IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Sept. 12, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Pat Quinlivan (17) 34pts
2nd Masanori Takano (8) 33pts
3rd Lyle Blaw (12) 33pts
4th Jon Batty (8) 30pts
5th Markku Tynell (20) 30pts
6th Rod Crosswell (15) 29pts
Once again, following heavy rain throughout the weekend, the day started brightly with a clear forecast, but the rain had left the course in a condition that required a ‘lift and place’ local rule from the get go. But while the day stayed clear throughout the day at base, things took a serious turn for the worse at the course as sheeting rain started around the third hole for the leading group and continued throughout the rounds that were completed. This affected the scores dramatically but fortunately a lone player made the requisite standard to keep the event counting for handicap adjustments, with the CSS moving to 73 which was helped by the greens being slightly slower than usual.
Pat Quinlivan won on his last outing with the group as he prepared to return to the Gosnells club in Perth WA to regale his chums with his exploits in and around the city.
Masanori Takano took full advantage of the Japanese course planner as he closed out second place following a count back with Lyle Blaw, which he won with a better 16 to 13.
Jon Batty slipped and slithered into fourth another three strokes adrift after he had won a count back over Markku Tynell, scoring 17 to 15. Rod Crosswell, also playing his last round of the trip, rounded out the podium another shot behind in sixth place.
There were no 2s in the second division but Mark Lang at least excelled in that part of his golfing round as he slotted in two, having had a difficult day everywhere else on the course.
Wednesday, Sept. 14, Khao Kheow A & B (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Gus Guidetti (13) 35pts
2nd Garry Hookey (16) 34pts
3rd Steve Bickle (16) 32pts
4th Larry Gibb (19) 30pts
5th Mark Armstrong (24) 27pts
Another damp course was the second test of the week for the once a fortnight visit to Khao Kheow where the A and B courses were in play for the day.
Gus Guidetti had the first of a rare bird, winning on three consecutive days (twice with The Haven and once with the Tara Court group) as he finished one ahead of Garry Hookey after they had both scored 19 points through the back nine after slow starts.
Steve Bickle was hoping for better things but a disastrous beginning to his round, when he scored just three points from the first four holes, meant it was not to be once more, even with him returning twenty points for the inward nine.
Larry Gibb took fourth place after he had begun very well but a tired finish to the round consigned him to the lower steps but still well in front of many others, including Mark Armstrong in fifth.
There were no 2s in the first division but at long last the second division multi rollover pool was taken when Larry Gibb and Mark Armstrong got one each.
Friday, Sept. 16, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Gus Guidetti (13) 38pts
2nd Markku Tynell (20) 35pts
3rd Mark Armstrong (24) 32pts
4th Mike Sweeney (15) 28pts
5th Gabe Dakwa (13) 27pts
Once again the course was found to be very playable, with plenty of run on the fairways and good reception on the greens, which had improved dramatically following a lot of concentrated effort by the greens keepers. The fairways here are as good as any that the group currently plays, with very few patches of below standard areas to be found.
Gus Guidetti duly took his third win in the week as he returned an excellent two under handicap from a card that contained just the one six on it and showed just the one zero after he found the front of the left hand trap on Ocean number 5, which has been made much deeper and higher than the old version.
Markku Tynell did well off his newer and lower handicap and claimed second place three behind and three in front of third placed Mark Armstrong.
Mike Sweeney closed out fourth place just one ahead of playing partner Gabe Dakwa in fifth by a single point.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Note: The Haven golf group has now relocated to Soi Lengkee, on the corner of the road leading to the Vogue Hotel, where there are good parking facilities. If you would like to play with the group, you can contact 094 465 5002 or call in to The Haven, 315/13 Soi Lengkee, situated between Third Road and Soi Buakhao. 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 a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played throughout the year can be found on the web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
