IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, March 18, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Mike Korney (18) 42pts
2nd Yasuo Suzuki (12) 37pts
3rd Markku Tynell (25) 37pts
4th Daryl Burkett (15) 36pts
5th Yukio Kikuchi (19) 36pts
6th Peter Skinner (10) 36pts
At the same time as the numbers of players are going down, the scores are spiraling up with all the winners in the week clocking up forty points or more and one having a special handicap adjustment under the Exceptional Scoring Reduction (ESR) system which came into operation at the beginning of March. An explanation of the system can be found on the IPGC web site at www.ipgc.org under handicaps. The system will ensure that players who score better than four or more than their handicap allows, twice in a twelve month period, will be possibly facing an additional reduction to their handicap.
Mike Korney.
The day’s winner came in for review, having won with a similar score only the previous week, with the result that his handicap was further reduced by an additional two strokes, but Mike Korney was very pleased with the end result having been trying extremely hard to get down into the first division for some time during this visit. Underlining Mike’s recent consistency was the detail that his last four nine’s were all completed at three under handicap for 21 points each.
Mike’s six under return was good enough by five clear to win on the day, leaving Yasuo Suzuki and Markku Tynell to go through a count back to settle second place. Yasuo Easily won that count back with a stunning gross 35 over the back nine which netted 25 points to Markku’s 20.
Daryl Burkett took fourth spot after also winning a count back, this one between three players and winning with 23 points as Yukio Kikuchi took 5th with 21 and Peter Skinner 6th with 18.
There were two 2’s in the first division with one each from Yasuo Suzuki and Erik Donnestad and similarly in the second division with one apiece from Yukio Kikuchi and Mike Korney.
Prior to the presentations of the prizes there were welcome backs for Daryl Burkett, Paul Hartley and Jesse Harris together with farewells for Erik Donnestad and Peter Skinner.
Wednesday, March 20, Pattana B & C (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 70
1st Glenn Eldershaw (21) 42pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer (18) 41pts
3rd Mike Hill (22) 40pts
4th Terry Hodgkiss (23) 40pts
5th Daryl Burkett (15) 38pts
6th Alan Hanlon (14) 38pts
Trevor Schirmer.
Another fine day with light winds created the opportunity for some more heavy scoring with the day’s winner once more returning a six under handicap card – but this time with the competition having been set to play from the forward yellow tees, there were several players in close attendance at the final count-up at the scorer’s table.
In the event Glenn Eldershaw’s excellent score held up to win by a single point as Trevor Schirmer showed that he is well on the way to total rehabilitation from his knee surgery with a five under return; this was his best score for nearly two years and gave him second place.
Mike Hill and Terry Hodgkiss had to be separated by count back with Mike taking third with a better 22 to Terry’s 19 for fourth place.
Daryl Burkett also won a count back over Alan Hanlon, taking fifth with a better 20 to 19.
All this high scoring resulted in the CSS for the day unusually reducing to 70 over a layout that usually shows an increase in the standard scratch basis for the competitions.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Alan Hanlon cleaned out the first division with his solo effort on the 170 yard B 7 hole.
Friday, March 22, Phoenix (Mountain & Ocean) – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Yasuo Suzuki (12) 40pts
2nd Hal Hart (24) 38pts
3rd Alan Hanlon (14) 38pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (18) 37pts
5th Alwyne Burley (15) 34pts
Yasuo Suzuki.
With the March weekly visit set for Phoenix once again and fine weather promised for the day, a good turnout took off for the Mountain and Ocean courses where as usual they were found to be in excellent condition, as had been the two courses earlier in the week.
Starting on the Ocean nine, where as usual the count backs would be contested, it was important to get off to a good start as did Yasuo Suzuki who garnered 22 points, setting himself up for a win following his second place earlier in the week.
Slipping into second place, having taken good note of the advice freely offered in the bar back at The Haven following the previous outing, Hal Hart needed to win a count back over Alan Hanlon, which he did with a better 20 to 19 to leave Alan without a win during this visit and having to face the prospect of several inches of snow on his return home to not so sunny England, that is if the airports have reopened by then. No doubt his complaints of the heat in Pattaya will soon be forgotten as they are replaced by dreams of returning to at least 30 degrees warmer as soon as possible.
Hal Hart.
Trevor Schirmer was once again to be found on the podium in fourth place with a score under handicap, leaving Alwyne Burley to round it out in fifth.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Yasuo Suzuki swept up the first division pool after having a bit of a scare when he was told there had been a few other birdies returned during the day in the first division, but much to his relief he learned that none of them were on par threes and he was able to finish his beer without hiccupping.
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 8.15 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.
