IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, Dec, 19, Crystal Bay B & C – Stableford
CSS 74
Division 1 (0–17)
1st Andrew Purdie (8) 37pts
2nd Johannes Hansen (13) 32pts
3rd Peter Skinner (9) 32pts
4th Phil Cass (17) 29pts
Division 2 (18+)
1st Shuichi Kodaka (18) 38pts
2nd Brendan Dunne (28) 35pts
3rd Mike Hill (20) 31pts
4th John Carlin (19) 28pts
A large group set off for Crystal Bay where the course was found to be in excellent condition, having improved immeasurably from the previous visit and on the day’s results and comments from players it is sure to be well attended the next time it appears on the group’s schedule.
With the course in such good shape, ‘lift and place’ in play on the fairways and with two divisions involved, it was surprising to find the CSS for the day went out two to 74 with just 14% playing to their standard.
The first division was led in by Andrew Purdie with a one-under return after he finished strongly, taking seven points from the last two holes and even eagling the par-5 ninth on the C course. He was followed by Johannes Hansen, taking his first podium placing with the Haven group after he had won a count back over Peter Skinner with a better 18 to 15. Peter had looked a possible winner after recording thirteen points from the first five holes but then slipped in a couple of zeros which pulled him back into the pack. Phil Cass rounded out the first division placements a few more back in fourth place.
The second division was taken by Shuichi Kodaka with the best score of the day as he took 21 points from the back-nine. Brendan Dunne took second place three behind the leader and four ahead of Mike Hill in third, which left John Carlin in fourth place another three back.
There were no 2s in the first division but Shuichi had the sole one in the second division to sweep the pot clean, unfortunately he missed out the big rollover that had already gone in the last event.
Wednesday, Dec. 21, Khao Kheow A & C – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Pat Murphy (24) 29pts
2nd Benny Hansen (24) 28pts
3rd Alan Pilkington (8) 26pts
4th Johannes Hansen (13) 26pts
5th Andrew Purdie (8) 23pts
6th Brain Randall (35) 23pts
Strangely a much smaller contingent turned out for the usually very popular fortnightly visit to Khao Kheow, where the course was as usual pristine and the welcome very warm for the always helpful staff.
With just one division and a ‘lift and place’ local rule in play it was surprising that still no one managed to play to their standard, which meant that the course was too difficult on the day to be assessed for handicap adjustment as the CSS went out to 75.
Pat Murphy took the top step of the podium with a less than memorable round that was still good enough to win ahead of some very useful players. The front nine in particular was very difficult, giving up an average of just 11 points to the whole field and with the pin positions and speed of the greens causing problems to everyone.
Benny Hansen took second place just one behind Pat and two ahead of a count back between Alan Pilkington and Johannes Hansen that Alan won with a better 13 to 12 after Johannes had scored the best number of points in the field on the front nine.
Andrew Purdie staggered into fifth place after winning a three-way count back with a best 16 to Brian Randall’s 15 and Brendan Dunne’s 15.
There were no 2s in the second division but Andrew Purdie made it an almost worthwhile day with the sole one in the first division that swept the rollover pot clean.
Friday, Dec. 16, Pattaya C.C. – Medal Play
CSS 72
Gold & Silver Medals
Division 1
1st Peter Skinner
2nd Vincent Gras
Division 2
1st John Carlin
2nd Shuichi Kodaka
Monthly Medal
Division 1(0-15)
1st Andrew Purdie (8) net 73
2nd Peter Skinner (9) net 76
3rd Martin Harrington (11) net 78
Division 2 (16+)
1st Benny Hansen (24) net 69
2nd John Carlin (19) net 74
3rd Dave Howden (17) net 74
As usual, the end of year Gold and Silver medal event was held in conjunction with the December monthly medals, which are the first of the series for the following year’s finals.
There were no 2s in either of the divisions.
Peter Skinner skipped almost literally into the first division’s top slot to claim the gold medal ahead of Vincent Gras who took the silver.
The second division was headed by John Carlin who won by count back over Shuichi Kodaka, the latter having to settle for the silver medal.
In the monthly medals, Andrew Purdie won his first medal with the Haven group to claim the first qualifying spot in the first division as Petter Skinner ensured yet another appearance as he took second place ahead of Martin Harrington.
The second division covered the usual suspects plus Benny Hansen, who claimed his first medal and a qualifying slot for next year ahead of John Carlin in second and Dave Howden in third after the latter had won a count back over Shuichi Kodaka with a better 36.5 to 37.
