PSC golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, March 31, Pattavia – Stableford
We had heard that the new clubhouse at Pattavia was open and functioning so there was a fair amount of interest in the day’s competition and after one “no-show” we were left with a field of 25. The new clubhouse was impressive and the facilities excellent, with a swift check-in and a very impressive locker room, and of course no need for the long walk from the “bag drop” area.
The course was quiet and for some reason we were asked to start on the tenth tee which was not a problem and we sent our first four-ball away 15 minutes later than our booked 10.00 am tee time. It was hot and humid with not much wind and the course was in quite good shape although there were many bare patches on some fairways and the greens were a bit inconsistent with some of the pin positions possibly the result of the greenkeeper having a “domestic” with his missus earlier in the day!
Peter Blackburn, John Anderson, Lindsay Slender & Tom McMahon.
We proceeded at a fairly good pace and although it was necessary to have a couple of drinks breaks due to the heat we completed our round in four hours & twenty minutes. The round had been very enjoyable with good company on an improving golf course and once they get the greens worked out it will be even better.
The Division A winner was JJ Harney with a fine 39 points and with 2 golfers on 34 points it was necessary to have a count back to decide the remaining 2 places on the podium. The result was that your writer, Peter “Blacky” Blackburn (19 point back nine) finished in second place, with Mike Allidi (17 point back nine) in third spot.
Thientong Charoenrung won Division B with 36 points and in second place was the departing JC Lhoste with 31 while his fellow countryman Patrick Poussier came third with 30.
Division A (0-17)
1st JJ Harney (10) 39pts
2nd Peter Blackburn (12) 34pts
3rd Mike Allidi (3) 34pts
Division B (18+)
1st Thientong Charoenrung (19) 36pts
2nd JC Lhoste (23) 31pts
3rd Patrick Poussier (23) 30pts
Near Pins: 4th – Alain Taddei, 13th – Alain Taddei, 17th – Takeshi Hakozaki
Long Putts: 9th – Mike Gosden, 18th – Patrick Poussier
The Growling Swan NAGA Award for the worst score on the day was won by Harry Wszola in a three-way count back and he accepted the award like the good sport that he is.
Thursday, April 3, Khao Kheow B & C – Stableford
A chance to play at one of our premier golf courses is always very popular and this showed as we had 40 golfers signed up to play at Khao Kheow. Obtaining more tee spots was no problem and we also received a very good green fee rate for the day.
JJ Harney & Thientong Charoenrung.
There was no rush as our scheduled start was 10.30 am and we arrived at the course after a 43 minute drive to find it fairly deserted and were told we were to play the B & C nines. As expected we were called to the B1 tee early and our first four-ball hit off 40 minutes ahead of our booked tee time in hot and humid conditions with just a suggestion of a breeze.
I cannot speak too highly about the course as it was in magnificent condition with lush fairways and perfectly maintained greens, which were just a little bit slower than they usually are and it took a few holes to adjust.
We played at a steady pace and the heat & humidity forced us to take a couple of drinks breaks as we completed the full round in four hours & thirty minutes. One always enjoys the day whilst playing well and 34 points was the worst score in our group and we all were full of praise for the venue and of course the company was first class.
Your humble correspondent, Peter “Blacky” Blackburn continued his good form and was the winner in Division A with 41 points, 2 points ahead of Sal Brizzi in second place and Sunni Khanna came third with 37. There were 4 golfers on 36 points vying for fourth spot so a count back was necessary with Frankie “Hollywood” Sharratt (20 point back nine) getting the chocolates from Marc Robinson (18 point back nine), Mashi Kaneta (17 point back nine) and Martin “Toddy” Todd (16 point back nine).
In Division B it was Tom McMahon who was victorious with 40 points, 2 points ahead of Bob Akapita in second place, while third place went to the departing Duangjai “Kae” Tusagad who had 36. With two on 35 points the resultant count back saw Alain “Inspector Clouseau” Taddei (20 point back nine) finish in fourth place from Ken Hole (18 point back nine).
Breaking through for his first win with us was Lindsay Slender who won Division C with 38 points and Jack Robertson came second with 37. Gary Monley was third with 36 points and Andrew “Turtle” Allen scraped on to the podium to finish fourth with 35.
Division A (0-14)
1st Peter Blackburn (12) 41pts
2nd Sal Brizzi (6) 39pts
3rd Sunni Khanna (12) 37pts
4th Frank Sharratt (13) 36pts
Division B (15-23)
1st Tom McMahon (17) 40pts
2nd Bob Akapita (18) 38pts
3rd Duangjai Tusagad (18) 36pts
4th Alain Taddei (16) 35pts
Division C (23+)
1st Lindsay Slender (25) 38pts
2nd Jack Robertson (25) 37pts
3rd Gary Monley (33) 36pts
4th Andrew Allen (32) 35pts
Near Pins: B3 – John Davis, B8 – Bob Akapita, C3 – Lindsay Slender, C8 – Duangjai Tusagad
Long Putts: B9 – Jack Robertson, C9 – Brad Todd
The Growling Swan NAGA Award was won once again by John Anderson in a count back and he wore the cap for quite some time while back at the bar. Andrew then kindly paraded Deefa the Dog and of course collected many donations for the needy in Pattaya from our generous Growling Swan golfers.
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.
