Brown & Rifkin top 40 points at Plutaluang

PSC golf from the Caf้ Kronborg

Flight winners Stu Rifkin, Andre Van Dyk and Rob Brown
with The Admiral at Plutaluang.

Peter Blackburn
Monday, Dec. 28, Plutaluang, S & E – Stableford
Once again we were very close to a full field as 37 golfers assembled at Caf้ Kronborg in readiness for the journey to Plutaluang. It was great to see Frankie Sharratt back for his annual visit from Derby in the U.K.
After a 45 minute drive we arrived at the course at 0900 and it was soon apparent that there were plenty of other golfers there, but we were almost immediately directed to the first tee on the South course and after waiting for just one group to hit off our first group got away at 0925.
The course was in as good a shape as we have ever seen it although there was a degree of difference in speed on the greens. The weather was perfect for golf with practically no wind at all which at times made it rather humid, but with plenty of opportunities for drink stops it was a very enjoyable round which our first group completed in four hours and forty five minutes. This seemed longer than usual but when allowing for the sometimes long walk from green to tee and only one golfer in our group “carting”, the time was quite acceptable.
Our group did not play particularly well but when all scores were in it was apparent that some players had a “day out” while others struggled also.
With the large field we had three flights – A Flight for handicaps 0 to 15, B Flight for 16 to 22 and C Flight for 23 to 36. Once again we had nearest the pins on all par 3’s and longest putts on South 9 & East 9.
The winner of A Flight with an excellent score of 41 points was Rob Brown. Such was his dominance that Doug Maiko finished second, 9 points further back. Marcel Wittwer (returning from a short “rest”) was third one point further back and Mike (Hunter) Gosden beat yours truly on a count back for fourth place.
B Flight was well won by Aussie Stu Rifkin with fellow countryman Daryl Evans in second place. Third place was won by Peter Hammond on a count back from Mike Herridge.
Andre Van Dyk and Kevin Dinan were tied for first place in C Flight with Andre winning on a count back. J C Lhoste finished third with Ian Woo in fourth spot.
A Flight
1st Rob Brown (8) 41pts
2nd Doug Maiko (15) 32pts
3rd Marcel Wittwer (15) 31pts
4th Mike Gosden (9) 30pts
B Flight
1st Stu Rifkin (20) 40pts
2nd Daryl Evans (22) 37pts
3rd Peter Hammond (17) 35pt
4th Mike Herridge (22) 35pts
C Flight
1st Andre Van Dyk (24) 33pts
2nd Kevin Dinan (23) 33pt
3rd J C Lhoste (23) 32pts
4th Ian Woo (31) 30pt
Near Pins: South 4 – Doug Good, South 7 – Graham Buckingham, East 2 – Richard Kubicki, East 5 – Rob Brown
Long Putts: East 9 – Richard Kubicki, South 9 – J C Lhoste
Wednesday, December 30, Khao Kheow B & C - Stableford
A very good field of 29 golfers assembled at Caf้ Kronborg for our last competition for 2009. We welcomed Eddie Glinsek from Akron, Ohio, USA and Martin Davy from the UK. Also nice to see the return of Andrea Denti from Italy.
We departed Caf้ Kronborg at the usual time of 0815 and arrived at Khao Kheow 50 minutes later. Our tee time was not until 1000 so we had plenty of time to relax and although the course seemed to be quite busy our first group was able to tee off just 5 minutes later than scheduled.
The weather was at that stage perfect and there were no indications of what was to come four hours later. The course was in magnificent shape as usual and excellent value at 950 baht for green fee & caddy.
Unlike the five hour plus round the last time we played the course, we managed to “breeze” around in four hours and twenty five minutes which included three stops for drinks. However, the heavens opened as we were playing the last hole and the first few groups were luckily able to finish their rounds. The torrential rain continued for over an hour and unfortunately the last groups were unable to finish as the greens were flooded. This was unfortunate as it was decided to proceed with the place getting but such is the spirit and understanding of our Caf้ Kronborg players that everyone accepted the situation.
Such cannot be said however of the very rude person (not one of our players) who seemed determined to disrupt our presentation in the Khao Kheow restaurant. Upon being politely asked to give us a couple of minutes for speeches he insisted that he would not remain quiet as it was a restaurant and he would do what he liked. In twenty years of playing golf in Thailand I have never seen such rude behaviour and hopefully this “possible former British soccer hooligan” is not a PSC member or a resident of Pattaya.
We had 2 flights, A Flight for 0 to 17 and B Flight for handicaps 18 and over. Nearest the pins on the par threes and longest first putts on the last hole of each nine.
It was close at the top of A Flight with Paul Avery winning on a count back from Mike (Hunter) Gosden. Another count back for third & fourth places saw Brian Gabe shade out Rob Brown.
The Admiral himself struck some good form by easily winning B Flight with Kenny Chung in second place. Volker Buley finished third with John Marritt beating Kris Helgason on a count back for fourth spot.
A Flight
1st Paul Avery (11) 38pts
2nd Mike Gosden (9) 38pts
3rd Brian Gabe (15) 32pts
4th Rob Brown (7) 32pts
B Flight
1st Dave Richardson (23) 36pts
2nd Kenny Chung (26) 32pts
3rd Volker Buley (31) 28pts
4th John Marritt (24) 27pts
Near Pins: B3 – Paul Avery, B8 – Don Richardson, C3 – Richard Kubicki, C8 – Kris Helgason
Long Putts: B9 – Kenny Chung, C9 – Brian Gabe

Parker prevails in showdown at Green Valley

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, Dec. 28, Eastern Star - Stableford
With the recent reduction in green fee price the Bunker Boy’s decided to make another visit to Eastern Star, a course we have played sparingly throughout the year due to poor course conditions and lack of value for money in comparison to other local courses. We found the place generally in good condition, although the greens still leave something to be desired.

December ‘Golfer of the Month’ Geoff Parker (right) with Tuk and the trophy.

The course was quiet and the groups played the round without any holdups. The cut was set at handicap 16 and Colin Greig beat Geoff Parker by a single point to win with Mashi coming in third a couple of points back.
Mike Corner scored the most points today, winning the B Flight with 37 points which is no mean feat at Eastern Star. Kenny Chung came second a point ahead of Dave Keats.
A Flight
1st Colin Greig (13) 35pts
2nd Geoff Parker (16) 34pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (9) 32pts
B Flight
1st Mike Corner (20) 37pts
2nd Kenny Chung (26) 34pts
3rd Dave Keats (25) 33pts
Near Pins: Eddy Graham, Jack Robertson and Lee Butler (2).
Wednesday, Dec. 30, Green Valley - Medal
With the ‘Golfer of the Month’ title still up for grabs, the 4 players in contention were grouped together for the final game of the year. Geoff Parker got off to a flying start with a birdie on the 1st and everything was tight up to the 4th and 5th holes where Mike Corner suffered a pair of disasters which effectively put him out of contention at this early stage.
By the turn only a couple of shots separated the 3 leading protagonists up to the par 5, 14th hole where Colin Greig proceeded to put 2 tee shots into the hazard and walked off with an 8 on what was on the day one of the easiest holes on the course.
Geoff was beginning to pull a few shots clear, but Gerry Cooney was still in contention until disaster struck on the par 3, 16th hole. Playing his 2nd shot from the greenside bunker, the ball flew the green and raced up the cart path out of sight of the green. With no reasonable place to drop either side of the path Gerry decided to pay a “crazy golf” shot, putting the ball down the path with the reverse blade of the putter, hoping to bounce the ball off the wall and round towards the green. However, the golf gods were not shining on Gerry today and the ball bounced over the wall and into the cactus garden. Gerry eventually walked off the green with a 6 and left the door open wide for Geoff Parker to finish the last 2 holes with bogies and complete the round with a 3 under total of 69 net and win the last ‘Golfer of the Month’ trophy in 2009.
Meanwhile in the B Flight, Lee Butler beat Tom Jones on a count back and PJ claimed third place.
A Flight
1st Geoff Parker (16) net 68
2nd Dougie Crowe (8) net 73
3rd Eddy Graham (7) net 75
B Flight
1st Lee Butler (16) net 74
2nd Tom Jones (24) net 74
3rd PJ Redmond (18) net 77
Near Pins: Dougie Crowe, Ronnie Hall, John Robertson and Gerry Cooney.
Friday, Jan. 1, Rayong C.C. - Stableford
A small group of dedicated golfers, ‘teetotallers’, and party poopers set out after the New Year festivities to start the new decade off in the best possible way.
This ever improving course was surprisingly quiet and an extremely pleasant day was had by all, especially if your name was Geoff! Geoff Parker won the money in the stableford competition and Geoff Hart won the 2’s competition which we had in place of the ‘near pins’ for a change.
1st Geoff Parker (15) 36pts
2nd Geoff Hart (18) 35pts
3rd Tony Berry (10) 33pts

Palmer and Seward beat off their rivals

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, Dec. 28, Pattana – Stableford
There were only two games this week due to New Year’s Day falling on a Friday and the ever-popular Pattana was supported by eight four-balls on Monday. It was a glorious day as we arrived, as to be expected at this time of the year, and with the A and B nines booked in that order this promised to be a good day out.
The first group arrived at the 1st tee on the back nine as the clouds bubbled up in the distance and by the time the fourth group arrived it was very dark and dismal with a few spots of rain. The fifth group tee’d off and the gentle breeze which we had earlier was now gale force, and then the skies opened, the next three four-balls were waiting in the clubhouse for 50 minutes before the rain subsided, another ten minutes and the competition would have been called off.
Willy Van Heetvelde for the first time beat his handicap and won Division 2 with 37 points, pipping Tony Duthie on a back nine count back of 19/16, while Terry Redding finished third with 33. Well done Willy.
John McLoone took out Division 1 with 36 points, Bill Hewitt came second five points behind and Howard Stanley garnered third place with 28 points for which there was some humorous barracking at the presentation.
Miss Nang won the Ladies division with 34 points, with Noi Emmerson coming in second place with 30 points. Miss Nang also recorded the only ‘2’ of the day on the B course 7th to win the ladies pot.
Near Pins went to (Div. 1) Jim Connelly (2), Fred Duffy and Billy Hewitt; (Div. 2) Harry Cowling, Tony Duthie and Les Winch, and (Ladies) Miss Nang and Miss Nom.
Wednesday, Dec. 30, Eastern Star –Pairs Multiplier
The last Wednesday of the month and 54 players turned up for our 4-divisional fun game with 26 teams in a pairs multiplier contest as well as an individual stableford comp.
For the team event a pair required one person from Division 1 (1-18 handicap) and the other with a 19 + handicap. The last time we played this format a score of 87 points was the winning score, but as the cards were being returned to the clubhouse this time around, it was found the highest score for the first 18 teams was 64 points; Mam and Nang were rubbing their hands. In the end they finished fourth, beating Ya Riley and Glyn Evans by four points.
Jouni Metsanen and Jouni Schmidt came in third place with 66 points while last time winner Tony Duthie and his new partner for today, Geoff Stubbs, took second place with 71. The winners today with a fine 76 points were Richard Palmer and Peter Seward.
In the three individual stableford competitions, Jouni Schmidt won Division 1 with 39 points, beating Geoff Stubbs on a 21/17 back nine count back. John Smith took third with 35.
Richard Palmer topped Division 2 with 37 points and Russell Benson edged William Chang for second place on a 20/18 count back after they both scored 35 points.
Playing to his handicap today, Willy Van Heetvelde scored 36 points to win the third division, Jimmy Johnson returned a score of 34 for second place and the organiser finished third with a count back of 17/15, beating Jouni M.
In the ladies division Nar Hector won with 36 points, ahead of Miss Nang in second place with 33 points and Noi Emmerson third on a 20/17 count back over Miss Faa, both finishing with 32 points (there were no smiles behind the bar later.)
Geoff Stubbs birdied the 6th and 17th to take the Division 1 prize in the ‘2’s competition while Jean Morel was the only winner in Division 2. The other two divisions both drew a blank.
Near Pins went to (Div. 1) Michael Dige, Bill Hewitt, John Smith and Geoff Stubbs; (Div. 2) Russell Benson, Jim Connelly, Richard Palmer and Kevin Tobin; (Div. 3) Gordon Everingham and Jim Lane (2), and (Ladies) Nom Foster and Nar Hector.
Prizes for nearest the pin in 3 shots on the 8th hole were collected by Michael Dige, Tony Duthie, Barry Rawlinson and Nar Hector; the longest drives on the 9th hole were recorded by Peter Seward, Richard Palmer, Jim Lane and Nar Hector, and the straightest drives on the 16th hole after 150yds were won by Michael Dige, Tony Duthie and Miss Faa.
A free sandwich buffet was provided for everyone back at Siam Cats afterwards courtesy of the rollover kitty as well as all the extra prizes given out on the day.

Griffith puts on a master class at the Valley

IPGC Sunday Golf at Green Valley

Sunday, Dec. 20 - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Des Griffiths 43pts
2nd Ted Lodge 39pts
3rd Bob Patterson 38pts
Div. 2
1st Michael Healey 40pts
2nd Chris Forsberg 40pts
3rd Vance Rosling 39pts
A good prelude to Christmas week saw a healthy turn out to this Sunday event. Warning had been received that Brian Wilkinson had returned to Thailand, and sure enough he appeared at his home course, full of good cheer and enthusiasm. Brian was accompanied by his son Tim, a fine 6 handicap player, who is trying hard to keep Dad on the straight and narrow.
We were treated to another great display of golf from Des Griffith today in Division 1: Des shot a stunning gross 69 to enhance his reputation yet further. Ted Lodge and Bob Patterson produced very credible efforts to fill the minor places.
In Division 2, Michael Healey and Chris Forsberg went head to head off their 14 handicaps with Michael taking the spoils on count back. Vance Rosling took third place with a sound 39 points.
There were three ‘2’s today with Charles Shepherd, Tim Wilkinson, and John McHugh sharing the honours.
Sunday, Dec. 27 - Stableford
Div. 1
1st Tom Byrne 40pts
2nd Charles Shepherd 40pts
3rd Tim Wilkinson 38pts
4th Steve Mulberry 37pts
Div. 2
1st Chris Knapp 36pts
2nd Andy Galin 36pts
3rd Richie Martin 34pts
4th Shane Heavey 32pts
A very strong turnout took to the course today which was in great condition with the greens fast and true. The 1st Division witnessed an epic battle between regular stalwarts Tom Byrne and Charles Shepherd. Tom took first place on count back from his old sparring partner. Tim Wilkinson put in a good round to score 38 points off his 6 handicap, which included a gross 35 over the inward half, putting his old man in the shade.
In Division 2, Chris Knapp beat Andy Galin on count back: Chris had to attribute his success to a dodgy eagle on the 6th hole.
We were honored today with Colin Montgomery taking the field. Not the great Scottish golfer, but a charming young man from Malone Golf Club, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Colin is not far removed from his famous namesake as he plays off a handicap of 1.
There was a plentiful supply of ‘2’s today with Jeff Calrow, Fred O’Connor, Joe McArdle, Tim Wilkinson, Michael Healey (2), Chris Knapp, and Brian Kelly on the podium.
The presentations were held at the Golf Centre Bar, Green Valley with amiable hosts John and Geoff taking excellent care of the many golfers.
Note: For further details on Sunday IPGC Golf at Green Valley, phone Russell Exley 084 782 4582.

Morel booster at Rayong

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

On the final Sunday of the year the Pattaya Golf Society visited Rayong C.C. to play a stableford competition on a course that had hosted the final day of a national tournament the day before. What a disappointment it was. The greens were bobbly and slow, the course was full, despite the staff claiming it was closed for the morning, and the yardage markers, upon which many golfers rely, were all missing. High season golf in the kingdom is still difficult to comprehend. However, the large field made a fist of it and the two flights were divided at fourteen and under.
In a very competitive top flight Chris Voller, Kasuo Takimoto and Paul McNally all scored 36 points to share the win and for Paul it was another best gross day as he completed the course in 76 shots, having been three under to the card after ten holes. The amiable Englishman seems to have lost the killer instinct - get nasty marra!
In the second flight the Boss himself, Rabbi, turned in an excellent performance to take third place with 32 points, two behind Jack Robertson’s second placed 34. It was good news for Jack as he continues to recover from serious hip surgery in the summer. The flight winner was Jean Morel, again successful on his favourite course, and his round of 38 points was the sole sub-par performance on the day.
The top flight ‘2’s pot was shared by Chris Voller, Tony Thorne and Steven Evans whilst Tore Eliassen pocketed the second flight bonus on his own.
The Booby Bevy went to Mr Len after a day of toil on the slow greens and the lack of accurate yardage information certainly affected his course management skills as he went from hero to zero after a fine day at Green Valley only two days previously.
On reflection the day’s events at Rayong C.C. may have been frustrating but to be on a golf course with friends during a high holiday was justification enough for a good day out.
Tough final act
The Pattaya Golf Society played its 153rd and final competition round of the year at Pattana Golf Club on Tuesday, December 29, and found the A and B nines off the white tees a real challenge as the splendid course irrigation system had softened up the fairways, giving very little run. The day remained humid and occasionally overcast and the hard toil brought little reward except for a handful of steady golfers.
The field was divided as usual into two flights with the cut at seventeen and under and in the top flight the returning duo of Ray Banks and Yutaka Nakayama shared second place with 33 points each. The flight winner was Thai golfer Wichai Tananusorn and his level par round of 36 points showed what application and course management skills were required to produce a good result.
In the second flight new member Taichi Ito made an immediate impression with a third place on 34 points whilst the only two sub-par rounds of the day had the honour of sharing the win. Both Chris Walsh and Bobby Shirkey played the course as it was and not as they perceived it to be and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The only birdie ‘2’ of the day was recorded by Rod Stevens on B3 and he enjoyed the pot for his debut ‘2’.
Chris Voller’s “bad hair day” was compounded with the award of the Booby Bevy after a bad start got worse with a broken driver and a later altercation with a motor-cycle taxi driver who objected to his parking in Soi Buakhao.
It was an anticlimax to an otherwise excellent year with the PGS and the group wishes to put on record its thanks to all golfers who have helped and supported the group through the sometimes fretful events, and in particular the dedication of Mr Len, Chris Voller, Tony Thorne and “Rabbi” and his staff at the Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao.
The 10th PGS Annual Team Challenge
Pattaya’s golfers are reminded that the 10th PGS Annual Team Challenge goes ahead at Greenwood golf course on Tuesday, January 12. The start time is 9 a.m. from the 1st and 10th tees and the format is teams of 4, best 3 individual stableford scores to count and full handicaps apply.
The cost to enter is 1,500 baht per player and includes Green Fee & Caddy Fee, prizes and free presentation buffet at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar, Soi Buakhao.
Sign up forms are available from Rabbi’s Elephant Bar, the Haven, Jomtien Golf (Siam Cats, Soi 5). Entries, in teams of four players, to be returned to Len Jones or Rabbi at the Elephant Bar on Soi Buakhao by 6 p.m., Sunday, 10th January, 2010. Entry Fees must be paid with entry form.

Milner top scores in caddies’ day comp

PSC Golf from The Outback Golf Bar

The Burapha caddies returned to the Outback Golf Bar with their regulars.

Joey’s column
Monday, Dec. 28, Burapha - Stableford
It was a day with a difference at the Outback Golf Bar’s home course; the idea of Bob Lindborg, that the Outbackers invite their regular caddies back to the Outback. After more than two years playing at Burapha every Monday, he (Bob Lindborg) thought it was time that the caddies saw where the Outback was based and organised a competition, where each caddie was represented by their respective player, to include prizes (for caddies only) and near pins. 14 took part and later came back to the Outback to enjoy a few drinks, good Thai music (courtesy of Pete Stonebridge) and some spicy Thai food. It was a resounding success and is probably the start of an annual event and maybe next year, other regular caddies from other courses will be invited as well.
There were some 50 Outbackers playing in the usual Monday tournament, once again from the whites on C & D; with the top score of the day of 40 points, attained by Bruce Milner to win Div B, closely followed by Paul Young with 39. Div A had two players both with 36 points, Steve Budrys edging out Chris Davisson to win on count back. Pete Stonebridge took Div C with a fine 38 points, a long way ahead of the second placed Frank O’Neill with 32 and last but not least, Peter Gibson headed Div D with 36 points, beating Johnny Spiller by one.
The caddies’ competition was won by Bruce Milner, followed by Pete Stonebridge with Johnny Spiller and Paul Quinn in joint third place. The caddies’ near pins were won Ae (Bruce Milner’s), Koy (Ian Heddle’s), Mod (Paul Quinn’s) and Lah (Sakorn’s).
There were seven ‘2’s from Paul Greenaway, Ian Heddle, Paul Young, Murray Hart, Pottsy & Rosco had 2.
Div A (0-13)
1st Steven Budrys (11) 36pts
2nd Chris Davisson (11) 36pts
3rd Mark Hurwood (3) 35pts
Div B (12-14)
1st Bruce Milner (14) 40pts
2nd Paul Young (12) 39pts
3rd Joe Mooneyham (14) 36pts
Div C (15-18)
1st Peter Stonebridge (17) 38pts
2nd Frank O’Neill (15) 32pts
3rd Paul Quinn (17) 30pts
Div D (19+)
1st Peter Gibson (26) 36pts
2nd John Spiller (23) 35pts
3rd Stefan Hoge (19) 34pts
Tuesday, Dec. 29, Pattaya C.C. - Stableford
Today was the Outback’s Christmas ‘Fun Day’ at Pattaya Country Club where 32 Outbacker’s took part. We welcomed Wendy and Doug Hollingworth who had just arrived from snow covered Scotland, and Tom Sainsbury (a Kiwi) on his first visit to Pattaya.
First was to understand the rules that General Jack came up with: 1. Rainbow, 6 off each tee (red, white & blue) with the ladies playing 9 and 9 (red and white); 2. Stableford; 3. One ‘Joker’ hole on each 9 for double points! 4. One ‘net par’ (it is Christmas!) hole to be nominated on the tee. Clear so far? Oh it is pairs – drawn pairs! And a multiplier as well!
The drawn pairs bought together two of our Super Seniors – Arthur Bailey and John Spiller with a total of 160 years! – and they did well. It must be the Phyllosan.
Even with a copy of the rules given to each group some still got it wrong. It being a Tuesday, Chad was the organiser for the day and following a hearty breakfast at the Outback it was off for the usual warm welcome from our friends at Pattaya Club.
It was anybody’s guess what score would win this event but with a prize for the highest score on any one hole it was clear that many pairings would be playing their Jokers on the same hole. Well four teams achieved the amazing score of 36 points on one hole: Les Phillips & Henry O’Brien, Suzi Lawton & Kathy Doody, Bob Philp & Geoff Moodie and Fred Theobald & Jim Wooler.
Capt’ Bob and Geoff Moodie were for a long time the leaders in the clubhouse on a total of 102 points and it seemed as though it was going to be enough; but right at the end in came John Cogan & Doug Hollingworth with an unbeatable total of 128 points and Bob Pearce & Tom Sainsbury snatched second place with 107 points. Fourth place went to ‘the oldest pairing’ of Arthur & John with 93 points.
Wednesday, Dec. 30, Rayong C.C. - Stableford
So this is the way to treat your customers; 40 Outbackers, just some of the many who have come from the Pattaya venues that have supported you (Rayong Country Club) throughout the low season. Whilst your course was recovering and your greens were undergoing a long healing process, many (golfers) put up with the heavily sanded and lumpy greens and continued their support.
But, what did you do? No sooner had the course got up to speed (and congratulations on getting appointed as one of the Asian Tour qualifying venues), you advise the Outback that you’re switching to a two-tee start (just like Green Valley) – no tee-times between 7.30 and 11.30 a.m. for the next 6 weeks or so, no doubt to accommodate the influx of Koreans! However, you did call the Outback on Saturday and after some discussion, assured us that our tee-time today would be honoured. Well, hardly! Not a golf cart to be had unless it had been booked previously – thoroughly ruining the intended competition.
Frantically ringing around to switch to another course, the only one that could accommodate a large group was Treasure Hill, some 35 to 40 minute drive from Rayong C.C. Some 13 Outbackers chose to remain, playing in a slow round that was won by Bobby Driggs with 37 points from Steve Mann (36pts) and David Day (35pts). The final podium place was filled by Charlie Sheppard with 34 points, who headed a three way count back.
There was just one ‘2’, bagged by Bobby Driggs.
1st Bobby Driggs (10) 37pts
2nd Steve Mann (11) 36pts
3rd David Day (15) 35pts
4th Sheppard Charles (15) 34pts
Wednesday, Dec. 30, Treasure Hill - Stableford
So a big thanks is due to Treasure Hill for coming to the Outback’s rescue at the eleventh hour by accommodating the 23 Outbackers who switched from Rayong to here. The course was still busy, with Angkana House and the Sportsman ahead, but the first Outback group were away around 11 a.m., completing the 18 holes in a little over four and a half hours; a little slow – but acceptable for most in the circumstances.
The course was in fair condition although the greens varied tremendously, some with sand, some with grass and some like putting on corrugated paper. Elsewhere it was a little scruffy round the edges but it remains a good test of golf, even from the forward yellow tees.
Carl Luke, today the injured golfer after a minor motorbike accident a couple of days ago, fired an excellent 37 points, the day’s top score, to win Div A by four from the consistent and frequent visitor, Mark Hurwood with 33. Whereas Div B was a three way count back between Suzi Lawton, Graham Tebb and Johnny Spiller, all on 32 points and finishing in that order, Johnny having blown it on the back after a battling 18 points on the front, including a chip in par on the first hole!
There were five ‘2’s from Rosco, Harvey Samuel, Tony McDonough, Tom Sainsbury & Mike Brown.
Div A (0-16)
1st Carl Luke (16) 37pts
2nd Mark Hurwood (3) 33pts
3rd Bob Philp (8) 30pts
Div B (17+)
1st Suzi Lawton (19) 32pts
2nd Graham Tebb (17) 32pts
3rd John Spiller (23) 32pts
Friday, Jan. 1, Khao Kheow - Stableford
Twenty-three Outbackers shook off the aftermath of the New Year’s Day celebrations to tackle the A & B loops of this excellent course. Surprisingly there were relatively few golfers around, making for a good pace of play in superb playing conditions. The tee boxes were a little forward but it does seems as though the Outbackers are getting to know the holes a little better, with generally higher scoring than in previous visits.
Nick Hurn, who has not been seen for a while, celebrated his return to the Outback with the day’s top score of 38 points, winning Div A from the in form Bruce Milner with 37 points. Bruce won at Burapha last Monday with 40 points, and by so doing it gave him the December ladder victory, and with today’s score he has kicked off the January ladder with another two valuable points.
Div B was decided on count back with three players all on 35 points and Bob Lindborg getting the nod over John Cogan & John O’Keefe.
There were four ‘2’s from Ian Heddle, John O’Keefe, Nick Hurn & John Exall.
Note: Next week here (Jan. 8) is sponsored by Peter Gibson, a long time Outbacker, who has decided to return to Spain to live. The first tee is at 9.20 - the field limited to ten groups.
Div A (0-14)
1st Nick Hurn (14) 38pts
2nd Bruce Milner (14) 37pts
3rd Tom Clark (13) 37pts
Div B (15+)
1st Bob Lindborg (16) 35pts
2nd John Cogan (22) 35pts
3rd John O’Keefe (16) 35pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down. Also check the website at www.outbackgolfbar.com.

It’s a family affair

PSC golf from The Golf Club

Robert Newell
Monday, Dec. 28, Green Valley - Monthly Medal
1st Brian Wilkinson (16) net 69
2nd Tim Wilkinson (5) net 70
3rd Ernie McInerny (12) net 71
What a difference a couple of days make. Same course, same conditions, more or less the same players but put monthly medal in front of the competition format and everyone folded like a pack of cheap playing cards. Okay it was slow today but that shouldn’t have made that much difference, it was, frankly, pretty dreadful golf, and yet once again over half the field were single figure golfers!
The winning score today normally wouldn’t have had a hope in hell of being enough for anything other than maybe squeezing into the places. Add to this the winner only had something like 10 putts, I think, on the front and a handicap that raised a few eyebrows (but a correct one, as later checked out) and you can see how badly the rest played.
Back in the fold today were Loz ‘Mr. Happy’ Shaw and Geordie Jack, the England captain for the up-coming Ryder Cup matches in January. Both posted a couple of scintillating non-return rounds. For those guys going on the trip in January there’s no need to worry. We have purchased the headsets and acquired the services of a couple of UN translators in readiness for Jack’s speech.
Mediocrity was the order of the day then, believe it or not there were six 77’s. Sonny Crawford, after his fine 42 points on Xmas Day, came back down with a bump and joined the illustrious ranks of the NR’s. Of the rest only Jeff Calrow threatened to put something decent together but unfortunately he was scuppered right from the off. Fancy entrusting your clubs to Wilko? Jeff you ought to know better mate!
Ernie McInerny grabbed third spot with his net 71, leaving the father and son combo in the top two slots. Here it’s a little bit like when the son tries to follow in his famous father’s footsteps: Ian Botham’s boy tried to play cricket for a while; Alex Ferguson’s son tried football (sorry, soccer) and Jack Nicklaus’s offspring played golf. They never managed to do it, except the twist in the tail here is that in our competition it’s the son who has the talent! On this occasion, though, the old man came out on top with his 69, no pun intended.
Wednesday, Dec. 30, The Emerald - Stableford
1st Diego Wells (8) 39pts
2nd Anthony Morris (23) 37pts
3rd Courtney Bailey (8) 36pts
We seemed to have been in that limbo period today, caught between our Xmas celebrations just gone and the build up to the New Years partying. At least that’s what it looked like on the golf course.
A lot of sombre people were out there talking about what parts of their bodies are broken, or just worn out, but, valiantly, preparing to launch themselves into the fray one more time. In the meantime though, the golf seemed to be little more than an aside between booze-ups!
A few guys got great starts again, only to flatter to deceive. Myself, only 3 over after 14, proceeded to play the last 4 like a man with no arms (if only golf courses were 14 or 15 holes long). Simon Philbrook, nursing an ankle injury, was the epitome of the saying ‘beware the injured golfer’ - he had 15 points after 6 holes but then 3 blobs which put paid to his chances.
New boy Steve Wentford and Tom Breslin both had tidy 19 points on the front but, disappointingly for them, could only get 16 each coming back. So, respectable 35’s but outside the money. Marcus Inuzuka had one of the better inward nines with 19 points but the damage had already been done for him on the front and his 34 was no good either.
That leaves only the top boys. Courtney Bailey shot a solid 36 for third spot. Courtney is a friend of the day’s winner and, as a schools sports director (again like our winner) he is a naturally good sportsman. A likeable man too, welcome anytime he makes his visits here.
In second and going one better was Anthony Morris, adding to his podium finish last week. But the outright winner in spite of a blob on the last, and with a terrific 39 points, was Diego Wells. Diego is surely the most casual 8 handicapper in town. While we all struggle with the technicalities, like grip, stance etc., Diego chucks a vodka red bull down his neck, tosses the ball on to the floor and whacks a 3 wood 280 yards!!
At the time of reading you will all, no doubt, still be recovering from the festivities but, here’s a belated Happy New Year from all at the Golf Club and good golfing for the coming 12 months.
Saturday, Jan. 2, Rayong C.C. - Stableford
1st Brad Sproxton (9) 38pts
2nd John McHugh (7) 37pts
3rd Gareth Gill (9) 35pts
It seems amazing to be writing about 2010 but here we are with our first game of the new year. We changed our timing a little (from our normal Friday to Saturday) on the assumption that there would be more than a few walking wounded on the 1st. That extra day’s recovery time helped enormously and, because we would now be into weekend rates, we decided to give this venue our first try.
For now, being relatively new back on the golfing scene, Rayong C.C. is very competitively priced and, consequently, well worth a visit. It is still a long way from the finished article but I think the management here deserve a little support whilst they try to establish the course after its recent troubles. Whether they show faith in that support later remains to be seen. I think you probably catch my drift.
With a lot of big areas on the tees roped off, for protection for the Asian Tour event, many of our tees were pushed well forward of normal, playing into the big hitters hands. Now don’t get me wrong, if a guy has the ability to hit it a long way then he deserves the rewards he gets but come on, who really thinks hitting 7’s and 8’s into par 5’s is how it should be. I’m a short hitter but I don’t care, shove the tees back where they should be and bring the hazards into play (as they should be) and if the guy takes them on and gets the better then fair enough. It’s called risk/reward, as the designer intended.
So there were birdies and eagles in abundance but not the scores you might have expected. Because, quite naturally, the main focus for the green staff at the moment is greens and fairways and there are still many barren areas away from this that will punish an errant shot.
A fellow scribe of mine, George Jackson, made a rare outing with us but, apparently, not a fruitful one. In with him was ‘the principal’ Lees, alternatively known as ‘sherpa’ Jez. He’s just back from the Himalayas after spending Xmas day at Everest base camp. His thumb looked a little bit iffy from the cold there so we told him to pop into Bangkok Pattaya. He was a little surprised to find there was no on-call frostbite specialist in Pattaya, very strange!
Making up their group was another recent returnee from the UK, Mark ‘why do I bother’ Bonner and the man who taught John Paramour all he knows about golf rules, Louis ‘the big fella’ Szigelletti (incidentally that’s worth 262 scrabble points).
Our 2 sporting stars Diego and Courtney were equal all the way, 8 handicaps, 35 points and 18’s on the back but not good enough for third. One of my earlier predictions for honours nicked it with a 20 on the back, the ‘GG’, Gareth Gill. Gareth was a little in danger of throwing a shoe on the front but he reined himself in and kicked on to finish strongly, only losing by a length (notice what I did there? Pretty good, eh?)
This leaves only our first and second place players; ‘boom boom’ McHugh and ‘the mountie’ Sproxton, who just happened to play in the same group. They matched each other shot for shot, like a couple of old boxers jostling for position and looking for an opening. Or like a pair of riverboat gamblers, ‘I’ll raise you 2 Singhas’ or ‘my Heineken for your Breezers’. John hesitated, Brad saw his chance and it was all over, 38 to 37. Points that is, not cans!

Bridge in Paradise : by Neil Robinson

This rather fun hand was reported by Andrew Robson. With North dealing and no one vulnerable, this was the bidding:  

North   East        South     West

3N        P              7C           All pass 

North opened a gambling 3N, showing a running seven card minor suit.  South knew the suit had to be clubs, because he held the aces of the other suits.  With stoppers in three suits and a void in clubs, you might expect South to bid a no trump slam.  But this would go down badly, because of South’s void.  North would be stuck in dummy and never able to get into hand, unless the opponents were kind enough to lead clubs.

With clubs as trumps, South could count twelve tricks: seven club tricks and the five outside kings and aces.  Hoping for a thirteenth trick somewhere, maybe a major suit queen, South therefore bid grand slam in his void suit.  The full deal is shown below:

                        S: 107

                        H: 63

                        D: 82

                        C: AKQJ1053            

S: Q84                                  S: J963

H: Q1074                             H: J8

D: KQ104                            D: J65

C: 82                                     C: 9764

                        S: AK52

                        H: AK952

                        D: A973

                        C: -                

West led the diamond king, taken in hand by the ace.  South was disappointed by dummy, because there was no obvious thirteenth trick.  The only chance was to set up a long heart in hand.  This would only work if hearts split no worse than 4-2, so that South’s fifth heart would be good.

Hoping for a good split, South led out the top two hearts and gave a sigh of relief when all followed.  The third heart was ruffed in dummy with the ten.  Now, finally, the lead was in dummy and declarer could pull trumps (breathing another sigh of relief when these also split 4-2).  A spade led to the king put South back in hand to ruff a fourth round of hearts.  Another spade led to the ace let South lead a fifth, now good, heart and throw away the losing diamond from board, leaving board with only a winning trump.  Grand slam in clubs made, in spite of declarer having a void in trumps!

If you have bridge questions, or to send me your interesting hands, please contact me at: [email protected].

Paul & Jimmy on the podium twice

PSC golf from Mulligans Lakeside

Tuesday, Dec. 29, Emerald - Stableford
Tuesday saw the group head down to Emerald Ban Chang, prepared to meet the challenge that was to be presented under clear skies, with a light, maybe 1 club breeze.

Emerald podium finishers, Jim Fortune and Keith Hodges.

We had 2 flights today, 0-18 & 19+, with new player Paul Jordaan (20) leading the way in the higher handicap flight with an outstanding 41 points, followed by Jim Fortune (27) with a creditable 36 points, while Keith Hodges (23) rounded out the placings with 34.
In the lower handicap flight it was Jeff Wylie (4) just edging Graham Hiskett (14) by the odd point, 35 to 34 to lead the way. Tony Weresay (17) took the third prize on a count back, 17 points on the back for a total of 28. Tony also secured 2 near pins on holes 5 & 15, while Alan Finlayson nabbed the other 2 on holes 7 & 13.
Thursday, Dec. 31, Rayong C.C. - Stableford
The last day of the year and Rayong C.C. was the test for the day. The course is hosting the 1st round of the Asian Tour qualifying school next week, so the course was in good order and it will provide a good test to the hopefuls, for sure.
It was certainly more than a match for the majority of our players, however Paul Jordaan (18) made it back to back wins with an admirable 37 points, followed home by Steve Wright (5) and Jim Fortune (27), both with 34, with Steve edging Jimmy on a count back 19 to 15.
The near pins were shared by Jeff, John Chapman and Paul Jefferies.
Note: Mulligans Lakeside plays golf generally on Tuesday & Thursday (we sometimes change to accommodate a Thai Holiday). Presentations are made at the course on Tuesday, with Mulligans Lakeside hosting the Thursday presentation. For more details on scheduling etc, please call Jeff 089 094 1841 or Ray 081 935 8088. Cheers & Good Golfing