IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Oct. 12, Greenwood A & B – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Peter Skinner (11) 34pts
2nd John Carlin (19) 30pts
3rd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 26pts
4th Markku Tynell (20) 25pts
With the rainy weather continuing and the course still heavily affected by water, carts were denied access to the course and had to remain on the cart paths at all times. That meant that once again the field was depleted, with many of the older players, who are unable to both play and walk the course, having to give this popular course a miss. This included your scribe who famously can nowadays neither play nor whistle whilst walking.
Peter Skinner & Mark Armstrong.
Peter Skinner started off his victorious return to Thailand, following his recent special holiday, with a solid round that included just one zero-pointer as he cashed in on his prodigious length from the tee which, on a day that found little run on the fairways, was a huge advantage over the rest of the field. This left him well in front in first place after a two over handicap round.
Some way behind the rest of the field straggled in, led by the in-form John Carlin four shots worse but returning a card without a blemish after a good opening level par nine was partly spoilt with a rather tired closing nine for second place.
Terry Hodgkiss, having struggled for most of the day, still did enough to claim third place a few more behind while Markku Tynell did well to stay in touch for fourth on a day that was almost too difficult for golf.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, Pattana A & B – Stableford
CSS 74
1st Peter Skinner (11) 37pts
2nd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 32pts
3rd Paul Young (14) 30pts
4th John Carlin (19) 30pts
5th Hal Hart (20) 27pts
Amazingly, amongst most of the other courses in the area suffering from the weather, the day’s test was in great shape with carts allowed all over the course except, as usual, on the opening holes of each nine and the last on the ninth on the A course. With the greens also playing well, although a tad slow due to the lack of mowing, it was only the strong winds that forced the CSS for the day out a shot to 74 for the par 73 A & B courses.
Peter Skinner was again to be found at the top of the leaderboard following a better one under handicap round, but on this occasion he needed to put in a very strong finish after being well buffeted by the wind on the opening half. This he did with a three under handicap inward half that left him five clear of the rest of the hopefuls, none of whom could match his closing charge for the top step once again.
Terry Hodgkiss was the nearest on this occasion in second place, even after slipping in a zero-pointer on the last hole but an outstanding front nine where he scored five more points better than par had done enough to ensure a good podium placement once again.
Paul Young won a count back over playing partner John Carlin with a better 14 to 13 for third after John had put the pressure on him over the first nine holes but just let his advantage slip, taking just one point from the last two difficult holes.
Hal Hart claimed fifth place after a very mixed round that unfortunately included five zero-pointers amongst some very nice pearls.
Once again there were no 2s in the first division but Markku Tynell cleaned out the rollover pot in the second division.
Friday, Oct. 16, Bangpra – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Mark Armstrong (25) 38pts
2nd Vincent Gras (19) 34pts
3rd Phil Cass (16) 34pts
4th Paul Young (14) 33pts
5th Jens Gunnarsson (12) 32pts
6th Chris Ross (23) 31pts
Bangpra is usually one of the most difficult courses that the group play, where the notoriously quick greens normally play havoc with a player’s card, but this time around the weather actually helped most of the contenders, as the inability of the greenkeepers to shave them down quite so low tended to assist the medium to higher handicappers. There were plenty of entries by handicaps of 15 and below but none figured above fourth place as the higher markers took the day’s top honours.
Mark Armstrong was in fact the lowest ranked player of the day but that did not affect his chance to take the limelight for a change as he put together an excellent round that included no less than eight three-pointers and included just one blob, putting together his best round for three years and he deservedly took the top honour for the day.
Vincent Gras had done some serious training over the preceding two days, hardly having left the Wonderful Bar and then only to visit The Haven for some solid sustenance and a few draft beers, and was in such great shape and form he easily took second spot following a count back over Phil Cass, which he won with a better 18 to 17.
Paul Young again figured well, taking fourth place and just holding off playing partner Jens Gunnarsson by a shot after he had started out strongly and then slipped a little on the back nine. Jens almost caught him over the closing holes, taking 19 points from the last eight holes, but a three-pointer on the last saved the day for Paul.
Chris Ross took the last step of the podium by winning a count back over Andrew Kostopoulos with a better 15 on the back nine.
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.
