IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Nov 24, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Markku Tynell (23) 37pts
2nd Peter Skinner (12) 36pts
3rd Rodney Nabbe (11) 34pts
4th Phillip Cass (18) 33pts
5th Vincent Gras (17) 33pts
6th Don Everett (18) 32pts
Another good week for golf started off at the always testing Mountain Shadow course set amongst the old mango farm laid out on the right side of the tracks near the Baan Saen beach resort. With the high season well and truly begun it was pleasant to find the course fairly free of players as the competition teed off under a cloud cover that eased the heat.
John Carlin & Jon Yarrow.
Markku Tynell achieved what he had been threatening since taking over the organisational duties, by winning, although only by the slimmest of margins after he returned a fairly tidy card that showed just the one zero-pointer.
Peter Skinner is beginning to demonstrate the benefits of playing at least five times a week as his scores continue to tumble and the points increase, as he also showed when he won elsewhere later in the week, but on this occasion he had to be content with the second step of the podium after a solid round.
Following a slow start and a very good first seven holes on the inward nine, Rodney Nabbe was in contention until the last hole when a zero-pointer ruined his chances of a much better finish than his final third placement.
Fourth spot went to Phillip Cass after he won a count back over Vincent Gras with a better 20 to 18, which left Don Everett to nab the last podium step one shot behind them.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but the first division was shared by Garry Barling, Jon Yarrow and David Grist.
Before the presentations were made there were welcome backs for Phillip Cass, Paul Hubbard, Daryl Burkett and Garry Barling.
Wednesday, Nov. 26, Greenwood – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Phil Groves (8) 40pts
2nd David Grist (8) 37pts
3rd Phillip Cass (18) 36pts
4th Peter Skinner (12) 36pts
5th Garry Barling (8) 35pts
6th Daryl Burkett (11) 35pts
The furthest distance to travel to the local Pattaya area courses is always worth the effort as Greenwood is always in great condition and offers prices that are at the levels of most other courses in the low season. Again on this occasion the course was very quiet so the group enjoyed a very pleasant day’s golf without a hint of the rain that affected some other local areas.
Markku Tynell & Phil Groves.
Phil Groves showed once again that he certainly likes the B course as he returned a level par score for 23 points to add to the fairly modest 17 on the C nine and again his total of four under par off his newer and lower handicap proved to be easily enough for another win on what is fast becoming his favourite course.
David Grist was the nearest challenger in second place on his own after he finished strongly, taking 20 points from the back nine.
Phillip Cass won another count back, this time for third spot, with a better 20 to 18, consigning the ever-improving Peter Skinner into fourth place.
Garry Barling also won a count back for fifth over playing partner Daryl Burkett with a steady 17 to 14 as Daryl slumped over the inward half, having looked very good on the outward nine.
Peter Skinner and Daryl Burkett shared the 2’s pool in the first division but again there were none in the second division.
Prior to the prize giving there were welcome backs for Alan Griffiths, Rick Schramm, a big one for Trevor Schirmer and an extra big one for Stephen Beard who was at last returning home to the Haven as a resident following a court ruling that had determined that he and his wife Lamyai had previously been the subjects of some “inappropriate legal actions.”
Friday, Nov. 28, Khao Kheow B & C – Monthly Medals
CSS 72
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Jon Yarrow (14) net 67
2nd Rick Schramm (10) net 72
3rd Peter Skinner (12) net 73
4th Russell Exley (9) net 74
Division 2 (16+)
1st John Carling (18) net 79
2nd Russell Gilroy (17) net 80
2nd Don Everett (18) net 81
4th Phillip Cass (18) net 82
Medal play at Khao Kheow off the yellow tees is usually a fairly tough ask and so it proved on this occasion, apart that is for the first division winner Jon Yarrow whose five under return left the rest of the division floundering in his wake.
Starting on the B course, Jon opened his round quietly with little indication of the fireworks to come on the back nine, making the turn in one over handicap, but after taking a double on the tenth he then produced some stunning golf to complete the next eight holes in thirty strokes for a one over back nine to finish five clear of his nearest competitor and earn his way onto the list for the December Gold and Silver Medals.
Rick Schramm would normally have been in much closer contention but had to settle for second place just one ahead of Peter Skinner, who missed his chance to take the top spot as he fell by the wayside on the homeward stretch, racking up a quadruple, a triple, and a couple of doubles to follow a very nice four under opening half. His outstanding memories were on the par threes where he returned a birdie, par, trip, and a quad.
Russell Exley had the better of the three-way count back over Garry Barling and Phil Groves to snatch fourth place.
The second division saw a completely different picture emerge, with John Carlin “doing the impossible” and winning a Medal, albeit some way above the par rating but by a single stroke from Russell Gilroy.
Don Everett placed third ahead of Phillip Cass as the curtain was brought down quietly on the second division results for the day.
Rick Schramm and Peter Skinner shared the 2’s pool in the first division as incredibly there were again none in the second division.
Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Mike Hill and Russell Exley together with a farewell for David Grist.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 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 a 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.
