IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, March 10, Crystal Bay A & B – Stableford
CSS 74
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Mark Williams (8) 35pts
2nd Terry Martin (14) 33pts
3rd Takeshi Hakozaki (10) 33pts
4th Pat Prendeville (15) 30pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Dennis Odgers (21) 38pts
2nd John Teague (21) 35pts
3rd Mike Armstrong (19) 35pts
4th Don Everett (19) 33pts
The first visit of the month to play the A and B courses at Crystal Bay was an improvement from the last visit in as much as the greens were in much better shape, being flatter with less bounces over unrolled spike marks from previous days play, and so the scores were marginally better. The course generally has benefitted from the increase in attention from the green staff.
Dave Howden and Mike Armstrong.
Two divisions were the order of play for the day with the cut coming at 15 and below for the first division. This was led home by Mark Williams by two clear even having slumped over the last five holes, gleaning just six points, but he had done enough earlier to ensure the win. Returning member Terry Martin slipped into second place after winning a count back over Takeshi Hakozaki, the latter having failed to take advantage of his home course knowledge, with a better 17 to 14. Pat Prendeville took fourth place another three behind them.
The second division was won by another returnee, Dennis Odgers, whose two under handicap return proved to be easily the best of the day as he swept round without a zero-pointer on the card, which ensured a very steady round and the win by three ahead of the chasing pack. John Teague and Mike Armstrong fought it out over the back nine for second place, with John just edging it with 17 to Mike’s 14, to leave Don Everett in fourth another two back.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Bas Coleman and Mark Williams had one each in the first division to share the pot.
Prior to the prize presentations there were welcome backs for Michael Cutmore, Terry Martin, Dennis Odgers and Frank Hughes.
Wednesday, March 12, Greenwood B & C – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0–16)
1st Dave Howden (14) 35pts
2nd Neville Duncan (10) 34pts
3rd Allen Raaen (7) 33pts
4th Martin Harrington (11) 33pts
Division 2 (17+)
1st Mike Armstrong (19) 37pts
2nd Don Everett (19) 35pts
3rd Frank Hughes (18) 33pts
4th Frank Dunstan (24) 32pts
Another two-division day, but with the cut coming at 16 and below for the first division, as the group took on one of the best conditioned courses in the area, playing possibly the hardest of the two nines. The wind also played a big part, ensuring that the scores were lower than usual with the best of the day being one under handicap, and with only one player managing to equal or better par for the day it was surprising that the CSS stayed at 72.
Dennis Odgers and Mark Williams.
Mike Armstrong went two better than in his previous event by winning the second division with the best of the day, to underline the old adage “beware the injured golfer”. He swung shorter and slower to protect his strained back and recorded his second best round in a row during this trip. Don Everett was again in contention, taking second place two behind and two ahead of Frank Hughes in third. Frank Dunstan clambered onto the podium with a well rounded card that suffered only from a slip over the last three holes as he took just three points to fall out of contention for a higher placing.
The first division saw Dave Howden at the top as he saw off the close challenge of Neville Duncan by a single point after he had started exceptionally well, returning a three-under handicap score for the first nine. Dave faded somewhat towards the end and nearly allowed Neville to pip him at the post but he just held on to take the win and leave Neville in second spot. Allen Raaen then won a count back for third place with Martin Harrington having a better 18 to 14.
Surprisingly there were quite a few 2’s slotted in on a day when the scoring was not particularly good, with four in the first division shared between Todd Pahl, Mark Williams, Dave Howden and Bob Heath, whilst the second division pot was shared by Don Everett and Russell Gilroy.
Back at The Haven before the presentations were made there were welcome backs for Allen Raaen, Alan Richardson, Ian Goldschmidt, Victor Reimer, Gary Brown, Peter Martin, John Pearce and Jon Batty.
Friday, March 14, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0–17)
1st Dave Howden (14) 34pts
2nd Bob Heath (12) 33pts
3rd Terry Martin (14) 32pts
4th Alan Hanlon (13) 31pts
5th Mark Williams (8) 31pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Mike Armstrong (19) 39pts
2nd Markku Tynell (23) 35pts
3rd Torild Lossius (31) 31pts
4th Ray Beavis (22) 31pts
5th Russell Gilroy (18) 30pts
Eastern Star has seen a great improvement in playing conditions over the last few months, both on the greens and through the green. Many of the previous naysayers have returned to play the course and once again we had enough contenders here to make two divisions and indeed almost three, with eight groups taking to the tees.
Dave Howden won again for his second win on the trot but by the slimmest of margins as Bob Heath, aka “Captain 2000”, ran him close, but just two points from the last two holes stopped his charge to the top as Dave held on for the win, scoring five from the same two holes. Terry Martin again showed well in third just a point down as Alan Hanlon took fourth after winning a count back over Mark Williams, returning a better 16 to 14.
The second division also went to a second time winner on the bounce as Mike Armstrong underlined his new and improved technique with yet another podium top step appearance as he ran out the clear winner by four points. Soon to return to his club Wakehurst in Sydney, he may only play there if injured, to try and continue with this undoubted improvement in play.
Markku Tynell took second place well clear of the following pair who had to be separated by a count back, which Torild Lossius won over Ray Beavis with a better 17 to 14, and that left Russell Gilroy to take the last accolade of the week, a shot off in fifth place.
Peter Skinner, Neville Duncan and Todd Pahl shared the first division 2’s pool while Shuichi Kodaka made it a day to remember with the only one in the second division which netted him almost as much as the two division winners.
Before making the presentations The Doc welcomed back Torild and Leif Lossius, together with Keith Emerson, Rod Crosswell and Peter Skinner. There was also a farewell for Don Everett who is returning to OZ for a short break.
Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 094 567 5726 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 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.
