Time for a look back at 2018 which was another year of success, with perhaps the emphasis on consolidating all the hard work done in previous years. Ken Saunders became president and Phil Cooke took over the captaincy, appointing Alicia Saunders as his vice-captain.
The number of players using society times seems to have increased, especially midweek with 30/40 players regularly playing in the stableford Mondays and Wednesdays. 553 members and a reminder below of what happened, and no doubt things will get even better.
The fixture list has tended to follow the same pattern as in previous years, so members have some idea what weeks to book for their visits to Condado. There are still 8 major competitions to contest, and still we get new names on the prestigious trophies.
The ownership of the course has not changed, although the 6 course membership did reduce to 4 courses, with a significant reduction in the cost of that membership. Unfortunately we still are unable to get the single course membership that we all desire. Another problem was when the annual buggy rental option was removed, and a personal mobility scooter being banned. Also if a golfer with serious mobility problems can’t find a partner willing to share the price the price is so prohibitive that they just will not play.
Sadly we have lost 2 members who passed away during the year – Peter Ridley and Dave Griffiths. They will be missed terribly.
We have changed the colour of the society polo shirts each year, but as we were running out of colours to choose from the decision was made to adopt a blue with black vents, which will remain the society shirt for the foreseeable future.
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Our system (Handicapmaster) has moved into its second year. All members have online access to bookings, results, individual performance analysis, automatic handicap adjustments and many other features including weekly fixtures for the whole year.
It has been obvious that more committee members are needed as so much work is done by so few people – we would welcome a little help from members who can do just a few of the chores, because those committee members who work so hard at present just won’t be able to keep going indefinitely. Starters are always needed and we have been lucky to have a few who have volunteered several times, but it would still be fantastic to get more help. Please let a committee member know if you can do just a little bit.
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One of our volunteers, Tanya Seckington…………………..
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Sue and Denise……………………………
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The weather seems to have changed with a couple of storms which required the course to close for a brief period. The condition of the course has been a cause for concern with the greens especially poor, but things have improved towards the end of the year. The start of the year was cold – well wrapped up so we could get out on the course!
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Summer came, and everywhere looked good………………….
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As the seasons change, the course suffered………………
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Golfers are always ready to enter into the spirit of the competition – here Dave Lloyd becomes part leprechaun!
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3 away days were arranged during the year 2 to Valle de Este (because the first in March was ended prematurely by a massive storm, so we had a raincheck and returned at the end of October).
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GNK have supported the society in many ways, Rapelle green fee vouchers, special flags, decal on buggies………………………….
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Always a highlight of the year, the Viking Cup was won by the UK & Ireland team – the overall score after 9 years is 5-4 to UK & Ireland………………………
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a sad picture – we have had a couple of herons visiting the lakes, but one of them was unfortunately found dead at the side of the 4th…………….
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Our annual charity event, the Seve Trophy, again had a fantastic response from everyone, players, sponsors and donations. Since its inception in 2012 when it was inaugurated in response to the death of Seve Ballesteros (changed to the Lorca disaster fund in the same week) the charity has been chosen in response to situations that have involved a member of the society. This year it was in aid of a local cancer charity in Alhama (Asociacion Espanola contra el canceras) – a result of Maria’s battle with the disease. The total was 5,427.50€.
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Major winners
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Anniversary Trophy………………………Rob Busby, Steve Bell
Graham White Pairs………………………Ivor Abernethy & Jacqui Patterson
Presidents Cup………………………………Jeff Cotter
Captains Cup…………………………………Pete Elgar
Seve Trophy…………………………………..Jim Laird
Barry Barker Strokeplay…………………. Keith Miller (Milt)
Ladies Cup…………………………………….Ellen Gulbrandsen
Seniors Trophy………………………………Terry Burgess
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Special Events
St Patricks Day………………………………Lis Jakobsen
St Georges Day……………………………..Chris King
Clark Family Fun Day…………..Willie Laing, Martyn Collins, Wayne Greenall, Barry Greenall
Barry Answer………………………………..Steve Todd
Viking Cup……………………………………UK & Ireland
Kevin Smith Team…………………………..Andrew & Torild Lailey, Colin & Lynda Lloyd
Clover Xmas Stableford………………Chris McAllister
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Apollo Air
January…………………………………………Jan Jakobsen
February……………………………………….Dave Rollett
March…………………………………………..Tony Andrews
April…………………………………………….Kevin Smith
May……………………………………………..Phil Cooke
June…………………………………………….Steve Brown
July………………………………………………Peter Pert
August……………………………………..….Gabrielle Dickinson
September…………………………………..Lynda Lloyd
October……………………………………….Eamon Barry
November……………………………………Tony Andrews
December…………………………………….Gabi Busch
Overall champion…………………………….Tony Andrews
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Dublin Crystal
March…………………………………………John Donaldson
June…………………………………………….Ray Rollett
August…………………………………………Carl McCulloch
November……………………………………Tony Andrews
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We are appreciative of the continued sponsorship from many individuals and businesses. Thanks to all our sponsors and this year Apollo Air got a boost when their flag was prominent on the first tee at each of the monthly events.
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Eddie Reid – sleeve of balls for each division winner
Dave Cooke – sleeve of balls for every ‘2’
Trophy box – St George’s Day, special event
Adrian & Heather Clark – team event
Barry Answer – special event and evening party with entertainment
Eden Hair and Beauty – Ladies Day
Clover – Seve Trophy, Xmas comp, winner’s drinks vouchers, sandwiches
Phil Marlow – polo shirts
Denise & Byron (golf club) – discounted drinks
Apollo Air – monthly stableford
Paul Culligan – Dublin Crystal quarterly stableford
GNK – weekly golf voucher and quarterly bonus vouchers
Jeff Cotter – engraved golf caps for major winners
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A parting shot – without more volunteers to help with the running of the society we will not see the same report at the end of 2019 so please help the committee in any small way that you can.
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Best wishes for 2019
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Barry