IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, July 20, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Peter Buckley (21) 33pts
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 32pts
3rd Graham Davis (8) 32pts
4th Walter Panichi (1) 29pts
A very mixed week of golf fortunes started out at the notoriously short but difficult Mountain Shadow course that had been originally designed for players of 15-handicap or below. But even for those entries the day was just a little too hard a test, as the course had been set up with the pin placements in some very hard to get to areas.
(Left to right) Peter Skinner, Russell Gilroy & Peter Buckley.
None of the 20 handicap and below players scored within two of their handicap and so the day became a non-counting event for handicap reviews as the CSS went out to 75, even though the course was in very good condition and great value for money.
Peter Buckley had the best of the day at three over handicap after he had started very well, taking 20 points from the opening nine but then a few too many slips on the way in left him with just enough points for the win, his first of the current trip.
Shuichi Kodaka won a count back over Graham Davis with a better 18 to 17 after they had both struggled through the first nine.
Walter Panichi, as the lowest handicapper of the day, started as the hot favourite but found the front nine pin placements to be in all the wrong places. After missing too many greens in regulation he had to settle for a good day out with pleasant company as the only reward for his efforts, but as always he kept smiling through the good and the bad.
As was to be expected with the difficult course set up there were no 2’s in either of the divisions.
Wednesday, July 22, Pattana B & C (white tees) – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Russell Gilroy (15) 34pts
2nd Don Everett (18) 34pts
3rd Walter Panichi (1) 34pts
4th Graham Davis (8) 33pts
5th Peter Skinner (12) 31pts
6th Danny Greer (26) 31pts
Following the earlier outing on Monday, nobody expected an easier run out at Pattana where recently the course had been the outright winner. But on this occasion there were a few that made the standard of within two of handicap and therefore the CSS remained at 72 for the day with the course playing very well and in good shape as usual. What made the day quite testing was the length, as at over 6,700 yards it was a little on the long side for most of the field.
Russell Gilroy won a three-way count back to take his first win for some time, with a best 19 points to leave Don Everett in second after he had taken 17 from the back nine. Walter Panichi, getting back to form with a gross 75, only had 15 points on the second half after he had gone out in gross level par but an uncharacteristic double on C4 did for his chances in his last outing of his current visit.
Graham Davis took fourth place after beginning brightly but then fading through the closing three holes from which he could take just three points.
Peter Skinner won a count back for fifth with a better 16 to 14 ahead of Danny Greer in sixth place.
Once again there were no 2’s in either of the divisions.
Prior to the presentations of the prizes there were welcome backs for Mike Hill, Peter Skinner, Don Everett and Russell Gilroy.
Friday, July 24, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Peter Skinner (12) 41pts
2nd Phil Cass (16) 38pts
3rd Benny Hansen (26) 37pts
4th Hal Hart (20) 34pts
5th Peter Buckley (21) 33pts
Having heard a few negative comments regarding the condition of this course following the extensive renovations many of the hopefuls were full of trepidation, but in the event most were well satisfied and the scores for the competition turned out to be the best of the week, with the CSS for the day reducing to 71.
Peter Skinner had a field day as he swept to the top of the podium with a very impressive five under return. It included a two over gross back nine and 13 points from the last five holes and marked a very pleasant return to golfing in Thailand after the rigours of his vacation on Vancouver Island.
Phil Cass also had a good day and was unlucky to have found Peter in such fine form as he took second place with a two under handicap return. Phil’s round included a wonderful eagle three, for five points, on the par five 11th hole after hitting his second to two feet past the pin and only just missing the albatross 2.
Benny Hansen was another player under handicap but had to be satisfied on this occasion with third place after he too had scored five points on a hole when he birdied the par-three 7th.
Hal Hart claimed fourth another there points behind and one ahead of fifth placed Peter Buckley who again showed well until the back nine.
For the third time in the week there were no 2’s, leaving both pots brimming for the following week.
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.
