IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, June 8, Greenwood – Stableford
As the hopefuls gathered for a hearty breakfast the weather was rainy but as the skies brightened to the north east they set off, happy feet tripping their way to Greenwood where it turned out to be not as bright as Pattaya.
In spite of the ominous omens, a start was made but the first group had just made it through the second fairway, with the last group just teeing off when a huge deluge descended accompanied by flashes of lightning and heavy thunder, and as it appeared to be continuing for the foreseeable future a halt was called to the day’s golf.
John Wood & Phil Cass.
In spite of the signs advising that there were no rain checks to be had, the management was very accommodating, providing each player with a voucher for a green fee and cart fee to be used for their next visit to the course.
Wednesday, June 10, Pattana B & C – Stableford
(Yellow Tees)
CSS 71
1st John Wood (24) 38pts
2nd John Carlin (20) 37pts
3rd Hal Hart (20) 36pts
4th Walter Panichi (1) 35pts
5th Vincent Gras (19) 35pts
Following Mondays’ cancellation, everyone was keen to get off for a full round of golf at the always immaculate Pattana where the B & C courses were the day’s test. Following the area’s recent heavy rains the yellow tees were selected for play measuring just over 6,300 yards and with little run on the fairways. The rain had also affected the green-keeper’s ability to cut the greens, leaving them slower than usual.
John Wood had an exceptionally good day, which gleaned him yet another win to add to his total as he currently experiences a rare run of form.
John Carlin also did very well to take second place just a single point behind after having made a strong run over the last four holes (scoring 10 points from them) but a weaker front nine had left him just a bit too much to do.
Hal Hart took a very good third place with a level handicap round that promised much after the opening nine when he was four under handicap. He started the back half with eight more points from the first three holes but unfortunately collapsed through the last six, scoring just a point from each.
Walter Panichi had an outstanding back nine, shooting a one under gross 35 which helped him to win a count back for fourth by 20 to 17 to leave Vincent Gras in fifth place.
Mike Hill had a quiet day until he reached the second hole on the C course where he slipped in a wonderful putt to clean out the rollover pot for the ‘2’s in the second division.
Walter Panichi almost went even better but just missed out on winning an IPGC hole-in-one golf bag as he saw his 7-iron shot on the 156 yard seventh on the C course pull up just two inches from the hole. It was so tantalizingly close to winning the bag but he had to settle for the solo 2 in the first division.
Friday, June 12, Crystal Bay A & C – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Phil Cass (16) 38pts
2nd Markku Tynell (22) 33pts
3rd Mike Hill (19) 32pts
4th Hal Hart (21) 32pts
5th Mick Lowe (16) 32pts
After a disappointing day the previous week at the sister course, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that the A & C courses at Crystal Bay were in much better condition, with the bunkers immaculate and the course in good shape considering the recent weather. The caddies especially were several notches above their counterparts and seemed to be actually enjoying their day in the countryside. All of which, added to the competitive pricing, made for an excellent day’s golfing.
Phil Cass had a very nice outing, after he got over scratching the second hole, as he went on to take 18 points from the front and then 20 points from the back nine for a two under handicap round. This was against a background of generally heavy going over a course made sodden by the recent rains in the area.
Phil was the runaway winner by five clear from Markku Tynell in second, who never quite recovered from a poor starting nine but with a level handicap back nine had done enough to just keep ahead of a three-way count back for third place. That was won by Mike Hill with 16 on the back nine as Hal Hart took fourth with 10 on the last six and Mick Lowe 7 after they had tied the nine on 14 each.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Mick Lowe scored a wonderful ‘2’ on the 194-yard fifth on the A course, for the sole one in the second division to sweep the pot clean.
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.
