IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Dec. 22, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 73
Division 1 (0-13)
1st Mathew Badman (12) 36pts
2nd Adrian Cook (13) 31pts
3rd Kevin Blake (8) 29pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Hal Hart (20) 37pts
2nd Philip Cass (16) 36pts
3rd Jens Gunnarsson (16) 29pts
Once again the course, although in very good condition, took its toll on the hopefuls and with the wind blowing very hard, just three players were able to make the standard of within two of handicap, which saw the CSS move out to 73.
Allan Hanlon & Philip Cass.
Mathew Badman led in the first division by five clear shots, even having had two blank holes in a front nine of seventeen points, but he still managed to accumulate five three-pointers and a four-pointer to easily run out the winner on his return to Pattaya. Adrian Cook was the closest but too many zeros ruined his day as presumably the previous nights activities kicked in on the back nine. Kevin Blake was happy enough to take third as many others failed to get to grips with the course.
The second division was headed by Hal Hart, now refreshed after his travels to the New World, and able for once to keep the zeros at bay on his way to the best of the day and the win. Philip Cass, whose silent play is paying big dividends, locked up second place with a strong closing half of three under handicap to finish level as Jens Gunnarsson slipped into third, even though he carded four blobs in the round.
Prior to the prize giving there was a welcome back for John Teague and a farewell for Peter Skinner who was preparing to travel on Christmas Day to inspect his International Property Portfolio and for some winter nesting.
Mathew Badman & Hal Hart.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Jens Gunnarsson and Wilf Wellman (yes the Wilf Wellman from Canada) shared the multi roll over pool in the second division.
Before the presentations were made there was a welcome for new member Bill Almeida together with welcome backs for Mike Dabanovich, Alan Pilkington, Mike Korney and Mathew Badman.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-14)
1st Mark Williams (6) 38pts
2nd Alan Griffiths (12) 37pts
3rd Alan Pilkington (7) 35pts
4th Peter Skinner (10) 34pts
Division 2 (15+)
1st Vincent Gras (18) 31pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 31pts
3rd Brendan Dunne (28) 31pts
4th Russell Gilroy (16) 31pts
Once again the wind blew hard, which particularly affected the second division as their scores reflected, although with a sufficient number of the first division making the standard, the CSS for the day remained at 72.
Mark Williams just edged the first division by the slimmest of margins ahead of Alan Griffiths and if it had not been for a zero-pointer on both nines on the opening holes, Alan may well have taken his first win out of the Haven for some considerable time as he used his “local knowledge” to good effect.
Mark Williams & Vincent Gras.
Alan Pilkington overcame some serious handicaps brought on by the overzealous application of fluids the previous evening to take third, with Peter Skinner signing off with a podium placing in fourth.
The second division ended in a four-way count back for the whole podium with Vincent Gras staggering out the winner with 16 on the last nine. Shuichi Kodaka placed second with 10 on the last six, Brendan Dunne, taking his first prize mention, third with 9, and Russell Gilroy fourth with 8 after the latter three had tied the nine on 13 each.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Peter Skinner filled up his piggy bank in readiness for his seasonal visits to Europe and Canada by slipping in the only one in the first division and pocketing the swollen rollover pot.
Friday, Dec. 26, Khao Kheow A & C – Monthly Medals
CSS 73
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Alan Hanlon (14) net 74
2nd Mark Williams (6) net 74
3rd David Hester (7) net 78
Division 2 (16+)
1st Philip Cass (16) net 76
2nd Mike Hill (21) net 80
3rd Al Rolnik (20) net 81
The Monthly Medals were played over the A & C courses with the wind even stronger than during the previous two events, which drove the CSS for the day out to 73, with just two players making the mark.
Alan Hanlon took the first division after winning a count back with a better 36 to 37 over pre-event favourite Mark Williams on the C course, even allowing for a triple on the 16th hole. The quality of their golf was underlined by the third placed David Hester being another four shots adrift and the rest of the division scoring in the eighties at best.
The second division was taken by the inform Philip Cass and although his score was not one of his best it was enough by four to get his name on another Monthly Medal.
Mike Hill just took second place after dropping in a ten and a couple of eights but had enough pars and bogeys to push Al Rolnik down into third spot as the latter struggled to get on terms over the closing holes.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Mark Williams went someway to making up with his disappointment in the main competition when he achieved the sole one in the first division, unfortunately, with Peter Skinner already starting to go through the bounty from the previous event, the cupboard was pretty bare and it had needed several reminders to the scorer’s table to get even that.
Annual Gold &
Silver Medals
Division 1
Gold – lan Hanlon
Silver – Trevor Schirmer
Division 2
Gold – Phil Cass
Silver – Mike Hill
In conjunction with the Monthly Medals at Khao Kheow on Friday, as usual, the play offs for the Annual Medals were being vied for, with all winners from the previous year medals qualifying to compete.
As always there were a few non appearances, as not all qualifiers were available to play, but those that were, were keen to add the most prestigious title to their records.
The first division went to the month’s medal winner Alan Hanlon after he had qualified in the January event, with the Silver going to Trevor Schirmer after he had qualified in September.
The second division Gold also went to the December monthly winner as Phil Cass continued his run of form, he having qualified in August, and the Silver went to Mike Hill after he had taken the May Medal.
Due to the unavailability of some qualifiers this year (only half the total in each division) and previous years, it has been decided that future qualifiers will be the first two from each division in the monthly medals.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 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 8.15 on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
