It’s not a course we play on a regular basis but it is a popular one with most of the members. Not being regular visitors, the last 15 mins of the hour’s drive never fail to bring a touch of mystery and excitement to some poor, lost soul whose satnav, to coin a phrase, mightn’t be quite up to par!

With just the one late arrival, we were soon at our full complement of 5 guests and 31 members doing battle in the Stableford competition round this Seve Ballesteros course tidily consisting of 6 par 3’s, 6 par 4’s and 6 par 5’s. Two knock-out matchplay games were also taking place, one singles and one doubles.

In the gold division Ivan Hanak carded his best round for some time coming in with a magnificent 42 points pushing John Osborne with 39 points into second place…..a couple of members actually reported that they’d seen Ivan smiling after his round, though it’s probably “fake news!”

The “battle of the Birtwistles” took place in the bronze category with Phil once again showing his chivalrous nature with a 3 putt here & there which JUST let  Marg pip him by FIVE points……that story could be wearing a bit thin! ..very well done, dear!!

In the prizes were – 6 NTP’s: Ivan Hanak, Aidan Roberts, Brian Mulligan, Tony Smale, Robin Eastman & Norman Padmore.

Best guest: Eamonn McDermott (32) Runner-up guest: Paul Trigg (30).

Bronze division: 4th Norman McBride (34 c/b). 3rd Mick Roscoe (34 c/b). 2nd Phil Birtwistle (36). 1st Marg Birtwistle (41).

Silver division: 4th Brian Mulligan (30). 3rd Phil de Lacy (32 c/b). 2nd Theo Boelhouwer (32 c/b). 1st Will Fenn (33).

Gold division: 4th Mick Leonard (30), 3rd Robin Eastman (32) 2nd John Osborne (39). 1st Ivan Hanak (42).

Matchplay results – Robin Eastman bt Ken Flaherty 4+3 and Theo Boelhouwer & Tony Smale bt Steve Higgins & Kyree Skarsmoen 3+2.

Our thanks go to the team at Alicante Golf whose efforts ensured a good day was enjoyed by all. The last 2 Wednesday meetings in March are at Vistabella and Roda, for more details go to www.smgs.org or give Captain Tony a buzz on 628227687.