IPGC Championship Report 2011
After a break of two years the IPGC Club Championship returned to Pattana, where a serious test of golf awaited the contenders who were spread over one ladies and three gentlemen’s divisions. As usual, after the first round of stroke play, a cut was to be made at approximately 50% in the gentlemen’s divisions with those missing the mark going forward to the Plate competitions which would be scored under the Stableford system.
A good turnout of members confirmed that it had been a correct decision to move the original date from June to December, although the ladies section could have been a little better represented. The quality of the field was of the highest order with well over 25% of the entrants having a single figure handicap.
2011 Gross and Net Champions: Shane Ruddle (left) and Rodney Hayes.
As a memento of the event, in addition to the specially printed Championship card, all entrants were provided with some of the club’s merchandise in the form of a golf shirt, umbrella, and towel at registration where the IPGC Hole-in-One bag was on display together with the Championship Trophies.
The A and B courses had been set up using a mixture of blue, white and yellow tee distances and utilising the now standard major competition IPGC logo tee markers, to provide a par 73 course covering a total distance of 6,800 yards, which included one par 6.
The course management had also excelled in producing a very well prepared course where the fairways were cut to just the correct height, the rough trimmed to an acceptable length and greens that were approximately 8 on the stimpmeter.
Ladies 2011 Champion – Ritta Palmu
With a first tee time of 7.45 am and playing in groups of three under clear skies, the tournament got away on time with the first group returning in just over three and a half hours, a pace that was to be continued throughout the day.
Although the weather was fine, there was a very strong wind that made conditions extremely difficult, especially on the holes that were into it off the tees. In fact the par three A3 hole, which is almost an island green with little to stop an over-hit ball from reaching the water and marked with yellow water hazard stakes, played to an average of almost 6 and was the end of many aspirations so early in the day’s round, with a bogey for the hole a more than acceptable result on day one.
The first division was led in by Stuart Thompson who returned a cracking result of three under handicap under very difficult conditions that was enough to provide him with a three shot cushion over a group that included Bob Lamond, Paul Bray, Martin Grimoldby and Shane Ruddle, with the cut coming at four over par.
The second division was also led by three clear shots by Rodney Hayes whose ability on and around the greens was the difference between himself and Joe Peters in second place and John Squitiero in third spot a further two strokes adrift.
The cut came at eight over par with one or two opting to take the Stableford option for day two.
Division winners: Rick Schramm, Paul Bartlett & Rod Howett.
The third division saw Evan Millar return a level handicap round that led the rest of the division by six clear as the cut moved out to 14 over, which was a little too much for comfort for some, who also chose the Plate option for day two.
In the Ladies section Orawan Meeraka and Sue Mawhinney were level, with Riitta Palmu just one behind them.
It was no surprise to find that the CSS for the day had moved out to 74, as less than 20% of the counting players, those with handicaps of 20 and below, were unable to play to within two of their handicaps.
Day two started at the same time in similar conditions to the previous round and with the wind still blowing strongly, it was clear that the day’s winners would be those that stuck to task throughout the round.
Plate winners: Barry Wellings, Alan Griffiths & Len Jones.
Division one saw Stuart Thompson fade away with an untypical return, as the conditions started to take effect, as Rick Schramm added to his good first round to take the claret jug as the winner after Russell Exley just lost out by a stroke when missing a short putt on the eighteenth, with Paul Bray improving on his first day to take third place.
Division two had Paul Bartlett in the top position as he improved by six over day one which left him five ahead of Mike Korney, who had put in another solid round, in second and Joe Peters who had faded badly after a nightmare on A8 which saw him have to take a triple, which added to another three triples ended his challenge for this year.
In division three, Rod Howett returned a four better than day one to close out Evan Millar whose second round was a mere shadow of his first but proved just enough for second place ahead of Burnie Sinclair, who had recovered fantastically well following an almost terminal first day to take third after winning a three-way count back over the day two scores.
In The ladies section Riitta Palmu came from behind to take the trophy by a single point from Orawan Meeraka with Sue Mawhinney in third another point behind her.
Once more the course had shown its teeth, with the CSS for the day again moving out to 74, and underling that the two days had certainly been a tough test in keeping with the requirements of a true club championship.
Shane Ruddle just managed to beat off the challenge of his playing partner, Steve Mascari, after the latter had edged him out on day two by a shot, to take the Gross Champion’s award of the Claret Jug and IPGC commemorative golf bag by a margin of two, which was four shots better than the last winning gross in 2009 over the same course.
Rodney Hayes walked away with the Net Champions Claret Jug and commemorative golf bag as he finished two shots ahead of Rick Schramm, which was also an improvement of one on the 2009 result
Once again, playing in threes, the speed of play was around three and three quarter hours which was much appreciated by all of the competitors over the two days.
The prize presentations were held at The Haven where all entrants were provide with a dozen IPGC logo Titleist golf balls to add to the giveaways already received at the course before Stephen Beard announced the winners with Russell Exley making the presentations.
Before the announcement of the winners, there were huge thanks given to the management and staff of Pattana Golf and Sports Resort who had provide everyone with an excellent two days of golf together with huge thanks to Russell Exley, Glyn Evans, Len Jones and Steve Mascari, all of whom worked hard to make the Championship such a great success once again.
There was also a round of applause for the food and catering by the Haven and its staff and lastly but by no means least a vote of thanks from the organising committee, to all those members that took part and played their parts to the full in the arriving at the end results.
Club Champion (Gross)
Shane Ruddle (2) 155
Club Champion (Net)
Rodney Hayes (12) 144
Ladies Champion
Riitta Palmu (22) net 165
Division 1 (0-11)
1st Rick Schramm (8) net 146
2nd Russell Exley (7) net 147
3rd Paul Bray (5) net 149
Division (12-18)
1st Paul Bartlett (14) net 148
2nd Mike Korney (18) net 153
3rd Joe Peters (17) net 155
Division 3 (19+)
1st Rod Howett (24) net 160
2nd Evan Millar (23) net 162
3rd Burnie Sinclair (19) net 164
Plate Competition
Division 1 (0-11)
1st Barry Wellings (5) 37pts
2nd Peter Sumner (9) 36pts
3rd Jon Batty (9) 34pts
Division 2 (12-18)
1st Alan Griffiths (12) 37pts
2nd Dave Howden (12) 35pts
Rd Grant Cadell (14) 31pts
Division 3 (19+)
1st Len Jones (25) 29pts
2nd Hal Hart (25) 29pts
3rd Mauri Friman (19) 29pts
