IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Jan. 5, Greenwood A & C – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0–11)
1st Alan Pilkington (7) 37pts
2nd Russell Exley (9) 36pts
3rd Mathew Badman (11) 35pts
Division 2 (12–16)
1st Mike Dabanovich (12) 38pts
2nd Alan Hanlon (14) 35pts
3rd Kevin Townsend (12) 34pts
Division 3 (17+)
1st Terry Hodgkiss (24) 38pts
2nd Hal Hart (20) 37pts
3rd Paul Magowan (25) 33pts
A very varied week that saw seven different winners started out on one of the group’s most popular courses where the A and C nines were the two in play. With the skies slightly overcast and with light winds it was a perfect day for golf and a large turnout of hopefuls required three divisions.
Adrian Cook, Alan Pilkington & Danny Greer.
The first division was headed by Alan Pilkington, who had been threatening to win since arriving nearly three weeks previously, but a few late nights conspired to delay the event until this occasion, his last outing before returning home to the UK. Russell Exley continued with his preparations for the IPGC Club Championships, due to start in the beginning of February, with another steady round that saw him into second place ahead of Mathew Badman a shot behind in third.
The second division belonged to Mike Dabanovich whose two under handicap was the equal best of the day and good enough by three for the win, which left Alan Hanlon in second and Kevin Townsend third after they had both played steadily.
Terry Hodgkiss had the other “best of the day” as he took the third division top spot by the narrowest of margins ahead of Hal Hart at one under in second place and Paul Magowan a little further back in third.
There were no 2’s in either of the divisions.
Before the presentations were made there were welcomes for new members Christer Andersson and Thomas Nilsson together with welcome backs for H.E. Patrick Scullion, George Pittam, Stephen Lewis, Geoff Potter, Steven Howard Mark Cooper, Martin Grimoldby and Brian Lewis, the latter promising to bring along his guitar one evening to entertain the crowd following the presentations. There was also a farewell for Alan Pilkington.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-14)
1st Adrian Cook (13) 37pts
2nd Alan Hanlon (14) 35pts
3rd Mathew Badman (11) 35pts
4th Russell Exley (9) 35pts
Division 2 (15+)
1st Danny Greer (25) 34pts
2nd Philip Cass (16) 32pts
3rd Hal Hart (20) 32pts
4th Paul Magowan (25) 29pts
A slightly smaller attendance at another of the regular courses, no doubt occasioned by the difference in green fees with Monday’s outing, some 450 baht, but still sufficient for two divisions. The course was found to be in excellent condition but very crowded as usual in the high season. The rounds progressed at a steady rate however to finish in just over four and a half hours as once again the weather played its part in making it another good day for golf.
Mike Dabanovich & Terry Hodgkiss.
Adrian Cook took the first division top spot by a clear two shots after a very good back nine at three under handicap, even slipping in a zero on the penultimate hole but three 3-pointers on the last four were enough to see him comfortably on the top step of the podium.
Alan Hanlon took his second consecutive runners-up place as he won a three-way count back with a better 18 to leave Mathew Badman (17) in third again and Russell Exley again showing well in fourth after he returned 16 following a strong opening nine holes.
The second division saw Danny Greer take the top step after he showed better than usual form in returning just one blank space on the card on his way to a two point win over Philip Cass. Philip in turn won a count back with a better 18 to 17 ahead of Hal Hart in third, which left Paul Magowan again in fourth spot another three behind them.
Once again there were no ‘2’s in the second division but Mike Dabanovich slotted in the sole one in the first division to sweep the pool; his drive on the 347 yard par 4 third hit the green and a two-foot putt from beside the hole did the rest.
Prior to the presentations there were welcome backs for Kenny Priddy and Stephen Beard as a player.
Friday, Jan. 9, Crystal Bay A & C – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0–16)
1st Trevor Schirmer (14) 38pts
2nd Bruce Kusyk (13) 35pts
3rd Mark Williams (6) 34pts
4th Dick Heaney (12) 30pts
Division 2 (15+)
1st Markku Tynell (22) 37pts
2nd Danny Greer (25) 32pts
3rd Philip Cass (16) 31pts
4th Brian Lewis (22) 30pts
Another reasonably priced course and one that is at last returning to the condition that was the norm in past times proved to be as popular as the previous competition, with two divisions again being required. However, with the course seemingly totally crammed, the rounds took almost five hours to complete.
Trevor Schirmer topped a very good day out with a win in the first division by three clear from Bruce Kusyk, who returned a couple of zero-pointers that probably cost him victory. Mark William was well in contention until the back nine when a couple of loose holes also cost him the chance of the win, but he still did enough for third, with Dick Heaney at last getting a mention again in fourth a few further behind.
Markku Tynell, having had a quiet week up to this point, easily took the top spot in the second division by five clear points after a steady day that included just the one hole without a score.
Danny Greer had another rare day in the sun as he claimed second place just one in front of Philip Cass, who had already claimed the long drive of the day after missing a turn-off on the way to the course. Brian Lewis rounded out the podium for the division another point behind after he finished strongly, promising better things for the future.
Trevor Schirmer scored the lone ‘2’ in the first division to sweep the pot but once again there were none in the second division and the rollover is getting to an amount almost too much to be left out of the safe.
Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Bruce Kusyk, Bubbles Davies and Bob Webb.
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.
