Ryder Cup 2018
THE 13th TORREBLANCA RYDER CUP 11th TO THE 14th SEPTEMBER 2018
September is the time for our major event of the year. So 60 plus of us including wives and partners boarded the big purple coach and travelled away from the Costa del Sol to play at the La Envía Golf Resort and Hotel in Almeria. Forget what was is happening in Paris with the USA versus Europe, this is far more important. This is the Torreblanca Ryder Cup. The North of England verses the South. This is our 13th Ryder Cup and as is the norm this is a three-night event giving everyone a chance to unwind on the first day with a game of golf or just relax around the pool, or as in most cases around the bar, before the competitions begin. The South unfortunately lost again last year and with the North, currently ahead by 8 matches to 4, the South were in desperate need of a win.
This year there was a new captain for the South, the young and charismatic Paul Winter, not too sure about the young bit though, so just maybe things would change. Paul was determined to reverse the current losing trend of the South and start a winning run, he was confident that with his new style of leadership and a revitalised team this would happen, whilst Catherine Shiels the Northern captain was confident she could continue the winning streak for the North. Only time would tell who would be victorious. This year whilst there were many tried and tested members in each team, there were also a few new ones so it was going to be difficult to predict the outcome.
The teams for the two-day event were given out on the coach. Once this had been debated and digested the two teams spent the rest of journey to the Almeria discussing tactics and preparing themselves for the tournaments. They didn’t really, but it sounds better than everyone enjoying the journey on the coach, swapping jokes and trying to convince the opposing players how much better than them they were.
Once we arrived at the hotel and checked in some of us rested. However, the more adventurous and fit members decided to play 18 holes. Hoping this would give them an advantage by practicing on the course. Whilst those of us who were sensible spent the afternoon with a glass or two of wine on the terrace of the golf club.
After a superb meal in the hotel restaurant and a not so quiet night in the hotel bar, it was time for an early night in readiness for the next two days’ competition. There was no chance of that, the story telling and jokes, plus the odd drink or two went on early into the morning. So, after a hearty and healthy breakfast, the non-golfers headed off to collect the coach for a tapas run in Almeria. Whilst the golfers headed for the first tee. The format for the first day was Fourball Matchplay on the front nine with Foursomes on the back nine. Both Captains were on the first tee to see their teams off give them a final pep talk and to go through the tactics for the day. So, with the weather sunny and warm and with the course in good condition it was time for the competition to begin. With the South winning the first two games things were looking good. However, as the day progressed the North started to fight back and win a few games, things were once again beginning to look bad for the South. But the South valiantly battled on and with a late surge managed to be triumphant on the first day. With the South winning 11 points to 9.
After a few more drinks on the terrace of the club house it was time for us to return to the hotel to get ready for the evening party. That night the Golf club had arranged for us to unwind on the terrace of the club house with a BBQ, they also arranged for a music duo to keep us entertained and dancing throughout the night. To get everyone in the party mood we again decided to have fancy dress night. The theme was “the Roaring Twenties”. What a fantastic night it turned out to be with everyone getting into the party spirit by dressing up. There were as usual some fantastic costumes. There were quite a few who thought out of the box. Stewart Gurney arrived as Rupert the Bear, why you may ask. We were reliably informed that Rupert was launched in the twenties. John Shiels in the guise of the pope made sure things were kept respectable, whilst Ken Tabner kept us all amused with his perfect portrayal of Charlie Chaplin. There are too many to show you here so if you want to see the many and varied costumes look on our website. After a superb BBQ with a constant supply of food and drink it was time to start the party with the duo keeping us all dancing well into the night.
The next day was the Singles Matchplay competition. So, as you can imagine after the party the night before there was a quite a few bleary eyes and blank stares from the golfers. Despite our condition we were raring to go and all determined to win our games. With the weather once again very sunny and warm it was time to start.
For the non-golfers we had arranged a trip to a local pottery, where they even had a chance to try their hand on the potter’s wheel. I think most of the ladies were hoping for Patrick Swayze to appear!!!!!!
The day started out fairly good for the South. After losing the first game they won the next two. The north pulled back winning the 4th and 5th game. The South dug deep and won the next three games. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the day but, I am glad to say, as a southerner, things got steadily worse for the North as the day wore on. The North put up a spirited fight but alas is was not to be. After a very tight and hard fought competition the South, guided by their new captain, were at last successful. Winning the 13th Torreblanca Ryder Cup 22½ to 17½.
With both games over we all relaxed on the golf club terrace with drinks and tapas watching the sun go down, it was time for the usual inquest about what went wrong. Although for a change in the South’s case what went right. There were the usual “what ifs” echoing around the terrace. Some of the players were reliving every shot and wondering what might have happened if only they had used a different club, or possibly more to the point had not had that final brandy or beer the night before. However, everyone agreed it was a good three days fun rounded off by two great games of golf.
After another great meal in the hotel restaurant it was time for the speeches and prize giving. Everyone was pleased that my speech was very short. It was then the turn of the two captains to give their speeches reliving the two days competitions and praising their team’s performance. I am pleased to say that in his speech the winning Southern team captain was very gracious to the Northern captain!!!!!!! It was then time to hand out the winners and runners up medals. With the formalities over it was party time again. The celebrations went on very late into the night, with some of us having a small drink or two, celebrating or drowning our sorrows, depending on which team you played for.
The next morning with the South still celebrating, although much quieter due mainly to their sore heads, we boarded our big purple coach for the journey home. Our thanks to Uta, her caramel vodka on the coach gave us a much-needed hair of the dog. The perfect end to a fantastic four days.
On a special note, I must say a big thank you to everyone at the La Envía Hotel and Golf Resort for looking after us so well, everything was superb. The service from their staff was first class, they went out of their way to make sure that everything was perfect and were always smiling. Of course, not forgetting our lovely coach driver Gloria.
Everybody agreed, whether their team had won or lost, it was another unforgettable trip. So where to next year? All polite suggestions are welcome.
September is the time for our major event of the year. So 60 plus of us including wives and partners boarded the big purple coach and travelled away from the Costa del Sol to play at the La Envía Golf Resort and Hotel in Almeria. Forget what was is happening in Paris with the USA versus Europe, this is far more important. This is the Torreblanca Ryder Cup. The North of England verses the South. This is our 13th Ryder Cup and as is the norm this is a three-night event giving everyone a chance to unwind on the first day with a game of golf or just relax around the pool, or as in most cases around the bar, before the competitions begin. The South unfortunately lost again last year and with the North, currently ahead by 8 matches to 4, the South were in desperate need of a win.
This year there was a new captain for the South, the young and charismatic Paul Winter, not too sure about the young bit though, so just maybe things would change. Paul was determined to reverse the current losing trend of the South and start a winning run, he was confident that with his new style of leadership and a revitalised team this would happen, whilst Catherine Shiels the Northern captain was confident she could continue the winning streak for the North. Only time would tell who would be victorious. This year whilst there were many tried and tested members in each team, there were also a few new ones so it was going to be difficult to predict the outcome.
The teams for the two-day event were given out on the coach. Once this had been debated and digested the two teams spent the rest of journey to the Almeria discussing tactics and preparing themselves for the tournaments. They didn’t really, but it sounds better than everyone enjoying the journey on the coach, swapping jokes and trying to convince the opposing players how much better than them they were.
Once we arrived at the hotel and checked in some of us rested. However, the more adventurous and fit members decided to play 18 holes. Hoping this would give them an advantage by practicing on the course. Whilst those of us who were sensible spent the afternoon with a glass or two of wine on the terrace of the golf club.
After a superb meal in the hotel restaurant and a not so quiet night in the hotel bar, it was time for an early night in readiness for the next two days’ competition. There was no chance of that, the story telling and jokes, plus the odd drink or two went on early into the morning. So, after a hearty and healthy breakfast, the non-golfers headed off to collect the coach for a tapas run in Almeria. Whilst the golfers headed for the first tee. The format for the first day was Fourball Matchplay on the front nine with Foursomes on the back nine. Both Captains were on the first tee to see their teams off give them a final pep talk and to go through the tactics for the day. So, with the weather sunny and warm and with the course in good condition it was time for the competition to begin. With the South winning the first two games things were looking good. However, as the day progressed the North started to fight back and win a few games, things were once again beginning to look bad for the South. But the South valiantly battled on and with a late surge managed to be triumphant on the first day. With the South winning 11 points to 9.
After a few more drinks on the terrace of the club house it was time for us to return to the hotel to get ready for the evening party. That night the Golf club had arranged for us to unwind on the terrace of the club house with a BBQ, they also arranged for a music duo to keep us entertained and dancing throughout the night. To get everyone in the party mood we again decided to have fancy dress night. The theme was “the Roaring Twenties”. What a fantastic night it turned out to be with everyone getting into the party spirit by dressing up. There were as usual some fantastic costumes. There were quite a few who thought out of the box. Stewart Gurney arrived as Rupert the Bear, why you may ask. We were reliably informed that Rupert was launched in the twenties. John Shiels in the guise of the pope made sure things were kept respectable, whilst Ken Tabner kept us all amused with his perfect portrayal of Charlie Chaplin. There are too many to show you here so if you want to see the many and varied costumes look on our website. After a superb BBQ with a constant supply of food and drink it was time to start the party with the duo keeping us all dancing well into the night.
The next day was the Singles Matchplay competition. So, as you can imagine after the party the night before there was a quite a few bleary eyes and blank stares from the golfers. Despite our condition we were raring to go and all determined to win our games. With the weather once again very sunny and warm it was time to start.
For the non-golfers we had arranged a trip to a local pottery, where they even had a chance to try their hand on the potter’s wheel. I think most of the ladies were hoping for Patrick Swayze to appear!!!!!!
The day started out fairly good for the South. After losing the first game they won the next two. The north pulled back winning the 4th and 5th game. The South dug deep and won the next three games. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the day but, I am glad to say, as a southerner, things got steadily worse for the North as the day wore on. The North put up a spirited fight but alas is was not to be. After a very tight and hard fought competition the South, guided by their new captain, were at last successful. Winning the 13th Torreblanca Ryder Cup 22½ to 17½.
With both games over we all relaxed on the golf club terrace with drinks and tapas watching the sun go down, it was time for the usual inquest about what went wrong. Although for a change in the South’s case what went right. There were the usual “what ifs” echoing around the terrace. Some of the players were reliving every shot and wondering what might have happened if only they had used a different club, or possibly more to the point had not had that final brandy or beer the night before. However, everyone agreed it was a good three days fun rounded off by two great games of golf.
After another great meal in the hotel restaurant it was time for the speeches and prize giving. Everyone was pleased that my speech was very short. It was then the turn of the two captains to give their speeches reliving the two days competitions and praising their team’s performance. I am pleased to say that in his speech the winning Southern team captain was very gracious to the Northern captain!!!!!!! It was then time to hand out the winners and runners up medals. With the formalities over it was party time again. The celebrations went on very late into the night, with some of us having a small drink or two, celebrating or drowning our sorrows, depending on which team you played for.
The next morning with the South still celebrating, although much quieter due mainly to their sore heads, we boarded our big purple coach for the journey home. Our thanks to Uta, her caramel vodka on the coach gave us a much-needed hair of the dog. The perfect end to a fantastic four days.
On a special note, I must say a big thank you to everyone at the La Envía Hotel and Golf Resort for looking after us so well, everything was superb. The service from their staff was first class, they went out of their way to make sure that everything was perfect and were always smiling. Of course, not forgetting our lovely coach driver Gloria.
Everybody agreed, whether their team had won or lost, it was another unforgettable trip. So where to next year? All polite suggestions are welcome.