IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, September 15, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Don Everett (19) 40
2nd Kevin Townsend (12) 34
3rd John Carlin (18) 33 cb 17
A return to the “Burma Road of Pattaya”, as some players view the Robert Trent Jones Jnr. designed course in Banchang, is always a challenge not least due to the length and the proximity of the out of bounds on many holes. But on this occasion the winning score was well above the average scored by non members generally, being six shots better than the second place.
Bruce Hilde, Don Everett & Phil Groves
Don Everett obviously saved the best for last as he played his final game in Pattaya before returning to Oz for a well deserved period of R & R. His evenly spaced two under handicap on each of the nines proved to be easily the best of the day and even with the CSS for the day remaining at 72; it earned him a two stroke cut in handicap for his return. Seven three pointers were the basis of his best round for a couple of months. A very creditable result from such a difficult test.
Next best in second spot was Kevin Townsend whose slow start took him out of contention early in the day but a much stronger back nine ensured his position on the podium just ahead of the count back for third. That count back was won by John Carlin with a better 17 to 16 from Shuichi Kodaka who is still managing to compete having lost four shots over the last three weeks.
Trevor Schirmer, back in the driving seat but not quite firing on all cylinders, took fifth a couple of points in front of the week’s most consistent performer Bruce Hilde in sixth.
There were no 2’s in either of the divisions.
Before the presentations were made there were welcome backs for Benny Hansen and Vincent Gras, who had left for the airport the previous week, but unfortunately missed the plane forcing him to endure yet another few days of golf in the Kingdom. There was also a farewell for Don Everett who was leaving earlier than Vincent to ensure he caught his flight to Perth for his well earned rest.
Wednesday, September 17, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Phil Groves (10) 38
2nd John Carlin (18) 34 cb 20
3rd Trevor Schirmer (14) 34 cb 16
Another day at Green Valley where, as is now usual, the group teed off some fifty minutes early as many earlier reserved tee times failed to show up to play. The group started the first hole teeing off from the old positioned placement on the far left of the hole and whilst that position takes the water out of play directly forward of the tee, it is a more difficult shot to hold up the hill and against the run off into the trees, plus having the advantage of playing the hole as it was originally designed.
Phil Groves came back to form with his first win following his return from Australia with a solid two under handicap return that was good by four for the top step.
John Carlin again showed strongly as he took second spot after a count back with Trevor Schirmer, winning it with a better 20 to 16 when he had missed out on two holes on the front and Trevor faded over the last nine.
Terry Hodgkiss took fourth place ahead of Bruce Hilde in fifth.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Phil Groves took the first division together with the roll over with the sole one in the first division.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome back for Mike Hill who had been visiting the far north on a ranch and stock inspection trip which involved a bit of personal Picasso work on some of the cows, a London version of cattle branding minus the lassoing.
Friday, September 19, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Bruce Hilde (17) 32
2nd Jon Yarrow (16) 30 cb 17 b6 13
3rd Hal Hart (21) 30 cb 17 b6 12
The trips out to Bangpra are always looked on with some trepidation by most of the hopefuls and on this visit, with the results and subsequent movement of the CSS out to 75, and the day becoming a non counting one for handicap purposes, many of their fears were confirmed. With the greens at their fiercest, especially for putts from above the hole, even the great condition of the course could not stop the day’s scores spiraling upwards.
Following his two earlier appearances on the podium during the week, Bruce Hilde finally made it to the top step. But it required a decision on the rules for the second time in the week to determine that he remained in the day’s competition after insisting, against all advice to the contrary, on using another player’s wedge to chip to one of the greens, and thereby having fifteen clubs at his disposal. Fortunately for Bruce he only used the club once, incurring a two stroke penalty on the hole, and a subsequent zero point return. This had been the second time in the week that he had collected a two shot penalty after putting with the flag in earlier, which had on that occasion cost him some places. But even with the penalty his score was good enough by two to be declared the winner, but with yet another lesson learned.
Jon Yarrow took second place after he had won a count back on the back six with a better 13 to 12 after tying the nine on 17 apiece with Hal Hart. This left Hal in third, but pleased to be once again among the podium placements.
Phil Groves did enough to take fourth ahead of Kevin Townsend in fifth after the latter had also won a count back with Shuichi Kodaka by 13 to 11.
Shuichi Kodaka dropped in the only 2 in the first division whilst John Carlin did the same in the second division.
Back at The Haven there was a welcome back for Fred Smith and a real and second farewell for Vincent Gras as he had actually caught the plane this week earlier in the day.
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
