IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, August 3, Greenwood – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Peter Skinner (11) 35pts
2nd Rodney Nabbe (11) 35pts
3rd Shuichi Kodaka (16) 32pts
4th Jens Gunnarsson (13) 31pts
5th Vincent Gras (19) 29pts
After the last two visits to this venue, when the CSS went out on both occasions to 75 and became non-counting, few of the hopefuls were feeling very confident during the drive to the course as the skies were overcast and threatening rain. In the event, the day stayed dry and the course played exceptionally well with the greens much improved and fairly quick.
Peter Skinner.
Peter Skinner began the week as he had started the previous Monday with a win to add to his growing list of successes in the various groups in which he plays, but he needed to win a count back over Rodney Nabbe, another player in good form, which he did with a better 18 to 17 over the C course, taking ten points from the last four holes.
Shuichi Kodaka took third place after starting slowly, taking just seven from the first five holes, but then turned on the tap a little to take 18 from the inward half.
Jens Gunnarsson slipped into fourth place and Vincent Gras stumbled into fifth but was still good enough to see off the rest of the field by a good margin.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Rodney Nabbe made up for his close call in the main competition by slipping in the sole one in the first division.
Wednesday, August 5, Pattana A & C – Stableford
CSS 73
1st Peter Skinner (11) 37pts
2nd Kevin Blake (8) 36pts
3rd Phil Cass (15) 33pts
4th Shuichi Kodaka (16) 33pts
5th Barry Winton (6) 32pts
6th Mike Hill (20) 32pts
Everyone was looking forward to the visit to Pattana where the A and C courses were the test of the day, including the par six on A5 which had not been played for some time whilst the nine was under serious renovation. As expected the course was in great shape with every area of the course well tended and maintained and especially the greens which were flat, fast and true and showed little effect from the grain.
In fact the management appears to have taken good note of the visitors’ comments, with every aspect of the day’s visit improved; from the almost express check-in to the courtesy and interest shown by all members of the staff from the moment of the greeting at arrival, which surely enhanced everyone’s experience of the day’s golf. Now if they could just redesign that scorecard.
After the day had looked certain to provide a few rainy moments, with the cloud cover visible to the horizon in every direction, and as it was spotting with rain on the practice green the group were sent to the C course to begin where it was completely dry and remained so for the rest of the rounds.
Peter Skinner continued where he had ended on the previous outing, starting very strongly and taking 20 points from the front nine then missed out on the always difficult A1 with a zero. He then finished well with eleven points from the last four holes for another win but this time without the need for a count back.
Kevin Blake also had a solid round finishing up just a shot back in second place after closing with level par last four.
Phil Cass did enough on the opening nine to win a count back over Shuichi Kodaka, scoring 20 to 19, the count backs always being over the back nine on the card, to take third place and leaving Shuichi in fourth.
Barry Winton also started well which helped him to win a count back for fifth place against Mike Hill, as he carded 12 on the last six to Mike’s 11 after they had tied the nine on 17 apiece.
Once more there were no 2’s in the second division but in the first division Rodney Nabbe as usual had one but had to share the pot with Peter Skinner on this occasion.
Friday, August 7, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Jens Gunnarsson (13) 38pts
2nd Stephen Beard (24) 37pts
3rd Russell Gilroy (15) 32pts
4th Barry Winton (6) 31pts
5th Peter Skinner (11) 31pts
Friday’s test was yet another course that usually turns out to be the winner following the group’s visits, with the CSS usually moving upwards, but on this occasion it remained at a level 72.
Jens Gunnarsson had an excellent round as he took 18 from the opening nine and followed that up with 20 more points for the week’s best result. His round included ten pars and but for a hiccup in the middle of the front nine he would surely have earned a drop in his handicap that he so earnestly chases as he took the top step of the podium.
Stephen Beard returned to some sort of form taking second place with a score one under his handicap, the first time that has occurred for over three years and just the second time in six years. So perhaps either the recent hours spent at the driving range, the new putter, or the lessons taken from European Professional Miles Tunnicliff may prove to be yet another beginning, or on the other hand, maybe not.
Russell Gilroy shook off the earlier cricket news from Trent Bridge and managed to keep his concentration on the small white ball sufficiently well enough to claim third place, albeit a little off the two leaders pace, but was not looking forward to the post competition get together at The Haven where further action from Nottingham was due to be shown.
Barry Winton took his second podium placement in fourth place after winning a count back over playing partner Peter Skinner with a better 16 to 14, after the latter had started the day as if he would join the elite group of three time winners in a week, but then faded badly over the closing five holes taking just six points from them.
There were no 2’s in either division and as usual on these difficult greens, precious few threes either.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 or call in to The Haven Hotel, 185 Soi 13, situated 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 a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. If you would like to leave your golf clubs at The Haven, there are usually lockers available at a nominal charge. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
