IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Nov. 30, Phoenix (Mountain & Ocean) – Stableford
CSS 72
Division 1 (0–15)
1st Darryl Kellett (14) 35pts
2nd Darryl Burkett (13) 34pts
3rd Gus Guidetti (12) 32pts
4th Dave Ross (10) 29pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Markku Tynell (22) 39pts
2nd John Carlin (19) 37pts
3rd Brendan Dunne (30) 36pts
4th Chris Kershaw (19) 34pts
With a short week of regular competitions, due to the charity event on Wednesday, there was strong support for what was possibly the last visit to Phoenix until the next low season.
Markku Tynell, Darryl Kellett & Peter Skinner.
Sadly, the last look at the course found it to be well below its recent standard and certainly below the level of presentation expected for the new green fee being charged. That was reflected in the scores from the first division as they struggled with the greens and surrounds.
Darryl Kellett won the first division with a hard earned one over handicap after starting strongly and then just holding on, taking a double on the last for the vital point.
Darryl Burkett almost caught the winner but one point from the last two holes finished his chances for the day, but he still did just enough to hold off third placed Gus Guidetti, trying to go home on a high and Dave Ross, in fourth, also playing his last regular event.
Markku Tynell warmed up for Wednesday with a fine round of three under handicap to take his first win in a while as John Carlin also bettered his handicap whilst taking second place ahead of Brendan Dunne at level par in third and Chris Kershaw in fourth.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Friday, Dec. 4, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Peter Skinner (10) 37pts
2nd Brendan Dunne (30) 35pts
3rd Rodney Nabbe (10) 34pts
4th Fumiaki Matsuura (17) 34pts
5th Serge Straeten (17) 32pts
6th Brian Randall (35) 31pts
Setting off from Soi 13 in a steady downpour, which had obviously depleted the potential field as it had started at around 7am, the group was surprised to find the course dry and it remained so for the rest of the day.
Overall it was an enjoyable round but there were a few complaints about the back nine that is still showing some signs of the recent renovations not having bedded in enough, especially the greens that need some serious attention to get up to the standard of the front nine.
Peter Skinner is obviously benefitting from his extra training regime as he took the win with a couple of shots to spare to deny Brendan Dunne a long wished-for victory. Brendan put together a strong middle to his back nine, garnering 13 points from the middle five holes, but could not quite finish it off and so settled for a well-deserved second place.
Rodney Nabbe won a count back for third over Fumiaki Matssura, scoring a better 19 to 16, which left Serge Straeten in fifth and Brian Randall getting a mention on his first attempt.
Once again there were no ‘2’s in the first division but Colin Kershaw made sure it was a good farewell as he cleared out the rollover pot in the second division.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 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.
