IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Nov. 10, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Phil Groves (11) 39pts
2nd Brian Watson (15) 37pts
3rd John Carlin (18) 34pts
4th Paul Young (14) 29pts
5th Peter Skinner (12) 28pts
6th Jon Yarrow (14) 28pts
At last the weather seems to have cleared up and we can all look forward to the hot and steamy high season but it all seems very quiet around the courses still, with many numbers missing compared to previous years. At least it has meant a sharpening of pencils by the course managements, as they seek to keep their player numbers at a reasonable level. There are exceptions, with some courses not seeming to “get it’ and consequently their throughput of golfers will no doubt suffer as the customer base realise the different values on offer in the market. As always The Haven continues to support those courses that offer quality golf at a good value.
Phil Groves & Masami Takagi.
Phil Groves started off the week with a good round by most standards, although he sets himself a high standard and even though he returned a winning score of three under handicap he still lamented his inability to “ break 80”, but it was good enough by two to see off his nearest challenger on the day.
That was Brian Watson, who started his good off with a second spot at one under handicap on a day when scoring was at a premium.
John Carlin slipped into third place well clear of fourth placed Paul Young, with Peter Skinner claiming fifth after winning a count back over Jon Yarrow.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Phil Groves added to his spoils with the sole one in the first division.
Wednesday, Nov. 12, Greenwood A & B – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Phil Groves (11) 44pts
2nd Barry Wellings (6) 36pts
2nd Danny Greer (25) 35pts
4th Brian Watson (15) 34pts
5th Wayne Challis (14) 33pts
6th John Carlin (18) 33pts
Greenwood is still offering very competitively priced golf on a course that is always presented in tip top condition and even a slight hiccup when the start was delayed could not diminish an excellent day’s golf.
At last Phil Groves almost had a smile on his face at the end of a very, very good round that was highlighted by a back nine of gross 75 which included eight pars and a birdie for 25 points. This, added to a solid 19 going out, totaled an unassailable eight under and well and truly broke 80 and it had Phil dreaming of the old days back in OZ when he was a major player in his club’s Pennant team.
The quality of the winning score could can be recognised when it is seen that the next best round was at level par, returned by Barry Wellings which earned him second place ahead of Danny Greer who made all his handicap shots count with his best round for some considerable time.
Brian Watson took his second podium placement for the week with his fourth spot ahead of a three-way count back for fifth and sixth which Wayne Challis won with a better 17 and John Carlin pipped Robert Phelps with a better 16 to 14 for sixth.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Wayne Challis had the solo one to claim the first division pool.
Prior to the presentations there was a welcome for new member Robert Phelps together with welcome backs for Wayne Challis, Mick Alleyne, Peter Newham, Danny Greer and last but not least to the runner, Stephen Beard, heavily disguised as a golfer but having not looked at all like one out on the course.
Friday, Nov. 12, Khao Kheow B & C – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Masami Takagi (28) 36pts
2nd Brian Watson (15) 35pts
3rd Mick Alleyne (8) 35pts
4th Paul Young (14) 35pts
5th Phil Groves (11) 35pts
With the special price green fee tickets running low, the day was one of the last chances to play the Pete Dye design at a fantastic value and on a course that always offers a stern challenge no matter which nines are in play. Once again the weather was very good with a slight breeze and some overcast skies and a well presented course to enjoy.
Masami Takagi took his first win out of the Haven with his equal best score in Pattaya after five years of trying to break a 100 and this was his third occasion to do so, much to the delight of his tour party who sank copious amounts of “top shelf, top quality sake” to celebrate late into the night.
The next four places had to be settled by count back with Brian Watson again on the podium in second place with 14 on the back six after he had tied with Mick Alleyne, who finished third with 11, for the nine on 19 each. Paul Young placed fourth after he beat Phil Groves with an 18 to 15 on the back nine.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division ensuring that the next week will start off with a very full pot, but Phil Groves made up for missing out in the main competition by taking the only one in the first division.
Prior to the presentations there were welcome backs for Frank Hughes, Warby Hohenhaus and the Tour Group “Yatamama Tours” here in Pattaya for their fifth time..
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 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 a 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.
