doghaus

The Rideher Cup 2007 is open for entries! Possibly the greatest golf event in Asia, this prestigious tournament is in it's 6th Year. This matchplay event pitches Europe's finest golfers against the cream of the USA. Mix in a few Aussies and Kiwis, blend with a Thai or two and you have a field of the world's greatest golfers! This year's event will take place on 5th November at Burapha - the scene of Europe's crushing victory in 2006. Once again, European Captain Deuce will be leading his team of finely honed professionals against the USA captained by Grendel. Full details about the event are on this web site. Entries will be limited to 24 for each team so get your name down fast. To enter, post the following here on the board: Your board name, handicap, nationality and shirt size. Then send me an email to sales@solargolf.co.uk with your full name and your email address. I will then add you to the circulation list for more information about the event. The cost will be around 3,500 baht including: Green fee Caddy fee Buggy share Transport Prizes Souvenir polo shirt Food and party at FLB on 5th November. We will be holding a Captains selection evening at FLB on Sunday 4th November around 8.30 pm. This is where the captains select the pairings and order of play! I know a number of you have already sent me your entry by email. Please post here to make sure that I haven't missed your entry. With Europe leading the series by one, this is the chance for USA to pull level. I look forward to a full turnout for the 2007 RideHer Cup. Get those entries rolling in! Doggie

Hub I dont yet know which courses we will be allocated. I would like to use A and B because they are fair to players of all abilities. C1 is a par 4 with water right. I think the one you refer to is D1 - a tough par 5 opener. Happy to hear you will be here for this year's competition. Cheers Doggie

Look forward to seeing you again Mescalito. The courses for the two events are: RideHer Cup - Burapha Catz Open - Khao Kheow I will be posting details about the RideHer Cup programme and how to enter in the next few days. Cheers Doggie

A number of you guys have been asking about the golf plans for November this year. I am pleased to announce the outline programme for the RideHer Cup, Catz Open and a trip to Chiang Mai. Here are the plans as they currently stand. Sunday 4th November Registration evening for the RideHer Cup Monday 5th November RideHer Cup - Europe vs USA. Match play event. Evening party at FLB Thursday 8th November. Catz Open. Individual stabelford competition. Evening party at Catz a GoGo Sunday 11th November to Wednesday 14th November. Chiang Mai trip. Fly from bangkok and stay in the city centre. 2 rounds of golf including the new Chiang Mai Highlands course. Programme for non-golfers and an excursion on the non-golf day. We will also have extra golf days running throughout October and November. Start planning your trip! Contact us at sales@solargolf.co.uk if you need any help with hotels, transport or flights. I look forward to seeing all of you in Pattaya in November. Doghaus

4niceight I will be pleased to help you with golf advice when you arrive in Pattaya. A 30 minute golf lesson at the driving range with a falang golf pro will probably cost you around 700 to 1000 baht depending upon who you go to. I recommend David Race at Harolds range on soi Siam Country Club - his rates are near the top of this range but he is an excellent teacher. I reckon a series of about 6 to 8 lessons and a fair bit of range time will get you ready to venture on to a golf course. I agree that second hand clubs are the best bet when you are starting. When you get some more experience you can splash out on new clubs. You will be able to pick up clubs in Pattaya but you might get a better deal buying on ebay in your home country. Please make contact when you get to Pattaya. I can be reached by sending me a pm. Best wishes. Doghaus

The missus and I are on our Songkran getaway holiday in the Khao Yai area to the North-East of Bangkok. After spending 3 nights at the excellent Sir James Resort, we were en route to Buriram and decided to play Voyage Panorama – a gem of a course just off the main highway to Korat. We managed to tee off as a two ball despite the fact it was a holiday. The greens were in great condition – true and fast. 3 putts were the order of the day on most holes and Mrs Solar had carded a creditable 49 for the front nine off the men’s tees. We stepped up to the 104-yard par 3 11th. A tricky little hole with a small green guarded by a bunker right across the front and the green slopes front to back. The caddy hands Mrs Solar a 5 utility club and she changes to a 4 utility – commonly known as a Katoey club. I was joking with the caddies – if she gets a hole in one you come to Pattaya and dance in go-go. The missus steps up to the tee, takes aim and hits a high draw. It hits the green about 6 feet from the pin and rolls straight in! Hole in One! The caddies and I are whooping and hollering and the Thais on the next tee are all staring round the trees to see what happened. We get to the green and there is the ball nestling in the hole. I 3 putt for my obligatory bogey and we move on. I told my caddy she was working in Pattaya from now on but we eventually agreed that she didn’t quite have the right body shape for hugging the chrome poles! We got back to the clubhouse and went to the reception desk to report the achievement. The desk clerk seemed totally under whelmed and started searching through his files for the right form. He eventually found the form and the missus had to complete it including the club selection. I told him that she had used a Katoey club and that would look good on the clubhouse hole in one board. He stared at me blankly and so we had to write 4 utility. There were no prizes for a hole in one at that hole but Mrs Solar will be receiving a certificate and her name will be added to the board at the entrance to the club house in a couple of weeks. When you consider she has only been playing just over a year and was playing off the men’s tee, this is a magnificent achievement. Most of us spend a lifetime playing golf and never get an ace! Mrs Solar will be in Catz on Friday 20th April and we might tempt her to ring the bell to celebrate this milestone in her golfing career. Congratulations! By the way, she carded a gross 94 to beat me 4 and 3 off the same tees!

I echo Hub's advice. Pattaya has the most golf courses and the green fees are more competitive than other areas. You also have a big expat community here so plenty of competitions and golf groups you can join in with for a day out. Cheers Doggie

Sorry about that Moby. Welcome back and I am sure we will get a game while you are here. That will do nicely - pleased to oblige. The baht bus will leave from Berkshire at 0830 - have 10 baht ready and a visa for each border you will encounter en route. Have a nice year! Mescalito - see you in May. Deuce - see you when you get here in less than 2 weeks! Dogie

Catz Invitation Golf Tournament 2007 - Individual Stableford Competition The Catz Invitation Golf Tournament will take place on Monday 26th March 2007. The competition will be held at the ever popular Burapha Golf Club. The format is an individual Stableford competition played with full handicap allowance over 18 holes. There is a Trophy for the winner and an additional "secret partner" competition - we will give you details of this on the day of the event. Additionally, there will be prizes for nearest the pin, longest drive and a few special prizes that will be up for grabs. This is a fun event where the party in Catz is always a riotous occasion. There will be food for the golfers and their guests followed by the prize giving and lots of drinking. For those of you that are not familiar with Pattaya, Catz a GoGo is located in Covent Garden – just off Walking Street. You can find their web site at www.catzagogo.com . Your entry fee of 2,500 baht is all inclusive of: Green Fee Caddy Fee A buggy share Transport to and from the golf course The party and food All you have to pay for at the golf course is the caddy tip. To register your entry, please reply to this post with: Your board name Your official handicap (if you have one) You can also enter by sending an email to sales@solargolf.co.uk. Transport will depart from and return to The Residence Gardens Hotel. The RG is located on the hill between Pattaya and Jontiem and is on the main baht bus route. You will need to pay your entry fee in advance. You can pay at Catz a GoGo or directly to Solar Golf – the organisers. Please reply to this post letting us know that you want to register. I look forward to a great event and a lot of friendly competition.

Hi BellMac I run a golf tour company in Thailand - Solar Golf Ltd. We have a representative in Chiang Mai so we would be happy to arrange your golf programme. We normally offer an all-inclusive price for green fee, caddy fee and transport to and from the courses. I agree with the course recommendations - Highlands is probably the best course in Chiang Mai and then you will enjoy Royal Chiang Mai, Green Valley and Lamphung. If your group are low handicappers, then I would put Gassan Khuntan on your list. If you care to send me an email to sales@solargolf.co.uk with your arrival and departure dates, number of rounds you want to play and the dates you want to play, we will work out the best deal for you. Look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards. Doggie

Hi Forest Solar Golf will be pleased to organise everything you need to play golf in Pattaya. Solar organises regular golf days - normally 3 times a week. Our main customers are holiday golfers who want to have a fun round of golf. Solar also organise golf excursions to other parts of Thailand and some tournaments for bars including the FLB. To give you an idea of what we offer, here is a copy of the early February programme: Friday 2nd February – Burapha Pick up from your hotel at 0900. Return 1700 approx. Price of 2,500 baht includes green fee, transport, caddy fee and buggy. Wednesday 7th February – Burapha Pick up from your hotel at 0900. Return 1700 approx. Price of 2,500 baht includes green fee, transport, caddy fee and buggy. Friday 9th February – Phoenix Pick up from your hotel at 1030. Return 1830 approx. Price of 2,500 baht includes green fee, transport, caddy fee and buggy. Tuesday 13th February – Khao Kheow Pick up from your hotel at 0845. Return 1830 approx. Price of 2,600 baht includes green fee, transport, caddy fee and buggy. Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th February – 2 rounds at The Alpine We are organising a trip to Bangkok to play at The Alpine – one of Asia’s top courses and venue for the 2004 Johnnie Walker. This is an exclusive members club but we have managed to get a special arrangement to play there twice. The package includes transport to and from Bangkok, 2 rounds at The Alpine with caddy and one night at the Chaophaya Park Hotel in a business deluxe room with breakfast. The cost is 12,000 baht for a single golfer or 10,500 baht for each golfer sharing a twin room. Places are limited so book early. Call Solar Golf on 0836 184449 for more information or to book any of the golf events. Please book at least 24 hours in advance. Rental clubs available. We always pick you up from your hotel in air-conditioned vehicles with English speaking golf guides. Please send Solar Golf an email to sales@solargolf.co.uk with your arrival dates and we will respond with our programme. Hope to meet you. Doghaus

Great news Ash. Welcome to the event! Doggie

Texan I will be pleased to help you out. We have a few rental sets here. How would this suit you: Yonex driver - a few years old. I might have replaced it by the time you get here. Titleist DCI irons with rifle shaft Ram utility 3 Wilson fat shaft 5 wood Putter We rent this set for 500 baht per round. We run golf trips 2 or 3 times a week. I guess it would be a good idea to post details here. Please email me at sales@solargolf.co.uk and I will let you know what is happening during your trip. I dont know what you mean about drinking with me Slobbert! Cheers Doggie

As Steve O has responded, the RideHer Cup takes place on the first Monday in November. So it will be Monday 5th November 2007. Registrations will be on Sunday 4th November. We start taking entries online from about July onwards but you can book your flight knowing there is a firm date for the RideHer. Doggie

Skygod The RideHer Cup Party was thrown for the golfers who participated in the golf day. They all paid a contribution towards the food but other guests were very welcome to partake of the food on offer. How the golfers choose to enjoy themselves is up to them - I received a lot of very favourable comments from the players so I guess they were not disappointed. If other FLB customers were disappointed because their expectations were not fulfilled then maybe you should have had a chat with the management on the night. I know that Martin is a reasonable man and I am sure he would have been prepared to listen to you. As far as the triple barfine is concerned, this is an issue for FLB alone. Doggie

Thanks for posting the photos Martin. It was a great day and well done Europe for their victory. I would like to say a big thank you to all the players and to FLB for hosting the party. Same time next year! Cheers Doggie

Just a reminder that the buses will leave Residence Gardens at 0930 sharp on Friday. If you want to play and have not registered yet, please post here and then meet me at RG on Friday. You can also find me in Catz in the evenings. Look forward to seeing all of you. Cheers Doggie

Flagguy Rentals can be arranged. Please send an email to sales@solargolf.co.uk with your dates and whether you need right or left handed. Cheers Doggie

The 2006 RideHer Cup Golf Match - 6th November 2006 Burapha Golf Club USA vs. Europe (including some representatives from the rest of the world) Welcome to the 2006 RideHer cup - the only golf competition where having fun is more important than how you play! Everyone is welcome to join in the fun, even if you are a terrible player. Here are the arrangements and rules for the event with an explanation of the handicap calculations. Your entry fee of 3200 baht includes golf shirt, transport, green fees, caddy fees, buggies and the evening party. Caddy tips are not included - it is common to tip the caddy at least 200 baht and up to 300 baht if she is good. Selecting the matches All players meet up at FLB on Sunday evening 5th November around 9 pm. We will register your entry, collect the money and explain the travel arrangements. The captains will then select the pairings and list them in the order of play. When both Captains have made their listings, the organiser will collect the lists and announce the matches and the order of play. Travel and arriving at the golf course Players will meet the bus at the Residence Gardens. The bus will depart at 9.00am prompt. Please don't miss the bus, as it will not wait! We strongly recommend booking at least 2 wake-up calls to make sure that you are ready to go at the appointed hour. On arrival at the golf course, your clubs will be off-loaded and handed over to your caddies. They will load them on the buggy and will meet you in the buggy park. Please identify your golf bag when it is off-loaded so that the organiser can make sure that it is placed on the same buggy as your playing partner. There are facilities to hire clubs from me or at the course - just let me know in advance that you will need hire clubs. Once your clubs are sorted, go to the changing rooms and put on your golf shoes. Then, meet up in the buggy park. The organiser will have sorted out the cards for each match so make sure you collect these and that you know how the handicap system will work. When your match is announced, step up to the tee; toss a coin to decide which team tees off first and then hit away. Remember to get past the ladies tee - see special rules below! The matches Each group will play 2 matches with a point available for each match. The front nine will be played as a Texas Scramble/Ambrose. Both players in the team hit their drives and select which drive will be used. Thereafter, the players each hit a shot from the position of the best-placed ball until the team has holed out. The handicap allowance will be 1/4 the combined handicap of the 2 players in the team. Strokes will be according to the stroke index of the hole. So, a team comprising an 18 and a 36 handicapper will receive 13.5 (14) strokes and a team with a 14 and an 18 will receive 8 strokes. In this case, the first team will receive 6 strokes for 18 holes and this will be reduced to 3 strokes for the front 9 to be taken on the 3 holes with the lowest stroke index on the front nine. To add a bit of spice, the team will be required to select a minimum of 3 drives for each partner on the 9 holes. The holes will be played as straight match play and the match will be determined as a win (1 point) or a half (1/2 point) for the 9 holes. The back nine will be played as four ball better ball. Each player in the team plays every shot at the hole and the best net score for the hole wins that hole. The handicaps for the four balls will be full handicap allowance stroking off the lowest handicap player. So, in the above example, the 14 handicapper will play off scratch, his partner will get 4 strokes and the players in the other team will get 4 and 22 strokes respectively for 18 holes. The number of strokes received will then be halved for the 9 holes that are being played. Strokes will be allowed according to the SI off the holes on the back nine. The four balls will also be match play with the lowest net winning the hole and the match determined as a win or a half. Because of the high number of entries, we are teeing off on the first and 10th tees. this means that those groups teeing off the first will play the Texas for their first 9 holes and those off the 10th will play the fourball for their first 9 holes. The nineteenth hole At the end of the round, each team should submit two cards signed by them and their opponents with the result of the Texas/Ambrose and the four balls on 2 separate cards. I will collect the cards and will score the matches in conjunction with the 2 captains. The overall result will remain a secret until the evening party. After you have showered, you should have time for a drink in the clubhouse. When the competition is finished and all players are refreshed, the bus will leave for Pattaya. Players will be returned to the Residence Gardens together with your golf clubs. Bonus prizes There will be a longest drive and nearest the pin competition on the back nine (the fourball nine). The holes where these competitions are running will be identified on your cards. The longest drive must come to rest on the fairway and will be marked with a stake and marker card. The stakes will be carried by the first match out and should be placed by them after the respective best shots in their match. If none of the players hit the respective fairways or green, the stakes should be left on the tee for the next group. If you beat the previous best for longest drive or nearest the pin, move the stake forward to the position where the ball came to rest and add your name below the previous entry. Remember, it is only your first shot that counts for these competitions ? no mulligans (see below) or provisionals! We will also have some other "fun" competitions running during the matches - these will be announced the previous evening. Special rules - Mulligans If you don't understand what a Mulligan is, ask the organiser at the launch party! Each team of 2 players will be allocated 4 Mulligans. 2 Mulligans may be used per 9 holes - 1 from the tee box and 1 from anywhere on the course excluding the tee box and green. No carryovers allowed. If you don't use your 2 Mulligans on the front nine you lose them on the back nine. A little twist to add some spice to the event, opponents can use appropriate (tee box or anyplace) Mulligans to make an opponents team member (not his partner) shoot his or her shot over again if you think your opponent's shot was too good or was just a lucky one. This is called the Reverse Mulligan! The Reverse Mulligan cannot be invoked on the green. Obviously, you will lose that Mulligan for your own use if it is played on an opponents shot. No Mulligans can be used against opponents or for themselves when any longest drive or nearest pin prizes are being played for on the shot. If you call a mulligan, the ball must be dropped before playing the shot. The only exception is on a tee shot or in the sand when the ball may be placed. Other special rules Any male player failing to hit his drive past the ladies tee box will have to play his next shot with his trousers round his ankles. The handicap limits are 28 for men and 36 for ladies. If you have an official handicap that is higher than this, you can still enter and play off the maximum of 28 or 36. The pussy prize. The pussy prize will be awarded to the player who leaves a birdie attempt short of the hole by the longest margin. If a player has a birdie putt (only counts if the ball is on the green with the shot before the birdie putt) and leaves the birdie putt short of the hole, the opponents will be required to estimate the distance that the putt is short of the hole. The name of the player and the distance short of the hole should be reported to the organiser at the end of the round. Shortest drive. This competition will run at the same hole as longest drive. A stake for shortest drive will be provided to the first group and should be placed on the fairway at the distance of the shortest drive for their group. Players failing to pass this stake with their drives should collect the stake and place it back on the fairway (or possibly the tee or even behind the tee) with their name added to the list. The last group should collect the stake Furthest from the pin. This competition will run at the same hole as the nearest the pin competition. Same rules as the shortest drive competition. This stake will probably be found in some interesting places - it cannot be thrown in the water! If a shot lands in the water, the stake should be placed on the landside of the hazard at the approximate distance from the hole that the water shot landed. The Jontiem Beach Trophy. This will be awarded to the player who takes the most shots to escape from a bunker on the back nine. Nominations should be given to the organiser at the end of the round and should be verified by the opponents. Players name and number of bunker shots should be submitted to the organiser at the end of the competition. The RideHer Cup presentation party The RideHer Cup presentation party will take place at 8.30 pm in the FLB Bar on 6th November. There will be an Italian buffet on offer and then we will have the presentation around 10.00 pm. This is followed by the traditional dance competition which will be judged by the winning team. Last rule - have fun!!

Trevor Spectators can hire a buggy at Burapha and follow the groups round. Have a word with me on the registration night and I will see what I can fix up. Doggie

Whitespider The best place for her to start is at a driving range. I would recommend the driving range next to Pattaya Sports Club on Third Road. Richard is a teaching pro there and he has an excellent reputation with beginners. If she would prefer to learn in Bangkok, please PM me with your email address and I will put you in contact with a Bangkok teaching pro. A good course to start on is the 9 hole course on Sukhumvit about 10 km south of Jomtien. I am sorry that I don't have a name for it but maybe another board member can help with this. Best of luck. Doggie

Casper I can arrange your rental clubs for you. They cost 500 baht per round. Just email me letting me know whether you need left or right handed clubs and the dates you need them. I will have them on the bus ready for you each day. sales@solargolf.co.uk. Cheers Doggie

I am organising a practice round for the RideHer Cup golfers on Friday 3rd November. This is a chance for the captains to meet their teams before the registration evening and to see them playing on a golf course. The programme will start with a clinic by our golf pro - Jeremy Paulson - on the range and the putting green. This will be followed by 18 holes in groups of four accompanied by your captains and Jeremy at various stages during your round. The venue will be Phoenix and we will organise transport to and from the Residence Gardens Hotel. Cost will be 2500 baht inclusive of green fee, clinic, caddy fee, transport and buggy share. Please post here if you are interested and then meet us at the Residence Gardens at 0930 on Friday 3rd November. Doggie

The details about the Phuket trip have been sent to all the interested golfers by email. Please pm me if you are interested and were not on the list. Doggie

Casper If you are looking for genuine branded clubs, it will be cheaper to buy them from one of the discount stores in the UK. The real McCoys are expensive here but the copies are not bad. I have a few rental sets and I bring them over from the UK. Cheers Doggie