IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, June 15, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Keith Emerson (11) 38pts
2nd John Carlin (20) 33pts
3rd Philip Cass (15) 32pts
A very tough week of golf started out at the completely renovated Pattaya Country Club where the brand new clubhouse and changing facilities are drawing a lot of positive comments. Unfortunately the newly renovated back nine still needs some time before it will considered by most as a good track, but with an exceptionally attractive green fee it is fast becoming one of the group’s favourite courses. In spite of the second half it still proved to be easiest of the three courses played during the week.
(L-R) Keith Emerson Neil Skilton and Shuichi Kodaka.
Keith Emerson made it all seem deceptively easy as he cruised round in two under handicap to lead the rest of the field in by a clear five shots to win in his first outing with the group for three months. Perhaps the night shift on the Japanese driving ranges is reaping some rewards?
John Carlin, almost unbelievably, took second place as he found the going hard and with, as usual, little help from his caddy. Philip Cass took third place just one more behind following a poor run over the last few holes.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Keith Emerson slotted in the sole one in the first division to sweep the brimming pot.
Before the presentations there were farewells for Vincent Gras, Bob Pratt, Mick Lowe and Marty Garnet, all of whom were travelling across the Gulf to Hua Hin competing along with another 700 or so hopefuls, in the Centara World Masters over four days over four different courses. It was to be hoped that tournament organizers would have a good control of the handicap situation with players arriving from all over Asia to compete.
It is proposed that there will be another in the Pattaya area in October, so many will be watching for the results with great interest.
Wednesday, June 17, Khao Kheow A & B (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 74
1st Neil Skilton (7) 34pts
2nd Hal Hart (21) 32pts
3rd Philip Cass (15) 31pts
4th Walter Panichi (1) 31pts
5th Keith Emerson (11) 26pts
The usual fortnightly trip to Khao Kheow also proved to be a tough day for the hopefuls, so much so that the CSS for the day went out to 74 which was surprisingly high considering that the A8 hole had been reduced to a par 4 following renovations to the tee area and the par for the course reduced to 71. But it certainly played to its most difficult degree as the CSS proved.
Neil Skilton was the sole player to make the standard of “within two of handicap” and thus saved the day for the rest of the field’s rises in handicap. Hal Hart meanwhile took second place following a round that included a very good back-nine of level handicap.
Philip Cass won a count back for third place with a better 18 to 17 over, the lowest handicapper of the day, Walter Panichi, who had found that A8 was even tougher from the forward tees, as it had brought the whole of the OB into play off the tee and he eventually had to record a scratch for the hole.
Keith Emerson took fifth place after a round that bore little resemblance to his winning one and may have owed a lot to the severity of his inspection regime in the meantime.
In keeping with the severity of the course there were no 2’s in either division.
Friday, June 19, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Shuichi Kodaka (16) 32pts
2nd Keith Emerson (11) 28pts
3rd Markku Tynell (22) 28pts
4th David Grist (11) 28pts
5th Philip Cass (15) 26pts
The last outing of the week was the toughest by far, as the group were fortunate to play the course as it was in the final stages of its preparation for the upcoming Singha Open series event, with the rough extremely rough and the greens fast but very fair, and with some of the pin positioning to be found in some very strange places. The upshot was a CSS of 75 and a non-counting day for upward review of handicap.
Shuichi Kodaka had one of his steady days when everything went smoothly but still the best he could achieve was a four over handicap round, which still proved good enough by four clear strokes to win.
Keith Emerson took his third podium finish of the week in second place after winning a three-way count back with the best 16 points from the back nine, which left Markku Tynell in third as he scored 15 and David Grist in fourth with 13. Phil Cass also got his third mention in the week in fifth another two behind the count back.
Once again there were no 2’s in either of the divisions and truth to be told very few 3’s either.
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.
