‘Mike Probert talks Golf – (Sponsored by Costa Blanca Green Fee Services).
Here on the Costa’s golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike and with this in mind we have secured the services of Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services to provide a weekly round up of local golfing events and topics and in conjunction with us at THE LEADER will provide discounted golf prices to all of our readers and run our golf competitions.
Myth or Magic
Just what is golf psychology, what can it do for you, is it myth, magic or just more American based jargon?
Before I start let me correct a typical misconception that it is all about positive thinking.
For sure that is part of the methodology but it is more about controlled and correct thinking than just positive thinking.
In fact it is more about not thinking in a negative manner rather than thinking in a positive manner.
Now let me give you some bad news.
Correct and controlled thinking will not stop you from hitting bad golf shots because 80% of good shot making is due to swing basics such as posture, grip and alignment and if your basics are incorrect bad shots will result.
What correct thinking will do for you is to stop you hitting bad golf shots because you THINK that you are going to hit bad shots by replaying previous bad experiences in your mind.
Control of your ‘inner game’ will also stop you from turning one bad shot on a hole into a series of bad shots over the following holes as you tend to lose control of your temper and concentration with anger and frustration taking over from controlled thinking.
Golf psychology is not new, it has been around for years, only in different forms such as your parents, your golf coach, your friends and your caddy.
Jack Nicklaus, in my opinion the best golfer in history, used to ask three things from his caddy, carry the clubs, give me the yardage and keep telling me how good i am.
Even the best golfer like being fed positive vibes and amateur golfers are no different.
We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us.
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Quotation of the Week
“Half of golf is fun, the other half is putting” – Peter Dobereiner
EL PLANTIO 2 GOLF SOCIETY
On Tuesday morning, 8th September, 18 members of El Plantio 2 Golf Society competed in a ‘Waltz’ competition. Unfortunately for Captain, Rod Loveday, 2 late withdrawals ruined his carefully worked-out pairings, so, what was a straightforward 5 teams of 4 became a 3 teams of 4 and 2 of 3 with a compensating handicap adjustment for the threesomes.
Nearest the pins : Hole 1 – Gordon Wayne, Hole 6 – Claude De Wamme.
3rd Place – Ian Craig, Ray Housley, Mel Hope – 73 Points. 2nd Place – Lawrence Wanty, Lyn Young, Gordon Wayne, Bryan Watson – 76 Points. 1st Place – John O’Brien, Martin Rickman, Mike Williams, Gary Needham – 81 Points.
If anyone would like to join our Society, we play at El Plantio Golf Club on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. We use both courses – the Par 3 nine hole course and the main 18 hole course, so we cater for all abilities. The membership rates are very competitive, so call for more details. Anyone who wishes to play in the Society as a guest or join as a new member, contact Ian Henderson on 966 716 616 or 636 116 230.
David Swann
SAN MIGUEL GOLF SOCIETY AT HACIENDA DE RIQUELME. NOVEMBER 9TH, 2016.
Thirty-five members and 6 guests made their way to the Murcian course of Hacienda de Riquelme, a location not often visited by the society. A typical Nicklaus design, at least for those courses of his found in the region, with its array of bunkers, some very deep and extensive, and undulating greens, it is a course that appears to be either loved or hated by those in the society.
The slick, hard and well protected putting surfaces, along with difficult pin positions, didn’t help endear the course to those non-believers present. Only 12 members managed to beat 30 points, with the outstanding score of the day being that of Richard McCann with his 41 points, with category winners Phil de Lacy and Grattan Forber also beating their handicaps. Nick Spicer had a worrying moment when only just missing a hole-in-one, having only had a mere 40 euros on him to cover what would have been a much greater expense had he made it.
The day’s competition results, by category and in reverse order, were the following:
Bronze Category: 5th Brian Butler (29), 4th Paul Cobain (30 on CB), 3rd Mick Roscoe (30 on CB), 2nd Carmel McCann (34), and 1st Grattan Forber with 38 points.
Silver Category: 5th Mike Jordan (29), 4th Nick Spicer (32), 3rd Ken Flaherty (34 on CB), 2nd Paul Tomlinson (34 on CB) and 1st, Phil de Lacy with 38 points.
Gold Category: 5th John Osborne (34 on CB), 4th Steve Higgins (34 on CB), 3rd Noel Bannon (35 on CB), 2nd Eva Petterson (35 on CB), and 1st, with a superb score of 41 points, Richard McCann.
The Abacus was won by Kyree Skarsmoen.
Nearest the pins on the par 3’s (open to all) went to Ivor Turkington (5), Theo Boelhouwer (7), Nick Spicer (15, and missing a Hole in One by an inch – or less!!) and Paul Tomlinson (17).
The Best Guest was Ian Howie, winning on count back with 32 points.
Our thanks go to the staff at Riquelme golf course for their contribution to the day.
Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs.org or simply give Barry Roehrig a call on 966 731 033 to find out more about the society and its weekly golf get-togethers. Next week we will be at Altoreal.
SAN JAVIER GS
For this year’s Captain’s Charity Golf Day, San Javier Golf Society Captain David Archer chose to support MABS Cancer Support Charity. As well as the fundraising day itself, a specific online donations page was set up, to enable people who couldn’t attend the event, to contribute online.
The golf day on Monday 7th November, was well attended by the membership of the society at their home course (La Serena Golf) in Los Alcazares. The weather was sunny but slightly breezy as everyone started teeing off to compete for the Captain’s Charity Day Trophy, in a combined pairs stableford competition. The eventual winners were Mick Hardy and Bob Eaton, with a creditable combined score of 64 points. There were prizes for the first three pairs and it is heartening to report that all 6 players who received cash prizes, immediately donated their winnings back into the overall charity “pot”.
In total, the sum of 566 euros was raised and thanks must go to everyone concerned for taking part, organising, fund raising, donating and generally supporting this very worthwhile cause!
Pictured is Janet Bell (area co-ordinator for MABS), receiving the cheque from Captain David Archer.
QUESADA GOLF SUPER LEAGUE ALTORREAL GOLF 7TH NOVEMBER 2016
Match 2 of the 2016/17 season. Here we are for Match 2, unfortunately one league team is missing. So the League is down to 4 teams this game. We hope they will be able to play next time. Nevertheless with the first tee at 10.35 the first two teams played away. The course looked in excellent condition, the weather, although sunny, was very cold and windy.
Once again as the score cards were processed it was all change at the top as results show. Our thanks to the course staff and the greenkeeping staff for all their hard work in giving us a very good day. With the presentation over we all journeyed back home. The wine for the nearest the pins was donated by Sportsman Golf Society. Results of nearest the pins and League Table below. Next match 5th December Alicante Golf.
Nearest the Pins
5th Terry Sharley Sportsman GS, 8th Norman Cahill SMGS Blue, 10th Mark Jarvie Sportsman GS, 17th Declan O’Dea The Plaza GS
PADDY’S POINT GOLF SOCIETY
Due to the poor condition of the greens at Alicante Golf Club it was decided to play Hacienda del Alamo instead. We had a good turn out with the majority travelling by coach which made a change. The blustery wind made the course feel even longer but despite this we all enjoyed our day out. Thank you Rory, Hazel and the all the staff at Paddy’s for looking us once again.
NTP hole 5 Terry Fitzgerald, holes 8 & 12 David Miller, hole 15 Norbert Gorry. LONGEST DRIVE Eldon Carey. 2’s POT Norbert Gorry. BEST GUEST Norbert Gorry 38pts.
3rd place Mick O’Shea 32pts 2nd place Willie Crangle 33pts Winner of the Caledonia Trophy Ollie Hynes 34pts. Next outing – 14th December – RODA. Photograph shows Ollie Hynes receiving the trophy from our Captain Myra Coull.
THE ORANGE TREE GOLF SOCIETY AT MAR MENOR ON TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER
Well we thought Winter had arrived but when we turned up at the course for the first game within November we were greeted with sunshine and played in shorts and shirts. People still ask why we live in Spain.
The Captain decided on a Pairs Betterball Stableford competition, which goes down well with the members, we has a society try to play fun games each week.
We had a great day and must thank Mar Menor for the lovely welcome and good looking course. We then returned back to The Orange Tree, Cabo Roig for the presentation and lovely snacks provided by Chris and his staff. We must thank him and them for these. A few after game refreshments were taken and the presentation made.
The winners, shown in the photo, were Kevin Wenn and Peter Curly with 45 points, 2nd, Simon Sharples and Trevor Rollason with 43 and 3rd Chris Blown and Fred Noakes with 42. NTP´s went to Trevor (2nd), Chris (8th) which included a 2 and Kevin (17th).
The next society day is at El Valle on Tuesday 15th Novemeber. All guests are welcome to join the members. We met the Monday previous between 5pm and 6pm to pay the Green fee and meet socially. Names can either be placed on the sheet within the restaurant or can be emailed to orangetree@hotmail.es
The golf society has a page on the restaurant website at www.orangetree-caboroig.com
THE LIME BAR GOLF SOCIETY
The Lime Bar Golf Society held their monthly match on the 9th November 2016 at El Valle Golf Course.
On a fine and cooler morning 35 members teed off. The course was in good condition and the members enjoyed a pleasant round of golf.
The competition was played in the stableford format and the scores recorded are as follows:-
Nearest the pin in 3 on the 3rd hole was Dave Wright, Nearest the pin on the 6th hole was George Ruston, Nearest the pin on the 9th hole was Arthur Jones, Nearest the pin on the 12th hole was Bill Denne, Nearest the pin on the 15th hole was Bud Butler, Nearest the pin in 2 on the 18th hole was Bud Butler
Silver Class: In 3rd place was Gordon Anders with a score of 30 points, In 2nd place was Bud Butler with a score of 30 points (on count-back), In 1st place was Tony Jones with a score of 32 points
Gold Class: In 3rd place was Dave Wright with a score of 32 points, In 2nd place was Lyn Newbury with a score of 32 points, In 1st place was Pete Ken Styan a score of 32 points ( first and second place joint winners)
A very good day in pleasant company which was celebrated at the Lime Bar ( 19th Hole) with the presentation followed by drinks and refreshments. Thanks to the Committee for organising the event also to the
Lime Bar staff for arranging the meal and the ladies for selling the football draw.
LAS RAMBLAS GOLF SOCIETY
It was starting to feel like winter had arrived as we set off for our first game of the week which was a Dusty Bin (3-2-1) with three scores counting on the first hole, two on the second and one on the third and so on throughout the round. The strong cold wind and the tees being further back than of late probably accounted for the fact that the top score was much lower than normal for this format with 80 pts winning the competition. The winners were Ulrike Barth, Olga Douglas, Hendrick Oldenziel and Terry Field beating second placed team comprising Rod Doel, Dave Pulling, Bryan Neal and ‘Albert’ by 3 pts.
On Wednesday we played for our Poppy Day trophy although the main aim of the day is of course to raise funds for the Royal British Legion so that they may continue their excellent work supporting ex-servicemen and their families.
There was a good turn out with €168 being raised for the Poppy Day appeal. Prizes were on offer for the top 2 places and nearest the pin on holes 6, 10 and 14. The overall winner with an excellent score of 38 pts was Dave Pulling who can be seen holding the trophy on the left of the above photograph along with our President Doug Wright (centre) and Brian Dent representing the Royal British Legion. Ulrike Barth was in second place scoring a level par total of 36 pts. Nearest the pin winners were as follows:
Hole 6 – Benedicte Kruse, Hole 10 – Bernie Stone, Hole 14 – Peter Radcliffe
There were five 2’s: Doug Wright, Bernie Stone, Benedicte Kruse, Ken Robertson and Jan Svendsen.
On Friday we played a 2 ball better ball which was won by the pairing of Ron Phipps and Brian Dent with a total of 44 pts. Ron Phipps was also in second place as being the lower handicap player of three he also partnered Alan Douglas who together scored a total of 43 pts.
For the second week running one of our members scored a hole in one. This time it was Hendrick Oldenziel who can be seen in the attached photograph retrieving his ball on the 14th hole. Congratulations Hendrick!
Mike Chapman
LA MARINA GOLF SOCIETY MIKE BARBOUR MEMORIAL TROPHY
We met at Bonalba golf to play for this annual trophy and were blessed with excellent weather and a course in good condition.
The format is a Texas scramble which was won with a great score of 46 points by the team led by Bill Stobo which included John Thompson, Stewart and Louvain Smith, their nearest rivals being 2 points back.
Our next meeting is at Font Del Llop on 24th November at 10.00 cost 40 euros. As normal list is on the board at the La Marina Club.
Many thanks to Helena for feeding us on Thursday after the match.
Elspeth is still keen to know of members’ meal requirements for the presentation evening on Friday 2nd December. Please contact her on elspeth4mcd@yahoo.co.uk
EUROGOLF POPPY DAY TEXAS SCRAMBLE
On Thursday November 10th Eurogolf played a Texas Scramble and all the match fees went towards the The Royal British Legions’ Poppy Day appeal. After the match members and guests sat down to a sumptuous meal in the Clubhouse and members meals were subsidised by the society.
Before the meal one of the members Steve Sayers who served in the army for many years and wore his many medals for various tours of duty gave a reading and 2 minutes silence was held in remembrance of those soldiers who had lost their lives whilst serving their country.
There were also games such as guess the weight of the cake, find the treasure and guess who the babies were to help raise more funds for the appeal. Diane Budd from the RBL was presented with a cheque by Captain Debbie Weedon for €371 plus she was given the collection box which she let us know at a later date how much money it contained .
The competition results were as follows in 1st place was the team of Sue Gillett Ian Pegg Clive Horne and Debbie Weedon who as committee members donated their winnings to the charity with a score of 61.4 2nd Pino Perito Clive Peck and Connie Parker 61.5 3rd George McCallum Pete Gartside Gary Grierson and Kevin Bonser 61.7 c/b NTPs 5th Harry Armstrong 11th Chris Stanley 15th Art Crammon 17th Glo Manning 2nd shot on the 12th Pino Perito Football draw George McCallum Fred Reeve Robin Richards Cindi Green and Morag Turner.
TUESDAY TOFFS
On Tuesday 8th November on a very chilly and windy day Toffs played their usual stableford competition. The strong winds affected the golf as only 1 person who happened to be a guest managed to break par.
Cat 1 1st John Barraclough 34 2nd Bill Martin 31 3rd George mcCallum 30 Cat 2 1st John Kirkwood 35 2nd Clive Peck 33 3rd Harry Armstrong 32 Cat 3 1st David Valentine 35 2nd Ken Brett 29 3rd John Cross c/b 28 Cat 4 1st Norman Woods 34 2nd Eamonn Divine 31 3rd Peter Sanderson 27 Overall Toffs winner David Valentine Best front 9 Bruce Gordon 16 Best back 9 Bert Lawson 19 NTP´s 5th Tony Forbes 11th Pino Perito 2nd shot on the 12th Clive Horne 15th Bert Lawson 17th John Kirkwood Best Guest Lucy Nooy 37.
Football draw Bill Martin Mary Sanderson Kevin Bonser Dave Nichols and Peter Sanderson.
If you would like to play with one of the largest and friendliest golf societies on the Costa Blanca at La Marquesa, Rojales Tuesdays and Thursdays please visit the website www.eurogolf-quesada.co.uk
BUSTERS GOLF SOCIETY
For our November game we visited Roda golf course , we had nineteen players for this months event which was our usual stableford competition , Roda was in very good condition and a pleasure to play however we only had one player who scored under par for the day .
Our day was generously sponsored by Dave and Kay Ryan , onto our winners for the day , only three of the par threes were hit in one and they were , on hole two it was Stephen Boyle who took the NTP spot , the seventh was won by Phil Pettican and the thirteenth was won by Helen Kinsella they all received a bottle of Campo Vieja rioja wine , the best front nine was won by Barry Grinsell and Ally Farquhar won the best back nine both also received a bottle of Campo Vieja , in third place also winning a bottle of Campo Vieja was Graham Ball with twenty seven points , our second spot was won by Helen Kinsella with twenty nine points Helen chose a bottle of Gordons gin which was accompanied by a bottle of tonic , Phil Pettican was our winner on the day with thirty seven points Phil received a bottle of Brandy , we had two two’s winners they were Helen Kinsella and Phil Pettican who shared our two’s pot , due to the generosity of Dave and Kay we had a spare bottle of wine , so we held a draw which was won by Damien Elliot , the soccer card winner today was one of our guests Tom Johnson ,who had selected Hearts .
Can I once again take this opportunity to thank Rik , Lisa and the Staff at Quesadas Mini Bar which is located close to the arches in Quesada , for looking after us on our return to the bar for our presentation and providing us with an assortment of sandwiches and snacks that were followed with a couple of the bars sensibly priced beers .
Busters Golf Society is a small friendly group of like minded people who play on the first Friday of the month , depending on the time of the year we generally have between sixteen and twenty four players , over the four years since we first formed the society some of our original members have moved on , either returned to their country of origin or have ventured to pastures new , so we are looking for a few more members to swell our ranks , if you are interested in joining our society ( its free) then please email me Barry Grinsell at bustersgolfsociety@hotmail.com quoting your phone number and current handicap and I will get back to you within a couple of days
Barry Grinsell
