IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, March 20, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Mark Williams (8) 29pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (17) 28pts
3rd Keith Emerson (12) 27pts
4th Danny Miller (7) 24pts
5th Allan Hanlon (13) 24pts
Although the course was in very reasonable condition, a sudden of heavy rain storm accompanied by thunder and lightning in the early part of the round held up play and played havoc with the scores, with the course allowing zero run in the fairways and no chance of running up to greens.
Mark Williams had the best of a very sad bunch of cards at seven-over handicap, which was good enough to take the win ahead of Shuichi Kodaka, who was wondering why he had returned from a nice dry but freezing holiday to score so badly for second spot.
Keith Emerson struggled into third place as Danny Miller, having won a count back over Allan Hanlon with a better 12 to 11, took fourth to leave Allan in fifth.
To underline the difficulties that the players had faced during their day, the CSS moved to become non-counting for upward handicap adjustments.
Mark Williams had the sole 2 in the first division while there were none in the second division.
Wednesday, March 22, Pattana B & C – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Mark Williams (8) 37pts
2nd Larry Gibb (21) 36pts
3rd Mike Hill (21) 33pts
4th Mark Cooper (11) 33pts
5th John Carlin (19) 32pts
6th Andrew Purdie (6) 32pts
A much better day was in prospect for the twice-fortnightly trip to Pattana where the group were met at the entrance with respectful wais and escorted to check in and on through to the luxurious changing area. As always the course was found to be in tip-top shape, which the players and scores confirmed, but the day had a sting in the tail which curbed most of the scoring over the last three holes as it started to bucket down, but fortunately without any attendant lightning.
Mark Williams, making his last appearance with the group, set the pace as he at last came into some semblance of his usual form, adding another win in the week. Again it was by the slimmest of margins, this time consigning Larry Gibb into second place with both of them well ahead of the chasing pack and markedly, both playing in the first two groups that suffered the least from the conditions later in the rounds.
Mike Hill won a count back for third over Mark Cooper with a better 17 to 13 and John Carlin took fifth after he had also won a count back against Andrew Purdie, in sixth, with a better 16 to 15.
The green-keeper had managed to hide all the par three pins, even the dinky 2nd hole on the C course, and so there were no 2s on the day.
Friday, March 24, Pattaya C.C. – Monthly Medals
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Andrew Purdie (6) net 74
2nd Kevin Blake (6) net 75
3rd Allan Hanlon (13) net 76
Division 2 (16+)
1st John Carlin (19) net 68
2nd Mark Armstrong (25) net 72
3rd Greg Gawron (16) net 73
Once again the monthly medals were held at Pattaya Country Club where the condition of the recently renovated back-nine continues to improve and with the course usually offering a good deal of run and good lies in the fairways, it is fast becoming a favourite of many of the regulars in the group. And from next month the green fees will reducing by 50% to make it an even more attractive proposition for the players.
Andrew Purdie added a second medal to his tally for the year after returning the best card in the first division, while Kevin Blake ensured his position in the end of year Gold & Silver competitions with his second place, just denying Allan Hanlon by a single stroke.
John Carlin, having already qualified in a second place, went one better with his first win of the year after he had an outstanding four-under handicap round, just one short of his best score at the same course earlier in the year.
Mark Armstrong made sure of his entry in second place with a level handicap round just one ahead of Greg Gawron in third. He was closely followed by Chris Ross who had a very tidy net 74 to just miss out on the podium.
