Captains Chat - March - April Edition 2024

February Golf 2024

Not a lot has happened during the month of February except for a lot of rain and wind. A couple of competitions had been cancelled due to the inclement weather.

A big thank you to the club (Carol & Janice) in organising a birthday cake for Peter Noone and myself for the Captain’s Birthday Surprise competition if you haven’t seen Ann de Jongh posted a video of the day on our Instagram account.

On Valentines day every lady who played on the day received a Red Rose, afterwards we had a finger buffet before the draw for the knockouts.

On the 20th February we played a 36 hole Ryder Cup against Palmares which of course we won, can’t remember what the final score was as it got very messy in Tiago’s afterwards. Great day thanks to Macca for organising.

March Golf 2024

A much better month for golf we had the St Patrick’s Day shambles which included a halfway house manned by Sharon McDonagh and Chrissie Beattie, thanks to the girls for their support on the day, Lots of Bacon Rolls Guinness and Baileys was consumed and I am sure everyone enjoyed the day.

The Ralph Griffin (The Master) Trophy was held on the 24th of March, which happened to be Ralph’s birthday, congratulations to the winning team of Duane & Rie Wessels Janice and myself. The competition was Ralph’s favourite, a Dubai Stableford, thanks to Nettie who provided the prizes. A finger buffet was organised after the competition and thanks to everyone who stayed for the prize giving.

At the end of March was the start of the Easter Festival and congratulation to all the winners.

A special mention for Janice Galloway who had a hole in one on the fifth it must be said was in torrential rain.

Thanks to Rui and the rest of the GSA staff for making it a great four days of competition.

Knockouts

As I said in the last edition draw has been done and is on the notice board and on the web site, for the singles competition there are four groups in the preliminary round which I believe have either been played or have been arranged. All first round matched should have been completed by the end of May. Once your matches have been completed, please update the sheets on the notice board we will then be able to transfer the updated sheets to the web site.

Race to Budens

The Race to Budens for 2024 has got off to great start for Gary Dowie and Russ Wilson, Gary leading with Russ in second place after the March competitions, closely followed by Janice Galloway.

Web Site

The new Web Site is working well with a lot more information to come during its development. If you haven’t registered yet for the members area, please do so as soon as possible there is information applicable to members only contained in the area. A training workshop was organised with the committee members being given excellent tuition by David Meers, which will help get relevant information on the web site quicker.

Captain’s Away Trip

This year’s trip is at El Rompedo in Spain from 6th November to 9th November half board with drinks package and three rounds of golf. Details have already been sent out on the Clubs WhatsApp Group. If you wish to come, please let me know and I will add you to the list. More details to follow.

Upcoming Events

Tasca da Liberdade being held on the 24th of April, finger buffet organised before prize giving, and Captain verses Vice Captain 28th of April. Please put your pairs names down on the sheet on the notice board, Carol and I will be doing a draw the week before picking who will be playing against who. Any queries please come a see Carol or me.

25th April is a charity event in memory of Denise Black all wishing to play please contact Judy Robinson.

Interclub Algarve

The league season has started, we had had our first game in March at home to Vale do Lobo which we were able to win 3 – 2, thanks to the team for all their efforts in securing the win.

Thanks to all the members that supported the team in our home matches it makes such a difference to the players knowing that the members of the club are all behind them. At the time of print we have played a league match at home to Tavira, at the beginning of April which we won 5 – 0 and played the cup match away to Silves International which we won 3 – 2. We are now at home to Penina in the next round.

Below is a creation of Steve Walker’s representing the players in the league team, which is on display in the Spike Bar.

Charity

Again, this year we will be supporting NECI and Madrugada both very worthy causes, one supporting disabled children the other the older generation like me.

Our first charity competition in February raised over 400€ thank you to everyone who took part.

This year we have introduced Pub cards which Duane Wessels has kindly volunteered to organise on the terrace after golf. So far this has raised 520€ for the Charity account. Thank you to Duane for your help and to those who have contributed.

On the St Patricks Day Shambles we sold Mulligans which raised 225€, thanks to those who bought I hope you used then wisely.

28th of March we held a charity bingo night which raised 925€ for the Captain’s Charity thanks to everyone who took part. From the noise being generated in the restaurant it was obvious the everyone was having a good time. Thanks to Carol and Janice for selling the bingo books on the night.

On another note, our Ladies in conjunction with Burgau Sports Club held a charity golf day, on International Women’s Day, in aid of Associacao Oncologia do Algarve. In the evening, they held an ABBA evening at the sports centre, the whole day raised over 1,500€ for the charity. A marvellous achievement for such a worthy cause.

A big thank you to Rebecca, Janice and Carol Meldrum for all their hard work in organising the event and to those who donated to the cause.

Wishing you all a wonderful golfing year

Ian Galloway

Captain FPGC