IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, August 31, Pattavia – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Mike Armstrong (18) 36pts
2nd Lyle Blaw (10) 34pts
3rd Don Everett (20) 28pts
4th Markku Tynell (19) 28pts
5th Ray Daws (14) 27pts
It was a very good day’s golf at this much improved venue where the course was found to be in better shape than it had ever been found previously. Even the greens were much improved and eminently playable, being a little slower generally although still quite quick down grain. The fairways have always been good here and now the secondary cut is also very good, making the whole experience very enjoyable, especially when consideration is also given to the competitive pricing, which at 1,550 including golf cart plus 3 bottles of water, one Chang beer and a packet of cashew nuts is excellent value.
(From left) Rod Crosswell, Mike Armstrong.
Mike Armstrong had been threatening to show his real ability as soon as he could get accustomed to the local conditions and this day saw it come to fruition as he took the top step of the podium with a solid level handicap round. This came despite starting both nines with a wipe, but a very strong last eight holes over which he scored an excellent twenty one points, saw him home by two.
Lyle Blaw, having just hit town, was straight into the groove taking second place with a solid two over handicap round that owed a lot to the last three holes on the front nine from which he amassed ten points.
Don Everett won a count back for third from Markku Tynell, returning a better 15 to 13, and Ray Daws took fifth another shot behind them.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Lyle Blaw added to his reputation and made it a happy return with the sole one in the first division.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, Pattana B & C – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Rod Crosswell (16) 38pts
2nd Allan Flynn (11) 37pts
3rd Stephen Beard (24) 36pts
4th Barry Winton (7) 36pts
5th Steve Bickle (16) 33pts
The regular once a fortnight visit to Pattana was set on this occasion for the B and C courses and when starting from B1 it is always a stiff challenge; straight from the changing rooms, with water right and left and about two hundred yards to the fairway. Two points can be considered almost a birdie by any level of handicap with one or zero being the standard.
The first hole was not made any easier when the organizer foolishly started the groups off from the white tees before realizing the error and adjusting the competition to be from the yellows for the rest of the round and thus avoiding the certain hail of brickbats at the post match gathering for a course playing well over 6,700 yards.
Again the courses were found to be in great condition with the fairways worthy of special mention and the greens flat and true and a real pleasure to putt on.
Prison officer Rod Crosswell took the first of his two wins in the week with a very good two under handicap round, finishing in style with a birdie on the last hole for four points.
Allan Flynn always enjoys his golf with the group and usually figures in the prizes, which he did again with a well-earned second place just a stroke behind after he had notched up a fairly standard blob on the first hole.
Stephen Beard won a count back for third place over playing partner Barry Winton with the help of a couple of four-pointers included in a better 20 to 16, but having followed them with a zero he fell out of the chase to the top.
Steve Bickle returned to take fifth spot with a round that was a bit of a curate’s egg, being good in places and bad in too many others, but he did enough to keep the rest of the field well back.
Special mention needs to be made of Phil Cass’s eagle on the par five twelfth hole after he single putted for four points without a stroke following two magnificent strikes to the green.
Allan Flynn had the sole 2 in the first division whilst Stephen Beard cleaned out the second division rollover pot with what he was told by his playing partners was “a lucky chip-in”, he being some feet below the hole and unsighted at the time. His golf coach however disagreed saying, “it was the weight distribution to the front foot that had made all the difference.”
Friday, Sept. 4, Crystal Bay – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Rod Crosswell (16) 37pts
2nd Steve Bickle (16) 36pts
3rd Brian Mitchell (14) 34pts
4th Mike Hill (19) 34pts
5th Phillip Cass (16) 34pts
6th Bruce Hilde (16) 32pts
Rod Crosswell took his second and last win of this visit with another under handicap round, again winning by a single point after again slipping in a four-pointer but also a zero on this occasion as he pushed Steve Bickle into second place. Steve had made all the running until the seventeenth hole on which he failed to score and so had to settle for second spot.
Brian Mitchell made a return to competitive golf after a hiatus of several years, having been convinced to renew his acquaintance with an actual course by his playing partner Barry Winton. Brian showed that even at eighty years of age he can still play a fair bit as he won a count back for third with a better 13 on the back six, which left Mike Hill in fourth with 12 and Phillip Cass in fifth with 11 after they had all tied the back nine on 17 each.
Bruce Hilde took the last step of the podium a couple of more points behind as many of the others faded in the abnormally hot and humid conditions that prevailed throughout the rounds.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Rod Crosswell capped off a good day with the sole one in the second division and ensured that his pockets would be jingling on the journey back to Oz.
Back at The Haven there was farewell for Rod Crosswell, going back to check the locks on all the doors at his workplace.
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.
