IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, August 8, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Mark Lang (5) 37pts
2nd Jon Batty (8) 33pts
3rd Mark Armstrong (24) 32pts
4th Shuichi Kodaka (18) 31pts
5th Benny Hansen (27) 29pts
6th Phil Cass (16) 28pts
Playing one of the oldest, if not the oldest, course in the area is usually a stiff challenge but the recent heavy weather has meant that the greens-keepers have been unable to cut the greens quite as low as usual, thus making them much less of a serious challenge for those not able to keep the ball below the hole often enough times, and so the scoring for the day at least for the leader was a better than usual.
Mark Lang was that leader and winning for the first time out of The Haven for some considerable period after returning a one under handicap round that was good enough by four clear to take the top step for the day.
Jon Batty was his closest challenger in second place after he had faded badly following a very bright start that had seen him one under handicap at the turn, but a very tired run in and a few lapses in concentration left him taking just five points from the last four holes as Mark, his playing partner garnered ten from the same four, to dramatically turn the tables.
Mark Armstrong returned following a three shot drop in handicap to take third place just a shot behind the leading tussle after he returned a very steady back nine.
Shuichi Kodaka was also fairly close but suffered from a weak finish that saw him take only six points from the last five holes and thus having to settle for fourth spot.
Benny Hansen took fifth one ahead of Phil Cass in sixth.
In the 2s competition hole A8 saw plenty of action as Mark Lang stroked one in to win the first division rollover pot and then a little later Shuichi Kodaka did the same to take the second division’s multi rollover pool, the latter being so big it encouraged Shuichi to get the holiday brochures out again and start making plans.
Wednesday, August 10, Pattana A & B (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Phil Cass (16) 36pts
2nd Peter Skinner (11) 35pts
3rd Shuichi Kodaka (18) 30pts
4th Terry Hodgkiss (25) 29pts
It is always a total pleasure to play Pattana, whichever the nines that are in play, as the day starts off with a very friendly welcome at the front door by members of the guest relations service through the, now very efficient sign in process, and then down to the sumptuous changing facilities and out to the practice green conveniently situated on the way to the tees, all without a single hassle in sight.
Then the difficult part begins, but even that is offset by the beauty and condition of the course, making even a bogey appear almost acceptable, and there are many of those awaiting the unwary throughout this challenging design. It seems that whatever the weather the ground staff manage to get the course into great shape, with just the greens varying a little in pace from day to day due to mowing restrictions, while the rest of the course is a delight to see and play.
Phil Cass had one of his “on days” with much of it going right from the start as he took 19 points from the opening nine and followed them up with another 17 on the closing half and finishing very strongly, taking eight points from the last three holes to win by the narrowest of margins over playing partner Peter Skinner. Peter almost got up for the win but an uncharacteristic zero on the 14th left him with just too much to do to catch the charging winner and he had to settle for a very creditable second place.
There was then a considerable gap before third place and fourth place as the rest of the field struggled to come to terms with the course, leaving too many bogeys and doubles strewn throughout their cards. Shuichi Kodaka took that third place with Terry Hodgkiss closely following in fourth and claiming the last step on the podium for the day.
In keeping with the general difficulty that the par threes were playing there were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Friday, August 12, Pattavia – Stableford
Celebrating Mother’s Day was originally scheduled for Greenwood but a late alteration by the course to the pricing structure for the holiday had occasioned a change of venue to Pattavia where the green fee rate was very acceptable, but unfortunately a complete blowout for the day was recorded for the first time in many a moon after the group decided to call it a day before they even reached the course as they were involved in a monumental traffic snarl-up between Amata City and the Pattana turn off, with four lanes reducing to three, to two and finally one approaching the road works near to Greenwood. There was complete standstill for almost half an hour and so when the opportunity to do a “Uey” came up, there was just one decision to make. So apologies were telephoned to the course management and homeward bound it was for tea and scones in the cool of the air-con at The Haven.
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.
