IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, December 26, Khao Kheow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Stuart Thompson (10) 41pts
2nd Markku Tynell (27) 37pts
3rd Alan Griffiths (11) 37pts
4th Martin Grimoldby (5) 35pts
5th Jim Swander (17) 34pts
Following a very hard week of golf, starting out this week promised to be more of the same as the A and C courses were to be taken on at arguably one of the toughest tests in the area, but with many of the yellow tee markers set on the whites positions which shortened the course considerably, the scores were much better than expected.
Stuart Thompson.
The vagaries of the various course managements in the area regarding the idea of a measured course, which is the cornerstone of every handicap system, bears out the need for any system to be able to change the rating as required. In this respect the calculation of a Competition Standard Scratch for every score entered is a great advantage as it is employed by the CONGU system. Even though the day’s tees would normally have been considered to be quite short and possibly had the rating reduced to say 70 or even 69, the total returns from the entrants determined that the correct rating of the course on the day was 72 for it to be comparable with all other courses in use under the system.
Stuart Thompson’s winning score of 41 was therefore a very good result that not only deserved to win the competition but was also worth the reduction of a stroke on his handicap when compared to the rest of the entrants, and fully deserved the applause when the announcement of his win was made at the prize giving.
Al Rolnik.
Markku Tynell’s daily visits to the driving range on the days that he is not competing is starting to pay dividends as he took second place after winning a count back over Alan Griffiths with a better score of 21 to 18 over the inward half.
Martin Grimoldby just slipped into the buffer zone to claim fourth while Jim Swander made it a happy return to Pattaya with a solid round that placed him fifth.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Martin Grimoldby swept the first division including the rollover with the solo one in the first.
Before presenting the prizes Stephen Beard welcomed back Jim Swander, Wayne Challis, Markku Tynell, Peter Hall, Gaute Moen and Mark Cooper.
Wednesday, December 28, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 75 NC
1st Al Rolnik (18) 33pts
2nd Wayne Challis (14) 30pts
3rd Peter Hall (18) 25pts
4th Alwyne Burley (18) 25pts
After recently getting some poor reports, a much smaller group turned out for the trip to Eastern Star where they found the course to be in very good shape and having obviously been rather misrepresented by previous reporters. The good condition did not help the scoring though as the length, at almost 6,700 yards, and difficulty undermined even the toughest competitors with al Rolnik sticking to the task the best to record a win, which even with the CSS moving out to 75, will not affect his handicap.
Alan Pilkington.
Wayne Challis, another taking full advantage of the rest days to practice and take lessons, surprised himself to take second spot three behind the winner, with Peter Hall slipping into third after a count back with Alwyne Burley that he won by a margin of 12 to 11.
Although the scores would appear to indicate otherwise, all the players agreed that they will be back at the course as soon as it appears on the schedule again.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Friday, December 30, Greenwood – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Alan Pilkington (9) 38pts
2nd Markku Tynell (27) 36pts
3rd Dave Thompson (19) 35pts
4th Rick Schramm (7) 34pts
5th Mark Cooper (11) 33pts
With some of the local courses making the New Years Eve a holiday priced day, once again we travelled a short distance further to play the excellent conditioned Greenwood A and C courses which provide a combined length of almost exactly 6,600 yards and a very stern test of golf for the most discerning golfer.
Alan Pilkington played his best round of the month to take the day’s top honours by two points ahead of Markku Tynell, who put in another solid round to take his second podium placing of the week.
Dave Thompson did just enough to put his marker on third spot one behind and one ahead of Rick Schramm in fourth.
Mark Cooper got his first mention of this trip with a card that was just outside his buffer zone.
Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Rick Schramm holed one to take the first division pool.
Back at The Haven, Nicolaas Bakker was welcomed as a new member prior to the presentations.
Note: The Haven group now departs Soi 13 at the earlier time of 09.00 am until further notice. If you would like to play with the 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 Mondays, Wednesday,
Fridays and 9.00am on Sundays 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.
