IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, June 20, Plutaluang – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Rodney Hayes (9) 34pts
2nd Paul Hartley (18) 33pts
3rd Rod Crosswell (14) 33pts
4th Yoshitaka Iketami (19) 32pts
With many courses seemingly oblivious to the extreme down turn of golfers during this exceptional low season and charging, in some cases, even more than the prices for the recent high season, it is good to find that not all of the managements have been seduced by the glib talk of others and are prepared to offer a reasonable price to local golfers.
Plutaluang are one of those managements and allied to the great condition of the four nines, with continual ongoing maintenance, the North course being at present closed, it is to be hoped that all the local groups start to vote with their feet to avert the almost certain steep rises in green fees that will be the result of continued support for those courses that are taking the high road approach.
Don Everett.
Having regard for the condition of the South and West courses it was somewhat surprising to find that the scores were not better, although the length may have been the important feature of the day’s rounds.
Rodney Hayes, never claiming to be the longest off the tee, but deadly from around and on the greens as his handicap will attest to, did just enough to squeeze into top spot.
Paul Hartley, maybe one of the longest off the tee but even he would admit not quite so good around the greens, and he took second by winning the count-back over third placed Rod Crosswell by a margin of 10 to 8 on the last six after they had both tied on 15 for the back nine.
Yoshitaka Iketami took his first placing out of The Haven for some considerable time just one more behind in fourth spot.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Before presenting the prizes Stephen Beard, just returned from three weeks in Europe, welcomed back Tom McCarthy, Len Hardingham and Peter Evans after which he received one for himself from the frenzied throng. There was also a huge vote of thanks and round of applause for Trevor Schirmer who stood in during the Doc’s absence.
Wednesday, June 22, Wangjuntr Lowlands – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Rodney Hayes (9) 34pts
2nd Roar Berger (25) 34pts
3rd Mark Armstrong (25) 31pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (13) 31pts
Travelling some seventy five minutes on the new road system to the secluded Wangjuntr course to find that the day’s event had been re-scheduled to the Lowland course as opposed to the preferred Highland layout, was still very worthwhile as the weather was fine and dry with a little wind to cool the temperature to a very comfortable level, and being almost empty except for the competition entries, with there being just one other three ball on the course, it was like playing one’s own private golf course.
Rodney Hayes.
Once again Rodney Hayes took the top step of the podium, although he had to resort to winning the count-back after tying with Roar Berger at two above handicap for the 18, they then both tied at 16 over the inward half, and had to be finally separated on the last three with Rodney taking 7 and Roar 3 after they had again tied the back six at 11 apiece.
Mark Armstrong slipped into third place also winning a count-back over Trevor Schirmer with a better 19 to 16. Trevor had to settle for winning the longest drive prize, which turned out to be virtually worthless, as his total return for his day’s efforts
Following a couple of dry runs, the second division’s 2’s were won by Rod Howett and the first division was cleaned out by Rodney Hayes with a twenty foot chip in.
Prior to the prize giving there was a welcome back for Kaneo Watanabe.
Friday, June 24, Greenwood – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Don Everett (23) 42pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 39pts
3rd Roar Berger (25) 37pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (13) 34pts
For the third time in the week the group visited a golf course in top condition, which allied to the competitive pricing added greatly to the day’s pleasure, as the management and staff were obviously pleased to have the business and showed it with their good service and appreciation.
For once Rodney Hayes was strangely not in contention as he slipped way down the field, missing out on the chance to bag a very rare triple for the week, leaving the way clear for other players who had been previously struggling to keep up with the pace.
The day belonged totally to Don Everett, who equaled his lifetime best score to take the top prize by three clear with a magical display of patience and finesse, no doubt assisted by a few lessons from the “Thought Doctor’ taken during some teach-ins in the bar.
The news will be well received back at the Gosnells Golf Club in Perth, Australia, where the members have been awaiting the reduction of his handicap with great interest. They will now not be disappointed as Don’s handicap has now been reduced to three less than when he arrived in Pattaya at the beginning of June.
Shuichi Kodaka took second place after badly misjudging when and how hard to throw the anchor as he slipped back to three behind after finishing the last two holes with a single point on each after he had scored 16 points over the first six of the inward half.
Also missing out in third place was the evergreen Roar Berger who had a streak of 26 points over a nine hole span, only to end up with a rather weak 0-0-1 finish on the last three holes, to leave him trailing by two from his fellow anchor man Shuichi.
Trevor Schirmer was once again amongst the mentions although this time a fair way behind.
Surprisingly, with such good scores on the day, there were no 2’s in either division.
Prior to the prize presentations there was a farewell for Roar Berger who was returning to Norway for the summer and Paul Hartley returning to work for a few weeks.
Note: .As from the 1st of July the Haven group will depart Soi 13 at the earlier time of 9 a.m. until further notice. If you would like to play with The Haven group you can contact mobile 084782 4582 or call in to the 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 8.30 on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and 9.00 a.m. on Sundays on the days you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
