Ryder Cup report

This is what we played for...looking forward to next year already!

Hi to all our lovely members! I don't know which is the more difficult, organising our own Ryder Cup, or trying to report about it. I'll give it my best shot.

What I'll do is divide the report into the negative points and then the positive ones...there were plenty of negative ones, so here goes.

I organised the event via Gemma at Sunshine Golf...she has been brilliant. Everything was booked, I had the confirmation email...first tee time at 13.33...5 flights ( 20 players ).

As is normal for me, I went up to Miraflores 4 or 5 days before to double check and to see if all was good. It's just as well that I went as they only had us down for 4 flights ( 16 players ), they eventually gave us the extra flight when they were made aware of the booking form, but they changed our tee time to 14.00hrs. This meant a change in plan for our meal time.

On the day when I checked in, I was informed that there we were booked only for 4 flights...an angry exchange between Gustavo and myself ensued...he was adamant it was only 4 flights! Eventually another staff member pointed out that we had booked for 5 flights, Gustavo grudgingly agreed but then informed me that our tee time had been put back to 14.18.....more messing about for Bar97 staff.

We eventually got out to play, but the quality of the course was poor...most greens had been hollow tined without us knowing. Having spoken to Gemma, ALL the courses around here give their maintenance programmes to her so that she can make societies aware..ALL except for Miraflores! They advise her that they only tine one or two greens at a time. One has to ask the question WHY? We are in high season and pay top buck.

I feel like I want to apologise to you guys, but in reality the whole problem has been caused by Miraflores. You may remember that earlier on this year, they cancelled our whole comp without telling me...I only found out by pure luck and managed to reinstate us.

End of rant!

.................................................................................................................................................

Talking to all you guys it sounded like you all had a great time ( apart from the golf ). The evening was brilliant, I really needed that, humour at it's finest. It turned around a bad day into a fantastic one....sooooo thank you all for your company.

What about the golf? I thought I had all bases covered. The winning team would get 2 sleeves of balls and the losers one sleeve of balls....BUT we ended up with a 5-5 draw...I didn't have enough balls to go around so they'll be kept back for Marbella GC, there's always something haha.

Right...the match ups:

Match 1: saw Ricky the Bricky just edge out Charlie by 2 and 1, the turning point being on the 15th when the mad Scotsman hit the pin with his tee shot ( 7 wood ) and dropped to a foot for a birdie tap in. Well done to you both. Europe 1 up ...yesss.

Match 2 : After a fast start winning the first 2 holes, Blobby eventually gave way to Rob by 5 and 4. Rob was in a rush because he had a BBQ to go to. Europe 2 up and cruising!

Match 3: Probably the best performance of the day with Adam defeating Mike Moir by 5 and 3. The boy done good..fair play or as we say in Wales chwarae teg. Mike hits a great ball but could do nothing about it..Adam was on 36pts after 15, then played the last 3 holes and would have scored 43 stableford points...Not bad for an Engrishman......Europe still up by 1.

Match 4: Another good match up! Fortunately for me Johnny H hadn't hit a ball for 2 months so I managed to get a bit of a lead before he came back at me. Another day would probably have seen a different result. Checking back on my scores I would have scored 42 pts...turning point was the 11th which I managed to birdie, John had been coming right back at me before that. Final score 5 and 3 ..........................Europe back to 2 up.

Match 5: Per and Peter B had a right old ding dong. Per held the advantage going into the last but Peter managed to win the 18th and tie the match. Tidy effort both of you. Apparently the highlight was Peter almost hitting Lobo on the 17th...almost is not good enough, must try harder. ....Europe still 2 up

Match 6: "Battle of the Babes" ! Katherine getting the better of Sandra, another 5 and 3 but well competed. Great stuff girls Europe now 3 up

Match 7: Fascinating on paper this one. Lobo v Dennis Both have recently won our monthly comps, both have been playing very well. The result was a well played half, stapleford scoring would have seen them both get 39pts...impressive Europe hot favourites

Match 8: Steve G getting the ball rolling for Engerand, just pipping Jimmy by 2 and 1..if only we could have got a half...competitive stuff guys. Well done Steve...tough one Jimmy.

Europe now 2 up. England sniffing

Match 9: This was a rematch of when we played at Santa Maria and Martin bested Richard. This time Richard got his revenge by 5 and 4...a flying start saw him win the first 6 holes, not even Rory could come back from that . A point that Richard would have me make is that Martin even in defeat is a perfect gentleman. I concur. Europe just the 1 up and sweating

Match 10: I think Tony knew the score and took pity on James and let him win 5 and 4. A couple of good ball strikers who know how to score. Good game guys, well played James, you'll get him next year Tony. Final score Europe 5 v 5 England

NTP

Hole 4 Ricky

Hole 7 Dennis

Hole 13 Adam

Hole 15 Ricky ( hit the pin and almost a hole in one!)

..................................................................................................................................................

What do you guys think of an annual Ryder Cup?

Lobo has come up with the idea of playing the first 6 holes as a Foursomes

Second 6 holes as a 4 ball

the last 6 holes as individual

Interesting idea which deserves a little thought. Use the comments box to leave a message

...............................................................................................................................................