IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, Nov. 1, Khao Kheow – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Alan Pilkington (10) 40pts
2nd Yasuo Suzuki (11) 39pts
3rd Sean McNamara (13) 37pts
4th Alan Griffiths (12) 34pts
5th Roar Berger (27) 33pts
Alan Pilkington, having just gone back up to a ten handicap, showed great determination to get back to single figures immediately and wasted no time by making the first game of the week really count as he shot another sub-eighty round over the quite difficult Khao Kheow A and B course from the yellow tees. It ensured that he would drop to his all time lowest handicap and in doing so he disappointed second placed man Yasuo Suzuki, who was warming up for his upcoming tour, as they battled all round the course.
Alan Pilkington.
Yasuo thought he had it in the bag as he stood on the 18th (the 9th hole on B) just one behind and having one nobbled short took a topped driver very low to 3 feet. But he had reckoned without Alan’s tenacity, who after another fine drive knocked it into four foot and slipped in the birdie, leaving Yasuo’s birdie a formality but not quite enough.
Sean McNamara made it a happy return to, what is now sunny Thailand, with a podium finish in third, just two behind as playing partner Alan Griffiths struggled to get back to form with a two over handicap round that just denied Roar Berger a step higher on the honourable mentions step.
There were no 2’s in either division.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed back Sean McNamara, Lenny Higham and James Higham.
Friday, Nov. 5, The Emerald – Stableford
CSS 72
1st Yasuo Suzuki (11) 41pts
2nd Don Everett (24) 39pts
3rd Alan Pilkington (10) 37pts
4th Phil Mitchell (6) 35pts
5th Rod Howett (27) 35pts
6th Frank Hughes (16) 35pts
Following a very competitive round earlier in the week and then spending the intervening days practicing, Yasuo Suzuki returned another top round and this time was not to be denied as his score ensured not only his first top placing for several months, but also a drop in handicap to almost single figures to get to his lowest since early 2008. His sparkling round included 4 birdies, none of which were achieved on the par 3’s earning him nothing extra, but for once he appeared fairly happy with not figuring in the 2’s contest.
Yasuo Suzuki.
Don Everett, playing his last game before returning to The Gosnells Club in Perth, Western Australia, put in another outstanding effort, returning his best score in Thailand since first visiting over 7 years ago. He now returns home four shots lower in handicap and will more than likely take up fishing as a possible hobby until he returns again in the New Year.
Alan Pilkington, although not quite up to his earlier standard, still managed to take third spot with another below par score after slipping badly in the IPGC Monthly Medal a couple of days earlier.
Phil Mitchell made an infrequent visit to play with the Soi 13 group and played another “as usual game”, steady and reliable, to take fourth place by virtue of a better count-back of 18 over the inward half as Rod Howett and Frank Hughes could only garner 16 and 13 respectively in fifth and sixth places.
Paul Stanton and Alan Pilkington shared the ‘2’s pool in the first division and David Bowles and Don Everett did the same in the second division.
Back at The Haven, prior to the prize presentations, there were welcome backs for Richard Dobson, Barry Wellings Frank Hughes and Phil Mitchell together with the famous “Himayuya Tour” made up of Hisahiko Makino, Masami Takagi and Yukio Kikuchi, guided by their intrepid leader Yasuo Suzuki.
Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group you can contact mobile 084 782 4582 or call in to the 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 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
