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THE 14th TORREBLANCA RYDER CUP 10th TO THE 13th SEPTEMBER 2019
September is the time for our major event of the year when 60 plus of us including wives and partners board Gloria’s big purple coach and travelled away from the Costa del Sol to play the Torreblanca Ryder Cup. The North of England versus the South of England. This year we returned to the Hotel Elba at Costa Ballena, playing golf at the Costa Ballena Ocean golf club.
This is our 14th Ryder Cup with North winning 8 to 5.
Last year the South won under the guidance of their new Captain Paul Winter and he was confident that he would continue the South’s winning streak? But of course the North Captain Catherine Shiels was determined to stop this. Only time would tell who would be victorious. With many new and untried members on both teams it would 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 team captains spent the rest of journey to Costa Ballena 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, sampling Paul Winters Caramel Vodka and of course 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 around the pool at the hotel.
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. I was joking, 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 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. The non-golfers headed off to collect the coach for a boat trip to Cadiz. Unfortunately, this was not to be as high winds meant the boats were unable to take the trip. So armed with their credit cards they descended on the shops and market in Rota.
Whilst the weather was warm and sunny as I said there was a very strong breeze, so with the course in good condition it was time for the competition to begin. It did not begin too badly for the South. The first two games were drawn. The South then won the next game. But alas after valiant efforts by the Southern team it all went downhill after that. The day ended up with a win for the North 13 games to 7.
After a few 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 hotel had arranged for us to unwind at their beach club 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 “Old School Days”. 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 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 and varied BBQ and taps it was time to start the party. The superb duo keeping us all dancing late into the night and the staff kept us going with a constant supply of food and drink. It was a great night even the staff were in the party mood and dancing with us.
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 it was time for a leisurely breakfast as we had arranged a croquet competition later that day.
The day started out good for the North. They won the first two games. The next two were drawn. So the South thought there might be a chance. But no, the North continued to dominate. They were finally victorious on the day winning the singles 12½ to 7½. Winning the Ryder Cup by a massive 11 games. The final score was North 25½ and the South 14½. As someone was heard to remark that was close. I think he meant it was close that the South were not completely annihilated!!!!!
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 North’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 gin or beer the night before. However, everyone agreed it was a good three days’ fun rounded off by two great games of golf.
We were joined by the non-golfers who had a great day learning and playing croquet. After a hilarious and fun time practicing it was time for their competition, this was won by Jackie Milner. Well done.
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 her speech the winning Northern team captain was very gracious to the losing Southern captain. I think not. 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 North still celebrating, although much quieter due mainly to their sore heads, it was once again time to board our big purple coach for the journey home.
On a special note, I must say a big thank you to everyone for making it another fun trip. But my biggest thanks goes to the staff at the Hotel Elba and the Costa Ballena Ocean Golf course for looking after us so well, everything was superb. The service from them 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 for getting us safely to and from the venue.
Everybody agreed, whether their team had won or lost, it was another unforgettable 3-day trip. So where to next year? All polite suggestions are welcome.
September is the time for our major event of the year when 60 plus of us including wives and partners board Gloria’s big purple coach and travelled away from the Costa del Sol to play the Torreblanca Ryder Cup. The North of England versus the South of England. This year we returned to the Hotel Elba at Costa Ballena, playing golf at the Costa Ballena Ocean golf club.
This is our 14th Ryder Cup with North winning 8 to 5.
Last year the South won under the guidance of their new Captain Paul Winter and he was confident that he would continue the South’s winning streak? But of course the North Captain Catherine Shiels was determined to stop this. Only time would tell who would be victorious. With many new and untried members on both teams it would 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 team captains spent the rest of journey to Costa Ballena 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, sampling Paul Winters Caramel Vodka and of course 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 around the pool at the hotel.
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. I was joking, 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 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. The non-golfers headed off to collect the coach for a boat trip to Cadiz. Unfortunately, this was not to be as high winds meant the boats were unable to take the trip. So armed with their credit cards they descended on the shops and market in Rota.
Whilst the weather was warm and sunny as I said there was a very strong breeze, so with the course in good condition it was time for the competition to begin. It did not begin too badly for the South. The first two games were drawn. The South then won the next game. But alas after valiant efforts by the Southern team it all went downhill after that. The day ended up with a win for the North 13 games to 7.
After a few 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 hotel had arranged for us to unwind at their beach club 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 “Old School Days”. 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 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 and varied BBQ and taps it was time to start the party. The superb duo keeping us all dancing late into the night and the staff kept us going with a constant supply of food and drink. It was a great night even the staff were in the party mood and dancing with us.
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 it was time for a leisurely breakfast as we had arranged a croquet competition later that day.
The day started out good for the North. They won the first two games. The next two were drawn. So the South thought there might be a chance. But no, the North continued to dominate. They were finally victorious on the day winning the singles 12½ to 7½. Winning the Ryder Cup by a massive 11 games. The final score was North 25½ and the South 14½. As someone was heard to remark that was close. I think he meant it was close that the South were not completely annihilated!!!!!
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 North’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 gin or beer the night before. However, everyone agreed it was a good three days’ fun rounded off by two great games of golf.
We were joined by the non-golfers who had a great day learning and playing croquet. After a hilarious and fun time practicing it was time for their competition, this was won by Jackie Milner. Well done.
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 her speech the winning Northern team captain was very gracious to the losing Southern captain. I think not. 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 North still celebrating, although much quieter due mainly to their sore heads, it was once again time to board our big purple coach for the journey home.
On a special note, I must say a big thank you to everyone for making it another fun trip. But my biggest thanks goes to the staff at the Hotel Elba and the Costa Ballena Ocean Golf course for looking after us so well, everything was superb. The service from them 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 for getting us safely to and from the venue.
Everybody agreed, whether their team had won or lost, it was another unforgettable 3-day trip. So where to next year? All polite suggestions are welcome.