IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, May 12, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
Division 1 (0-17)
1st Allen Raaen (8) 32pts
2nd Darryl Kellett (15) 32pts
3rd Kevin Blake (8) 32pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Ray Daws (19) 30pts
2nd Hal Hart (22) 30pts
3rd Mark Armstrong (26) 28pts
A good turnout for a difficult course meant the formation of two divisions with the cut coming at an unusually high 17 and below. But even playing from the shorter yellow tees, from which the length is almost 6,400 yards, there were none that could make the standard of “within two strokes of handicap” and the day’s competition became non-counting for upward review of handicaps, with the CSS for the day moving up to 75.
Allen Raaen, Darryl Kellett and Paul Young.
It was not the condition of the course that determined these results, as the course was found to be in A-one shape, but as usual it plays a lot longer than shown on the card and the greens tend to be either narrow or shallow, demanding accurate shots to remain on them from almost any distance.
The usual suspects were to be found amongst the top of the first division leaders with Allen Raaen taking the top spot after a three-way count back win over Darryl Kellett in second and Kevin Blake in third after they had scored 16, 14 and 13 respectively.
The second division saw Ray Daws take the win as he too won a count back against Hal Hart with a better 17 to 12. Hal had started the front nine as if would be the certain winner but Ray overhauled him steadily over the inward half, finishing with seven points from the last two holes as Hal took just three point from the last four. They were followed in by a three-way count back which Mark Armstrong won with a better 13 on the back nine as Fred Smith could muster just 10 after they had tied the nine at 16 apiece. Gavin Hargrave, in fifth, had contested just the back nine with 15.
Prior to the presentations there were welcome backs for Ron Hoban and Russell Gilroy both from the Wakehurst Golf Club in Sydney.
Allen Raaen and Darryl Kellett shared the 2’s pool in the first division and at long last the second division pot, standing at 6k, was taken by Ray Daws, who missed two chances and then sunk one at the last and arguably the hardest par three. Although he did not mention to the caddies what the feat really meant, he magnanimously blew the horn to celebrate the occasion following the prize giving ceremony.
Wednesday, May 14, Greenwood A & B – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Paul Young (15) 37pts
2nd John Wood (26) 37pts
3rd Markku Tynell (23) 37pts
4th Allen Raaen (8) 36pts
5th Kevin Blake (8) 36pts
A smaller field to take on the almost neighbouring course to Monday’s outing saw slightly fewer contenders but much better scoring, with the course condition benefitting from some overnight rain. The fairways still had some run despite the rain but the greens were receptive and slightly slower due to the lack of early morning mowing, all adding up to a course that could be played with a lot more ease, and this showed through in the cards returned.
Paul Young led in the top three after winning a count back with 19 on the back nine, denying John Wood his long awaited win after the latter could garner what was a creditable 17 after a very good start to the round on the front half.
Markku Tynell again showed strongly in third place as he returned 16 on the inward half after looking a likely winner after his opening nine, but four singles pointers ruined any chance of the win. Allen Raaen had another steady round at level par and took fourth spot after winning a count back against the resurgent Kevin Blake, with a better 18 to 17.
Kevin Blake slipped in the sole 2 in the first division, whilst in the second division Hal Hart came a day late with his magnificent effort of a ‘2’ on a par four, when he canned one from 120 yards on the fifth hole on his way to a five-point haul and his first ever eagle since taking up golf.
Friday, May 16, Crystal Bay C & A – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Darryl Kellett (15) 37pts
2nd Takeshi Hakozaki (9) 37pts
3rd Markku Tynell (23) 36pts
4th Ryan Dienelt (10) 35pts
5th Allen Raaen (8) 35pts
It would appear that the management have taken some note of the recent comments regarding the condition of the greens here as a lot of effort and attention has been taken to try and get them back into shape. These efforts have shown some improvement although it is fair to say there is still a distance to go before they can be viewed as anywhere near their old condition, but at least they are playable as the results of the day bear witness and the CSS for the day actually went down a stroke.
Darryl Kellett took his first win of this trip after he had won a count back over Takeshi Hakozaki, even allowing for the latter’s course knowledge as a long serving member, with a better 20 to 18.
Markku Tynell took third place once again on even par and a level handicap round, with Ryan Dienelt taking his first podium placement out of The Haven after he won a count back against Allen Raaen with a better 16 to 14 return.
Even with the greens playing much better than recently, there were still no 2’s in either division.
Back at The Haven there was a welcome back for Alwyne Burley who had heard about two items that caught his attention, firstly the second division 2’s pool growth, but not that it had already been claimed, and secondly the recent golfing form of Hal Hart. In the second instance he was looking for some serious payback and a good meal to boot, but unfortunately Hal had been called away on duty with the local AFW as they prepare for the S.E Asia Congress to be held shortly in Pattaya, and so Alwyne had to settle for paying both his day’s playing partners and for his own fish soup.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 094 567 5726 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.
