IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, January 16, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS75 non-counting
1st Vance Millar (17) 32pts
2nd Ole Stamnes (27) 31pts
3rd Alan Hanlon (12) 31pts
4th Brian Randall (36) 30pts
5th Rodney Hayes (12) 29pts
With a strong wind blowing from the outset it was not a very big surprise to find the scores at the end of the day were well below par; indeed so much below that the standard scratch score for the competition went out to 75 and the day became non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
Vance Millar, having already won the longest drive for leaving home without his clubs and having to go all the way back for them, started off driving well (as would be expected) and did enough to take his first win on this trip.
Brian Lewis.
Ole Stamnes had to keep at it till the end as he improved as the round progressed to take second place with a better count back of 11 to 10 over the last six to consign Alan Hanlon to third place after they had tied the back nine at 16 each.
Brian Randall also stayed the course well in fourth with Rodney Hayes strangely out of touch a further shot back in fifth place.
There were no 2’s in either of the divisions.
Wednesday,January 18,Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 73
Division 1 (0–18)
1st Warren Gallop (12) 36pts
2nd Alwyne Burley (18) 32pts
3rd Peter Sumner (9) 31pts
4th Bruce Kusyk (13) 31pts
Division 2 (19+)
1st Brian Lewis (20) 34pts
2nd Ole Stamnes (27) 32pts
3rd David Bowles (19) 30pts
4th Frithjof Kayser (25) 30pts
A large contingent set off for the always popular Bangpra layout with much trepidation as to what the day had in store following the results of the previous outing, with the weather still blowing players around and a much harder course to contend with if past experience was to be believed. The one big miss was Rodney Hayes who was away to the driving range for the second day in the hopes that his old expertise may return with some tweaks to the old swing, with the plan that three days should make a difference.
Vance Millar.
In the event the results were much better than expected with the first division being won by Warren Gallop carding a level handicap round, although it should be noted that it was four better than the best of the chasing division, which underlined the quality of the result.
Alwyne Burley was the best of the chasers taking second place, with Peter Sumner taking third by virtue of a winning count back against Bruce Kusyk with a better 17 to 14.
The second division was a much closer affair with Brian Lewis getting back into the limelight once again with a solid two over handicap round. It has been a long time since Brian played lead guitar on tour in Japan in the 1970’s with the reconstituted Shadows alongside Hank Marvin and the boys, and although the applause was not quite as loud it was still much appreciated, but sadly no amount of coaxing could get Brian to perform a reprise for the fans.
Ole Stamnes again took second place following two behind as David Bowles, having cleaned out his playing partners, claimed third with a better count back of 9 to 8 on the back six after Frithjof Kayser had halved the inward nine at 15 each.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Bruce Kusyk slipped one in for the first division spoils which included a roll over.
Before presenting the prizes Stephen Beard welcomed back Kare Lunde, Paul Simpson, Peter Sumner, Warren Gallop, Sekio Ojima, David Bowles, John Berry and Andy Harrison.
Friday, January 20, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Serge Straeten (17) 38pts
2nd Vance Millar (17) 35pts
3rd Sekio Ojima (24) 34pts
4th Rodney Hayes (12) 34pts
5th Leif Lossius (30) 34pts
At last the wind abated for the trip just up the road to Pattaya Country Club and there was a marked difference in the scores returned right across the board; so much so that the CSS went down to 71 although scoring still remained difficult enough that only one player managed to equal or better par.
That was Serge Straeten, who is seen less frequently since his move over the hill to Jomtien, but is well appreciated for his “bon homie” when he arrives. His two under handicap was easily the best of the day, with the in-form and much travelled Vance Millar taking second place three back.
Sekio Ojima slipped on to the podium with the best of a three-way count back over Rodney Hayes and Leif Lossius, which he won with 19 points on the inward half as Rodney, still not quite back to form after a many hours honing the blunt instrument, was in fourth with 18 and Leif in fifth with 15.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Serge Straeten brought back some memories as he sunk a very short one to sweep the second division which included a few rollovers. The last time Serge faced a short one to sweep a huge rollover pool which stood in excess of 7k, one of his playing partners reminded him of the prize, ensuring that he missed from around 15 inches (40 cm), in fact not even touching the hole. Fortunately this time his partners were unaware of the pool size as they were playing their first rounds on their trip.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome back for Alan Bridges.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 082 219 0965 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 8.30 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
