Laguna – Weekly Competition

Laguna GC was the venue for our last April Stableford Competition.
The course was in reasonable condition, but the greens although offering a fair roll to the putts were very hard and several non responsive to the regulation shot in. They have allowed the grass to grow around the aprons to the greens, making the short game an important factor following the previous missed green shot.
Bit of sun with cloud cover and cross wind made the tough back nine a difficult proposition, for many of our Players and the low scoring reflected this.
Nearest the pin on the 2nd was won by Jeff Seymour
Jim Russell playing the last game of his holiday, persevered and came in 3rd with 28pts
Charles Bradley-Smith assisted by his Caddie Alan had a fine front nine, but a more adventurous back nine resulted in a 32pt total and 2nd place, one of only 2 players to break the 30pt barrier on the day.
Jeff Seymour with 33pts was the other player and took 1st spot.
With flights now almost back to normal we will be welcoming more of our guest travelling golfers this coming Saturday at Pinhal GC.
See you there, if not before

Salgados – Weekly Competition

The sun shines on the righteous it’s said, and also on the Golf Society, as we took on the mixed weather forecast and the watery hazards of Salgados GC.
All were glad that the weather in the afternoon stayed perfectly dry, as was the course, which was in very good condition and a pleasure to play. Greens were receptive and true to putt on, with fairways getting back to their best.
Salgados rewards the straight hitter, and not necessary the longest, with the old adage of ‘ Keep your ball dry and you’ll score well ‘ being so true.
The 12th hole was selected for the Nearest the Pin prize, which was won by Charles Bradley-Smith enjoying the thrills of playing off his new 10 Handicap.
As one of our travelling golfers delayed by the current problems, Bob Walker ( 33pts ) had some consolation when coming in 4th, and was only beaten on a one shot, back nine count back by Jeff Seymour in 3rd spot.
Doug ‘ Raffles to his Friends ‘ Smith pocketed the 2nd prize with a very steady 34pts.
But with a 4 over par gross score Tracey McCall deservedly claimed top spot on the podium with 38pts.
With a few people trying to get back to their homeland, and incurring the problems of the Volcanic Ash / No Flights situation we wish Bob Walker, Derek Searle, Michael Wareham, Gary Findley ( Australia ) and their Families all the best for a speedy conclusion in their endeavours to get home, and thank them for playing over the last couple of weeks, however if your still here gentlemen this coming Saturday ( 24.4.10 ) we’re at Laguna GC with a 13:30 kick off – See you there, if not before.

Álamos – Weekly Competition

A field of 25 players, including Johnny Halls Geordie Army, turned out in ideal golfing weather to apply their skills on the testing Alamos GC.
After the past weather, the course was in very good condition, although the normally fast greens were true, but slower than normal, which possibly helped several players who had not played there before.
The Members match against JHGA, with all scores to count, went down to the wire, with the guests winning by 3 points overall and enjoying the spoils of victory later at the Clubhouse.
The overall Competition provided some excellent scoring with 38 pts taking 3rd to 6th positions, the back nine countback deciding the placings of Craig Murray, Johnny Hall, Pam Williams and Michael Dickson in order of merit.
The 2 nearest the pins on the 3rd and 16th were won by John ( The Bullet ) Collingwood and Alison Seymour.
But in a class of their own the 1st and 2nd prizes were won with a more than creditable 41 points each, with Linda Dickson edging out Tony Sestito on the back nine countback, super scoring and well played, but both now expect the reduction of handicap, that will be forthcoming.
It was nice to see the Clubhouse buzzing afterwards, and we all enjoyed the company and wit of Johnny ( Dick Turpin ) Halls Geordie Army, who are always more than our welcome guests, ‘ Haway the Lads’.
This coming Saturday, 3rd April, the Society Competiton will be held at Millennium GC with a first tee off time of 12:50, please book your tee time in the normal way, see you there, if not before.