PSC golf from The Haven
Sunday, April 17, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Joe Peters (19) 40pts
2nd Joe McArdle (12) 37pts
3rd Russell Gilroy (14) 36pts
4th Gerry Hannon (9) 32pts
An extremely wet week started before the players even reached the highway to Green Valley as they had to attempt to bypass the road blocks caused by the continuation of the water festival in Pattaya, which started around the 11th of the month and continued until the 19th.
Russell Exley.
With many of the areas golfers already having left town the numbers were once again small but Joe Peters was not to be deterred or denied his first win for several months as he cruised home in four under handicap to at last wrench the four-ball money out of Joe McArdle’s vice-like grip for once. But Joe still managed to finish ahead on the day as his second place ensured some offset with his other investments.
Russell Gilroy made sure of a podium position in his last appearance in Pattaya prior to his return Sydney and his local golf club, where he will no doubt spend hours relating his exploits in the Land of Smiles and how he slashed his handicap by four strokes and surely demand that his new found abilities are reflected in his home handicap.
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.
Wednesday, April 20, Greenwood – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Russell Exley (8) 36pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer (14) 34pts
3rd Rod Crosswell (13) 32pts
4th Einar Widnes (16) 31pts
The day started with the prospective players having to pick their way through the car park that was undergoing comprehensive repairs following a spectacular dive the day before, the culmination of the Pattaya water event, 7 stories from the next door hotel roof by either a very frustrated diner or a star crossed lover, which resulted in the complete destruction of the trelliswork above the car park and serious damage to one of the cars beneath. Miraculously the would-be base-jumper survived and was speedily removed as the ambulance had an unobstructed approach via Beach Road which had mercifully been cleared of traffic for the day.
Al Rolnik.
With much discussion as to the unauthorized use of a drop zone, the hopefuls left for the pleasures of Greenwood where they found the course almost totally empty and in excellent condition and the price of the green fee reduced for the low season. This was a pleasant surprise as many of the courses in the area seem to have followed the advice of the Eastern Seaboard Association Chairman and either raised or left the green fees the same as for the high season, no doubt in preparation for an upward hike when the high season returns.
For the forthcoming low season The Haven group have opted to support the only the courses that are reducing the green fees for the low season in an effort to maintain the price level in a very depressed market both for the long stay ex patriots of the area and prospective tourists that seem to be few and far between at the moment.
After going through a rather lean period, Russell Exley at last hit some kind of form with a very hard earned victory on a very testing long course that gave up very few birdie chances, but level par was good enough to take the day’s top honours with Trevor Schirmer the closest, two back in second place.
Wira Widnes.
Rod Crosswell missed several chances to better his score but still did just enough to take third ahead of Einar Widnes in fourth.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed new member Timothy Wilson and also welcomed back Markku Tynell together with Einar and Wira Widnes.
There were no 2’s on the day as the par threes played to their longest and hardest.
Friday, April 22, Khao Kheow – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Al Rolnik (22) 32pts
2nd Wira Widnes (10) 31pts
3rd Terry Hodgkiss (24) 29pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (14) 28pts
Just when everyone thought that the last of the water had been seen, the elements took a hand with a huge thunderstorm halfway through most of the player’s rounds. With the management having thoughtfully installed a lightning warning siren, there was no choice but to cease play as its first sounds were heard, the caddies having been instructed to stop immediately, which hopefully will see that past serious accidents in the area from lightning strikes are at least not repeated on this course in future.
Unfortunately, after a stoppage of over and hour and a half, most of the hopefuls had almost seized up in the cold and dampness leaving Al Rolnik to clean up with a less than spectacular return of four over handicap. But perseverance was the key as he stuck to the task and tried to ignore the very wet conditions that prevailed over the inward half to win another competition following his long layoff.
Wira Widnes struggled all day to contend with the length of the course but kept at it to take second place just a shot behind and ruing the period either side of the storm when she dropped points on both of the holes.
Terry Hodgkiss at last got the better of regular playing partner Rod Naga and also laid claim to third place along the way as Trevor Schirmer finished out the podium another shot back.
After all the cards were in it was no surprise to find that the CSS for that day had moved out three strokes and the competition had become non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
Back at The Haven Brain Talbot and Tony Barritt were welcomed back prior to the presentation of the prizes.
Note: As from the 1st of May the Haven group will depart Soi 13 at the earlier time of 8.30 a.m. until further notice. 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.
