PGS News, Views and Gossip

"A great golf hole is one which puts a question mark into the player's mind when he arrives on the tee to play it."

This is the page for all the news, views and golf gossip of the Pattaya Golf Society and around the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand. Whilst we hope everyone will find something appropriate to their game there may the odd irreverent comment or item and we do not wish to offend anyone in any way.

The OK Corral's website at http://www.okbarpattaya.com is proving very popular as an average of 20 hits a day shows. It contains general information about the bar activities, including the golf and also a booking sheet for accommodation. For anyone considering a golfing holiday in Pattaya it is a perfect base, as many will already testify.

All potential golfers are reminded that we only play competition golf and to compete you must have a recognised handicap, preferably a CONGU handicap with IPGC. Guests may play one round before being invited to join IPGC. The only exception is those wishing to complete cards for initial handicapping. In the absence of proof of handicap the player will be expected to compete off "scratch". The full IPGC CONGU handicapping policy is here

You have Eastern Star life membership? You want membership at Green Valley? A friend has lifetime membership at Green Valley and would like to exchange for the same at Eastern Star. Please contact through Mr. Len for details.

Details of the 8th IPGC Annual Championship are being forged as you read this but we can inform you that the two-day event is being held this year at Khao Kheow on 23rd July and Phoenix on 25th July. More details as they emerge but you may wish to make a note of these dates now.

Tuesday 1st July sees some changes in the OK Corral. The competition fee will now be 200 baht, giving us a twenty percent increase in the prize fund and the twos pot and it will also allow for a twenty baht fee to go for "administration" costs. The PGS organiser is the only one in Pattaya to give his services completely free but the rise in fuel price and other costs in general mean we do not want him to run at a loss. We are still holding the transport fee at 250 baht despite other groups going to 300. A day's golf with fine friends and with transport to and from the course, all for roughly $15 or £8. Amazing really!

Three teams represented the PGS in the annual Independence Day event organised out of the Haven on Friday, 4th July. Once again it was a very successful day at The Emerald with David Thomas, Mod Churaiska and Erik Antonnen all picking up near-pin prizes and the team of Tony Thorne, Peter Masters, Don Nellis and Mr Denis taking third place in fine style. The OK Corral and its popular golf group is always pleased to participate in Pattaya's IPGC "majors" and always does itself proud. Long may the tradition continue! Cheers lads.

Here we feature events in the PGS' history. We go back to the same week in the past to relive some of our golfing stories. Were you there I wonder, in 2002?

Current Course Reports

In order to whet your appetite for your round with the PGS we are pleased to offer you up-to-date information on the courses we are playing each week. All information comes from the Thailand Golf Association and the Tourist Authority of Thailand and they endeavour to keep it accurate and up to date.

For those wishing to play at Khao Kheow on Tuesday here is the the latest golf course condition report :

Greens	Good
Green Speed	Good
Fairways	Good
Tee boxes	Good
Insects	A few

Latest Khao Khew review

" .. Overall the course is very nicely kept, level tee boxes and green grass all around. There is a lot of water in play but most of the bunkers are decorative rather than destructive. You'll find that this is your typical mountain course where the scenery is beautiful and the fairways have a bit of a roll to them. All in all, it's a great course to play"

For those wishing to play at Phoenix on Thursday:

Greens	Good
Green Speed	Good
Fairways	Good
Tee boxes	Good
Insects	A few

Latest Phoenix review:

" .. An excellent course with a mix of holes that must be played differently, some you can go for it and some must be played with thought. Greens were some of the truest I have ever putted. I have played many 4 & 5 star courses in America and this is right up there with them. "

Drive for Show

Follow these directions to Khao Kheow on Tuesday

Step One:

Come to the OK Corral by 8:30am, check in and even have some breakfast.

Step Two:

Take a seat in an air-conditioned minibus or private car, and relax whilst being driven safely and leisurely to the course, in approximately 50 minutes.

Easy, na!

This Week's Duffer's Divot goes to...

...no-one!

Not even the Green Valley Starter and Staff! Thanks to all for a super week.

Card of the Week

Don Nellis' performance at The Emerald on Sunday was his best for many a year in the Kingdom and his card is shown here. Nine pars speak for themselves, but what happened on number 14 Don?

Handicaps

Member(s) likely to experience a cut in handicap this week are:

Don Nellis

David Thomas

Erik Antonnen

Len Jones

Shuichi Kodaka

The full current IPGC CONGU list can be found

here

Remember...Golf is meant to be Fun...

And please try to keep your balls out as well!