IPCG Golf From The Haven

Monday, January 11 Emerald – Stableford
1st Division 0-15
1st Danny Miller (8) – 35
2nd Rick Roberts (13) – 34 cb 20
3rd Martin Grimoldby (6) – 34 cb 16
2nd Division 16 +
1st Roar Berger (28) – 39
2nd Toshihiro Aoki (26) – 33
3rd Serge Straeten (16) – 31 cb 20
4th Kenny Priddy (22) – 31 cb 14

Scoring was at a premium when the Soi 13 group played the Emerald, where the pin placements had obviously been set by someone who had a Master’s Degree in torment and when allied to the speed of the greens, which were in excellent condition and running extremely fast, did not need the extra problems of side hill placements.

But sufficient players scored well enough to keep the CSS of the day down at 73.

Danny Miller continued his streak of form with another win by a single stroke ahead of Rick Roberts and Martin Grimoldby in the first division, with Rick winning the count back by 20 to 16.

Roar Berger’s best of the day was his best score since January 2009 and thoroughly deserved to win his division with some steady and thoughtful golf. Toshihiro Aoki took his first prize since joining and could not have been happier after several near misses. Serge Straeten took third place with a better count back of 20 to 14 as Kenny Priddy slipped over the closing holes following a strong start.

There were no 2’s in the second division and Rick Roberts had the only one in the first division.

Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed new members Jason Cole and Warren Gallop and also welcomed back Peter Sumner, Geoff Picken, Denis Scougall, Rick Roberts and Barrie Howarth.

Wednesday, January 13 Green Valley – Stableford
1st Division 0-15
1st Rodney Hayes (8) – 38 cb 20
2nd Brian Beaupre (5) – 38 cb 18
3rd Masanori Takano (9) – 35
2nd Division 16 +
1st Derek Holt (22) – 39
2nd Chris Knapp (17) – 38
3rd George Pittam (16) – 33

Another large group left The Haven in good spirits to play one of the favoured courses in the area and hopes were high that things might be a bit easier than the previous outing. They were not disappointed as the course was found to be in great shape as usual but still a stiff test of golf for all the contestants.

Rodney Hayes returned to the top of the podium with a solid round of two under handicap which was just enough to pip Brian Beaupre into second place with a better 20 to 18 over the inward half with Masanori Takano in third spot three shots further back.

Derek Holt won for the second time in ten days after spending seemingly forever in the wilderness, to deny Chris Knapp a much wished for win after several second placings. George Pittam lagged several shots behind them but was good for third place.

Grant Cadell, Al Keith and Masanori Takano shared the 2’s pot in the first division and Harry Vincenzi and Brian Kelly shared the quadruple roll over in the second division. Before the prize giving Brian Beaupre, Harry Vincenzi, George Pittam and Mark Ward were all welcomed back.

Friday, January 15 Eastern Star – Stableford
1st Alan Pilkington (11) – 33
2nd Chris Knapp (17) – 32
3rd Peter Sumner (8) – 31 cb 18
4th Masanori Takano (9) – 31 cb 15
5th Robin Peach (16) – 31 cb 14

With Jomtiem Golf playing earlier in the day almost sixty IPGC members took on the Robert Trent Jones design at Ban Chang, where the windy conditions and fast greens conspired to defeat almost all as the CSS went out to 75 and just stayed as a counting competition for upward review.

Surprisingly after an absence from Eastern Star for several months, there were not quite sufficient Haven players to form two divisions with one player short of the required 30 entrants but there was still a good mix of handicap levels on the winners list which was headed by Alan Pilkington, who although not able to challenge par did just enough to take top spot by a single stroke from Chris Knapp, again having to settle for best dressed bridesmaid in second.

Peter Sumner led in a group three shots back, taking third place with a better count back of 18 after a slow start as Masanori Takano, with 15 on the back nine, took fourth and with Robin Peach rounding out the winners in fifth after only garnering 14 coming home after a very promising beginning to his day.

There were no 2’s in the first division but Ole Stamnes had one in the second division to sweep the pot.

Back at The Haven, The Doc welcomed Jon Rowley and welcomed back Trevor Schirmer before presenting the prizes.