IPGC golf from The Haven
Friday, Dec. 27, The Emerald – Stroke-play
CSS 74
Division 1 (0–15)
1st Russell Exley (9) net 72
2nd Adrian Cook (13) net 75
3rd Kevin Townsend (12) net 76
Division 2 (16+)
1st Alwyne Burley (17) net 73
2nd Brian Randall (36) net 76
3rd Mick Lowe (16) net 76
The Emerald must surely be one of the toughest courses in the area over which to hold a stroke play competition and this was confirmed after a large field of two divisions, competing for the first medal in the 2014 series, returned just one score of par or better – a result that ensured the CSS for the day moved out to 74.
Alwyne Burley (left) & Allen Raaen.
Russell Exley was the sole player with a par score, a return that determined his handicap would return swiftly down after the recent rise and ensured that in 2014 he would again be contending for a Gold Medal. Russell led the first division in three clear of Adrian Cook in second place, with Kevin Townsend another shot back in third.
Dave Howden.
The second division was headed by Alwyne Burley, who also led by three, from Brian Randall in second and Mick Lowe in third after they had to be separated by a count back, which Brian won with a better 24 to 24.5 over the last six following a tie after nine on 39 apiece.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Kevin Townsend had the sole one in the first division.
The day was also the culmination of the year’s medal competitions with all the year’s winners competing for the Gold or Silver Medal in two divisions. The results of these are listed below.
First Division
Gold – Allen Raaen
Silver – Jon Batty
Second Division
Gold – Alwyne Burley
Silver – Mike Hill
Prior to the presentations of the prizes there were welcome backs for Kevin Blake, Gaute Moen, Mike Dabanovich and Johannes Murken.
Monday, Dec. 30, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Hal Hart (20) 37pts
2nd Mark Lang (8) 35pts
3rd Murray Frost (36) 34pts
4th Dick Heaney (15) 33pts
5th Bob Pratt (26) 33pts
6th Shane Heavey (19) 33pts
Peter Newham.
Bangpra was the venue for the last competition of the year and the course ensured that things went out with a bang by raising the prices to holiday rates without notice. The feeling of discontent this caused among the players was exacerbated by the mayhem that ruled on the course, with groups cutting in and the ensuing five and a half hour round will have ensured they have their card marked for the future by many of the day’s patsies.
Having started under a cloud that got bigger as the day progressed the only saving grace was the condition of the course, which was very good as the scores generally attested, allowing that the greens were as usual devilishly difficult from above the pin.
Hal Hart at last came back to form with a one under handicap win that was enough by two to see off the challenge of Mark Lang, who was in tip top form with his irons but suffered on most of the greens except the par threes.
Murray Frost played very steadily to lock up third spot ahead of a three-way count back for fourth between Dick Heaney, who won with a better 16, Bob Pratt in fifth after 14 on the back nine, and Shane Heavey in sixth with 13 points.
Murray Frost and Bob Pratt shared the rollover ‘2’s pot in the second division whilst Mark Lang made sure of the first division with one on each nine to sweep the pool.
Before the presentations were made there was a welcome back for Dick Heaney.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Dave Howden (14) 34pts
2nd Werner Pausch (18) 31pts
3rd Ulf Richardsen (12) 28pts
Perhaps organising a competition on New Year’s Day was a bit of wishful thinking but a least a few players turned out after they had been to bed early with earplugs in place.
Russell Exley.
Eastern Star has shown that once again it is well worth its place on any groups schedule, as the course and especially the greens have returned to being in a very playable condition following extensive renovations and careful maintenance.
Dave Howden turned in the best return of two over handicap, with Werner Pausch in second and Ulf Richardsen in third, and those that made the start all enjoyed the day except for the drive back from the course which was badly affected by the holiday traffic. But at least the day’s golf had been less expensive than on a non-holiday day earlier in the week.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Werner Pausch dropped one in to claim the second division pot.
Back at The Haven there were welcomes for new members Ulf Richardsen and Albin Wursch from Switzerland.
Friday, Jan. 3, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Peter Newham (20) 33pts
2nd Werner Pausch (18) 31pts
3rd Kevin Townsend (12) 30pts
4th Albin Wursch (17) 29pts
It was another hard day’s golf, at the always difficult Mountain Shadow layout which was originally designed for use by players with handicaps of 15 or less. The course was found to be in excellent condition but as usual the greens were where it was all won or lost, and at the end of the day most of the hopefuls had to settle for second best to the course.
Peter Newham topped the leader board with a three over return that owed much to a steady game from the tee and laying up rather than taking on the trouble in most cases, a strategy that left him the winner by two from Werner Pausch who could not get to terms with the greens but hung on to claim second spot.
Kevin Townsend did well, so he reported, on the par threes but dropped too many shots with wayward drives on the longer holes, however he did just enough for third place ahead by one from Albin Wursch in fourth whose inexperience of the course actually helped by him not realizing the hazards along the way.
The difficulty of the course was underlined with Kevin Townsend slipping in the only 2 in the first division and none in the second division.
At the prize presentations unusually there were no welcomes but there was a farewell for Peter Newham who was leaving on a high note with his win for the day.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 094 567 5726 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.
