Thailand Trip October 2023

Day 10, Friday, Oct 20th – Lone Ranger Stableford @ Treasure Hills Golf and Country Club.

Our last game of the 2023 tour was a Lone Ranger Stableford tournament with 3 X 3 and 5 X 4-man teams. Team members are arranged in an order to suit handicaps and the player who is selected to play a hole score must be counted along with the best score of other team members.
The course was playing long and hard with narrow fairways and many trees coming into play around the course.
The #11 Hole was closed for maintenance so the competition was over the remaining 17 holes. 

NTP Hole # 6 Steve March
NTP Hole 17 Wal Creese

Winning Team Flight # 4 Peter McGarry, Glen Butcher, Mike Harvey, and Daryl Rudd with 76 points.
2^nd place was awarded to Flight # 2 a three-man flight consisting of Tim Daly, Alan Williams, and Kevin Flatley with 74 points which proved that a three-man flight can compete in this format.
Awarding of today’s game was carried out at the End of Tour function which was held this year in the dining area of The One Hotel Baybreeze, along with a presentation to P’yow and staff, and the “Swing Annalise” videos with tribute to those legend’s who have passed on since 2019,

The awarding of the ‘Player of the Tour’ was taken out this year by Brad Armstrong with 2 wins, 2X2nd, 1 X 3rd, 2 x NTP, and all 10 days attendance.

Day 9, Thursday, Oct 19th – Ambrose @Parichat Golf Club.

Numbers are back up to 28 players today as we once more departed on time after a serious discussion with the driver as to where we were heading today.
The weather was once again threatening, with thunderstorms circling the course, however, no rain fell and all finished what is a very hard course with long water carries which was why the Ambrose format was chosen to make scoring at least possible.
7X4 man flights playing 2 men Ambrose played today using ¼ of combined handicap.
NTP Hole # 6 Carey Winston
NTP Hole # 11 Mat Skinner
1st place team consisted of Brad Armstrong and Keith Doyle with 66.75 from a combined handicap of 10.25.
2^nd place Thomas Grow and Dave Paliwoda with 67 points from a combined handicap of 10

Day 8, Wednesday, Oct 18th – Single Stableford @Khao Kheow.

The bus departed on time but as we were traveling along it was noted on ‘Wayz’ navigation system that the course was getting further away the longer we went, a quick stop and chat with the driver discovered that he was heading for Silky Oak Golf Course as he had an old list that did not have the changes we made when we were unable to get tee times at Silky Oak so a 40-minute trip became 1 hour 30 minutes, which would prove to be critical towards the end of the round.
We were allotted courses ‘B’ & ‘C’ of the 27 holes available.
Weather was threatening all morning and finally started raining around midday, which stopped play for around 40 minutes before starting to ease enough for play to recommence however carts were restricted to cart paths so 3 of us elected to call it a day with 4 holes left to play.
NTP Hole # B3 No Winner
NTP Hole # Brad Armstrong 
Winner with 45 Points Wal Creese
Tied for 2^nd Bill Meader and Peter Harwood 38 points
Thomas Grow 36 points

Day Seven, Tuesday, Oct 17th – @Pattaya Country Club 

Today marked the beginning of what is hoped to be an annual match between Apple’s Golf Society playing out of Durty Nelly’s Bar and the Balibago Social Golf Club from the Philippines.

The format consisted of a 4BBB Stableford with One point awarded to a winning team and the winning team being the most points.
Also being contested was an Individual Single Stableford match with three divisions and an Individual winner.
There were 30 twosomes representing both societies and some close games insured.

The end result: 3 games Square, 6 to Apple’s golf, and 6 to the Balibago’s, all square setting up a return match in 2024.

The overall Winner Was Gary Ritchie H/c 11 Score 42 points
A Flight H/c 0 – 13:-
1st Peter McGarry H/c 11, Score 36 BSGC (Back Nine 18) 
2nd Brad Armstrong H/c 9, Score 36 BSCG (Back Nine 16)
3rd Kevin Rogers H/c 13, Score 34 DN (back Nine 20)
4th Bill Meader H/c 11, score 34 DN (Back nine 18)
B flight H/c 14 – 20:-
1st Tony Oakes H/c 17, Score 40 DN 
2nd Colin Service H/c 18, Score 36 DN (Back Nine 22)
3rd Ray Cody H/c 15, Score 36 BSGC (Back Nine 17)
4th Peter Harwood H/c 18 Score 35 BSGC
C Flight H/c 21> 
1st Brian Doyle H/c 21, Score 39 DN
2nd Bob Ind H/c 21, Score 35 BSGC 
3rd Bill Peach H/c 21 Score 35 DN
4th Bob Stark 28 score 31 DN

A big “Thank You” to Randy Tusing for organizing what was a memorable day with a bunch of great guys and to Tom Gorey owner of Durty Nelly’s who put on a large buffet served to the guys.
There was a lot of chatter going on about when the next game will be held so let’s hope we can get back together in 2024.

Day 6, Monday, Oct 16 – @Pattavia Century Country Club

After a restful weekend, we were on the bus again for a 7 a.m. departure to Pattavia Century Country Club to contest a game of skins where the 100 Baht competition fee was allocated at the rate of 20 Baht per hole.
The weather was hot but fine and carts were allowed on the fairways so that made for a pleasant day of golf along with the chance to win some money.

NTP on Hole #3 was Steve Fisk
NTPon Hole #134 was Bruce Telfer
Skins were won by all players except for Kevin Flatley who had a bad case of the flu.
Terry Kerim, Bruce Telfer and Roger Simpson won 180 Baht.
Bill Meader took 160 Baht home with him.
Stephen Peters, Alan Williams, Tony Witham, Brad Armstrong, Tim Daly, and Warwick Sharpe, all pocketed 140 Baht.
Mike Harvey claimed 120 Baht.
Bob Ind and David Bowman got their money back taking 100 Baht each from the pool.
Winning 80 Baht were Randy Tusing, Ted Lojscyk, Stephen March, Keith Doyle, Matthew Skinner, Steve Turner, Dave Walter, and Thomas Grow.
Dave Paliwoda, Wal Creese, 60 Baht.
Alan Lewis, Brenden Andersen, Daryl Rudd 20 Baht 


Day Five, Friday, Oct 13 – @Pattaya Country Club.

Back to a 7 a.m. departure with 26 players to play Pattaya Country Club playing of the longer white tees today in preparation for next Tuesday’s completion against Durty Nelly’s Bar.

On finding your buggy and caddy they went and filled a cooler with ice so you just had to put beer in it so as not to discourage the good service and hope they keep it up next week.
The course was in good condition and the weather fine but hot and humid.

Winners Low Handicaps <22
1^st Place 39 points Peter Mc Garry
2^nd Place 36 Points Peter Harwood 
3^rd Place 35 Points Brad Armstrong 
NAGA Ross Ellis 21 Points

Winners High Handicaps 23>
1^st Place Kevin Flatley 43 points
2^nd Roger Simpson 38 points
3^rd Alan Williams 36 Points
NAGA Daryl Rudd 23 Points

N.T.P Hole # 5 Kevin Flatley 
NTP Hole 12 Brenden Andersen

DAY FOUR, Thursday, Oct 12th – @EMERALD GOLF

STABLEFORD COMPETITION.

29 players were all on the bus and ready on time at a later start of 08:15 to allow time for the Ban Chang temples to be open on our return trip. Playing today at Emerald Golf Club, on the way there were many signs that heavy rain had fallen overnight so did not know what to expect upon arrival as we had had reports that the greens were not in good condition.

The Course was well maintained in general and the greens were in good condition but challenging.

N.T.P. on Hole #5 was won by Brad Armstrong while N.T.P. Hole # 12 was collected by Glen Butcher.

Results for low Handicap division <21:
Winner: 1st Place with 44 points Bill Meade
2nd Place with 41 points Ted Lojszcyk 
3rd Place with 40 points Peter McGarry
NAGA 21 points, taken out by Glen Butcher

Results for the High Handicap Division 22>:
Winner: 1st place with 39 points Bruce Telfer 
2nd place with 39 points Daryl Rudd
Tied for 3rd place with 36 points were John Boucher and Brenden Andersen
NAGA Joe Giovenco 18 points

8 players who have no religious beliefs headed back to the hotel in Pattaya while the remaining players had a stopover in Ban Chang to light some incense Sticks and pay homage to Buddha.
Just as we were to depart the clubhouse the heavens opened and it was still raining when we arrived at Ban Chang but the locals soon offered us respite from the adverse conditions.


Day Three, Wednesday, Oct 11 – Single Stableford @Burapha Golf Club.

Today, 28 Golfers made the trip to Burapha this morning with very little rain in Pattaya overnight but unfortunately, it rained on the course and carts once again were restricted to cart paths only, however after around 3 hours of play this was rescinded, and carts were allowed on the rough.

NTP Winners: Troy Miller and Ted Lojszcyk
Low handicaps winners:
Winner with 43 points Glen Butcher
Three-way tie for 3rd and 2nd with 35 points Steve Fisk, Greg Nicholsen, Bob Ind.
NAGA Keven Flatley
High Handicaps winners:
The winner with 36 points was Troy Miller
A 2-way tie for 3rd place was Bruce Telfer and Brenden Andersen with 31 points a piece.
2^nd place 35 points Troy Miller
Naga Tory Spink

Day Two, Tuesday, Oct 10 – Stableford Waltz @Pattana Golf Club

We were woken in the early hours by the sound of thunder and headed off (after checking that play was possible), time with rain still falling. Traffic was bad and the normal 45-minute trip to the course took an hour and 40 minutes but by the time we got sorted the rain had stopped so we teed off with carts allowed on the cart path only. 
It was a long tiring day with all the walking but the majority enjoyed the game and the scores reflected this.
Stableford waltz is a team event where 1st hole Highest score counts, 2nd hole highest  2 scores count, 3rd hole highest three scores count, Then start again with Highest score counting, hence the name Stableford Waltz 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3 and on.

NTP winners:  Ross Ellis and Stephen Peters
Winners:
With 91 points were John Boucher, Ted Lojszcyk, Joe Giovenco, and Keith Doyle.
The runner-up group with 89 points consisted of Tim Daly, Warwick Sharp, Roopish, and Keven Flatley.

Day One, Monday, Oct 9 – Single Stableford @Bangpra

All were up and about for breakfast. The kitchen once again opened early to accommodate the group. The bus loaded up and departed on time at 07:00 with 28 golfers on board. The weather was slightly overcast but no rain.
Carts were allowed on the course which was in good condition. Two divisions were contested 0-19 and 20 above.

NTP winners:  Bill Meader and Ross Ellis
Winners Low Handicaps:
Winner with 40 points Brad Armstrong
Tied 3rd place with 28 points Steve Fisk and Ted Lojszcyk
2nd place with 31 points Manoj Singh
NAGA on 19 points Wal Creese, Dave Paliwoda, Dave Walter, Peter Mc Gary
Winners High Handicaps:
Tied 1st place  29 Points Keith Doyle and Bob Ind (Shared 2nd and 1st place money no count backs)
3rd place with 26 Points  Stephen Peters
NAGA Daryl Rudd 9 points

Day 0, Sunday, October 8 – Arrival

Today, 29 participants have arrived in Pattaya with one group of 4 having an interesting trip from Angeles City to Manila, the Genesis bus on which they were traveling, broke down on the Skyway 8 km from the airport and had to be towed with passengers on board to the Terminal. Having arrived with minimal time to spare they were greeted in Bangkok with the news from Air Asia that for some reason only one set of clubs had been loaded onto their flight to Manila and that the other 3 sets would be arriving Sunday night at the Hotel (we hope more news later). 27 of the 29 players who had arrived during the past 4/5 days gathered around the pool area on the 3rd floor of the newly renovated One Hotel Bay-Breeze where Stephen Peters addressed the group on the conditions of play for this year’s golfing trip.
Brad Armstrong addressed the group on the way the ’Presidents International Shield’ would be contested over the 10-day play by averaging the scores on a daily basis and allocating points accordingly.

So far, the weather has been good; some rain in Bangkok and the trip down but nothing to mention in Pattaya, reports from locals have indicated that the courses may be a little wet but generally in top condition.
The first day’s flights were posted with only one late withdrawal Carey Winston who was suffering from a sore knee and had walked 7km during the trip from Angeles due to the bus breakdown.

Update Sep 1st, 2023

We have had a great response from those wishing to be involved in the 2023 Thailand Golf Tip with 39 players nominating for some or all of the trip.
We have players traveling from the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, USA as well as a couple from Thailand, joining us this year and all is looking good for some friendly competition on the golf course and mixing with new friends on and off the golf course.

Renovations to the Baybreeze are on schedule and I have been advised that the hotel will reopen on September 1^st with the Coffee Shop opening on September 26th.
We still have to finalize golf course bookings but hopefully, this will be done in the next two weeks but hopefully will not be much different from the previously advised list. 
This year because of the numbers we have been able to source a 40 seat air conditioned bus for transport to and from the golf courses.
We also have 5 guys who are taking their partners along this year. 

Another thing this year is that we have organized a game against ‘Durtie Nellies’ a local social club on Tuesday the 17th of October, this will be a two-man team 4ball best ball (the best score per hole wins that hole and so on) to enable the team event to be decided, players will still play a Stableford competition so that individual prizes can still be awarded.
Presentations will take place at Durtie Nellies after the game.

Nominations for the trip will be suspended as from Saturday 1 September 2023 to allow time to finalize all arrangements so we can have a successful and enjoyable trip with minimal hang-ups.

Those considering attending should look at 2024 when the golf will be commencing on Monday 14^th October.
Thanks,
Stephen Peters

Update July 18th, 2023

The 2023 Thailand trip is well into the planning phase, with play commencing on Monday 9th October to Friday 13th, then recommencing on Monday 16th to Friday 20th of October.

As of 17 July, we have 29 Players who indicated they will be playing the 1st week and 28th the 2nd week, All players have booked at the Baybreeze Hotel and we have been able to source a 40-seater bus for travel to and from the hotel to the golf courses.

If you are interested in joining the trip, contact Stephen Peters by email at stephen_p@hotmail.com 

This year the International competition will be contested over the whole two weeks with scores being totaled daily and then an average per player will determine the winning team for that day.
For example, if the Australian team has 14 players and the total Stableford points for all players is 460 then the average would be (460/14) 32.85, and if the Internationals had 15 players for a total of 470 their score for the day would be (470/15) 31.3.
The Australian team would get 1 point. this would continue for the whole 14 days with the team with the most points winning the International Shield for the year.
When playing Ambrose and other games we will have to manage the draw so that we have teams playing for the points.
Stephen Peters

Following are courses booked with prices for this year’s trip.

Date – Oct	Course	Dep Hotel	No. Players	Tee-Time	Play 2-ways	Green + Caddy +Cart	Bus	Remarkts	Format
Mon 9th	Bangpra	06:45	30	08:30	confirm	1,450 + 300 tip	450		Stableford
Tues 10th	Pattana GC	07:00	30	08:30	confirm	1,700 + 300 tip	450	One P/cart	Stableford Waltz
Wed 11th	Burapha	07:00	30	08:16	confirm	1,600 + 300 tip	450	One P/cart + Compuls.	Stableford
Thur 12th	Emerald GC	08:15	30	09:40	confirm	1,150 + 300 tip	450 Temple Tours	Carts Compulsory	Stableford
Fri 13th	Pattaya CC	07:00	30	08:00	One Way	2,080 + 300 tip	450		Stableford
Mon 16th	Pattavia CGC	07:00	30	08:40	confirm	1,350 + 300 tip	450	One P/cart	Skins
Tues 17th	Pattaya GC	08:15	30	09:36	Shotgun 09:26 on 6 tees	1,380 + 300 tip	450	Durty Nellies	4 BBB Team Event
Wed 18th	Khao Kheow	07:00	30	08:30	One way	1,750 + 300 tip	450		Stableford

April 2023

It’s only 6 months before the 2023 Golf trip to Pattaya Thailand begins, with the first day of play being October 9th and the last on October 20, 2023.

I have received word from the Baybreeze Hotel that their renovations are due to be finished in July 2023. 
All rooms will now be classed as Deluxe or Deluxe Balcony, with new furnishings, 43-inch TVs, and high-speed Wi-Fi. 
That is good news, but it also means that the room rates have increased from last year’s rates of  900 ₿ to 1,400 ₿ per night (9,100 ₿ per week) for deluxe and from 960 ₿ to 1,500 ₿ (9,800 ₿ per week) for Deluxe Balcony rooms. 
This is an increase of 124 A$ or 82 US$ per week for the Deluxe Room and 90 US$ and 136 AU$ for the Deluxe balcony compared with last year. 
There are no room choices other than the Deluxe and Deluxe balcony. 
Also, the cost of the buffet breakfast has risen from 150 ₿ to 179 ₿ 
While I am confident that the rooms will be better than last year and will still represent good value for money when you consider the extra service provided by staff in regard to the golf course and transportation booking during our stay, I appreciate that some players may be looking for less expensive accommodation. 
With that in mind I sent 13 emails to various hotels in the area around the Baybreeze last week but as yet have not received any replies to my requests for pricing during our time period in Pattaya. 
It may be that players who require accommodation other than at the Baybreeze will have to book their own accommodation via one of the booking agencies like Trivago, Booking.com, or the like. 

Looking at the current list of golf course rates I am expecting green fees also to rise this year but will try to get the best available value for money when booking courses later. 
The Baybreeze has also always been very flexible with late alterations and cancellations to bookings so dates for another hotel may have to be locked in when booking to avoid other charges. 
I will continue to try to source alternate suitable accommodation during the next few months in the meantime could interested participants please indicate their willingness to be involved in the 2023 golf tour by advising if they are planning to go.

Please let me know:
1 Advising dates of intended participation (one week or two) 
2 Whether prepared to stay at Baybreeze Hotel or require alternative accommodation. (If Staying at Baybreeze Deluxe or Balcony Deluxe) 
3 Anticipated arrival and departure dates. 
4 Whether traveling with a partner or alone. 

If you are certain that you are not interested this year, could you please advise and I will take you off the mailing list for this year. 
Also, if you know of any others who may be interested in going, please forward this on and have them reply to me at my email address of stephen_p@hotmail.com.