PSC golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Feb. 3, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
We had another small Monday morning group with just 17 golfers signed up and ready to tackle the tough Mountain Shadow, this time off the blue tees. Even Patrick was early so we were able to depart the GS 5 minutes ahead of our scheduled 8.30 am departure time in 2 mini vans.
After a good run through the Monday morning Pattaya traffic we headed off on number seven and arrived at the golf course 45 minutes later to find it almost deserted. For some reason we had been given a 9.44 am tee time but did not see any other groups there so our first four-ball was able to get away 4 minutes early.
Alan Sanders, Graham Buckingham & Gerd Riedler.
The weather was hot with very little wind and although the course was as usual in good shape and the greens were tricky to say the least, as Ebrahim & Buckers discovered on the second green. It was a difficult pin spot up towards the back of the green and Bucker’s three-foot downhiller resulted in a thirty-foot uphill putt for his next one, with Ebrahim encountering something similar.
Nonetheless, we pushed on and with the closest group two holes ahead of us we were able to proceed at a fairly steady pace and in fact found it necessary to stop for a drink and a rest before the 13th tee. The round was completed in a fairly good time of four hours and seventeen minutes and it had been a very enjoyable outing with good company but some fairly ordinary golf been played.
The golf course was definitely the winner on the day with no-one scoring better than 34 points and it was Gerd Riedler who finished in front in Division A with that score. There were 2 players on 30 points contesting for second and third places so a count back was required which saw Mark “Westy” West (17 point back nine) edging out veteran Don Richardson (11 point back nine).
In Division B it was boiled lollies to chocolates for last start NAGA winner Alan “Colonel” Sanders as he finished in first place with 33 points. Another count back was necessary for second & third as there were 2 on 31 points and it was Bob Akapita (18 point back nine) who finished just ahead of Duangjai “Kae” Tusagad (15 point back nine).
Division A (0-16)
1st Gerd Riedler (8) 35pts
2nd Mark West (13) 30pts
3rd Don Richardson (13) 30pts
Division B (17+)
1st Alan Sanders (26) 33pts
2nd Bob Akapita (18) 31pts
3rd Duangjai Tusagad (18) 31pts
Near Pins: 5th – Duangjai Tusagad, 15th – Ebrahim
Long Putts: 9th – Roy Dayton, 18th – Alan Sanders
The Growling Swan NAGA Award, (awarded to the golfer who has the worst score on the day and discreetly their score is not made public) was won on a count back by Graham “Grunter” Buckingham who accepted the award like the good sport that he is.
Thursday, Feb. 6, Crystal Bay A & B – Stableford
Another good Thursday group of 30 golfers were ready to tackle the popular Crystal Bay Golf Course and with the help of Mark & Alain, who took several non car owners, we were able to just have 2 mini vans for transportation.
As we assembled at The Growling Swan hearty welcomes were handed out to Don Hope from Queensland, Nolan Wise returning after his motorbike mishap, Andy Purdie back from Queensland for more R & R, Kissy Buchanan recently returned from OZ, Davey Healey from Belfast and that well known Mine Host from Soi Honey Inn, Rosco Langoulant. It was sadly time to say farewell to JJ Harney who will shortly be returning to Waterford in Ireland.
JJ Harney, Nolan Wise, Russell Calcutt & Rosco Langoulant.
It was terrific to see a full contingent of Growling Swan delinquents with us once more so we knew the caddies were going to be in for lots of fun and apparently Russell made sure of that!
With everyone on time we were able to depart the GS five minutes early at 8.25 am and after a good run through Sriracha for a change we arrived at the golf course after a 45 minute drive up Sukhumvit. The course was quite busy and we were allocated A & B nines with our first four-ball following a couple of Korean groups (much to Bill’s dismay) and able to hit off 6 minutes behind schedule at 9.50 am.
The weather was fine but cloudy overhead and there was not too much wind but a very comfortable day to play golf. The course was in good shape although a few of the greens were somewhat bumpy but all in all conditions were good.
The going was fairly slow as was to be expected and there were several hold ups, particularly on some of the par threes, but we all had a good time with great company and finished our round in four hours & forty five minutes. Poor old Bill Steinman enjoyed himself despite the groups in front, having to go back to the first tee to retrieve his putter when reaching the first green and at the finish managed to leave his locker key in his golf bag so had to go and get that. Deefa the Dog was very grateful afterwards!
Thanks to the generosity of Rosco who kindly donated the rewards for NTP’s & LFP’s we were able to have an additional place-getter in each of the 3 divisions today.
Determined to end his visit on a high note, JJ Harney played some very good golf and won Division A with 40 points and Kevin “Wayco” Waycott was second on 39. Keith “Kissy” Buchanan was third with 38 points and your writer, Peter “Blacky” Blackburn scraped into fourth spot with 35.
In Division B, big Rosco Langoulant also had a fine 40 points to win, with Alain “Inspector Clouseau” Taddei in second place on 39, third spot going to John Davis with 37 and Ebrahim finished fourth with 36 points.
Scoring was not so good in C Division where Russell Calcutt was the winner with 35 points and Andrew “Turtle” Allen was second on 29. Visitor Don Hope came third with 28 points and with 2 golfers on 26 points the resultant count back saw Gary Monley (14 point back nine) finish fourth ahead of Geri Crilly (11 point back nine).
Division A (0-15)
1st JJ Harney (11) 40pts
2nd Kevin Waycott (10) 39pts
3rd Kissy Buchanan (15) 38pts
4th Peter Blackburn (13) 35pts
Division B (16-24)
1st Rosco Langoulant (17) 40pts
2nd Alain Taddei (19) 39pts
3rd John Davis (16) 37pts
4th Ebrahim (16) 36pts
Division C (25+)
1st Russell Calcutt (36) 34pts
2nd Andrew Allen (32) 29pts
3rd Don Hope (25) 28pts
4th Gary Monley (33) 26pts
Near Pins: A5 – Jason Schembri, A8 – Andrew Purdie, B4 – Ernie Picken, B6 – Bob Akapita
Long Putts: A9 – Fred Dineley, B9 – Ernie Picken
The Growling Swan NAGA Award was won by the courageous Nolan “No-one” and Andrew then kindly paraded Deefa the Dog and of course collected many donations for the needy in Pattaya from our generous Growling Swan Golfers.
Note: Growling Swan Golf welcomes golfers of any persuasion – low & high handicappers alike, female golfers and beginners. We generally play Mondays & Thursdays, meeting at The Growling Swan in Soi Chaiyapoon at 8.00 am with transport departing at 8.30 am. For bookings or more information please contact Peter on 0806 351 386 or email to petermalcolmblackburn @gmail.com.
We also play Lawn and Indoor bowls out of the Growling Swan every Wednesday and Sunday, leaving The Growling Swan at 10.00am. For more information, contact Paul Rennison on 0843 454 005.
