PATTAYA, Thailand – The Bunker Boys opened the week Monday, February 23 at Treasure Hill with 23 players booked, although only 22 made the tee after one regular suffered a bout of “pre-senile dementia” and headed to the previous week’s venue instead. With no delays, the group teed off immediately and completed a steady round on a course that was again in fine condition but as testing as ever.
The eighteenth green drew widespread criticism, voted by many as the most difficult hole on the Bunker Boys roster. Downhill putts repeatedly ran off the surface, with several balls rolling back close to their original positions.
Peter Bottrell continued his strong form since returning, claiming first place with an excellent 39 points, highlighted by a superb 24 on the back nine. The remaining podium places were tightly contested and decided on countback, while Michael Brett battled his way into fifth with 34 points despite struggles on the greens.
Results:
1st Peter Bottrell (20) – 39 points
2nd Roger Tuohy (15) – 35 points
3rd Phil Mashiter (6) – 35 points
4th Hubert Stiefenhofer (20) – 35 points
5th Michael Brett (18) – 34 points
Near Pins: Pat Ryan, Danny Miller, Roger Tuohy, Hubert Stiefenhofer
Wednesday, February 25 – Bangpakong Riverside
The second-last game of February drew a healthy field of 24 players to Bangpakong Riverside on Wednesday, February 25, where oppressive heat and a lack of breeze made for demanding conditions. Despite the weather, pace of play remained reasonable with only minor holdups on the par threes.
As is often the case at this venue, it took serious scoring to feature. Alan Sullivan produced an outstanding round of 45 points to secure victory, narrowly ahead of Dave Galvin on 44. Pat Ryan added to the Irish charge with 42 points for third place, while Mab Jiwa and Colin Greig rounded out the winners’ circle. With scores soaring, handicap cuts are expected before the next outing. The Golfer of the Month race tightened, with Keith Norman holding a slim two-shot lead over Ian Flannigan heading into the final round.
Results:
1st Alan Sullivan (20) – 45 points
2nd Dave Galvin (22) – 44 points
3rd Pat Ryan (17) – 42 points
4th Mab Jiwa (21) – 39 points
5th Colin Greig (15) – 37 points
Near Pins: Derek Salmon, Alan Sullivan, Pat Ryan
The final game of the month at Crystal Bay again took place on Friday, February 27 in hot conditions, with a strong field of 28 players. The course was generally in good order, although the greens proved inconsistent and the tee boxes drew mixed reviews.
February’s theme of exceptional scoring continued as Dave Galvin delivered a superb net 64 to take the win, backing up his excellent Wednesday performance. Jimmy Carr showed vintage form with a net 67 for second, while Alan Sullivan’s consistent week earned him third with net 68. Roger Tuohy finished fourth, and Phil Mashiter edged Tony Robbins on countback for fifth place.
Results:
1st Dave Galvin (21) – Net 64
2nd Jimmy Carr (24) – Net 67
3rd Alan Sullivan (19) – Net 68
4th Roger Tuohy (15) – Net 69
5th Phil Mashiter (6) – Net 70
6th Tony Robbins (27) – Net 70
Near Pins: Phil Mashiter, Mab Jiwa, Danny Miller, Les Cobban
The Golfer of the Month race went down to the wire. Ian Flannigan could not close the gap, while Dave Galvin’s late surge fell just one stroke short after making up an extraordinary 17 shots. In the end, Keith Norman held on by the narrowest of margins to retain the February title—remarkably while already back in the UK. In scenes reminiscent of the Bunker Boys’ heyday, many players lingered long after presentations, enjoying refreshments and lively post-round banter.
