IPGC golf from The Haven
Monday, September 1, Crystal Bay A & C Courses – Stableford CSS 71
1st Trevor Schirmer (14) 38
2nd Kevin Blake (8) 37 cb 19
3rd Mark Armstrong (27) cb 16
4th Rod Crosswell (15) 35
5th Phillip Cass (17) 34
After several reports regarding the condition of Crystal Bay it would appear that slowly matters are improving as the scores and the reduction in the CSS for the day to 71 would seem to suggest.
Russell Exley & Trevor Schirmer.
The course is certainly generally in good shape with the fairways and rough in very acceptable condition, but it is the greens that need to be dealt with urgently and possibly either totally re-laid or at least set them up so there is just one type of grass to be considered when attempting that five footer.
But considering the foregoing, the scores throughout the field were better than have been achieved recently by most of the groups reporting results, with Trevor Schirmer topping the list for the first time in the week by the slimmest of margins ahead of the now resurgent Kevin Blake who would appear to be getting back into his old form.
Kevin’s second place was won after he took the count back with Mark Armstrong with a better 19 to 16 on the back nine.
Rod Crosswell slipped into fourth spot, one in front of Phillip Cass, in fifth, the latter still making the podium even after receiving a three stroke reduction in handicap after his great score last week.
There were no 2’s in the second division but Kevin Blake added to his day’s haul with the sole one in the first division.
Before the presentations were made there was a welcome back for Mike Armstrong.
Wednesday, September 3, Green Valley – Stableford CSS 71
1st Russell Exley (9) 38
2nd Shuichi Kodaka (17) 37
3rd Mathew Badman (11) 36
4th Trevor Schirmer (14) 34 cb 20
5th Bruce Hilde (17) 34 cb 15
Once again the group started some 50 minutes ahead of their reserved tee times after the previous groups had once more seriously overbooked, but having learned to be on the tee ready to go an hour prior to the allotted time all five groups were away well before the scheduled starting time, and with almost an open course all were back in the clubhouse within four hours.
Russell Exley, making one of his nowadays rare appearances, led in the field following a very tidy round with just one blemish of a double with an even one under handicap for both nines to win by one shot from Shuichi Kodaka.
Shuichi could well have been the winner after starting out strongly, ending the front half on three under handicap but following a four pointer on the short sixteenth he then dropped a couple of points on the last two holes and had to settle for a well earned second place.
Mathew Badman ran a very close third, another shot back, after he had started slowly but covered the inward half in two under and two ahead of the count back for fourth place.
That count back for fourth place was won by the in-form Trevor Schirmer carding a better 20 to 15 after Bruce Hilde suddenly went to pieces having opened the day’s first nine at two under handicap to leave him in fifth.
In the 2s section, Shuichi Kodaka cleared out the second division roll over pool whilst Trevor Schirmer had the lone one in the first division.
Prior to the presentations being made there were welcome backs for Kevin Townsend, Bruce Hilde an Danny Greer.
Friday, September 5, Emerald – Stableford CSS 72
1st Trevor Schirmer (14) 37
2nd Bruce Hilde (17) 32
3rd Mathew Badman (11) 31
4th Mike Armstrong (17) 27
Another sudden change of venue for on the second consecutive Friday following yet another tee reservation error, when the group’s booking was assigned to another, meant a last minute change of venue to the Emerald and a subsequent drop in attendance.
But Trevor Schirmer was totally unmoved as he swept to his second win and third podium placement of the week by a clear five points after returning a “one blemish” card, having taken a double on the very short 10th hole after a solid opening nine. The results for the week ensured that Trevor will once again be down to a thirteen handicap when he next plays.
Bruce Hilde having lost out to Trevor in the previous outing did so again but on this occasion by a much wider margin, but was still good enough to claim second spot ahead of Mathew Badman with the latter taking his second in succession third place on the podium.
Mike Armstrong rounded out a foreshortened winners’ list with his best result of this trip and is now, according his comments at the post competition press conference, “looking forward to much better prospects in the coming week”. Only time and tide will tell.
There were no 2s in the second division but Trevor Schirmer, for the second time in the week, had the only one in the first division to add to his spoils for the day.
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
