Pinheiros Altos (Corks & Olives), 23rd March 2013

Everyone turned up to play today, at Pinheiros Altos, but the unusually poor weather here in the Algarve continued and we postponed our game 24 hours to the Sunday. The Oliveiras course (original back 9) was heavily water logged making play and walking difficult as pull trolleys at times had to be kept to the path. Anyway, golfers are a hardy bunch and we were all keen to get a game in at the weekend. The Society welcomed two new players Tony Lopategui who took Nearest The Pin on the island 8th and his wife Elaine. They enjoyed their game so much and vowed to join but it was to be David Bowles’ day with some fine stroke play who posted 37pts – six points ahead of Carlos Ferreira.

It was an impromptu return back to Parkies where the ensemble had gathered joined by many other friends. After all the effort we got our game this weekend.

Salgados Golf Course, 2nd March 2013

On a very wind day 17 players joined the Chez Carlos competition at Salgados.
We welcomed Neil Woolfrey, playing off 2 and decided that the longest drive would be on the stoke 1, to give the others a chance. However, Neil hit a perfect drive to the 200M mark in the middle of the fairway & claimed the prize.
The ladies excelled throughout the day with Mary Strutt and Jane Nicolls leading the field home, and everybody seemed to have enjoyed the back 9 as the leading scores were in the early 20’s.
We also welcomed Daniella Ferreira who played her first competition with Chez Carlos.

Well done to all.

Millennium Competition, 9th March 2013

11 players turned out at Millennium, rescheduled from Morgado after heaving rains.

The competition was the start of a surprise party for Jim Kearney on his 70th birthday, and everybody was keeping away from Jim to avoid letting the cat out of the bag.

We welcomed Ulla Peura, friend of Henning and Gudrun, and she played superbly off 15 to scoop both nearest the pins & the longest drive. Well done Ulla!

The biggest surprise was still to come as neither Jim nor Deirdre knew that Siobhan had arranged for their two daughters to join in the birthday celebrations. When they appeared at the prize giving this proved to be the best prize of all.

Back to the prize giving and it was definitely Jim’s day after his lesson with Hugo Santos, he took first prize with 38 points, holding off Christer & Eve with 37 & 35 respectively.

After the prize giving we all joined Jim, Deirdre and their daughters at the Thai restaurant in Vilamoura, and a great evening was had by all.