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Hall battles the heat to take first at Burapha

Golf from the Blue Moose

Two foursomes teed off at the Burapha Golf Course this past 18th of April. The course was in great shape and the weather was ‘Hot’. Only two greens were recovering from airing but otherwise all greens were good. If you didn’t hit the fairway, you were in big trouble. While a cart path sized line went from the tee box to the fairway, you had to be lucky to hit on it. On either side of the fairways was grass so dense that a short caddy could be lost in it. Needless to say it resulted in numerous lost balls - the grass is that deep.

Winner Richard Hall, left, with runner-up Bruce Funk.

A few players broke out their umbrellas to ward off the sun. Did I mention it was hot? We played the C and D courses today.

Back at the Blue Moose the cards were tallied, Richard Hall came in with a 37 to take first place while Bruce Funk and Larry Emerson tied for second place with a 35 but Bruce took it on the count back. The Blue Moose provided some snacks. Everyone misses Caddy Shack II and Herbie’s vittles.


Pattaya Sports Club Bowling League

Trophy winners: Leo and Antero (3rd place) Darl, Aht & Noodle (1st) Morn, Duanjai & La (2nd).

Green Tree won the first place trophy and sent Indiana down to second place after they took all four points from a poor bowling Indiana team. Aht Johansson was best for Green Tree with a 521 series.

Bavaria gets the third place trophy but was unable to move up to second after losing three points to VFW Post 9876. Ooy Pluemkamon bowled a 540 series for VFW.

Ralph Oderbolz bowled a 513 series to lead Brother D to a three point win over Tea Party.

Cafô Kronborg took four points from a forfeit by Canada.

The new league will start in two weeks and all PSC bowlers are invited to join us. Just show up at Pattaya Plus Bowl on second road at 1300 hours, 27 April and put your name in the draw for teams. Fun bowling will start at 1400 hours.


Another first for Mason

The Pattaya Golf Society (IPGC) at Rabbi’s Elephant Bar

The Pattaya Golf Society made its first ever visit to Wangjuntr Highlands on Wednesday, 18th April, in an attempt to get as far away as possible from manic Pattaya during Songkhran week and we were treated to an empty course of stunning panoramas, great changes in elevation and huge, contrived quirky greens. What a challenge for the lads!

Teeing off late after the group leader had managed to miss the entrance by some 25 kilometres - his driving on the back nine followed the same pattern! - the cart path restriction, the oppressive humidity and the steep “alpine” fairways made for a five hour round, but at every turn the course was spectacular with deer and ostriches watching with casual amusement.

Sharing second place were Wichai Tananusorn and Tony Thorne with 30 points, both having played the course before, but the winner was John Mason on “terra incognita” with 32 points after playing bogey golf for most of the holes. The group had to wait until the seventeenth to record the only birdie ‘2’ of the day, a fine effort by Tony Thorne.

What an experience the day had been, with magnificent value for money and John Mason recording another PGS “first” after recording the group’s first Emerald hole-in-one almost a year ago to the day.

Top performance from Thorne

At the end of a Songkhran week there were few golfers left in town but quite a strong field turned out at Emerald on Friday, 20th April to play a Pattaya Golf Society stableford event. The course was reasonably presented with greens running at a moderate pace and the lack of customers saw everyone finish within four hours.

In third place Wichai Tananusorn returned a score of 35 points after an uncharacteristic blemish on the second hole. In second was Stuart Thompson who performed manfully despite a painful back condition to put together a round of 37 points. The best round of the day was recorded by Tony Thorne and three fine birdies combined with a clutch of strong pars to give him 40 points, his best performance with the group in many months. Hopefully he is on the way back after a testing year of struggles with form.

There were no birdie ‘2’s and the Booby Bevy went to Dave Lehane by way of a welcome back after his first tentative round after surgery. Stick with it Dave, good to have you back!


Cook & Ritchie top 40 at Green Valley

PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar

Tuesday, April 17, Pattaya C.C. - Stableford

With most of Pattaya’s golfers away and missing the joys of Songkran, there were just 7 Outbackers who arrived at Pattaya Country Club to find an almost deserted course.

The weather was hot and the course, with only the front nine open, was in a reasonable condition although a lot of work is going on creating new tees – using the grass being taken from the back nine as it undergoes its lengthy refurbishment.

There were no ‘2’s so it was three places.

In top spot was Terry Marney (29) with 39 points; second was Nigel Cannon (21) with 38 and a count back for third between the two ladies playing today both having 36 points. Thanks to a better back nine, Orn (14) got the nod over Seesa (26).

Chad was the man in charge and a welcome return to Alan Pearce.

Friday, April 20, Green Valley – Stableford

20 Outbackers went to Green Valley on a very hot and humid day; numbers were down due to Songkran and the recent trip to Royal Hills. The course was in great condition and gets better week after week and the scores are starting to reflect the quality of the course.

Welcome to new members Phil Stevenson, Richard Cook, Gary Ritchie and Alan Clark.

Two divisions plus the ‘2’s with newcomer Richard Cook winning Division 1 with the day’s best score of 41 points on his 11 handicap and Greg Ritchie continuing his recent good form, winning Division 2 with 40 points on his 20 handicap.

Ian Heddle had the only ‘2’ of the day on hole 12.

Div A (0–16)

1st Richard Cook (11) 41pts

2nd Martin Kingswood (16) 38pts

3rd Mark Taversham-Hamm (6) 37pts

Div B (17+)

1st Greg Ritchie (20) 40pts

2nd Sugar Ray Handford (18) 35pts

3rd Adam Oyston (17) 33pts

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 on the list or call Jack on 087 941 2474.


Rosco aims high at Royal Hills Classic

PSC Outback Golf Bar Songkran Road Trip

John, Suzi and Rosco.

Armed with the latest GPS, 22 Outbackers left the bar just after 8am, to play in the 3rd Royal Hills Classic; on the way they were scheduled to play at Lotus Valley, formerly known as The International Trade Centre.

The course lies a good distance East of Bangkok, and is easily reached in less than one hour and twenty minutes, provided that you know where you’re going. The Klong bridges and poor quality roads will slow you down a bit but when you get there, it’s well worth it, an impressive course that is completely out of place amongst the extensive rice fields. You actually wonder why, why is it here at all; there’s not a hotel to be seen?

A well priced green fee, complete with cart make it an economical place to play on some of the best manicured greens and fairways you’re ever likely to see in Thailand, and with the prospect of a deal for walkers coming soon in the low season, it’s a venue that should not be missed.

Rosco, centre, with Bernie and Paul.

Faced with a choice between the blue or the white tee (a difference of about 400yds), we elected to go with the longer blue tees at around 6,500yds, not particularly long by many player’s standards but with no roll due to the wonderful, almost a soft mattress like quality of the fairways, with not a weed in sight, it (the course), played its full length.

We had been given the luxury of a two tee start at 11.30, the weather was excellent but the scoring generally on the low side with the exception of one player, Rosco, who left the remainder of the field in his wake in this warm-up round, with a fantastic 42pts, seven clear of his nearest competitor, Paul Greenaway with 35. Paul looked as though he was going to score somewhere near the 40pt mark, after 22pts on the front but a series of missed putts on the back, left him wanting. Paul Bourke (32pts) took third in the same division with the final place going to Bernie Stafford on 29.

In Division B, the girls took advantage of the course being some 1,000yds shorter than for the men, as Sakorn put a very good round together to score 34pts to win from Suzi in second with 31; the minor places were filled by Jon Kittilsen (31) and Jean Morel (30).

After a drink and a bite to eat, we left for Royal Hills to arrive there just after 5.30pm and after checking in many of the group could be found at the Orchard Cafe, just outside of the main entrance to the hotel, enjoying the odd bevvy or two, contemplating the golf the next day.

Tuesday, April 17, 3rd Royal Hills Classic - Day 1

We woke to the bright morning sunshine beaming across the eighteenth fairway from over the surrounding hills and captured by the hotel, which is sited adjacent to the green and down alongside the fairway. It’s a tranquil setting, with the dew still glistening on the grass, as many of the Outbackers were up early and ready to do battle on this stunning golf course.

We had been joined by two more players, making our full complement of 24 for the start of our 3rd Royal Hills Classic with a start time due at 9 a.m. However, as with previous years there is a pro event that starts later in the week and many of them (the pros) were teeing off from the tips, going out in five and six-balls and generally in a haphazard order with the starter, showing little of no control. There was also a shortage of caddies, and our first groups, who eventually teed off from the tenth, actually went off without caddies, to be joined by them later in the round.

So after a crazy start, we were all away, a little ahead of schedule as it turned out, with the group this time electing to play from the shorter white tees. Although on the first nine (course back nine) there was a significant difference between the whites and the blues, on the back they were, with the exception of one hole, all on the same tee box.

It was a good paced round with no hold-ups but even from the shorter tees, the course was the winner in most cases; only Rosco (again) and Paul Greenaway, both with 37pts, gave the course a bit of a lesson, with the rest of the field trailing way behind.

Three of last year’s top five finishers, namely Bernie and John Stafford were again showing well with Bernie (34) grabbing third in Div A and John (33) winning Div B and Kamol (Mon) leading the three ladies in the field with her 31pts.

After the golf was finished and before it was dark, we were treated to a spectacular storm up and down the valley, which lasted a good 40 minutes or so.

Div A (0–16)

1st Rosco Langoulant (16) 37pts

2nd Paul Greenaway (11) 37pts

3rd Bernie Stafford (13) 34pts

Div B (17+)

1st John Stafford (18) 33pts

2nd Jon Kittilsen (19) 32pts

3rd Sugar Ray Handford (18) 32pts

Wednesday, April 18, 3rd Royal Hills
Classic - Day 2

After the previous day’s evening storm the skies cleared, giving way to another bright and sunny morning. Capt’ Steve was on the putting green at breakfast time and said that the rain had little or no effect upon the course and it wasn’t necessary to impose preferred lies and indeed the carts were still using the fairways quite normally, which was amazing considering the quantity of rain that fell.

The young pros were out again from the tips smacking the ball down the first fairway, rather intimidatingly, as they could easily be watched whilst having breakfast. So the scene was set for our second day here but just before tee off another little twist was added as the tee of the day was moved back to the blues.

After the customary group photo, Rosco, Paul Greenaway, George Bishop & Bernie Stafford led the field out on time and everything was going smoothly until the untimely arrival of a top general; some of his sub-ordinates, playing a few holes in front of our leading group, left the course to greet him at the clubhouse before re-joining the course at the same hole they had been on before. The result, a total mess, our first group were then right behind these two six-balls. Needless to say, the pace of play slowed right up and by the par-3 16th there were three groups on the tee.

Presentation was held at the restaurant that afternoon and the Royal Hills management apologised profusely for the incident which was actually out of their control but they did later in the day present the Outback Group with some complimentary green fees for the inconvenience. Nice gesture!

Same old faces on the leader-board as Rosco won Div A with 36, from Bernie and Mon both on 33 and both of whom finished in the top five last year. In Div B, Sakorn came out on top with 35pts from another of last year’s top five finishers, John Stafford with 34.

Div A (0–16)

1st Rosco Langoulant (16) 36pts

2nd Bernie Stafford (13) 33pts

3rd Kamol Thongkiew (12) 33pts

Div B (17+)

1st Sakorn Pramoolchart (19) 35pts

2nd John Stafford (18) 34pts

3rd George Bishop (17) 31pts

Thursday, April 19, 3rd Royal Hills
Classic - Day 2

After a leisurely breakfast and watching the young pretenders bombard the centre of the first fairway, we checked out and left for Lotus Valley, for the final round of the 54-hole tournament. The journey took about an hour, made easy by the GPS gismo but the road was poor in places, however we arrived at a deserted course with plenty of time to spare.

With a two-tee start, this time from the whites, the leading groups went out in reverse order from the first, whilst the also-rans started from the tenth and we were all finished in well under four hours.

Bernie Stafford won Div A with a fine 40pts, the best score of the day, and standing on the 18th tee Rosco in his mind had all but lost the overall lead and drove recklessly off the tee.

Looking at his second shot from the balcony of the clubhouse, Capt’ Steve reckoned he’d lost it (the tournament) as he (Rosco) appeared to hit a driver off the deck towards the green. His next shot found the green about 5 metres from the pin and he holed the downhill slider for a birdie, and the overall win but at the time he didn’t know it, thinking that Bernie had scored 41.

Paul Greenaway and Paul Bourke filled second and third places, both scoring gross 81’s as did Bernie.

The rabbits came good in division B as the Lawtons, who were in the second group out, and the Turnip, who played in the first group, all came good to take the top three places as John won by three with 37 from Suzi with 34 and Turnip 33.

As Capt’ Steve and Jack were checking the scores, Rosco came in and confirmed that he didn’t hit driver but hit three wood for his second shot but he said he didn’t really care because he thought he had lost, but he did not know Bernie’s score was 40 and not 41 and that made all the difference as Rosco had won the overall by just one shot on a total of 108. Bernie was second with 107 and Paul was third with 103.

Presentation followed shortly after when the full results were announced, after what had been another remarkably successful tour for the Outback.

There were a total of nine ‘2’s during the three days from Paul Greenaway, Tony Garnett, Mick Leighton, Kamol Thongkiew, Paul Bourke, Martin Kingswood, Steve Mann & Jean Morel got two.

Div A (0–16)

1st Bernie Stafford (13) 40pts

2nd Paul Greenaway (11) 38pts

3rd Paul Bourke (9) 36pts

Div B (17+)

1st John Lawton (21) 37pts

2nd Suzi Lawton (19) 34pts

3rd Dennis Persson (17) 33pts

Overall winners (top 5)

1st Rosco Langoulant 108pts

2nd Bernie Stafford 107pts

3rd Paul Greenaway 103pts

4th Paul Bourke 96pts

5th John Stafford 94pts


Seve has his revenge, but Brian was brilliant

PSC golf from The Golf Club

The Khao Yai Posse poses poolside at The Landmark in Pak Chong.

Steve Ellison

This weeks’ write up has turned out to be more of a travel piece on Pak Chong & Khao Yai than intended. We hope it will be of some help to those golfers who are considering a different golf destination. This area is about 3 hour 20 minute drive from Pattaya and is just north-east of Bangkok, so an easy route on the 7 to the 9 to the 1 to the 2 and you are there. The town we based out of is called Pak Chong and all golf courses were no more than a 30 minute drive.

On Sunday, there was an optional golf day so some of the boys headed out to the Khao Yai Golf Club (formerly Life Priviledge and also Mission Hills). The consensus was the course was great and all of the lads were very happy to have played this Jack Nicklaus layout. We were treated to the weekend special of 1,000 baht green fee after 1:00 and it turned out to be a great deal.

Khao Yai Golf Club is in a spectacular setting and the course is in very good nick every time we have played here, so is therefore highly recommended.

Khao Yai Golf Club.

Another bunch of us non-golfers headed up route 2090 to Palio, a very successful development that recreates a little bit of Tuscany in the Thai mountains. There are lots of little shops, cafes and restaurants here in their version of Siena that is quite picturesque and worth the effort, especially if there are ladies in tow.

Monday, April 16, Mountain Creek B & C (White tees) – Stableford,.

1st John Emmerson (12) 34pts

2nd Vince Chesney (9) 32pts

3rd Jimmy Brackett (5) 32pts

Now on to the Monday comp, the Seve Ballesteros designed Mountain Creek. There are trickier courses, I am sure. There are places here where there were supposed to be fairways, and someone forgot to put them in. This course has more blind shots than I have ever seen before, and the smallest of landing areas in the narrowest of fairways. Playing it for the first time was never going to be easy.

Marlene and Brian Prudden.

There are photos of Seve in the clubhouse so we know he was here, just why did he approve some of the hole layouts? There are not enough straightforward golf holes on this course, it’s just way too tricked up. Only Seve would be able to pull off some of his amazing shots here! One needs to play this 27 hole course a few times to get the hang of it, so best of luck to those who wish to take on the challenge. You will need it.

John Emmerson shot the best score today with 34 Stableford points and that was all we could muster as many of our players just got so frustrated with this course it did their heads in. Well played Johnny, patience has its virtues.

Vincent Chesney came in 2nd with a 32 on countback with 15 on the back side over Jim Brackett’s 14 so it just shows to go ya how hard a track this is.

Near pins winners were Peter Le Noury and once again, Jimmy Brackett. At least the par 3’s on this course were really interesting and beautiful.

Course condition was excellent and our 1,550 green fee, caddy and buggy was great value for a Songkran holiday rate. This course opened about 8 months ago so it is all new and very clean.

Bonanza Golf Club & Resort.

The course looks more mature than one would think for the young track that it is. It has been cut through the lush jungle so most holes have the sensible red stakes on the left and right of the narrow fairways making the deep jungle a lateral hazard and speeding up play.

The facilities here are quite unbelievable. The massive modern Thai-style clubhouse is superb and has very good food at OK prices. Now if they would only have a look again at the golf course…

Tuesday, April 17, Panorama (White teees) – Stableford

1st Brian Prudden (20) 41pts

2nd John Emmerson (12) 41pts

3rd Bob Newell (9) 40pts

For the record, the course formerly known as Voyage Panorama is now called simply Panorama. We have played here several times and it has always been a pleasurable golf course and today was no exception. The staff were amazing and made us feel right at home. The course was in tip top shape and we can highly recommend it to those who venture up north to the Khao Yai area.

One of the great aspects of golf is that we can all get out there and enjoy the competition from a level playing field, through the use of a handicap system and tee positions. No other sport is able to match what we have on the golf course that allows people of all ages and all three sexes to enjoy.

Brian Prudden won today’s comp at the ripe young age of 77, ain’t that great? The Golf Club allows for those over 70 years old to play from the tees one closer that those we play for the comp to make it fair and keep everyone in the game. Brian proved he was able to do just that and walked away with 41 Stableford points and on top of the heap.

John Emmerson continued his good run of play with a 41 as well (a full 7 points better than his Monday win) but not as well as Brian’s. In fairness, John gave credit to his new pain killers that gave his back a rest for 18 holes. I want some of those! Fortunately for John, The Golf Club has no policy regarding random drugs testing. But maybe we should.

Bob Newell drove into town on his new Keeway Speedlight 200 (Matt, to you and me) and took third place with 40 points. Bob had an easy 3 footer on the 18th that he bungled but we won’t dwell on that, will we? Now getting back to that putt he missed, he would have won had he made that teeny little 36 inch shot dead straight and uphill. At least he won the long drive contest…not on the course, but by taking 2 days to get here from Pattaya on Matt.

Thursday, April 19, Bonanza (white tees) – Stableford.

1st Brian Prudden (20) 38pts

2nd Ed Wycoff (10) 38pts

3rd Bob Newell (5) 37pts

4th Jimmy Brackett (5) 37pts

Wednesday was an optional golf day and some of the boys also went to Toscana Valley, one of the top 5 courses in Thailand. It cost us 2,800 to play here, like Siam Old course it is truly a championship golf course with first class facilities and is in pristine condition. Play here if you can, it is great!

And now, on to Bonanza, which is a lovely mature course that is a must-play when in the Khao Yai area. The golf course is in great shape and I suppose one could compare it to Green Valley in Pattaya, where every hole is different and just an all around nice day out. We timed the trip for Sports Day and played this wonderful track for a mere 500 baht, the best deal up there for sure.

The weather was gorgeous and a slight mountain breeze made the day just perfect for a round of golf, just ask Brian Prudden. With support from wife Marlene, Brian once again took the top spot with 38 points. The Pruddens, from Mandurra- just outside Perth in Australia, have been married for 52 years so that is quite a partnership.

Ed Wycoff - the big winner 2 weeks ago - also shot 38 but had 17 on the back to Brian’s 18 for second place and Bob Newell battled it out with Jimmy Brackett and walked off the back nine with a massive 22 points to blitz out Jimmy for third on count back.

So for this year, it looks like Brian Prudden claims Man of the Match for Khao Yai Songkran Tour 2012! Well played mate and thanks to all 22 golfers who joined us for another great road trip.

Note: The Golf Club is “The Home of Golf in Pattaya” and is located on Soi LK Metro. We play on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so come join us for a fun day out. Just call 085 434 3377 or see our website www.golfclub pattaya.com and for more information mail us: [email protected] and see updates at www. facebook.com/golfclubpattaya.


Parish takes a shine to Crystal Bay

PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s

Derek Brook

Friday, April 12, Crystal Bay – Stableford

This was the day that nearly was not. We thought we would slip in a day at the end of water throwing in Pattaya and see if we could get a group together. Mind, we knew that most of our players were leaving town, but surely we could get together a few diehards who had hidden away for a few days.

Brian Parish.

Well it seemed that the answer was no way, no golf. With a couple of days to go we had a two-ball, Dick and myself, and quite realistically with Dick playing so well of late I did not fancy coming second, so a cancellation was on the cards. Then the cracks opened and a few hardy souls came forth, including arrivals from UK, and blow me down we had a couple of cars full. Oh the joy. So off we went with a smile on our faces, powder coated or not.

Crystal Bay was quite empty, so we were soon booked in and onto the course where we were told we would play the C & A Nines in a strong wind. While this course is not a shadow of what it was 10 years ago, it is still a far better than many who seem to have a better ‘Go To’ following and at present it has a great rate for the poor old ones, like me, who take a buggy. I can do with a bit of that, and incidentally as a sister course of Mountain Shadow, both share the great rate.

So off we went in blustery conditions and the course was in quite good shape, really, it has seen a bit of use but the fairways are now starting to grass up and the greens are still hard and fast. The rough mind is still rough and at least at this course it is fairly forgiving, in most places, but they do tend to grow the trees directly in front of my ball. I seem to always hit a tree or am stuck behind one; that is if I am not in a bunker. I suspect I have at some time hit all the trees on all the courses, well it feels that way. Mind, there were some good scores.

Back at Bert’s we were able to all sit around one of Bert’s big tables, and that was OK as I was able to share with one of the players, Henry O’Brien, who ordered the ‘Golfers Special’ and it was so much we shared one between us. Getting old has its privileges, I still listen to my mother who knows all the places to get a ‘pensioners meal’ within miles of her home. I can go with her now. Happy Days!!

Well we did have a result and winners. Brian Parish had the best score with 40 points, with 24 points on the back nine, with the scribe in second with 38 points on count back over Dick Warberg in third. We were so sorry for the rest we bought them a few beers and in fact had a great night, especially as Nigel brought my cheese. Holiday players do have their uses. T.T.F.N.


A quiet week on the fairways

Bunker Boys @ The Bowling Green

Neil, left, the only one of the 3 ‘bandidos’ to play through Songkran.

It’s that time of the year again that all Pattaya expats dread, and when the sensible ones leave town. It seems that each year the water madness gets worse, with reports that it started on the 9th and will go through to the 19th. How the city authorities can class the mayhem as a tourist attraction is beyond my powers of comprehension, and the disruption to local businesses (including golf courses) must be enormous.

The management of the Bowling Green took the sensible decision to close the premises until the 19th so our small band of die-hard golfers was left without a home base for the first two games of the week.

Monday, April 16, Pattana – Medal

Only 5 golfers today due to the public holiday, but at least the management at Pattana came up with a reasonable deal for us. We were told that we could play as a 5-ball if we took golf carts (one to a cart) at a price of 1,500 Baht – not too bad for a holiday.

There was some controversy on the day regarding handicaps when it was found that one member had an IPGC handicap one shot lower than the PSC handicap he was playing off on the day. Come on guys, there’s no controversy here, if you have 2 handicaps (where else but Pattaya!), then it’s basic golf etiquette that you play off the lowest handicap – end of discussion.

1st Lee Butler (16) 35pts

2nd Tony Robbins (hcp 12) 31pts

Wednesday, April 18, The Emerald – Stableford

More proof today of the impact of Songkran, as we arrived at Emerald to find it eerily deserted. Our intrepid group of die-hards teed off without any other golfers in sight in perfect weather, with a cool breeze keeping the temperature down. The round was completed in double quick time, and Colin Greig kept up his recent run of good form to win the day.

1st Colin Greig (8) 36pts

2nd Paul Smith (3) 33pts

3rd Lee Butler (16) 29pts

Friday, April 20, Bangpra – Medal

The last time we played Bangpra was only 3 weeks ago, and the course was packed, but today we arrived to find it was deserted. Today was the hottest day of the year so far (our resident meteorologist estimated 39 degrees) and several players wilted on the back nine. There was no stopping Neil Griffin though, and the highest handicapper on the day, carded the best net score of the day to take the honours.

It was a strange day on the par 3’s with only one green being hit – by P.J. With an empty course we were completed in well under 4 hours, leaving ample time for a few refreshing beers on the way back to the Bowling Green (now thankfully back open). Hopefully next week sanity will return (well maybe not – it is Pattaya after all), and the golfing scene will return to normal.

1st Neil Griffin (28) net 74

2nd Tony Robbins (12) net 78

3rd Colin Greig (8) net 83

Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society who now play out of the Bowling Green on Soi X-Zyte between Pattaya 3rd Road and Soi Buakhaow. We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.

We meet at the Bowling Green at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players with valid handicaps are always welcome. For more information call Dave on 087 146 9978, email dave. [email protected].


Griffiths shoots best of the week

Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, April 16, Eastern Star – Stableford

The craziest week of the year here and for some of our lads who had not gone away or into hibernation for the week they needed a game. A holiday price today so obviously we were at Eastern Star and with a few overnight cancellations we only went out with two divisions and the cut was6-16 in division 1 and 17 + in division 2.

Mike Missler and Rod Howett, 1st and 2nd division winners at Eastern Star on Friday.

We are still being told by the management that the greens will be highly improved in the next 21 days, so we will keep everyone updated.

Alan Griffiths, playing off 11, shot a gross 38 on the back nine to score 22 points and with 15 on the front he won division 1 with 37 points. A great round Alan! Frank Kelly was second one point behind and Chris Voller took third on 34.

Iain Walsh with 34 points beat Mauri Friman on a 19/17 count back to win division 2 and Walter Webber was third two points behind.

Friday, April 20, Eastern Star - Stableford

The same divisional cut as Monday and there was a slight improvement to the greens, let’ see what the next few weeks will bring.

37 points won both divisions today, with Mike Missler winning division 1 ahead of Alan Pilkington in second two points behind and Bill Bertram beat Mikael Andersson on an 18/16 back nine count back for third after they both scored 33 points.

Rod Howett topped the second division, with Iain Walsh second on 34 and Walter Webber third with 33 ahead of Stan Everingham in fourth with 29.

Near pins went to Jason Cole, Arthur Hancock, Alan Pilkington, Marty Rock, Rod Howett and Joe Kubon.


Dore blasts Khao Kheow into submission

IPGC golf from The Links

Sunday, April 15, Green Valley – Stableford

The reasonable turnout today, despite the start of Songkran week, were rewarded with a course still in pristine condition, and with the course almost to ourselves, the first 3-ball were able to tee off on arrival and made it round in well under four hours.

Big hitting Byan Dore.

The almost ideal golfing conditions were reflected in the standard of scoring for the day with all but one player scoring 30+ points. Joe McArdle showed a return to form with his first sub-par round in over two months, to take first spot with 37 points, two ahead of the ever consistent Jon Batty, again in the placings, with Gerry Hannon a further two points back in third.

There were no ‘2’s registered so the pot carried forward to Khao Kheow on Wednesday.
1st Joe McArdle (13) 37pts
2nd Jon Batty (8) 35pts
3rd Gerry Hannon (10) 33pts

Wednesday, April 18, Khao Kheow – Stableford

A full minibus travelled up to Khao Kheow today to tackle the A & B courses off the yellow tees, and we were again met by an almost empty golf course – I wish it could be Songkran every week! A lot has been said of the condition of the course in recent weeks, especially the greens, but apart from a few patches on the B9, the course is generally in good condition.

Conditions were very hot and humid, especially on the sheltered A course, which made for difficult scoring for everyone bar Sunday’s “all but one”, Bryan Dore, who finally made the most of his monstrous drives, to shoot a fantastic gross 74, which included a one under par back 9. Jon Batty again took second place, but this time a full 7 points behind, with Len Desharnais completing the placings back on 27 points.

Canadian Len Desharnais also benefited from the ‘2’s rollover, birdying the signature 8th hole on the B course.
1st Bryan Dore (6) 40pts
2nd Jon Batty (8) 33pts
3rd Len Desharnais (16) 27pts

Note: The Links depart from the hotel on Soi Buakhao at 9.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and for Rayong Green Valley every Sunday. Sign up at the hotel or contact Jon on 080 021 1034. A full schedule of courses can be found on the IPGC website www.ipgc.org.


John Heaney Sunday’s best

PSC golf from Lewiinski’s Golf Society

Sunday, April 15, Green Valley - Stableford

1st John Heaney (18) 39pts

2nd Dean Higgins (13) 39pts

3rd Ian Halfpenny (13) 36pts

Songkran week was upon us and several of the venues decided to just cancel their fixtures rather than fight the water and the exodus of farangs, including the Offaly gang, who left for the airport in a Securicor van.

Sunday’s top two: John Heaney, right, and Dean Higgins.

Because Lewiinski’s has always been a halfway house for lost souls the society chose to provide a distraction to those that stayed behind. Irishman John Heaney was glad he stayed as he was involved in a 39 point count back with good friend Dean Higgins and came out the winner. Ian Halfpenny showed he could splash it about a bit as he closed the flight with a solid even par round.

Paul Robinson slotted home the only ‘2’ of the day.

Monday, April 16, Khao Kheow - Stableford

A Flight

1st Matt Cronin (13) 37pts

2nd Adam Oyston (16) 35pts

B Flight

1st Bev Byrne (23) 36pts

2nd Christy Knight (22) 35pts

With the majority of the society’s core members away to the UK, Bintan, Khao Yai or Ireland, the field was wide open. Irishman Matt Cronin jumped through the unprotected breach in the society’s defenses and snatched the A Flight gold on the day with a very impressive 37 points. Big Adam Oyston took the silver two strokes adrift.

Bev Byrne was the toast of the bar as her even par round took top spot in B Flight. Christy ‘good’ Knight, unaccustomed to taking a back seat to anyone on this course, had to settle for second place with Sean Soden getting the short stick and left out in the cold.

John Rehm pocketed a healthy 2’s pot.

Wednesday, April 18, Mountain Shadow - Stableford

1st Max Scott (5) 36pts

2nd Bob Watson (3) 35pts

3rd Savatore Brizzi (8) 33pts

A field wracked by Songkran defectors took on the often unforgiving layout of Mountain Shadow. With the heat, the lads were reticent to avail themselves of the favorably priced liberations of the course, which only served to make it tougher.

Max Scott was the toast of the day with a best on the day even par round, as Bob Watson filled the Silver spot a shot off the pace. Savatore Brizzi completed the frame a further two strokes back.

Bob Watson and the headline boy John Heaney split the 2’s pot.

Friday, April 20, Treasure Hills - Stableford

1st Paddy Jordan (18) 39pts

2nd Michael Prideaux (11) 38pts

3rd Sean Soden (23) 35pts

Irishmen ruled the flight as Paddy Jordan (39 points) and Sean Soden with a 35 point count back over Fellow Irishman Peter Wallace filled the first and third places on the podium. Michael Prideaux stopped the Irish boys from cleaning up with38 points.

Colin Sansom slotted home the only 2 of the day.

Note: Lewiinski’s is situated on Pattaya Land Soi 1, Beach Road Soi 13/3 near to Walking Street. Anyone wishing to play with us just pop in and add your name to the list or call Colin on 089 826 0764. Transport is provided.


Hoser Memorial Golf Tournament

at Plutaluang Golf Course on Thursday May 3rd, 2012

The First Annual Hoser Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday May 3rd with Tee-offs from 08:00 onwards at Sattahip’s Plutaluang Golf Course.

The format will be “modified Stableford” in that everyone starts off from ZERO handicap

You will be awarded 1 stroke towards a “day handicap” for each beer (or mixed drink) that you consume on the course (to be verified by your playing partners).

A very nice winner’s plaque will be presented to the winner on the day

It will be “pay your own” at the course on the day with a 1000 Baht sign up fee on top of your course costs. This will get you a Golf Shirt, and a good feed afterwards at The Haven, with a free Hoser Shake to boot.

There will be limited transportation available from The Haven on the day on a first come basis for those who think they may wind up with a HIGH handicap.

For more information visit the Hoser Memorial Golf Tournament website at:

http://jackalopeopen.awardspace.com/Hoser%20Memorial/HMGT2.html


Thai Polo prevail in annual beach tourney

Action from the final between Thai Polo and China. (Photo/www.florsilvestrini.com)

The finals of the third ‘Asian Beach Polo Championship InterContinental-B.Grimm’, Asia’s only beach polo tournament, took place April 7 at the beachfront of the InterContinental Resort Hua Hin.

The event, co-organized by Suwat Liptapanlop and Harald Link, chairman of the B.Grimm Group, was held to promote tourism in Hua Hin and also to raise funds for the ‘Kamlangjai Project’ or Inspire by Princess PA, initiated by HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

Players from all four teams pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the event. (Photo/www.florsilvestrini.com)

As usual the tournament drew a relative who’s who of local socialites, luminaries and VIP’s to attend, including the guest of honour, H.E. Rolf Schulze, the German Ambassador to Thailand.

A parade of horses, marching bands and a fashion show by models on horseback by Burberry and La Perla preceded the polo matches, which had to be played early in the day to avoid the afternoon high tide.

The third place play-off match was between the Macau team (Rodrigo, Goncalo and Santi) and the India team (Claudia, Bhawani and It), with the latter going on to record a comfortable 6-3ฝ victory.

The climax of the competition saw Thai Polo, based here in Pattaya and comprising Harald Link, Caroline Link and Nu, take on a strong representative team from China of Claude, William and Juan. The China team got off to a good start and were the first to put a goal on the scoreboard in the opening chukka, but Thai Polo used their experience to drag themselves back into it and eventually outlasted their opponents to record a hard fought 4-2 win and collect the Princess PA’s Cup.

The day ended with cocktails, and sumptuous dinner along the beach, all served under a picturesque setting sun.


Supachai eyes London gold while blazing a trail for disabled Thai athletes

Derek Franklin

While Olympic champions become household names in Thailand, gold medal winning athletes with a disability often remain unknown and do not always receive the same recognition or financial rewards as their able bodied compatriots.

Supachai Koysub shows a selection of his winning medals from previous Olympic Games.

The eyes of the world will look towards London this summer when Queen Elizabeth II presides over the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Of all the sporting events taking place throughout the world, none causes as much interest and excitement as the Olympic Games.

Viewers from the richest and poorest nations will be transfixed to their television screens, cheering their compatriots and hoping that their athletes will win the most prized of sporting prizes, an Olympic gold medal. After seventeen days of triumphs and heartache the Olympic flame will be extinguished, the lights will fade and the athletes will return home.

Thailand has only won seven gold medals at past Olympic Games, and weightlifter Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon and boxer Somjit Jongjohir both became household names after winning gold in Beijing 2008. All Thai athletes will be hoping and praying that they are selected for London and that all their hard work pays off and they too can return home from London carrying a medal.

But less than three weeks after the Olympic closing ceremony, the stadium in East London will once again welcome athletes from around the world. The torch carriers will light the cauldron and athletes will compete for gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Thai athletes competing at recent Paralympic Games have won more gold, silver and bronze medals than their able bodied countrymen and yet the names of these athletes often remain unknown.

One such athlete is Supachai Koysub. A native of Chaiyaphum province, Supachai contracted polio at an early age which left his legs severely weakened. At the age of seventeen he travelled to Pattaya and enrolled at the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities. It was here that Supachai was first introduced to athletics, in particular wheelchair racing.

A year later he competed in his first ever wheelchair race at the National Games for the Disabled and surprisingly he won a silver medal.

At the age of twenty three Supachai was selected to represent Thailand at the Sydney 2000 Games.

An unknown athlete, he was not expected to feature on the winner’s podium, and in the 100m wheelchair racing final he lost out on a bronze medal by one hundredth of a second.

In the first heat of the 200m he came second to Swedish athlete Hakan Ericsson, who broke the world record. However in the final race Supachai passed Ericson, won the gold medal and broke the world record, finishing with a time of 25.01.

Supachai also went on to win a second gold medal in the 4x100m race and silver in the 4x400m race. On arriving back to Pattaya he continued with his work as a teacher at the Vocational School, but all his free time was committed to training.

Four years later he travelled to Europe for the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and won two gold medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m wheelchair race, both times helping his team mates break the world record.

At the Beijing 2008 Games Supachai won two silver and one bronze medal, and he is hoping to do better later this year when he represents Thailand at his fourth Paralympic Games in London.

Currently at a training camp in Korat, Supachai, along with his fellow athletes, is training as hard as his body will allow. A team of coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionalists and psychologists are working together to ensure each athlete is in his or her peak condition. Ranked number two in the world, Supachai is one of the favourites to win a medal in London.

While national TV networks will be dedicating whole channels and many hours of coverage each day to the Olympic Games, it is unlikely that the Paralympic Games will receive as much air time.

There will not be as many spectators watching the Games in the Olympic Stadium. The number of television crews will be reduced and the results of the Paralympic Games will take up a minimum of inches in the newspaper columns.

If an able bodied Thai athlete returns to Thailand from London later this year carrying a gold medal, they will be met at the airport by fans, photographers and film crews. They will make headline news, their photo will appear on the front pages of the Thai and English newspapers and they will receive a generous financial gift from the government. If Supachai, who is currently ranked number two in the world of 200m wheelchair sprinting, brings home a gold medal, the likelihood of him being mobbed by the media at Suvarnabhumi is small.

Athletes with disabilities work as hard, if not harder than an able bodied athlete. These athletes have won more gold medals than their non-disabled compatriots and yet they receive less coverage, little support and on average just half of what an able bodied athlete receives in prize money from the government.

But for Supachai it is not about the money. At the age of thirty five many athletes will be thinking about retirement, but Supachai is already looking ahead to the 2016 Games which will be hosted in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. But before thinking too much about participating in his fifth Paralympic Games, he has to prove in London that he is still a force to be reckoned with.


Ehsen hat-trick seals big City win

Bangkok Casuals Football League DIV 1 & 2

Paul Frain

After the New Year break, City were on their travels to play Bangkok F.C. in the capital last weekend and were surprised when the home team were only able to field nine players for the first fifteen minutes of the game. This didn’t make things easy for City however as the hosts dropped deep and their well organized defence was able to deal with anything Pattaya threw at them.

Once they were back to a full complement of players, Bangkok become more of any offensive force and they almost capitalized on a misplaced pass in the Pattaya defence to open the scoring but the chance was wasted and both teams went into the half time break with score level at 0-0.

After the break City took the game by the scuff of the neck and started to find the gaps in the Bangkok defense and Dipita was unlucky to see his shot hit the side netting from a good position. This gave City confidence and an easy chance was missed by Ehsan and then a probing centre found the same player again unmarked and he struck the ball with power and the deadlock was broken when the ball hit the back of the net to make it 1-0.

City were now on song and a good center were wasted as the forwards were left behind due to the quickness of the run down the wing. Then Bangkok, in one of their rare attacks, nearly scored after their forward beat three City defenders but somehow put his shot wide.

City went up the other end of the pitch and gained a corner on the right and when Thioma swung the ball in it was met by the head of Ehsan before thundering into the back of the Bangkok net before anybody moved to make it 2-0.

Almost immediately Bangkok pulled one back though as the City defense failed to tackle the Bangkok forward who gleefully accepted the chance and slotted the ball home to make it 2-1.

City were having none of it however and put the Bangkok defense under extreme pressure and a miss-kick from one of the City forwards found Ehsan who’s shot left the Bangkok keeper rooted to the spot to make it 3-1, which also completed his hat-trick.

Bangkok were now down to nine men due to injuries and from another city corner Dipita was the quickest to re-act to make it 4-1. Then a final goal came just before full time when a usual City passing move saw centre forward Vorontsov score to make it 5-1.

This fine win for City keeps them on course for second place and they are on their travels again this coming weekend with a trip to face Cosmos.


TOT deal United a second straight defeat

Thai Premier League Season 2012

Pattaya United’s O. J. Obatola slips away from the TOT defence during the second half of their Thai Premier League fixture in Bangkok, Sunday, April 22. (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat – Pattaya United)

Pattaya United suffered their second consecutive defeat of the season last Sunday to make it a Sonkran holiday to forget for the Eastern Seaboard outfit.

Having lost 2-0 at home to Chainat the week prior to the New Year period, United seemed to carry a hangover from the festivities into their match against TOT in Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok last weekend.

It all started so promisingly however as the Dolphins took the lead against the previously winless TOT when Paul Ekollo latched onto a through ball from Kim Do-Yeon in the 18th minute to break through the TOT back line and slot the ball past the advancing keeper to give Pattaya the lead.

The home side were level by half time however as Diego Walsh’s free kick was cruelly deflected off the Pattaya wall and left Preedaboon stranded in the United goal.

The home side took control in the second half and edged ahead when defensive midfielder Pichit Ketsro ghosted through the United defence to head home a cross from Nanthasri in the 67th minute.

United struggled manfully to get back on level terms but the TOT defence held firm and the hosts sealed all three points in the final minute of injury time when a thunderbolt left foot shot from Deeprom crashed into the net from an acute angle.

Pattaya will need to regroup from their Songkran slip-up to take on their next challenge, which is a home match against Esan United at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya this coming Sunday, April 29. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.


NeilPryde Racing Series to join Thailand’s Top of the Gulf Regatta

The NeilPryde Racing Series, racing the one-design ISAF RS:One Class, take to the waters in Pattaya to join the Top of the Gulf Regatta this year.

The NeilPryde Racing Series – a one-design windsurfing class world tour – will race in Thailand for the first time at the 2012 Top of the Gulf Regatta, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya. The Series will race over the first two days of the Regatta, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May, and provide a spectacular display of close-quarter racing at Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

Launched in 2011, the NeilPryde Racing Series will hold its first stop of 2012 in Pattaya in conjunction with the Top of the Gulf Regatta. Subsequent sailing venues for 2012 include Istanbul (Turkey), Dunkerque (France), Porto (Portugal), Cardiff (Wales), Trapani (Italy), Nice (France), Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Designed by Olympic windsurf equipment supplier NeilPryde, the NeilPryde Racing Series uses the new, universal one-design ISAF windsurfing class, the RS:One.

The RS:One Class features a new, attractive, and dynamic race format making the racing a spectacle for the crowds. One sail, one board - everyone on the same equipment allowing male and female racers of all ages to compete together with equal chances.

Top Asian athletes will compete on the RS:One along with local windsurfing heroes and London Olympic Games representatives from Thailand. The winners of each division will share the US$3000 prize money.

Race Manager, Emmanuel Messiaen, said, “We expect 20 to 30 racers in Pattaya, with a strong representation from Thailand, as well as racers from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Being a one-design class, we will supply the RS:One equipment and all will be equal. The winner will be the one who races the best over the two days.”

The Top of the Gulf Regatta is Asia’s largest multi-class regatta, combining keelboats and multihulls with dinghies and beach catamarans, and new for this year windsurfing, in conjunction with the NeilPryde Racing Series and with support from the Windsurfing Association of Thailand.

William Gasson, Founder and Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee, said, “We’re delighted to welcome the NeilPryde Racing Series to the Top of the Gulf Regatta this year. The Regatta aims to support all disciplines within the sport of sailing and this year we will have a diverse fleet on-the-water from boards to dinghies to beach catamarans, multihulls and keelboats.”

The Top of the Gulf Regatta will take place 4–8 May 2012 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Na Jomtien, Pattaya. The NeilPryde Racing Series will take place 5th and 6th May, with a possible exhibition night race with LED sails on the evening of Saturday 5th May.

(Infinity Communications PR)


Pattaya gears up for another festival of rugby

Pattaya 10’s rugby takes place at Horseshoe Point, May 5-6, 2012.

The weekend of 5th and 6th May 2012 will see the twelfth staging of the Pattaya 10’s Rugby Tournament, which is now known as the Amari Orchid Pattaya Chris Kays Memorial Tournament to perpetuate the memory of the former Pattaya Panthers captain, who was tragically killed in the Bali bombing in October 2002.

Once again the tournament will be staged at The Horseshoe Point Resort, the newly expanded playing field is superb and with the support of Khun Chainarin Srifuengfung, Khun Girana and their staff, we are sure that everybody will love playing or watching the rugby in such attractive surroundings. There will be an open 10’s Tournament for men and a Junior Division (Under 15’s), which is now in its fourth year, to enable the youngsters to display their skills and potential on a major stage.

There will be 16 teams in the main tournament and as usual this year there will be a very strong local influence led by the Old Bangkok Bangers and the newly invigorated Southerners! We look forward to the return of The Royal Thai Police to defend their title and The Chiang Mai Suas, who were beaten in an epic Cup final for the second year running and they will be hoping that this will be their year … third time lucky?

Former champions Thai Barbarians will be back and other new names include Surin Bold and the Watsrichan Old Boys.

The overseas flavour will come from the Pau Ma Tei Barbarians a newly born touring side of the famous Valley RFC in Hong Kong and I am very pleased to report that following extensive chronometer retraining one of our favourite teams the Buccaneers from Australia have actually managed to book their tour for the correct weekend this year and we look forward to their return to the tournament.

Of course crowd favourites The Bangkok Japanese will be looking to upset some of the more favoured teams. There will not be such a strong academic influence this year as our tournament clashes with the University games so many University sides will be missing however Thammasat University will be making their first appearance at the tournament.

Don’t underestimate the hosts who have been training hard on the field under new coach Des Halls and new Captain Adrien Simon, the leader of the French revolution!

A tournament such as this could not be staged without the backing of the generous sponsors and this year the Amari Orchid Resort have become the tournament principal sponsor and the tournament will therefore be known as the Amari Orchid Pattaya Chris Kays Memorial Tournament. There has also been significant support received from MBMG International, Jamesons and Cranes & Equipment Asia.

In addition the Panthers would also like to thank other tournament sponsors Construction Cost Consultants, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Aus Group (formerly Modern Industries), CR Asia Ltd., Waste Management Services Thailand, Societe Generale de Surveillance, Jardine Shipping Services, Phoenix Pacific Inc., Icebreaker and Rhenus Logistics.

Players and friends will get together on Friday night (4th May) for a “welcoming party and training session” at Jamesons the Irish Pub. The action begins at 9am on Saturday and concludes around 6pm Sunday in what should be a memorable weekend festival of rugby - there will be almost 24 hours of entertaining rugby action during the two days.

Note: the U 15’s tournament will be played from 16:00 to 19:00 on Saturday evening and will conclude between 08:00 and 10:00 on Sunday morning.

“The weather is forecast to be fine and the venue is in perfect condition so we have no doubt that this will be the best tournament yet,” said Chairman of the Pattaya Panthers, Jim Howard.


Nigel Short triumphs at 12th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2012

British Grand Master Nigel Short won the recently completed 12th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2012 with a last-round draw against IM Nguyen Duc Hoa, whose outstanding performance earned the Vietnamese player a Grand Master norm.

British GM, Nigel Short, centre, the Bangkok Open Champion 2012, stands alongside India’s M.R. Venkatesh and Neelotpal Das at the conclusion of the tournament.

The annual event took place at the Dusit Thani hotel in Bangkok from April 14-19 and was attended by a host of top chess players representing 34 nations in total. India provided the largest contingent with 33 players aiming for the top award and while there were also numerous players from China and the Southeast Asian countries, players travelled from as far away as Europe, the USA, and Australia to be part of one of Asia’s foremost chess events.

From the beginning of the tournament Short demonstrated his great fighting spirit. Having won the Gibraltar Chess Festival in January, it was apparent that he had come to Bangkok with a high confidence level and the mission to become the sole champion. Mission accomplished! Short played with passion and expertise in his fourth consecutive BCC Open tournament and finally managed to win it.

GM Farrukh Amonatov faces WGM Pham Le Thao Nguyen of Vietnam in the final of the Blitz Championship.

While defending champion GM Jan Gustafsson and Women’s World Champion GM Hou Yifan underperformed, other predominantly Asian participants played very well and often surpassed expectations. In the Challenger category, Tint Swe Win (Myanmar) was the sole winner with 6.5 points after having defeated Filipino front-runner Arnulfo Gavilan Jr. in the final round. Tint Swe Win was followed by a pack of six players from the Philippines!

The very competitive and well-attended blitz tournament was won by GM Farrukh Amonatov while IM Nguyen Van Huy was the runner-up, and Wan Yunguo finished third.

For more information including a full list of the winners and scores, go to http://bangkokchess.com.


Tears from Thai champ at Bali Hai ‘Fight Night’

Buakaw Por. Pramuk, right, lands a high kick on Russia’s Zaripow Zaripow Rastem during their 70kg contest.

Manoon Makpol

Big time Muay Thai boxing hit Pattaya last week as the city staged a spectacular ‘Fight Night’ at Bali Hai Pier on Tuesday, April 17. A total of 8 top class bouts were held at the temporary arena to the delight of the thousands of fight fans who came to watch the show and the millions watching at home on the Thai Channel 3 live broadcast.

The highlight of the evening was a contest that very nearly didn’t happen. Right up until the opening bell it was unclear whether Thailand’s Sombut Bunchamekh a.k.a. Buakaw Por. Pramuk would show up following a contract dispute with his former training camp and promoter.

Zaripow Rastem is knocked to the canvas during the second round and counted out.

Buakaw had fallen out with his previous handlers over a pay dispute and following his walk-out it appeared that the Thai boxing commission would veto his appearance here in Pattaya. However, much to the delight of his many fans, the Surin native did indeed take to the ring last week to face off against Russia’s Zaripow Rastem in the 70kg division.

As it transpired the bout was something of an anti-climax as Rastem was comprehensively outclassed, and with Buakaw seemingly able to pick his opponent off with ease, the Thai champion unleashed a devastating assault in the second round that saw Restem knocked to the canvas and counted out.

After the fight a tearful Buakaw announced to the crowd that his desire to fight for his fans and the King had overcome any fears of the legal repercussions he may now face.

“I didn’t think I was going to fight tonight… I’ve got a lot of problems,” said the Thai boxer. “But I am very determined and all relevant authorities, whether it is my old boxing camp or the manager of Thai Fight, know of my determination. I have worked hard, practiced hard and I wanted to fight because I was last year’s champ. Most importantly, I am not up here for myself but for my country, for the King and my people of Surin. Today, brothers and sisters have come to cheer me and I cannot throw that dream away, no matter what, even if I have to go to jail tomorrow.”

Singmanee Kaewsamrit, 2nd left, and his camp show their delight at being awarded a points decision over Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee.

At the conclusion of his emotional speech Buakaw got on his knees to ‘wai’ his 62 year old father who was also in the crowd to watch his son fight.

In the aftermath of last week’s fight it now seems that the Thai members of Parliament have become involved in the dispute between Buakaw and his former promoters, with rumours of a supposed 3 million buy-out deal being bandied about as a possible solution to the dispute.

Back to the action in the ring and other notable contests at the Pattaya Fight Night last week saw Singmanee Kaewsamrit outpoint Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee in the 67kg division; Bernueng Top King Boxing got a three-round decision over American Chaz Mulkey, and Kem Sitsongpeenong put on an impressive performance to stop Frenchman Mickael Cornubet.

The Muay Thai tournament proved to be another big success for city officials and the promoters and once again highlighted Pattaya’s suitability and capacity for hosting premier sporting events. The contest was accompanied by a spectacular firework show and a live music performance by Thai favourites Carabao. We hope to see more such events being staged in Pattaya in the near future.

America’s Chaz Mulkey, right, faces off against Thailand’s Bernueng Top King Boxing.

An emotional Buakaw Por. Pramuk parades a picture of His Majesty the King in the ring following his victory over Rastem.

The Pattaya public turned out in their thousands to watch the action in the ring.

Buakaw supporters had much to cheer about on the night.

Carabao put on a live music performance to keep the fight fans entertained between bouts.


 
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]

Hall battles the heat to take first at Burapha

Pattaya Sports Club Bowling League

Another first for Mason

Cook & Ritchie top 40 at Green Valley

Rosco aims high at Royal Hills Classic

Seve has his revenge, but Brian was brilliant

Parish takes a shine to Crystal Bay

A quiet week on the fairways

Griffiths shoots best of the week

Dore blasts Khao Kheow into submission

John Heaney Sunday’s best

Hoser Memorial Golf Tournament

Thai Polo prevail in annual beach tourney

Supachai eyes London gold while blazing a trail for disabled Thai athletes

Ehsen hat-trick seals big City win

TOT deal United a second straight defeat

NeilPryde Racing Series to join Thailand’s Top of the Gulf Regatta

Pattaya gears up for another festival of rugby

Nigel Short triumphs at 12th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2012

Tears from Thai champ at Bali Hai ‘Fight Night’
 

PATTAPA SPORTS ROUND-UP

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