PGS Press Archive

"There's no such thing as a natural touch Touch is something you create by hitting millions of golf balls "

Here we have all the press reports for the current year. Click on a month to navigate and read the reports.

The Pattaya Golf Society opened up the New Year in fine style with a trip to Treasure Hill on Saturday, 3rd January, to play a stableford competition on the relatively empty course, in two flights off the whites and alternative yellow tees. Conditions on the course are as good as they have been for a while and the quick greens and nagging strong breeze added an extra dimension to the traditional tough test. Once again the course did not give up shots easily and in the top flight, off whites, David Thomas and Larry Slattery posted 31 points each for a share of second place. Larry was frustrated because on this, his last round this trip, he ended with only one point from the final four holes to be denied a certain victory. That honour went to Ed Adams his 34 points being the best of the top flight. In the yellow flight Belgium's Emiel van der Wiele cast aside his back problems long enough to record 31 points for third place. In second was Ronnie Ramsay Snr, his 32 points coming as "Junior" was grafting away in Papua New Guinea, and on the back of the Hogmanay celebrations. Scottish soulmate Allen Dow had the honour of the best score of the day and his 35 points took the flight in style. The twos pot was shared by Les Burns, Ed Adams, Chris Voller and Paul McNally whilst Leighton Rees savoured the first Booby Bevy of the new year for his paltry fourteen points. 2009 had begun in excellent shape for the PGS out of Rabbi's Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao.

The Pattaya Golf Society travelled to Khao Kheow on Tuesday, 6th January to play a stableford competition over the C and A nines. The course is in top condition at present and represents excellent value for money, especially if golfers want to pit their skills against one of the toughest courses in the area. And tough it was, with the wind up, fast greens and the inclusion of the A nine, all off yellow tees. With good scores at a premium Emiel van der Wiele, David Thomas and Rob Lamond all posted 32 points for a share of second place. Aussie Alex Sala turned in the best card of the day and how he must have rued "scratching" the final hole, being on track for a sub par round which finally ended on 35 points. David Thomas and Len Jones shared the birdie twos pot after their efforts on A5 and A3 respectively. Sadly however, for the gaffer, his rhythm all at sea on the front nine, there was also the consolation of the Booby Bevy for one of the poorest scores on a tough day. Khao Kheow at its best is certainly a wake-up call for golfers who prefer to play in auto-pilot mode.

After two tough competition rounds at Treasure Hill and Khao Kheow in the previous five days the Pattaya Golf Society relented and played a stableford round at the well manicured and ultimately forgiving Royal Lakeside club on Thursday, 8th January. A good field turned out and the two flights were divided at 14 and under, evidence that some quality golfers were ready for the fray. The course was peacefully empty and the group got underway immediately. A strong breeze swept up the Bangpakong River and added a touch of spice to the proceedings. In the second flight surprisingly the scores were unimpressive with Jim Ferris taking third place with 33 points, one behind the joint leaders, Rick Ellison and Swedish lady golfer Meith Hemming whose 34 points each gave a surprise introduction to IPGC golf for its newest members. The top flight was predictably competitive with David Thomas's final round before returning to the rigours of work giving him the best gross figures of 77 and a share of third place with 37 points. Joining him were Rick Holmes and Chris Voller. Bill Hewitt popped up with 38 points for second place but all were in awe of the putting skills and general accuracy of American Ed Adams, whose 41 point score took the day in style. Ed also had the honour of winning the twos pot for his fine effort on the lengthy par three sixth hole. The Booby Bevy was reserved for the returning Ray Atkinson whose low score failed to dampen his enjoyment of the day. For golfers wanting a relaxing round on a generous course Royal Lakeside should be on the agenda for any Pattaya golf group.

The Pattaya Golf Society made its first visit of the year to Ban Chang on Saturday, 10th January, to play a stableford competition on the popular Emerald course. The conditions at the start were definitely out of the northern hemisphere as a strong cool wind blew across the course prompting one senior Scottish golfer to note that conditions resembled Carnoustie on a good summer's day. It took at least six holes for the midday heat to kick in and by then shivers had caused many a mistake especially on the greens and scores were destined to be no more than average. The two flights were divided at eighteen and under and in the top flight David Ashman and Chris Voller held a share of runner up place with a meagre 26 points each. Sharing top place were Finland's Vesa Turunen, obviously enjoying the conditions, and local Wichai Tananusorn, wearing wind sleeves. Thirty-three points was the best they could offer although Vesa recorded the best gross figures of 85. In the second flight Masashi Iizumi shared runner-up spot with Scot Allen Dow on 30 points whilst winner Jim Ferris enjoyed an excellent sub par round of 38 points, including the day's only birdie two on the fifth. Rick Ellison savoured a good front nine as he turned on fifteen points but then went five holes without troubling the scorer until a par on the fifteenth nudged his marker out of his slumbers. His subsequent eighteen point finishing score deserved no more than the Booby Bevy on this, his second competition with the PGS. Maybe next time the weather will match the warmth of the welcome at Ban Chang's Emerald club.

The Pattaya Golf Society visited Bangpra on Tuesday, 13th January to play a stableford competition on the fine golf course and found the greens were back to their notorious best. There was so much roll and many of the pin positions were so cutely placed that putts from the back of the greens invariably ended up off the front of the putting surface. Surely only a professional could have handled them in that condition and the ever present strong wind conspired to make the day a very long one for the large group. Divided at 21 and under the two flights gave it their best shot but scores were destined to be low. In the second flight Len Jones had the temerity to come third with an embarrassing 26 points, two behind Bill Pickersgill's 28. Jim Proctor had an overdue victory with 31 points. In the top flight three golfers shared the ultimate limelight with Bill Hewitt joining Ray Banks and Helene Lindberg on 33 points, the Swedish lady playing particularly well with long accurate drives and fairway irons making up for the odd putting blimp. Ray Banks had the honour of the day's best gross with 85 shots. Inevitably there were no birdie twos meaning a large rollover would be carried over to the next outing. Of the many who reluctantly threw their hats in the ring for the Booby Bevy Dave Cadwallader's claim was the strongest with his fourteen points scorecard but he was joined in shoulder-shrugging by many more who had played Bangpra at its most daunting. Maybe next month..?

The Pattaya Golf Society visited the splendid course at Bangpakong Riverside on Thursday, 15th January, for the first time in two years and found nothing had changed. The course was again excellently turned out and the greens were among the best played anywhere, consistent and pacy. The seasonal cooler weather was emphasised with the strong breeze which blew all day, making club selection and accuracy vital. The large field for the monthly medal Merit event was divided into two flights with the cut at seventeen and under. In the top flight the usual low scores were at a premium with Ed Adams recording net 74 for third place. Chris Voller shot the day's best gross of 77 on the way to second place with net 71 and his round included the only birdie two, on the tough thirteenth hole, to nab the substantial twos pot. The flight winner was Helene Lindberg, top for the second successive round, her length and accuracy off the tee and fairways giving her a fine net 70. Only ten days ago she wore a cast on her ankle after suffering ligament damage and it moved sceptics to suggest the use of an "outside agency" in the form of the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital in assisting her game! In the second flight Bill Pickersgill took third place with 79 and Booby Shirkey came second with net 77. The best return of the day by far was the score of Len Jones, a net 67 which was the result of some clinical putting on the slick greens. It represented the best gross round in his Thai "career" and emphasised the improvement in his game over recent weeks. At the other end of the scale Phuket-based golfer Lee Proctor took the Booby Bevy after a dismal round which saw the eight handicapper fail to break 100. The day's golf at Bangpakong had been a real treat.

The Pattaya Golf Society ended an exciting week on Saturday, 17th January, with a trip to the ever testing Treasure Hill course for a stableford competition. The course is still in good condition but the lack of effective irrigation shows tight lies are appearing around some of the greens, making delicate chips a daunting task. The field was divided into two flights at nineteen and under and it was refreshing to see some new faces in the frame. This is usually the case at Treasure Hill where golfers inexperienced with the track often score better because they play the course as they find it, and not against its reputation. In division two the welcome return of native North American Chief Frank Baker after a number of years, was marked with a credible share of second place on 29 points. The other Treasure Hill "newbie" on twenty nine points was Michael Sim, having a successful day out from his Bangkok base. The flight winner was Emiel van der Wiele and his 31 points easily took his division, helped by the day's only birdie two on the short par three sixth hole. In the top flight Chris Voller and Ray Banks shared runner-up place with 28 points each, a long way behind the winner Michael Brett whose 33 points was the best of the day. Elsewhere the most consistent golfer of the week, Helene Lindberg, went from hero(ine) to zero(ine) and propped up the entire field with her worst score in months for the Booby Bevy. But she took it with a smile, as did the others who had braved another golf day out at Treasure Hill.

After a succession of trips up highways 7, 331 and 3 The Pattaya Golf Society went "local" on Tuesday, 20th January, with a visit to Phoenix to play a stableford competition over the Ocean and Mountain nines. The course is well turned out at present and the abundant bougainvillea give a colourful backdrop to many of the holes. The only drawback were the lush greens, putting slower than many others of late, and this was to catch many golfers out . The field was divided into two flights at 20 and under and a ladies' group led the field off the Ocean first. Unusually for Phoenix the scores were not particularly special and in the top flight Ray Atkinson and Tony Kitchen shared third place with 31 points, one behind runner-up Harry Cowling. Ray Banks had won his flight with Lewiinski's on the same track the day before and continued his success with the win, recording 37 points with the best gross figures of the day. In the second flight Emiel van der Wiele shared third place with Canadian Tim Lazecki, the latter in the frame for the first time, with 33 points. In second was Bobby Shirkey, his level par thirty-six points signalling a return to form for the popular Scotsman. The best points total of the day was recorded by lady golfer Phen Changkham and her 40 points gave her a maiden win with the group. Ladies on top of their game are always a threat at Phoenix. Ray Banks recorded the day's only birdie two, on the Ocean 7th, to give him a profitable start to the golfing week. Visitor David Cowling literally enjoyed his shabby round and savoured the Booby Bevy as a memory of the day which had seen a lady dominate proceedings at Phoenix.

Thursday, 22nd January, saw the Pattaya Golf Society make the short trip to Ban Chang to play a stableford competition at Eastern Star. It has to be said that the course has suffered since the end of the last high season and lack of efficient watering has left the fairways hard with tight lies everywhere. The same could not be said however of the approaches to the greens because the early morning watering has left the approaches very soft. There is something bizarre about plugged lies on an arid course. The greens...the less said the better. The two flights were cut divided at twenty and under and scores were destined to be low. In the top flight Dave Cadwallader and "Banjo" Bannister tied for third place with 28 points each whilst a series of recent fine scores which had catapulted Len Jones into the top flight continued with a steady 31 points for a share of the top prize with Ray Banks. It was Ray's third flight win in four days. In the second flight Kazuki Agune celebrated his return to the Kingdom with 31 points for a share of third place with Jim Ferris who also had the honour of the day's only birdie two, on the sixth hole. Two Canadians shared the flight win, with Tim Lazecki pushing Jack Robertson all the way to the top of the leaderboard. Thirty-five points were to be more than enough to secure the win for the North American pair. Sam McLellan, in his second appearance with the group, had a taste of the Booby Bevy after the fourteen handicapper's score almost matched his handicap total. Things can be tough for a golfer schooled on the comfortable links of North West England. Still, most clubs there can certainly educate Eastern Star in course maintenance. It's a professional business after all.

The Pattaya Golf Society's week ended on Saturday, 24th January, with a welcome visit to the Emerald course at Ban Chang and for the first time in a week found a course with greens to their liking - consistent and quick. The two flights for the stableford event were divided at 21 and under and things got underway on time on a relatively empty course. In a closely contested top flight Dave Cadwallader found a measure of consistency towards the end of his current stay to post a score of 30 points which gave him third place. Ahead of Dave was Wichai Tananusorn and the regular weekend golfer enjoyed second with 31 points. Chris Voller celebrated his birthday in style with 32 points for the win and also claimed the only birdie two of the day, a clinical finish on the par-three fifth hole. In the second flight Jack Robertson posted 31 points for third place, just behind a resurgent Jim Proctor whose 32 point score brought him a smiling second place. Tim Lazecki is still learning the ropes in golfing terms and has now added a driver he is comfortable with to his armoury with the result that he is finding his true form. His 38 points was the best of the day and he took his flight in fine style. Chris Voller sponsored near-pins for his celebration and these were won by "Banjo" Bannister, Les Burns, Wichai and Chief Frank Baker. The Booby Bevy went to Kazu Agune for his dip in form after his previous round and the day ended with an excellent finger buffet provided by the hosts at Rabbi's Elephant Bar in Soi Buakhao. Happy Birthday Chris!

The Pattaya Golf Society made its monthly visit to Mountain Shadow on Tuesday, 27th January, to play a stableford competition on the tough track. Sadly in this time of depression the course has taken on an air of depression itself with bare areas and tight lies around the greens, irregular cut margins off the fairways and the uncut greens belying their advertised 9.5 speed. However an empty course in high season is a bonus and the exclusive "package" negotiated with IPGC groups certainly gave tremendous value for money. The field was divided into two flights at fifteen and under. The second flight was dominated by the Caledonian connection as Ronnie Ramsay took third place with 30 points behind the pairing of Alistair Anderson and Bobby Shirkey who both recorded 32 points. The top flight went to form as Ray Banks was joined by Alan Bridges in runner-up place on 30 points. It would take a little more than applied golf to post a sub-par round and being a member of the host club was an obvious bonus as Takeshi Hakozaki posted a three under total of 39 points for an excellent win. Chris Voller yet again took sole control of the twos pot, his iron play being so accurate at the moment. His birdie on the eighth was the least surprise of the day. Elsewhere "Banjo" Bannister had awoken hours earlier with a headache but had mistakenly picked up a sleeping tablet instead of Ibuprofen and took the earliest opportunity to leave the course for a nap. Whilst the caddies were rejoicing that his slip had not involved Viagra, Banjo managed to stay awake long enough to enjoy the Booby Bevy! Conversely, a wide-awake Takeshi had certainly enjoyed his day at Mountain Shadow.

On Thursday, 27th January a large group of Pattaya Golf Society players left their Soi Buakhao base at Rabbi's Elephant Bar, relishing a return to Green Valley to play a stableford competition on the course so recently the venue for an Asian Tour qualifier. What would it be like to play a track in "tour" conditions? In reality it was disappointing, as the greens needed a cut and were running well below their normal pace. Also the marshalls had allowed an unchastened Korean group on the course, with a coach, and the putting lessons on every green caused massive hold-ups for the following groups, which included two from IPGC. Some things never change at Green Valley. As for the golf the PGS group was divided into two flights at sixteen and under and in the second flight new member Ajit Amin showed his prowess with a solid round of 34 points for third place, just behind Bobby Shirkey's 35 point return. The flight winner was Ray Underwood, playing his best round for a while, and gathering 38 points for a well deserved victory. In the top flight, well, what more can one say about the performance of current PGS Champion Dave Stockman? His game is one of sumptous simplicity; hit the ball long, contact irons squarely and putt clinically...and do it all with a smile. He ended his round at St Andrews two days previously with an albatross two on the short par five eighteenth, and began this round at Green Valley with an eagle three on the first. A succession of fine holes gave him a gross of 74 and 39 points for the win, three ahead of runners-up Mikael Andersson and Joop Medze. Mikael and Joop were joined by Jim Proctor and Harry Riley for a share of the twos pot, despite an earlier claim by Chris Voller that he would get one also. Prime stuff and a guarantee of the Booby Bevy. The on-course staff at Green Valley had made the day a bit of an ordeal but for Dave Stockman it was one he would willingly go through again just to savour the quality of the golf.

Saturday, 31st January, saw the Pattaya Golf Society return to Treasure Hill to play its regular weekend stableford event over the course which continually poses a stiff challenge to golfers of all levels. The course condition at present is good and the welcome afforded is always a warm one. A variety of "domestic" circumstances conspired to keep the field small on this occasion but nevertheless the competition was intense. Emile van der Wiele found himself in the frame again as his 32 points was enough for fourth place, whilst Chris Voller, gaffer for the day, scored 33 points for third place. Tim Lazecki, whose golf is blooming these days, continued his progress with a fine 35 points for second whilst it all went well for the self-effacing Japanese golfer Kazuki Agune who took the win with a level-par score of 36 points, easily his best at the venue. Ray Banks had the day's only birdie two, on the relatively easy short par three sixth whilst the day's most forgettable tee shot was by Jim Ferris on the 7th and it assured him of the Booby Bevy. Thanks to Chris Voller for smoothing out the wrinkles and concluding another fine month of golf with the PGS.

February 2009

All Smiles at Lakeside

Royal Lakeside was the venue for the first February stableford competition with the Pattaya Golf Society on Tuesday, 3rd and the course was as immaculate as ever and the weather stayed fine with a slight breeze to comfort the walkers. The field was divided into the usual two flights, this time at 21 and under and scores were destined to be good on the benign course, an ideal pipe-opener for the month. In the top flight Len Jones retained his current steady form to post a good 37 points for third place, missing a thirty centimetre putt for a birdie on the eighth which would have given him a share of the win with Rick Holmes and "Banjo" Bannister whose 38 point scores tied the flight. Rick's gross of 80 was the best of the day whilst Banjo's back nine had brought him a remarkable twenty-three points as his game kicked into overdrive. In the very competitive second flight Jim Proctor, Tim Lazecki and newbie member Jim Pickering all recorded 38 points to share the runner-up place but the best points round of the day was recorded by Rod Stevens, recently the victim of a serious road accident and the powerful Canadian golfer, legs still swathed in bandages, posted 39 points for one of his best rounds. The twos pot was shared by the ubiquitous Chris Voller and Banjo Bannister, both birdies coming on the short par-three fifteenth, whilst Kazu Agune, recently hero at Treasure Hill, descended to zero status and took the Booby Bevy in fine heart. Golf at Royal Lakeside is always a treat and to find an almost empty course is a bonus indeed.

Big Rob's Phoenix Romp

The Pattaya Golf Society chose Phoenix Mountain and Lakes as the venue for their first monthly merit event on Thursday, 5th February, and found the course dry with tight lies and slow greens. The two flights were divided at nineteen and under and the difficulty of the course was defined by the poorer than usual stableford scores. In the second flight Jim Ferris shook off a series of mediocre returns to post a steady 33 point card for third place whilst Harry Cowling and Jack Robertson topped the flight with 35 points each. In the top flight Peter Ditz and Stuart Thompson ranked equal third with 35 points each and for the latter it was a welcome sign of returning form after months of inactivity with a seriously damaged shoulder. Richard "Banjo" Bannister was second with a level par round whilst Robert Lamond shook Phoenix's throat with a dazzling round which contained only 21 putts and gave him not only the best gross of the day, 72, but also the best round of the year so far with the popular golf group. Forty-two points for Heaven's sake, from a six handicapper! Needless to say his round included a birdie two, on the Lakes' second hole and he shared the pot with Chris Voller, a habitual twos winner, but Chris' indiscretion in "blobbing" the final par-three won for him the Booby Bevy. At the end of the day Rob Lamond's superb display had shown everyone a clean pair of heels at Phoenix

Happy Jack at Treasure Hill

On Saturday, 7th February the Pattaya Golf Society visited Treasure Hill to playa stableford event on a course currently in excellent condition with good fast greens. Always a test the course proved tough to beat in a strong breeze for the single flight and the current form of "Banjo" Bannister held up long enough for him to record thirty points for a share of second place with Kazuo Takimoto, playing his first round of the year with the group and recording the day's best gross figures of 82. The winner was Canadian Jack Robertson and his score of 31 points was credit to his concentration in the wind. There were no birdie twos, guaranteeing a little extra spice next week and the Booby Bevy went to Chief Frank Baker for a round which started well but tapered off badly as the heavy golf load of his past few weeks began to take its toll. On days like this at Treasure Hill the golfer has to accept that the golfing gods also take the occasional day off!

Welcome to the virtual clubhouse of the Pattaya Golf Society -Pattaya's first formal golf society and the former "Bunker Boys" - based at Rabbi's Elephant Bar, Soi Buakhao, Pattaya,Thailand