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.

2005

The "Swindlers on Tour" returned from France on Thursday [17 March], red of face and eyes following the non-stop sun, temperatures in the 20's and long evenings with the local plonk flowing. Ken Johnson took the major awards .... best combined stableford points, and best points total on the par 3's. Well done Ken!

Sunday started at Moliets with some very fatigued Swindlers posting the worst scores of the week, with three 19's, a 20, a 24 and [yours truly] with 32 points and the first birdie of the tour. The 12th hole (a par 3) was out of use due to ground works and - typical of the French - it wasn't mentioned, and we didn't find out until we arrived at the tee!

Monday, and off to Chantaco, where yours truly continued the surge with 17pts on the first seven holes - and then the wheels came off, and stayed off, and couldn't be reset until the last few holes of the final day!

Ken had a stonking round at Chantaco with 38 points followed by Trevor with 32. Bob [The Freezer] and Trevor both got birdies. And then we found the little Basque bistro - Sidrerie Hernani... oh dear!

Tuesday, and off to Chiberta - best course of the week - where Trevor and Stuart both posted 34 points, and both also got birdies (Trevor's second).

On Wednesday, at Makila, The Freezer discovered cardiac hill and had to wait a while before teeing off - even though it was his honour! Best score of the day was Ken again, with 35 points. Bob posted a 30, but everyone else was in the 20's - although one hole was out of play due to drainage work.

An early start on Thursday saw the tour head back to Moliets for an 8:34 tee time .... only to discover the club house wasn't open until 9:00! Sacre bleu!! However, the locals were friendly and we got off on time. Ken and Trevor were battling for Tour Trophy, and both tried desperately to be charitable early in the round. However, Ken's 28 points was enough to secure the trophy for the second year, as Trevor came home with 27.