Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Dec. 5, Pattavia – Stableford
A Flight (0–22)
1st Don Richardson (14) 40pts
2nd John Edwards (17) 37pts
3rd Peter Bailey (16) 37pts
4th Jim Groves (14) 37pts
B Flight (23+)
1st Dick Braimbridge (32) 37pts
2nd J.C lhoste (28) 35pts
3rd Fritz Webber (24) 34pts
4th Tony Cook (26) 33pts
Near Pins: #4 Don Richardson, #7 JJ Harney, #13 Steele, #17 Keith Buchanan
Long Putts: #9 John Coetzee, #18 Mark Stapleton
We had 27 starters waiting eagerly to depart the Growling Swan for a trip north to tackle Pattavia GC, or sometimes known as the plantation course. For those who haven’t played here, this is a fine Sir Nick Faldo design course developed on hilly country and well laid out, with some great ‘thinking’ holes. Its signature is the extremely slick natures of the greens, and being recently renovated it is probably the best value for money in the region.
With most courses charging holiday pricing on this day it appears that somebody at Pattavia got it right and decided to charge normal prices. The car park was packed but the busy course did not slow us down or affect our play.
We played from the yellow tees, giving the course approx. 6100 yards in length and the caddies, as per usual, were great and added to the day.
With 2 flights, Don Richardson made it clear from the start that he was out to win and his excellent score of 40 points made sure of that. Second, third and fourth went to a count back with John Edwards tipping out Peter Bailey and Jim Groves.
B Flight saw Dick Braimbridge take the cookies with 37 points, followed closely by JC Lhoste (2 shots back) and Fritz Webber came in third, one ahead of crowd favourite Tony Cook in fourth.
Thursday, Dec. 8, Crystal Bay – Stableford
A Flight (0-21)
1st Takeshi Hakozaki (15) 44pts
2nd Bill Steinmann (11) 40pts
3rd Don Richardson (14) 40pts
B Flight (22+)
1st Bernie McCart (32) 42pts
2nd John Coetzee (23) 36pts
3rd Frank Riley (22) 35pts
Near Pins: Steve Younger (C3), John Coetzee (C7), Keith Buchanan (B4), Mashi Kaneta (B6).
Long Putts: Fred Dineley (C9), John Coetzee (B9)
On a fine and ‘cooler’ morning, 23 golfers set off to the Crystal Bay Golf Club in high spirits. Most those spirits lifted further when captain for the day, Mark Stapleton, put the start sheet under the shorter yellow tees. We then expected some good scores, but weren’t ready for what would unfold.
Crystal Bay is not usually gushed over in the reports as it is not as picturesque as a lot of others, but this day the fairways were well grassed and mown, greens on “C” nine looked a little shabby but played truly and the “B” nine greens are still fast.
Two divisions today and Takeshi Hakozaki and Bernie McCart sizzled to win A & B respectively. Bill Steinmann and Don Richardson both recorded 40 points on the card but had to settle for minor places on the podium.
