IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, May 30, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Mark Armstrong (25) 34pts
2nd Markku Tynell (23) 34pts
3rd Shuichi Kodaka (18) 27pts
4th Jamie King (17) 26pts
5th Terry Hodgkiss (24) 26pts
The general condition of the course was a little better than on the group’s last visit and even though the dry weather had caused a few problems in some areas, the fairways were offering a good deal of run and the greens were quite receptive.
The shorter than usual length of the course helped the higher handicappers as they scored many three-pointers and the two leaders even had a couple of fours each, but as is usual at this course, which was originally designed for players with a fifteen handicap or less, there are many traps to fall into on the way round and that affected the majority in the end results.
Mark Armstrong proved to be the winner after winning a count back over Markku Tynell, closing the back nine off with 17 to win by two as Markku faded a little following a good opening half.
Shuichi Kodaka took third place and although he was somewhat further behind there were many in worse positions. Jamie King won another count back for fourth with a better 14 to 9 to leave Terry Hodgkiss in fifth place.
Unsurprisingly, with the scores as low as they were, there were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Wednesday, June 1, Pattana A & B (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 76 NC
1st Bob Pratt (24) 33pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (18) 33pts
3rd Alan Pilkington (6) 32pts
4th Phil Cass (17) 30pts
5th John Carlin (18) 29pts
As always it was a pleasure to be teeing it up once more at the fantastically cultivated and obviously lovingly cared for Pattana, where the fairways are an absolute delight to play from and the greens are both fast and true, even though the weather has been doing its best to thwart the best intentions of the greens keepers. But even though the conditions were ideal for scoring, the field was not quite up to the required standard on the day which resulted in the event becoming non-counting for upward review of handicaps.
Bob Pratt led in the slightly bedraggled players, after winning a count back over Shuichi Kodaka, returning 21 points on the back nine and bettering Shuichi’s 19 points, which was a surprise after he had opened up with a very low 12 points for the front nine, but his strong finish was the difference in the end as he took eleven points from the first four holes coming home.
Alan Pilkington, having just got off the plane, did well enough to claim third place just a shot behind having had a couple or more too many singles.
Phil Cass slotted into fourth with John Carlin following closely in fifth.
Once again there were no 2s in the first division but John Carlin amazed his group as he tapped one in on the 140 yard B3 after a seemingly endless alignment process, but he eventually managed to take the putter back and nudge it in to claim the second division’s rollover pot.
Friday, June 3, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Jamie King (17) 39pts
2nd Gary Hookey (17) 39pts
3rd Terry Hodgkiss (24) 36pts
4th John Carlin (18) 35pts
5th Rod Crosswell (15) 35pts
6th Vincent Gras (18) 33pts
The best scoring of the week was reserved for the once a fortnightly visit to Pattaya Country Club where the course was again found to be in good shape as the scores attested, which also determined that CSS for the day would reduce to 71.
Jamie King had a rare win following a count back decision over Gary Hookey, which he won with a better 23 to 18 after scoring five 3s and a 4-pointer and even slipping in a blob on the eleventh hole but which he quickly followed with a birdie for 3 points.
Gary could count himself very unfortunate, as he had looked an almost certain winner after the opening nine holes, having scored 21 points and starting the back nine with a three-pointer but dropping a point to a double bogey on the last hole was the difference between success and almost.
Terry Hodgkiss had his best round for six months whilst securing third place with a level handicap return that was well appreciated at the presentation ceremonies.
John Carlin won a count back for fourth over Rod Crosswell, ending with a better 20 to 19, which left Vincent Gras in sixth place as he was presumably suffering from travel sickness, jet lag and dehydration after yet another marathon trip between his two homes the previous evening.
Once again there were no 2s in the first division but Jamie King added to his day’s haul of loot as he shared the second division with Vincent Gras.
Note: The Haven golf group have now relocated to Soi Lengkee, on the corner of the road leading to the Vogue Hotel, where there are good parking facilities but sadly no room for club storage. Whilst the kitchen in being renovated, there is a limited range of food available, but the supply of beverages continues, at ice cold temperatures and the hotel section is in full swing.
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.
