IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Feb. 23, Crystal Bay A & C – Stableford
CSS 71
Division 1 (0–14)
1st Trevor Schirmer (14) 38pts
2nd Mark Williams (7) 38pts
3rd Mauricio Guidi (12) 37pts
Division 2 (15-20)
1st Walter O’Keefe (15) 40pts
2nd Hal Hart (20) 36pts
3rd Mike Korney (19) 35pts
Division 3 (21+)
1st Steven Howard (32) 37pts
2nd Mike Hill (22) 36pts
3rd Benny Hansen (26) 35pts
After a mix up on arrival at Mountain Shadow, where the course did not have a booking for the group but did have one at their sister course Crystal Bay, it took several minutes to return all the green fees and other charges and organise the drive through to Crystal Bay and tee off some forty minutes late, after which the day moved swiftly and the leading group returned to the clubhouse in just over four hours.
Mark Williams and Patrick Scullion.
The course has been much improved with the greens in particular a lot better than in the recent past and the clubhouse and changing facilities are showing a marked improvement, making it once again a popular venue for the group.
With a large turnout three divisions were required with the first division cut at 14. Trevor Schirmer came home at two under to top the first division, winning the count back with an incredible 23, some four better than second placed man Mark Williams. They were both one in front of another count back for third that Mauricio Guidi won with a better 20 to 18, leaving Phil Cass in fourth.
The second division was taken by usual suspect Walter O’Keefe with a four under return that will ensure that he will be playing from a much lower index next week, as he won by four clear from Hal Hart, with Mike Korney again showing well in third another point behind.
The third division was flattened by Steven Howard, as he had his best round since that heady week in January 2010 when he bettered his handicap three times in the week, as he scored 20 points on the back nine to win by one from Mike Hill, with Benny Hansen one more away in third.
John Hayes sank the only ‘2’ in the second division, while Rick Groebel made off with about two thirds less with his lone one in the first division.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0–17)
1st Walter O’Keefe (15) 39pts
2nd Peter Skinner (11) 37pts
3rd James Hawley (0) 34pts
4th Mark Williams (7) 34pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Patrick Scullion (23) 36pts
2nd Frank Hughes (19) 35pts
3rd Vincent Gras (18) 32pts
4th Trevor Edge (21) 32pts
A much smaller group than the previous outing for the trip to Green Valley, no doubt reflecting the difference in costs between the two courses, but still sufficient to need two divisions this time cut at 17 and below for the first division. This was led in by Walter O’Keefe, underlining the need for an adjustment to his handicap as he again went three under the CSS for the day, winning by two from Peter Skinner and five ahead of a count back between James Hawley and Mark Williams which James won with a better 13 to 12 over the last six.
The second division was taken by the now rampant Patrick Scullion with his best round of the tour, a point up on Frank Hughes, with Vincent Gras in third having won a count back over Trevor Edge with a better 18 to 16.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Peter Skinner and Walter O’Keefe shared the first division pool.
Friday, Feb. 27, Pattana B & C – Monthly Medal
Division 1 (0–15)
(White tees)
1st Mark Williams (7) net 73
2nd Trevor Schirmer (14) net 78
3rd Walter O’Keefe (15) net 78
4th Barry Winton (6) net 82
Division 2 (16+)
(Yellow tees)
1st Patrick Scullion (23) net 70
2nd Brendan Dunne (29) net 72
3rd Jens Gunnarsson (16) net 74
4th Mike Korney (19) net 74
On a normal day there were enough players again for three divisions, but the Monthly Medals are always contested in two divisions with the cut at 15 and below for the first division, with this year both the first and second finishers in each division qualifying for the end of year Gold and Silver Medals.
The first division was claimed by Mark Williams, at last getting to the top step and by the considerable margin of five strokes as the severity of the course from the white tees struck down the rest of the division, with Trevor Schirmer becoming the second qualifier after winning a count back over Walter O’Keefe with a better 39 to 44.5, which left Barry Winton in fourth another four shots adrift.
H.E. Patrick Scullion rounded off a great week of golf to win his first ever medal after fifteen years of trying with his best score in Thailand since 2008. Brendan Dunne qualified in second place two behind the winning score, with Jens Gunnarsson scoring a fantastic net 34 on the back nine to win a count back over Mike Korney in fourth, by three and a half strokes.
Unsurprisingly there were no 2’s in the first division but Brendan Dunne and Mark Ward had one each in the second division to share the rollover pot.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 or call in to The Haven Hotel, 185 Soi 13, situated 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. If you would like to leave your golf clubs at The Haven there are usually lockers available at a nominal charge. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
