PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Nov. 23, The Emerald – Stableford
Two buses were loaded and left the Growling Swan a little earlier than the scheduled 9 a.m. and all golfers were keen as mustard to try another course.
The weather was good for the most part with only light drizzle catching up with us on the last few holes. This course fell into a state of disrepair not too long ago and was unfavorable in the minds of many of the old troopers. But not today, it was in fantastic condition and played very well.
Today’s event was a stableford comp with a five position rundown to separate the winners. Four near pins and two longest putts were made available as additional incentives.
(L to R) JJ Harney, Peter Bass, Ebrahim & Andrew Allen.
At presentations, Kae was treated to a fine rendition of “happy birthday” on two occasions for her two near pin wins. (Who says you can’t tell when a Thai blushes!)
1st Stu Rifkin (16) 36pts
2nd Piere Cere (10) 35pts
3rd Roy Dayton (21) 31pts
4th Keith Buchanan (18) 30pts
5th Mark Stapleton (18) 29pts
Near Pins: Jim Groves, Kae Dayton (2), Sandy Leiper
Long Putts: Roger Ellis, Stu Rifkin
Thursday, Nov. 26, Khao Kheow – Monthly Mug
Thirty-four Growling Swan golfers turned out to play in the Kevin Grose Memorial Golf Day. It was 3 years ago, on November 27, that we lost ‘Big Kev’ after he passed away here in Pattaya, and today we all gathered at the first tee to pay our respects with a minute’s silence.
(L to R) Stuart Rifkin, Roy Dayton, Kae Dayton & Pierre Cere.
Playing from the yellow tees we tackled courses C and A in that order. The weather was kind early but as the day got longer, like our tempers things started to hot up. The course was very dry in patches and some fairways were lacking a little love and care. Greens played very slow, as you could ask Geri Crilly how many putts he left sitting on the lip of the cup.
With plenty of awards up for grabs the pressure was on all to perform. One group at a par-3 hole all landed on the ‘dance floor’ and each had beaten the near pin marker. Then 3 out of the 4 birdied the hole. A great team effort, but I have to be honest and make you aware of the fact that one of those birdie scorers on the next par-4 went on to score a 12, hitting 3 balls in a row straight into the water. Golf is a great leveler!
A great day was had by all with some good scores and taking top spot was the evergreen Ebrahim who won the Monthly Mug and earned the right to have his name engraved on the Kevin Grose Memorial Shield. Overall second (losing on a count back) was Frank Riley, with Andrew Allen coming in third.
Division 1
1st JJ Harney (11) net 76
2nd Takeshi Hakosaki (15) net 79
3rd Sal Brizzi (5) net 81
Division 2
1st Ebrahim Al-Ansari (17) net 72
2nd Frank Riley (18) net 72
3rd Kae Dayton (17) net 77
Division 3
1st Andrew Allen (30) net 73
2nd Shane Young (27) net 78
3rd Lindsay Slender (24) net 80
Near Pins: C5 J.J. Harney, A3 Kae Dayton, A5 Colm Mullen.
Long Putts: A9 Lindsay Slender
Note: The Growling Swan welcomes golfers of all persuasions. We generally play on Mondays and Thursdays at any one of the fine courses around Pattaya. Please contact Peter Grey for bookings or any information on 0861 503086.
The Growling Swan also caters to the bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Sundays at 10 am 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.