IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, April 8, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Mike Hill (22) 42pts
2nd Allen Raaen 38pts
3rd Alwyne Burley (15) 36pts
4th Trevor Schirmer (17) 34pts
5th Paul Kearney (19) 34pts
Returning to Emerald on a Bank Holiday was a very pleasant experience for the players, finding the course not overcrowded and being able to take advantage of the special promotion that included cart, green fee and caddy, which made it a less than expected expense for the day.
Mike Hill.
The course was in good shape generally as the scores attested with the CSS going down to 71 for the day.
Mike Hill started off an amazing week of scoring with a six under return that could have been even better but for an ugly blob on the 11th, but the round had sufficient good parts, with one 4-pointer and eight 3-pointers, to leave Mike the clear winner by four. Allen Raaen, whose solid two under handicap round included just three 1-pointers, took second place behind Mike.
Alwyne Burley is still finishing there or abouts even after his three shot reduction in handicap and he once again showed that he is a competitor an on the day. He also had a special agenda to reclaim some pecking order status over Hal Hart who has recently been taking him and his wallet to the cleaners. This day proved to be a turning point after Hal pulled up lame after going several down on the front nine and ended up in no state to finish the round and unfortunately a non-starter for the rest of the week. But as always, he was exceptionally cheerful in the bar later and ready to get back on terms at the earliest opportunity.
Trevor Schirmer took the first of his three podium results, winning a count back over new member Paul Kearney with a better and startling 23 to 18 after a very quiet 11 points over the outward half, giving notice of things to come later in the week.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome for new member Paul Kearney and a welcome back for Phil Cass.
Wednesday, April 10, Pattana B & C (Yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Trevor Schirmer (17) 45pts
2nd Mike Hill (22) 37pts
3rd Markku Tynell (25) 34pts
4th Phil Cass (19) 31pts
The trip up the 321 was well worth the effort as the course was once again found to be in top condition and adding to the player’s pleasure they found that there was a special offer for those taking a cart of 1,500 baht which included green fee, caddy and golf cart.
Trevor Schirmer.
It looks very possible, given the state of the baht and the rest of the world’s economy especially that of Europe, that the low season this year is going to be fairly slow so it is encouraging to find some course managements are prepared to make adjustments to their plans. It is clear that many wanted to keep the high season green fees the same for the low season, presumably to be able to increase them at the start of October, but with the numbers of golfers already in steep decline that policy may need to be reviewed rapidly.
After a period of rehabilitation Trevor Schirmer seems to be now back in the form he had prior to the onset of his physical problems with his knee, as he stressed by returning his best ever score in Thailand at nine under his current handicap, which will ensure that he will be back in the first division groupings in the future. Although the day’s competition had been set from the yellow tees it was still a remarkable round of golf.
Slipping into second place was the star of the week Mike Hill with another round under par and although it was only equal to the CSS for the day it was a very good return.
Markku Tynell, who also has become one of the usual suspects since playing regularly three times a week, took third place at two over handicap and Phil Cass returned quickly to the podium following his return to Pattaya.
Once more there were no 2’s in the first division but Trevor Schirmer added to his day’s haul with the only one in the second division on the second hole on the C course, which was playing a short 110 yards uphill but which managed to defeat all the other day’s hopefuls.
There was also news today from Brian Randall who had returned to the UK last week when he advised Central News Gossip that the temperatures had generally been better of late but golf was still out of the question and the toboggans had not been put away as yet.
Friday, April 12, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Mike Hill (22) 40pts
2nd Trevor Schirmer (17) 32pts
3rd George Pittam (19) 31pts
Following advice that the day, which was originally scheduled for Phoenix, was to be designated a holiday at that course with the subsequent rise in green fee prices being applied, a vote was taken and the venue confirmed as scheduled but on arrival at the course it was found that the green fee required was even higher than originally quoted at over 2,000 baht as there were insufficient numbers of players. Following another quick poll of the players at the pay desk it was agreed to move to another course where the day was not considered to be a holiday and where the green fee was approximately a third the price and where, not surprisingly with the low season in full swing already, tee times were available and the course was pleased to see the additional income.
Once again Mike Hill was in great form, this time winning by a margin of eight strokes with yet another stunning round that on this occasion did not include any zero pointers as he finished with 20 points over both nines. This result allied to the two previous ones for the week will ensure that Mike will be playing from his lowest ever handicap in the future having come down three strokes during his week’s sterling efforts.
Trevor Schirmer was again in position but perhaps understandably, considering that he had to be responsible for the day’s reorganization together with the logistics involved, he was a bit short of the pace and did not play up to his form earlier in the week and had to settle for second best on the day.
George Pittam took his first podium for a little while, just one behind Trevor.
All in all everyone agreed that the day had eventually turned out to be a success with the course in good shape and nominally quite inexpensive.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Back at The Haven there was a farewell for Wilf Wellman who was finally returning to Canada after an extra long rest.
Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 082 219 0965 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.
