IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, August 22, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 74
1st John Carlin (19) 38pts
2nd Daryl Burkett (12) 31pts
3rd Shuichi Kodaka (18) 30pts
4th Rodney Nabbe (13) 30pts
5th Mike Dabanovich (11) 30pts
6th Peter Skinner (10) 28pts
Returning to Bangpra after just over a month the group found it to be in much better condition this time, it having benefited from the recent rainy period but the fairways still offering a fair amount of run. The greens also helped the scoring, not least the winner, as they were a lot slower than usual although putts from above the hole were still a difficult proposition.
Even with the course playing easier than usual the CSS for the day went out by two, with just the winner able to make the standard of within two of handicap.
John ‘the Hat’ Carlin was that winner after he returned a very, very good two under card to beat his nearest rival by seven points, even including a couple of zeros in the total and foreshadowing more and better things to come.
Daryl Burkett was the closest to the leading scorer with a card that unfortunately showed too many one-pointers to win and not quite up to his normal standard but good enough on the day for second place.
Shuichi Kodaka won a three-way count back for third place with a best 17 points, as Rodney Nabbe took fourth with 16, and Mike Dabanovich fifth with 13. Peter Skinner took the last spot another couple behind them in sixth.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Wednesday, August 24, Pattana A & C (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Neil Skilton (5) 40pts
2nd Daryl Burkett (12) 36pts
3rd John Carlin (19) 35pts
4th Rod Crosswell (15) 33pts
5th Mike Hill (21) 31pts
6th Shuichi Kodaka (18) 31pts
Pattana is surely one of the pre-eminent courses in the area and is appreciated as such by all that play it regularly. Once again the course was found to be in tip-top condition, with the fairways and greens calling for special mention and borne out by the CSS for the day remaining at the par of 73 for the two nines in play.
Neil Skilton had yet another special day although it had not started so auspiciously when after parring the first he missed a very real chance of an eagle three on the par five second hole only to leave the putt a tantalizing two inches short and then knocking the birdie putt way over the hole, and subsequently taking zero points from the hole, but making a note for the handicapper that his score should be adjusted down by two for handicap purposes. He then settled down to some serious golf, taking 21 points from the outward half and following that up with 19 on the inward half and the win by four clear.
Daryl Burkett was again the closest out of the chasing pack after he had another solid round that got better as it progressed as he took 20 points from the back nine to claim second place.
John Carlin was just off the pace on this occasion, but a card displaying a couple of zeros showed signs that there was possibly still more and better to come as he took third just one more back.
Rod Crosswell took fourth place a couple ahead of a count back for fifth and sixth that saw Mike Hill beat Shuichi Kodaka with a better 19 to 18.
Shuichi Kodaka added to his day’s haul for his holiday fund when he slipped in the only 2 in the second division to sweep the rollover pot clean, while Daryl Burkett and Neil Skilton, with two shared the first division rollover pool.
Friday, August 26, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 72
1st John Carlin (19) 40pts
2nd Peter Skinner (10) 39pts
3rd Mike Hill (21) 39pts
4th Daryl Burkett (12) 37pts
5th Markku Tynell (22) 36pts
6th Danny Greer (25) 36pts
John Carlin rounded off an excellent week of golf and probably his best since arriving from Sydney to enhance the Pattaya fashion scene in early 2013, ending the week eight under handicap for the CSS in the three events and earning himself a two shot reduction for the coming weeks. It was a round that could have been even better, as amongst the 20/20 points for the two nines there was an uncharacteristic, for the day that is, zero-pointer. In the post-game interview John modestly attributed his dramatic turnaround in form to his top class putting and a more relaxed approach to the game.
Peter Skinner, having been in the doldrums for a couple of weeks, came back to form with a solid three under return that when added to a winning count back of 19 to 16 over Mike Hill earned him second place and consigned Mike to third.
Having placed second twice earlier in the week, Daryl Burkett took his eye off the game this time as he spent too long around the 13th hole, in considering his options in other areas finally betting the farm on the Crows to beat the West Coast Eagles. Luckily it was a very small farm. But he returned to the golf just in time to finish well with seven points from the last two holes to wind up in fourth place.
Markku Tynell won another count back over Danny Greer with a better 18 to 17 to take fifth and push Danny down to the last step of the podium.
It was surprising, that with the scores so good, that there were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven 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.
