IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, August 8, Century Chonburi – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Phil Stevenson (22) 37
2nd Bill Bertram (10) 35
3rd Trevor Schirmer (15) 33 cb 18
4th Paul Hartley (19) 33 cb 17
5th Markku Tynell (27) 30
Today the group from Soi 13 was back at what must surely be the most inexpensive golf in Thailand at least and possibly the world with a day’s golf including a caddy and sharing a golf cart costing just 500 baht. Certainly there is much that could be improved on the course and in the clubhouse but the course is a good design and plays as well as many that are costing more than double and with the application of a couple of sensible local rules for the day it was definitely worth the trip up the 331.
Markku Tynell.
It certainly suited Phil Stevenson who was seeing the course for the first time and played under his handicap for the first time as well to secure his maiden win in Thailand by a comfortable margin over second placed Bill Bertram who followed him in another two points behind.
Trevor Schirmer came back to some semblance of form winning a count back for third place by 18 to 17 over Paul Hartley with Markku Tynell rounding out the honourable mentions in fifth spot.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed new member Gary Warren and welcomed back Bill Bertram and Paul Hartley.
Wednesday, August 10, Khao Kheow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Paul Hartley (19) 35 cb 20
2nd Norman Cheetham (15) 35 cb 18 b6 12
3rd Phil Stevenson (22) 35 cb 18 b6 11
4th Chris Williams (20) 31
5th Trevor Schirmer (15) 30
Paul Hartley 2.
Khao Kheow off the yellow tees is always a tough proposition and following the overnight rain the course was playing very tough with little or no run off the tees and heavy conditions in the rough. But balancing those conditions, were the greens that were found to be in excellent condition, running fast and true when the players eventually arrived on them.
Paul Hartley having missed out on the previous outing in a count back, this time secured the top spot by winning one against two other hopefuls with a better 20 on the inward half.
Norman Cheetham took second place after he beat Phil Stevenson over the last six by 12 to 11 after they had both returned 18 for the back nine.
Chris Williams who was on a short leave from his ship docked in Laem Chabang port together with two other golfers who were equally as keen, had played every day for the last three days without much success, so even though the score was not quite as good as he would have liked, he was well pleased to figure in the final reckoning in fourth place, bearing out the ships motto of “Fortune Favors the Brave”. Though the spelling is slightly different from the that usually used in The Haven, it is a truism.
Phil Stevenson.
Trevor Schirmer once again figured in the final count up as he slipped into fifth spot another shot back.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Norman Cheetham cleared out the first division roll over pool with the lone one.
Prior to the presentations there were welcomes for new members visiting off the USS John S. McCain, namely Chris Williams, Fred Devino and George Sait together with the farewells, as theirs was just a fleeting visit, whilst there was a welcome back for Norman Cheetham.
Friday, August 12, Rayong Country Club – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Markku Tynell (27) 35
2nd Norman Cheetham (15) 33
3rd Stephen Beard (22) 32
4th Rod Howett (22) 30 cb 15
5th Rodney Hayes (11) 30 cb 14
After the day out on Monday the group had yet another very inexpensive day, especially considering that the day was at holiday rates, with a total cost of just a 1,000 which included the golf, caddy and single use of a golf cart.
With the greens still recovering from a very liberal sanding, scoring was at a premium with the conditions favouring the higher handicappers. It was very soon apparent, after covering the first few holes, that the winning score for the day would not be very high.
So it proved as Markku Tynell applied himself very well to take his very first win in Thailand, with a score of one over handicap to win by two from Norman Cheetham who took his second runner up prize in succession.
Coming back to single player golf, Stephen Beard did well to take third place but could have been much better if any of the first putts could have made it up to the hole.
Rod Howett took fourth spot away from Rodney Hayes with a better count back of 15 to 14 after they had both struggled for most of the day.
For the second time running Norman Cheetham walked away with the only 2 in the first division and once again there were none in the second division as the pot continues to grow.
Back at The Haven there was a welcome back for Stephen Beard together with farewells for Tom McCarthy and Markku Tynell.
As from the 1st of July the Haven group will depart Soi 13 at the earlier time of 9 a.m. until further notice.
Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group you can contact mobile 082 219 0965 or call in to the 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 8.30 on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and 9 a.m. on Sundays on the days you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
