Individual Strokeplay Friday November 25th 2016

 

the early morning sunshine breaking through the clouds gave the Sierra Espuna a spectacular mottled effect – seen from the 5th green…………

Click on the image for an even better view…………………

 

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And here it is………….the format that most dread, where you keep going until the ball is holed! We only have 2 this year, but it is the purest form of golf – put it on the tee, keep hitting the ball until it is down the hole, then add all your strokes up at the end!

It has been suggested to put a cap on each hole (e.g. if you have got to 10 and not holed out, put a 10 on the card). My opinion is that if you have taken 10 on a hole it isn’t your day, so pick it up and put in a no return!

That is what happened to me on the 6th, but no problems for Dave Lloyd, who went round in 72 gross, 66 net to sign off in style before returning to the UK for Christmas.

Only 29 players this week, with 4 no shows – a long time since numbers have been so low, are they getting ready for Christmas?

 

1st Division

1st     Dave Lloyd (3.7)………………………..72 – 66

2nd   Chris McAllister (3.6)………………..75 – 70

 

 

2nd division

1st     Dorothy Simpson (17.3)…………….95 – 73

2nd   Ove Enger (19.7)……………………….99 – 74

 

This was the first week that we have trialled a new system called Handicap Master. This is a golf club management program which is in widespread use in over 1000 clubs in the UK & Ireland, and enables players to input their own scores – no points are required, just the gross. Handicaps are adjusted automatically.

It can recognise just about any format (various team events). The system ranks the players by specified division and calculates any ties by back 9, back 6, back 3 etc. It highlights any 2’s, produces start sheets, labels to affix to cards (name, handicap, start time, format etc.) and allows players access to the sheet and to pick their own time online, amongst other improvements.

One interesting piece of information available is a running analysis of the difficulty of each hole – e.g. after 2 test rounds every hole has an average score and is ranked by difficulty. Early analysis shows that hole 10 should be stroke one (as many of us have realised already!). The easiest hole is 17, which seems realistic, but early days yet. The initial conclusion is that the stroke index on the scorecards introduced by Polaris (made without any information to decide the ranking) is very inaccurate. Maybe with 12 months information, the management may be able to use this to revise the stroke indices when new cards need reprinting.

We will run both systems side by side until the new year, when it is anticipated that the old program will be replaced. As we test it, any problems will be identified and addressed. Updates on progress will be reported on this blog (which could also be a feature of the new system).

Screen shots can be viewed at:

http://www.handicapmaster.org/products/tour.php

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Dave really meant business today!………

 

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The day started of with brilliant sunshine but very cold (only 8 degrees at 9 am), so winter gear was the order of the day, but as we progressed, layers were shed.

 

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a long time since I’ve seen Kim with so many clothes on – or should I rephrase that?……..

 

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Alicia had to resort to waterproofs after the first hole………………

 

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Kim back to summer attire by the 11th……………

 

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and Alicia looks cool on hole 15…………………just add dark glasses and it’s Honey G!

 

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Ove Enger putts out in front of a very calm lake on 9………… a lost ball off the tee on the 18th cost him the 2nd division title………………

 

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The smart new white society shirts for 2017 are already being worn – order yours from Kevin on Wednesdays and Fridays (at cost price 15€).

The Las Colinas awayday on February 6th is almost full – just 5 spaces left for golf, the shopper’s quota is full. Contact me at barry@cdagolf.com if you don’t want to miss out.

Next week is a 4 person team event with 3 scores to count at each hole, and for the winter period our time slots now will start at 10am (in the past we have experienced delays for frost to clear).

 

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And it’s goodbye to Dave & Kim until next year, not Christmas yet so happy thanksgiving!

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Barry

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Kevin Smith Team Event Friday November 18th 2016

several separate groups of goldfish in the lake on 18

 

 

This week was the last special event of the year, the Kevin Smith Team Challenge. This was a six hole waltz, with 2 scores to count on the first 6, 3 on the second 6, and all to count to the 18th. Although conditions seemed perfect for the 39 players (unfortunately one no show, which is not good in a team event), the winning scores were significantly down on previous similar competitions. Thanks to Dorothy and Sandy Simpson for mentoring Lynn, who will act as starter each week.

 

1st

Paddy McKee, Blair Johnstone, Don Henry, Nigel Howson…………….117pts

2nd

Roy Winter, Graham White, Hans Bergstrom, Tom Toner……………..114pts

3rd

Neil Simpson, Kevin Smith, Ken Saunders, Alicia Saunders…………..112pts

 

Nearest pin on 17………………Nigel Howson

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Don, Blair, Nigel and Paddy with captain Neil and sponsor Kevin…………………….

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With work being done on many of the tees, the ladies found themselves at a disadvantage when the men’s tees were moved alongside them………….

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nice to see the water back on hole 13………

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Ken, Alicia, Kev and Neil putting for a place on the podium at the last………..

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On the 5th tee an spiritual event……….Dave Lloyd (who is normally so straight and long) smashed his drive way out right, over the dry lake. Dave’s response was ‘Jesus!’ followed by Chris McAllister’s ‘Christ!’. I added ‘Oh my God!’. Our prayers went unanswered – the ball didn’t suddenly become a giant hook back into the middle of the fairway. Obviously the holy pair were on a siesta, and more points were soon dropped. No prize for our team today!

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The new society shirts for 2017 have been ordered, and will arrive shortly, The colour for next year is white and they will be sold at cost for 15€.

After the success of the 3 shotgun starts in October, the committee are looking at more for the busy periods in summer – no more late starts for some in the heat of the day!

As the year ends, we find that we have a few green fee vouchers spare. These are used throughout the year as prizes for the major competitions and special events – then we have a weekly raffle for one voucher, which raises funds for free coaches for awaydays, entertainment and subsidised functions, so everything comes back to the members. So for the next 5 weeks we will run a nearest the pin competition on hole 17 with a voucher as the prize. This is open to both ladies and gents.

As the primary agent for the course we have what is called a Rapel deal. In 2016 we have contributed over 2800 green fees (not including members), and got a bonus of 10 green fee vouchers in each 3 month period when an agreed variable target was reached. We also get one voucher per week. This year we achieved this every quarter, so received an extra 40 vouchers which we used as explained above. The deal for 2017 is even better – we get the extras after every 500 green fees are paid, irrespective of when that target is reached. So for example, if we reach 3000 green fees we get 60 as a bonus.

Last summer we had a deal in June, July and August where the price was reduced to 35€ including free buggy when required and subject to availability. Next year we will have a similar deal which will be 37€, but for 5 months of the year (January, June, July, August and December).

 

 Below is the current list of players and shoppers for the awayday to Las Colinas on February 5th. The shoppers quota is now full, but we will accept reserves in case the maximum number of golfers is not reached. We have 40 places for golf, of which 36 are taken, so 4 places left. Contact me at barry@cdagolf.com if you want adding to the list.

 Golfers                                                           Shoppers

1   Barry Barker                                                  1 Sue

2   Barry Answer

3   Dave Lloyd                                                     2 Kim

4   Ken Saunders                                                3 Alicia

5   Neil Simpson                                                  4 Lynn

6   Jeff Ruellan

7   Paddy McKee

8   Peter Reeves

9   Peter Mitchell                                                5 Jane

10 Pat Hughes                                                   6 Jackie

11 Colin Lloyd

12 Lynda Lloyd

13 Roy Winter                                                    7 Terri

14 Dave Storey                                                 8 Carol

15 Dave Robinson

16 Tommy Toner                                               9 Myra

17 Dave Wareing                                              10 Pauline

18 Terry Burgess                                             11 Tina

19 Graham White                                            12 Jean

20 Dave Rollett                                                13 Barbara

21 Ray Rollett                                                  14 Sandra

22 Ian Lawson

23 Christine Lawson

24 Stephen Bell

25 Phil Cooke

26 Jeff Lightle                                                  15 June

27 Chris McAllister

28 Andrew Lailey

29 Torild Lailey

30 John Collins

31  Sven Erik Gulbrandsen

32  Ellen Gulbrandsen

33  Ove Enger

34  Jim Laird

35  Kjell Mundheim

36  Adrian Kernaghan

Next week is an individual strokeplay competition.

 

Paddy was given the job of painting the white lines down the middle of a main road. On his first day he painted six miles; the next day three miles; the following day less than a mile. When the foreman asked the man why he kept painting less each day, he replied “I just can’t do any better. Each day I keep getting farther away from the paint can.”

The other day I went to the ATM and an old man asked if I could check his balance…………. so I pushed him over.

Every time I go to a wedding my grandad pokes me and says, ” You’re next” So whenever I go to a funeral with him, I poke him and say, ” You’re next.”

 A kids grandparents visit over the holidays go to church for Christmas Mass. Halfway through the service, the grandpa leans over and whispers in his wife’s ear, “I’ve just let out a silent fart. What do you think I should do?”
The Grandma replies, “Put a new battery in your hearing aid.”

Barry

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Yellow Ball Friday November 11th 2016

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Chris – I’m not saying that the service is slow, but……..

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.Sorry that the blog is brief this week as I was away on a golf trip to Benidorm.

It was 4 person team yellow ball with 48 players. Thanks to Terri Winter and Peter Beatt for acting as the starter. We have had a volunteer who has recently moved out here permanently who has very kindly offered to act as the starter every week, so Lynn will accompany Dorothy and Sandy next week to get acquainted.

 

 

1st       Jan Jakobsen, Lis Jakobsen, Jim Creamer, Ian Gibson…………127pts

2nd     Neil Simpson, Chris McAllister, Kevin Smith, Keith Miller…..  122 points

 

I wasn’t here, so the photos are courtesy of Dave Lloyd.

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the winning team………

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and in 2nd place……….

 

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2’s – just a note that any player who is not present on a Friday at the Clover will not receive a sleeve of balls (which have been kindly donated). 

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Last weekend was the Aguilon Ryder Cup versus Spain, where we had 7 players in the UK team. As usual, the Spanish team won! Dave Lloyd again provides the pictures…………………

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our players with our friend JJ……………..

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all the players were so well looked after – very cheap green fees, team shirts, food and drink…..

 

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Next week the blog will be back to normal for the Kevin Smith special event (4 person team).

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Barry

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Apollo Air Individual Stableford Friday November 4th 2016

this month’s winner, Andrew Lailey………….

 

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53 players this week, which included an amazing 15 ladies. Excellent golfing conditions, and back to the normal teeing positions. The scoring was more realistic with many in the 30’s. This week it was thanks to Colin and Lynda Lloyd for acting as starters.

 

Apollo Air winner

Andrew Lailey (19.0)……………………………39pts

 

1st division

1st     Jeff Lightle (5.1)………………………..38pts

2nd   Tommy Toner (9.2)……………………34pts (on countback)

3rd    Chris McAllister (3.7)………………..34pts

 

2nd division

1st     Kevin Smith (20.2)……………………..37pts (on countback)

2nd   Bent Christiansen (21.7)…………….37pts (on countback)

3rd   Jeff Ruellan (22.5)……………………..37pts

 

Ladies

1st     Bernie Twomey (22.9)……………….35pts

2nd   Lynda Lloyd (17.9)……………………34pts

3rd    Karin Dahl (13.2)……………………..33pts

 

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Jeff won the first division………….

 

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Kev is still on form……….

 

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Bernie shows the young ‘uns how it’s done……

 

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Paddy McKee comes out of the greenside bunker on hole 10………..

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It does look like work has been done on the lakes, with a new lining on hole 4 and water in the lake at hole 11 (not full, maybe a test to test for leaks?)

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new lining on 4………….

 

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water in 10/11………

 

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Next week is a team competition………..yellow ball. Yellow ball counts double plus next best stableford score each hole.

 

3 dead bodies were brought into the mortuary, all with smiles on their faces. The policeman explained that the first was a Frenchman who had a heart attack whilst drinking vintage champagne and eating foie gras (he was so happy when he died). Second body was a Scotsman who had won £1000 on the lottery and spent it all on whisky- happily dying through alcohol poisoning. The reason for the smile on the third body was unusual – big Seamus Quinn from Donegal was struck by lightning – he thought he was having his photograph taken.

 

Barry

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