Grendel

It was still being built in April when I was last there. The driver pointed it out to me while taking me to my hotel a lttle further down Soi 13. It's on the 2nd road end of Soi 13 across from the Lek's Pool. Anyone know the opening date? Gren

Just as an FYI, go back and look at the PSC site again (not sure what it says in the book). I think the site lists 10% off the room rate and 20% off food. Never stayed there but it looks nice from the outside. Also I was a little surprised about the # hotels on the PSC discount list. A decent selection for you fellow PSC members out there. Gren

As Carlsburg can attest I have had my share of water balls. The 1st round I played in Thailand was at Lam Chebang with him. I had 12 balls at the 1st tee and ended up buying anything 6 pack at one of the drink stops I was loosing so many. Towards the end Ben got the two caddies to wave at me as I was going to the tee and when I asked what that was all about they all said togeather, bye-bye ball, and I plunked that one in too. I don't think they were Nike's though Ian. Gren

The Grand President Hotel on Soi 11. I couldn't find the hotel's own website, only reservation sites so I didn't link it. Has a pool (never been in it), and a wide variety of nice rooms (I've done the Topaz a few times). Its about 200 to 250 yards up Soi 11 off Sukhumvit. I think the Nana BTS station is right there as well. Gren

Ray, Please make sure you save a bunch of Nike Balls for Duece to use. I played a round at the Thai Navy course with Duece and a few other guys, and Deuce swore after loosing about 4 balls in the water on one hole he would never use Nike Balls again. He may have actually cussed on that hole too, very un-Duecelike. Gren

Carlsburg, 1st off I’m playing in the 2nd Annual RideHer Cup no matter what the value, but I’m not sure I am following your logic. I think what you spelled out here says your vision is to host an amateur non serious golf tournament (which I agree with) but not have the level of prizes, female involvement, and a much higher cost than another amateur tourney that has just come to light (the Mistys Tourney) so that things are kept to a smaller scale and not serious? I know they are different events and maybe cater to different crowds (expats vs. vacationers) but they are both golf tourney’s and so do compete with each other in a sense. I have a few suggestions. I know a few guys mentioned last year it would have been nice to see a few of the FLB girls around during the tourney. Hell our bus last year was practically a moving gogo bar in the downstairs part just minus the girls. Maybe Pete could bring out a few to serve up some water/ beer or whatever at a few of the drink stops along the way while he was taking pics this year. If Pete decides to actually play this time maybe Ann or Wee could bring some out. The pics with the FLB girls on the course would be great promo material for the 3rd RideHer Cup as well. I think the non-serious part is not from the cost to join and small size, but by the structure of the format (as a two team event) and by the expectations of the players. My only expectation last year was to have some fun, and that I did. I also remember last year we did have some individual prizes for longest and shortest drives, closest and farthest from the pin as well as the shot of the day, which I secured by hitting a guy on a motorbike (and yes I know you were 2nd, almost killing Pete in the process) but those prizes were more trinket like rather than actual prizes from other bars and restaurants. An improvement in this area would be nice too (Mistys definitely should be a sponsor considering you are of their tourney) Doing the math and figuring 15 participants last year (I think there were 16 though but I’m going by picture on the FLB RideHer Cup site) if we had 20k baht leftover after all the tourney stuff that would be just under 2700 baht actual costs per person. In reality with the 4000 baht entry each player is paying a 1300 baht bar tab for drinks we are not drinking (lady drinks) before walking into the bar to start our own real bar tabs for the night of the RideHer Cup “mega dance contest”. I’m thinking maybe instead of pooling the 1300 baht per person into a fund that is decided on by whoever, a better option would be to give each player drink tickets or something (a tab?) that can be used on themselves and/or for the girls lady drinks / shots and even better at a discounted rates for Ride Her Cup participants for the night. That would help ensure FLB had a good take for the evening but also be a much better value for the players and help make the night a lot of fun. So to sum up my three suggestions to improve the tourney and crate a better perception of value would be to: 1. Get some of the FLB girls involved somehow in the actual event. Maybe having a few to serve drinks on the course at a rest stop or something on the front and back 9. 2. Secure some better prizes for the longest/ shortest/closest/ farthest etc. shots. 3. Give the participants individual control or the baht surplus to spend as they would like at FLB that night at a discounted rate. Let me know your thoughts on this proposal. I think it would help make for an even better time this year. Gren

Deuce, I am shocked at your geographic mistake. I have included the following link (I hope this works) http://www.kingdomtravel.com/epcotmap.htm to a special place in Orlando, FL which is clearly where Norway is located. A you can see Norway is right between Mexico and China, please recheck your out of date English maps. Gren

Golfer, I was wondering if either or maybe both or your Norwegian friends has moved to the US in the past year?? If no, do either have a family member living in the US??? If no, do either think they might be coming over to the US in the next year or say 10 (yes a vacation counts)? If no, was their favorite movie made in the US??? If no, would they like to see Brittany Spears, J Lo, Beyonce or any American woman naked? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then according article 5, section 12, subparagraph 2 of the RideHer Cup regulations they should be included on the US team. The regs clearly state "Norwegians who have played in the inaugural RideHer Cup and have gained much needed points for the European team so that they could squeak out a 1/2 point victory over a US team that included a Scotsman are considered to be on the US team the following year if they answer yes to any of the following questions (see above). Sorry but regs are regs, without them we would be no better than wild animals. Looking forward to Nov to see you all again. Gren

Great pic's Joop, Sorry we couldn't hook up for an exchange (not that I knew anything about the missing trophy Doggie) but I guess you were a little busy this past year. Look forward to seeing you and your family in Pattaya in late Oct/ early Nov. Gren

Thumper, the only way to do better is if you have a better time out there. I think we all had a blast last year so I am hoping this year will equal and maybe surspass it, and pehaps this time I won't hit anyone. I really only get competative when it comes to trying to rile up Doggie. Matt

SteveO, I thought you managed your balls fine last year... wait a sec, am I remembering the golf course or Walking St? Gren

Very Funny Duece, but clearly you are embellishing about the "Where did that fucker go" quote. RobertCC might be able to verify I have never heard you cuss after a bad shot. I remember a strained "Oh my goodness" from you while Bob and I were piling up the shouts of "Fuck" and "Dammit to Hell". Sounds like revisionist history to me... kind of like a non contrivesial RideHer Cup win by the Euros that you are all coming out of the woodwork to remind us of now. Just wait till this year. Gren

Hold on her a second Doggie. So your an accomplished enough golfer to go out and play a round at St Andrews but when playing for the US Team in the Ride Her Cup you can't manage a 1/2 point? Hmmm??? Anyone else smell a fix? (Just fullfilling my captian's duties from last year Callum, hope you had a great round). Gren (Matt)

I've stayed there a few times in nice and not so nice rooms. The refurbished ones are pretty good. I would suggest a room on the pool side rather than seaside. The ocean is pretty far off so what you really have a view of is of the rooftops of all the buildings about a 1/2 mile from the bay and back to you. The other side is a large pool view and saves you a few baht, quieter too I think. My place was cleaned maybe 2 or 3 times a week and laundry service was included but I think I had to drop it off and pick it up. Also know that you have to provide all your own hotel basics like toilet paper, soap, bottled water and shampoo. Not a big deal but good to know. No problems for me walking in the area but you will have the boys making eyes at you on your walk to and from Walking St at night as someone else mentioned. If you want to know anything else specific let me know. Gren

One thing Doggie forgot to mention about the "motercyclist" incedent was that he was riding on a cart path towards me (so he could see me swing), was not wearing a helmet and only slowed down to glare at me as he continued on along. Of course the bounce off his head put me further away from the hole but I was just glad it didn't kill him. Gren PS . Just wait till this year, I almost hit a lady jogger yesterday here in Miami when my buddy started to tell me a joke in the middle of my swing to be "funny". She of couse told me all about it as she was jogging past us.

I think this was a rule last year but not strictly enforced, a 100 baht fine for apologizing to your partner for a bad shot. The fine money could go into a drink kitty for all participants to enjoy. I think we could also add some type of prize for managing to hit a shot that ends up behind you, yes I saw this done last year by a very good player. Gren (Matt)

Doggie, I plan to be there again, except this time on the winning side, the USA baby. I've been dutifully going to the range and getting in some summer rounds here in Florida to train and I have definitely improved... my tan. My handicap is still sky high, like my moon ball tee shots so I think I may be in the running for another Shot of the Day like last year, look out motorbike drivers. Gren (Matt)

I almost don't want to say anything about this to keep the "secret" to myself but... its a very nice place for what it is. It is out of the way (but right on a highly traveled Baht Bus route) and it doesn't have a pool or elevator. Traffic noise might be noitable the lower your room is in the hotel. Other than that its great for me. Very clean rooms, nice size shower (no tub), safety deposit boxes downstairs (they were installing in room electronic safes while I was there last time), big beds (a little on the very firm side), mini fridge and coffee maker (no room service that I was aware of but that may have changed). On top of that the day time staff is great. The night guy is ok. Gren

I think I am on your flight from Tokyo to Bkk but I am staying in BKK 2 nights and heading to Pattaya on the 18th. Maybe I'll see you there. Gren (Matt)