PSC golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, June 16, Pattana – Stableford
Overcast skies and drizzling rain greeted us as we arrived at The Growling Swan in readiness for our departure to the classy Pattana Golf Course and we had an excellent field of 26 on the starting sheet. Everyone was on time so our 2 mini vans left the GS right on schedule at 8.30 am and we headed off up number 7 and then the busy 331, arriving at the golf course 52 minutes later.
The course was not really busy so after a swifter than normal check-in we were told that we would be playing the B & C nines in that sequence and the groans could be heard as we assembled at B1 and viewed the water left and right and in front of the green.
Rocky Lawson, Peter McDonald & Ken Hole.
Our first group, a four-ball teed off 35 minutes ahead of schedule at 9.55 am and as we walked down the first fairway the rain came but thankfully only lasted about 10 minutes and there was no interruption to play. There was a fair bit of wind around which was making things a bit tricky but I have to say this terrific golf course was in magnificent condition with lush fairways and perfectly manicured greens.
Our pace was quite steady and initially we had no-one in front of us but we did catch up to the groups in front on the second nine which slowed us down somewhat and our full round was completed in four hours & twenty five minutes. It had been another enjoyable round of golf with very good company.
The outstanding score of the day was carded by “Big” Bill Steinman who had 39 points and was easily the winner in Division A, with Gerd Reidler coming second on 35 points. A count back was required as there were 3 golfers on 34 points which resulted in third place being awarded to Phil Taylor (21 point back nine) with your writer, Peter “Blacky” Blackburn (19 point back nine) finishing in fourth spot and Walter Baechli (16 point back nine) just missing out.
Patrick Poussier, Adrian Schmidt & Bill Steinman.
Division B was won by Patrick Poussier who had a fine 37 points, with Nolan “Notso” Wise finishing second on 36. Another count back was needed as there were 2 players with 34 points and it was Dick “Reverend” Braimbridge (21 point back nine) who finished third from Frank “Woody” Donnelly (18 point back nine) in fourth place.
The Growling Swan NAGA Award for the worst score on the day was won by Adrian Schmidt.
Division A (0-17)
1st Bill Steinman (9) 39pts
2nd Gerd Riedler (7) 35pts
3rd Phil Taylor (16) 34pts
4th Peter Blackburn (12) 34pts
Division B (18+)
1st Patrick Poussier (23) 37pts
2nd Nolan Wise (36) 36pts
3rd Dick Braimbridge (35) 34pts
4th Frank Donnelly (24) 34pts
Near Pins: B3 – Dennis Steele, B7 – Mike Gosden, C2 – Ebrahim, C7 – Peter Bye
Long Putts: B9 – Rocky Lawson, C9 – Alain Taddei
Thursday, June 19, Bangpakong – Stableford
It was once more time for our “mini road trip” to Bangpakong Riverside Country Club and we had 17 golfers on the starting sheet who were keen and certainly not fazed by the extra few minutes drive. Our journey took just over an hour and when we arrived the course was reasonably busy with a few Bangkok golfers having a hit.
Our first group, which was a four-ball, got away 5 minutes ahead of schedule and with a Thai five-ball a couple of holes ahead of us we proceeded at a steady pace. After recently receiving reports that the course was “not good” I must say that these reports were exaggerated although there were two temporary greens and the other greens were in the late stages of being cored & sanded, which made them slow but the rest of the course was in great shape and posed no problems.
The weather was great as a nice breeze was present to cool things down and at the start of the second nine we caught up to the group ahead, which brought our good run to an end after a two hour front nine. We took a good drinks break after the 11th green to let the five-ball get away but soon caught up with them again and we finished the round in four hours & twenty minutes after enjoying the course and the good company.
There were 2 golfers on 38 points in A Division which meant a count back was needed and the result was that Rocky Lawson (22 point back nine) was declared the winner from Bob Akapita (20 point back nine) in second spot and Alain “Inspector Clouseau” Taddei finished third with 35 points.
There was an absolute bolter at the top of B Division with veteran Ken Hole having the round of his life in scoring a massive 49 points and of course was the winner. Sandy Leiper came second 12 shots further back and third place went to Nolan Wise with 35 points.
The Growling Swan NAGA Award was won by the visiting Peter McDonald (after commenting that he had not yet won anything on this trip) and he accepted the award like the good sport that he is.
Division A (0-18)
1st Rocky Lawson (17) 38pts
2nd Bob Akapita (18) 38pts
3rd Alain Taddei (15) 35pts
Division B (19+)
1st Ken Hole (20) 49pts
2nd Sandy Leiper (34) 37pts
3rd Nolan Wise (36) 35pts
Near Pins: 4th – Geri Crilly, 13th – Bob Akapita
Long Putts: 9th – Alain Taddei, 18th – Ken Hole
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.
