Captain’s Chat: The 3rd Instalment

Already, a third of my year as Captain has passed. I can see the whole year flying by in the blink of an eye.

So many of you have spoken to me, emailed me and messaged me to say how much you have enjoyed the Captain’s Chat updates, and how they help you feel connected with the club even when you cannot be here.

I will do my best to keep the communication lines well and truly open. I can’t promise they will always be funny, or even interesting, but I will try!

Another way to stay up to date with goings-on at the club is to keep checking our website. Dave Meers has been doing a fantastic job keeping the results and upcoming competitions up to date. He has also been working on producing the new Honours Board page.

Please check this out by clicking here.

Recent Events

Ralph Griffin Trophy

Congratulations to Russ Wilson, Jean Wilson, Walter McLean and Mike Esam for an impressive 118-point win.

The event was very well supported, which was also greatly appreciated by Netti Griffin. It was a lovely day remembering our old friend Ralph.

Easter Festival, 3rd to 6th April

Congratulations to all the winners:

Texas Scramble - Dave Meers, Michael Abbott, Russ Wilson and Jean Wilson

Stock Pot - Paul Mott and Duncan Leopold

Directors Trophy - Richard Entwhistle

AM-AM - Paul Mott, Chris Suckling, Jean Wilson and Deborah O’Connor

A big thank you to Rui Gloria for organising the event and providing some great prizes.

For pictures of the winners, please click here.

Taça da Liberdade, 26th April

Congratulations to Jane Terry, Graham Terry, Jean Wilson and Bob Hart.

I wish I had taken a video of Bob’s speech, because it was an absolute gem. He was truly happy!

I also want to say a massive thank you to Mario and his team, who put on a fantastic spread. There were so many positive comments about the quality and range of food on offer.

Thanks, team.

Captain versus Vice Captain, 29th April

Duane and I did the random draw the day before and, on paper, it looked like it would be a close match.

However, when Mike Abbott and I took a small bruising from Duane and Scott Mirren, I started to doubt my chances. Story after story came in of the Captain’s team being defeated, so I was really starting to worry about getting a proper thumping.

Luckily, it was surprisingly close!

Captain: 449 Vice Captain: 456

So the trophy goes to Duane and his team.

With a great BBQ afterwards, thanks again to Mario and the team, and a full terrace, it really was a brilliant day. Proper club spirit.

Thank you to everyone who took part.

Upcoming Events

Past Captains’ Day, 22nd May

Always a great day. There will be a 9.30am shotgun start, with lunch to follow.

Club Championships, 6th and 7th June

There will be a rolling BBQ on the 7th June. I hope you can all be there.

Members’ Day, 20th June

This is going to be a fun format based on a Texas Scramble, with food, dancing and general merriment to follow in the evening.

I have had some very positive feedback about our white/yellow/red tee singles Stableford and Medal competitions, so we will continue to use this format periodically to encourage more people to enter our qualifying competitions.

Charity Update

Wow! We are already over €2,200 in the charity pot.

Thank you all for your generosity when purchasing “fools’ passes”, also known as mulligans. I hope you used yours wisely, unlike your Captain, who forgot to use hers at all. Muppet.

The day raised €385, so again, thank you.

Most of us love a bit of banter and fun on the terrace after some serious golf, so we are going to do a few more Blind Pairs draws.

When you see BLIND PAIRS highlighted on the competition entry sheet, just put BP next to your name to enter. One third of the pot will go to the Captain’s charity and the other two thirds will be paid out to the winning scores.

I will send a reminder before each competition.

League Update

Since my last Chat, we have played a couple more matches.

We played Boavista at home on 24th April, followed by Amendoeira at home on 1st May, both resulting in great home victories.

Against Boavista, our team won three matches and drew two. The Boavista team know our course well, so it is always a great local derby. This was a fantastic result.

Against Amendoeira, we had an absolutely awesome 5-0 victory.

I am a very proud Captain!

Remember, you can access the Interclub website using the link on our own website here.

Rules Corner: Red Stake Rescue

Welcome to the Red Stake Rescue guide.

Hitting your ball into a red penalty area, formerly known as a lateral water hazard, can feel like a disaster. However, the rules actually give you more flexibility here than in many other situations on the course.

Here are your main options.

1. The “Hero” Play: Play It as It Lies

Cost: No penalty stroke

If you can see the ball and it is not submerged in a swamp, you can try to hit it.

The perk is that no penalty stroke is added to your score.

You are now allowed to ground your club and move loose impediments, such as leaves or stones, around your ball, provided you do not move the ball itself.

2. The “Do-Over”: Stroke and Distance

Cost: One penalty stroke

This is the classic “I wish that never happened” option.

You go back to where you played your last shot and drop a ball within one club-length of that spot.

This is often the best choice if your ball is lost deep in the woods or water, and the other drop options are even worse.

3. The “Retreat”: Back-on-the-Line Relief

Cost: One penalty stroke

Find the point where your ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.

Then imagine a straight line from the hole through that entry point. You can go back as far as you like on that line and drop your ball.

Think of it like a rubber band stretched from the flag through the entry point. Just slide back until you find a nice patch of grass.

4. The “Lateral” Drop

Cost: One penalty stroke

This is the special power of red stakes that yellow stakes do not have.

Find the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area and measure two club-lengths from that point, no nearer the hole. You now have a wide semi-circle in which to drop.

This is usually the best way to get a clean lie while staying as close to the green as possible.

To be clear: the two club-length dropping area starts from the point where the ball entered the penalty area. You do not take your stance and then measure two club-lengths from there.

Other Club News

P.O.E.T.S

I just want to take a moment to assure everyone that the bright white shirts the POETS were showing off in my last Chat were all bought by the individual players at €30 per shirt.

Club funds would never be used for individual groups or societies. Any money spent from club funds outside of what is already authorised will always be noted in the committee meeting minutes.

There is a poster on the notice board explaining how to join the POETS roll-up and the Friday morning roll-up, if anyone would like to get involved.

The Friday morning roll-up normally plays a fun four-ball format. The POETS, in the afternoon, play singles Stableford with a Blind Pairs draw afterwards.

The original purpose of the POETS was to get another qualifying round on your record, so please be aware that if you join this group, you will be expected to enter an extra day card.

New Board Competitions Coming This Year

The Spring Medal and Autumn Medal will be introduced this year.

At present, we only have one white tee competition, which is the Club Championships. The committee has therefore agreed to introduce two more for those who enjoy a medal competition from the white tees, or red tees for ladies.

The Spring Medal will be held on Sunday 5th July, a little later than it will be next year.

As we know, not everyone has love for the white tees, so we will run a competition alongside this board competition for those who do not want to participate. A yellow tee Stableford competition will also be available to enter.

Tee times for both competitions will be allocated.

As always, thank you for your continued support, patience, and enthusiasm.

This club thrives because of its members: your humour, your generosity, and your camaraderie.

Here’s to more great golf, competitive matches, busy terraces, and perhaps even a few pars along the way.

See you on the first tee.

Captain ⛳