IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Jan, 28, Greenwood A & C (white tees) – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
Division 1(0-16)
1st Martin Grimoldby (5) 31pts
2nd Mark Lang (7) 31pts
3rd Rainer Helling (10) 30pts
Division 2 (17+)
1st Walter O’Keefe (18) 38pts
2nd Heikki Vanninen (22) 28pts
3rd Pekka Hyrkka (19) 28pts
Red Division
1st Kiti Ulvio-Peltonen (9) 29pts
2nd Saara Halko (19) 26pts
Constant rain at the course from 7 a.m. meant that when the group arrived for their appointed tee time they found most of the groups designated to have already started still standing, sitting or laying around the clubhouse.
Martin Grimoldby.
This freak weather arrived during a part of the golfing season when one would expect dry, breezy conditions with lots of run and when usually the standard scratch rating for the course would be reducing. In fact on this occasion the CSS went out to 75 and became non-counting with just one eligible player making the standard.
The wetness of the course, which even with the obligatory ‘lift and place’ local rule in force, made it extremely long, was exacerbated when a final downpour left the last groups out unable to complete eighteen holes. Enough of the field had already finished the course however to have the competition declared completed and the Stableford scores considered. But due to the non-counting result no player’s handicap would be increased after the round.
When the field did finally get off the round went pretty smoothly, thanks to the good work of the Greenwood staff, and everybody would have finished save for the weather having a final say in the day’s proceedings.
Even though he did not complete the full eighteen, Martin Grimoldby is in such good form that his five over handicap return was good enough to win, albeit with a count back. With three holes still to play it looked like his handicap was due to be reduced once again but he now may have to wait for the better weather to return before that may be possible.
Mark Lang was the unlucky one to lose out in the count back with a score of 13 to 17 as he also finished early but was happy enough to be travelling on a short trip away with another second place under his belt. Rainer Helling was as surprised as any to find that his score was sufficient to claim third spot on a day when scoring was at a premium.
The second division was led in by street and a half by Walter O’Keefe who profited by being able to complete the eighteen holes, as did those players in second and third places, but most of the rest of the second division found the conditions just too difficult to handle with many unable to get into the 20’s.
Walter O’Keefe.
It was Heikki Vanninen who won the count back for second place with a better 9 on the last six after he had tied with third place winner, Pekka Hyrkka, with 12.
The Red Division was won by a very regular suspect, Kiti Ulvio-Peltonen, as she handled the conditions far better than the other ladies who generally found the course just a little too taxing, except for Saara Halko who took second place three behind.
With some of the par threes playing more like par fours it was not surprising that there were no 2’s on the day.
Prior to the presentations there was welcome back for Terry Hodgkiss and Seija Lammi and farewells for Kenny Priddy, Mark Lang and Steve Bickle.
Wednesday found the entire group from the Haven playing in the PGS Charity Scramble out of the Rabbi’s Elephant with very mixed results, a report of which can be found on this page.
Friday, Feb. 1, Khao Kheow A & C (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
Division 1 (0–15)
1st Harri Ingman (15) 33pts
2nd Mike Dabanovich (12) 32pts
3rd Phil Groves (7) 31pts
4th Jon Batty (8) 31pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Walter O’Keefe (18) 32pts
2nd Paul Taylor (19) 32pts
3rd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 28pts
4th Bill Hurd (20) 27pts
Red Division
1st Saara Halko (19) 29pts
2nd Kiti Ulvio-Peltonen 24pts
Saara Halko.
Once again the groups from Soi 13 numbered twelve and even with that many players for the second time in the week, the competition’s CSS went out to 75 and became non-counting for handicap upward review. This time no players at all made the standard of “within two of handicap”, but nobody went down either.
Although the round was uninterrupted by rain the conditions were almost the same as had been faced during the previous outing at Greenwood, with zero run on the fairways, rough that was almost impossible to play out of except with a very lofted club and added to all those problems the greens were a lot slower than usual. But even so, the course was in otherwise very good condition, as is expected and is the norm at this time of year.
Once again three divisions but with the cut this time coming at the more standard 15 for the first division which was won with a very low score for eighteen holes considering the number of single handicap players in the field.
Harri Ingman took top honours in the first division with a three over return that just beat off the challenge of Mike Dabanovich who was left ruing the missed opportunities on the last two greens that if taken would have meant his first win for some time. Phil Groves returned to the podium thanks to a win in a count back with Jon Batty, which he took with a better 17 to 13 as he finished strongly on the back nine while Jon suffered a reversal of fortune, having gone out with a very creditable level handicap opening nine and then having to settle for fourth place.
The second division was won again by Walter O’Keefe, but this time out he had to also win a count back over Paul Taylor, which he did, with a better 18 to 17, with Terry Hodgkiss in third four shots adrift and Bill Hurd in fourth another one back.
The Ladies division saw a reversal of the top two from Monday’s competition with Saara Halko coming out on top this time as Kiti Ulvio-Peltonen was unable to repeat her earlier return and had to be satisfied with second place. This made it Saara’s first win from The Haven, which made up for the less than her desired score on the day.
Once again there were no 2’s in either division leaving a triple still to be won in the first division and a huge quadruple in the second division.
Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 082 219 0965 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.
