IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Dec. 15, Pattavia – Stableford
CSS 74
Division 1 (0-17)
1st Barry Wellings (5) 37pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 33pts
3rd Peter Skinner (10) 32pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (14) 32pts
5th Jon Yarrow (11) 32pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Markku Tynell (21) 29pts
2nd Danny Greer (25) 28pts
3rd Chuck Goranson (36) 27pts
4th Steve Singleton (27) 26pts
Once again the fairly long trip down the 331 proved to be very rewarding as the course was found to be in tip top condition, save that the greens still need to be cored to allow for some stop as the bump and run approach cannot always be used. However, once on the green the golfer can rely on a very fast and true surface which usually suits the lower handicapper but sometimes terrifies the higher ones.
Philip Cass & Barry Wellings.
This day was a prime example, as Barry Wellings easily took the first place in the first division, by four clear, after a very solid round that included just a couple of slips but was otherwise very tidy indeed.
Shuichi Kodaka placed second after he returned his best card since being cut into the first division, just ahead of a three-way count back between Peter Skinner, who took third with 11 on the last six, Trevor Schirmer in fourth with 9 from the six, and Jon Yarrow in fifth with just 14 after he had made a promising start to the day.
The second division showed up the gulf in the ability to deal with the greens, as Markku Tynell placed first some seven over handicap, with Danny Greer second one behind, Chuck Goranson in his last attempt, finally getting a mention in third another one behind him and Steve Singleton similarly leaving after his first mention for fourth place another one back.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Adrian Cook and Peter Skinner shared the first division pool.
Before the presentations were made there were welcome backs for Kevin Townsend and Barry Wellings together with farewells to Chuck Goranson, Gordon Graham and Steve Singleton.
Wednesday, Dec. 17, Plutaluang E & S – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Dick Heaney (12) 38pts
2nd Adrian Cook (13) 37pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer (14) 35pts
4th Terry Hodgkiss (24) 33pts
5th Markku Tynell (21) 32pts
Having been badly let down by Phoenix Gold, where the course reneged on an agreement to play for a green fee of 1,500 baht (without a compulsory cart) and then demanded 2,500 baht when the booking for the six groups was confirmed, a last minute change to one of the only available venues meant a reduction for each player of over 2,000 baht in the cost of the day when sharing a cart.
Dick Heaney & Markku Tynell.
Given that Plutaluang is not in quite as good a shape as Phoenix Gold it was still considered well worth the saving as the two nines played were very acceptable as the CSS for the day proved, leaving enough in the kitty for another day’s golfing at the usual standard costings, plus a bit of jingling.
Dick Heaney fortunately declared a four shot reduction in handicap prior to tee off, otherwise he would have been storming in at six under and in the event won by the slim margin of a single point ahead of Adrian Cook after he had returned a 17/21 card following a slow start, partially explained by the first two greens being particularly slow on the day. Adrian just failed to overtake him as he slipped slightly over the closing three holes and so had to settle for a commendable second place.
Trevor Schirmer had his second steady round of the week to take third spot a couple behind as Terry Hodgkiss just pipped Markku Tynell for fourth with a three-pointer on the last hole.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Adrian Cook took the first division pot, on his own this time.
Prior to the prize giving there was a welcome for Tony Leng together with welcome backs for Dick Heaney, Dave Hester and a farewell for Don Everett returning to Oz to carry out some boat maintenance.
Friday, Dec. 19, Greenwood A & B – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Philip Cass (18) 40pts
2nd Jens Gunnarsson (16) 36pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer (14) 33pts
4th Markku Tynell (21) 33pts
5th Adrian Cook (11) 33pts
6th Dan MacCarthy (22) 33pts
Having taken a vow of silence at home, Phil Cass let his clubs do the talking on the course as he swept to the head of the field, carding two level twenties without a blob in sight. His return included a four-pointer and seven threes during an excellent round that saw off his nearest challenger by four clear shots.
Jens Gunnarsson was the closest on level handicap but six singletons did his chances no good at all on a course that was playing fairly difficult, with the green staff having obviously had a bad night following which they were let loose on the pin positioning. But in all other respects both the greens and the rest of the course areas were in excellent condition as is now expected at this popular 27-hole course, no matter which nines are in play.
Trevor Schirmer took his third podium placement in the week after winning a four-way count back to claim third with a better 18 over the B course, leaving Markku Tynell, also a triple podium man, in fourth with 17.
Adrian Cook took fifth place when he won over the last six with a better 11 to 9 from Dan MacCarthy after they had taken 16 each from the back nine.
With the pins so hard to get near to, it was no surprise to find there were no 2’s in either of the divisions.
Back at The Haven there was a welcome back for Dr. Dan MacCarthy together with a special one from Trevor for Stephen Beard who had returned from his holidays and taking up the organisational duties once again.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 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 a 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.
