The team, which was touted as one of the favourites, returned from Australia, finishing fifth in the Queen Sirikit Cup golf tournament held at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club last week.

"We thought the girls were very good. But their short game is not up to par. The weather didn't help either. It was quite windy, cold and raining on all the three days. Our girls weren't prepared for such weather. Nobody plays in Thailand in those conditions.

"They had all kinds of problems with their long and short games. When missing the green, they were not able to save par. And when they were on it, they were three-putting. It was absolutely the case of three bad days at the office."

Mongkol said team leader Suteera Chanachai failed to live up to the expectations. "We expected a lot from 'Paeng'. She didn't quite pull the team up by its bootstraps. Her problem was course management. She was finding bunkers regularly and had problems getting out of it."

The competitive coach, who trains children at the Green Valley Country Club, said the outcome was particularly bitter for him. "There is no fun in coming fifth. In Thailand we have everything. We can't be there to make up the numbers. We can't be like India, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong who compete for the wooden spoon."

Pride representing the country and a desire to win is lacking in Thai teams, he noted. "Take any sport in Thailand. They do not work as a team. In golf, each of them wants to make the cut. They do not look at the greater picture. I tried telling the girls that if they succeed at all, it will be by means of team spirit.

"The players should know the importance of team competitions, and the Queen Sirikit Cup in particular, when they embark on tours. We need to emphasis this point to them."

Mongkol said Thai golfers need to change their work ethics. "We need to have a sense of discipline. Our girls and boys have to train harder, contemplate after a round instead of whiling away time chatting with friends."

He highlighted the performance of the Taiwanese girls, who rallied to defeat New Zealand in the play-off and take the Cup. "Look at Taiwan. They are yearning for recognition on the world stage. They are hungry for success. Two titles in two years is something to be proud of. Our girls need to take a leaf out of their book."

Mongkol, who has his own

website www.freewebs.com/ mongkolvareegolf/, conceded that four days of preparation would not transform a side into a champion outfit. "I want the Thai Ladies Golf Association to select the team in advance so that the coach can be with them for at least a month and work on their game."

He said he looked forward to the event in the Philippines next year and - hopefully - turning things around.

George Cheriyan

The Nation