IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, January 23, Rayong C.C. – Stableford
CSS 73
Division 1 (0–18)
1st Vance Millar (18) 37pts
2nd Warren Gallop (11) 34pts
3rd Paul Simpson (18) 33pts
Division 2 (19+)
1st Torild Lossius (36) 36pts
2nd Konrad Klama (24) 32pts
3rd Martin Hartley (24) 31pts
Due to a national holiday, Monday’s competition had been scheduled for Rayong where there was surprisingly little activity considering the extremely competitive pricing compared to the majority of the other courses in the area. The contenders were not disappointed with the general condition of the layout either, although as always the ball needed to be kept on the short stuff rather than the deep junglesque rough, as there was very little in between.
The rise in the CSS for the day underlined the difficulty of the course even with the weather and wind being particularly kind.
Vance Millar.
With a good turnout two divisions were required with the cut coming at an unusually high 18 in the first division. This was won by Vance Millar whose one under handicap easily took the day by three from Warren Gallop in second place. Paul Simpson slipped into third spot another shot back.
The second division was also a clear win for Torild Lossius, with a level handicap round, by four points ahead of Konrad Klama in second with Martin Hartley in third one behind.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Warren Gallop had the lone one in the first division to sweep the rollover pot.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed new member Mike Cahill and also welcomed back Karl Hnat, Davis Purkiss, Kelvin Hazell, Martin Hartley and Konrad Klama.
Torild Lossius.
Wednesday, January 25, Phoenix – Monthly Medals
Blue tees CSS 75
White and Red CSS 72
Division 1 (0–15)
1st Bob Lamond (5) net 73
2nd Rodney Hayes (12) net 75
3rd Alan Pilkington (9) net 75
4th Peter Sumner (8) net 77
Bob Lamond.
Division 2 (16+)
1st Alwyne Burley (18) net 68
2nd Tony Barritt (17) net 68
3rd Hal Hart (25) net 70
4th Stephen Beard (22) net 73
Ladies
1st Kristina Ulvio-Peltonen (11) net 75
2nd Brita Metzger (20) net 76
The monthly medals were extremely well supported this month, perhaps due to the change in the tees used in the second division after a decision to contest this year’s series for the end of year Gold and Silver Medals from the blue tees in the first division and the white tees in the second division. Whatever the reason, it was a record turnout with even a division for the ladies for the first time in several months.
The Ladies division consisted of ladies all from Finland who made a welcome addition to the day. They were led in by Kristina Ulvio- Peltonen, being followed by Brita Meztger in second with Leena Kopu and Paula Juutilainen sharing third.
The second division was headed by Alwyne Burley taking his second win in a s many weeks following a few tips from his long time playing pal, Rodney, and a different set of clubs, with an exceptional round of four under handicap but he was matched in the total by another fine round by Tony Barritt, his best for many a moon, and had to rely on a better count back of 32 to 35.5 with a terrific come back following a fairly ordinary outward half and Tony only able to improve slightly on his after a solid opening nine.
Hal Hart took third spot consigning Stephen Beard down to fourth as the latter took a triple bogey on the last hole which included a four putt, an almost unknown but just over par on a day that also included nine triples putts, which would have had Russell Finch rolling in the long grass ruing a missed opportunity.
Bob Lamond, playing in his last regular competition prior to his move upcountry, but hopefully not his last as he is expected to return back south on a regular basis for holidays, took the first division medal with an outstanding round of one over par net as the CSS for the day moved out to 75, clocking up a two stroke margin over the chasing pair of Rodney Hayes and Alan Pilkington. Rodney got the edge in the count back with a better 36 to 38 .5 after Alan slipped badly following a very nice first nine. Peter Sumner rounded out the podium for the division another two strokes behind them.
Prior to the prize giving there were welcomes for Brita Metzger, Kristina Ulvio-Peltonen, Leena Kopu, Paula Juutilainen, Keno Alatald, Kari Peltonen, Risto Kopu, Timo Tarvainen, Mikko Anttila, Heikki Vanninen, Ilkka Jarvinen, Antero Halminen, Jukka Koskela and Matti Juutilainen. There were also welcome backs for Stephen Brown and Bill Hurd.
Amazingly with so many players there were no 2’s in either of the divisions underscoring how difficult the day had been for most of the players.
Friday, January 27, Century Chonburi – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Alan Hanlon (12) 35pts
2nd Cliff North (21) 34pts
3rd Sekio Ojima (25) 34pts
4th Paul Hartley (19) 33pts
5th Warren Gallop (11) 32pts
The trip up the 331 has become quite an easy one, which bodes well for those courses that it serves and with plenty of signs that the management of the Century course are beginning to get to grips with the conditions of their course, although the clubhouse and changing facilities still need to be overhauled, that course at least should see the benefits of more players in the future.
Certainly most of the bunkers were in much better condition, almost negating the competition rule of ‘lift and place’ in them, and the rest of the course although a bit untidy in places is certainly worth the extremely low green fees and where a day’s golf including the caddy and sharing a cart amounts to just 500 baht.
As always when the play is scheduled to be played a little further away to the north than usual, a smaller group turned out but still enough to supply plenty of competition for the winner Alan Hanlon who took the top spot with a one point margin ahead of new member Cliff North.
Sekio Ojima took his first podium placing of this trip with third place after losing a count back with second man Cliff, following a worse back nine of 18 to 19.
Paul Hartley got a little edge back in the family tussle with Martin, taking fourth place in front of Warren Gallop.
Once again there were no 2’s in the first division but David Bowles made it a very happy farewell to Thailand as he swept the huge roll over pool in the second division and vowed to spend it wisely on his last night in Pattaya for a few months.
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.
