IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, July 22, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 74
1st Steve Bickle (15) 34pts
2nd Rodney Hayes (14) 33pts
3rd Kevin Blake (6) 31pts
4th Mick Lowe (19) 29pts
5th Adrian Davis (8) 28pts
As always the course was found to be in very good condition although, as seems to be the norm of late, the consistent heavy rainfall over the whole area meant that as usual the course was playing its full length plus a lot more and the CSS for the day reflected that difficulty as it moved out two strokes to 74.
Steve Bickle.
Steve Bickle returned in great form, uncaring of the conditions which seemed to affect so many of the rest of the field, he returned a solid two over handicap round that was just enough to secure top spot for the day.
Rodney Hayes, who was playing his last round of golf unbeknown to everyone, had his best round for several months and easily placed second when a putt on the last refused to drop, but as was always the case, he was just pleased to be out there and prize winning was a bonus.
Kevin Blake, who is still searching for the answer to an unspoken question, slipped into third after another round that would have been unthinkable just a few weeks previously, but with the difficulty of the course a major factor on the day third place was a commendable result with so many other good players unable to cope on the day.
Mick Lowe also did well to take fourth place with Adrian Cook having just one highlight of an otherwise very tough day.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Adrian Cook took the first division pot with a solo effort in the first division.
Prior to the prize presentations there were welcome backs for Phil Groves and Steve Bickle.
Wednesday, July 24, Khao Kheow A & C – Stableford
CSS 73
Division 1 (0-15)
1st George Cullen (14) 33pts
2nd Joe McArdle (13) 32pts
3rd Trevor Schirmer (12) 28pts
4th Phil Groves (7) 28pts
Division 2 (16+)
1st Shuichi Kodaka (17) 36pts
2nd Phillip Cass (20) 35pts
3rd Gavin Hargrave (30) 35pts
4th Mick Lowe (19) 33pts
A good turnout for a course that has received a fair amount of stick regarding its condition, most of it warranted, meant the formation of two divisions with the cut coming at 15 and below as usual.
Shuichi Kodaka.
The general condition of the A course was poor although the implementation of a generous ‘lift and place’ anywhere in the fairways no nearer the hole, helped to some degree, as the management are obviously struggling to keep eighteen holes in play while undertaking some major renovations. This affected the general scores and saw the CSS move out to 73 for the day.
George Cullen came, saw and conquered during his first visit to play with the Soi 13 group with a solid return that was enough on the day to win ahead of playing partner Joe McArdle, who ran him close, and with the rest of the division a long way back.
Trevor Schirmer won a three-way count back for third with 17 points, in front of Phil Groves and Adrian Cook who had 14 and 11 respectively.
The second division was led in by Shuichi Kodaka with the best of the day level handicap round as the division proved to be a much closely contested affair. Phillip Cass took second place just a point behind after also winning a count back over Gavin Hargrave with a better 17 to 16 inward nine. Mick Lowe once again showed well, just two away, in fourth place.
Phil Groves and Geoff Potter shared the first division 2’s pool with one apiece whilst Gavin Hargrave made it a happy return with the lone one in the second division to sweep the roll over pool.
Serge Straeten.
Before the prize presentations were made there were welcomes for the group from Adelaide that included Arthur Patton, Eddie Mathews, Chris Bonython, Ray Daws, and Rodney Graham, the latter having tried to circumvent the Obersturmbahnfurher by sneaking onto the minibus without signing in or paying, but 17 years of practice saw this attempt easily thwarted. There were also welcomes for Mark Hilliers and George Cullen together with welcome backs for Gavin Hargrave, Brian Johnson, Geoff Potter, Joe McArdle, Joe Peters and Declan Kelly.
In addition there was a bye-bye maybe bye-bye sung for Kevin Blake who was once again threatening to return to Sussex as it would soon be Goodwood Week, which is held every year on the course just over his back garden fence, but John the Hat was not taking bets on the trip actually happening.
It was especially noteworthy that Chris Bonython was a two-time finalist in the Australian Amateur Golf Match Play Championship, having won once, but now recuperating from major surgery and playing a little less competitively.
A big turnout meant the formation of two divisions again with the cut coming at 15 and below for the first division.
Friday, July 26, Greenwood A & C – Stableford
Division 1 (0-15)
White tees
CSS 74
1st Jon Batty (9) net 71
2nd Graham Davis (8) net 73
3rd Alwyne Burley (15) net 73
4th Chris Bonython (9) net 73
Division 2 (16+)
Yellow tees
CSS 71
1st Serge Straeten (16) 69pts
2nd Brian Johnson (18) 73pts
3rd Gavin Hargrave (30) 73pts
4th Phillip Cass (20) 73pts
With Phoenix still in a state of uncertainty following its recent acquisition by an, as yet un-named purchaser, and unable to change their pricing policy to suit the current market conditions, the two competitions were held at Greenwood which seemed by all accounts to have been a very good decision and was underlined by the very close and tight scoring.
As always with the monthly medals the cut was made at 15 and below for the first division, but another large turnout would have demanded that be the situation in any event.
The best of the day belonged to Serge Straeten whose three under handicap round easily took the second division medal and qualified him for the end of year Gold and Silver Medal competitions along with the first division winner Jon Batty, who had a much harder job keeping the chasing pack at bay.
Jon’s win came after returning a very good one under round that included an outward nine of gross 38, which was matched by second placed man Graham Davis on his back nine on his way to winning a count back over Alwyne Burley with a better 34 to 37.5, leaving Alwyne in third place.
Chris Bonython was also included in the count back, finishing with 38.5 after a very traumatic five over par on the second hole on C, with two OB off the tee, when a double bogey would have seen him out the winner.
After Serge’s fine round the minor placings were shared between Brian Johnson in second, after he won a three way count back with the best net 34, Gavin Hargrave, once again showing well, in third after 36 over the inward half and Phillip Cass, on the podium for the second time in the week, in fourth after a net 38 back nine.
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.
R.I.P. Rodney Hayes
Following the untimely passing of Rodney Hayes, a long time IPGC member and almost a permanent fixture during the daytimes and early evenings at The Haven, on the evening of Wednesday 24th July, Fridays medals were designated The Rodney Hayes Memorial Medals in honour of him and his contribution to and the support of the golf scene in Soi 13.
Rodney will be sorely missed by his many friends both here in Pattaya and in his home area of Manley, Sydney where he was a well known and respected member of the Wakehurst Golf Club, an ardent member and follower of the Manley Sea Eagles as well as a regular follower of sport at the Sydney Cricket Ground where he was a lifetime member.
Rodney will be cremated in Pattaya during the week commencing 29th July when his wife May and daughter Karen, together with son-in-law Kurt, will be able to meet with his many friends here in Pattaya to celebrate his eventful life.
