IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, April 28, Crystal Bay C & A – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Takeshi Hakozaki (10) 42pts
2nd Mark Lang (8) 40pts
3rd Paul Young (15) 34pts
4th John Carlin (17) 32pts
5th Trevor Schirmer (14) 31pts
In an otherwise gloomy week for scores, the first venue turned in the best results by far with the two front runners at least six better than any of the other scores for the week.
Mark Lang, Markku Tynell and Terry Hodgkiss.
Although the general condition of the course here is excellent, it is the greens that leave the player with the most abiding memory as most of them have been invaded with additional varieties of coarse grass. The result being a tremendous difference in roll over any given green and reading a putt can mean right to left, quick, slower, faster, very quick, slow, with a slight left to right at the end. It might well need a complete relaying of most of the greens before a reasonable game can be achieved again on these once great putting surfaces, once renowned as the best in the area and now a sad caricature. It surely cannot be too much to ask the green keeper from sister course Mountain Shadow, where the greens are in great shape, to have a quick look and put things on the right track once again.
The condition of the greens did not faze Takeshi Hakozaki on this day however, as his local member’s knowledge must have played a significant part in his almost runaway win, finishing six under handicap. Takeshi was chased very hard and closely by the runner up, in form Mark Lang, but a stunning 23 points on the back nine, that included seven 3-pointers and a two and a huge anchor for zero points on the last hole, saw off the challenge as Takeshi returned his best round ever in Thailand to win by two.
Mark Lang had started well at three under handicap and a steady one under back nine would have normally been sufficient to see him home on most other days but not this one, so second it was to be.
Paul Young slipped into third place a further six strokes back with an almost very good round, blighted with a zero on each nine, as John Carling took fourth place another two back.
Considering the state of the greens it was no surprise to find that here were no’2 in either division.
Before the presentations were made there were welcome backs for Don Everett and Phil Stevenson, the latter now almost recovered from his long and futile wait outside his house for Maggie Thatcher’s funeral cortege to pass by so he could pay his final respects. There was also a sigh of relief from many as a farewell was given to Mark Lang, leaving the way clear for a few different names to appear on the podium.
Wednesday, April 30, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Markku Tynell (23) 33pts
2nd Paul Young (15) 33pts
3rd Allen Raaen (7) 28pts
4th Russell Gilroy (14) 26pts
5th Don Everett (19) 26pts
After the stresses of the previous outing it was a pleasure to be playing once again on greens that although extremely difficult due to the pin placements were at least very dependable for line and length if the individual could pick the right ones. Although the course is one of the shortest in the local area, even off the blue tees, at just under 6,300 yards, it is a stern test for the average golfer with its tight driving areas and undulating greens, but one that most golfers look forward to with relish as it is also one of the most picturesque.
Markku Tynell took the top honours of the day after winning a count back over Paul Young with a better 19 to 16 over the inward half. Markku’s fine win include a four-pointer and six three-pointers but just three too many zeros in what could have been a truly outstanding round of golf.
Paul’s steady round did not include any blobs and with just a little more luck would surely have proved to have been the winner.
Allen Raaen, pointed up the difficulty of the course as he could manage just 28 points but that was enough by two to claim third spot ahead of Russell Gilroy in fourth and Don Everett in fifth, after Russell had won a count back with a better 15 to 11 as Don subsided over the last four holes.
Allen Raaen cleared out the first division 2’s pool but there were still no takers for the second division.
Prior to the presentations being made there was a welcome back for Allen Raaen following his trek to the North and a very pleasant week spent immersed in Thai Culture.
Friday, May 2, Eastern Star – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Terry Hodgkiss (22) 32pts
2nd John Carlin (17) 32pts
3rd Markku Tynell (23) 32pts
4th Darryll Kellett (15) 31pts
5th Russell Exley (9) 30pts
A last minute change of venue was necessary after The Emerald had once again lost the tee reservations for the group, this being the second time in succession, and being unable to squeeze the groups into the busy tee schedule meant a trip down the road after a quick phone call to Eastern Star, where in fact the cost was less for the day, so not all bad.
The course was also good although as usual the length of the layout pressurized too many golfers to hit harder than they could, with the usual results showing up in the final scores.
Terry Hodgkiss led in the group after winning a three-way count back over John Carling in second and Markku Tynell in third, as he returned a best 20 on the back nine and John had a better return of 11 to 10 on the last six after he had tied with Markku on 17 a piece for the nine.
Darryl Kellett took fourth place just one away from joining the count back and Russell Exley fifth another one back.
Allen Raaen again showed his prowess on the par threes as he took the first division 2’s pool on his own as again there were none in the second division.
Back at the Haven there were welcome backs for Tony O’Neal, Darryll Kellett and Kevin Blake.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 094 567 5726 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 8.15 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.
