Mountain Shadow – Stableford
A very good low season field of 21 golfers signed up to tackle the challenging Mountain Shadow layout. Assembling at Café Kronborg we welcomed from Australia Bob McPhail, Lionel and Marie Rowles and Tony Leece. We departed on time at 0815 hrs and 50 minutes later arrived at the course after several suggestions during the journey that the weather would not be kind to us today. Oh ye of little faith! Very rarely do Café Kronborg golfers get wet whilst playing golf in Pattaya and today was to be no exception. It was not too busy and our first group was able to tee off 30 minutes ahead of schedule in hot and humid conditions with very little wind. The course was looking good although very dry in parts and the greens were just a tad off their usual tip top condition although still super quick at times for putts from above the hole. The advantage of the dry fairways was that there was significantly more run on them which was especially pleasing to The Admiral. We progressed at a very good pace and with just one stop for a drink on the back nine we were able to complete our round in four hours and fifteen minutes.
There were two flights on the day plus rewards for nearest the pin on the four par threes. Rewards for the longest first putts on the ninth and eighteenth greens were sponsored by Aussie Fred Cuypers.
Once again the course was playing fairly tough with just three players bettering their handicap and Australian Martin Todd continued his good form by winning the A Flight with 37 points, 2 points ahead of Ken Bernek in second place. A three-way count-back for third spot on 34 points saw Walter Baechli (19 point back nine) edge out Stu Rifkin and Mike Gosden who both had 16 points on the back nine. New arrival Marie Rowles had a fine 39 points to win the B flight from Henry Wong in second place with 37 points and Rita Zoebelli was third with 34 points.
Results for Mountain Shadow:
A Flight – 0 to 17
1st – Martin Todd (8) – 37 points
2nd – Ken Bernek (16) – 35 points
3rd – Walter Baechli (16) – 34 points
B Flight – 18 and over
1st – Marie Rowles (20) – 39 points
2nd – Henry Wong (23) – 37 points
3rd – Rita Zoebelli (24) – 34 points

NTP’s
5th – Stu Rifkin
8th – Graham Buckingham
15th – Peter Blackburn
17th – Dave Richardson

Longest first putts
9th – Marie Rowles
18th – Peter Blackburn
The Compass Cap (awarded for worst score on the day) was won by Dick Braimbridge and Hunter paraded Deefa the Dog who once more collected many donations to charity from the ever generous Kronny crew.

Crystal Bay, B & A – Stableford

Yet another Thai Monday Public Holiday caused us to change our playing day to Tuesday, and 19 golfers signed up to play one of our favorite courses, Crystal Bay. We extended hearty welcomes to Gordon Clegg from Saudi Arabia, Barry Collier from Hong Kong and Dave Roberts from N.S.W., Australia. Sadly (gladly for some) we were saying farewell to the form golfer of the moment Martin Todd who is returning to Mandurah, Western Australia for six weeks or so, and Fred Cuypers is off to the U.K. for a few weeks before returning here to finish his holiday, then bacl to Perth, Australia. Departing the Kronny on time at 8:15 a.m., it started to rain en route. We tried to avoid the running commentary of Mick O’Connor as he counted the raindrops and painted a gloomy picture for us all. But of course, we faithful knew better didn’t we? Very rarely has our golf competition been too spoilt by the rain and this day was no exception. The rain was reasonably heavy as we arrived at the course after the 50-minute drive and, as Crystal Bay was quiet, our first group teed off in light rain 20 minutes ahead of schedule. The course was in very good shape and fairways and greens were only slightly affected by the weather. After about 20 minutes the rain stopped. We never saw the sun all day but the temperature was such that it was not until after the fifteenth hole that I found it necessary to have a drink (water). Just the one stop for a drink and we were able to complete our round in four hours 15 minutes.

There were two flights on the day plus rewards for nearest the pin on the four par threes. Rewards for the longest first putts on the ninth and eighteenth greens were kindly sponsored by Aussie Fred Cuypers and Monzart Bronze.

Most people found the going tough on the day with just three golfers playing to their handicap or better. The A Flight was once again won by the departing Martin Todd with 37 points, just one ahead of Takeshi Hakozaki in second spot. A count-back for third saw Mike Allidi (19 point back nine) finish just ahead of yours truly (16 point back nine) with both of us carding 33 points. The B Flight was well won by Alain (Inspector Clouseou) Taddei with a terrific 41 points and Gordon Clegg was second 8 points further back. Another count back with 2 golfers on 28 points saw Marie Rowles (12 point back nine) take third spot from Dick Braimbridge (9 point back nine).

Results for Crystal Bay:

A Flight – 0 to 17

1st –   Martin Todd (8) – 37 points

2nd – Takeshi Hakozaki (13) – 36 points

3rd –  Mike Allidi (2) – 33 points

B Flight – 18 and over

1st – Alain Taddei (18) – 41 points

2nd – Gordon Clegg (28) – 33 points

3rd – Marie Rowles (19) – 28 points

NTP’s

A5 – Takeshi Hakozaki

A8 – Marie Rowles

B4 – Mike Gosden

B6 – Peter Blackburn

Longest first putts

A9 – Fred Cuypers

B9 – Mike Winfield

The Compass Cap (awarded for worst score on the day) was won by new arrival Dave Roberts; Hunter paraded Deefa the Dog who once more collected many donations for charity from the ever-generous Kronny crew.

Three foursomes from the Blue Moose golfing group took to the field at Green Valley Country Club on its latest outing. The course was in beautiful condition in all respects.
While the skies were overcast no rain fell despite dark clouds, thunder and lightening flashes on the horizon. There was one water hazard that got just about everyone. It was a reasonable pond that most were able to get over but unseen from the tee was a second pond. Not nice to fool the golfers, Green Valley.
Returning to the Blue Moose where delicious fried chicken legs and wings were provided, the cards were tallied. As is often the case, Bill Thompson came in with a 39, followed by Larry Emerson with a 37. Dale Murphy and Ted Gardner both had 35, and Dale managed to get closest to the pin on 9.

Pleasant Valley G.C. (Stableford)

Just 2 groups today for our visit to Pleasant Valley, which is one of the less popular courses on our schedule. We teed off on the 10th hole, which at least meant that we would play the best nine holes as the inward nine. There is some serious renovation work taking place on the 15th and 16th holes which looks as though it will improve the unpopular par 5, fifteenth hole, and may even make it possible to remove the internal O.B. We live in hope. The most pleasant thing about the course today was that there was a gentle breeze throughout the round, making the conditions a lot more bearable than recently. Lee Butler and Tore Eliassen shared the best score of the day, with Tore taking the honours on the count-back. Geoff Parker made a welcome return to Pattaya after another two-month stint without picking up a golf club and had a respectable score of 35 points to come in third.

Results:

1st Tore Eliassen (hcp 14) 37 points

2nd Lee Butler (hcp 16) 37 points

3rd Geoff Parker (hcp 16) 35 points

Near-pin winners –  Geoff Parker, Lee Butler,  Mashi and Tore Eliassen

Khaow Kheow G.C. (A and C courses) (Stableford)

We arrived at Khaow Kheow to find the course almost deserted, although another society had teed off an hour earlier. Setting off on the A nine, it seemed like we would be in for another sweltering day, but after 9 holes a serious thunder storm passed close by, and although we never had a drop of rain, the temperature dropped at least 5 degrees, giving us perfect golf conditions for the back nine. The good conditions weren’t matched by good scores however, and Colin Greig won the day with a very modest 32 points.

Results:

1st Colin Greig (hcp 7) 32 points

2nd Geoff Parker (hcp 16) 28 points

3rd William Macey (hcp 18) 27 points

Near-pin winners –  Only 2 near pins were hit, Dave Keats and Geoff Parker

Crystal Bay G.C. (B and C courses) (Stableford)

There was much discussion over breakfast about the ageing members of our golf society and those currently undergoing medical treatment, so a special mention to Geoff Hart, Gerry Cooney, Peter Habgood, Eddie Martin, Jack Robertson, et. al.  Get well soon, guys. We look forward to seeing you back on the fairways.

We arrived at Crystal Bay to find the course quiet and the conditions not too hot, with a steady breeze coming in off the sea. The round progressed smoothly until a brief 5-minute rain shower caught us on the 17th tee, but not even that brief interruption could disrupt Geoff Cox’s fine round, and he cruised home to win with a fine score of 40 points, ahead of Geoff Parker who enjoyed his third podium finish of the week.

Results:

1st Geoff Cox (hcp 16) 40 points

2nd Geoff Parker (hcp 16) 38 points

3rd Tony Robbins (hcp 13) 34 points

Near-pin winners –  Only 3 near pins were hit, Tony Robbins and Colin Greig (2)

The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society who now play out of the Bowling Green on Soi X-Zyte between Pattaya Third Road and Soi Buakhaow. We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition, why not come and join us? We meet at the Bowling Green at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players with valid handicaps are always welcome. For more information call Dave on 087 1469978, or email dave.evelyn18@yahoo.co.uk.

by John Lindgren

Editor-in-chief: carsanook.com

My name is Ghost. My esteemed family name Rolls-Royce. I was born in 1904 in Crewe, England. I am 108 years old, 1.5-meter  tall, 5.5-meter long and my weight is 2,400 kilograms. I am propelled by  an über smooth German BMW V12 engine. Mostly I am driven by the owner. Occasionally, Nigel or Brian the chauffeur with his pointed grey cap takes the wheel. I am a saloon, also a coupé or even a pink cabriolet. My signature massive, elegant, carriage doors are known as suicide doors. They also call me “The Flying Lady”. The French and the Belgians call me “Rolls De Roi”.
My retail price? A cool 20 million baht which includes the smart teflon-coated umbrellas, which pop out of the trailing edge of  the front doors.
Rolls-Royce history in Thailand dates back to the 20th century. There is collection vintage and new Rolls-Royce in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya. In the 80s and 90s Dusit Thani and Central Plaza hotel had their RR Silver Shadow VIP limousines  proudly sitting in front of the hotel entrance. The ageing overheating hotel Rollers were replaced by modern long wheelbase diesel powered BMW 7 series.
In the meantime Rolls-Royce had various importers and distributers and showrooms here and there in Bangkok. The latest in Hua Mark near the narrow gauge railway tracks. That showroom closed some years ago. In the meantime the grey market or “independent” importers were selling new and pre-owned Rolls-Royces. One of them a dark, spice-colored Ghost was parked outside my regular Starbucks store in Nawamin Road. Number plate: Bangkok 333.  Beside the Rolls-Royce an old Honda CRV.
Shift forward to 2012 and ROLLS-ROYCE is officially back in the Kingdom with a new dealer carrying a name to fit the prestigious marque: Millionaire Auto (Thailand) Company Limited. The launch of the new dealer and the display of the magnificent navy blue Rolls-Royce Ghost took place at Siam Kempinski hotel.
The event was attended by Paul Harris, regional director, Asia  Pacific, Hal Serudin, corporate communication manager, Asia Pacific, who flew in from Rolls Royce Representative Office Singapore, Chatvithai Tantraporn, general manager, and Viwat Thamchuanviriya, chairman, Millionaire Auto.
Harris said there are 28 Rolls-Royce dealerships in the Asia Pacific region. China leads with 16 dealers. The move follows record global and Asia-Pacific Rolls-Royce sales last year. “The interest in our brand is increasing in Thailand. More high net-worth Thais are becoming connoisseurs for exclusive motor cars thanks to a resilient economy,” he added.
Last year Rolls-Royce sold a record 3,538 cars, up 31 percent from the previous year; the Asia Pacific region provided the highest growth, with a 47 percent surge in sales; US sales grew by 17 percent.
Harris also noted that with an authorised dealer for Rolls-Royce being set up in Bangkok, existing owners who previously purchased Rolls-Royce vehicles through the “grey” or unauthorised importers can register their vehicles to be eligible for authorized RR service.
Currently the non-vintage Rolls-Royce population in Thailand amounts to about 60 vehicles, according to Chatvithai.
The first Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok showroom will open on Rama III Road in the second half of this year.
Pattaya Today eagerly awaits a test drive.

Rolls-Royce Ghost

Dimensions:

Vehicle length 5569 mm

Vehicle width 1948 mm

Vehicle height 1550 mm

Wheelbase 3465 mm

Turning circle 14.0 m

Trunk volume  490 liter

Weight:

Unladen weight 2420 kg

Engine:

Engine / cylinders / valves V / 12 / 48

Power output  563 bhp

Max torque  780 Nm @ 1500 rpm

Fuel type Premium unleaded

(if you can find it!)

Performance:

Top speed 250 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h 5.0 sec

Fuel Consumption:

Urban 5.8 kpl

Extra urban  12.4 kpl

Combined Consumption:

8.7 kpl

CO2 emissions (combined) 319 g/km

Price: 20 million baht

www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

The Thai racer, who just turned 17 years old the week before the race, had set himself a goal of competing in the top 10 group this season and seemed to be well on track for this goal. Then came a double-qualifying session on Friday afternoon, and April rain, and even hail came down just as the cars excited for the qualifying run. After a difficult first session, the young racer was one of the first drivers to finish the session, with everyone just setting faster and faster times on the drying track. In the end he slid all the way down to 22nd. In the second qualifying, for the second race, he managed to qualify for 13th place, but was disappointed with having had to overtake slower cars on both his fast laps.
Then came Saturday noon and the first race start of the season. The Thai driver had a very good start from 22nd place and was up to 18th after the first lap, only to get pushed wide in the Hockenheim hairpin and lose several positions. Stuvik continued fighting back and was soon up to 14th, when a 3 car pile-up saw the safety car deployed in the middle of the race. The restart opened up opportunities for the Thai racer and in the remaining few laps he managed to climb further up to 10th place by the checkered flag. He then secured 11 points for the 2012 Championship.

The second race of the weekend started late Sunday morning, in cold but sunny weather at Hockenheim. Stuvik had qualified to 13th start position and quickly made up several places in the first corner, only to lose them again at the Hockenheim hairpin corner. The Thai driver is racing for championship position and did not want to take any foolish chances on the opening lap. By the end of the first lap he had regained the two positions he lost in the hairpin, and on the next 2 laps he gained one position each lap to start the 4th lap in 11th. He was then in the lead group of cars and on lap 8 overtook another car for 10th position. The young Thai driver proved that he could race with Europe’s best young racers and hold his ground.  On lap 13 the 25 minute race saw the checkered flag, with Sandy securing another 10th place, the second in two races and another 11 points added to the tally.
Two hours later the 3rd and final race for the weekend got under way, with grey and heavy clouds looming over the circuit. Again Sandy Stuvik enjoyed a good start from 10th on the grid and went up to 8th and then on the 3rd lap up to 7th clearly faster than the cars ahead, when suddenly the car lost all power and the Thai driver had to pull the car off track in the famous Sachs curve at Hockenheim. Just as his car came to a standstill on the side of the track, heavy rain opened up. Sandy was distraught not to have been able to continue fighting in the wet. Later, the main electrical engine connector was found to have come loose and robbed him of most likely a very good placing. The Thai driver had though set a faster lap time in the race then the race winner, a clear statement to the fact that Sandy is improving in strides.
Sandy Stuvik currently is in 10th place in the 2012 Formula Renault Championship standing and is eagerly looking forward to the next race at Nürburgring in June.

Formula Renault Northern European Cup 2012

Crystal Bay (Stableford)

This was the day that nearly was not. We thought we would slip in a day at the end of water throwing in Pattaya and see if we could get a group together. Mind we knew that most of our players were leaving town, but surely we could get together a few diehards who had hidden away for a few days.

Well it seemed that the answer was no way no golf. With a couple of days to go we had a two-ball, Dick and myself, and quite realistically with Dick playing so well of late I did not fancy coming second, so a cancellation was on the cards. Then the cracks opened and a few hardy souls came forth, including arrivals from UK, and blow me down, we had a couple of cars full. Oh the joy. So off we went with a smile on our faces, powder coated or not.

Crystal Bay was quite empty, so we were soon booked in and onto the course where we were told we would play the C & A Nines in a strong wind. While this course is not a shadow of what it was 10 years ago, it is still a far better course than many that seem to have a better Go-To following and at present it has a great rate for the poor old ones like me who take a buggy. I can do with a bit of that and, incidentally, as a sister course of Mountain Shadow, both share the great rate.

So off we went in a strong wind. The course was in quite good condition, really; it has seen a bit of use but the fairways are now starting to grass up and the greens are still hard and fast. The rough mind is still rough and at least at this course it is fairly forgiving, in most places, but they do tend to grow the trees directly in front of my ball. I seem to always hit a tree or am stuck behind one, that is if I am not in a bunker. I suspect I have at some time hit all the trees on all the courses. Well it feels that way. Mind there were some good scores.

Back at Bert’s we were able to all sit around one of Bert’s big tables, and that was OK as I was able to share with one of the players, Henry O’Brien, who ordered the Golfers Special–burger and chips; it was so much we shared one between us. Getting old has its privileges. I still listen to my mother who knows all the places to get a pensioners meal within miles of her home. I can go with her now. Happy Days!

Well we did have a result and winners. Brian Parish had the best score with 40 points,  24 on the back nine. Derek Brook was second with 38 points on count-back over Dick Warberg in third. We were so sorry for the rest we bought them a few beers and in fact had a great night, especially as Nigel brought my cheese. Holiday players do have their uses.

Rayong Country Club – Stableford

Whilst having a few beers at The Growling Swan in Soi Chaiyapoon a couple of months ago it was suggested that this year we have an Anzac Day Golf Tournament. The concept was born and it was decided that the venue was to be Rayong Country Club, so the golf course was booked accordingly. We ended up with 18 players consisting of 14 regular golfers and 4 “beginners”. Assembling at The Growling Swan at 0630 hrs a dawn service was conducted and breakfast kindly provided by Peter Grey. Due to the early assembly we headed off just before 0800 hrs and arrived to find that even though it was one of the sports days the course was practically deserted which was surprising as the total cost for green fee, cart and caddy was a mere 550 baht per person with shared cart. The golf course was in quite good condition with the greens in excellent shape but most of the bunkers were fairly ordinary and many of them had pools of water in them. The weather was fine and hot with some thunder threatening later in the round but as usual we got through the day without getting wet.

We split the field into 2 flights, one flight for the regular golfers and the other for the “beginners”, using the Calloway system to calculate their scores. We also had nearest the pins on the 7th and 16th holes.

The winner of the inaugural Anzac Day Trophy was Martin Todd with a fine 39 points and Frank Donnelly was second with 38 points. Mike Allidi’s 74 off the stick was only good enough for him to secure third spot with 37 points, 1 point ahead of Ken Bernek in fourth place and your writer fifth with 33 points. Andrew Allen won the beginner’s trophy with 30 points and Fred Dineley came second with 27 points.

Results for Rayong Country Club:

1st – Martin Todd (9) – 39 points

2nd – Frank Donnelly (23) – 38 points

3rd – Mike Allidi (3) – 37 points

4th – Ken Bernek (16) – 34 points

5th – Peter Blackburn (12) – 33 points

Beginner’s Flight

1st – Andrew Allen – 30 points

2nd – Fred Dineley – 27 points

3rd – Geoff Phillips – 23 points

4th – Peter Grey  – 17 points

There was a special award on the day called the “Tin Cup Trophy” which was awarded to our host for the day, Peter Grey from The Growling Swan who, with tremendous perseverance and despite screams of horror from his caddy, proceeded to hit 8 brand new balls into the water on hole number 5! Well done, Pete and thanks for a great day.