IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Jan. 11, Pattavia – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Allan Hanlon (13) 41pts
2nd David Dines (8) 39pts
3rd Adrian Cook (13) 37pts
4th Brendan Dunne (30) 36pts
5th Rick Schramm (10) 34pts
6th Alan Griffiths (13) 34pts
The trip up the 331 is getting slightly more difficult as the road works progress but it is also getting more worth it as the course at Pattavia continues to play better and better as the management’s efforts to improve the condition continue and the scores that are now being achieved are a testament to the results. The greens are now a lot more receptive and not quite so fast, with a downhill putt able to remain on the green if it misses the hole and they continue to be very flat and true. The surrounds are also showing great improvement to go along with the fairways, which are usually in good shape.
Allan Hanlon.
Allan Hanlon returned his best card in Thailand since 2009 to sweep away the high quality opposition as the weather remained good following heavy overnight rain in the area. Having gone out in three under handicap he then followed it up with another good two under to finish with a score that included ten pars and eight bogeys.
David Dines had his best round of this trip at three under handicap, just failing after taking nine points from the last three holes to claim second place, with Adrian Cook a close third after he too closed with a strong back nine at two under handicap.
Brendan Dunne took the first of what was to be three podium placements in the week in fourth ahead of a count back for fifth place between Rick Schramm and Alan Griffiths, which Rick won with a better 18 to 17.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, Pattana A & B (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Paul Hubbard (10) 41pts
2nd Martin Grimoldby (5) 37pts
3rd Rick Schramm (10) 36pts
4th Mike Dabanovich (12) 35pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Brendan Dunne (30) 36pts
2nd Peter Brown (24) 35pts
3rd Mark Armstrong (25) 34pts
4th Phil Cass (16) 34pts
Brendan Dunne.
The once a fortnightly trip to Pattana is getting more popular as players recognise the quality of the three nines here. It surely cannot be too long before the major tournaments that are held in the area take notice, as the facilities that go along with a very well designed 27-hole course leave some others distinctly in the shade and most of them completely in the dark.
The A and B courses with a par of 73 were as usual in excellent condition, offering a fair amount of run in the fairways and holding well on the greens, all of which contributed to the CSS for the day reducing to 72.
Paul Hubbard took the first division top spot with the second five under return for the week. After opening with a two under front half he then finished with a three under back half to win by a clear four shots ahead of the nearest contender.
That contender was Martin Grimoldby at one under and he was closely followed by third placed Rick Schramm another shot back.
Mike Dabanovich won a four-way count back for fourth with a best 20 as Mark Cooper had 19, David Dines 18 and Walter O’Keefe 17.
The second division was led in by serial contender Brendan Dunne who managed to stay just ahead of Peter Brown in second and a count back for third, which Mark Armstrong won with a better 17 to 15 to leave Phil Cass in fourth place.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but David Dines made for a fond farewell with the sole one in the first division to sweep the roll over pot clean.
Friday, Jan. 15, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Jens Gunnarsson (13) 44pts
2nd David Bowles (18) 38pts
3rd Brendan Dunne (30) 38pts
4th Shuichi Kodaka (18) 37pts
5th P.J. Mitchell (20) 37pts
6th Mike Dabanovich (12) 35pts
7th Walter O’Keefe (12) 35pts
Paul Hubbard.
There was a distinctly dodgy start to the day when, after arriving at the course to find no caddies available and seemingly very little idea by the management of what to do next, there was the added problem of some golfers coming around for their second 18 holes, no doubt hoping for 54 for the day.
Fortunately the issue was soon dealt with by a fair amount of organising assistance and much good will on the part of all the players, and then a slightly later start than planned resulted in a good day’s golf played under a clouded sky, over a very acceptable course and not a lost temper in sight.
There was another outstanding round to finish of a week of excellent scoring from the whole group and it was also a personal best for Jens Gunnarsson, whose hours of practice on the rolling decks of the various ships that he serves on as the Chief Engineer paid off in a huge way. After opening with a stunning five under front nine he then slipped in a zero and a singleton to start the homeward stretch but then settled back into his earlier form, taking ten points from the last three holes to seal a magnificent victory and one which will surely be remembered for a very long time to come.
David Bowles.
Some way adrift but also with commendable scores were David Bowles and Brendan Dunne, with David winning a count back for second place with a better 12 to 11 on the last six after they had tied the nine on 18 apiece.
Shuichi Kodaka also had to win a count back over Phil Mitchell with a better 20 to 19 for fourth place, with Mike Dabanovich also doing the same to deny Walter O’Keefe the sixth and last spot on the podium after returning a better 19 to 17.
The ‘2’s pool in the first division was shared by Allan Hanlon, Mike Dabanovich and Walter O’Keefe and the second division spoils were split between Mike Sanders and Shuichi Kodaka.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 989 or call in to The Haven Hotel, 185 Soi 13, situated 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 a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. If you would like to leave your golf clubs at The Haven, there are usually lockers available at a nominal charge. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel. com.
