ENRIQUE Moya co-owner of Greenlands Golf and Bowls Sport Complex in Los Montesinos, Alicante, was thrilled to stage the 1st Spring Adventure Golf Cup competition in April.
“We were delighted with the turn out of both entries and spectators for our first Adventure Golf Spring Cup held at Greenlands Sport Complex,” Enrique told me.
“Forty participants took to the golf course, of which there were three winners in the two categories, divided into men and women players,” said Enrique.
“The mens category was won by Mr Olson, who had a score of 48 strokes,” said Enrique, who has played a lead role in turning Greenlands into a top venue in the Vega Baja since taking charge of the complex in June 2018.
Mens winner of the 1st Spring Golf Cup held at Greenlands
“Mr Petterson finished in second place, returning a score of 49 strokes, with third position returning 50 strokes being Mr. Corfield,” said Enrique.
“The womens category was won by Lena Olson, who returned a score of 54 strokes,” said Enrique.
“Second position, returning 56 strokes, was Margaret Petterson. Third position with a return score of 58 was Eva Petterson and Lillemor Stromberg – which lead to a play off – with Eva Petterson winning,” said Enrique.
Greenlands Adventure Sport Complex is the biggest 18 holes mini golf in Europe.
The complex also has a Lawn Bowls club, with 8 first class rinks, along with a swimming pool and Restaurant facilities.
“We are looking forward to staging Summer Cup and Winter Cup competitions,” said Enrique, 25, who runs the venue with his father Justo Roch, Mario Revuelta and Pedro Garrido.
24 members and guests from Alfie’s GS played at Hacienda Riquelme. The course was in good condition, and the greens were excellent, however the wind decided to show up just to bring us back down to earth, along with thick pampas grass and plentiful bunkers, this was not going to be a high scoring day. In fact no one beat the course on the day!
Our winner of the day in the gold division was Steve Barlow with a score of 31 stableford points.
Gold Division Winner Steve Barlow with 31 points
Second place went to Joe Murphy also with a score of 31 points.
The winner of the silver division was Rachel Lee with a score of 35 stableford points.
Second place went to Stuart Armour with 27 points.
Nearest the pin on the 7th – Sponsored by ‘The Street Restaurant’ went to Rachel Lee.
Nearest the pin in two shots on the 15th – sponsored by ‘The Celtic Drop‘ went to Steve Barlow.
Nearest the pin in 3 shots on the 16th – sponsored by ’Alfie’s Bar’ went to Joe Murphy.
The Blind pairs were won by Alan Carter and Ian Ingledew.
Many thanks to our sponsors, Mike Probert (Costa Blanca Green Fee), also a big thank you to Cat and Liz at Alfie’s Bar for their continued support throughout the year and post-match food. And finally thanks to all the members and guests for supporting Alfie’s Golf Society. Our next outing is Presidents Day on the 30th May 2019 at Las Ramblas so get your names down early.
DUBAI – April 30, 2019: A star-studded cast are aiming for the new Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic title. We hear from the players who are welcoming a new floodlight dawn for the Ladies European Tour event.
Lights, camera… action! The Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic gets under way tomorrow over the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club, which will host the world’s first professional day-night golf tournament.
The field of 56 professionals had the chance to practise under the lights on Monday and are ready to make history in the 54-hole tournament.
Each of the professionals will play at least nine holes of one of their opening two rounds under Faldo’s powerful new eco-friendly LED floodlights. It will be fascinating innovation within the battle at Emirates Golf Club in what is an exciting new chapter for Dubai golf and the Ladies European Tour (LET).
Cheyenne Woods, who has returned to Dubai to compete for her second LET title, said: “It will be a very new challenge but I’m excited. I think it’s a great event for golf. I think these formats keep the fans interested and it’s good for us too, just having a different experience playing.
“I feel like I’m playing really well, just putting the pieces together. I feel like mentally, physically, I just feel like I’m in a really good place to play some really great golf so the more I play the closer I think I’ll get to where I want to be.”
Meghan MacLaren, who is looking for her third LET title, has welcomed the change of tack. She said: “Any time that golf tries to innovate it creates a bit of a buzz, which I think is exactly what the game needs. Hopefully the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic means a few more people will be paying attention just to see something different happening. The playing level is and always will be there, so it’s about forcing people to sit up and take notice.
“The idea of playing under floodlights is pretty cool. I’ve always enjoyed going to watch evening football matches so hopefully golf will be the same.”
For Amy Boulden, who has her heart set on winning a first LET title in the vibrant metropolis, winning against the backdrop of the glittering Dubai Marina would be extra special.
She said: “It’s really exciting. I’ve played night golf before, in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi, but not in a tournament. I think we’ll all have fun playing under the lights and I think Dubai is the perfect place to do it. It’s going to be a great test and I think everybody will have great fun.
“When I come to Dubai, it feels like home to me. The greens are the best we play on, in Dubai, so it’s always nice to come to play on perfectly conditioned greens.”
Camilla Lennarth, who will be looking for her second win and her first in five years, added: “I’m excited too. I haven’t played that much night golf at all. It will be a first for me, but the lights are really bright, so I think it will be a fair test. I think it’s good to try new concepts and see what works and what captures a different crowd.”
Fan engagement is exactly what the LET and all about and rising star Noemi Jimenez Martin commented: “I’m really excited and can’t wait because it’s going to be an interesting tournament. We are going to make history so it’s going to be really exciting. I think a lot of people will watch this event because it’s new and it’s going to create a different buzz. It’s definitely helping women’s golf because more people will get to see the game in a fun environment.”
Amy Boulden during a practice round. Ladies European Tour 2019. Omega Dubai Ladies Classic, Emirates Golf Club, Faldo Course, Dubai, UAE. 1-3 May 2019. Amy Boulden during a practice round. Credit: Tristan Jones
Another young Spanish talent, Silvia Bañon added: “It’s the first time playing under lights so it’s an honour to be here. It’s an incredible environment and we are really happy and excited to play. It’s my first time in Dubai and it’s really different. I was saying to Noemi, I’ve only seen these buildings in pictures.”
The Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic will be played from Wednesday to Friday and the move of the LET’s revered stop in the emirate from December to May will showcase Dubai’s extended golf season. At the same time, it will profile the stunning venue which will be a fitting destination to showcase the incredible golfers who play on the LET and who have come to Dubai from all around the world.
Due to the freak weather conditions over the weekend (and there I was basking in record temperatures back in the UK!) Friday’s Easter Egg competition was postponed until Monday. It took the form of a 2 ball better ball and winning with 44 points, were Nora Betts and John Drakesmith.
Second place, with 43, were Joyce McClusky and Olga Douglas. However, the runners up would have been Ron Phipps and Mike Mahony had they remembered to actually hand in their scorecard! Nearest the pin on the 6th was Bryan Neal and nearest in two on the par four 15th was Donna Campbell.
The finishing post is in sight now as on Wednesday we competed in round 5 (of 6) of our ‘Eclectic Joker Stableford’. Winner on the day and just beating Mike Chapman on countback, with 42 points, was Benedicte Kruse. Another good result for John Drakesmith this week as he grabbed third place with 41 points.
Five ‘2’s today (and making sure she remains at the top of the money list) Nora Betts was in there again. Phil Herrington, Lindsay Forbes, Andy McDonald and Terry Cullen made up the numbers.
Our quote this week is from an unknown author who remarked ‘Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic’.
No report for Friday again this week as the course is closed forcing a few of us to give Villamartin a visit.
Another good SMGS turnout saw 42 members and 5 guests arriving at a sunny but chilly Vistabella for a 9am shotgun start. Indubitably, the cold air increased the usual rate of first hole knee-knocking among those who had bravely opted to wear short trousers. Where do we find such men?
Thanks to the recent deluge which hinted at the second coming of Noah, buggies were restricted to the concrete paths for two reasons:
1) to avoid damaging sodden fairways
2) the vehicles are not amphibious.
This led those who use buggies – the old, the infirm, the downright lazy – to actually walk more than the, erm, walkers with trolleys. And they paid 5 euros more for the privilege!
Greens were in excellent condition but, like a Katie Price autobiography, difficult to read. There were some tricky pin positions and some bunkers awash with water channels but overall the course was in great nick given the heavy rain at the weekend.
Unfortunately one of our members was unable to continue after 7 holes due to sudden illness. However, on hearing this, Vistabella management issued him with a free voucher – a munificent goodwill gesture greatly appreciated by the society.
At the par three hole 11, Hugh Reilly proudly put his name on the nearest–the-pin card until it was unhelpfully pointed out to him by his fellow players that his first shot had been a mis-hit that barely made the Ladies Tee!
Winning results, by category and in reverse order, were the following:
Bronze Category: 5th Carmel McCann(28), 4th Roger Brierley (32), 3rd Bob Eyland (33), 2nd Mark Ronson(34) and 1st, Ken Flaherty (39) Taking top points for the order of merit.
Silver Category: 5th Adrian Roberts (36), 4th Steve Hart (37), 3rd Kyrre Skarsmoen (38 on CB), 2nd Paul Lambert (38 on CB) and 1st Phil De Lacy (39)
Gold Category: 5th Ivor Turkington (34 on CB), 4th Robin Eastman (34 on CB), 3rd Graham Temple (34 on CB), 2nd Hugh Reilly (36) and 1st Joost Boelhouwer with 39 points.
Nearest the pins (sponsored by Property Shop): Hole 2 Phil De lacy, Hole 7 Mick Roscoe, Hole 11 Barry Roehrig, Hole 15 Joost Boelhouwer
Abacus (sponsored by Adrian Rudge): John Rose
Best Guest: Roddy Duncan (37). Second Best Guest: Bruce Boswell (35)
Our thanks go to all Vistabella staff for their contribution to the day. Next week we will be at Alenda, then on following weeks at El Valle and Font De Llop. Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs.org or simply give Captain Tony Smale a call on 628 22 76 87.
Seven members and one guest made up the numbers for El Plantio 2’s Joker competition. The unfortunate guest, Jason Mainwaring, ended up winning a three-way tie for second place but was not able to claim his prize due to not having membership.
The other two ended up with identical scores for the eighteen holes and the back nine but Jason’s father-in-law Ray Housley shaded the last six holes.
Nearest the pins – Hole 1 Henry Mellor and Hole 8 David Swann.
Third Place – Handicap 8, Henry Mellor – 35 points
Second place – Handicap 10, Ray Housley – 35 points C/B.
First place – Handicap.10, David Swann – 38 points…
If anyone would like to join our Society, we play at El Plantio Golf Club every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. We use both courses – the Par 3 nine hole course and the main 18 hole course, so we cater for all abilities.
The membership rates are very competitive, so call for more details. Anyone who wishes to play in the Society as a guest or join as a new member, contact David Swann on 865 779 983 or 648 476 752
Picture from L to R: Henry Mellor, David Swann, Ray Housley, Jason Mainwaring.
A large contingent turned out for Captain’s Day with most of them gathering at the first tee to see Captain Eldon Carey fluff his drive. As Captain he was allowed a mulligan and this shot was sliced close to the outbounds, not a very auspicious start to his round.
Captain Eldon Carey with winner Ted Duffy
Everyone enjoyed a great day on the course and an even better evening at Los Angeles with Eldon taking on the starring role ably assisted by Alan. The restaurant did us proud with fantastic food and great service, thank you.
Thanks also to all who made the day a success especially Rory, Hazel and the staff at Paddy’s Point also Paul, Mick and Myra and all our generous sponsors.
3rd place on the day went to Eldon’s Dad Tony with 34pts, 2nd Alan Cuddihy 34pts c/b and the winner was Ted Duffy on 35pts.
Most Improved 2018/19 – Neil O’Dowd. Clubman of the Year – Gene Duffy. Order of Merit Winner – Joey McAvoy. Golfer of the Year – Elsie Cowie.
Photos show Captain Eldon Carey with winner Ted Duffy and President Rory Lee with Order of Merit Winner Joey McAvoy.
What a disappointing end to the season for The Plaza Golf Society with a complete washout at Vistabella having had 63 players booked on for Captains Day!!
It was all set for a thrilling finish to the Order of Merit with several permutations to determine the top 8 places.Unfortunately the weather intervened and we went ahead with with the end of season presentation based on results to date. This was held at our home base The Ale House where we were brilliantly looked after by Carl, Lisa and their staff who have been great all season.
TPGS Vistabella 19.04.19 End of Year Presentation
The following players took places 3rd to 8th:-
‘Big’ Tony Smale 183pts
Phil ‘Sulky’ Sully 171 pts
‘Dodgy’ Declan Crowley 170 pts
6 .Liz ‘Captain of Vice’ Sully 169 pts
Barry ‘the loudest golfer in the club)’Mitchell 152 pts
‘Ronaldo’ Temple 146 pts
This left the two top spots and after the whole season we ended up with two players tied on 190 pts so The Order of Merit was shared and the names of Warren ‘Wazza’ Harris and Young Callum Hitcham will be added to the coveted Plaza Golf Society Shield….Well Done Lads, Brilliant!
The other competition ran this season was the Eclectic League which took place at Villamartin and was equally tightly contested. Tied in 3rd place were Alan Carter and Kevin Adamson on 53 pts, 2nd was Jimmy Gray on 54 pts but sneaking the prize with 55 pts was our Captano Richard Allen.
Well done and thanks to all our Members and Guest who have made this a memorable season but it all starts again with the 1st game of the new season at La Torre so check out our website www.theplazagolfsociety.com to register.
That just leaves me to wish you all a Happy Easter and when the rain decides to stop Happy Golfing !!!!
On 17th. April 33 members and guests played in an individual stableford competition at the Roda Golf Course in windy, but dry conditions. As usual the fairways and greens were in good condition, but the scores were undoubtedly affected by the strong winds. After, we returned as usual, to the Lo Crispin Tavern, where the prizes for the day were distributed. The winners were as follows :
Gold Division; 1st. Place – Mike Johnson 27 pts. off 5
2nd. Place – Charlie Robertson 26 pts. off 18 (on count back), 3rd. Place – John Dunnion 26 pts. off 19
Silver Division: 1st. Place – Paddy Shea 32 pts. off 24
2nd. Place – John Bailey 22 pts. off 23 (on count back), 3rd. Place – Keuth Rennison 22 pts. off 28
N.T. P. on Par 3s: Hole 2 – Mike Johnson,. Hole 7 – Harry Farnell, Hole 11 – Mike Johnson, Hole 13 – Paddy Shea
The best guest and those playing for handicap prize was won by a visitor from Ireland, Eamonn O’ Connor with 32 pts. off 3.
The 2’s pot will roll over to the next competition as nobody managed to score a 2 today.
Finally, Mike Johnson’s was day was made complete, as he was also the winner of the Free Game Raffle.
The next Competition, also an individual stableford and 2nd. eclectic of the year is at Vistabella on 1st. May. Anyone wishing to join the Society or have a game with us as a guest, should contact any member of the Committee, whose contact details can be found on the website.
Steve Harrington (Handicap and Membership Secretary)
In association with Sapphire Properties and Costa Blanca Green Fee Services
For this months meeting the Spanglish Golf Society and a group of 27 players visited the established course at Hacienda Riquelme taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.
The course was in good condition with lightening fast greens and tricky pin positions making scoring difficult.
Gold Division: 1st – Graham Mason – 30 points, 2nd – Mike Probert – 29 points,
Bronze Division: 1st- Tony Wonfor – 28 points, 2nd – Debbie Allen – 26 points
Nearest the Pins – Probert,Mason,Valente and Prockter, Football Card – Gary Byrne
After the game we returned to the Spanglish bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for a welcome snack prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their support and that of our sponsor Sapphire Properties.
Our next home fixture is at Vistabella on 1st May 2019 followed by the monthly fixture at El Plantio on 15th May 2019.
If you are interested in joining the society call Paul Cawte on 966731223 or better still pop into the bar.
Report by Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or see us at our web-site at www.costa-blanca-greenfees.com.
