IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Oct. 15, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Yasuo Suzuki (12) 30pts
2nd Brian Libbey (9) 27pts
Following seemingly weeks when the local course have been exceedingly wet, the weather had just started to turn around but a telephone call from the course early on the day advised that carts were not allowed on the course due to the state of the rough and fairways and this ensured that a low turnout became even lower, but at least it would appear that some managements are taking their responsibilities to the players seriously and advising groups of situations that may affect the enjoyment of the day. It is to be hoped that the trend continues.
Those that did play found that the conditions, even allowing for the relief available, were difficult in the extreme. Yasuo Suzuki returned the best of the day followed by Brian Libbey but neither of them played well enough to save the day from becoming a non-counting event for themselves or the rest of the field.
Joe Niisato.
With so few players it was unsurprising that there were no 2’s in either division.
Before the presentation there was a farewell for Frank Dunstan who is was leaving to return home to his club Wakehurst in Sydney to polish up his anchor over the summer.
Wednesday, Oct. 17, Khao Kheow A & B (White tees) – Stableford
CSS 70
1st Joe Niisato (13) 43pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 36pts
3rd Ole Stamnes (26) 35pts
4th Erik Donnestad (4) 31pts
5th Jim Lloyd (29) 30pts
After a disappointing previous outing, a much better attendance arrived at Soi 13 for the day’s competition and in view of the possible wetness of the course it was decide that the day’s play would be from the forward white tees rather than the usual yellows. Allied to the ‘lift and place’ rule in the fairways it resulted in much better returns from all of the field and a more enjoyable day as well.
Joe Niisato reveled in the shortness of the course, which measured just under 5,800 yards according to the card, to return his best score in Thailand at seven under handicap and win the day by seven, also having carded a lifetime best gross level par for the inward half even including a double on the very difficult par four seventh on the B course.
Yasuo Suzuki.
Shuichi Kodaka started out with a very nice two under front nine but faded towards the end however he just held on to take second place by a single point ahead of Ole Stamnes who had also started well with a two under handicap outward half but he also faded and had to settle for third spot.
Erik Donnestad still cannot seem to get to grips with the local courses but did enough on the day to claim fourth place just one in front of Jim Lloyd.
Once again there were no 2’s in the first division but Ole Stamnes cleaned out the multiple rollover second division pool with one on the third hole on the A course, which even off the whites was still 160 yards.
Before the presentations were made there was a welcome back for Kare Lunde, Roar Berger, Ron Kerslake, Bob Pratt and Jim Lloyd.
Friday, Oct. 19, Crystal Bay A & B – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Shuichi Kodaka (16) 37pts
2nd Erik Donnestad (4) 34pts
3rd Ole Stamnes (26) 33pts
4th Russell Gilroy (12) 32pts
For the third time in the week it was determined that ‘lift and place’ should be the local rule of the day even though golf carts were being allowed on the course, and this turned out to be a good decision as the round progressed as balls were still picking up large quantities of mud on contact with the ground. But all in all the course was the best that had been played in the week although the greens were found to be understandably slow due to the length of the grass, but they were also found to be very true and flat.
Shuichi Kodaka went one better that in the previous outing, taking first place with a solid one under handicap round that could have been even better if the good start had not been undone with a back nine that included two zero pointers after a three-under handicap nine going out.
Erik Donnestad came closest with a steady couple of gross 39s that just pipped one of his playing partners, Ole Stamnes, by a single point to claim second while Ole settled for third.
Russell Gilroy just made it onto the podium with a round that could have been much better if only he could have started out better as he gleaned a meager 13 points from the front nine which left too big a hill to climb on the back nine.
At last there was a 2 in the first division slipped in by Russell Gilroy as a going home present, but there were none in the second division.
Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Jens Gunnarsson and Russell Gilroy with the latter also getting a farewell after a very short visit.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 082 219 0965 or call in to The Haven Hotel, at 185 Soi 13, between Beach Road and 2nd Road. 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 8.30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
