Captain’s Day 2018 was held on Friday, 19th October. On grey morning with the threat of rain, members enjoyed a bacon roll and coffee before gathering on the terrace to witness the ceremonial drive-in of our new Captain, John Radcliffe, accompanied by Club President, Ray Norris.
This year, John Bryan organised a sweepstake for members to place their bets on the distance of the Captain’s drive. With Captain John injuring his hand a few days earlier, most members had bet on a modest drive but John surprised most of the onlookers – and maybe himself – with a straight and solid shot. During the Summer Mixed Interclub league, a lady member on the Atalaya team told him the new course there would suit him as he is “low and short”. John has struggled to live this down ever since and, despite his effort to disprove the claim with an excellent drive-in, the tag is likely to follow him around as long he plays golf on the Costa del Sol!
Everyone, along with a much-relieved new Captain, then proceeded to their starting tees ready for the shot-gun that would get the day’s golf underway. The course set-up, particularly with the pin positions, made good scoring very difficult making smart course management and excellent putting the keys to getting into contention. Late in the round, the heavens opened and a good downpour added to the players’ woes and a number were sufficiently discouraged to end their round early.
At the end of the day, the Men’s competition, Category 1 and overall winner was the outgoing Captain, Steve Cullen, with 37 points, just pipping Steve Boyle on a count-back. In Category 2, Pat Allen came 1st with Willem van Oeveren in 2nd place. In the Ladies competition, Vivien Pavis claimed the trophy with Catherine Shiels in 2nd place.
Prizes for nearest the pin went to Jim Robertson (9th), Alex Sutherland (16th), Magda van Oeveren (3rd) and Anita Cullen (11th) and the Guest prize was won by an old friend of the MGCC, Phil Flaxman.
After the golf, everyone enjoyed an excellent 3-course dinner and entertainment. John presented the prizes and announced the winner of the drive-in sweepstake- none other than John Radcliffe! John proceeded to hand over the 220 euros winnings to Ian Radford of the La Sala Group as a donation to one of the various charities supported by La Sala. In response, Ian generously provided a 250 euros voucher for auction with the proceeds also going to charity.
John then expressed his thanks to the many people who helped make his Captain’s Day a great success; GM, Mike Munden; Club Professional, Monty Bordelon, Satu Kääriäinen, Beatriz Jimenez, Heather Munden and all the Bar/Restaurant Staff for preparing and serving an excellent dinner; the course Marshals and Green-staff for helping with the course set-up and presentation. John also presented bouquets to Catherine Shiels with thanks for all her efforts on behalf of the lady members and Ladies golf on the coast in general, to Anita Cullen, wife of the outgoing captain, and to his wife, Sara, as thanks in advance for supporting him as he takes up his Captain’s duties.
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