IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Oct. 27, Mt. Shadow (blue tees) – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Yukio Kikuchi (20) 42pts
2nd John Carlin (19) 39pts
3rd Mike Hill (20) 38pts
4th Phil Groves (11) 34pts
5th Yasuo Suzuki (12) 30pts
With the head cook and bottle washer on legal leave feeding the fish, or as he terms it, “fishing”, and Trevor surveying the great expanses of South Australia, it has been left to Hal Hart to run the administration and Phil Groves to organise the transport for the golfing activities out of Soi 13. Both have done such a commendable job that many of regulars are clubbing together to buy bait while the neighbours curse into their somtam.
Mark Lang, Yukio Kikuchi & Phil Groves.
The week started under heavy skies at the always difficult Mountain Shadow course, that had originally been designed to be played by fifteen handicappers and below, but on this occasion the higher handicap contenders ruled the day with Yukio Kikuchi leading the way with a low scoring round that he had only once matched previously in nine years of golfing in Thailand. He strode in three shots clear of the field to make it a very good return with the bi-annual “Yahiyuka Tour”.
John Carlin, also recently returned to the “Land of Smiles”, claimed second place with his best round for six months and one sure to see his handicap at last moving in the opposite direction from its recent course.
Mike Hill, the last of the high trio, took third spot, also with a return under handicap and four strokes better than his nearest competitor who was Phil Groves, with tour leader Yasuo Suzuki taking the last spot on the podium a few more behind him.
There were no 2’s in the first division but, bearing out the old adage regarding the blind squirrel, Phil Stevenson slid down a smooth one in the second division but unfortunately Phil Cass also had one so he was forced to share the huge rollover pot to which the keeper of the treasure chest had luckily left the keys.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome for Shyunji Miyazaki together with welcome backs for Yasuo Suzuki, Kaneo Watanabe, Hideo Akiyama, Yukio Kikuchi, Shuichi Kodaka, John Carlin and Michel Desloover.
Wednesday, Oct. 29, Khao Kheow – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Phil Groves (11) 37pts
2nd Davis Ross (10) 34pts
3rd Hal Hart (17) 34pts
4th Keith Emerson (11) 33pts
5th Mike Hill (20) 33pts
Even darker rain clouds filled the skies and accompanied by a heavy downpour it meant far fewer than the usual number of hopefuls turned up at The Haven, but sufficient numbers braved the weather for the always popular Khao Kheow layout where the A and C courses were the test for the day.
Following the groups arrival the rain relented and a start was made in a slight drizzle which lasted for just three holes and thereafter the day remained overcast but dry and almost perfect conditions for golf.
Phil Groves at last came good, at least winning, but still was unable to “break eighty” as he has been striving to do since his return to Pattaya at the beginning of September, but at least this round will enable him to break the cycle of the upward movement of his handicap.
David Ross added to the list of returnees that featured this week on the podium with a solid two over card and which with a better 21 on the back nine ensured him of second place. Hal Hart continued his recent good form, that has seen his handicap reduce to its lowest ever level, but with just 17 on the back nine had to settle for third.
Keith Emerson, just in on a short break from Japan, took fourth place after he won a count back with a better 17 to 15 and leave Mike Hill in fifth place.
Phil Cass had another 2 in the second division and David Ross made it a happy return when he added to his day’s haul by sharing the first division rollover pot with Keith Emerson.
Before the prizes were presented there were welcome backs for David Ross and Keith Emerson.
Friday, Oct. 31, Greenwood – Monthly Medal
CSS 73
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Mark Lang (5) net 73
2nd Peter Skinner (12) net 76
3rd Glen Eldershaw (15) net 77
4th Keith Emerson (11) net 77
Division 2 (16+)
1st Yukio Kikuchi (20) net 69
2nd Mike Hill (20) net 71
3rd John Carlin (19) net 74
4th Hal Hart (17) net 75
Once again the Monthly Medals were held over the testing Greenwood course where the A & C courses were in play, and even with the addition of another group playing the courses the CSS for the day went up to 73 to underline the difficulty of play on the day.
The first division was led in by Mark Lang who has been playing golf almost every day since his arrival in Pattaya two weeks earlier when he declared a two shot lower handicap. Although this was not his best round of the trip it was his first Medal win with the group and with it he added his name to the list for the Gold and Silvers to be held in December.
Peter Skinner, whilst not approaching his best golf, still did enough to lock up second place, leaving Glen Eldershaw to take third after a count back with Keith Emerson which he won with a better 36.5 to 37.5 over the C course.
The second division was another runaway victory for the in-form Yukio Kikuchi as he flattened the field with a three under return that not only earned him a place in the finals, but added to his previous good rounds in the week and gained him a three shot drop in handicap, which added to his day’s pleasure.
Mike Hill was unfortunate to find Yukio in such good form as his one under result would have usually been enough for the win but on this occasion second place was his lot.
John Carlin took third spot another three behind with Hal Hart showing well again in fourth.
Peter Skinner had the sole 2 in the first division whilst there were none in the second division.
Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Peter Martin, Gary Brown and Glen Eldershaw together with a farewell for Keith Emerson.
Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 094 567 5726 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.
