IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, April 7, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) — Stableford
CSS 71
1st John Carlin (16) 36pts
2nd Allen Raaen (7) 32pts
3rd Russell Gilroy (14) 28pts
4th Mike Hill (23) 27pts
A tough week playing three of the hardest courses in the area started out at the secluded Treasure Hill course where the decision was taken to play from the forward yellow tees.
Billy Shepley, John Carlin and Trevor Schirmer .
The course is one of the less popular ones due no doubt to the difficulties posed by the width of some of the fairways and the size of the greens generally. But it is always found to be in fine shape with the fairways offering good lies from which all levels of golfers can play their shots, and the greens are invariably consistent in pace.
As usual the day proved to be a testing one for all the contenders, with john Carling at last coming into form after several months in the doldrums. His level par round proved to be easily the best of the day with the nearest challenger some four strokes behind.
That challenger was Allen Raaen who in turn was four ahead of third placed Russell Gilroy, who is still managing to feature on the podium listings even after having dropped four shots from his handicap recently.
Mike Hill took the last spot on the prize list just one back in fourth spot.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Wednesday, April 9, Khao Kheow A & B – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Trevor Schirmer (14) 35pts
2nd Yukio Kikuchi (20) 31pts
3rd Danny Greer (25) 31pts
4th Russell Gilroy (14) 31pts
5th Yasuo Suzuki (12) 30pts
6th John Carlin (16) 30pts
If the previous day’s outing seemed difficult another even more trying competition was set for the A & B courses at the Pete Dye designed Khao Kheow. The condition of this course of late has been superb, with lush fairways and receptive greens that play fast and true but the players need all their concentration to take on and beat the design and layout of what is arguably the best test in the area.
Underling that situation, the best card of the day was returned by Trevor Schirmer at one over par, which was by far and away the outstanding round and allowed him to win by four from a three-way count back for second place. This was won by Yukio Kikuchi with 16 on the back nine, with Danny Greer in third on 15 and Russell Gilroy fourth with 14.
Fifth spot also went to a count back which Yasuo Suzuki won with a better 15 to 13, leaving John Carlin sixth.
Once again there were no 2’s in either division.
Before the presentations were made there were welcome backs for Yasuo Suzuki and Yukio Kikuchi.
Friday, April 11, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Billy Shepley (5) 36pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer (14) 36pts
3rd Dave Howden (14) 35pts
4th Yukio Kikuchi (20) 33pts
5th Martin Harrington (11) 32pts
The final course of the week proved to be the easiest, no doubt owing much to the condition of the layout, which was excellent, and the length which at 6024 yards is one of the shortest encountered in the area. But the generally small greens with difficult surrounds always make for an interesting day’s golf.
The best of the day belonged to Billy Shepley who went out in a gross five over and then covered the inward nine in level par for a level handicap score, which allied to his stunning back nine ensured that he took the day’s top spot ahead of the in-form Trevor Schirmer who returned a solid even handicap on both nines and therefore had to settle for a well earned second place.
Dave Howden, playing his final game prior to returning to Blighty for the English summer, slipped into third place with a steady one over return.
Yukio Kikuchi again found enough of a game out on the course to figure in the prize-giving, taking fourth place just one ahead of Martin Harrington.
For the third time in the week there were no 2’s in either division giving promise to a huge settlement at some time in the future.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome back for John Dahlseng and a farewell for another year to Dave Howden.
Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 094 567 5726 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.
