2018 Annual Review

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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just about everyone had the new society shirt – looking good!

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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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Sue and Denise waiting with drinks and bacon butties for the first golfers……….

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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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Barry Answer and myself glad to get in – (February)………

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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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Ricky Comber left no doubt which side he was on……………

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it’s Christmas!……………..

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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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a nice touch from GNK who have added Viking Cup decals to the front of all 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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the winning team, UK & Ireland………………………

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the buggies looked good with their new decal……….

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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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Thanks to Apollo Air for the sponsorship again……..

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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

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Apollo Air Individual Stableford Friday January 4th 2019

Tormod was this month’s Apollo champion, seen here with a new design for the replica………………..

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This week saw the first leg of the annual Apollo Air championship, won in the last 2 years by John Collins and Tony Andrews. Perfect weather and some fantastic scores – 3 players scored 41 points and the round of the day was a gross 73 by Dave Lloyd, but unfortunately for him he was pipped on the back nine by Norwegian Tormod Vaage. Thanks again to our ever reliable Tanya for setting the players off.

 

Winner

Tormod Vaage (23.6)…………………………………………………41pts

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1st division

1st      Dave Lloyd (4.9)……………………………………………..41pts

2nd     Tom Toner (8.8)…………………………………………….40pts

3rd      Shaun Cairney (10.9)……………………………………38pts

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2nd division   

1st     Jeff Ruellan (22.9)…………………………………………..41pts

2nd    Andrew Lailey (18.6)……………………………………..38pts

3rd    Neil Simpson (18.0)………………………………………..37pts

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Ladies

1st     Jeanette Bilsborough (16.5)…………………………34pts (on countback)

2nd    Marijke Brouwers (15.2)……………………………….34pts

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Dave on the first tee, not knowing that he had an exceptional round ahead of him…….

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and when he rolled in this 20 footer for par at the 18th it looked like it was his day, but alas, no………………

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Jeanette won the ladies, and I could see a victory on the cards when I played with her 2 weeks ago……………..

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everyone wrapped up well at the start, but layers were soon shed……………..

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It was the first day of the revised rules, and it took some getting used to – playing out of turn, putting with the flag in, dropping from knee height…………………………….

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There are still plenty of places for the away day to Lorca on January 21st, see Ken Saunders if you want to go.

Also emails will soon be sent out to everyone who played in the 2018 Viking Cup. You will have until March to confirm your place, after which it will be open to other applicants.

Next week is a pairs stableford, and midweek I will put on an extra post reviewing events of 2018.

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Barry

 

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January 2019 rule changes

A reminder that there are many changes to the rules of golf from January 1st – look at these 20 below.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chPOtfLUHC0

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Individual Stableford Friday December 28th 2018

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The last competition of 2018 saw 36 players compete in a singles. Tanya Seckington was the starter again, and Peter Reeves was captain for the day with Alicia, Ken and Phil not there. Thanks to Peter’s daughter Catherine for selling the raffle tickets in the Clover.

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1st division

1st      Fran Thomas (6.3)………………………………………………………….39pts

2nd    Chris McAllister (4.4)……………………………………………………..36pts

 

2nd division

1st    Stuart McAteer (17.9)…………………………………………………….36pts

2nd  Tormod Vaage (23.6)……………………………………………………..35pts

 

 

Ladies

1st     Pat Whitty (11.9)…………………………………………………………….34pts

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Fran won division one……..

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Stuart was the 2nd division winner…………….

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and Pat was the best of the ladies……….

 

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A golf management company called Ugolf will be taking over the running of Saurines, Mar Menor and also Hacienda del Alamo (all owned by SAREB) from 1st January. Ugolf are apparently a French company and look after a number of courses in Spain with a good reputation. GNK will just be running the 4 courses they own.

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Next week is the first Apollo Air individual stableford of 2019.

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Don’t forget, January 1st sees the new R & A golf rules come into effect.

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A guy was driving when a policeman pulled him over. He rolled down his window and said to the officer, “Is there a problem, Officer?”
“No problem at all. I just observed your safe driving and am pleased to award you a Safe Driver Award. Congratulations, what do you think you’re going to do with the prize money?”
He thought for a minute and said, “Well, I guess I’ll go get that drivers’ license.”
The lady sitting in the passenger seat said to the policeman, “Oh, don’t pay attention to him, he’s a smartass when he’s drunk and stoned.”
The guy from the back seat said, “I told you guys we wouldn’t get far in a stolen car!”
At that moment, there was a knock from the trunk and a muffled voice said, “Are we over the border yet?”

A man was walking along a California beach and stumbled upon an old lamp. He picked it up and rubbed it and out popped a genie. The genie said “OK. OK. You released me from the lamp, blah, blah, blah. This is the 4th time this month and I’m getting a little sick of these wishes so you can forget about three. You only get one wish!

The man sat and thought about it for a while and said, “I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, but I’m scared to fly and I get very seasick. Could you build me a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive over there to visit?”

The genie laughed and said, “That’s impossible! Think of the logistics of that! How would the supports ever reach the bottom of the Pacific? Think of how much concrete . . how much steel!! No, think of another wish!”

The man said OK and tried to think of a really good wish. Finally, he said, “I’ve been married and divorced four times. My wives always said that I don’t care and that I’m insensitive. So, I wish that I could understand women . . . know how they feel inside and what they’re thinking when they give me the silent treatment . . .know why they’re crying, know what they really want when they say, ‘nothing’ . . . know how to make them truly happy . . .”

The genie said, “You want that bridge with two lanes or four?”

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Barry

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Clover Xmas Stableford Friday December 21st 2018

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A perfect day, chaps fishing in the lake, not a ripple (except for the retreating duck!). A springtime image but it is only December 21st?

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A supposedly fun competition this week, – 36 players, with the men off the back markers and the ladies off the yellows. The favourite came through though with Chris McAllister winning his own Clover tournament. This meant he also won his own trophy which he had donated, he just can’t get rid of it! He also provided a super buffet after the presentation along with a karaoke and disco from Elvis. Every week Chris and Maria supply sandwiches so thanks very much for your help this year. Also thanks again to the lovely Tanya for kicking off proceedings as starter, and Buzz who added some great photos. Alicia set the players off with home made mince pies and mulled wine.

Everyone was given a Santa hat which was compulsory headwear. Otherwise a donation was required to Andrea’s donkey sanctuary (sorry donkeys, everyone wore them!). Players had a choice from 2 gifts from Santa – a free throw from trouble or a mulligan (a chance to replay a shot without penalty). Also 5 extra shots each for playing off the back tees.

There is usually a story to tell about a golf round, and Peter Reeves was very proud to tell everyone about his 3 (birdie) on the 10th. A very difficult hole, but what Peter didn’t tell us was that his second shot finished in the greenside bunker. A steep face in front of him was not a deterrent – he got out his putter, rolling it up the face, over the top, a couple of bounces and hey presto! More than one way of skinning a cat.

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Clover winner

Chris McAllister ………………………………………………………………..36pts (on countback)

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1st division

1st      Tony Andrews ………………………………………………………………….35pts

2nd     Shaun Cairney …………………………………………………………………32pts

3rd      Ton Toner ………………………………………………………………………..31pts

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2nd division

1st     Ian Whyte ………………………………………………………………………….36pts

2nd    Peter Reeves …………………………………………………………………….33pts

3rd    Ken Saunders ……………………………………………………………………31pts

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Ladies

1st      Pat Whitty ………………………………………………………………………..32pts

 

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Chris wins his own trophy – again!

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Ian used his shots well……………………………….

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Pat coped best from the yellow tees…………………

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It’s good others have contributed photos to the blog……………thanks Tanya, Buzz and Dee!

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Santa (Shaun Cairney) seems to have been on a diet……………….

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Peter Reeves ( seen here with our starter Tanya) can always be relied upon for an eye-catching outfit………………….

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Sants (Phil Cooke) should have got a bigger size in tunics as he grew bigger. This one he is wearing must be nearly 300 years old…………………

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no mince pie at 10 a.m. but the mulled wine went down well!………..

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this egret looked lost as it wandered around the bushes near the 12th tee……………..

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where better than a golf course on a morning like this!

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Next week the last competition of 2018 is an individual stableford, however we have cancelled the competitions on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. The reason is that due to lack of players we are not guaranteed to receive society rates even though we have made nearly 5000 bookings this year. All but 2 of the members booked for those days are GNK members, so can play anytime.

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Information on the rule changes which come in January 1st. Below is a video which makes some of the changes easier to understand.

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However, it is the player’s responsibility to understand and learn the rules. Check them out at  www.golf.rules.com

 

From the committee:

Our decision is to create the local rule for Stroke Play competitions I.e. max strokes per hole by player is  2 x Par ( example par for hole is 4 max strokes which recorded is 8 ). This rule will be piloted for all stroke play competitions during 2019.

We will also remove our local rule about playing a provisional ball if the player is unsure if the ball is in a water hazard, or possibly playable from within it (covered by the new rule changes).

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Barry

 

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Captain’s Christmas message

2018 has been another successful year for the Condado Golf Society, with to date 553 members renewing their membership and playing a total of 4858 rounds of golf.

Following my complaint to Enrique, Director General of GNK Golf, regarding the poor condition of many of the greens during the Summer months we saw immediate action and I am pleased to report that all the greens are returning back to their former glory. The lakes have been kept topped up throughout all but the hottest couple of months during the summer and work continues on many of the bunkers, with the sand being replaced in a number of them. Indeed the bunkers on the driving range are being filled in and the sand reused on the course.

The tenders for the management and maintenance  of the 6 original “Polaris World Nicholas Tour” courses are being considered this month, however I have no information as yet as to which company has been successful, other than there were 4 or 5 tenders submitted. Further information on this  in due course.

Whilst the society continues to go from strength to strength all of the organisation is falling to a few people on the committee so my Christmas wish this year is we get some more volunteers to work on the committee. Seriously though we really do need more people to help on the committee in any capacity so come help us to continue what is probably the largest, most successful golf society in the region!!

Finally, from myself and on behalf of all the committee may I wish all our members, families and friends a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New year.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2019.

Phil Cooke

Captain

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Pairs Stableford Friday December 14th 2019

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an amazing score from Neil and Mark…………….

 

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Very difficult conditions for the 36 golfers playing in pairs this week, with extremely strong winds (but so lucky we missed the heavy rain the day before). Hard against the wind but not always as easy as you think with the wind behind. I think Neil and Mark only played the holes downwind, looks like they played a different course to anyone else! Thanks again to Tanya for taking care of the starting duties.

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1st     Neil Simpson & Mark Ambridge……………………………………48pts

2nd   Pat Whitty & Bob Whitty………………………………………………….41pts (on countback)

3rd    Chris McAllister & Kevin Smith……………………………………….41pts (on countback)

 

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Next week is the Clover Xmas individual stableford – a bit of fun when the gents play from the whites and the ladies play from the yellows………………….

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In January 2019 the new rules of golf will be implemented by the R & A and the USPGA. From January 2019 ‘Ready golf’ is the new name of the game. The aim is to speed up play. (But not all the changes are about speed).

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The link below covers some of the changes, too many to list here, so familiarize yourself with what is different – there are some radical changes!

 

 

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The new rules are also shown in our link to them on this blog – go down to ‘Pages‘ at the bottom right and the videos explain the main changes, instead of trawling through 200 pages in a book! However, keep up to date with our local rules which may vary from the R & A rules – they can be found also in ‘Pages’.

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Late information – just received some very sad news. Dave Griffiths, one of our members, (on-site painter) has collapsed and passed away in the last few hours. His son Wayne is also a society member. We pass on our deepest sympathy to his wife Chris, sons Wayne and Kirk all the other members of his family. God bless, rest in peace Dave.

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Barry

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