IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Sept. 3, Khao Kheow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Brian Libbey (9) 35pts
2nd Don Everett (22) 33pts
3rd Konrad Klama (25) 31pts
4th John Wood (23) 30pts
Khao Kheow has been getting quite a lot of negative reports lately but when the group from Soi 13 visited on Monday the feedback was mostly good. Even though the course is undergoing serious renovation work in readiness for the coming hoped for high season, all the ground is clearly marked as GUR and with a little astute use of the rules it has a very small, if any, affect on the golf round. But as usual the A and B courses were still quite tough to play.
Brian Libbey.
Brian Libbey had an outstanding week, starting with a win here with a steady round of seventeen out and coming back in eighteen to take a comfortable top spot by two from Don Everett, who had started well but faded over the closing holes.
Konrad Klama did enough to secure third place with a round that had promised much more as he stood on the thirteenth with twenty seven points, but managed just a meager four points from the last six holes.
John Wood, claiming to be have been freed from the shackles of his recent four-ball partnerships with Phil Stevenson, now that he has returned to the north of England to continue with his work in rebuilding the trade union movement in that country, and not having to search for his balls short of the red tees, had a slightly better return, although still some way short of where he would like to be, to finish in fourth place.
There were no ‘2’s in the second division but David Lowe stroked one in to take the first division pot.
Friday, Sept. 7, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Shuichi Kodaka (16) 38pts
2nd Brian Libbey (9) 36pts
3rd Al Keith (5) 34pts
4th Paul Taylor (19) 34pts
5th Lyle Blaw (11) 30pts
With the Wednesday being taken up with the IPGC Monthly Medals where Brian Libbey took third place in the first division, it was back to the standard format of play at the Emerald where there is also a great deal of work being done to the course, especially in front of the greens. Again the areas are all clearly marked as GUR but it would be better if they were roped off to allow for the re-growth to occur without the players tramping over the ground on route to the greens.
As usual the ‘lift and place’ in the fairways local rule was in place which afforded a much more pleasurable round for the competitors.
Shuichi Kodaka continues to enjoy a good run of form and took yet another win with a two under handicap return that will not unduly affect his handicap as the CSS for the day reduced to 71 to underline the playability of the course. Shuichi finished two ahead of Brian Libbey whose level handicap round ensured a third podium placing of the week and gave him a full set of 1,2,3 for the week.
Al Keith always manages to play steadily no matter the course being played and did so once again to take third place by winning the count back over Paul Taylor with a better 19 to 18, even with Paul birdying the par three fifteenth for four points.
Lyle Blaw rounded out the podium with another of those rounds that could have been so much better if he had been able to start a bit quicker after scoring just four points from the first four, he finished well but late.
Brian Libbey scored the lone 2 in the first division whilst Paul Taylor and Shuichi Kodaka shared the second division rollover pool.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome back for Mike Hill.
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 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 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.
