IPGC golf from The Haven
Sunday, April 3, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Bob Lamond (6) 40pts
2nd Brian Beaupre (5) 38pts
3rd Russell Gilroy (17) 37pts
Another small turnout determined that there would be just the one division as the low season continues to deplete the numbers drastically indicating another low “Low Season”, due no doubt to the continuing strength of the Baht against the US Dollar, Euro and Sterling and the global economic slowdown.
With no signs as yet of any change it will be a long summer in the area again, but unbelievably almost, the signs are that the local courses will attempt to maintain or in some cases even increase the green fees to be charged up to the end of October. It is fortunate that many of them are controlled by the banks who do not seem to be restricted by the same market considerations of other businesses, with turnover seeming to be the least of their worries.
Russell Gilroy.
Bob Lamond at last gained some reward for a purple patch of recent form by winning by two from playing partner Brian Beaupre, as the two single handicappers battled it out under a very pleasant overcast sky with just a hint of wind to keep the higher markers back in the pecking order.
Russell Gilroy, soon to be one of those single figure players if recent form is anything to go by, took third place with another under par round.
For the second week running Russell Goldsworthy slotted in the only ‘2’ on the day to sweep the pool.
The presentations were conducted and overseen by Russell Exley as usual at the Golf Centre Bar on the course, with amiable hosts John and Geoff assisted by their lovely staff, taking excellent care of the golfers.
Monday, April 4, Phoenix – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Russell Gilroy (17) 44pts
2nd Rod Howett (24) 38pts
3rd Barry Wellings (5) 36pts
4th Mark Armstrong (27) 32pts
5th Leslie Cobban (9) 32pts
Even the wide open spaces and lush fairways of the Lakes and Ocean courses could not persuade too many out and so yet again just one division, which Russell Gilroy totally dominated with an eight under handicap round that flattened the rest of the field and left him winning by a clear six shots in preparation for the IPGC Monthly Medal at Green Valley.
Bob Lamond.
Rod Howett slipped into second place with a solid two under round as the course seemed to play a lot harder than usual, even though the conditions were almost perfect with just a light breeze and again overcast skies and the greens maybe slightly slower than normal but the fairways and rough in a nearly immaculate condition and a credit to the greens keepers.
Barry Wellings took third place with what would be his last game for a while as he returns to the UK for some extra rest before returning again in June.
Mark Armstrong, who has been credited with the dramatic increase in the quality of the Haven’s steak selection with much good advice on special preparation and ageing, wrapped up fourth ahead of Leslie Cobban with a better count-back of 16 to 14.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Friday, April 8, Treasure Hill – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Orawan Meeraka (24) 40pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer (14) 35pts
3rd Russell Gilroy (17) 34pts
4th Bob Lamond (6) 34pts
5th Rod Crosswell (13) 34pts
Orawan Meeraka at last got a return on her investments after months of turning up and struggling to mix it with the boys “off the tees in front.” She continued on from winning the IPGC Monthly Medal at Green Valley the previous outing on Wednesday, which incidentally is the reason for the lack of report from The Haven for that day this week, and took first place here by a clear five as the length of the course from the yellow tees confounded the best efforts of the gentlemen contestants.
Orawan Meeraka.
Trevor Schirmer led in the rest of the field with what was a very creditable round of one over with the course as usual playing to its full rating of 71.
Once again Russell Gilroy was to be found amongst the winners, taking third ahead of Bob Lamond and Rod Crosswell with a better count-back of 18 to Bob’s 17 and Rod’s 16.
Following Russell’s big win in the IPGC Monthly Medal with an incredible 43 points, he will find things a tad more difficult in the coming weeks as his handicap has been reduced by three clear shots for the period until he returns to the comfort of the New Australian handicap system.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Russell Gilroy continued to gather in while the sun shone with the only one in the second division.
Before making the presentations The Doc welcomed back Rod Crosswell and Shuichi Kodaka. Rod had earlier very sportingly offered to play off his IPGC handicap even though his new Australian one was some three shots higher, which seems to be a fair indication of the difference between the old and new systems and the subject of much discussion amongst the players over there at the moment.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group you can contact mobile 084 782 4582 or call in to the 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 Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays 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.
