IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, May 23, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Markku Tynell (23) 32pts
2nd Vincent Gras (18) 30pts
3rd David Ross (10) 30pts
4th Mark Armstrong (25) 29pts
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome back for Jens Gunnarsson together with a farewell for David Ross following his best result of this golfing holiday and now able to return to Ipswich with a story worth relating to the locals at the Bull and Widget.
Another very tough week saw the group starting at the always tough Bangpra, the oldest course in the area where the grass had grown a little following the recent rain. But it was still a major challenge with the greens almost as fast as usual and many bare lies requiring the now almost universal ‘lift and place’ within a club length local rule. The CSS for the day underlined the conditions as it moved out to 75 and became non- counting for upward review of handicaps.
The best result for the day was the speed of play with the first three-ball group returning to the clubhouse in just a minute or two over three hours and the rest of the competition close behind.
Markku Tynell continued with his steady recent form, taking the day’s top placement with a four over return and winning by two after closing out the back nine with an even 18 points. In fact all the field scored better over the inward half as they slowly got to grips with the conditions.
Vincent Gras won a count back over David Ross with a better 18 to 15 to claim second place and Mark Armstrong took fourth another point back.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Wednesday, May 25, Khao Kheow B & C – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Chris Smith (0) 34pts
2nd Jens Gunnarsson (12) 31pts
3rd Larry Gibb (20) 31pts
4th John Tallett (23) 31pts
One of the better conditioned courses was the next test of the week and it proved to be the only one where the CSS remained stable, with both of the nines playing exceptionally well.
Chris Smith took the top step of the podium with a round that got better as it progressed as he ended the front nine on two over gross having slipped in a very uncharacteristic double bogey on the par 5 sixth. He then repeated the feat with another double bogey on the par 4 fourth on the C course but then eagled the par 5 seventh for a level par back nine to finish at two over gross for the day.
Jens Gunnarsson led in the chasing group, winning a three-way count back with a best 15 for second place as Larry Gibb took third after scoring 14 on the back nine and John Tallett fourth with 13 .
Once again there were no 2s in the second division but Chris Smith swept the multi rollover pot clean with his solo effort in the first division.
Friday, May 27, Phoenix Mountain & Lake – Monthly Medals
Division1 (0–15)
Blue tees
CSS 76
1st Darryl Burkett (12) net 79
2nd Jens Gunnarsson (12) net 81
Division 2 (16 +)
White tees
CSS 74
1st Markku Tynell (23) net 82
2nd Murray Edwards (17) net 86
We had a small turnout for the monthly medals as some players continue to shun the newly designed Lake course. But Phoenix Gold will be hosting a jointly sanctioned European Tour and Asian Tour event at the end of July so there are some that obviously think it will soon be up to scratch. With preparations well in hand for this forthcoming event many of the tees were in forward positions but the difficult general conditions made for another tough day for the hopefuls and one that saw the CSS go out to the maximum from both sets of tees and become non- counting for the second time in the week.
Darryl Burkett, having already booked his place in the end of year Gold and Silver competitions the previous month, won the first division by two ahead of Jens Gunnarsson who had more to celebrate than his second place.
Markku Tynell took the second division with a less than memorable score, but was very happy to have added his name to the list of contenders in December, as was Murray Edwards who was heard to comment that he had not realised that it was so easy to get onto the podium at The Haven, as he took second place.
There were no ‘2’s in the second division, not that it mattered as Jens Gunnarsson took all the pools after he holed out from the blue tees on the 174-yard second hole on the Lake course with a fantastic 7-iron that needed just a couple of short bounces before disappearing from sight. This came as a complete surprise as it immediately followed an easy ‘nine’ on the previous short par four. As is always the case following a hole in one during an IPGC competition, Jens won a commemorative golf bag to commemorate his achievement.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 094 465 5002 or call in to The Haven, 315/13 Soi Lengkee, situated between Third Road and Soi Buakhao. All transportation to the course is arranged and you do not need to sign up prior to the day, but you should be there by 8.15 on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played throughout the year can be found on the web site at www. thehaven-hotel.com.
The Haven offers good parking facilities but sadly no room for club storage. Whilst the kitchen in being renovated there is a limited range of food available, but the supply of beverages continues at ice cold temperatures.
