the victorious scots with president & captain…….
We had very spring-like conditions for the 4 person team stableford (3 to count each hole), with strong winds making scoring very difficult. The blue skies and warm sunshine allowed players to dress for summer. As the scores came in it became increasingly obvious that a below par score might be in with a chance of a prize. Par for 3 scores a hole is 108pts, and not one team reached that mark. Normally 120 plus is the target, so it showed how difficult the conditions were. Also tricky pin positions like on the hog’s back on 13 didn’t help. 106pts proved to be sufficient for the all scots team of:
Sandy Simpson, Dorothy Simpson, Jim Fricker & Pearl Fricker……………106pts
2nd place one point behind were:
Ken Saunders, Alicia Saunders, Jostein Lansvik & Phil Tann…………….105pts
After the heroics of 2 weeks ago Peter Reeves was back down to earth with a bang! I was not playing, but went out to watch Peter and his team play the 9th. Receiving 3 shots start on the hole, Peter smashed his drive over the road into perfect position just short of the water. Another fine shot followed which was level with the par 5 green but out to the left. So he was close to the green in – 1 shots?
He just has to chip it on and be there in zero (5 under par)? No, Peter entertained me with his next 7 shots and retired when still not on the green! Into the fairway bunker, out into the greenside bunker, left the next shot in, then through the back of the green, his chip then past the flag and back down to the fairway at the front, then back into the greenside bunker. Finally out onto the fringe and then finished in his pocket! Very entertaining Peter we can always be assured that your game is never boring!
Well I did sing your praises when you were the match winner!
Peter’s 2nd was to the right of his buggy…..he duffed the simple shot into the fairway bunker…..
At the AGM this week a member brought up the issue of dress code – so who of the following is trying and who is not?
pricey jeans/trainers…..shorts/golf shoes/no socks/pint….shirt/tie/trousers/shoes?
Remember the 2 Ronnies sketch with John Cleese?…. I look down on him because…. I look up to him because…..
News this week is that IRM have withdrawn the option to become an annual member at Condado de Alhama (and also the other 5 courses on the trail). The only option now is membership of the 6 courses, which will result in an additional cost of 437 euros to a current individual member and 447 euros for family membership.
In addition to the price increase, residents of Condado will have a round trip of nearly 90 minutes to each of the other 5 courses, and aproximately 100 km in mileage and fuel costs. Maybe individual members at the other 5 courses are not affected as much with all courses being within 15 minutes of each other. We have always said that Condado should be treated as a separate entity to the other 5 courses due to its remoteness from the rest.
Not every Condado member can afford this outlay in the current difficult economic climate so any increase in costs will reduce IRM’s revenue. The bankers shuffle numbers around to make figures look better, but they have made a big mistake this time. Current members who cannot or will not pay the increased fee will have to pay and play, and will have the option to play elsewhere. They will simply look around for the best price (perhaps with different societies). Several courses are putting on excellent deals at the moment and Hacienda del Alamo (which is 20 minutes away) have a massive choice of membership options at very competitive prices. Anyone who wants more information please contact me and I will give you the necessary details.
Our only option is to contact the IRM management individually with our thoughts, concerns and protests. Please all support this whether you are currently a member or not. Perhaps some of you may consider individual membership even if you are a holidaymaker. Many scandinavians are already course members while their benefits are marginal, but extra costs and more travelling is not an attractive option.
If you feel strongly about this please email the manager of Condado de Alhama Christobal Martin at
cmartin@irmgolfexperience.com He will forward all to IRM.
Individual replies will carry more weight than a petition.
In view of the previous comments this last item may seem irrelevant, but Jan Jakobsen and Mick Parsons are arranging a competition for course members to be played for over the next 10 months. Details can be found in the link below.
As a society the committee cannot promote a competition which does not include all. This trophy would exclude 95% of the membership, so it will be run outside the society by course members for course members.
The society has gained many benefits for its members but they tend to favour those who are not members of the course (discounted green fees, cheap buggies etc.). Course members cannot share a buggy with a visitor at the reduced rate of 5 euros. It seems they get the thin edge of the wedge with little in the way of benefits through the society.
What can be done though is to publicise it here so our course members are aware. Any queries should be directed to the organisers Mick Parsons & Jan Jakobsen. IRM do not provide trophies and competitions within each individual course with honours boards & weekly competitions run by themselves. We have seen a club who do – Desert Springs have impressive honours boards prominently displayed in their magnificent clubhouse – so it can be done.
Well done to Mick and Jan for taking it upon themselves to organise a members cup so please support them.
Members Eclectic Trophy (2)
Next Friday is a 4 person team again with 2 to count on holes 1 – 6, 3 on 7 -12, 4 on 13 – 18. Sunday is the St Patricks day individual stableford with the presentation and Irish entertainer in the Clover at night. Good Friday is Graham White Pairs strokeplay.
Seve Trophy is May 3rd and hole sponsorship is available at 20 euros.
Who was the kind person who offered to sponsor the Viking Cup shirts for the UK & Ireland team in October? The cost is expected to be 600 -700 euros for 40 shirts – sponsors name or business details will be embossed on the sleeve and they will get an advert in the diary and on the website. Please contact Dave Lloyd at dave@cdagolf.com
Barry
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