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Suvit Strikes ‘Diana Gold’ at Eastern Star
Mike Franklin
Suvit Peagsuwan returned a Stableford score of 46 points
at Eastern Star Country Club & Resort to win the 2005 Diana Gold Charity
Golf Tournament. A capacity field of 180 golfers signed up for the 7th Diana
Gold and, just before 7.00am on Friday 11th November, teed off from the 10th
tee in the quest for the 18 One Baht Gold technical prizes set out on the
course, and the Stableford points challenge to win Divisional honors.
Mike
Franklin (far left) and Soppin ‘Noi’ Theppajug MD Diana Group (center)
present a cheque for 160,000 baht to Arunee Prayongyaem. The money will go
to the Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court Observation Center to help with
their various projects
Mike
Franklin (3rd
left), Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, MD Pattaya Mail (4th
left) and Sopin ‘Noi’ Thappajug, MD Diana Group (center) present a
cheque for 60,000 baht to Waraporn Sukonthasit (2nd
right) and Nittiya Pratimasongkroh (far
right) who were here to represent the YWCA of Pattaya.
Boonkiat
Viwattanadacha, Managing Director of VC Sport Productions (foreground right)
and his lovely young daughter gratefully accept a cheque for 60,000 baht on
behalf of the Tawanyim (Sunshine Radio) project.
Mike and
Noi hand over a cheque for 40,000 baht to representatives of Banglamung
schools to help provide scholarships for students in the region.
It was a fine, sultry and rather hot day on this fine
Robert Trent Jones Jnr. championship course, well presented and in
conditions ideal for good scoring. This certainly proved to be the case, as
all the division place winners returned scores below par. Nooket Gummer won
the Ladies division with 38 Stableford points, Ann Drader with 37 points won
the count-back with Panyanut Gale to be Ladies runner-up.
 The
overall ‘Diana Gold’ 2005 Champion Suvit Peagsuwan collects the
champion’s trophy and shield from Diana Group’s Mike Franklin (left) and
Noi (center).
The winners in all three Men’s Divisions had below par
scores. Alan Gummer ‘kept it in the family’ by being 2nd runner-up in
Division III with 38 points, Peter Gelstrup was runner-up with 39 points and
Tailerd Ledped took the winners trophy with 41 points. Division II scores
were similar; Jan Eriksson, 2nd runner-up with 37 points, Perry McNeely
runner-up with 38 points and Tom Sathrum scored 41 points to win the
division. Sittiporn Krutnark was 2nd runner-up in Division I with 41 points.
Pirom Glahan was a point in front with 42 points and Bundam Punpiron won the
division with 43 points. Khun Bundam also claimed the overall low gross
trophy with a gross 74, just beating Darren Ottaway’s gross 75.
 Suvit
Peagsuwan collects one Baht of gold from a beaming Noi as his reward for
becoming the 2005 ‘Diana Gold’ overall champion.
The One Baht Gold technical prizes were well-contested
and full results, with the name of the hole sponsor, technical task and
winner are detailed later, together with the Division results. The winners
were widely spread, but the Pattaya lady golfers staked their claim by
taking four of the gold, and John Ottaway’s group of regular visitors from
England claimed a further three of the ‘one Baht gelds. Bill Johnstone was
literally ‘on line’ with his straight drive on the 5th hole and phoned
home immediately to have the trophy cupboard unlocked. Not that gold is
likely to stay there long anyway; his lady was heard to say.
 Saranya
Chaiyanont receives one Baht of Gold from Mike Franklin for holing the
longest 1st
put for ladies on the par 5 eighth. The hole and prize were sponsored by the
Sauber Formula 1 fan club from Switzerland who are great supporters of this
event.
The Blue Ice Charity hole # 17 was generously supported
by 137 golfers and accordingly took 13,700 baht towards the charity fund.
Unfortunately though, no cases of Blue Ice were claimed so maybe the circle
has to be a little bigger next year. Darkness came quickly at around 6.0 pm,
but all 45 groups made it home.
The party and prize presentation was back at the Diana
Garden Resort around the swimming pool and sun terrace. It was a fine
evening and a splendid outdoor buffet from 6 pm welcomed the players and
many guests with the stage and live band set by the Jacuzzi.
 Mr.
TQ himself, Woody (left) hands over a one Baht piece of gold to one of the
technical prizewinners.
The prize-giving ceremony got under way with co-emcees
Mike Franklin and Tony Malhotra doing their now familiar English/Thai double
act. In their opening remarks, the benefiting charities were announced as
those concerned with children’s care and education, namely Banglamung
Schools that will receive student scholarships, the Chonburi Juvenile and
Family Court Observation & Protection Center, an establishment that
cares for boys and girls who have been through the Court and are on remand,
mainly on drug related charges
 The
fabulous ‘coffee shake’ girls.
Kuhn Sopin Theppajug, in addition to being Chief
Executive Officer of the Diana Group, is an Associate Judge at the Chonburi
Juvenile and Family Court. YWCA projects and the Tawanyim Sunshine Radio
project were also named as beneficiaries. Distinguished guests were formally
welcomed. Firstly, Khun Arunee Prayongyam Chief Judge from the Court, Khun
Vitsanu Prasomsab Director of Banglamung Schools, and Khun Nittaya
Pratimasongkoh Saiyairuk President of the YWCA. Other VIP guests included
Khun Boonkiat Viwattanadacha, Managing Director of VC Sport Productions and
Mr. Peter Malhotra, Managing Director of Pattaya Mail Media Co.
 Geoff
Bowers sets up nicely for his approach to one of the many tricky greens at
Eastern Star.
Thanks were then duly expressed to the main sponsors of
Diana Gold 2005. San Miguel and Blue Ice Beer represented by Khun Kat, and
Eastern Star Country Club & Resort, represented by General Manager, Khun
Saradej Sudasna. Special thanks were extended to Eastern Star for the
excellent presentation of the golf course, the friendly and efficient
service from all of their staff, and the customary full co-operation
received to ensure the day ran smoothly. Due credit was also given to the
Diana Gold tournament team on the day: The Blue Ice girls and Diana Group
staff for energizing the Blue Ice Charity Hole and raising 13,700 baht; to
stalwart Bernie Tuppin, PSC Charity Chairman, who was up to the ‘Tuppin
Challenge’ by efficiently getting 180 players off the 10th tee, and to
Wayne Ognoski with his laptop entering the scores and computing the results.
To Bangkok Pattaya hospital for providing the Ambulance Unit to be on
station at Eastern Star with, fortunately, nothing more than a brief back
massage to deal with all day and thanks to Kuhn Nok and John Cole for
Registration and to Khun Khomsan, Diana Group GM, concerned with the overall
planning and preparation.
Diana
2005 champion Suvit Peagsuwan (left), together with the other Divisional
winners, happily raise their trophies for the cameras.
With the prize-giving over, and the 2005 Diana Gold
Champion having received the Champion’s Trophy, ‘One Baht Gold’,
courtesy of the Diana Group from Khun Soppin and the Low Gross winner’s
trophy from Chief Judge Khun Arunee, it was time for the Charity Raffle
draw.
Mike
Franklin interviews 2 paramedics from the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital who
supported the event by providing on-course emergency medical care.
Fortunately, the only treatment required all day was a back massage to one
of the tired golfers.
But first, a brief and entertaining performance of the
‘Diana Coffee Shake’ by two lovely ladies from Diana Group staff and an
expert shake by the cocktail bartender. The Shake was then presented to the
Champion.
The
Diana ‘coffee shake’ girls proudly display a trophy of their own
alongside 2005 ‘Diana Gold’ Champion, Suvit Peagsuwan
In the Charity draw there were many items to be won
including more gold, a return flight, Bangkok to Chiangmai sponsored by
Diana Group Pakawadee Travel, and Medical check-up vouchers for Bangkok
Pattaya hospital.
That done, the evening concluded with the presentation of
cheques to the beneficiaries by Khun Soppin Theppajug: The sum of 160,000
baht was received by Chief Judge Khun Thammanoon Singsai on behalf of the
Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court Observation & Protection Center
towards further projects at the Center. Khun Vitsanu Prasomsab, Director of
Banglamung Schools, received 40,000 baht for student scholarships and Khun
Nittaya, YWCA President, 60,000 baht towards child benefit projects, and
finally a cheque for 60,000 baht to the Tawanyim Sunshine Radio project. A
total of 320,000 baht raised through Diana gold 2005
That ceremony concluded a fine event; a good days’ golf
at Eastern Star, a great party round the Diana Garden Resort Pool, plenty of
gold for the players and a valuable contribution to the chosen charities
supporting children’s care and education.
Back in 2006, hopefully on Friday November 10 for another
‘Diana Gold’.
A group
of Thai golfers strike a pose before setting out over the challenging
Eastern Star course.
Two
intrepid golfers drive off for one Baht of gold at the 2005 ‘Diana Gold’
tournament held at Eastern Star Country Club.
The
party in full swing back at the Diana Garden Estate.
The
scene around the pool at the ‘Diana Gold’ awards ceremony.
Results:
Division I:
- 1st Bundam Punpirom: 43 pts. (74 gross)
- 2nd Pirom Glahan: 42 pts. (78)
- 3rd Sittiporn Krutnark: 41pts. (77)
Division II:
- 1st Suvit Peagsuwan: 46 pts. (82 gross)
- 2nd Tom Sathrum: 41 pts. (86)
- 3rd Perry McNeely: 38 pts. (85)
Division III:
- 1st Tailerd Ledped: 41 pts.
(91 gross)
- 2nd Peter Gelstrup: 39 pts. (101)
- 3rd Alan Gummer: 38 pts. (98)
Ladies:
- 1st Nooket Gummer: 38 pts. (104 gross)
- 2nd Panyanut Gale: 37 pts. (88)
- 3rd Ann Drader: 37 pts. (102)
Thailand strikes gold
at the 2005 Asian Indoor Games
Sports Reporters
Sunday, November 13 - With the paint still barely dry on
the 480 million baht sparkling new indoor arena, Pattaya finally kicked off
it’s own involvement in the 2005 Asian Indoor Games with 3 days of highly
competitive athletics. Matching the official opening of the Games in Bangkok
the previous day, the Pattaya officials had laid on an extravagant show
featuring Thai dancers and musicians wearing traditional costumes to greet
the athletes, who have come to Thailand from 37 different nations.
Once the athletics got under way, it didn’t take long
for the colorful Thai supporters to be given something to cheer about:
Twenty two year old female sprinter, Nongnuch Sanrat from Petchabun
province, electrified the audience with a victory in the 60m sprint over her
fellow compatriot, Sangwan Jaksunin. Nongnuch blew the field away in a time
of 7.46 seconds and collected a cool 1 million baht prize in the process.
Sangwan, who took the silver, also received 500,000 baht for her efforts.
 Nirmala
Bharati of Nepal (615) leads the chasing pack into the bend in the women’s
3000m final on the opening day of athletics at the Pattaya indoor arena,
2005 Asian Indoor Games.
The superb run by Nongnuch brought Thailand its first
gold medal of the entire Games and the noise from the spectators that
greeted her victory nearly took the roof of the brand new stadium, drawing
some anxious looks from officials and building contractors alike.
Following the medal ceremony, the victorious athlete gave
a brief press conference; “I’m very happy to win the first gold for
Thailand,” said an elated Nongnuch. “I’m very excited to finish first
in the event. In the qualifying run my time was not that good, but I just
kept in mind that I still had a chance to make amends in the final.”
Displaying a mature head on young shoulders, Nongnuch responded to questions
about how she might spend her prize money; “I haven’t decided what to do
with the Bt 1 million cash incentive I will receive from the National Sports
Development Fund. I plan to deposit the money in my bank account.”
 Thai
sprint hurdler Narongdech Janjai (center) proudly shows his gold medal to
the cameras. Alongside him on the podium are Rashid Abdul from Pakistan
(silver medal) and Suphan Wongsriphuck of Thailand (bronze medal).
Elsewhere in the track and field, Thailand’s Watchara
Sondee took inspiration from the Thai female athletes and managed to take a
very creditable silver in the Men’s 60m sprint final: Watchara was pipped
on the line by Hong Kong’s Tang Yik Chun, with Oman’s extravagantly
named Al-Jabri Juma Mubarak Mar Hoon taking the bronze.
 Mohammed
Akefian (207) hit’s the front at the bell on his way to recording a new
Asian indoor record in the men’s 400m final.
Day two of the athletics saw another victory for a Thai
athlete. This time is was the turn of 60m sprint hurdler, Narongdech Janjai
who took the gold in the men’s event with a time of 7.93 seconds,
finishing narrowly ahead of Pakistan’s Abdul Rashid in a photo finish. The
real highlight of the day however, came in the form of Iranian 400m runner,
Mohammed Akefian. He powered to a gold medal in a time of 47.83 seconds,
which not only set a new national record but also broke his own Asian
continental record into the bargain.
Highly fancied Thai/American female sprint hurdler,
Trecia Roberts could only manage a bronze medal in the 60m hurdle event,
trailing Ji Fanggian of China and Kazakhstan’s Natalya Ivoninskaya.
Indeed, it seems that the Kazakh team have arrived here in Thailand meaning
business as at the time of going to press, they lead the overall medal table
with 18 golds; China are in second place with 11 golds with host country
Thailand currently lying third with 8 gold medals.
Whatever the final outcome of the medal table, Pattaya
can feel justifiably proud of its contribution to the 2005 Asian Indoor
Games and after the athletes have all packed up and gone home, the city will
be left with a wonderful legacy in the form of the magnificent new indoor
arena: Just hope the roof doesn’t suffer too much damage from the decibels
raised by those home town supporters.
Saowalee
Kaewchuay of Thailand explodes from the blocks during a heat of the
women’s 400m. Saowalee eventually finished 4th in the Final in a time of
55.01 sec.
Thailand’s
Wacharee Kittiwat took silver in the women’s triple jump with a leap of
13.11 meters.
Beaming
smiles from Thailand’s lady sprint stars: Nongnuch Sanrat (right) took the
gold medal and 1 million baht 1st prize in the women’s 60m sprint final.
Sanguan Jaksunin (left) took the silver and a 500,000 baht consolation
prize.
Amnuay
Tongmit (THA) struggles to keep pace with the leaders in the men’s 3000m
final on day 2 of the athletics events.
Thai
female sprinter Sanguan Jaksunin storms home in 7.50 sec during a heat of
the women’s 60m sprint event: Sanguam finished second in the final to
compatriot Nongnuch Sanrat.
In front
of a packed stand, an athlete narrowly fails to clear the bar in the men’s
pole vault final.
It’s ‘champagne Charlie’ at Plutaluang
PSC golf with The Bunker
Green Valley Country Club -
Monday 7 November
With the high season approaching fast, the Bunker Boys
were out in large numbers to play the Green Valley course. We play there
again on 25 November, but that will most likely be the last time until the
low season returns. In division “A” Geoff Parker returned the best score
of the day with a net 70. Mike Staunton came second with net 74 and a
three-way tie for third with scores of 76 went to Roger Privett, Barry
Barnes and Gerry Cooney. In division “B”, Bob Turner scored a net 71 to
take top honors; Charlie Gooch came second with net 77 and Neil Griffin and
Ian Phillips shared third prize with the score of net 78. Near the pins were
won by Ian Phillips, Gerry Cooney, Eddie Martin and Bob Turner.
 Charlie
Gooch demonstrates his form as he wins 2 near pins and a second place finish
for his efforts on Friday, 11 November
Noble Place Golf Course -
Wednesday 9 November
Wednesday was a perfect day for a stableford competition
at the popular Noble Place golf club. Two divisions were set and the best
score of the day was in the “B” division. Danny Dyke scored 39 points on
what he referred to as his best round of golf. The key to his success was
that he had 7 one putts and a chip in en-route to a total of 25 putts for
the round. Granville Swanton scored 35 points to take second place honors
and Sander Ruth Sip was third with 34 points. In the “A” division, Ulf
Rosenberg scored 38 points to win the division. Second place was shared
between Gerry Cooney and Mitch Malone with 36 points each. Near the pins
were won by Sander Ruth Sip, Granville Swanton, Ulf Rosenburg and Hakan
Widestedt.
Plutaluang Navy Course -
Friday 11 November
The Bunker Boys ended the week on the difficult North and
East courses for a medal competition. Bruce Lawrence returned to the Bunker
after several years to capture the first place honors with a very impressive
score of net 66. Charlie Gooch kept his good form to take second place with
net 70 and Doug Landsborough returned a score of net 75 to take third place.
Near the pins were won by Charlie Gooch (2), Dave Booton and Rod Stevens.
The Bunker Boys are located on Soi Chaiyapoon (near X-zyte disco and
across the street from Tony’s Disco II). Monthly golf schedules are
available or consult the Pattaya Mail every week.
Ebrahim cans an ‘Ace’ at Eastern Star
PSC golf from The Caf้ Kronborg
Monday November 7
Eastern Star
With the ranks swelled by some familiar faces returning
to these shores for their winter break, an enthusiastic group of 36 golfers
teed up at the ever-popular Eastern Star for the weekly stableford
competition.
With the rainy season arriving a little late this year
the threat of yet another storm loomed large as the early groups teed off,
happily however this never materialized and although a little ‘sticky’
the conditions held up well.
Eastern Star is not the easiest of courses and overall
the scores were good with Kevin Dinan taking the ‘B’ flight with a fine
37 points from Jerry Hough in second on 33 points and a surprised Bob
Rasmussen reaping the benefits of waiting for the presentation by taking
third place with 32 points.
Now obviously this should have been declared ‘National
Kevin Day’ as Kevin Callaghan romped away with the ‘A’ flight carding
a masterful 40 points to take first place from Garry Cameron (39pts) in
second and Brian Noguer (36pts) in third.
Special congratulations must go to the amiable Ebrahim
who, although on this rare occasion did not make the winners circle, was not
to be outdone as he managed to ‘can’ his tee shot at the difficult third
for a hole in one, a magnificent achievement on one of the toughest par
three’s around these parts.
Winners A Flight: Kevin Callaghan, B Flight: Kevin Dinan
Technical Prizes:
Longest Putt No 9 Arthur Bailey
Longest Putt No 18 Bob Rasmussen
Near Pin No 3 Ebrehim (Hole in One)
Near Pin No 6 Gene Rooney
Near Pin No 13 Joe Vanderween
Near Pin No 17 Clive Robinson
Two old pros on the podium
I.P.G.C. golf with The Caddy Shack.
Tuesday, November 8 - The golfers from the Caddy Shack
travelled to Green Valley for a Medal competition off the white tees. With
30 golfers entered, they were split into two divisions with the cut being 16
and under. In division two Rob Heath and Les Hall tied for 3rd place with a
net 78 each, David Cooper shot a net 77 to take 2nd place, but the winner
was the very consistent Ben Findon with a net 74. In Division One Steve
Nowell scored a level par to finish in 3rd place, Dave Smith scored a very
nice one under net 71 to take 2nd place, but the travelling pro, Keith
Smithson gave them all a lesson and scored a net 70 to take the win. There
were two 2’s, one for Steve Nowell and one for Dave Smith. The return of
Angus ‘the Horse’ to defend his title of the Bananas was foiled by the
departing Aussies who took the yellow perils back to Oz. The lucky winner of
the Sunday lunch at The Caddy Shack was won by Keith Smithson.
Thursday November 10 - The Caddy Shack golfers went to
Mountain Shadow to play a Stableford competition. This course is one of the
hardest around at the moment and the cut was made at 17 and under. In
division two Brian Kelly scored 26 points to take 3rd place, Clark Alexander
scored 28 points to take 2nd place, but remember the old saying of the
‘cream always comes to the top’; well on this occasion it was Mr Loy
with 32 points to take the win. In division one Keith Smithson scored 32
points in 3rd with Wilf Latham scoring 33 points for 2nd place and it was
sweet revenge and top spot for Dave Smith, who just lost out on Tuesday to
Keith by a shot, but put it right today with 35 points: The 2s were shared
by Dave Smith, Mr Suzuki and Mr Loy. The Bananas were won outright for the
golfer who missed a one-inch put with a fresh air shot and I think he is
worthy of winning the Bananas for the next month: Congratulations Mr Loy!
Back at The Caddy Shack Bill Hewitt won the lucky draw prize.
The Caddy Shack is situated on the second part of Soi 17 on the same road
as the Harley Bar. For anyone wishing to play golf, we leave the bar at
11.00am for a Midday tee off. We play every Tuesday and Thursday and all are
welcome.
Keith, the Lord of Noble Place
PSC golf from The Grapevine
Thursday 10 November saw 27 Grapevine golfers
head north to Noble Place to play the A & B courses for the
‘Grapevine Tankard’, our monthly medal event. The course was in tiptop
condition following the recent rains, with well-grassed fairways & true
running greens. Not many good scores, but still a couple of the high flight
players shooting creditable net 69s to only be split on a count-back for
the Tankard. The popular victor was our very own Keith Hodges (26), who was
truly excited & rightfully proud of his efforts. The runner up was Phil
Dwyer (19) who, although disappointed in missing the Tankard, offered a
sincere “well done” to Keith, as did all the boys & girls from the
Grapevine crew. The low flight group (0 - 17) did not fare quite so well in
the scoring stakes, although Nile Sheehan (17) did enough to shoot net 72,
Kuni Wakabayashi (8) played steady all day to secure second with net 74.
 Keith
H., winner of the Grapevine Tankard and Nile S., winner of the low flight
group
The technical prizes were again spread around with
‘Near The Pins’ picked up by Al, Nooket, Nile, Rich, Ray & Roy,
whilst Barry grabbed both the Long Putts on offer. The mutually exclusive
awards (aka Lucky Draws) were won by John, Paddy, Keith, & that
intellectual high brow from Canada, Gordie. All these lucky winners bore
testament to the fact that picking up a prize & playing good golf were
indeed “mutually exclusive”! The hard luck story of the day was surely
that of ever-enthusiastic Evertonian, Roy Pimblett (20) who ended up with
net 74 after taking a 14 (yes fourteen) at the short 15th. I am reliably
told there was a lazy 10 shots to extricate from the bunker. No sand save
there for the stats sheet.
A great day was had by all, with a heavy shower dampening down the group
for a hole mid round but not enough to quell the enthusiasm for the golf
course or the day out. Upon arrival back at the Grapevine, Opal &
Malcolm had some hearty beef stew ready for the golfers & tasty it was
too. If you are looking for a game on a Thursday come on down to Soi Regent
Marina & sign up. Cheers & good golfing.
Blackburne makes ‘em see Red
IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s
Sunday November 6
Eastern Star -
White Tees, Stableford
1st A Flight: Gary Blackburne, 42 points
2nd A Flight: Jim Wickstrom, 38 points
3rd A Flight: Dave Tanner, 35 points
1st B Flight: Lee Adelly, 36 points
2nd B Flight: Andy Redmond, 35 points
3rd B Flight: Jeremy Masse, 33 points
1st C Flight: Roy Thornton, 41 points
2nd C Flight: Bob Lindborg, 35 points
3rd C Flight: Barry Rohtberg, 34 points
1st D Flight: Peter “Lumpy” Lee, 38 points
2nd D Flight: Alec Hoare, 35 points
3rd D Flight: Eddy Beilby, 34 points
NP’s: #6 Noy Pimmoem; #17 Joe Stranks
2’s: Gary Blackburne, Dave Snell, Phil Mitchell, Lee
Adelly, Joe McArdle, Nick Payne, Bob Fagan, Eddy Beilby
The title spotlight this month shone on one of the most
pleasant people in the Society, Gary Blackburne, and rightfully so, as he
carded the first sub-par round, off the stick, in his career. His gross 71
followed a recent stretch where Gary was threatening to eclipse level par
and then on Sunday, a week premature of the Monthly Medal, he prevailed.
Congrats from all for this achievement and welcome to your new 4.8 handicap.
Jimmy Wickstrom, himself no stranger to the red digits, was second with 38
points, four arrears of Gary and three in front of marvelously consistent
Dave Tanner. Dave who has been nipping around the edges of success needed a
count back over visitor Rick Holmes to clinch his podium spot.
Visiting Roy Thornton, was but one shy of co-Man of the
Match honors, as his 41 points bested his C Flight compatriots by a minimum
of six points. The Sultan of Green Valley was that second best score and
Barry Rothberg completed the British victory celebration with a C Flight
bronze.
Lee Adelly, enjoying a break in the European Tour
schedule on which he is a highly respected caddy, served notice that he
could play the game as well, as he took first in B Flight with a level to
handicap 36 points. Good friend of all, Andy Redmond, was but a point off
the pace with Jeremy Masse completing B Flight’s awarded triumvirate.
D Flight saw Lumpy Lee (no relation to Lumpy Russell)
stride into town and take the loot on his first try. Alec Hoare served
notice that he has returned to play with a typical podium place. Eddy
Beilby, himself working too much lately, shook off the cobwebs to snag the
last available funds on the day.
Monday November 7
Treasure Hill -
White Tees, Stableford
1st A Flight - John Emmerson - 38 points
2nd A Flight - Brent Merron - 36 points
3rd A Flight - Jim Munns - 33 points
1st B Flight - Yuli Pellow - 31 points
2nd B Flight - Tom Bryne - 30 points
3rd B Flight - Dave Porter - 30 points
NP: #17 Eddy Beilby
2’s: John Emmerson, John Foote, Charles Sheppard
It was kinda’ the Golf Manager and nobody else on the
demanding Treasure Hill White layout. The ol’ Silver Back was the only
player in the field to better his handicap. The effort of “One of the
Caddies to the Scion’s of Industry”, Brent Merron, should not be
discounted quite so cavalierly since he did match his handicap. It was
simply that his ten handicap left him in the premier Flight with the Boss
and thus, second place remuneration. Capt. Fogg tidied up the top lot with a
third.
It was joy for the common man, er ah... common woman too,
as the first place award trickled all the way down to the 31 points of
diminutive Yuli Pellow; one of three Pellow’s in the field, thus setting
up what could have been a real ‘Pellow’ fight. Carrying on with this
pathetic play on words, a half dozen competitors armed with perhaps pillows
rather than the “standard tools ill-suited for the purpose” were knotted
at a massive 30 points. Visiting Mick, Tom Bryne, and resident Brit Dave
Porter had the better of the better looking foote, Lyn Foote, Aussie Bruce
McAdam and septuagenarian Kurt-Erik Persson.
Wednesday November 9
Burapha A/B - Blue or
White Tees,
Stroke/Medal
1st Blue A Flight: Jason Perry, net 68
2nd Blue A Flight: John Emmerson, net 70
3rd Blue A Flight: Phil Groves, net 75
1st Blue B Flight: Jeremy Masse, net 73
2nd Blue B Flight: Jack Mosely, net 74
3rd Blue B Flight: Dave Boran, net 78
1st White Flight: Max Arlen, net 69
2nd White Flight: John Foote, net 70
3rd White Flight: Bob Lindborg, net 72
4th White Flight: John Clements, net 73
Near Pins: #6 (Blue) Jason Perry; #17 (White) Mike
Craighead
2’s: Blues: Jason Perry (2), Gary Blackburne, Eddiee
Blackwell; Whites: Coin Davis, Mike Craighead, Jan Eriksen (2)
Visiting Jason Perry, a player of considerable talent, as
his 3 handicap would belie, was (a) 71 off the stick, (b) had the best net
on the day, (c) had the Blue Flight Near Pin and (d) had two 2’s. One only
hopes he wasn’t still jet lagged or hung over and that there is not better
play to come. The GM was second, with the Swim Instructor edging our title
guy for the last Blue A Flight slot. Jeremy Masse made his second podium of
the week a good one as he topped the second Flight off the Blue Tees. Jack
Mosely, returning to Society play after a summer’s hiatus continuing the
strong play we remembered in grabbing the silver. Dave Boran, playing one
his last comps of this visit, covered the airport tax with third.
In the good-sized White teed Flight, Max Arlen took the
better of his younger foes as his net 69 bettered Lyn’s husband by a
single swipe. The man who hits the fairway driver better than anyone, took
the third step, as Johnny Clements battled the “Clubmaker to the Stars”,
Neil Cameron” for the uncharacteristic fourth. Neil’s card graciously
yielded to that of John’s.
Friday November 11
Mountain Shadow -
Blue Tees 2-Man Better Ball, Stableford
1st Nick Strasshine & Graham Johnson - 43 points
2nd Julian Clarke & Jim Brackett - 42 points
3rd John Emmerson & Poo Supaporn - 41 points
2’s: Graham Johnson, Julian Clarke, Dave Tanner, Bruce
McAdam, Leo Spratt,
It was Friday, it was on the toughest par-72 course on
the Eastern Seaboard and it was two days prior to the Monthly Medal. Why not
give the gang a day off? So it was with that thought that the GM put
together a Two-Person Better Ball. The loaded team of Nicky Strasshine and
G-r-a-h-a-m J-o-h-n-s-o-n proved one better than the equally talented duo of
Julian Clarke and Jimmy Brackett. The old GM, along with the First Lady,
rounded out the placeholders.
Nile in full flow at Burapha
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral
Tuesday, November 8 dawned miserably with
heavily laden skies and heavy storms were inevitable as the Pattaya Golf
Society left the OK Corral for their weekly medal event at Burapha, playing
the C and D nines. Predictably, numbers were down with many regulars
choosing the comfort of their homes rather than braving the tropical
monsoon. From the start soaked fairways, saturated bunkers and soggy greens
made good golf impossible and the constant presence of thunder and the
possibility of a course closure distracted the brave dozen from their task.
Those who completed the course returned uncharacteristically high scores and
net 81 was good enough for a share of third place for Chaten Patel and
Freddy Braun, waterproofed throughout. Peter Fitton had recently returned
from a wet and windy UK and found the conditions more familiar to him as he
posted a net 76 for second place. Amazingly, the day’s best round was
level par as Nile Sheehan dug deep into his reserves of concentration and
resilience to shoot the winning score. There were no birdie 2’s and the
‘Booby Bevy’ went to Len Jones who had the temerity, or was it good
sense, to abandon the course after fourteen dismal holes, cold, wet and
thoroughly “peed off”. It was a day best forgotten, except by a smiling
Nile Sheehan. Patel
Figures
in Win at Bangpra
On hearing that conditions had improved at the badly scorched Bangpra
International Golf Club, the Pattaya Golf Society duly scheduled an
appearance there for Thursday, November 10 and were very impressed with the
improvements after a hard, hot summer. The format was stableford and,
despite damp conditions underfoot, the day remained fair and the greens
still had much of their legendary speed. Paul Scully and Peter Fitton had
recently returned from a stint in UK and they soon found their feet again
recording scores of 31 points to take a share of second place whilst Indian
accountant Chaten Patel, managed to figure out the course better and submit
a score of 37 points, which, after auditing, gave him a deserved victory.
For the second successive event there were no birdie 2’s although three or
four players came very close, hitting the pin with chips or just lipping
out. The ‘Booby Bevy’ was presented to Margaret Wilkinson for the chaos
created when her handbag was misplaced, despite the very valid claims of low
scoring Keith Crowley and Rob Tobin. Back at the OK Corral all were full of
praise for the course and look forward to taking up the cudgels there again
throughout the high season.
The PSC return empty handed despite a brave show
PSC v PEGS Phuket, 8-10 November
Having seen off the opposition earlier in
the year on home territory, the Pattaya Sports Club sent 16 intrepid golfers
to Phuket for the return match with The Phuket Expats Golf Society. This was
expected to be a tough test of golf and that’s exactly how it turned out.
However, hopes were high and pound for pound we had them well and truly
beaten. Well with the two Willett boys, Mark Guthrie and the two
‘Herbies’, Schweiterman and Ishinaga, it was no contest. Even the
weather was on our side; it stopped raining when we arrived and started when
we left. All the three courses played were however still wet under foot and
winter rules applied during all the matches. 
The
famous par three 17th at Blue Canyon Country Club, Phuket, which was played
during round 2 of the recent PSC v PEGS challenge, 9 Nov.
Day one was a two-man scramble at Phuket Country Club;
the next day we played a two man better ball at Blue Canyon and the final
match consisted of the singles at Loch Palm. First day honours
unsurprisingly went to the home side 6 to 2 with many of their team holding
memberships at the course. Herb Schwieterman and Scott Cosban proved to be
our only winners with Dennis Willett/ Keith Gilham and Herbie Ishinaga/Sis
Ige halving their matches. The next day found us at Blue Canyon on the
Championship course where Tiger Woods won back-to-back Johnny Walker
Classics. Unfortunately the course had taken a beating with the weather and
was not in its usual pristine condition. The PEGS team were shocked to be on
the end of a 5 to 4 beating with wins from Herb Schwieterman /Paul Gibson,
Ian Edwards /Ian Covill, Herbie Ishinaga /Sus Ige, Perry McNeely /Anders
Pederson and Bob Benda / Larry Willett. The final day took us to Loch Palm,
my personal favourite of all the courses played. The singles went 10 to 6
for the home side with PSC wins for Dennis and Larry Willett, Alan Pearce,
Perry McNeely, Bob Benda and Ian Edwards who took Peter Davies the PEGS
captain to the cleaners: Did a lot of cleaning up over the week did Ian! So
overall the match went to the home side 20 points to 13.
The presentation ceremony took place in the clubhouse
afterwards when Alan Pearce suddenly discovered we had “lost” the
trophy. However we managed to borrow a suitable temporary replacement from
the club’s trophy cabinet and after a pleasant meal, returned to Patong
and hit the nightspots resulting in thick heads all round the next day. Our
thanks go to Mervyn Baines and Peter Davies from PEGS for the wonderful
organization and to all their team for their generous hospitality. Grateful
thanks also to Alan Pearce for all his efforts in organizing the event from
our side.
Travel is supposed to broaden the mind as the old saying
goes so on a personal note here is what I learned from this wonderful trip:
1/ It takes three Thai ladies to lift one Herbie Ishinaga out of a chair. 2/
If you see Sus Ige alone in a bar on your way back to the hotel - keep
walking. 3/ Never get in between the Willett brothers and a Burger bar. 4/
Do not get underneath Herb Schwieterman’s feet and 5/ Ian Edwards is a
better golfer than Peter Davies.
Turned out nice again.
CJ
Friends move into a tie for first place and Three Sisters moves into the top five
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
 200
Bowlers Tue, Lenz and Kaew.
Friends
moved into a tie for first as they split their match with Domicil at two
points each while VFW Post 9876 got only one point from third place Mai’s
Thai Restaurant. Shenanigan managed to win two points from Caf้ Ole
and remain in fourth place. Three Sisters moved into fifth place after
winning all four points from Brother D who dropped to sixth place. Grape
Vine won three points from Jack & Tar and Caf้ Kronborg beat House
of the Golden Coin taking all four points in that match.
Best bowlers of the day were:
Lenz, Mai’s Thai Restaurant: 223 game - 570 series
Kaew, Three Sisters: 235 game - 560 series
Teuvo, Friends: 539 series
Kran, Caf้ Kronborg: 516 series
Tue, VFW Post 9876: 203 game - 511 series
Antero, Spare Bowler: 510 series
The Bear is returning to form!
IPGC golf from The Haven
Mon 07 Nov Crystal Bay,
Medal
Division 1 (0-13)
1st Chris Davisson 69
2nd Kim Espinos 71
3rd Jason Perry 72 c/b 33
4th Tony Thorne 72 c/b 36
Division 2 (14plus)
1st Trevor Schirmer 68
2nd Tom Sathram 72 c/b 35
3rd Frank Hughes 72 c/b 36
4th Jens Gunnarsson 72 c/b 37
The largest gathering for some time left the Haven to do
battle at the beautiful resort course of Crystal Bay, which as usual was in
excellent condition. With 9 single handicappers in the field, the division
split came at 13, but it was old hand, Chris Davisson, just on the cut line,
who whipped them all! Jason Perry, shot a superb 34 gross on the back to
finish level par off his 3 handicap, but poor Suzuki San managed to split
his shorts trying to out-drive Danish professional, Jens Nielsen, spending
the back 9 with his bum hanging out, much to the amusement of the caddies!
In division 2, Trevor Schirmer easily saw off the higher handicappers by 4
clear shots from Tom, Frank & The Iceman, Jens Gunnarsson. The fast true
greens ruined many a card in division 2 and not surprisingly, there were no
2’s recorded, but it was a different story in division 1, where Chris
Davisson, Barry Winton, Jason Perry, Rick Holmes & Jens Nielsen shared
the pool. Prior to the presentation, Richard Livingston, welcomed Olof
Malmberg, Jason Perry & Troy Misiak and welcomed back Martin Grimoldby,
Jens Nielsen, Len Dingemans, Frank Hughes, John Draper, Bob Van Mol, Ian
Bakewell and with his new set of wheels imported from Liverpool, Barry
Traynor.
Wed 09 Nov Khao Kheow A/B,
Stableford
1st Dave Spendley 34
2nd Roar Berger 30
3rd John Draper 29 c/b 16
4th Ian Bakewell 29 c/b 15
After the huge turnout on Monday, it was a disappointing
17 golfers who made the trip to a wet and soggy Khao Kheow. Many regulars
having heard of heavy rainfall over the “green hills” opted to miss this
competition and clearly made a wise decision. A surprised Dave Spendley,
romped home with 34 points beating off the “Berger King” by 4 points.
All in all, conditions were very tough, scores poor and ten golfers failed
to break 100. CSS of 75 tells the story! 5 handicapper, Ian Bakewell, took
the honors in the 2’s competition with the only “2” of the day, so a
double rollover in division 2 for Friday. Back at the Haven, Richard
Livingston, welcomed back Kjell Christiansen and Werner Kuhr.
Fri 11 Nov Pattaya Country
Club, Stableford
Division 1 (0-16)
1st Barry Winton 40
2nd Glyn Nicholas 39
3rd John Taylor 38
Division 2 (17 plus)
1st Ron Dalen 41
2nd Barry Chadbourn 35
3rd Brian Kelly 33
Back to big numbers again for the short trip up the 331
and an unprecedented 15 car owners turned out. Anymore and some golfers will
have to take two cars! This time, more higher handicappers were on parade
and the split came at 16. Still pretty good when one remembers the average
handicap at Hare House/Haven used to be 19. The day started very hot and
humid, but before anyone completed the front 9, black clouds and a fresh
wind brought in heavy rain, thunder and lightening. Luckily the storm headed
around and away from the course and play was only delayed for approx 40mins.
Man of the day was undoubtedly Barry (the Bear) Winton, with a fine return
to form, shooting a superb 73 gross for his 40 points! Also making a good
return was, Glyn (Magellan) Nicholas, lost from returning from Mountain
Shadow some two weeks ago! John Taylor snatched third place in division 1,
courtesy of an eagle (net albatross) on the 18th, to pip Al Rolnik on
count-back. In division 2, Ron Dalen shot the lights out to easily win from
Barry & Brian; Ron can now surely look forward to a cut in his generous
26 handicap! Whilst the course was in good condition, the greens were fast
but as usual rather bumpy and 2’s were scarce; Yasuo Suzuki, Barry Traynor
& Rick Holmes sharing the spoils in division 1. With none registered in
division 2 there will be a triple rollover going to Bangpra on Monday! Prior
to the presentation, Richard Livingston, welcomed John Wheeler and welcomed
back Kristin Christiansen, David Brennan, John Taylor, Brian Carruthers,
Fred Ewins (from torpidity) and Trevor (ATM) Edge (from cheap golf in Udon
somewhere and Khon nowhere) and we heard the ATM was open to a few!
A tough day out at Eastern Star
PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s
Tuesday, November 8 Eastern Star - This is
a course you either love or love to hate. It is a course you have to play
long and straight off the tee and makes a fool of sloppy second shots.
However, on your day it can be most rewarding.
 Phil
Dwyer and Nigel Cannon, this week’s winner at Tropical Bert’s
After breakfast at Bert’s, all the golfers loaded into
transport and made their way down to the course, under dark skies and
blustery conditions, surely not another wet day. Arriving at the course and
reaching the first tee, it was ominous to see the caddies had put the rain
covers on the bags and the sky was darkening off to the right. This has to
be the day when the ball went the least distance I have ever known off the
clubface. With a long damp course, intermittent rain and no carry, I knew we
were in for a tough day. We of course were. Suffice to say that only one
person beat his handicap, and then only by one shot.
Back at Berts, after a fill up on chicken and chips, Bob
declared the winners as Phil Dwyer in the Div A, and Nigel Cannon in the Div
B. Bob decided he had had enough of running the day and handed over to Tim
Holt. I personally would like to thank Bob for bringing the competition
through from The 60’s Bar into the safe hands of Tropical Berts and wish
Tim the best of luck.
T.T.F.N.
Winner Div A: Phil Dwyer, Runner up Martin Bullen
Winner Div B Nigel Cannon, Runner up Bryan Rought
Near Pins: Paul Sharples, Phil Moore (2), Martin Bullen,
Dave Warberg, Max Matthews, Colin Bavington, Lawrence Harding, Gary
Harrison, Grant Dawson
Long Put: Martin Bullen, Bob Noble, Bryan Rought, Tim Holt
The Beautiful Game?: English Soap Opera Rolls On
Riz Taylor
Friendly? I don’t think so. Although Argentina and
England lined-up in neutral Switzerland for what was officially a friendly
match, meetings between the two rarely contain much in the way of affection
for the opposition. There is too much history for that.
England ran out 3-2 winners, thanks in part to the second
half introduction of Joe Cole and two late goals from Michael Owen, adding
to the earlier strike from the brilliant Wayne Rooney. It was a pulsating
contest worthy of two nations that harbour genuine ambitions of lifting next
year’s World Cup, but more than the slightly fortunate win it was the
improved attitude and desire shown by the players that pleased both fans and
media alike: And about time too.
It’s never easy being an England fan. Over the years
I’ve become used to having my hopes raised by an awesome performance
against the best the world has to offer, only to then see my heroes struggle
to get a draw against Macedonia at home. It’s like being addicted to a
soap opera - I’m never entirely comfortable watching yet at the same time
cannot bear to miss the next installment. The one exception to the
excitement has been ‘friendly’ matches. There was once a time when these
meant something, though more recently they’ve become an excuse to hand out
international caps to any Tom, Dick or Harry that turns up at the stadium
with a pair of boots and shin-pads.
The vibes surrounding this fixture suggested that things
would be different this time around. Aside from the history of famous
encounters between these two nations, the looming World Cup meant that both
would treat the game as a competitive match. Even Sven Goran Eriksson was
getting in on the serious act. The Swede, normally so accommodating to the
Premiership bosses whose stars he borrows every few months, wrote to each
manager a few weeks in advance to stress the importance of the match and to
request full cooperation from his club counterparts.
The result was an England side transformed from the
pathetic, tired-looking outfit that was thrashed by Denmark in August.
Eriksson chose his strongest available team and even managed to resist the
temptation of multiple substitutions at half time. This was a friendly only
in name, and with both sides playing at full tempo this match might easily
have finished eight apiece were it not thanks to goalkeeping heroics at both
ends.
Last week it was announced that England’s players will
be paid 300,000 pounds if they manage to win the World Cup. If you ask me it
shouldn’t be necessary to dangle a financial carrot in front of
millionaires when the World Cup is at stake, but I guess that this is modern
football.
Were every match against Argentina there would be no need
for incentives. Everywhere you looked there were signs that the game had
extra meaning. The players seemed to work harder, the celebrations by both
sides more animated and even the commentators tone suggested that something
more was at stake. Friendly it may have been, but for England and their
manager the win meant a much-needed boost in their final match of 2005.
Argentine goalscorer Hernan Crespo was taken aback by
England’s quality and suggested that the World Cup is within reach. “I
was impressed by everybody in the England team,” he said. “And when I
saw Joe Cole coming on as a substitute I realised how many great players
England have. They played their best tonight and it was a good match.
England are good enough to win the World Cup, not just for tonight but
because they have great players. They are a great team with a great manager.
For me they are one of the favourites to win the World Cup.”
Former manager Glenn Hoddle suggested that the presence
of Wayne Rooney in England’s line-up could take the side to new heights:
“He’s an extra special player,” said Hoddle. “What he does is raise
the standard, that’s what Platini did for France and Maradona did for
Argentina. If you look at every team to win the World Cup they have an
extra-special player who can lift the team”, he continued. “When he
plays, other players score and find space because defenders are on him.
It’s always good to have a player like that.”
Can England actually win it? We’ll have to wait another
seven months to find out. But having beaten the world’s second rated side,
England should fear nobody as the tournament approaches: Unless of course
those pesky Macedonians are handed a late entry.
Ranting about
ratings
Talking of ratings, there is talk that the World Cup
groupings could, for the first time, be seeded according to FIFA’s world
rankings. This sounds perfectly fair for all concerned and was another reason
that Sven Goran Eriksson added significance to England’s clash with Argentina.
Yet the reality would mean that the United States, in seventh
place in the rankings, would be handed a seeding in one of the eight groups if
the competition were to be held tomorrow. Now without intending to disrespect
our American friends, would their team merit a seeding ahead of Germany? The
World Cup hosts are down in 15th place, despite finishing as runners-up in the
last World Cup. Similarly the 2002 competition’s semi-finalists South Korea
are in 29th position, eight places behind the footballing superpower that is
Iran. Let’s hope FIFA don’t adopt this ridiculous idea.
McLeish clings to job
In Scotland it’s Old Firm derby time again as Celtic host
Rangers tomorrow (at 19:30 Pattaya time), just ten days after the two faced each
other in the glamorously titled CIS Insurance Cup. Celtic won the match 2-0,
adding to the mounting pressure on Rangers boss Alex Mcleish who is said to be
clinging to his job. A poor start to the season means Rangers go into
tomorrow’s match tailing both Celtic and Hearts by a dozen points. A win is
crucial.
“I knew that there were no guarantees when I came here because of the
turmoil that we inherited by losing players from the Dick Advocaat era and in
trying to rebuild a team that would immediately beat Martin O’Neill’s
Celtic,” McLeish told UEFA Champions League magazine. “That was never going
to be easy given that players such as Henrik Larsson were at their peak. I’m
not one to shout about individual triumphs, but I don’t think my record is too
bad at all.” George Burley, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Alan Curbishley and Graeme
Souness have all been touted as potential replacements for McLeish, who remains
in trouble despite winning seven trophies in just four years as Rangers boss.
Madness.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
In a story that has had as many twists and turns as a
Thai/Farang “romance”, Vitali Klitschko has retired from boxing. There
are those wise acre’s out there that claim he quit fighting and boxing
years before his retirement. The final decision came after a one-hour
operation to repair a “torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damage to
the medial meniscus.” This injury is fairly common in American Football
and usually not career threatening
During his eight-year career Klitschko won 35 and lost
only 2. The two losses probably define his time in the ring more clearly
than his 35 wins. The first lost came to Chris Byrd in April of 2000 when he
quit on his stool while well ahead: He hurt his rotator cuff. The second
loss came in June of 2003 when he fought valiantly in a losing cause against
“The Imperial One”, Lennix Lewis. In between it was pretty much the
march of the tomato cans or in the words of Captain Louie Renault in
Casablanca, “round up the usual suspects.”
Why did Klitschko quit now “I’m in my prime”? As
readers can guess, the boxing world has all joined hands now to trumpet what
a great fighter/person/athlete Klitschko was, while singing a rendition of
Kumbaya. Of course it’s all ‘bushwa’. The tear filled farewell reminds
me of the ageing farang outside the TQ trying to figure out what happened,
while crying “baby, where has our love gone.” Klitschko was a really big
guy, with below average boxing ability that could hit like a mule. Of
course, Francis “The Talking Mule” could hit but would have made as
lousy a world champion as Klitschko did. The fact is that Klitschko beat
only one world champion. He KO’d Herbie Hide (31-1) in 2 to win the WBO
Title then defended against Ed Mahone and Obed Sullivan before he lost to
Chris Byrd while his keister was parked on the corner stool. He won the
vacant WBC title by default after beating an out of shape and barely
interested Corrie Saunders.
The “fhit has really hit the san”: The WBC had
trouble figuring out what the hell to do. They finally declared Hasim Rahman
as the new champion. Las Vegas has lost a big payday (no tears for that) and
Don King now controls the entire heavyweight division. How about them apples
boxing fans? In case you missed the run up to the retirement here’s a
brief, Klitschko pulled out of the Rahman fight with a hurt knee, as he’s
done on two other occasions and saw three doctors who presented three
different opinions. I’ll bet a pint of your favorite that he’ll be back
in a year.
John Ruiz has never been a favorite of The Square Ring.
He epitomizes the depths of where the heavyweight division now resides. That
aside he has been speaking out on almost every subject known to man of late
in a desperate attempt to become relevant. He missed a reverent discussion
on the dancing abilities of #24 at Tim’s but besides that he’s about
covered the world. Make no mistake John Ruiz is one tough dude. His take on
Klitschko is about the same as The Square Rings: “I’m not surprised
(with canceling the fight against Rahman) and I don’t think too many
people in boxing are really surprised. First it was his hamstring injury
from jogging, then it spread to his back, and now it’s his knee. It’s
always something with this guy. They should really check his heart. HBO and
anybody else that supports this guy as the so-called real heavyweight
champion of the world should be ashamed of themselves. What does Klitschko
mean in Russian, chicken?” Way to go John. Amen: A Women and a beer
please.
What the heck is going on in the ‘Land of Smiles’?
Two weeks ago your intrepid boxing correspondent, that being me, reported
that ‘Lady Boxing’ was coming to the Kingdom. On the schedule for
November 7 was the bout between Thai inmate, Nongmai Sor Siriporn and
Californian lass, Carina Moreno. The day of boxing was scheduled to take
place at the prison of Pathumthani Province. A friend of mine that lives in
the same area of California as Moreno contacted me with the information that
Ms. Moreno had cancelled her plans to make the trip behind bars in Thailand.
Upon reading the story of the fight my good friend
recounted that one time, while in High school, his baseball team played
behind bars. “The umpire told me. ‘You leave after the game but I have
to stay.’ Talk about home town calls.” I once had a similar situation.
When playing baseball in college, I played behind the walls of San Quentin
State Prison near San Francisco. I mentioned to my friend, a major league
baseball executive with the Chicago Cubs, that the opposing pitcher that day
was a former major leaguer. “He had a bad day; missed me with 18 pitches.
We won.” My pal forwarded the information that “The pitcher you refer to
was Ralph “Blackie” Schwamb “ formally of the now gone and mostly
forgotten St. Louis Browns.
The day of boxing was held as scheduled but no Carina
Moreno against Nongmai Sor Siriporn: Why? Don’t know. Must be one of those
‘This is Thailand’ moments that we so love. Instead of Moreno the Thai
boxer got more than she wanted from #11 ranked Japanese Nanako Kikuchi. The
pace was as intense and brutal as the humid Thai weather. Neither southpaw
Siriporn nor the orthodox Kikuchi gave quarter, slugging away, while still
showing a surprising amount of skill on offense and defense. As is common in
all combat sports in Thailand, the crowd roared in unison with every punch
the local fighter threw, regardless of whether it landed or not. The end of
round four saw the Thai girl reeling from Kikuchi’s relentless, accurate
head and body attack. Surprisingly, Siriporn held her ground in the next
round. Kikuchi kept the pace and eventually overwhelmed her opponent,
referee Bruce McTavish stepped in to save the defenseless Thai after 50
seconds of round 7. Nice to see that internationally famous boxing referee,
Bruce McTavish lending his expertise behind the walls of a women’s prison.
What a guy.
I’m sure that the POMS are “over the moon” with the news that
Naseem Hamed, aka “The Lop Eared Camel Jockey”, will be mounting a
comeback next year. Yes better than mounting a camel. The news is that some
stupid American TV Network, (probably HBO looking for the next great Muslim
fighter) has offered him a 6-fight deal. Brilliant move as Muslims are so
popular in the United States right now. Before you go off the deep end with
the reference to Muslims, it is Hamed that brought up the subject. In an
interview with the Manchester Evening News confirming his comeback, Hamed
said, “I will never fight rising British boxing star Amir Khan. To be
honest, Amir Khan is a different weight to me and I think he is going to get
bigger - but there is one thing that I have always stuck to and I always
will do. I will never fight another Muslim. It is against my principles.”
Principles, Muslim and Hamed in the same sentence? Rare that!! I’m sure
that a fight with Khan is out of the question. Naseem would probably get his
ass kicked. Now to that I’ll drink too or three.
Sport Quiz
Apologies to all who tried to complete last week’s
sports quiz. Question 2 should have read 1987, (not 1985) and the answer
was Mike Tyson. Congratulations to Colin Wood who was the first to write in
and point out the error and also answer the two remaining questions
correctly. In case you were wondering about the answers... here they are,
1. Steve Ovett won the Olympic Gold at the 1980 Moscow games. In which
event?
Answer: 800m
2. In 1985 (should have read 1987) who became undisputed Heavyweight boxing
champion of the world?
Answer: Mike Tyson
3. Who won the English Cricket County Championship in 1971?
Answer: Surrey
This week’s questions are:
1) When did Malaysia first host the Formula Once Grand Prix?
2) Who was the Arsenal manager before Arsene Wenger?
3) Which team defeated Wigan at Wembley in 1998 to win the Challenge Cup
Final for the first time?
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