IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, May 23, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Rod Howett (25) 34pts
2nd Darryll Kellett (16) 31pts
3rd Russell Exley (7) 29pts
4th Mike Dabanovich (10) 28pts
The week started out with a very tough day round the Emerald layout that proved to be playing a lot longer and a lot harder than normally, although the condition of the greens was excellent when one eventually arrived there.
Roar Berger.
Rod Howett, who is almost desperate to get his handicap reduced, at last got his wish fulfilled even though his score was a little higher than he would have wished; the resulting rise in the CSS and another very good score at St Andrews later in the week meant that he would be reduced by two at the end of week review.
The round at the Emerald was a lot better than it appears at first sight as he led in a very competitive field, with a few low handicappers among them, by three clear shots.
Darryll Kellett, who was playing his last game prior to returning to Oz, added yet another share of the day’s prizes to his previous haul and Russell Exley and Mike Dabanovich stuck to the task well enough to get in position to take prizes but dropped off the pace over the closing holes.
Although there were no 2’s once again in the second division Russell Exley slipped one in for the first division pool.
Before presenting the prizes Stephen Beard welcomed back Mike Dabanovich and Roar Berger and had a farewell for Darryll Kellett.
Wednesday, May 25, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Trevor Schirmer (13) 36pts
2nd Al Rolnik (20) 34pts
3rd Barry Winton (4) 29pts
Rod Howett.
With insufficient numbers available to play the planned format of a pairs scramble, the day’s competition reverted to a singles Stableford played from the blue tees and with the course belying its distance as shown on the card, the winning score of level par to handicap was a very creditable result.
Trevor Schirmer did well to lead in the group with that score to take the top spot by two from Al Rolnik, who is still showing regularly in the prize lists although only playing once a week. No doubt the additional six days of practice are helping in achieving that end.
Barry Winton on the other hand is trying extremely hard to get back to form and playing at every opportunity but has still yet to return to his old prodigious length from the tees.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Barry Winton took the first division with his solo.
Russell Exley.
Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Michael Izzo and Waroon Taranski prior to the presentations.
Friday, May 27, Phoenix Blue Tees – Monthly Medals
CSS 75
Division 1
1st Russell Exley (7) net 75
2nd Barry Winton (4) net 77
3rd Mike Dabanovich (10) net 78
Division 2
1st Roar Berger (25) net 80
2nd Grant Cadell (16) net 83
3rd Rod Howett (25) net 83
Once again the recent wet weather had left the course in a very sodden condition allowing almost no run in the fairways and making it essential to find the fairways rather than risk a poor lie in the rough, even though Phoenix’s rough is some of the most benign in the area it did not play to that description on the day.
Trevor Schirmer.
Russell Exley has hit a rich vein of form recently and again came back to the clubhouse with the best of the day to take the first division medal and although not able to play to handicap, with the CSS going out a shot and an adjusted score lowered a shot, it resulted in no uplift and he will therefore be once again playing from a six for the next few outings at least.
Barry Winton, who is still recovering from his back surgery and the subsequent loss of playing time, struggled with the added length of the course and was happy in the end to slip into second place two shots behind with Mike Dabanovich another shot back in third.
Roar Berger, only recently returned from a non-playing period in Norway, won the second division medal with an unflattering score but it was still good enough to take the honours by three from Grant Cadell and Rod Howett, with Grant winning the required count-back with a better 39 to 39.5 from Rod.
It was no surprise to find that there were no 2’s in either division with the course playing to almost its highest degree of difficulty.
Before the presentation of the prizes Peter Sumner was welcomed back.
Note: As from the 1st of May the Haven group will depart Soi 13 at the earlier time of 8.30am 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 8.00 on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and 9.00am on 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.
