Overseas Trip Report Arrival - We arrived at La Cala Golf Resort on the Costa del Sol on the Sunday afternoon. The weather was glorious with blue skies and temperatures in the low 20’s. No game was planned so we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the hotel followed by an evening in La Cala de Mijas. Day One - After breakfast the first morning of coaching took place. This consisted of practice on the range at the Golf Academy in a reserved area followed by putting practice. Our first game was on the America Course (one of three on-site courses). The chosen tees were the yellows which meant the course played at around 6,100 yards, a par 72. High up in the resort the dramatic terrain proved a real test, not helped by a brisk wind. Although the fairways were generally quite wide with relatively few bunkers, the hilly terrain required a lot of carry across steep brush covered side slopes. The small raised greens were quick and pitching onto them was difficult which was reflected in the majority of 4BBB Stableford scores. Results from the day are as follows: - 1st - Mark Straker (Bracken Ghyll) and Stewart Brown (Ripon) - 42 points.
- 2nd - Greg McDonough (Woodhall Hills) and Graham Corbett (Northcliffe) - 37 points.
- Longest drive (10th Hole) - Craig Lane AKA ‘The Badger’.
- Nearest the pin (16th Hole) - Mark Straker.
Day Two - Practice on the six hole executive par three course preceded our lunch time tee times on the Asia Course. Slightly shorter in length compared to the America, but with the same par of 72. This is the oldest of the three courses and the most respected by the Professionals. Narrower fairways, with four par five holes demanding skill and strategy. Results from the day are as follows: - 1st - Shane Kelly (Northcliffe) and Mark Straker (Bracken Ghyll) - 43 points.
- 2nd - Graham Corbett (Northcliffe) and Craig Lane (Woodhall Hills) - 41 points.
- Longest drive (10th Hole) - Pete ‘there not toys’ Ferris.
- Nearest the pin (17th Hole) - Craig Allen.
Day Three - Range practice followed by short game coaching on the par three course to start the day. Our final round was played on the Europa Course, a par 71. A dramatic course with generous fairways, flatter terrain and slightly larger greens. Notable for its five bridges across the River Ojen, which features in eight holes! The 14th is at the maximum limit of what is allowed for a par three at around 250 yards! This round was played as an individual stableford off full handicap. Results from the day are as follows: - 1st - Adrian Hope (Woodhall Hills) - 36 points.
- 2nd - Mark Straker (Bracken Ghyll) - 31 points (countback).
- 3rd - Pete Ferris (Woodhall Hills) - 31 points.
- Longest drive (8th Hole) - Townfanpete’s Toys (373 yards).
- Nearest the pin (16th Hole) - Mark Tyler.
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