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Hacienda del Alamo 2010. Most of you have indicated willingness to return to Hacienda del Alamo for the third year as originally envisaged. Gordon has had a provisional meeting with Director of Golf Billy SIm and we are assured that 2009 rates will be carried forward. The points raised on your questionnaires will be discussed along the way, including a possible evening shuttle to and from Mazzaron which is described as "lively" Hacienda del Alamo 2009. Another excellent week of golf on the Costa Calida. Planning for 2010 will get under way over the winter and a questionnaire will shortly circulate amongst this year's participants |
SSGS Murcia Seniors Open 2009 Hacienda del Alamo was in prime condition for our 2009 event. Greens staff had been busy under the watchful eye of the PGA as the course prepared for the Tour School Qualifying event in November. At 6,900 yards from the tees we played it was always going to be a test. When you add in Bermuda rough allowed to grow to three inches plus greens which went up a notch on the stintmeter each day then skills were being tested to the limit. When the majority of competitors pitched up on the Sunday they were met with the news that defending champion Ian Brotherston had come a day early and had entered for the Club's open stroke event on that day. He won that with a bit to spare having set a new amateur record for the yellow course with a nine-under par 63, comprising nine pars and nine birdies. Visiting Pro Dean Robertson said it was probably the best round of golf he had seen anywhere. At that point the rest of our field could have been forgiven for taking to the Rioja and staying there for the week but, no, these boys are made of sterner stuff and it was decided that Ian had blown his best score for the week. Practice day awakened a wider appreciation of the level of Ian's performance as competitors worked on various ways to tackle close range approach shots from Bermuda where you were lucky to see the top of the ball. The writer had a 40 year old Dai Rees Sand wedge which could chop down the average pine tree. That seemed to work- apart from the occasional 120 yard "knife" Doubles format is one round of fourball better ball and one round of greensomes. The team of Brian Smith and Ian Jeen set the event alight in round 1 with a dazzling 66. They were again dominant in round 2 greensomes to comfortably win the Costa Calida trophy. Thursday brought a distinct change in the weather. Early starters had the advantage as the wind rose progressively and then a couple of heavy downpours added to the difficulties. Nevertheless scoring was generally good. The round one lead was shared by Dougal Chalmers (Panmure) Ricky Gray (Cowglen) and defending champion Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and County) with fine 73s. Sunshine returned for the second round but this brought no significant lowering of scores. The previous day's rains had clearly fed the Bermuda and there were many tales of misfortune. Day one joint leaders Chalmers and Brotherston stayed out in front with steady 75s. It looked like National Burger Day as Gordon MacDonald, Scott MacDonald and John McDonald all moved up the order with good 73s. Ian Hutcheon recovered from a bad first day at the office with a fine 74. So to the finale. Joint leaders Brotherston and Chalmers were joined by SSGS president Gordon MacDonald in the final group. From 3 shots adrift he needed to imnpose himself but a costly early double bogey put paid to that and the destination of the title was left to Ian and Dougal. It was nip and tuck though to the hazardous par three 8th where Dougal's tee shot finished in the bunker above the hole. Possibly one of the most scary shots in golf with the lake waiting to gather anything running beyond the hole, Dougal could do no better than a double bogey five. Ian rolled his putt in for a birdie two and a three shot swing. He then pressed home his advantage with three birdies in four holes from the turn to put the result beyond doubt and his last round 68 set a new low round mark for our event. Another brilliant week in Murcia. Billy Sim and his staff pulled out all the stops to give us a course in great condition. We were made most welcome by all concerned. The ravages of recession have been felt particularly in the Spanish leisure industry and developmen work at the resort has slowed. Nonetheless the quality of golf and accommodation together with the package struck with the Director of Golf left an overwhelmingly good impression.
In his witty address to the prizegiving ceremony, delivered partly in Spanish, Society Vice Captain John Johnston made positive reference to all of these elements. He thanked Head Marshall Lee Harrington for his role in the day to day running of the tournament. and Muriel Millar for her role as ladies golf and entertainements organiser. John also praised the excellence of the Academy and the coaching skills of Elaine, the Head Professional from Stranraer. Amidst a welter of derision he heaped praise upon his own four iron shot to the Sawgrass-like pin at the ninth hole. It was grudgingly admitted by his partners to have been a "helluva shot" Photos to follow once rounded up. LEADING SCRATCH TOTALS (Courtesy of www.scottishgolfview.com) DOUBLES SCRATCH
Brian Smith & Ian Jeen 66 70 136 Ian & Fred Hutcheon 68 71 139 Scott MacDonald & Alistair Fiddes 68 73 141 Bill Methven & Jim Emslie 70 74 144 Robbie Nairn & Ian Brotherston 71 73 144 Ian Gourlay & Drew Wilson 72 73 145 Brian Kidd &Ron MacDonald 72 74 146 John Johnston & Keith Bruce 74 72 146 John McDonald & Richard Gray 74 74 148 George Paterson & Jim Scott 72 76 148 Keith Howie & Colin Grant 76 72 148 Finlay Jardine & William Donald Sim 74 74 148 Jim Johnston & Ken Forrest 74 75 149 Bill & Eddie McIntyre 70 79 149 Andrew Laird & Norman Forster 71 79 150 Gordon MacDonald & Sandy Pirie 71 79 150 Jim Roy & Dougal Chalmers 72 78 150 Jim & Peter Kinloch 72 78 150 DOUBLES HANDICAP NAME Rd 1 Rd 2 Total Net Brian Smith & Ian Jeen 64 68 132 Stephen Haskins & Colin L Cummings 68 66 134 Ian Gourlay & Drew Wilson 67 69 136 Scott MacDonald & Alistair Fiddes 66 71 137 Bill Methven & Jim Emslie 66 71 137 Ian & Fred Hutcheon 67 71 138 Brian Kidd &Ron MacDonald 68 70 138 Keith Howie & Colin Grant 71 67 138 Phil Hughes & Oliver Dixon 65 74 139 Robbie Nairn & Ian Brotherston 68 72 140 John Johnston & Keith Bruce 71 69 140 Bill & Eddie McIntyre 65 75 140 Gordon Gray & Neish Chisholm 68 72 140 Hacienda del Alamo 2009 A very attractive deal was struck with the Director of Golf at Hacienda del Alamo and with the property management company. These took account of the adverse sterling/euro rate and also the level of competition for golf travel within Spain.
* day and week prices per person based on maximum occupancy
Examples of the range of villas can be seen on the undernoted links
3 bedroom 3 bathroom
http://hdagolfproperties.com/rentalpropertydetails.aspx?RentalPropertyID=475
4 bedroom 4 bathroom http://hdagolfproperties.com/rentalpropertydetails.aspx?RentalPropertyID=456 To reserve your place please email Gordon@corriemar.demon.co.uk To book and pay your deposit please download your flier and entry form here.
The SSGS/Hacienda del Alamo Seniors Festival is a real treat for the golfing connoisseur. The Dave Thomas course, designed with assistance from son Paul, is set up to make you think your way round. It is a bit of a monster off the very back and so we get together with Director of Golf Billy Sim to set up a circuit which, by varying tees, woill test but not intimidate. Greens are medium paced but there are some scary positions used where it is not possible to stop the ball on the surface from above the hole. Anything around the par of 72 is a very good score and this is borne out by results to date. Bunkers are beautifully positioned. Laying up can leave long seconds and fading or drawing off the traps requires skill. However the bunkers themselves are eminently playable and so a tee shot catching one is not the end of the world. The resort itself consists of a large estate with multiple sports facilities. The course is the centrepiece. |
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