IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Nov. 23, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Darryl Kellett (14) 33pts
2nd Markku Tynell (22) 32pts
3rd Phil Cass (15) 31pts
4th Gus Guidetti (14) 31pts
5th Carl Vanderputt (22) 30pts
The long trek to Treasure Hill is well worth the effort as both the current total cost for green fee, caddy and golf cart is a great deal at 1,050 baht and the course is in A1 condition. The only caveat would be, do not expect to find an easy course even when playing from the yellow tees at just under 6,400 yards, but it will be enjoyable all the same as it must be rated as one of the most picturesque courses in the area.
Darryl Kellett.
As usual even the better players found the test a tough which was evidenced with the CSS going out to 75 and non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
Darryl Kellett had the best of the day and even with just three points from the very difficult closing three holes it still proved good enough for the top step.
Markku Tynell did remarkably well considering that he totted up five zeros going round and still finished just one behind in second place.
Phil Cass won a count back for third with a better 6 to 3 over the last three after he had tied the nine on 17 and the six on 10 with Gus Guidetti, which left Carl Vanderputt in fifth another point adrift.
There were no 2s in the first division but amazingly there were three in the second division, all on the very difficult 13th and scored by Markku Tynell, Shuichi Kodaka and Fumiaki Matsuura.
Wednesday, Nov. 25, Khao Kheow B & C (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 74
1st Fumiaki Matsuura (17) 34pts
2nd Frank Hughes (17) 32pts
3rd Shuichi Kodaka (17) 32pts
4th John Carlin (19) 29pts
5th David Ross (10) 28pts
6th Phil Cass (15) 28pts
After the trials of the previous event there were not many looking forward to another hard round at the always difficult Khao Kheow, with rain forecast to add to the prospects for the day. In the event, the rain held off and the course was found to offer a fair amount of run in the fairways while the greens were at their best, although a little slower than usual.
Fumiaki Matsuura.
Again none of the hopefuls could match their handicaps with just the winner making the standard, which saw the CSS again move up, but this time just two.
Fumiaki Matsuura showed the rest the way home with a solid round and but for a couple of zeros would have been streets ahead while taking his first win from Soi 13.
Frank Hughes won a count back for second place, beating Shuichi Kodaka with a better 16 to 13 after the latter had looked a potential winner after the opening nine but a poor finish over the closing six holes finished his chances.
John Carlin stumbled into fourth place one ahead of a count back for fifth which David Ross won with a better 14 to 11 after Phil Cass, who had seemed to be a serious contender after nine, slipped and took just four from the last five holes.
Once again Fumiaki Matsuura had to share the ‘2’s pot in the second division but this time only with Frank Hughes, whilst David Ross cleared out the rollover pool in the first division with a stunning three-footer.
It was a welcome relief for David, aka in Ipswich as ‘Dubya’, who has been struggling with his game that at one time won him the Taine Club Championship back in 1974.
Friday, Nov. 27, Pattaya C.C. – Monthly Medal
CSS 71
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Matthew Callaghan (12) net 72
2nd Jens Gunnarsson (12) net 73
3rd David Ross (10) net 73
4th Phil Cass (15) net 73
Division 2 (16+)
1st John Carlin (19) net 73
2nd Vincent Gras (18) net 78
3rd Markku Tynell (22) net 80
4th Arthur Todd (19) net 80
Another successful Medal Day at the newly renovated course saw a very close finish in the first division, with four players all in contention for the top spot over a well presented layout in good condition. It finally went to Matthew Callaghan with a level par score off his 12 handicap, just one ahead of a three-way count back for the second qualifying spot in the Gold and Silvers.
John Carlin.
Jens Gunnarsson came through to take second place with a very good net 35 on the back nine to leave David Ross in third with 36 and Phil Cass in fourth with 37.5.
The second division was a very different affair with John Carlin leading the rest of the group in by five clear strokes to take his second medal consecutively, with Vincent Gras also qualifying in second.
There was also a three-way count back for third which Markku Tynell won with a net 43 from Arthur Todd fourth with a net 44.5 and a sad Mike Hill, who went out in three under handicap but then slumped to 14 strokes worse on the inward nine, in fifth.
There were no ‘2’s in the second division but Gus Guidetti slipped in the lone one in the first division to scoop the pot.
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.
