IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Sept. 30, Plutaluang – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Trevor Schirmer (12) 31pts
2nd Mark Armstrong (25) 29pts
3rd Markku Tynell (23) 29pts
4th Shuichi Kodaka (17) 28pts
5th John Carlin (15) 27pts
6th Russell Gilroy (15) 27pts
Allen Raaen.
It had been some time since the group had visited the Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang but with the golf scheduler having made an error in booking Greenwood on the last Monday in the month, when everyone else knows they are always closed on that day, a last minute change saw the players find themselves being rescheduled to play the North and East courses in Sattahip.
It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise, even though the course was as wet as any other in the area during the current monsoon period, and the scores did not reflect the condition of the course which was generally quite good. All the contestants were happy with the day’s golf despite the CSS for the day going up to 75 and being non-counting for handicap.
Trevor Schirmer took first place following a solid even handicap opening nine that slowly went downhill thereafter. He finished with a sparse seven points from the last six on the East course but his start had been enough to see off the challengers, with the nearest being two shots adrift.
Mark Armstrong took a well deserved second place after winning a count back over Markku Tynell with a better 17 to 13 after taking just ten points from the final five holes as Markku could total just six.
Shuichi Kodaka, playing his last game before returning to Japan for a short holiday, slipped into fourth place one shot further back, which left John Carlin in fifth after he had also won a count back over Russell Gilroy with a better 13 to 12.
Unsurprisingly there were no 2’s in the second division but Trevor Schirmer added to his day’s haul with the only one in the first division.
Prior to the presentations there was a fond adieu for Shuichi Kodaka which he celebrated by buying a round for the bar.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Alwyne Burley (16) 31pts
2nd Markku Tynell (23) 30pts
3rd Brian Libbey (9) 29pts
4th Ole Stamnes (27) 29pts
5th George Hoskins (16) 28pts
Alwyn Burley.
Having missed out badly in the previous outing, by not playing, to take advantage of Hal Hart’s poor performance, Alwyne Burley turned in one of his better cards on a day when the conditions for good scoring were not at their best with the fairways offering little run and the rough about as high as it can get before it is considered jungle.
However, if the ball was kept on the fairly short stuff a reasonable game could be played, but with the course already one of the longest on the calendar it became a matter of survival for most as the CSS for the day once again went out to 75 to become non-counting for upward review.
Markku Tynell improved a place as he took his second podium of the week in second spot, one shot ahead of a count back for third between Brain Libbey and Ole Stamnes which was won by the former following a better back six of 10 to 9 after they had tied the nine on 16 apiece.
George Hoskins enjoyed his first outing as he finished on the podium in fifth another stroke behind them.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division and Trevor Schirmer had the only one in the first division.
Before the presentations were made there were welcomes for new members Wayne Farrell and George Hoskins visiting from Phuket for golf at more affordable prices, together with a welcome back from Norway for Ole Stamnes.
Friday, Oct. 4, Pattana A & B (yellow tees) – Stableford
1st Allen Raaen (8) 36pts
2nd Hal Hart (18) 32pts
3rd Markku Tynell (23) 31pts
4th Phil Groves (7) 29pts
5th Russell Gilroy (15) 29pts
Trevor Schirmer.
Once again the A course had been brought back into service after a short break for some renovations and the general opinion of the players was that it was a little too early, but there were some signs of improvement compared to the pre-closure conditions in most areas.
After two non-counting competitions due to the extreme wetness of the courses, another arduous day was anticipated by the group as they assembled at The Haven, which turned out to be not far from the end result as only the winner managed to play to handicap and indeed was the sole player to do so all week.
That man was Allen Raaen who was warming up in preparation for his forthcoming stag night and wedding in the near future.
He won in some style as well by four clear, with a card showing just one blemish when a plugged ball could not be found on the first par three which resulted in a blob, but thereafter a solid performance sealed yet another win for the always dependable Allen.
At least his efforts managed to stop the CSS going out further than to 74, a rise of just one whilst clipping a smidgen off his own handicap and allowing the rest of the field an upward movement.
Hal Hart returned a day late and, with Alwyne celebrating his win with a day off, took on another challenge from the hopeful Russell Gilroy, which ended with another celebratory meal as he took second place.
Markku Tynell claimed his third podium of the week with a solid third place ahead of a count back for fourth and fifth which was won by Phil groves over the hapless Russell Gilroy with a better 13 to 10.
There were no 2’s in the second division as the pot continued to swell but John Carlin had the only one in the first division to sweep the pool.
Back at The Haven there was a welcome for new member Stephen Donahue on a short visit from The USA.
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.
