PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, August 3, Treasure Hill – Stableford
There was much excitement as we gathered at The Growling Swan in readiness for our outing to Treasure Hill, which is currently available to all PSC members at the very good rate of THB 1,050 incl. green fee, caddie and cart, and we took advantage of this deal with an additional outing to our normal roster. This rate is available until the end of August.
After being rained out the previous Wednesday we were pleased to enjoy an absolutely perfect balmy day. We played from the yellow markers and, as always, Treasure Hill played tough with its long par fours, undulating greens and strategically placed hazards having an impact on the scores.
(L to R) Jim Groves & Gary Jones.
Bill Steinman continued his good form but was pipped on a count-back by the wily Mike Gosden, who proved it is possible to ’nearly’ tame this course. Like us of all, he well remembers how ‘the Croc’ can bite you on the derriere very quickly.
On a keenly contested leader-board, count-backs were required and Alan Flynn, Martin Todd and Craig Duncan put in solid efforts to round out the place-getters.
1st Mike Gosden (15) 36pts
2nd Bill Steinman (13) 36pts
3rd Alan Flynn (11) 35pts
4th Martin Todd (11) 35pts
5th Craig Duncan (13) 34pts
Near Pins: #2 Kevin Waycott, #6 Martin Todd , #13 Mike Gosden, #17 Bill Steinman
Long Putts: #9 Alan Flynn, #18 Martin Todd
Thursday, August 6, Silky Oak – Stableford
Two buses were loaded and left the Growling Swan on scheduled at the appointed 8.30 am departure time. A new day was upon us and a new course awaited…well a relatively new course and one that few of us had trekked before.
(L to R) Mike Gosden & Bill Steinmann.
Located adjacent to the St. Andrews and Green Valley golf courses, the Silky Oak course undulates between hills and manmade water dams with very generous fairways enticing the big hitters. The greens were true and bunkers and surrounds well maintained and the common consensus was that at 1,550 baht for green fees, caddy and cart a return in the not too distant future is well assured.
With perfect golfing weather the first tee awaited and with the aid of Martin Todd’s distance finder it was confirmed that the water carry to the first fairway was 150 yards! Not a simple task for those with the sore heads. The pressure increased proportionally as each group teed off and with three groups gone, nobody so far had hit into the water the last two groups were starting to get shaky legs!
There was open relief as the two missing group of three-balls, who drove in cars, appeared on the horizon and the last two groups of four gallantly insisted that the latecomers go ahead and tee up before them.
The first three-ball group had little trouble clearing the water and just prior to the second three-ball teeing up, there was a loud muttering of “Still nobody in the water?”
The roars of congratulations as Jonesy (Gary Jones) duly plonked one in, were heard back in Pattaya. Suffice to say that the pressure was now off and all except one other (Jockey) who talked himself into losing his ball in the same manner, made it over.
Despite Jonesy’s poor start he rallied extraordinarily well and went on to win B grade with 44 points.
Following the 4 hour and 30 minutes round, we all showered and were home in record time. Some very good scores were handed in and Jim Groves topped the lot with a fine 45 points, winning A grade accordingly. Second was Craig Duncan with a solid 38 point round and in third was Martin Todd with a steady 36.
As mentioned, Gary Jones had an exceptional round and won B grade with 44 points, well ahead of second place getter Jerry Dobbs who has just had knee surgery but was happy with his 37 points. Our beaming host Peter Grey finally made it to the podium, taking out third place on a count back with 30 hard fought points and a resounding accolade from all his mates for his efforts. Well done Pete!
A Flight
1st Jim Groves (12) 45pts
2nd Craig Duncan (13) 38pts
3rd Martin Todd (11) 36pts
B Flight
1st Gary Jones (25) 44pts
2nd Jerry Dobbs (24) 37pts
3rd Peter Grey (36) 30pts
Near Pins: #3 – Mark Stapleton, #8 – Martin Todd, #14 – Stuart Rifkin, #16 Alex Field.
Long Putts: #9 – Craig Duncan, #18 – Martin Todd
Note: The GS is a “friendly” golf outlet and caters for and encourages all golfers, young and old, male or female to have a hit on 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 in playing on 0861 503086
The Growling Swan also caters to bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Wednesdays at 10 AM when they go to Coco’s for undercover, synthetic green bowls 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 about 350 baht, so great value for a day out!
