PSC golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, June 30, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
Well, Monday morning was here again and it was time for our first game of the week, which was to be at the tough Mountain Shadow Golf Course. After yet again another late withdrawal due to illness we were left with a fine field of 28 who were up to the challenge.
As we met at The Growling Swan there were once again many welcomes to be handed out which included Eric “Judge” Black from Geelong in Victoria, Kev Waycott having relief from his teaching duties, Geoff Bracegirdle from Perth in Western Australia, Richard Shutt formerly from Newcastle in New South Wales but now living in Pattaya, Andrew Purdie from Australia and Keith “Kissy” Buchanan with us once more.
Gerd Riedler, Mike Gosden, John Anderson & Patrick Poussier.
When we arrived at the course things were fairly quiet and we were able to send our first four-ball away 15 minutes ahead of schedule at 9.45am. The groups in front were a couple of holes ahead and moving quite well so in perfect weather conditions we proceeded and found the golf course to be in great condition with the lush fairways and very well prepared greens. We maintained a steady pace, getting round the front nine in just over two hours and kept it up, completing a very enjoyable round of golf in four hours & ten minutes.
The best score on the day went to the form golfer Gerd Riedler whose 40 points was easily good enough to secure him first place in A Division. In second place came “Big” Bill Steinman with 35 points and your writer, Peter “Blacky” Blackburn came third with 34 points.
In Division B it was Mike “Hunter” Gosden who was victorious with 38 points, 2 points clear of Keith “Kissy” Buchanan in second spot and Eric “Judge” Black was third with 35 points.
Patrick Poussier continued his good form and won the C Division with 37 points, 4 points ahead of Geri Crilly in second place and Frank “Woody” Donnelly came third with 32 points.
Division A (0-12)
1st Gerd Riedler (8) 40pts
2nd Bill Steinman (8) 35pts
3rd Peter Blackburn (12) 34pts
Division B (13-17)
1st Mike Gosden (13) 38pts
2nd Keith Buchanan (13) 36pts
3rd Eric Black (16) 35pts
Division C (18+)
1st Patrick Poussier (22) 37pts
2nd Geri Crilly (25) 33pts
3rd Frank Donnelly (23) 32pts
Near Pins: 5th – Gerd Riedler, 8th – Geri Crilly, 15th – Bob Akapita, 17th – Alain Taddei
Long Putts: 9th – Steve Truelove, 18th – Dick Braimbridge
The Growling Swan NAGA Award (awarded to the golfer who has the worst score on the day and discreetly their score is not made public) was won by John Anderson on a count back.
Thursday, July 3, Crystal Bay – Stableford
A late inclusion brought our total up to 24 for the game at Crystal Bay and we assembled at the bar in readiness for the drive North up Sukhumvit. We handed out welcomes to Tom Queen from Mandurah in Western Australia, Hugh O’Donnell from Spain/USA, Takeshi Hakozaki from Japan & Peter Bye from “who knows where”.
Gerd Riedler & Bob Akapita.
Upon arrival we found the golf course was quiet as expected and we were told that it was to be C & A nines in that order and we could start when we ready. Our first four-ball teed off on C1 10 minutes ahead of schedule with the sun shining and very little breeze.
The course was in very good shape although the greens were somewhat “patchy” but posed very few problems for most. With no-one ahead of us we proceeded at a good pace and after stopping once or twice for cold drinks we soldiered on in the heat and finished the complete round in four hours & fifteen minutes.
It was very tight at the top of A Division with 3 golfers scoring 38 points and the count back resulted in the win going to the “in form” Gerd Riedler (20 point back nine), with second place being awarded to Ebrahim (19 point back nine) and Geoff Bracegirdle (18 point back nine) was third. With 2 golfers on 37 points another count back was required and it saw fourth place going to your writer, Peter “Blacky” Blackburn (19 point back nine) with Steve Truelove (17 point back nine) just missing out.
Bob Akapita was the winner in B Division with 38 points and second place went to Russell Calcutt who had 37. In third place was Eric “Judge” Black with 36 points and Andrew “Turtle” Allen was fourth with 34 points.
Division A (0-15)
1st Gerd Riedler (8) 38pts
2nd Ebrahim (13) 38pts
3rd Geoff Bracegirdle (15) 38pts
4th Peter Blackburn (12) 37pts
Division B (16+)
1st Bob Akapita (16) 38pts
2nd Russell Calcutt (35) 37pts
3rd Eric Black (16) 36pts
4th Andrew Allen (32) 34pts
Near Pins: A5 – Gerd Riedler, A8 – Andrew Allen, C4 – Steve Truelove, C7 – Bob Akapita
Long Putts: A9 – Geri Crilly, C9 – Steve Truelove
The Growling Swan NAGA Award was won by Growling Swan Mine Host Peter Grey and he accepted the award like the good sport that he is.
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.
