PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, April 25, Khao Kheow – Stableford
We had two mini buses ready to transport 15 golfers to Khao Kheow for another testing round of golf. To set the day we all assembled at The Swan to take part in the playing of The Ode, The Last Post and of course 2 min silence. Rum & milk was being served (as is the tradition) – thanks to Stuart ‘Cassa’ Rifkin.
Simon Niven placed a wager that being the only New Zealander in the field he would put Bt.20 into D-For the charity dog for every golfer that beat his point score. On the flip side, golfers that were beaten by Simon would have to put Bt.20 in themselves. The score was 11 to 3 as the Aussies were triumphant once again, but at the end of the day the winner was charity and the needy of Pattaya.
ANZAC medal winner Mike Gosden (left) with Rudy Regenass & D-For the charity dog.
It was another hot day with little to no breeze and conditions were a little uncomfortable, as can be expected for this time of year. The course was in good condition with a decent run and the greens, as always, playing true. I have to mention that all water hazards on this course are drying up to the stage where some golfers are walking into the hazards to play shots out of them. They are in desperate need of some decent rain.
Mike Gosden hit the beaches first and took out the ANZAC Day medal with a very tidy 39 points. Coming behind him and winning on a countback was South African Rudy, with the lovely Rita losing that countback and coming in third. John Anderson filled the last spot on the podium.
1st Mike Gosden (18) 39pts
2nd Rudy Regenass (18) 34pts
3rd Rita Zoebelli (25) 34pts
4th John Anderson (28) 33pts
Near Pins: A3 – Mike Gosden, A5 – Rita Zoebelli, C3 – Glen Henriksen, C8 – John Anderson.
Long Putts: A9 – Alex Field, C9 – Ebrahim
Thursday, April 28, Greenwood – Monthly Mug
The buses left The Growling Swan on time at 8.30 a.m., drove on a lovely new highway road and were safely at the entrance to Greenwood Golf Club fifty minutes later… amazing how the new smooth road cut ten minutes off the usual one hour journey to this course.
Ebrahim (left) with John Anderson.
Also amazing was seeing an ice truck on its side in the ditch and a new car looking like it won’t ever be used again! How these vehicles had a head on collision on a good road is a mystery, although on reflection TIT (This is Thailand).
Greenwood offers a great day’s golf, whether playing A, B or C nines. As A was being re-greened we were away at 10.00 a.m. precisely and played B and C off the yellow markers for our stroke round today. Nobody complained about the weather, the course or facilities as there wasn’t a thing to complain about and the 1,050 baht green fee, caddie and cart price was a pleasure to pay.
The ever-present Ibby (Ebrahim) put together a fine round of stroke play to take out the Monthly Mug award with a 65 net score. Second place getter was (here I am again) John Anderson with a respectable net 68 followed by a host of “honest” 72 net golfers who needed a count back to determine their placing in the order of merit: Stuart Rifkin got the nod from Alex Field, Shane Young and Gerri Crilly in that order.
Back at the Growing Swan, our host Peter Grey made presentations following which he asked everyone who played, and others that hadn’t, to partake in a free hot meal, which was enjoyed and appreciated by all. The day’s golf was sponsored by Steve Younger, so a big thanks to him also.
1st Ebrahim (17) net 65
2nd John Anderson (28) net 68
3rd Stuart Rifkina (15) net 72
4th Alex Field (18) net 72
Near Pins: B2 – Graham Rice, B5 – Alex Field, C3 – Peter Bye, C6 – Lindsay Slender
Long Putts: B9 – Peter Bye, C9 – Gerri Crilly
Note: The Growling Swan 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 the bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Sundays for open grass bowling at The Retreat Bowls Club. If you wish to partake just be at The Growling Swan before the bus departs at 10.00 am. The cost including return bus transport, bowling fees and a hot lunch is about 350 baht, so great value for a day out! The bus usually returns at 3.30 pm.
