IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, March 31, Khao Kheow B & C – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Russell Gilroy (18) 39pts
2nd Markku Tynell (23) 35pts
3rd Bill Shepley (5) 31pts
4th Terry Hodgkiss (22) 30pts
5th Ian Dale (9) 29pts
For once the course did not exact a full penalty on the whole field as for the first time in a few visits a couple of contenders actually made the standard and the CSS for the day only rose by a stroke.
Following his win the previous Friday, when he took his first Monthly Medal, Russell Gilroy continued along the same path to take the day’s competition by four clear after starting out over the front nine five under. Despite having a rush of blood in the middle of the back nine, that saw him drop three points to par, Russell still easily did enough to see himself home.
Russell Gilroy and Trevor Schirmer.
Markku Tynell ran the winner the closest after he finished strongly at two under handicap for the inward half to finish in second place, four points ahead of Bill Shepley in third.
Terry Hodgkiss did not play to his recent potential but had just done sufficient on the front nine to claim fourth ahead of Ian Dale who had taken five more than Terry going out but nearly caught up over the last four holes.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Markku Tynell had the sole one in the second division to sweep the pool.
The Presentations were back to normal with The Doc doing the honours once again but a little slower and a lot quieter following his return from two weeks away in the hospital. He had a welcome for new member Fran Mootoo together with welcome backs for Ian Dale, Chris Kershaw, Colin Kershaw, Arthur Todd, Philip Voas, John Pearce and Hal Hart.
Wednesday, April 2, Crystal Bay A & C – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Trevor Schirmer (14) 36pts
2nd Takeshi Hakozaki (10) 36pts
3rd Ian Dale (9) 35pts
4th Vincent Gras (16) 33pts
The last time the group played this course it was showing some signs of improvement, but while these have continued over the fairways, drink stops and changing facilities, the greens have regressed to as bad as they have ever been. There needs to be an urgent assessment by the greens-keeper and action taken before it is too late. In the meantime several players are voting with their feet which is a sad situation as the group have tried to support the course with twice monthly reservations but players require a putting surface that gives a semblance of flatness and consistency of pace.
Amazingly the CSS for the day went down, which was a testament to the condition of the rest of the course.
Trevor Schirmer added to the longest drive of the day with his first win in many attempts, much to the delight of the audience at the prize giving. Trevor won a 21 to 18 count back over Takeshi Hakozaki, who could not capitalize on his member’s local knowledge.
Ian Dale fulfilled his undoubted promise with a solid return of one over handicap to take third spot ahead of Vincent Gras, who had left himself just a bit too much to do over the back nine.
There were no ‘2’s in either division which was a fair indication of the state of the greens as the general quality of the golf and golfers of the day were above a normal turnout.
Friday, April 4, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Russell Gilroy (18) 45pts
2nd John Carlin (16) 33pts
3rd Bruce Kusyk (13) 32pts
4th Al Rolnik (19) 31pts
5th Trevor Schirmer (14) 31pts
At the end of the week’s events it is obvious that the low season has started about three weeks early, no doubt due to the unrest in Bangkok although there is absolutely no reason for travelers to the Pattaya area to be affected, but clearly the situation in Thailand generally is having some effect. On the plus side at least it makes for trouble free golf and no pressure on the way to a good day of sport.
Russell Gilroy took his second win of the week, after missing out on the Wednesday, with a stunning round of golf that saw him start out with 22 points (including no score worse than a bogey) and then followed that with a very tidy back nine of 23 points, which unfortunately included a zero, to finish at nine under. His card included two 4-pointers, seven 3’s, eight 2’s and a blob, only the long par-5 14th round the lake defeated him. Russell’s efforts for the week ensured that his handicap will be reduced by four for the next few outings.
Second place some twelve shots back was filled by returnee John Carlin who played along with Russell and still could be found muttering that it was unbelievable.
Bruce Kusyk slipped into third spot another shot behind John and one ahead of the count back for fourth and fifth, which Al Rolnik won with a better 14 to 13 to consign Trevor Schirmer to the last step of the podium.
One again there were no 2’s in either division but this time it was due to the difficulty of the greens rather than their condition, which was excellent. Amazingly Crystal Bay and Mountain Shadow are controlled by the same group, are next door to each other, and presumably have the benefit of the same greens staff, but the difference between the two set of greens are as chalk and cheese.
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.
