PSC Golf from The Growling Swan – 2014
Monday, Sept. 29, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The very popular Khao Kheow was the venue for the first competition of this week and we had 26 golfers signed up to take up the challenge.
We welcomed back Bob Akapita from Darwin, Col Hopkins from Brisbane and Rick Forrest, Bob Cannon, John Mills & Brendon Cope from Perth, Western Australia and also said farewell to Stu Mann who will shortly be returning to Canberra.
We assembled at the Starter’s point where we were told it was to be C & A nines in that order. As there was no-one directly in front of us on C1 our first group, a three-ball, got away 10 minutes before our booked time of 10.00 am.
David Fletcher, Phil Taylor & Bill Steinman.
It was very hot and steamy with very little breeze but the course was in great shape and the greens in superb condition. We completed the C nine in just under 2 hours and then had to wait as we had caught up with the Thai group of four in front but it was a welcome break as we were struggling with the humidity.
A couple of holes into A nine the thunder & lightning started and the rain came but it was not too bad and didn’t hold us up much but we were waiting several times for the group in front. Just as we were putting out on the last hole the heavens opened again with a heavy downpour but it didn’t last too long so the groups behind us were not affected very much.
It was a tough day on a challenging course with just 2 golfers playing to their handicap or better and the winner in A Division was “Buffalo” Bill Steinman with a fine 38 points, 1 point ahead of Keith “Kissy” Buchanan in second place. With three people on 35 points a count back was necessary which resulted in Martin “Toddy” Todd (19 point back nine) finishing third from Greg Bates (17 point back nine) in fourth spot and Neil King (16 point back nine) just missed out.
Fresh from winning the Monthly Mug the week before David “Fletch” Fletcher was victorious in B Division with 35 points and Roy “Plums” Dayton was second with 32 points. Another count back was required as there were three golfers on 31 points and the result was that John Mills (19 point back nine) finished in third place from Stu Mann (16 point back nine) in fourth spot and Rick Forrest (12 point back nine) was the unlucky one.
The Growling Swan NAGA Award was won by Phil Taylor.
Division A (0-14)
1st Bill Steinman (10) 38pts
2nd Keith Buchanan (14) 36pts
3rd Martin Todd (8) 35pts
4th Greg Bates (12) 35pts
Division B (15+)
1st David Fletcher (34) 35pts
2nd Roy Dayton (26) 32pts
3rd John Mills (20) 31pts
4th Stu Mann (22) 31pts
Near Pins: A5 – Keith Buchanan, C3 – Bob Akapita, C8 – Bill Steinman
Long Putts: A9 – Ebrahim, C9 – Peter Blackburn
Thursday, Oct. 2, Green Valley – Stableford
After a late withdrawal due to sickness and one “no show” we were left with a field of 26 golfers who were keen to tackle the Green Valley Golf Course.
There were several welcomes including Kurt Eric Persson & Seesa Phompinmon back with us again, Freddy Starbeck playing with us for the very first time, Peter Bye who had just returned from the Philippines, Bob Maloney from Perth with Wayne Waywood from Collie in Western Australia and my son, Matthew Blackburn here from Perth for a week’s holiday.
Alain Taddei, Bob Akapita & Mike Gosden.
The weather was fine but cloudy and we assembled at the first tee awaiting a couple of groups of Korean lady golfers but nonetheless were able to get our first four-ball away right on schedule at 10.00 am. The ladies did not hold us up so we proceeded at a good pace and the golf course was in very good condition with excellent greens which were mostly very quick and we completed the front nine in just on two hours.
During the second nine the weather took a turn for the worse and there was much thunder & some lightning but the rain held off until we were walking off the eighteenth green – dodged the bullet once again. The groups behind us were not so fortunate and there were several delays in play but all were able to complete their rounds. Despite the weather it had been very enjoyable and once again the company was great.
Mike “Hunter” Gosden returned to form and was the winner in A Division with 39 points and another in form golfer “Buffalo” Bill Steinman was second on 37 points. A count back was required to determine third spot as there were 2 golfers with 34 points and it was Peter Bye (19 point back nine) who prevailed over Bob Maloney (18 point back nine).
In B Division an outstanding round by Alain “Inspector Clousseau) Taddei which enabled him to compile 43 points (26 points on the front nine) saw him declared the winner and there were three golfers on 39 points vying for second & third places. The count back resulted in veteran Ken Hole (20 point back nine & 14 points on the last 6 holes) taking second spot from Sandy “Cindy Lauper” Leiper (20 point back nine & 13 points on the last 6 holes) in third place with Adrian Schmidt (19 point back nine) just missing out.
The Growling Swan NAGA Award, went to Bob Akapita.
Division A (0-14)
1st Mike Gosden (13) 39pts
2nd Bill Steinman (10) 37pts
3rd Peter Bye (14) 34pts
Division B (15+)
1st Alain Taddei (15) 43pts
2nd Ken Hole (16) 39pts
3rd Sandy Leiper (35) 39pts
Near Pins: 5th – Alain Taddei, 8th – Ken Hole, 12th – Bill Steinman, 16th – Bill Steinman
Long Putts: 9th – Seesa Phompinmon, 18th – Peter Bye
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 bowls out of the Growling Swan every Wednesday and Sunday. Sunday is Lawn Bowls and Wednesday is Indoor Bowls. All are welcome and for anyone that is interested the transport leaves The Growling Swan at 10.00am on each of those mornings. For more information please contact Paul Rennison on 0843 454 005.
