Steve Mitchell (Coach), Tom Sherreard (Pro), Danny Curtis (KGU Captain), Paul Cannons (KGU Official),
David Arnold, Tom Bayliss, Josh Bristow, Nick Buckland, Adam Carnell, Mark Collins, Tom O’Reilly, Freddie Price,
Sam Statham, Liam Sutton, Darren Timms, Jerome Titlow, Max White, Josh Woolley.
Sunday 24th March – Day 1
Gatwick Airport – last to arrive was Danny C (County Captain), but he was by no means late! Check in was good and flight was on time. Sam S was sent to the corner of the plane by the steward! We left behind snow/wintery conditions, zero degrees, to arrive in Murcia, Spain with temperatures at 20 degrees plus a gentle breeze with the sun shining. Transfer to Hacienda was good, sorted into the Villas. First impressions: ‘wow, what a place!’ John and Yvonne Green were there to greet us.
The evening meal was good – plenty of choice and even jelly for the kids! There was a short briefing after the meal with a few do’s and don’ts. The lads found the pool table and also quietly amused themselves with the free wifi. Danny C and Paul C were last to leave the club house. All was quiet by 10.00pm.
Monday 25th March – Day 2
Paul C woke up early, but not as early as Tom S and Nick B who were seen out running. Nick B was later seen hanging over the back gate of his Villa. Supervised practice was arranged after breakfast on the range prior to the first round of the round robin competition. This was held on the 6-hole academy course, which was in super condition. Steve M had sorted out the round robin groups prior to arrival. Mike Chaston visited us to make sure all was well and our needs were being met.
After lunch the lads had the opportunity to get out and map the course for the 54-hole tournament, to be held towards the end of the week. However, it was evident after 9 holes that the course was very busy so a quick adjustment to the timetable was required. Instead of mapping the back nine, Steve M decided to have the next round of the round robin. Most of the lads stayed to practice after this to benefit from the support given by Steve M and Tom S. Evening meal again saw plenty of choice with meats, fish, pasta, salads and desserts.
Tuesday 26th March – Day 3
Up at 8.30am for breakfast and supervised practice. A skills practice was set up on the chipping area – chipping and putting out. How many up and downs out of a possible 30 (2 from a bunker)? Winner of this was Jerome T with 23/30 with Freddie P, in second place, with 22/30 (Steve M thought that a good result was 20/30.) The final matches in the round robin followed the skill testing with Tom S, Liam S, Freddie P and Josh W getting to the semi-finals.
After lunch the lads went out for 18 holes of golf with the opportunity to map out the back 9. Jerome T set up a swindle and promptly won it with 3 under. Mark C was second with 1 under – very good golf considering the tough windy conditions.
England was playing Montenegro in the evening at football. Most watched with interest but the match was uninspiring (1-1).
Wednesday 27th March – Day 4
It was an early start today at 8.30am with a 5 club Stableford competition, full handicap over 9 holes. It was an exercise of how to plot your way round the course. Adam C won with 19 points; Tom B, second on 17points.
After lunch saw the semi-finals of the round robin with Tom S v Liam S and Freddie P v Josh W. Both matches were close encounters with Tom S and Freddie P both winning by 1 shot. Freddie won his match with a birdie, birdie finish. There was some great golf being played by all of the lads – stroke play with a match play edge.
Whilst all this was happening Steve M had set up a putting challenge. The challenge was 50 putts from distances, ranging from 3 to 10 feet. Again this exercise had a very competitive edge and the best score of the day was Max W with 43/50, Freddie P and Tom O’R close behind with 42/50.
Following dinner, Steve M took the opportunity to address the lads and talk about Tom S’s amateur and professional career to date. A paper was distributed to the lads highlighting his successes and portrayed an interesting story. KGU had played a very important part in Tom S’s amateur career leading to him qualifying for the 2008 Open Championships at Royal Birkdale Golf Club where Tom S finished a magnificent 19th.
Thursday 28th March – Day 5
Today saw the start of the 54-hole tournament, with the first tee time at 8.30pm; prizes for gross and nett winners to be awarded at the end of the week. Mark C had the best round of the day on 2 under, with Jerome T and Tom S in close pursuit. Some of the lads struggled this morning on the course that was very difficult with the wind not helping.
The final of the round robin was played in the afternoon between Freddie P and Tom S.
Freddie took an early lead after the first hole but all was level after 3 holes and again after 6 holes. A sudden death play-off was inevitable and Tom S’s par on the first extra hole was all that was required. Congratulations to both lads for a close and well fought final.
Friday 29th March – Day 6
With the 2nd round of the tournament not starting until 1.00pm the morning session was put over to ‘how to kill time’. A few of the lads took a well earned rest whilst many took the opportunity to use the excellent practice facilities. Steve M and Tom S made themselves available all morning to offer support and guidance to anyone who needed it. They were kept very, very busy.
Going back to the tournament, Mark C held onto his lead with a par round, Tom S closing in (2 under). Jerome had a strange round with a poor start but a very steady finish. Other lads that played well this afternoon were Josh B, Tom B and Josh W.
Saturday 30th March – Day 7
Today was the final round of the 54-hole tournament, with a mid-morning start. Brilliant blue skies with a changeable wind speed and direction set the scene. The lads who had the best scores from the first two rounds were to go out last, as with usual tournament play. Mark C, Tom S and Jerome T were the final 3 ball but the rest of the lads still wanted to go out there and shoot a low score.
After 14 holes it was still very close between Mark C and Tom S, only one shot in it. However after 16 holes the balance had swung in Tom S’s favour. Mark C had a double and Tom S had a birdie so a three shot swing at this stage was a ‘killer blow’. Good scores on the day were Freddie P -2, Tom S -1, Jerome T -1, Darren Timms +1 and Josh Woolley +2.
Gross Nett
Perhaps the most fiercely contested match of the week was the water polo game in Villa 13 after the tournament! It was a 6 a side splash played by golfers with the most unusual tans – not a pretty picture!
Following the evening meal Steve M presented prizes to the lads who had performed well during the week. He also presented a KGU plaque to John and Yvonne Green for all of their support during the week. A plaque was also presented to Hacienda Resort GC for again making the week so enjoyable and possible. A reminder to the lads was that the clocks were due to go forward overnight, so one less hour of sleep!
Sunday 31st March – Day 8
Apart from the essential packing and clearing up of the villas, very little was required of the lads this morning prior to a 2pm departure. As many as 7 made it to breakfast and 4 of them were the officials! A round of golf on the Academy course was a last ditch opportunity to hit a ball. Five took part with a further three going for a walk.
Goodbyes to John, Yvonne, Lee Harrington and the barmen were made prior to departure. The minibuses were efficient to get us all safely to Murcia Airport. The lads had kept sufficient euros back for a visit to Subway – some made more than one! Jerome T, where do you put it all?
The flight was on time and was so comfortable that the majority of the group spent most of the journey asleep. There are some photos to prove this! Just after take-off it was announced to the entire plane that it was David Arnold’s 17th birthday. We didn’t sing, but we did clap.
At Gatwick all were picked up on time and disappeared into the distance following numerous handshakes of appreciation.
Grateful thanks to all who had an input in the arrangements and organisation of a fantastic trip. John and Sue in the Office, Mike Chaston and Steve Mitchell.
Paul Cannons (Kent Official)