IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, June 2, Greenwood B & C – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Phillip Cass (21) 38pts
2nd Mike Hill (22) 36pts
3rd Markku Tynell (23) 36pts
4th Russell Gilroy (15) 35pts
5th Allen Raaen (7) 35pts
6th Terry Hodgkiss (22) 35pts
A very enjoyable week of golf played on virtually empty courses as the political situation in Thailand seems to have kept away tourists, many of which were obviously golfers. When added to an already especially low number of players in the area during the current low season it must be a severe problem for the local courses, but it certainly makes for speedy rounds.
Phillip Cass started off a memorable week with a win, earning himself a single stroke cut in handicap after a mixed round that included three zeros and could have been so much better, and but for a three-pointer by Phillip on the last, Mike Hill would have taken top spot for himself as he applied the pressure through the back nine.
Russell Gilroy and Phil Cass.
Markku Tynell, who has been performing well recently, took third after losing a count back for second with a lesser 16 to 18.
There was another count back for fourth, this time a three-way one, that saw Russell Gilroy prevail with 19 as Allen Raaen took fifth with 18 and Terry Hodgkiss sixth with 17.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Wednesday, June 4, Khao Kheow A & B – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Phillip Cass (21) 37pts
2nd Vincent Gras (15) 32pts
3rd Jon Batty (10) 30pts
4th David Ross (9) 30pts
5th Wayne Farrell (11) 29pts
After several recent visits to Khao Kheow when the conditions have been excellent, this trip was less enjoyable as the greens were found to be in quite poor condition with many bare patches having suddenly appeared, and with the recent regular nightly rains obviously curtailing the green keepers, the speeds were also very slow.
With a no carts on the fairways determining the application of the local rule of ‘lift and place’ in the fairways, scoring was still at a premium with only the winner able to break par and the CSS for the day once again moved out to 73.
Phillip Cass made sure of a big send off, as he played his last game before returning to work for another four weeks and once again led in the pack, this time by an even bigger margin, earning himself anther one stroke deduction of handicap for when he returns.
Vincent Gras came closest to challenge Phillip but was still five points adrift in second place as the field generally struggled with the wet conditions and the greens.
Jon Batty took third spot after winning a count back over David Ross, finishing with a better 17 to 14 on the back nine. Wayne Farrell rounded off the podium in fifth on 29 points.
Once again there were no 2’s in either division.
Friday, June 6, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Russell Gilroy (15) 40pts
2nd Markku Tynell (23) 38pts
3rd Kevin Waycott (9) 34pts
4th David Grist (8) 32pts
5th Trevor Schirmer (15) 31pts
With many of the regular entrants taking a rest day, it was a smaller than usual field that travelled down to Banchang to play the Nick Faldo designed course where ‘lift and place’ in the fairways is standard practice to make allowance for the condition of the grass. It is noticeable that the management is working on the situation, with many areas having been re-laid and this should improve the general conditions in the future.
Russell Gilroy led in a strong field after returning a four-under handicap card, finishing with thirteen points from the last four holes to deny Markku Tynell as he could manage just ten points from the same four holes. Russell’s round was his best for eighteen months since the heady days of a twelve handicap, but this day’s effort will see his handicap heading down towards that once again in the near future.
Markku’s back nine of five under also bodes well for a future that will see him at his lowest historical handicap.
Kevin Waycott was not quite able to repeat his maiden outing results but did enough to claim third place another four behind, leaving playing partner David Grist in fourth.
Trevor Schirmer had too many blobs to be a threat to the leaders but added to his long drive with the last place on the podium in fifth.
As the pressure builds in the second division once again there were no 2’s, but Kevin Waycott tidied up the first division with the sole one to sweep the carryover pool.
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.
