PATTAYA, Thailand – The Bunker Boys enjoyed an eventful and high-scoring week of golf with rounds at Pleasant Valley, Plutaluang, and Khao Kheow, where changing weather conditions, improving course conditions, and several standout individual performances kept competition lively throughout.
Pleasant Valley – Monday, February 9
A late tee time at Pleasant Valley initially looked set for further delay after confirmation was pushed back by forty minutes. However, on arrival the group was able to tee off immediately, much to everyone’s relief. A strong wind made the front nine challenging before easing as the round progressed.
Overnight rain, which had reportedly fallen from Bangkok down to Laem Chabang but somehow missed Pattaya, left the course unexpectedly damp. Conditions were soft enough that some players felt a case could have been made for pick, clean and place. Despite the usual grumbling and the familiar nickname of “Unpleasant Valley,” the course itself was in excellent condition, leaving many wondering what complaints actually remained aside from the occasional issue of large group sizes.
The day unquestionably belonged to Keith Norman, who produced one of the most remarkable rounds seen in recent memory. His outstanding net 61 included four four-pointers, highlighted by a tap-in birdie on the third par three. Norman later rang the bell back at the bar in celebration after a performance that comfortably outclassed the field.
Ian Flannigan continued his run of consistent form to finish second with a net 65, a score that would have secured victory on most days. Alan Sullivan finished strongly, birdieing the final hole to take third place on countback from Michael Brett, both posting net 68. Hubert Stiefenhofer claimed fifth, one ahead of Jimmy Carr.
Results: Keith Norman (20) – Net 61. Ian Flannigan (20) – Net 65, Alan Sullivan (20) – Net 68, Michael Brett (19) – Net 68, Hubert Stiefenhofer (20) – Net 69, Jimmy Carr (25) – Net 70. Near pins: Dean Nelson, Tony Robbins, Keith Norman, Colin Greig
Plutaluang (South & East) – Wednesday, February 11
Midweek action moved to Plutaluang’s South and East nines, where players were pleasantly surprised by the course condition. Despite the lack of recent rain, the layout is holding up well, although the greens were slightly slower than ideal. With little wind, the main challenge came from rising temperatures and increasing humidity.
The strong scoring seen on Monday continued, although not quite at the same extraordinary level. Michael Brett led the way with an excellent 43 points, building his score with an impressive front nine before easing slightly on the back, still enough to secure a comfortable victory.
Ian Flannigan again featured near the top of the leaderboard, taking second place with 41 points as his challenge for golfer of the month gathers momentum. Keith Norman followed up his remarkable Monday performance with another fine round of 38 points to claim third place on countback from Brendan Harnett, and added three near pins to cap another impressive day. Jimmy Carr rounded out the leaderboard with 37 points, while Ken Smith secured the remaining near pin. After two days of exceptional scoring, attention turned to whether Khao Kheow would bring players back to earth.
Results: Michael Brett (19) – 43 points, Ian Flannigan (19) – 41 points. Keith Norman (18) – 38 points, Brendan Harnett (22) – 38 points, Jimmy Carr (25) – 37 points. Near pins: Ken Smith, Keith Norman (3)
Khao Kheow (A & B) – Friday, February 13
Another late tee time saw the group once again starting earlier than scheduled, prompting some speculation about unused tee allocations. Weather conditions were overcast but extremely hot and humid, making the round physically demanding for all players, whether walking or riding.
For the first time in quite a while, the group was allocated the B nine to be played second. Like the previous venues, the course was holding up well despite the ongoing dry spell.
As expected, scoring returned to more moderate levels after the fireworks of earlier in the week. Jimmy Carr produced one of his better rounds in recent memory to take first place with 38 points, the only player to truly separate himself from the field. Brendan Harnett followed in second place with 35 points.
A three-way tie on 33 points required countback to determine the remaining positions, with Les Cobban taking third ahead of Keith Norman and Alan Sullivan. Michael Brett claimed two near pins, while the others went to Paul Smith and Brendan Harnett.
Shot of the day went to Harvey Williams on the 18th hole, where after driving onto the 12th fairway he produced a superb recovery over the trees to within eight feet of the pin. Although the uphill birdie attempt came up short, the resulting par was warmly applauded by the group.
With so many players currently in strong form and high scores becoming a regular feature, all eyes now turn to Geoff Parker’s upcoming golfer of the month standings, due to be published on Sunday.
Results: Jimmy Carr (25) – 38 points, Brendan Harnett (22) – 35 points, Les Cobban (12) – 33 points, Keith Norman (18) – 33 points, Alan Sullivan (20) – 33 points. Near pins: Brendan Harnett, Paul Smith, Michael Brett (2)
