The Swindlers on Tour

2006

Swindlers Ken Johnson, Trevor Bain, Richard Riddell, Tony Malyon, Bob Goodfellow, Duncan Jack, Colin Reardon were joined by ex-Swindler (and founder-member) Andy Symons - now of Guildford GC, on this year's trip to South-West France. Five rounds were played [by most], and the best three Stableford rounds counted towards the Tour Trophy winner. With Andy Symons leading Tony Malyon by two points, the final round at Moliets would prove to be exciting and close. Tony Malyon posted a fantastic score of 41 points - which included three birdies and Andy Symons scored 39 points - also with three birdies - to share the trophy with a total of 108 points! Well done to Andy and Tony!

Andy also won the prize for the most birdies in the week - with 5, and Richard Riddell won the prize for the most points on the par-3's with a total of 45 points.

After a flight delay and typical French laissez-faire at the car rental desks, the Sunday round started late at Moliets. Moliets is considered to be one of the top 25 courses in Europe! Ken Johnson had decided not to play [and not to enter the week's competition), so seven players went out to a mild afternoon on a quite empty course. All was going well until the groups reached the holes by the sea, when a sullen sky decided to erupt into quite a thunderstorm! Bain, Reardon & Riddell decided to shelter under a lookout point, but the lightning was getting close. The rain finally stopped, but as the squatters moved out from the shelter, another crack nearby forced the decision to start the long walk back. Looking back, it was clear that the decision was well received by the following fourball - including Bob Goodfellow who had been struck by lightning before on a golf course - who played one extra hole before joining the first group on the way in. After just 13 holes, Andy Symons had posted 25 points and Duncan Jack was on 24 points. It was decided to discard the round, apart from counting the par-3's and Bob Goodfellow's birdie.

Monday, and off to Chantaco where the weather was what we had become used to - 20c+ and no clouds! Andy continued his good form with 36 points, with Tony and Richard with 34. Off the group trudge to Col d'Ibardin to collect the cheap booze, and then into St. Jean de Luz for dinner at Chez Maya.

Tuesday, and off to Chiberta - voted the 7th best course in France. The weather was awful with driving rain and a cold wind! Like being back in Blighty! The rain eased for the back 9, but it didn't really warm up too much. Andy again won the day with 33 points, followed by Duncan with 30 points. Interestingly, the low handicappers - Andy & Tony - didn't like Chiberta!

On Wednesday, Andy decided to take a day off with Ken to look around Biarritz as the rest of the group headed north to Hossegor - site of some of the best surfing in Europe - but we went to play golf. This was the Swindler's first visit to Hossegor - also in Europe's top 100 - and all thoroughly enjoyed it, although many of the holes were very long par fours, and all wound their way through Les Landes pines. Tony won the day with 33 points, followed by Colin with 30.

A very early start on Thursday saw the tour head back to Moliets for an 8:34 tee time. Bob decided not to play as his foot was hurting. Duncan and Trevor went off as a 2-ball, while Andy, Tony, Colin & Richard took buggies and went as a fourball. The golf played by Andy & Tony was inspiring as they competed mano-a-mano to win the trophy!

With the two players exactly level after 53 holes, both players got their tee shots away well on the final hole of the tour, with Tony in the slight rough, but Andy in the middle of the fairway. Tony's approach came up about 30 yards short of the green, and Andy - uncharacteristically - put his approach in a greenside bunker. With the pin close to the front of the green, Tony needed to get his shot close. He took a good look at where he wanted to land his shot then went back to his ball. A couple of practice shots and then the ball was on its way, landing exactly where it was intended before starting to roll towards the hole. Just inches away from dropping, it deviated to the right and ended just two feet past for a cast-iron par.

With Andy in the shallow greenside bunker and the pin quite close, it needed a very soft touch to get close. The shot was executed well, but the ball ran about eight feet past. Knowing that he needed to get the putt to stay level with Tony, Andy set the ball on its way and it never deviated from the middle of the cup. Tony tapped his ball in the hole to handshakes and back-slaps all round.

Off to Merignac airport and the flight home after another enjoyable tour.