PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Jan. 19, Greenwood – Stableford
Twenty punters assembled in Soi Chaiyapoon anticipating another joust of epic proportions with the game of golf. Once at the course, pre-game change room chatter included one learned gent indicating improvement in his game was akin to a damsel dating Henry the 8th with a view to marriage and expecting to die of old age. Both outcomes being at long odds with the bookies.
The weather was superb, the course was in great condition and the starter sent us on our way playing the A and B nines in that order, hitting from the yellow tees which made the course very enjoyable distance wise.
(Left-right) Jayson Schembri with Fred Cuypers and Michel Catillion.
Fred “44 Magnum” Cuypers shot a super forty-four points to finish atop the podium, relegating Mark Stapleton with forty three points to runner up. Keith “Kissy” Buchanan blitzed the front nine with thirty six off the rod for twenty five points, compiled his victory speech, then cooled off somewhat for sixteen on the second stanza and a total of forty one to take third place.
In fourth spot with thirty eight points, which included a slam dunked ace on the par-3 B fifth for a five-pointer, was Michel Catillon. That is the fourth hole in one since the inception of the Growling Swan as a golf outlet and Michel’s first.
Kevin Waycott handed in thirty eight points to take fifth and Jim Groves on thirty seven tidied up the podium.
1st Fred Cuypers (17) 44pts
2nd Mark Stapleton (22) 43pts
3rd Keith Buchanan (14) 41pts
4th Michel Catillon (18) 38pts
5th Kevin Waycott (10) 38pts
6th Jim Groves (13) 37pts
Near Pins: Keith Buchanan A6, Kevin Waycott B2 and Michel Catillon B5.
Long Putts: J.J. Harney on A9 and Jayson Schembri, B9.
At the turn, Ian Masterson was deep in Coveted Compass Cap territory with only thirteen points. On the inward half his game lifted like poorly laid linoleum resulting in a total of thirty one points and safety. This left Jayson Schembri to collect the much sought after head wear.
Michel Catillon kindly rang the bell back at the bar and we toasted his good health and golfing ability.
Thursday, Jan. 22, Plutaluang – Stableford
Putaluang South and East nines were the chosen destinations for the ‘Growlers’ on Thursday. Bill Steinman brought his bagpipes and unmatching apparel and Mike Gosden brought his humour. Mike declared he would shoot his age if he lived to 105.
The course was busy with the usual riff raff and as per the recent norm, the weather was coolishly warm. This scribe considers the greens have held up really well with the constant heavy traffic, but the gnarly lies on the crabgrass fairways took their toll on most of the field. Only Mike Gosden played to his handicap.
Russell Calcutt didn’t do too well, so much so, that when he spotted his caddie chuckling quietly, he took a swipe at him and missed. It took Russell 19 years to score a 100 and he did it today in 4 hours.
Count-backs were the order of the day: Mike topped Mark Stapleton (16-14 back 9), Sal Brizzi snuck past Sandy Leiper (18-17 back nine) and Kevin Waycott pipped Colm Mullen and Don Richardson for 5th. The coveted Compass Cap was gleefully accepted by Russell as he needed a new ball.
1st Mike Gosden (15) 36pts
2nd Mark Stapleton (22) 36pts
3rd Sal Brizzi (7) 35pts
4th Sandy Leiper (30) 35pts
5th Kevin Waycott (10) 34pts
Near Pins: E2 Sal Brizzi, E5 Kurt Persson, S13 Sal Brizzi, S16 Bill Steinman.
Long Putts: 9th Robert Allen, 18th Kevin Waycott
Note: The GS is a friendly golf outlet and caters for and encourages all golfers male or female to have a hit at 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 on 0861 503086.
The Growling Swan also caters to the bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Wednesdays at 10 AM to play at Cocos on undercover synthetic greens and on Sundays at the same time for open grass bowling at The Retreat. Please contact Paul Rennison on 0843 454005 if you wish to partake. The cost including return bus transport, bowling fees and a hot lunch is less than 400 baht so great value for a day out.
