IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Sept. 24, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Alwyne Burley (18) 33pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 32pts
3rd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 26pts
With the recent heavy rain making all the surrounding courses extremely wet and with many potential golfers staying under the covers after a quick look out of the window, both the quantity and quality of the week’s golf played from Soi 13 have been badly affected and another very difficult week of golf started out at the always difficult Bangpra, where the group had played two weeks earlier.
Once again, even with two groups from the IPGC playing the same course, none of the competitors from either competition played within two of their handicaps thus ensuring that the day became non-counting for upward review of handicaps. But the failure of the contenders to meet the standard required could not be laid at the door of the course which was as usual in top condition, apart from the effect that the rain had on the amount of run available. As usual the greens were fast and true although the rain had slowed them to just less than lightning fast.
Paul Taylor.
Alwyne Burley made the best of the conditions and almost made the standard but a couple of blobs and a few one pointers slowed his progress on the way to the top step of the podium. Shuichi Kodaka, making his last appearance prior to returning to Japan for a short time to recharge the batteries, almost made it to the top but he also slipped in a couple of blobs on the back nine and had to settle for second place, with Terry Hodgkiss filling put the last place on the winners list a fair way back.
In line with the level of difficulty that the course was playing it was no surprise to find that there were no 2’s in either division.
Back at The Haven there was a farewell drink for Shuichi Kodaka following the prize presentations.
Wednesday, Sept. 26, Pattana B & C – Stableford
CSS75 NC
1st Phillip Cass (20) 31pts
2nd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 28pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer (17) 27pts
With the A course still under renovation it was once again the B & C courses to be negotiated. Once the day’s tournament had started it was immediately apparent that it should have been played off the yellow tees instead of the longer whites, as the course offered zero run and played every yard of its measured 6,700 yards and so for the second time in the week the day became non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
Alwyne Burley.
Phillip Cass was playing off his new handicap which had been reduced by two shots after carding a two under handicap round on a day when the CSS went up three shots. Today he crawled to the top of the pile with a return that was a lot better than the bare bones of 31 points, as it was good enough by a clear three strokes to finish ahead of next best Terry Hodgkiss and also contained seven three point holes but also unfortunately too many blanks; whereas Terry had as many blanks but fewer 3 pointers.
Trevor Schirmer played for the first time in a while, but is still very tentative about his knee problem so is not able to give it a real go as yet and will probably have to await his return to full fitness before he can challenge for the top again, but did well enough in the conditions to see off a few lower handicappers on the day and take third place.
Once again there were no 2’s in either division.
Before the prize presentations there was a welcome for new member Ross Schiffke from Queensland.
Friday, Sept. 14, Phoenix – Monthly Medals
Division 1 (Blue)
CSS 74
1st Paul Gill (14) net 75
2nd Seil Revels (6) net 76
Division 2 (White)
CSS 72
1st Paul Taylor (19) net 75
2nd Paul Hartley (16) net 76
Following a night when it had rained continuously, at least in Pattaya, and continued right up to and past the leaving hour of 9a.m., by which point several players had decided that a dry day on the outside and possibly a wet one inside was the way to go, there were still a few hardy souls that were vying for the chance to appear in the Gold and Silver finals to be held in December after winning a Monthly Medal out of The Haven.
Phillip Cass.
They were well rewarded as almost as soon as they had left for the course the skies cleared and a very pleasant day was in store without a single drop of rain appearing and playing over the well drained and manicured Mountain and Lake courses.
Paul Taylor is obviously trying to take out all the opposition in the second division for the end of year play-offs, as he claimed his third consecutive medal with a commendable three over handicap on a course that was playing long even though it was in terrific condition considering the amount of water that it had absorbed, but at least the rain had helped to slow the greens down for the higher handicappers.
Paul Hartley almost took his second medal of the year but a six, six finish ended his chances even as his playing partner Paul Taylor took a treble on the last to make it extremely close at the finish.
The first division was also a closely contested affair with new member Paul Gill just getting the top spot with a one over CSS return over the longer blue tee course which was playing every yard of its measured 6,700 yards and Seil Revels nearly getting up to win after covering the back nine in two over gross.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Paul Taylor added to his haul fir the day with the only one in the second division sweeping the pool which included a few roll overs.
Prior to the presentations there were welcomes for Paul Gill and Dave Brannigan together with a farewell for Terry Hodgkiss who is returning to Oz for a couple of months break.
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 8.30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 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.
