IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Sept. 14, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 75
1st Mark Lang (6) 32pts
2nd Patrick Carty (22) 28pts
3rd Bruce Hilde (16) 28pts
4th Lyle Blaw (9) 28pts
5th Mark Armstrong (25) 27pts
6th Jon Batty (7) 26pts
In a week that saw Pattaya and the surrounding areas inundated with torrential rain it was amazing that the group managed to play the three scheduled events, although there were a few less participants due to the banning or restrictions of carts on all the courses.
(L-R) Kevin Blake, Mark Lang and Hal Hart.
Monday was a prime example of the weather conditions at base bearing little resemblance to those on the course at tee off time. The group left in continuous rain but arrived to be greeted by sunshine, with the rain holding off until the last three holes when a stoppage had to be called due to really heavy rain and potential lightning.
Fortunately there was another group playing the course and starting from the first tee, whereas the Haven group set off from the tenth, as that helped to keep the day counting for handicap even though the CSS for the day moved out to 75 due to the heavy ground conditions.
Mark Lang made it a happy return to the group as he took the day’s top honour, albeit playing well below his normal level, but on a day when the rest of the field struggled to make headway it was good enough.
Patrick Carty won a three-way count back for second with a better 13 points from the last six as Bruce Hilde could manage just 12 to take third after the duo had tied the back nine on 16 apiece, and Lyle Blaw took fourth as he took 14 from the back nine.
Mark Armstrong placed fifth another shot back with Jon Batty collecting sixth place also another shot behind.
Unsurprisingly there were no 2s in either of the two divisions.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, Pattana A & B – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Hal Hart (19) 36pts
2nd Phil Cass (16) 34pts
3rd Bruce Hilde (16) 33pts
4th Markku Tynell (20) 31pts
Due to the condition of the course, which whilst being in surprisingly good condition was likely to be playing very long due to the overnight heavy rain, it was agreed to play from the shorter yellow tee positions which still provided a good test as the overall distance still ran to almost 6,500 yards.
Hal Hart followed up his previous excellent week with yet another win, to which he credited the acquisition of a new putter provided, at least at the outset, at no cost by one of the other members of the group and who now, following Hal’s successes, was considering asking for its return as it was making him a non-runner whenever Hal played.
As Hal had taken the day’s top step, Phil Cass was left with a well-deserved second place after he had a very good round even though playing over his handicap. This left Bruce Hilde once again in third place one point further back.
Markku Tynell rounded out the day’s shortened podium placings in fourth spot.
Once again there were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Friday, Sept. 18, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Kevin Blake (9) 39pts
2nd Phil Cass (16) 33pts
3rd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 31pts
4th Bruce Hilde (16) 28pts
Once again the field was depleted following the news that there would be no carts allowed at all on the course due to the general state, it being extremely wet in all of the playing areas and the course not having the benefit of cart paths all around the course.
Playing Eastern Star in the dry is always a tough assignment but taking it’s almost 6,600 yard on when it is extremely wet and offering zero run is almost a green too far for most players. But on this day when the wind was blowing strong one of them stood head and shoulders above the rest, playing three below his handicap and promising even more in the near future following a series of very beneficial lessons and a lot more practice into the bargain.
Kevin Blake was the newborn taking his first win for a little while and by a masterful margin of six shots ahead of the nearest rival. After starting out steadily with a level handicap opening nine he then followed up with a three-under closing nine for an excellent end result.
Phil Cass had to settle for second place once again after he had another steady but unspectacular day that unfortunately included two too many zero-pointers.
Shuichi Kodaka placed third another couple of points behind and Bruce Hilde fourth a further three back.
For the third time in the week there were no 2s in either of the two divisions.
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.
