IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, July 29, Pattana B & C – Stableford
Division 1 (0–15)
White tees
CSS 75NC
1st Jon Batty (8) 33pts
2nd Martin Grimoldby (5) 33pts
3rd Kevin Blake (6) 31pts
4th Phil Groves (7) 30pts
Division 2 (16+)
Yellow tees
CSS 74
1st Peter Hall (20) 36pts
2nd Don Everett (21) 33pts
3rd Ray Daws (19) 32pts
4th Ron Kerslake (27) 31pts
A large number of hopefuls demanded the formation of two divisions with the cut coming at fifteen and below for the first and sixteen and above for the second.
Brian Libbey.
In the first division, even with the course in great shape, the length from the white tees ensured that the CSS for the day went out to 75 and the event became non-counting for upward review of handicaps. The best return was the three over achieved by Jon Batty, using his ability to hit the ball a lot further than would appear possible when seen teeing off from a distance. But he needed to win a count back against Martin Grimoldby to succeed on the day, which he did with a better 17 to 16, leaving Martin scratching his head in second place.
Kevin Blake slipped onto the podium in his last appearance, for at least a couple of weeks, after just getting the better of Phil Groves by a single point to claim third place with Phil in fourth spot.
The second division saw some better scoring as Peter Hall at last played somewhere near to his old ability to return a level handicap round that was good by three to take his first win for a couple of years.
Don Everett just edged out Ray Daws for second place, leaving Ron Kerslake to take fourth after he won a count back over Vincent Gras, having had a better 17 to 16 over the C course.
With the courses playing so hard it was no surprise to find that there were no 2’s in either division.
Frank McGowan.
Prior to the presentations of the prizes there were welcomes for new members Fred Smith, an ex Collingwood player who used to play Ruck and now hitting the ball almost as far as he used to hit the opponents in the old Victoria Football League, Mike Dennis, Honorary Consul for Fiji in Adelaide, and Bruce Helde, without portfolio. There were also welcome backs for Martin Grimoldby, Bob Pratt and Gus Guidetti together with farewells for Graham Davis, Peter Hall and at last really leaving Kevin Blake.
Wednesday, July 31, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Brian Libbey (9) 39pts
2nd Gus Guidetti (11) 37pts
3rd Phil Groves (7) 32pts
4th Takeshi Hakozaki (9) 32pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Roar Berger (29) 39pts
2nd Ron Kerslake (27) 39pts
3rd Ray Daws (19) 36pts
4th Vincent Gras (17) 36pts
The day’s competition had been originally set for the wide open spaces of Crystal Bay but heavy overnight rain at the course that was still continuing in the morning meant that there were no carts to be allowed for the day. A very big star must be awarded to the course management for advising the group prior to departure, indeed at 8 a.m., that that was to be the situation and with the rain also affecting Mountain Shadow, last minute arrangements were quickly put in place to organise an alternative venue further south.
Hal Hart.
Such honesty from the course, with the ensuing loss of revenue to them, demands that the group continue to support them in the future at every opportunity.
So arrangements made, another big contingent left for the undulations of The Emerald where the small greens and rolling fairways always offer a good challenge and with the usual “lift and place in the fairway” local rule the scoring was very good, with three players playing three under handicap.
Brian Libbey took the first division top spot with his three under to deny Gus Guidetti his maiden win after Gus had pulled out all the stops over the back nine, scoring a stunning fourteen points from the last five holes but a front nine of one over handicap consigned him to second spot.
Phil Groves claimed third place after winning a count back over Takeshi Hakozaki, who had been looking forward to home course advantage earlier in the day, with a better 17 to 15.
The second division saw two more three unders with Roar Berger making a comeback win scoring 20 on the inward half as Ron Kerslake lost out this time with 18. Vincent Gras lost another count back for third place to Ray Daws after a worse 18 to Ray’s excellent 21, with 11 of them coming over the last four holes.
Back at The Haven there was a farewell for Geoff Potter who was returning to the UK to oversee his son’s preparations and polishing up for boot camp for a UK talent show.
At last the swollen 2’s pots were taken in both divisions with Phil Groves cleaning out the first and Al Rolnik and Ray Daws sharing the second.
Friday, August 2, Greenwood A & C – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 2 (0-17)
1st Frank McGowan (15) 36pts
2nd Jens Gunnarsson (14) 34pts
3rd Vincent Gras (17) 33pts
4th Chris Bonython (9) 31pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Hal Hart (20) 40pts
2nd Gavin Hargrave (29) 34pts
3rd Don Everett (21) 33pts
4th Brian Johnson (19) 32pts
Following the cremation of long standing member Rodney Hayes on the previous day and the wake that followed at The Haven late into the night, it was no surprise to see a smaller than usual turnout for the trip to Greenwood. For those that did manage to crawl into sign up it was well worth the effort as the course was found to be in tip top shape and costing 350 baht less for the green fee than some other courses who have yet to recognise the prevailing market conditions.
Roar Berger.
Frank McGowan took the first division with a solid level handicap return that was good enough by two to leave Jens Gunnarsson in second place as he prepares to leave for the high seas once again. Vincent Gras finally made it into third place after two previous disappointments, fueled with copious quantities of liquid, to be able to tell his mum that he had beaten a past Australian Amateur Champion into fourth place by two clear shots.
Hal Hart had the round of the day and one that equaled his best ever in Thailand to win by a staggering six points ahead of Gavin Hargrave with Don Everett third and Brian Johnson fourth.
With the par threes all playing quite long, with the toughest being the 3rd on the C course at a measured 200 yards but playing slightly longer and where there were just two pars all day, there were no 2’s to be seen in either division.
Before the presentations there were welcome backs for Frank McGowan and Jamie King.
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 8.15 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
