IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, August 5, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 75NC
1st Paul Young (18) 31pts
2nd Don Everett (21) 30pts
3rd Markku Tynell (22) 28pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (13) 28pts
5th Mike Hill (20) 27pts
A very hard week of golf started at the always difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, Robert Trent Jones designed course at Ban Chang where, although the condition of the course was good, the wetness of the fairways meant that at 6,575 yards it was just too long for the contestants. The scores returned would prove this and the CSS moved out to 75 as the day became non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
Bruce Hilde.
The best of the day belonged to returnee Paul Young who had obviously forgotten how hard it was as he cruised to his first win out of Soi 13 by the slimmest of margins.
Don Everett was only just denied his next long awaited victory as he failed to score on the last hole when he looked a certain winner as a single point would have been sufficient after a count back.
Markku Tynell won a count back for third place over Trevor Schirmer with a better 17 to 14 which left Mike Hill in fifth another point further back.
There were no 2’s in the first division but very surprisingly with the course playing so hard there were 2 in the second division achieved by Markku Tynell and Paul Young.
Prior to the prize giving the two 2’s getters were mentioned with Paul Young being welcomed back and Markku Tynell given a farewell as he returns to Finland for some reindeer watching and annual round up amongst other things.
Wednesday, August 7, Pattana A & C (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Serge Straeten (15) 34pts
2nd Brian Johnson (19) 34pts
3rd Chris Bonython (9) 34pts
4th Phil Groves (7) 33pts
5th Alwyne Burley (15) 31pts
6th Ray Daws (19) 31pts
The day’s competition had been originally set for Khao Kheow, but following discussions with the course management regarding the situation with the A course, during which it was advised that the B course would not be in tip top condition until the end of the month following extensive renovation work, it was amicably decided to cancel the August fixtures and return in September to the twice monthly visits to this always popular destination.
Mike Dabanovich.
The new venue was settled as Pattana and after due consideration of the recent wet weather the day’s competition was set from the yellow tees, which just about proved to be a correct decision as the CSS for the day remained at the par of 73 with just three players making the standard.
Serge Straeten turned out for the second time in the month and took his second win after winning a three-way count back with the best score of 17 as he finished the C course very strongly, taking twelve points from the last five holes.
Just missing out with a count back of 16 over the inward half Brian Johnson was still pleased to be on the podium after a solid round. The most unfortunate of the top three had to be Chris Bonython who totaled just 13 after he had looked like the easy winner after fourteen holes with 32 points already in the bag, but then inextricably he took three zeros on 15, 16 and 17 until a steadying two-pointer on the last got him onto the podium, but it will be a long time before he will have a better chance of winning when in such a good position.
There were no 2’s in either division with the par threes playing at their hardest, with even the extremely short 105 yard second hole on the C course only giving up one par to the field as the wind played havoc with the high shots played into a difficult back right pin placing.
Friday, August 9, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 74
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Mike Dabanovich (13) 34pts
2nd Jon Batty (8) 32pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer (13) 30pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Bruce Hilde (16) 31pts
2nd Ray Daws (19) 28pts
3rd Eddie Mathews (28) 26pts
A good turnout meant that two divisions could be formed, with the cut coming at the usual 15 and below for the first division.
Paul Young.
After two very tough days on the courses earlier in the week, there were very few of the hopefuls that seriously thought that a day at the oldest course in the area would be much better and they were proved to be correct as once again the length and pin positions took their toll.
At just under 6,500 yards on the card it is not the longest course in the area, but with the tees set almost back to the blue positions on many of the tee boxes, it needed a very big hit from the tee to leave any chance of a lofted club into the green and the leader boards in both divisions reflected that requirement, with the biggest hitters leading both groups.
The first division was a slugfest between playing partners Mike Dabanovich and Jon Batty as they powered it around, but still neither could quite get the hang of the greens that were for once playing fairly slow compared with their normal standards.
Mike Dabanovich ran out the winner by two points, having dominated the front nine which even included a couple of zeros amongst five 3-pointers and then matched Jon’s back nine to consign him down to second place after his good showing, with two wins during his last couple of outings with The Haven.
Trevor Schirmer was the best of the rest in third spot another two behind.
The second division was taken by the big hitting Bruce Hilde, although he ran into trouble after reaching the greens without having the experience to know where the best place was to be prior to the first putt, but he eventually ran out a fairly easy winner by three points.
Serge Straeten.
Ray Daws had another solid round, although he also struggled to deal with the greens, finishing second while Eddie Mathew took his first podium position of the trip another two behind in third and very many others trailing in his wake.
Once again there were no 2’s in either division as again the par threes were playing very long and hard, with just a total of 12 pars being scored out of all the eighty chances with seven of those coming on the relatively easy second hole that was playing only 179 yards.
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 8.15 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.
