IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, June 18, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Dick Heaney (14) 36pts
2nd Tomas Nilsson (10) 35pts
3rd Rod Crosswell (12) 34pts
4th Benny Hansen (25) 31pts
A smaller group took on the challenge at the premier Baan Chang course, no doubt due to the lingering doubts as to the playability of the course. We discovered, as on the last visit, that the course generally was in good shape but was marred generally by the condition of the greens which were slow and bumpy and well below the excellent level that was the norm several years ago. It is noted that the Chairman’s Cup is due to be played over the course in the near future, which hopefully will ensure that the condition improves soon.
Dick Heaney led in the group that in spite of the lower numbers still produced some god scores with a level handicap round that was sufficient by the slimmest of margins to claim his first win of this trip, which has included several other rounds with other groups in the area.
Dick Heaney.
Tomas Nilsson at last appears to be over his jet lag and is beginning to play to his normal level and a slightly lower than handicap round was enough for him to take second spot ahead of Rod Crosswell by a single shot. Rod is still showing he is competitive even after his recent two stroke reduction in handicap.
Benny Hansen rounded out the podium some three shots further back in fourth.
Apologies are owed to the day’s winner Dick Heaney as the opportunity was lost to take his picture for publication before he left for Phuket.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Before presenting the prizes Stephen Beard welcomed back Dick Heaney, Shane Heavey, Vince Gras and Ron Kerslake.
Wednesday, June 20, Pattana A & B – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Seil Revels (5) 38pts
2nd Terry Hodgkiss (26) 38pts
3rd Yasuo Suzuki (12) 37pts
4th Don Everett (21) 36pts
5th Tom McCarthy (20) 36pts
Back to Pattana again now that the pricing has become competitive with many and better than some of the higher quality courses in the area, and now that the extensive ground keeping work that had been undertaken over the last few months, has been competed it is a real pleasure to play there.
Seil Revels.
With memories of a very hard day playing from the white tees, especially for the higher handicappers, it was decided that the par 73, which includes one par 6, should be played from the yellow tees, which at approximately 6500 yards is still a reasonable test for players of all levels of handicap. In the event the CSS for the day went down with many of the competitors playing within the two stroke margin of the standard scratch.
Seil Revels did just enough after a completing the front nine in a scorching gross level par to hold off Terry Hodgkiss and won the count back with a better 17 to 15 as Terry faded badly after going out in five under handicap and looking like the winner, but just three points on the first three holes of the back nine effectively put paid to his chances for the top spot. But Seil was also not without his problems as the tricky par three twelfth hole also spoiled his inward half as he failed to score on it but recovered his composure to take the win with a steady finish to the round.
Yasuo Suzuki overcame his fatigue to take third place by just one shot behind the leading pair following his strenuous activities with his tour leadership responsibilities, these having taken their toll on his stamina day and night over the last couple days as the tourists try and fit two month’s fun, games, golf and food into a fourteen day period.
Tom McCarthy just lost the count back for fourth place to Don Everett as Don finished well to win by 17 to 15 after Tom had started the day with seven points from the first two holes with a par and a birdie and had fourteen points after just five holes but even amassing six 3-pointers and a four pointer, was not quite good enough on the day with so many other good scores in contention.
Don Everett cleaned out the second division rollover 2’s pool while Masanori Takano did the same in the first division.
Prior to the prize giving there were welcome backs for Tom McCarthy, Jim Lloyd and “Yakayuno Tours” made up of Kaneo Watanabe, Yukio Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Nakagomi led by their intrepid guide Yasuo.
Friday, June 22, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Shuichi Kodaka (17) 38pts
2nd Yasuo Suzuki (12) 37pts
3rd Terry Hodgkiss (26) 37pts
4th Alwyne Burley (18) 36pts
5th Jens Gunnarsson (14) 35pts
5th Rodney Hayes (14) 34pts
The always popular Emerald course proved so once again as the second visit in the week to Baan Chang produced the largest field, with just one more being needed to form two divisions.
The course was also found to have recovered from the recent coring of the greens which have now returned to normal with good holding abilities whilst being fast and flat.
Shuichi Kodaka ensured that he will be going down a stroke in handicap for the second week in succession as a two under handicap return shot him to the top once more to beat of the challenges of the chasing pair by a single shot as he followed a strong two under handicap outward half with a solid level return on the inward nine.
Yasuo Suzuki again showed his strength in taking second place with an excellent back nine of four under handicap, after going out very slowly following a very late night spent in the company of Mr Chivas and the tour fanatics, which translated into a win in a count back by 22 to 15 over Terry Hodgkiss.
Once again Terry could not keep the round on track and following an outstanding front nine of four under handicap he slipped badly, only being able to take three points from the last three holes and was left ruing yet another fine opportunity missed.
Alwyne Burley never does much to excite the crowds but is always there or thereabouts, which he was again in taking fourth place with a level handicap round which consigned Jens Gunnarsson into fifth, one back and Rodney Hayes into sixth at two back but looking good on his return to golf in Pattaya.
Rod Crosswell had the sole 2 in the first division while Shuichi Kodaka and Terry Hodgkiss shared the second division pool.
Back at The Haven there was a welcome for new member Lincoln Burke and a welcome back for Rodney Hayes who had been around for a couple of weeks but had been unable to play due to a severe chest infection.
There were farewells for Shane Heavey, Ron Kerslake and Vince Gras all returning to Oz tired but happy after playing every day and every night during their weeklong stay.
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 8.30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
