PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Sept. 12, Bangpra – Stableford
A medium size field headed out to Bangpra with dark threatening clouds overhead, the rain started just as we arrived at the course. Few of us were reluctant to pay our green fees until the rain had stopped, which it did until the second group were on the first green. Poor Graham Buckingham had a four-putt on the first as the heavens opened and almost washed him away.
Play was held up for about 15 minutes, then another 5 minutes to give the green on the 2nd time to drain a little. Once we got started again we pretty much got through until the end where the last two groups encountered a wee bit more precipitation. Boy it got quite dark in the final few holes.
There was only one division, given the numbers, and a victory was awarded to Jayson “Chonburi” Schembri on his farewell game. He scored a steady 35 points in trying conditions. A score he was happy with given he only had 4 points after the first 5 holes.
Two shots back in second was Patrick Poussier while newcomer Mikito Homma came third and fourth place was decided by way of a count back, Bill “Buffalo” Steinmann edging out Keith Buchanan and Mashi Kaneta.
1st Jason Schembri (22) 35pts
2nd Patrick Poussier (27) 33pts
3rd Mikito Homma (18) 29pts
4th Bill Steinmann (12) 28pts
Near Pins: #2 Mashi Kaneta, #8 Jayson Schembri, #12 Bill Steinmann, #17 Geri Crilly
Long Putts: #9 Peter Dane, #18 Patrick Poussier.
Back at the Growling Swan birthday greetings were given to Nolan Wise, who promised to sleep in his own bed that night. Given the policy of the hotel that it is not appropriate to sleep in other rooms you have not paid for. Let’s leave it at that!
Thursday, Sept. 15, Burapha – Stableford
There were plenty of buses and cars loaded with golfers who headed to the “Beaut” golf course, Burapha. Always well presented, Burapha once again shone with well manicured fairways and true greens, despite having received plenty of wet stuff over the past few days.
The course was quite busy with many groups ahead of us and we were slightly late in teeing off, however we completed the A and B nines from the white markers in good time and with very little hold up at all. The playing conditions were ideal.
It always makes golfing that much more pleasurable when one has a good looking caddy, who enjoys a laugh, understands and speaks our lingo (language) and knows her greens and golf etiquette… This is probably why Martin Todd did so well today.
Rattling in several birdies on his way to a sterling 42 points off his 11 handicap, a happy caddy and an even happier golfer celebrated with a big hug when Toddy’s final par putt dropped in the last hole. There was, however, another happy camper nipping at his heals with everybody’s Swiss friend, Walter Baechli, finishing with a very creditable 40 points off his 16 handicap.
Other notable scores were Keith Buchanan 39 points (16), J.J. Harney 37 points (14), and Graeme Buckingham with 36 points off his (23) handicap. Also with 36 points were Mike Gosden and Brian Wilkinson.
There were 3 divisions (A, B and C) each with 3 winners, however A and B divisions needed count backs to determine third place getters.
Missing out in A division were the two “Jims” Brady and Groves, and missing out in B division were Mike Gosden and Brian Wilkinson.
A Flight
1st Martin Todd (9) 42pts
2nd J.J. Harney (14) 37pts
3rd Ebrahim (15) 35pts
B Flight
1st Walter Baechli (16) 40pts
2nd Keith Buchanan (16) 39pts
3rd Graeme Buckingham (23) 36pts
C Flight
1st Alan Sanders (24) 34pts
2nd Sandy Leiper (30) 31pts
3rd Geri Crilly (26) 29pts
Near Pins: A3 – Glenn Smith, A6 – Walter Baechli, B3 – Keith Buchanan, B8 – Martin Todd
Long Putts: A9 – Jim Groves, B9 – Peter Grey.
Note: For serious golfing with a dash of fun (and compulsory sledging), the Growling Swan welcomes golfers of all persuasions. We generally play on Mondays and Thursdays at any one of the fine courses around Pattaya. We also encourage women to play. Please contact Peter Grey for bookings or any information on 086 1503 086.
The Growling Swan also caters to the bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Sundays at 10.00 am for open grass bowling at The Retreat. The cost including return bus transport, bowling fees and a hot lunch is less than 400 baht so great value for a day out.
