PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Feb. 29, Treasure Hill – Stableford
Seventeen enthusiastic golfers gathered and looked forward to another challenge at Treasure Hill. The course was in good condition, the greens played firm and fast and, with Thailand’s version of The Fremantle Doctor breeze in attendance, it made for a pleasant day.
Prior to tee off, Alan (Colonel) Sanders confessed there was more of a chance of James the 1st issuing a ticket on a double decker bus in Damascus than he had of winning the competition. Sadly he was correct, discombobulated with the rudimentary art of good golf and missed a podium finish.
(From left) Colm Mullen with Kae Dayton (holding D-For the Charity Dog) and Mark Stapleton.
Kae led the way with a fine thirty seven points whilst Colm Mullen was runner up on thirty five. John Anderson and Mike Gosden both shot thirty four points with John getting the nod for third spot on a count back.
1st Kae Dayton (20) 37pts
2nd Colm Mullen (23) 35pts
3rd John Anderson (29) 34pts
4th Mike Gosden (18) 34pts
Near Pins: Denis Steele, Kae Dayton, Mike Gosden, Ebrahim.
Long Putts: Mike Gosden, Roy Dayton.
Thursday, March 3, Greenwood – Stableford
Three buses lined up outside the Growling Swan ready to safely deliver all passengers to Greenwood Golf Club an hour away along a somewhat bumpy road. Road works are still in progress but despite the usual sightings of crazy drivers of trucks and cars and stupid motorbike riders, we arrived in one piece.
It is a shame that the current road works puts traveling time on the trip but the price that we pay at Greenwood and the condition of the course is well worth the journey. I fear that once the road maintenance is completed, the price for this wonderful course will go through the roof.
Our first group hit off at our allotted 10am tee time, playing B nine first and then C nine off the forward yellow markers.
Jim Groves (left) with Jerry Dobbs.
This scribe was in the last group and watched every player hit the fairway on the first hole, avoiding the left hand water hazard, except Dobbsy (Jerry Dobbs) whose ball went for an early swim. Undeterred, he scrambled that hole for a point and went on to beat the field!
The weather was tip top for a round of golf and the course was in its inimitable condition, although the tricky greens challenged most players and kept the scores on the high side. Indeed this scribe had 38 putts!
Apparently something in the sky caught the attention of both Graham Rice (Ricey) and Colm who managed air swings off separate fairways!
A grade was full of count backs, however with a stronger back-nine Jim Groves got the nod over Stu Rifkin and Kae Dayton, all with 37 points.
Jerry Dobbs was the highest scorer of the day, winning B grade with 39 points. John Anderson placed second (when will the handicapper take a close look at this player!) on a count back from Bernie McCart in third while Titziano Dal Pastro missed out because Peter Grey reckons his name’s too long!
A Flight (0–20)
1st Jim Groves (11) 37pts
2nd Stu Rifkin (16) 37pts
3rd Kae Dayton (20) 37pts
B Flight (21–36)
1st Jerry Dobbs (23) 39pts
2nd John Anderson (29) 36pts
3rd Bernie Mccart (32) 36pts
Near Pins: B2 – JC Lhoste, B5 – Jerry Dobbs, C3 – Martin Todd, C6 – Sandy Leiper
Long Putts: B9 – Shane Heavey, C9 – Jason Schembri
Note: The GS is a “friendly” golf outlet and caters for and encourages all golfers, young and old, male or female to have a hit on any of our weekly outings. We generally play Mondays and Thursdays at one of the many fine golf courses in and around Pattaya. Please contact Peter Grey if you are interested in playing on 0861 503086
The Growling Swan also caters to the bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Sundays for open grass bowling at The Retreat Bowls Club. If you wish to partake just be at The Growling Swan before the bus departs at 10.00 am. The cost including return bus transport, bowling fees and a hot lunch is about 350 baht, so great value for a day out! The bus usually returns at 3.30 pm.
