6th JUNE 2015 at Vistabella Golf – This was the fourth year of the Ryder Cup style competition between a Great Britain and Ireland team and European team. The Vistabella course was in very good condition and the greens at a high standard following pre-season maintenance.
Each team consisted of 28 players each and the format was a modified matchplay with the winning players scoring a point per hole, and a half for a half, so having a maximum of eighteen points. The first 10 matches were singles match play playing off maximum handicaps and the remaining 9 matches being fourball better ball ¾ the difference, again a point for winning the hole. The champions would be the team with the best total number of points from both the singles and pairs.
It was an early “shot gun” start for the 56 players, with the weather just about perfect for golf, if a tad warm, and the course was set up well, with tricky pin positions for an exciting competition. During the competition all the players were provided with a Bocadillo and water by clubhouse restaurant.
With a new Europe Captain, Phil Smith It was obvious that this year it was going to be a hard fought match; the ten singles matches were all close with GB&I gaining a small lead of just three points 91.5 to 88.5. (5.5 matches to 4.5) The highest score was Martin Oakley (GB&I) with a 13.5 to 4.5 win, followed by Carol Firth (GB&I) 13.0 to 5.
So it was all down to the pairings, and the first two matches went GB&I’s way with wins for two of the pairings of Andy Drinkall/Ray Muttocks and Rodney Smith/Mike Smith, But Europe came back with two matches the pairings of Roger Packer/Dennis Hart and Uehara Shigieru/Juan Gabriel making things more respectable for Europe.
This made for a nail biting finish. But it all changed in the next five matches with GB&I taking four of them, GB&I’s Captain Ivie Davies among them. The pairings contained Europe’s Captain Phil Smith winning their match with partner Derrie Heywood. The total pairings points score was GB&I 91.5 – Europe 70.5 (6 matches to 3)
So the final score was a win, to GB&I 183 points to Europe 159 points (11½ to Europe 7½) who have now won four years in succession.
Following a BBQ (thank you Robin) and refreshments on the clubhouse terrace the Vistabella Ryder Cup Trophy was presented to the GB&I Captain Ivie Davies by Golf Manager at Vistabella Golf – Diego Garcia Escolar, he also presented the winning team with individual medals.
Thanks to the prize sponsors:
Vistabella Golf, Mick Reeves at Mick the Grip, Quara Group, Marilyn and Simon at La Cosecha Restaurante – Benijofar, Briggita at The Vestry Restaurante – Algorfa, Terry Hewitt at El Tel Golf Products La Manga.
Congratulations to all the players for making this competition again such a memorable one and a big thank you to Diego Garcia Escolar – Golf Manager at Vistabella Golf and its very supportive staff for playing their part.
The trophy will be displayed in the Vistabella Golf clubhouse, until next year.
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/47551/
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