PSC Golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, Oct. 5, Silky Oaks – Stableford
Two busloads and private vehicles left the Growling Swan in high spirits as the weather looked promising despite constant rain overnight.
As always, the staff efficiency at Silky Oaks was super, with speedy check in and registration processing. Despite two separate sporting outlets arriving at the same time, they formed two queues and everyone was readying themselves for the game in no time at all.
Having gathered at the first tee (white markers used today) everyone was quiet as the first group stepped up to challenge the 150-yard water carry to the yonder fairway (although it was closer to 165 carry with the wind in our faces).
(L-R) Alex Field, Mike Gosden, Martin Todd & Alan Sanders.
The pressure was completely off by the time this scribe teed off four groups later, as several individuals had already donated their balls to the water gods!
Unfortunately the rain started to fall after four or five holes which stopped play for a short while, however after 15 minutes the wind direction changed and took the downpour elsewhere and we stayed dry for the remainder of the round.
This course is a delight to play with its generous fairways and abundant water carrying hazards, strategically placed but still offering the golfer plenty of scope to hit mown grass. There are a few silly holes (which has prompted our celebrity airwave golf announcer to nickname the venue “Silly Oaks”) however it is anticipated that these will become defunct when the bulldozers currently scouring the grounds adjacent have finished their work and new holes are created.
(L-R) John Strom, Rocky Lawson, Rob Cross & Peter McDonald.
Following the day’s event we all showered and headed back to the Swan for cold refreshments and a nice warm meal, compliments of our kind host Peter Grey.
The field was given a 5 positions run down along with four nearest the pins and two longest first putts. Todd Snr. (Martin) finally broke the bridesmaid mantle winning decisively 8 months after having a total knee replacement. His 39 points was well clear of Alex Field who took second place on a count back from Mike Gosden, both on 36 points. Todd Jnr. (Brad) came in four shots behind his Dad for fourth and Graham Rice took out fifth spot with 34 points, beating Dobbsy (Jerry Dobbs) on a count back.
1st Martin Todd (10) 39pts
2nd Alex Field (20) 36pts
3rd Mike Gosden (14) 36pts
4th Brad Todd (22) 35pts
5th Graham Rice (12) 34pts
Near Pins: #3 – Alan Sanders, #8 – Brad Todd, #14 – Ebrahim, #16 – Martin Todd
Long Putts: #9 – Sandy Leiper, #18 John Anderson
Thursday, Oct. 8, Greenwood – Stableford
“They came, they saw and they conquered!” They were referred to variously as The 3 Amigos, The 3 Musketeers, but were perhaps better known to most of us as The 3 Stooges, and two of them, Rob & Rocky, ended up on the podium today.
Two buses loaded with enthusiastic golfers departed The Swan for the trip up the highway to Greenwood Golf Club. Bus chatter was about the weather and the condition of the course, given the rain we had had. Fifty minutes later our questions were answered, “No carts on the course”. Speaking to the course marshal he changed the ruling to no carts on fairways and that made things a lot better.
We played A & C courses and with no run on the fairways we played from the front tees. The course was in good condition considering the rain, with the greens also playing true. Weather was on our side with no sign of rain and it became quite warm as the day went on.
Rob Cross collected the chocolates with a fine round of 38 points from newcomer John Strom in second on 36, while Rocky Lawson took third a further 2 points behind.
1st Rob Cross (28) 38pts
2nd John Strom (13) 36pts
3rd Rocky Lawson (20) 34pts
Near Pins: A6 Graham Rice, C6 Peter McDonald
Long Putts: A9 Martin Todd, C9 Peter Grey.
Back at The Growling Swan we welcomed John Strom and said goodbye to The 3 Musketeer’s, Peter McDonald, Rocky Lawson and Rob Cross. We also said goodbye to Martin Todd, and we hope to see you all again real soon.
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 the bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Sundays at 10am for open grass bowling at The Retreat. Please contact Paul Rennison on 0843 005 if you wish to partake. The cost including return bus transport, bowling fees and a hot lunch is about 400 baht, so great value for a day out!
