Captains Update

January 26^th

On my first update, I find myself apologizing for obviously being a very bad boy in a previous life and therefore being delivered the horrendous weather we experienced on Changeover Day. In the seven years of living here full time I do not think I have ever experienced such strong winds and heavy rain. My thanks go out to those who managed to play some golf and for those who did not, you have my complete understanding as at7.30amwhen I asked Ian if he was happy to let us play the course on safety reasons and he said yes, I did not know whether to laugh or cry!

The turn out for the evening dinner was superb for which I am truly thankful. I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

Again a big thank you to Howard McEvoy our past Captain, I have greatly appreciated the way he has involved me in all things, which I am sure will make this year easier for me, or at least that is my hope! Thanks also to Suzanne, who has given Howard and myself tremendous support and to all the members throughout the year who have offered help to the club.  Finally thank you to all the staff for continuing to support PDF and its members.

Welcome to Bob Hart my Vice Captain, please give Bob your full backing this coming year and beyond.

We had our first social night of the year recently; the Quiz Night, organized by David Spragg, Lorraine Bull and Carol Newland, on behalf of us all thanks to them. It was a very successful evening and generated a great atmosphere with some 54 players attending. The final winners were, Linda & Paul Anthony and Gloria & Allan Pooley so many congratulations to them. The February event is yet to be finalized but watch the notice board for details in the near future, as I am sure it will be another successful night.

The Captain

Christmas Greetings to Everyone !

Well, this will be my last Captains Update.

As the year comes to an end, lets start with the Golf.

The number of two’s in November/December so far, has been incredible, with 70 recorded (yes you read it right 70!).  This has to be a record at PDF, if anyone knows different, please let me know.       The Golf Competitions have been very well attended throughout the year, and this was highlighted to me when recently, at the end of the Seasons League Get Together, I was amazed to hear that some of the Courses in the Algarve struggle to get 20/25 people to play in their weekly competitions on a regular basis, we average 65 throughout the year.

The Captain v Vice Captain Golf Competition was, for the second year running, won by the Vice Captains Team, so congratulations to the Vice and his Team.

The Christmas Hamper Competition was fully attended by everyone, and the Golf and the Evening were absolutely super.

Zenia continues to improve after suffering a Stroke, Fridolin tells us the progress is slow, but she is much better, and will soon start her first course of Physiotherapy.  We all wish her well for a full recovery.  Anyone who has ever played Golf with Zenia, knows that she is a strong and resiliant little fighter, so this will undoubtedly help in her recovery.

I would like to finish my last update by giving credit to the staff at PDF, whether in the shop, on the course, in the bar, kitchen, sales, admin etc.  It has been a incredibly difficult year for these people, and I would like to say on behalf of all the Members – Thank You !!  All are exceptional people, and I hope in the next year, you come to be recognised by the new Management, as an essential and integral part of this Golf Club, and that you are treated and remunerated accordingly.

To all the Members, have a Great Christmas and New Year, and thank you very much from Suzanne and I for allowing us to share your year in paradise !

The Captain

CAPTAINS UPDATE 9th NOVEMBER.

Good day to all our Members and Visitors, welcome to the Captains Update.

October was a whirlwind month that flew by so quickly. It started with the Interleague team beating this years division champions Alto at home, and finishing the year in a respectable 5th place in the table. Our away form let us down this year, so it was some consolation to end the year undefeated at home.

It was a month to congratulate Cameron Bell from Floresta Park Golf Club, who won the Junior Drive Sul Competition, with a fabulous score of 72. He was 12 shots clear of the field, with Joana Mota from Vilamoura in second place on 84, and Antonio Bentes also from Vilamoura with 85 in third. WELL DONE CAMERON.

We suffered from a little too much rain in the month, and we had three games either cancelled or abandoned, but on a positive note we managed to play 8 competitive competitions, so all was not lost. Just to note here that David Haddon has been at it again, sinking his second hole in one within a month. Just like a London bus, you wait for ages and along come two. In David’s case 28 years.

I am pleased to report that the updated competition boards are nearly complete, and I expect to see them in place by the end of this month .The competition entry sheet will soon be up for the Captains v Vice Captains day, and there will be a Fish, Chips & peas dish of the day to follow, priced at10 Euros. Peter and I would love to see you all taking part if you are able.

The Christmas Hamper competition will also be on the board soon, and will be played on Sunday 2nd December. The fabulous BRANDED will be providing the entertainment, and anyone who was at their last performance will know we are in for a treat.

The end of October brought the Captains away days at San Lorenzo. I hope everyone enjoyed the course and the time spent amongst your friends from PDF. It was for me, a sheer pleasure to see so many people enjoying the event and encompassing each others company in such fine and truly PDF way. Well done to all the winners in October, and well done everyone who took part in what was a rainy month here in the Western Algarve but still PARADISE.

Howard

Captains Update – Monday 8th October

Well, I did say in my last update, that September was going to be a busy month for Golf, and boy !, it certainly was.

Let me start by congratulating all the Winners in September, and there were many.  A special congratulations to Liz Longmore for her Hole in One on the 7th.

Many thanks to all the Members and Guests who attended Captains Day on 15th September, and a special thanks go to my Family for being so helpfull on the day, not least for working so hard to make the occasion so enjoyable for everyone, on what was an extremely hot day  As we know, Kelvin Whittaker nearly spoilt the day (the Bugger!), but thank God he is progressing well, and his humour is back to its normal level (god help us all !!).

The 70’s Competition on Wednesday 19th September, saw the Wiser Elders out in force, and what a sheer pleasure it was to see them participating, either in 18 holes or in the putting competition.  Thanks once again to Brian Newsham for his sponsorship of this Competition.

The Autumn Festival was a super event, and the organisation was first class, so on behalf of the Members and Guests, a big Thank You to Ian and his Staff for a superb  Festival.

Members Day and Ryder Cup Foursomes – well I have had to watch the final day at Medinah 3 times, to fully believe that Europe did it !!  What a fantastic day, and a first class Buffet provied by the kitchen, well done to everyone involved.  As for the results, Ivor & Pat Berresford lead the way with an unbelievable score of 43pts.Full results for the whole month are in the results section of this website.

Well, that was a whirlwind September, so what do we have to look forward to in October.  Well, we have our final two League Matches to play in, both at home firstly to Alto on the 18th, and our final game on the 22nd when we host Quinta do Vale.  Then to round off the month, we have the Captains Away Trip to San Lorenzo.  All the planning is now done and the 28th/29th/30th is fast approaching.

I would also like to thank Andy Pickard and Mike Evans, who have agreed to sponsor the Competition Boards, which are in the process of being updated.  Carol has asked all the Members if they have any details on the Past Winners, so I hope you can help in that process.

So, in conclusion, Play Well, Swing Slow, and enjoy your Days in Paradise, here at Parque da Floresta Golf Club.

Regards       Howard

CAPTAINS UPDATE – 6th SEPTEMBER

Although August was a quiet month in terms of golf activities, the end of the month saw the Interleague Team win at home against Vale do Lobo. We also saw David Haddon get a hole in one on the 11th, and then this was followed this week with Julio Marcela on the 5th.

As I mentioned in my last update, September is going to be a very busy month for Golf.  From Captains Day on the 15th to the end of the month, we have the opportunity to play in no fewer than 10 competitions, so keep your eyes on the Club Notice Board as it is very full at the moment.

Captains Day, although not full, has attracted 84 players, with a further 34 joining them for dinner.  With just over a week to go, please add your names either on the Notice Board or with Ian in the Golf Shop.

The Brian Newsham “Wiser Elders” over 70’s, plus the “Whippersnappers” Competitions are nearly full on the 19th September, and you will have noticed we are providing a Dish of the Day for 9 Euros and only 5 Euros for the “Wiser Elders”.  The prize giving will take place during the meal, so please see Brian, Ian or Myself to book as soon as possible.

The final arrangements are being made for the Captains Away Days on 29th/30th October.  Two new events to add to the Itinerary are as follows:

On the first evening 29th October, we have secured a deal with the Vale do Lobo Golf Club to host a dinner for anyone who would like to attend.  The Dinner will be at 20.00 hrs in the prestigious Spikes Restaurant in the Vale Do Lobo Golf Complex.  This is just a steady 10 minute walk from the Dona Filipa Hotel.

The menu is:

Couverts

Choice of a Starter:

1.  Cream soup
2.  Traditional Caesar Salad (Chicken, Lettuce, Parmesan, Egg, Bacon, Anchovies, Croutons,  Caesar Dressing)
3.  Mediterranean Salad (Fresh Cheese, Tomato, Smoked Ham, Olives, Radish, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Cucumber)

Choice of a Main Course:

A  Fish ‘Vol au Vent’ served with Vegetables
B  Fish Risotto – Salmon and Monkfish
C  Meagre Grilled Fillet served with Tartar Sauce and Stir fry
D  Roast Beef Medallions in a Pepper Sauce served with Saladaise Potatoes
E  Chicken Breast served with Saladaise Potatoes
F  Sirloin Steak served with Peppercorn Sauce and Gratin Dauphinois

The cost will be an incredible 17.50 Euros per person, and if you would like a dessert, then this will be an extra 6 Euros.

Please book with Peter Lanario, Carol Newland or Myself.

Secondly, on the Gala Buffet Evening, we will be having a drinks reception, where from 19.30 – 20.00, beer, wine and orange juice will be served free of charge. This will be served in the Winter Garden (weather permitting)’ or in the lounge opposite the bar.

Well, that’s it for now, swing well, and enjoy your time in paradise, here at PDF

The Captain

Interleague Team Tuesday 28th August V Vale Do Lobo at Home 1st tee 9.00am

John Brodie  Pete Lanario

Julio Marcela  Francisco Borges

Ivor Newland  Linda Anthony

Brian Newsham  Paul Anthony

Bob Hart  Ralph Griffin

Coffee 8.30am

Play well and enjoy the day

Howard

The Interclub match with Vale do Lobo has know been rescheduled for the 28th August at PDF.First tee will be 9:00 and the team remains the same as 3rd August.

Regards Howard.

CAPTAINS UPDATE – 18TH JULY

Good Day from a Hot and Sunny PDF.

We are well into the Summer now, and the winds seem to be dying down a little of late, but boy, did it blow in June and  the first two weeks of July.

Going back to June, we enjoyed a tremendous Summer Party, with the entertainment being supplied by the brilliant ‘Branded’ – well done indeed to Wendy and Adam.  The food was also first class, and our thanks go to all the Staff for a very memorable evening.

I am pleased to report that the League Team got back to winning ways, with a 9-1 beating of our neighbours, Boavista.  Our next game is at home again, to Vale do Lobo on 3rd August.

The Club Championship was held on 16th/17th June, and in case anyone missed the results, then Margaret Walling and Julio Marcela won the day, and can now enjoy their year as very worthy Club Champions of the Floresta Parque Golf Club.  Well played to you Both, and many thanks to all who played over the two days.

Friday, 13th July, saw the inaugural PDF Interleague Team v PDF Ladies –  how do I describe this day ?  Well, it was dominated with Friendship, Good Golf/OK Golf, Great Humour, and the finish was just terrific, with Glynis Bredo, who was in the last game, chipping in on the 18th, from off the green to half the whole match , making the scores 5-5. This was done in front of all who had played in the event, over 50 people shouting and cheering, as if the Ryder Cup had just been won. It truly was, the stuff that films are made of !  Congratulations to all for making this day a truly special occasion.  My thanks also go to the Staff of PDF, who helped to make the day once again, first class.  I am told that it has been over 10 years since we last held a barbeque on the terrace.  Well I personally, would like to see one every year from now on.

Coming up fast, we have the Captains Day on the 15th September, followed by the 70’s Competition Day on the 19th September.  The 70’s Competition will take place on a normal Wednesday Competition Day, but their will be special prizes for the 70’s and over, for the Best Nett (Single Stableford), and also for a Putting Competition.  These prizes have been kindly donated by Brian Newsham.

On 30th September, we then have the Members Ryder Cup Foursomes Competition from 11am onwards,  returning in the evening to watch the conclusion of the 39th Ryder Cup being held at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois.  It will be the first time that Illinois has staged the Competition.  Europe will be the defending Cup Holders, having defeated the USA last year by 14.5 points to 13.5 points at Celtic Manor.  This years Team Captains will be Davis Love 111 and Jose Maria Olazabal. We will be organising a running buffet from 19.00hrs, as there is a 6 hour time difference between Illinois and Budens, so the big screen will be in use, so that we can capture another great Golfing Day, and enjoy it together in true PDF style.  DON’T FORGET ! that the prizes and the food are being paid for from the Members Reserve Account.  So come along and see Europe home with your PDF Friends.

Kind Regards

The Captain

MONIES ARE NOW DUE FOR THE CAPTAINS AWAY TRIP,

PLEASE PAY TO CAROL NEWLAND.

Thank you.