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1 - 15 July 2015
www.pattayatoday.net
Local Sports Phoenix Gold Offers Free Carts RACE REPORT
Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik climbs high at the Austrian Grand Prix
Round 2 of the GP3 Series on June 19-21 took place at the Red Bull Ring circuit in the mountains of Spielberg, Austria. The Thai driver was keen to improve upon his results from the previous round in Spain, and was seeking rewards for a top 10 finish. Stuvik, as usual, is racing for Status GP with the support of Singha Corporation, The Pizza Company, Dacon Inspection Services, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand, and the Sports Authority of Thailand. Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik qualified in 7th place with a time of 1:19.970, just 0.620 from the pole position driver Luca Ghiotto who set a 1:19.350. Second and third grid spots were Esteban Ocon and Alex Palou, respectively. Stuvik said, “I feel that we’ve made a step up from the first round at Barcelona in terms of car balance but there is still more time to gain. Again we will be working closely with the engineers and teammates to set up the car for the race.” Race 1 of the weekend on Saturday afternoon saw Stuvik finishing in 7th place after a tough fought battle. First place was Luca Ghiotto, followed by Antonio Fuoco and Esteban Ocon in second and third positions. Stuvik said, “This circuit lends itself much better to racing as there are areas to overtake and it suits my driving style. Also, now we’ve seen how much more we can use the tire throughout a race. The key for the next race will be to maximise the tires for the slightly shorter race tomorrow. But overall I’m very happy to be in the top 10 and scoring good points.” Race 2 on Sunday morning the Thai driver was crashed out in the second corner when another driver overestimated his brake point and took out five cars including himself. First place was Oscar Tunjo, with Marvin Kirchhofer and Esteban Ocon filling out the podium. Stuvik said, “It’s a shame to have my race ended by the mistake of another driver. We were in for a strong points finish. Now we have shown our pace and know that in Silverstone we will be up there fighting for points once again.”
During the low season (July and August), the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club is offering free golf carts on Tuesdays for everyone. After recently upgrading their Mountain and Ocean courses, the new owners at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya have also decided to completely redesign their Lakes course. Top Thai designer Piraporn Nimatra is back again to create this exciting new 9 holes and is rerouting some of the holes and creating new water hazards, bunkers and greens. The work is expected to be completed by November 2015, meanwhile the club is open for business and the members and visitors are enjoying the remaining 18 holes.
A completely new management team has also now taken over the day-to-day running of the club, headed up by Nathawat Aksornchat, who was previously the general manager at Palm Hills in Hua Hin, and more recently at Thana City Golf Resort in Bangkok. Poommarin “Kae” Sainoy also formerly from Thana City has taken over as Sales and Marketing director. Nathawat said, “The potential here is fantastic and over the next couple of years we will be working hard to improve not only all 27 holes, but also updating the clubhouse and facilities too.” For more information check out their website www.phoenixgoldgolf.com or contact tel: +66 (0) 38 239 400, mobile:
L-R: GM Nathawat, owner Chanya Swangchitr and designer Piraporn
+66 (0) 84 873 5363, email: reservation@ phoenixgoldgolf.com.
Mercedes-Benz Junior Golf Championships Asian Masters Final 2015 at Dusit Thani Pattaya The Mercedes-Benz Junior Golf Championships Asian Masters Final 2015 held at Burapha Golf and Resort in Chonburi from June 1012 concluded in the Napalai Ballroom of Dusit Thani Pattaya where more than 70 international junior golfers gathered to celebrate the tournament and all the winners. Photo shows the champions of the four age groups with the major sponsors in the back row: Neoh Kean Boon
(5th right), resident manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya; Kullaton Meesommont of Burapha Golf and Resort; Ukrit Poshyanonda, marketing GM of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Ltd., and Apichat Chatchalermkit, TAT director of events and promotion. Six Thai winners, one boy and one girl from each age group, except the aged 23 and under category, will be eligible to play with the Mercedes-Benz junior golf team in China this August.
Steve Truelove in Crystal form This US Open Friday, the Tropical Golf group was at Crystal Bay rather than Chambers Bay, which explained the lack of cameras and spectators. Still, for the members playing this day there was no golf tournament more important, and with grit, determination and a coffee buzz, we set off for the day’s venue. The weather this day was hot (naturally) but not so skin blistering as recent weeks. We hope the worst is over for another year, but probably not. Playing the C and A courses (why is it always in that order?) the consensus was the greens are in pretty good condition, and the
patchwork of different grasses is merging nicely. The fairways are a different matter; some areas were nice, while many others were hardpan or dead grass. Some spot watering would make a huge difference here. However when one figures in the price of just over 1000 baht to walk, including caddy, it ranks as excellent value. Crystal Bay is a fair test, and there are usually good scores here. Such was the case today and anyone not playing to their handicap was an observer come awards time. Taking first place with an impressive 40 points off his low handicap was Steve Truelove (8). Great golf by any measurement! Second place
by Derek Brook
went to Gerd Riedler (9) winning on countback over Tom Herrington (16) each with 38 points. Not too shabby. Barry Elphick (22), recently a regular on the podium, took fourth place honors on countback over Alan Sullivan at 36 points. Pity Mike O’Brien and Landis Brooks who also had fine 36 point rounds and Winner Steve Truelove (L) is congratulated by third place winner Tom Herrington left empty-handed. Near pins: Gerd Riedler, am departure. Complimentary Landis Brooks, Steve Truelove, coffee and tea is provided and a “Golfer’s” breakfast is available Alan Sullivan The Tropical Golf Group from 7 am. All golfers are welcome so generally plays every Tuesday and Friday, meeting at The BJ if interested, stop by, check the Holiday Lodge located just off bulletin board and put your Beach Road on Soi 3 for 8:30 name down.
Fond farewell to the Three Amigos! by Dilligaf
With the weekend over, Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik took home 6 points, and achieved his goal of finishing in the top 10. However, the work is only just beginning for the Thai driver as the next race will take place in just two days at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix on July 3-5. “I’m looking forward to the next race, Silverstone is a very fast and flowing circuit, and I feel it will suit my driving style. Thank you to all my fans and my sponsors for your support, it is an honour to represent Thailand in the top level of motorsports.”
Date July 3-5 July 24-26 Aug 21-23 Sept 4-6 Oct 9-11 Nov 27-29
2015 GP3 Series Calendar Venue Silverstone, UK Hungaroring, Hungary Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium Monza, Italy Sochi, Russia Yas Marina, UAE
Remark Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8
With a few cancellations after the overnight rain, Thursday’s expectations were high as 16 diehards gathered for The Growling Swan’s outing to Pattaya Country Club. High expectations indeed, because, at our last visit, the facilities and services were outstanding and once again, they didn’t disappoint. The recent heavy downpours have reinvigorated the course and it is presenting extremely well. The management team must be complimented and the level of service provided at Pattaya CC continues to rule in the region. The weather was refreshingly overcast and the rain stayed away thanks to Peter Grey, who spent a small fortune purchasing a wet weather bag cover at the pro shop. Fred Starbeck scored a hard-fought victory over Mark Stapleton and Kevin Waycott. Dave Fletcher battled hard to snare a podium finish. Winners: 1st – Fred Starbeck (14) 38 pts 2nd – Mark Stapleton (19) 37 pts c/b 3rd – Kevin Waycott (10) 37 pts
4th – Dave Fletcher (22) 32 pts NTP’s 5&7 – Fred Starbeck 12 – Kevin Waycott 16 – Rocky Lawson Longest One Putt 9 – Kevin Waycott 18 – Peter McDonald Golf outlets in Pattaya are ever reliant on Peter Grey farewelled Niall Stuart and the Three Amigos a combination of positive proprietors, helpers and faithful patrons. The Growling Swan has For some serious golf with a dash of fun, come enjoyed, for the past month, the company of on down to The Growling Swan on Mondays and the Three Amigos (Peter McDonald, Rocky Thursdays, contact Peter Grey on 086 150 3086 if Lawson and Rob Cross). I say Three Amigos, you are interested in playing. but they were more like ‘The Good, the The Growling Swan also caters to bowls Bad and the Ugly’ or ‘The Three Stooges’… enthusiasts. Bus transport departs The GS on nuck, nuck! These three ripping blokes were Wednesdays at 10 am to play at Coco’s on farewelled heartily and bode bon voyage. undercover synthetic greens and on Sundays at Back at The Growling Swan, charity dog the same time for open grass bowling at The Deefa gratefully received significant donations Retreat. Please contact Paul Rennison on 084 from many and they are thanked for their 345 4005 if you wish to partake. The cost, continued contributions. All Deefa donations including return bus transport, bowling fees go to the PSC to be directed to projects to assist and a hot lunch is less than 400 baht, so great the needy children of Pattaya. value for a day out.