IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, June 12, Crystal Bay B & C – Stableford
CSS 72
1st John Carlin (17) 39pts
2nd Hal Hart (18) 38pts
3rd Tomas Nilsson (12) 34pts
4th Mark Cooper (11) 33pts
5th Markku Tynell (20) 32pts
Following all the wet weather in the recent past the courses are now getting back into shape, although there are still many that have not yet got the fairways and greens mown down to the previous levels.
Crystal Bay has improved its greens although they are still nowhere near their old speed and flatness and still with mixtures of different grasses to be found within them. But the scores now being achieved show that it is well worth a visit and good value compared with similar quality courses.
John Carlin was playing in his last game before taking a well-earned rest from the rigours of five day a week golf and when his win was announced at the Haven there was a good round of applause, some no doubt occasioned by relief. His three-under handicap return will mean another reduction in handicap when he returns to the group in the near future.
Hal Hart is another regular who has seen his handicap reduce and another good return will ensure that it remains at no more than a shot a hole for at least a couple of weeks. He secured second place just one behind the leader.
Tomas Nilsson also put in another steady round in third place one ahead of fourth placed Mark Cooper, who in turn was also one in front of Markku Tynell in fifth place.
There were no 2s in the first division but Hal Hart had two, just a couple of days too late for the big one, in the second division.
Wednesday, June 14, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 74
1st Dave LeHane (18) 35pts
2nd Mark Cooper (11) 33pts
3rd Chris Smith (+1) 31pts
4th Tomas Nilsson (12) 27pts
5th Larry Gibb (22) 27pts
Returning to Bangpra during the low season is always a pleasure, usually balanced with some trepidation as to the speed that the greens will be during the day, but the course is also experiencing some differences following the wet weather, with the greens having been left quite long and running at about half their usual speed. This caused a negative effect on the players as they all struggled to get the ball to the hole, even from above the pin.
There was also the addition of a tricky bunker behind the tenth green which now makes the stroke index of 18 even more ridiculous after having had the length increased by some 100 yards. An indication of its severity was that the top five cards managed to score just two points between them on what could now be described as one of the most difficult holes on the course.
Dave LeHane won his first event with the group with a solid round with a split of 16/19 and without a point on the tenth, leading in the group by a clear two shots.
Mark Cooper placed second just ahead of the usually very competitive Chris Smith who was a little subdued during this round.
Tomas Nilsson was again among the mentions in fourth place after he won a count back over Larry Gibb with a better 16 to 12.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
