IPGC golf from The Haven
Wednesday, March 5, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 75 (counting)
Division 1 (0-13)
1st Paul Buckland (12) 33pts
2nd Russell Exley (9) 30pts
3rd Keith Evans (8) 30pts
4th Peter Skinner (12) 29pts
Division 2 (14+)
1st Dave Howden (14) 34pts
2nd Walter O’Keefe (15) 29pts
3rd Ole Stamnes (28) 27pts
4th Ray Beavis (21) 26pts
Gary Warren.
Lately the day’s challenge has been a very tough course to beat with the competitions played by the IPGC groups last month seeing the CSS rise from 72 by two strokes on one occasion and three strokes on another two occasions, with one of those being non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
This day’s event followed the pattern, with the CSS for the day going up to 75 but counting as just 5% of the qualifying field achieved a score of within two of handicap. This was with a field that contained eight single figure handicappers, but even with this quality entry only six players scored in the 80’s and all of those were at the high end of the range. The course could not be faulted as it was found to be in great shape with the greens playing a tad slower than the recent past.
In the second division Dave Howden returned the best card of the day at two over handicap and kept the event counting as he led them in by five clear points to deny Walter O’Keefe a win in his penultimate game before returning home to the States.
Ole Stamnes returned to take third place another two shots back, with new member Ray Beavis making an immediate mark, taking fourth.
The first division was won by another new member, Paul Buckland, who showed no fear playing in a group that contained all lower handicappers, with two of them placing second and third. Paul won by three clear ahead of Russell Exley in second after the latter had won a count back over Keith Evans with a better 16 to 14. That left Peter Skinner in fourth another one behind them.
With the course and the greens being as difficult as they were it was surprising that there were three 2’s in the first division achieved by Dave Howden, Neville Duncan and Keith Evans and also one in the second division by Terry Hodgkiss. But they were all denied their share of the spoils, as Gary Warren knocked a hole in one on the 8th with a sweetly hit shot that rolled in nicely after a couple of hops. A mighty fine effort considering that on the day the hole measured 176 yards to the stick.
This result ensured that when he returns next time to Thailand he will have the benefit of a brand new IPGC Hole-in-One golf bag to show off to his playing partners and remind him of the event.
Friday, March 7, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Peter Skinner (12) 40pts
2nd Mark Williams (8) 38pts
3rd Keith Evans (8) 34pts
4th John Sutcliffe (17) 33pts
5th Walter O’Keefe (15) 33pts
After the tribulations of the previous outing there were unsurprisingly fewer contenders as the second individual event of the week was scheduled for yet another very tough course at Treasure Hill Golf and Country Club.
Peter Skinner and Paul Buckland.
Again the course was in excellent condition, seemingly having had very little play from large groups recently. But it was chalk and cheese in comparison as regards the scoring with the quality golfers ensuring that the CSS moved out only a stroke to match the par at 72.
Peter Skinner finally returned to form with a sparkling four under return that was good by two to wrap up his first win out of The Haven for some time and ensured that the rumpty dumpty would have to wait a bit longer on this occasion as he stayed to the end to collect the crowd’s plaudits.
Mark Williams also had a very good day at two under handicap to claim second spot after he had started strongly to go two under on the front nine but could not match the consistency of the winner.
Keith Evans was well in the hunt until he slipped up through the inward half after he had shown much improvement from his earlier experiences the last time out when hitting five into the water on the 15th at Mountain Shadow, which had been describe as “like shooting skeet” but a bit quicker.
John Sutcliffe made it a happy return to Thailand with his fourth place, after he had won a count back over Walter O’Keefe, scoring a better 18 to 15.
One again there were three 2’s in the first division but today Geoff Potter, Paul Buckland and Todd Pahl actually shared the pot whilst John Sutcliffe had the lone one in the second division to sweep the pool.
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
