IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Nov. 3, Khao Kheow (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 72
1st David Ross (10) 41pts
2nd Jens Gunnarsson (16) 38pts
3rd Phil Groves (11) 35pts
4th Mike Hill (20) 34pts
5th Mark Lang (5) 31pts
With Hal and Phil still organising the golf operation out of The Haven, everything seems to be running extremely smoothly with hardly a ruffled feather in sight and even the scoring is getting better, with the exception of Friday’s competition that is.
The courses are still not quite back to their best, with heavy rain falling almost every night, so with little run from the tee, golf was generally difficult for the higher handicappers as is usual at this time of year on the Pattaya area courses.
Dave Ross, Lyle Blaw & Paul Young.
It was therefore a very good result when David Ross playing, his thirty-eighth game in Pattaya, finally broke 80 with a five under handicap card that finished three clear of the chasing pack, and he was well pleased to be at last playing to the level he is used to in the UK.
Jens Gunnarsson was the closest challenger at two under handicap and also three clear of third place, so he too was delighted with the day’s outcome.
Phil Groves, apart from now having the longest drive (or at least equal) every time out, is still struggling to beat eighty as the cobwebs are proving very difficult to brush away, but at least the signs are somewhere out there as he turned in a one over card to take third place.
Mike Hill was almost there in fourth, with Mark Lang three behind in the last podium placement position.
Before the presentations were made there was a welcome back for Jens Gunnarsson.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Hal Hart had the solo one in the second division to clear out the roll over pool.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, Green Valley – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Lyle Blaw (12) 42pts
2nd Phil Groves (11) 36pts
3rd Phillip Cass (18) 35pts
4th Vincent Gras (17) 35pts
5th Markku Tynell (23) 34pts
After David Ross’s outstanding round during the previous outing there were more fireworks today at Green Valley, and very appropriately as it was also Guy Fawkes Day back in ‘Mother’ England.
Lyle Blaw returned a six under handicap score that was his best round since November 2011, when he also had a gross 78. Lyle can always be relied upon to play consistently as his handicap moves within a very narrow band, except for the odd great round as was this one, and deservedly he took first place some six strokes clear of the field.
Phil Groves did slightly better on this occasion but still not yet back in the old groove but was good enough for second spot.
Phillip Cass took third place after winning a count back over Vincent Gras with a better 17 to 15 as Vincent tired badly over the closing holes. Markku Tynell rounded out the podium in fifth just one more behind.
Prior to the presentations being made there were welcome backs for Vincent Gras, Brian Randall and Terry Hodgkiss together with farewells to Mike Hill, Phillip Cass and Phil Stevenson
Lyle Blaw added to his day’s takings with the only 2 in the first division, sweeping the rollover pot while there were none in the second division.
Friday, Nov. 7, Pattavia – Stableford
CSS 74
1st Paul Young (15) 37pts
2nd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 34pts
3rd Phil Groves (11) 32pts
4th Barry Wellings 32pts
5th David Ross (10) 31pts
6th Jon Yarrow (14) 31pts
This may be the longest drive down the 331 but the trip is well worth the effort. The quality of the Nick Faldo designed course, together with the recent re-development of the new clubhouse, changing facilities and restaurant, has seen this become one of the more popular venues to visit.
Paul Young returned to Pattaya from his base in Bangkok to spread-eagle the field today, leaving his nearest challenger three shots adrift as he returned a solid 19/18 split. But with the Elephant Bar also playing the course, there were not enough players that made the mark of “within two of handicap” and the CSS therefore moved out two to 74 as the wet conditions had made the course a little long for most of the hopefuls.
Terry Hodgkiss, having had a very restful holiday in Oz, returned in good form and although not quite able to match his handicap he did enough to lay claim to second spot in a very competitive field.
Phil Groves again did enough to feature on the podium for the third time in the week but had to win a count back, which he did with a better 18 to 14, to take third place.
Losing that count back and finishing fourth was Barry Wellings who had looked good over the front nine but faded after making the turn.
Davis Ross returned to his usual pace as he took fifth place after he also won a count back over Jon Yarrow, returning a better 19 to 16.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Barry Wellings and Kevin Townsend shared the first division pool with one each.
Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Paul Young, Barry Wellings and Kevin Townsend and Jon Yarrow.
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.
