as we all gathered we had a latecomer join us which meant a complete re-shuffle that ended up with myself demoted to 5th group. The change in luck was that the latecomer took my place in the first group and got caught in the rain and I was under the shelter on the first tee nice and dry.
So, after about 30 to 40 minutes we were all away enjoying the cool air. Sadly the downpour was so heavy that for the first nine holes the course was rather wet. This reflected in the scores for the day with the best golf coming on the back nine for most. The up side to this situation is how well the course drains at Phoenix.
We welcomed some old friends back from yesteryear and a couple of new players who joined us for the first time.
With the delays, the last group managed to finish about 30 minutes before it started to get dark. It was then the trek back to Toy’s Music Bar? Question mark here because the bar has changed hands recently but retains the same name for now.
The new management welcomed the whole group and assured us that we would be treated as well, if not better for the future. I think the re-introduction of a special monthly prize (along with the one donated by Giorgio Baccioli of Trattoria Italiana restaurant) will be donated by the new management of the bar. It just gets better and better.
The presentation at the bar is now more popular with happy hour drinks until 8.00 p.m. and the first drink (value 50 baht) free out of the day’s subscriptions. So much so that out of 17 players today we had 14 return, which meant a big hole being spent out of the day’s takings and leaving very little for the victors of the day. We don’t care about that. Our policy is to have fun, enjoy the golf and company and deter any, would be pothunters.
The winner today, after a dismal front nine of 15 points but with a superb back nine of 23 points (total 38), was myself, stealing it with a 30-foot putt for birdie on the last hole. Second place went to newcomer Morris Guiney (37pts), and third place to John Bartley (35pts), just easing Tom Buckley (35pts) into 4th place on count back.
The story of the day was down to Hugh Byrne. After totally messing up the long par four 17th he managed to leave himself an impossible full length from high to low part of the green (maybe 60 foot) with about a 5 foot break and duly holed it. Sadly this was for a 7 and no score!!
On the same hole Phil Kington, who had a tough time of it all day, played the hole of his life and almost sank his first putt to notch up a birdie. Never mind it was an incredible par which helped to secure the private match as my partner.
Near pins went to the better strikers of the ball, Graham Dietrich, Stuart Gordon, Hugh Byrne and Austin King. The Lucky Draw went to Ken Akester.
There was no golf at Green Valley this week due to silly prices for a bank holiday, but we will be back to normal the next week with a monthly stroke play at Phoenix on Tuesday Oct. 27 (special vouchers from Trattoria Italiana and Toy’s Bar) plus Green Valley on Friday Oct. 30 with special low rate vouchers still valid from Pattaya Sports Club only 550 baht green fee.
I am informed that as of November 1 the Phoenix green fees will be 1,000 baht for PSC members and Phoenix member’s guests. Green Valley will be 750 baht for PSC members only.
Other information concerns the Pattaya Sports Club Christmas Party. This will be held on Wednesday December 16 at the Town In Town Hotel (doors open 7.00 p.m.). Tickets are now available at the PSC clubhouse and cost 400 baht for PSC members, 700 baht for guests (1 per member at this stage) and 400 baht for children. Tickets are limited, so get yours as soon as you can. At the party all food and drinks are free, plus entertainment and free lucky draw (by admission ticket), plus cabaret.
For further information please call me (Mike) direct on 087 091 7565 (No SMS messages please).

Numbers are on the up at last

Golf from the Travellers Rest

Saturday’s winners: Jimmy Woulfe, Tristan Gilbert, Mike Rushant, Rusty Barfield, Fergus Brennan, John Thornber and Derek Thorogood.

Barry Hooper
We have been struggling for big numbers in our golfing groups for some time now. Well if last week is anything to go by things are on the upturn with all four outings having twenty plus and on one outing over thirty taking part. Long may it last.
Sorry to report but no funny stories came to the fore this week, but I would like to congratulate the staff at Green Valley for the professional way that they handled a problem incurred by one player on Saturday. He had returned from his round and went to pay his caddie and realized that he had forgotten to pick up his change (from a 1000 baht note at one of the drink stops on the course). On talking to the staff they immediately transported the player back out on the course and sought out the member of staff that had served him, who had at this time actually left the drink stop. They found her and the money was presented back to the player. Two things can be learned from this: always remember to pick up your change, and golf clubs it seems employ honest staff.
Monday, Oct. 19, Plutaluang S & W - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Jim Sykes (9) 37pts
2nd Rusty Barfield (5) 36pts
3rd Mod Chaviraksa (11) 33pts
Div. 2
1st Peer Bruun (15) 34pts
2nd Peter Roberts (15) 31pts
3rd Adam Moorshead (17) 30pts
The first foray of the week was to Plutaluang on Monday and I mentioned in my opening report that numbers were up so two divisions. Peter Bruun took Div 2 with thirty-four points, followed in by Peter Roberts at thirty-one. In Div 1 Jim Sykes took top honours at thirty-seven, just pipping Rusty Barfield by the one point at thirty-six. Mod was third at thirty-three.
Six ‘2’s came from Rusty Barfield (x2), Ted Senior (Mr ‘2’) and three at the seventeenth from Nial Higgins, Jon Lay and Derek Thorogood.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, Eastern Star - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Jon Lay (8) 34pts
2nd Jim Sykes (9) 33pts
3rd Rusty Barfield (5) 32pts
4th George Bishop (13) 32pts
Div. 2
1st David McFeely (18) 35pts
2nd Peer Bruun (15) 34pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (17) 33pts
4th Eddie Townsend (16) 33pts
Tuesday had us visit the Eastern Star 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 at times and particularly after all the rain so the scores were low.
Division 2 went to David McFeely with thirty-five points, followed home by Peer Bruun at thirty-four. Four players posted thirty-three points with the count back putting Roger Wilkinson at the top with fourteen over the last six holes, just edging out Eddie Townsend. Kevin Read and Ed Higgins were the unlucky ones to miss out.
Division 1 had Jon Lay at the top with thirty-four points. Second was Jim Sykes with thirty-three and Rusty Barfield was third after a count back.
Only the one ‘2’ today and that was from Jon Lay.
Thursday, Oct. 22, Phoenix Mountain & Lakes - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Amphan North (15) 37pts
2nd Rusty Barfield (5) 36pts
3rd Niall Higgins (10) 36pts
Div. 2
1st Derek Thorogood (23) 34pts
2nd Roger Wilkinson (17) 32pts
3rd Paula Byrne (27) 30pts
Thursday and out to our regular venue of Phoenix Mountain and Lakes with a very good turnout so two divisions.
Guess what? It was a lady that took top honours in Division 1, Amphan North to be exact with thirty-seven points. Rusty Barfield was second again with thirty six (what a great week he was having), but it took a count back this time over Niall Higgins.
Derek Thorogood was the winner of Division 2 at thirty-four points, Roger Wilkinson was second and Paula Byrne third after a count back over Mark Krysl.
Again just the one ‘2’ on the day and this time from Frank Courtney.
Saturday, Oct. 24, Green Valley - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Rusty Barfield (5) 39pts
2nd Fergus Brennan (9) 35pts
3rd Jimmy Woulfe (14) 34pts
4th Mike Rushant (12) 32pts
5th Tristan Gilbert (12) 32pts
Div. 2
1st John Thornber (17) 38pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (23) 37pts
3rd Terry Hopkins (21) 35pts
4th Dan Knudsen (20) 34pts
5th Roger Wilkinson (17) 30pts
Saturday was back to Green Valley and the biggest turnout of the week.
Division 2 went to John Thornber at thirty-eight points followed in by Derek Thorogood at thirty-seven. Third was Terry Hopkins who it seems is coming out quite regularly again with us. Good to see him back.
Well after generally great week Rusty Barfield pulled off the win that had been eluding him in Division 1. He came home with thirty-nine points, a full four points up on Fergus Brennan at thirty-five who had not intended playing at the start of the day. I bet he was glad that he changed his mind. Third was Jimmy Woulfe with thirty-four. He really looked the part out on the course, you certainly could not miss him in his check shorts.
Two ‘2’s came at the ninth from Fergus and Tristan and one from Roger Wilkinson at the sixteenth.
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.

Bridge in Paradise: by Neil Robinson

To quote Hugh Kelsey: “If you bid a stop at no trump, then you don’t need to actually have one.”  My partner, Chris Hedges, took this advice on a hand we played together recently.  With neither side vulnerable and West dealing, this was the bidding: 

South             West              North          East

(Chris)                                 (me)

                       2S                   Dbl              3S

3N                  All pass                              

The full deal is shown below:

                        S: 2

                        H: A852

                        D: AQJ6

                        C: K1074      

S: KQJ853                            S: A6

H: K3                                    H: QJ1094

D: 98                                     D: 1043

C: 532                                    C: J86

                        S: 10974

                        H: 76

                        D: K752

                        C: AQ9           

West opened a weak two spades - a good bid because it forces the opponents to the three level and makes it difficult for them to find the right contract.  I had the perfect shape for a takeout double, happy to support any suit from my partner.
East increased the preemption by bidding 3S.  This would be a good sacrifice, since it would go down only two against best defence (the defence would score two diamonds, three clubs and the ace of hearts).  If the defence stumbles, then the contract may even make.  Four cards to the ten is only half a stopper, but Chris was not intimidated by that or by the fact that he had only nine points.  He bid 3N.
As you can see, from looking at all four hands, if West leads low to the ace, then the defence will take the first six tricks.  However, holding West’s hand, there are not many players who could resist leading the king of spades.  After that lead, 3N cannot be defeated.  If East overtakes with the ace and then leads back a spade, four spades to the ten actually becomes a stopper.
At the table, East won the second trick but there was no way back to West’s hand.  Declarer won the heart switch in dummy with the ace and then took the next eight tricks in the minors (four diamonds and four clubs).  A good bid by my partner, resulted in making 3N with only 23 high card points (and only half a stopper) between the two hands!
Please send me your interesting hands at: [email protected].

Lawrie earns ‘Mr. Consistency’ tag on Chiang Mai road trip

The 3rd Outback Golf Bar Chiang Mai Challenge

Chiang Mai Challenge overall winners: Tom Byrne, Mam Morel,
Lawrence Immethun, Ian Button and Patrick Regan.

Monday, Oct. 12, Royal Chiang Mai – Stableford
The journey up to Suvarnabhumi took a little over an hour from the Outback, as 58 Outbackers converged on the Bangkok Airways check-in desks on their way to the 3rd Chiang Mai Challenge; five more chose to drive up. The flight went pretty smoothly apart from a couple of sizeable air pockets, which did give everybody a bit of a jolt. A couple of coaches were waiting to transfer the group from Chiang Mai airport to the hotel where everybody had been pre-registered and the lobby bar was quickly filled with the usual pre-tournament golf banter and jousting.
Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort is a beautiful parkland course about 45 mins from the town; and was in absolutely fabulous condition. Although murky & misty to start with, with the dew still on the fairways, the sun soon came through giving way to a beautiful day, leaving the floods down in Pattaya far behind.
For some unknown reason, the course played difficult with no outstanding scores apart from one man, Ed Delaney, the leader in the clubhouse, scoring a fantastic 36 points, reaping the benefits of his recent lessons and wearing his affable broad grin for most of the evening. Well played Ed!
Other notable scores came from John Helm (35pts, 2nd Div D), Tom Byrne (34pts) winner of Div A and then a number of players all with 32pts; Lawrence Immethun (2nd Div A), Rosco (3rd Div A), Maurice Copan (1st Div B), Ian Button (2nd Div B) and John Cogan, the Div C winner.
The 46 players were a truly international field with a special welcome to the Broome boys, over from Aus., also the many Costa Rica boys and the strong Irish contingent. Welcome also to all the first timers on the tour and to the many accompanying ladies who were doing their own sight-seeing tours in Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai.
Div A (0–14)
1st Tom Byrne (13) 34pts
2nd Lawrence Immethun (7) 32pts
3rd Rosco Langoulant (12) 32pts
Div B (15-18)
1st Maurice Copan (16) 32pts
2nd Ian Button (17) 32pts
3rd Michael Padilla (18) 30pts
Div C (19-21)
1st John Cogan (20) 32pts
2nd Kathy Doody (19) 31pts
3rd Bruce McAdam (21) 29pts
Div D (22+)
1st Eddie Delaney (36) 36pts
2nd John Helm (23) 35pts
3rd Keith Allen (22) 28pts
Tuesday, Oct. 13, Maejo - Stableford
The Outbackers had to feel happy that they had escaped the recent heavy downpours and flooding in Pattaya, but woke up here for the second day of the Challenge, to be greeted with another murky looking sky, with a hint of rain, suggesting that today they might not be so lucky.
The bus and two minibuses left the hotel on time at 8.30 a.m. on their way to the Maejo course about 30 minutes away. An organised two-tee start this time made for a short wait at worst, with all the groups away well before 10.30.
There were a couple of no shows, Norm Martin who broke his toe in a freak accident with a golf cart and a rock yesterday; and George Smith who was feeling a bit crook. A couple more casualties on the way round were Keith Allen, who suffered probably from sunstroke from the day before, and General Jack, who continued to hit the ball miserably! The weather just continued to improve giving way to sunshine throughout, albeit the lack of wind did make it feel somewhat humid.
The course was in absolutely great condition giving way to some good scoring from Pat Regan (38pts) winner of Div A; Mam Morel (39pts) winner of Div B; her other half, Jean Morel (35pts) winner of Div C and Joachim (36pts) winner of Div D.
There were of course the usual, “It should have been more” stories.
A can of Singha beer saved John Stafford’s caddie from possible injury as in a one in a million shot struck by Ray Dell, his ball ricocheted off a tree slamming smack into the centre of the can, which virtually exploded in her hand. Apart from being shocked, she was fine leaving John to pick up the remnants of his beer in the severely battered can.
There were five more ‘2’s today from Mam Morel, Henry O’Brien, Mike O’Brien & Kathy Doody had two; bringing the total to eight, for the two days.
Div A (0-14)
1st Patrick Regan (10) 38pts
2nd Lawrence Immethun (7) 36pts
3rd Sheppard Charles (14) 36pts
4th Tom Byrne (13) 35pts
Div B (15-18)
1st Mam Morel (16) 39pts
2nd Henry O’Brien (17) 35pts
3rd Ian Button (17) 34pts
4th Maurice Copan (16) 33pts
Div C (19-21)
1st Jean Morel (20) 35pts
2nd Sugar Handford Ray (19) 34pts
3rd Kathy Doody (19) 32pts
4th Suzi Lawton (21) 31pts
Div D (22+)
1st Joachim Oestreicher (23) 36pts
2nd John Stafford (22) 31pts
3rd Davies David (23) 30pts
4th Jeff Clarkson (27) 29pts
Wednesday, Oct. 14, Alpine Golf Resort - Stableford
Today was officially a rest day from the main tournament, nevertheless 21 Outbackers still summoned up enough energy to go out and play Chiang Mai’s stunning Alpine Golf Resort. Immaculately presented including the beautifully turned out caddies and a strictly controlled first tee start similar to the Old Course at Siam, this is a course not to be missed. So enjoyable it turned out to be, it looks like getting the vote to be included in the 4th Chiang Mai Challenge (14 - 18 March), in place of Royal Chiang Mai.
Capt’ Bob pinched the win in Div A from Pat Regan and John Lawton, purely by virtue of his better back nine, all three scoring a very creditable 35 points. He (Bob) wasn’t so lucky in his “Ashes match” with his partner Rosco; losing to John Lawton & Barry Chadbourn, despite John looking very much the worse for wear earlier that morning.
The weather just about behaved itself, with a couple of short sharps hitting the players late in the round, but not enough to disrupt the play.
Kathy Doody continued her good form with another solid round to score 36 points, winning Div B from Chad (35pts), Eddie Beilby (34pts) and her other half Geoff with 32pts.
Four other guys played in their own match and did not take part in the swindle, however, Keith Allen may wish he had after his wonderful 37 points, the top score of the day.
Div A (0-17)
1st Bob Philp (7) 35pts
2nd Patrick Regan (10) 35pts
3rd John Lawton (17) 35pts
4th Ray Dell (11) 33pts
Div B (18+)
1st Kathy Doody (19) 36pts
2nd Barry Chadbourn (18) 35pts
3rd Eddy Beilby (18) 34pts
4th Geoff Doody (21) 32pts
Thursday, Oct. 15, Chiang Mai Highlands - Stableford
There was speculation the night before over who would be the overall winner, the last group all within one shot and the second to last group only being up to four further back. Chiang Mai Highlands is a fantastic course to hold the last day of a tournament, bearing similarity to Siam Plantation with elevated greens and run off areas that ferry the errant shot away from the green, leaving a nasty little chip back. So there were at least eight players with a realistic chance of winning as here (CM Highlands) it is easy to drop shots.
Once again there was no rain, although the now familiar misty start did concern a few on the way to the course, nestled in the foothills, about 45 minutes outside Chiang Mai. Starting twenty minutes ahead of schedule, the groups were quickly and efficiently away off the first tee, and with the exception of the Sugarman, who got himself into a tad of trouble, everybody was well away.
Norm Martin, who was unable to play, reported back the updated leader board after the front nine, where both Mam Morel and Ian Button were going well, as was one of the leaders, Lawrie Immethun. It wasn’t long before the groups came streaming in and Keith Allen, out early, notched up the best score of the day, 40 points, to comfortably win Div D.
Div C belonged to the Doodys, Kathy (36pts) and Geoff (34pts), and Div B went to the Broome gang leader, Ian Button, with a very fine 39 points.
It looked as though Ian had done enough to win overall (Norm had his fingers crossed) but when Lawrie matched his 39 points to win Div A, it was also clear that he had won the overall, scoring a total of 107 points. Mam fell away on the back nine to finish equal third for the three days on 102, sharing that place with two Irishmen, Pat Regan and Tom Bryne.
There were another seven ‘2’s from Bill Hornick, Pat Regan, Mike Padilla, Tom Fitzpatrick, Mam Morel, Eddie Beilby & Geoff Doody; bringing the total to 15 for the three days.
The presentation was held in the Chiang Mai Highlands Clubhouse where Jack proclaimed the success of the trip as the biggest and best yet, and announced that bookings were already being taken for the fourth visit to Chiang Mai next March, from 14th to 18th.
Note: Thanks go out from the Outback Golf Bar to the excellent service provided by Bangkok Airways, the hotel staff at the Porn Ping Hotel, the co-operation of all the staff at all four golf courses and finally to our ground transfer lady, Tai, whose father had regrettably just died causing her understandably some considerable stress, but without whom, the tour would not have run so smoothly.
Div A (0-14)
1st Lawrence Immethun (7) 39pts
2nd Hornick Bill (11) 38pts
3rd Tom Byrne (13) 33pts
4th Bob Philp (7) 33pts
Div B (15-18)
1st Ian Button (17) 39pts
2nd Mike O’Brien (17) 35pts
3rd Mam Morel (16) 34pts
4th James Bryan (15) 32pts
Div C (19-21)
1st Kathy Doody (19) 36pts
2nd Geoff Doody (21) 34pts
3rd Suzi Lawton (21) 34pts
4th Sugar Handford Ray (19) 33pts
Div D (22+)
1st Keith Allen (22) 40pts
2nd Geoff Treloar (24) 37
3rd John Stafford (22) 36
4th Jum Karagit (22) 34
Overall Results
1st Lawrence Immethun 107pts
2nd Ian Button 105pts
3rd Mam Morel 102pts
3rd Tom Byrne 102pts
3rd Patrick Regan 102pts
6th Bill Hornick 99pts
6th Kathy Doody 99pts
8th Eddie Delaney 97pts
9th Maurice Copan 95pts
10th John Stafford 94pts

PS Plus Bowl lanes prove too tough for most

Pattaya Sports Club Bowling League

As happens quite often on the many bowling alleys in Pattaya, the oil on the lanes can give the bowlers a lot of trouble. This is what happened this week as only one bowler managed to bowl over 200.

Ooy Pluemkamon was the only bowler to bowl 200 points last week.

Bavaria managed to hold on to first place after losing for the first time in this league: Graham bowled a 535 series to lead VFW Post 9876 to a three point win over Bavaria. Sabai Sabai Friday remain in second place after they split their match with USMC with each team getting two points.
Brother D moved out of the cellar after winning four points from Canada while Mai Munsitha bowled a 528 series to lead Jack Tar to a four point win over Green Tree. Jack Tar are now tied for third.
Café Ole tied with Jack Tar on points after they split their series with Indiana 2-2. Ooy Pluemkamon, Café Ole, bowled the only game over 200 and ended with a 532 series. Dang Downs carried Indiana with a 546 pin count.

Results & Standings Oct. 23 (week 3) Pos.  Team                                  Score      Standings 1        Bavaria                                1 - 3             9 - 3 2        Sabai Sabai Friday               2 - 2             8 - 4 3        Café Ole                              2 - 2             7 - 5 4        Jack Tar                              4 - 0             7 - 5 5        Green Tree                          0 - 4             6 - 6 6        Canada                               0 - 4             6 - 6 7        VFW Post 9876                   3 - 1             5 - 7 8        U.S. Marines (USMC)           2 - 2             5 - 7 9        Brother D                             4 - 0             4 - 8 10      Indiana                                2 - 2              3 - 9

San Miguel Thursday Darts League

Results & Standings Oct. 22 (week 1)

Roxy Hotel hold up the champions’ trophy at the presentation party held Oct 15, after winning the last season of the Thursday Darts League.

Pos.      Team                          Played  Won     Lost        Pts. 1           Fishing Gallery             1             1            0           2 2           Londoner                     1              1            0           2 3           Roxy Hotel                  1              1            0           2 4           Klaffen Bar                   1             1            0           2 5           Crazy Eddies               1             1            0            2 6           Jantha C.H                  1              1            0            2 7           Harry & Lloyds             1             1            0            2 8           Blue Mountain              1             0            1            0 9           O’Leary’s Sports Bar    1              0            1            0 10         Papa’s Place                1             0            1            0 11         Nervous Wreck             1             0            1            0 12         Danny’s Lounge            1             0            1            0 13         Rising Sun                   1              0            1            0 14         Soho Bar                     1              0            1            0 Results:  Crazy Eddies 7 v 6 Blue Mountain, Danny’s Lounge 5 v 8 Roxy Hotel, Fishing gallery 8 v 4 Rising Sun, Harry & Lloyds 5 v 4 Papa’s Place, Jantha C.H 7 v 6 O’Leary’s Sports Bar, Klaffen Bar 6 v 4 Nervous Wreck, Londoner 7 v 3 Soho Bar Men Highest Out: Joe, Londoner (110) Women Highest Out: Fon, Londoner (91)

San Miguel Wednesday Darts League

League winners Danny’s Lounge pose with the winner’s trophies after finishing top of the most recently completed season of the Wednesday Darts League.

Congratulations to Danny’s Lounge after winning the most recent Wednesday Dart’s League with 118 points. Mee Chew Sports Bar and Fishing Gallery (A) finished joint runners-up with 108 points each. The most team tons scored in the season was by Fishing Gallery (A) with 360 and Paramin from Danny’s Lounge had the most individual wins with 17. The highest check out in the season was 160, recorded by Em from Fishing Gallery (B)