IPGC golf from The Haven
Sunday, March 6, St. Andrews – Stableford
CSS74
1st Peter Skinner (9) 39pts
2nd Charlie Lapsey (9) 39pts
3rd Alan Costelow (13) 37pts
4th Mick Flynn (15) 36pts
5th Russell Exley (8) 36pts
Peter Skinner has been experiencing something of a golf renaissance over the last couple of weeks during which time his handicap has tumbled from 11 to 8 with the real expectancy that it will fall even lower before he is forced to return home to South Herts Golf Club, who may well disregard his fine form while in the Land of Smiles. This day was yet another example of solid application combined with a very nice swing resulting in one more win to add to the several already stashed away during this trip.
Charlie Lapsey had to settle for second after he lost the count-back with Peter on the back six by a margin of 13 to 12 after they had tied the nine on 19 a piece.
Gary Constable.
Alan Costelow slipped into third alone as Mick Flynn won a count-back for fourth with Russell Exley on the last six 13 to 11 after drawing the back nine on 19 each.
The 2’s were shared by Peter Skinner and Russell Exley with one each.
As usual the prizes were presented at the course in the Driving Range Bar run by genial hosts John and Jeff Ryves.
Monday, March 7, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-13)
1st Gary Constable (2) 41pts
2nd Kevin Townsend (11) 38pts
3rd Yasuo Suzuki (10) 37pts
4th Peter Skinner (9) 37pts
Division 2 (14–21)
1st Max Gard (15) 39pts
2nd Gerald Decio (15) 35pts
3rd Stephen Lewis (18) 35pts
Division 3 (22+)
1st Al Rolnik (22) 38pts
2nd Evan Millar 23) 33pts
3rd Frank Dunstan (25) 33pts
4th Peter MacKenzie (28) 33pts
Once again a large turnout meant the formation of three divisions at the always popular Green Valley layout.
Peter Skinner.
In the first division Gary Constable made light of the conditions, with the course playing fairly long following the recent heavy weather in the area, with a stunning 69 gross off his 2 handicap and a spotless 33 on the back nine that include three birdies and six pars to add to the level par outward half, which ensured his first win in Pattaya and presaged his winning team effort on the following Wednesday in the Pattaya AmAm.
Kevin Townsend had been hoping to claim his first win for some time but was unlucky to find Gary in such great form and therefore had to settle for second place, with Yasuo Suzuki taking third after a count-back of 18 to 17 that denied Peter Skinner another podium position.
In the second division Max Gard returned another good round to take top spot from Gerald Decio in second and Stephen Lewis in third as the two latter players warmed up for the upcoming AmAm.
Al Rolnik.
Al; Rolnik continued his rehabilitation by taking the third division with a two under handicap round that was good enough in the conditions by five points to claim the top spot ahead of a three-way count-back between Evan Millar who had 16, Frank Dunstan with 15, and Pater MacKenzie with 14 as they finished second, third and fourth respectively.
Whilst there were no 2’s in the second division, there were plenty in the first division shared by Bob Heath Kevin Townsend, Gary Constable, Simon Payne, and Yasuo Suzuki with two, and they all received a minimal amount for their efforts with Yasuo at least getting a double pittance.
Before presenting the prizes Stephen Beard welcomed new members Eddie Egan, Dan Cappell, Dave Clark and Tim Dalton and also welcomed back Frank Dunstan, Peter MacKenzie, Pat Prenderville, John Sutcliffe, Simon Payne and Gary Constable. There was also a farewell for Torild and Leif Lossius.
Friday, March 11, St. Andrews – Stableford
CSS74
1stPeter Skinner (9) 41pts
2nd John Pierrel (13) 36pts
3rd Jimmy Slattery (11) 35pts
4th Don Scott (10) 35pts
5th Frank Dunstan (25) 33pts
6th Bob Heath (13) 33pts
Following a heavy week of golf and après golf, many of the regular faces took a hard earned rest for the second visit in a week to St. Andrews and the attendance may also have been affected by an extra early tee off time. But those that made the effort were well rewarded as the course had returned to tip top condition except for a few greens that had been verticut and sanded.
Peter Skinner made it two on the trot at what he now seems to think is his home course in Pattaya, with another scintillating performance that saw him lead in the field by five strokes with no one else able to break par. His score would have been even better without the bogey on the 17th and a ball in the water off the tee on the 18th, but perhaps the thought of a 7 handicap was just a little too much to contemplate.
John Pierrel took his first podium in Pattaya after a very pleasing level par round that left behind a count-back for third which Jimmy Slattery won with a better 19 to 16 over Don Scott in fourth.
Frank Dunstan took fifth place as he just held off a half hearted attempt by Bob Heath, winning the count-back by 16 to 15 after Bob had followed a steady level par front nine with a rather weaker three over handicap.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Prior to the prize giving, Stephen Beard welcomed new members John Pierrel and Neville Duncan and also welcomed back Jimmy Cloy and Alan Taylor.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group you can contact mobile 084 782 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 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.
