Campbell Lamont Golf are entering a team for the first time into the
Costa Blanca News League (Division 2)
Date Course 1st Tee Time Opponents Result
30th October Bonalba 11.20am Don Cayo Win....6-4
27th November Oliva Nova 11.10am Whitecoast Win....8-2
29th January Villaitana 10.00am Peer Gynt Win....10-0
26th February La Sella 10.40am Levante Cancelled
26th February Oliva Nova 09.36hrs Levante Lose...6-4
26th March NO MATCH
30th April Alicante 11.26am Montgo Lose...6-4
Congratulations to all team members for securing promotion to the 1st division!!!!!!
Costa Blanca News Premier Golf League 30 April 2010
Montgo are the Champions!
Whilst the Division 1 teams were playing their penultimate game at Bonalba the Division 2 title was decided at Alicante in their final match of the season. Montgo were crowned champions after defeating their closest challengers Campbell Lamont Golf in a very tight match. By winning the final game Campbell Lamont Golf claimed the runners up spot in a very close finish with Levante Golf Society. This is the first season in the league for Campbell Lamont Golf Society and Montgo Golf Society and they should be commended for their performances and the way they have played each match in the true spirit of golf. Both teams are now promoted to Division 1 where they will continue to be very competitive. Tony Carroll has now Captained three title winning teams and there are strong rumours that he now refers to himself as ‘the special one’! Many congratulations Tony to you and your team.
Both Alicante and Bonalba were presented in excellent condition and we would like to thank both golf clubs for their usual warm welcome and the excellent challenges they presented to us.
Match Results
Division 2 Alicante
In Match 1 Levante produced another strong performance in defeating Don Cayo 3 games to 1 with 1 game halved. If they had won that halved game they would have finished runners up in the league. Both Levante and Don Cayo have had good seasons and each have beaten one of the top 2 teams and we look forward to seeing you challenging for honours again next season.
In Match 2 Peer Gynt defeated a depleted White Coast team 3 games to 2. Unfortunately White Coast were unable to field a full team and Peer Gynt very sportingly agreed to only compete in 3 games despite having a full team themselves. Peer Gynt are a credit to the league and compete sportingly in every match and come out smiling win or lose, an example to us all.
In Match 3 Montgo defeated Campbell Lamont Golf 3 games to 2. By the 4 game Montgo had already won 3 and lost 1. Captain Colin Cooper was consoling himself in the bar on at least being promoted when he and his team realised that if they lost the final game they would be level on points with Levante and would lose promotion on any countback. They dashed out to the final green to cheer their final game in and hopefully motivate them to win. Campbell Lamont was playing in the final game against his Uncle John Lamont and as they approached the final green, bribes and family loyalty pleas were being considered. All to no avail because the match had been decided on the 17 green after a birdie 2 from Campbell and his partner. Exciting stuff that resulted in an appropriate finish to a great season.
Division 1 Bonalba
In Match 1 the Costa Blanca Golf Society defeated Pego Golf Society by 3 games to 2. This was a really good match with 2 games going all square down the final hole. The honours were just about deserved for the Costa Blanca on their home course but Pego put up a really good battle. This loss means that Pego can’t win the Division 1 title now but they have to win their final game to finish runners up. The Costa Blanca now have a chance to avoid relegation but must win their final game.
In Match 2 Marina Alta produced a really strong result to beat Orba Warblers by 4 games to 1. Maria Alta now have a good settled team and they have a good chance to finish runners up. Despite having a good season after least year’s turmoil the Warblers have a battle on their hands now to avoid relegation with a final decider against the Costa Blanca on the 14 May.
In Match 3 El Patio produced their normal strong result defeating Downhill Golf Society by 4 games to 1. The title is all but in their hands now and they would have to suffer a really heavy defeat against Pego whilst Oliva won all their games in the final deciding round to lose it. Stranger things have happened in golf! This defeat means relegation to Division 2 for Downhill but they have competed well all season and we hope to see them competing well again next season.
The final matches in Division 1 take place at Alicante on Friday the 14 May. All teams have something to play for and we hope it proves a really exciting end to the season.
Richard Davis
Secretary, Costa Blanca News Premier Golf League
Costa Blanca News Premier Golf League – Friday 26th February 2010.
In between the recent gales and consistent rain we managed to find once again a decent day for playing golf! For the Division 1 matches we travelled for the first time this year to El Plantio and received the usual warm welcome. We were kindly given four green fee vouchers and these were used as prizes on the par 3’s. Congratulations to David Knight and Clive Kay of Orba Warblers and Steve Hewitt and John Chessher of Pego who within one match scooped the lot! The course was in the usual good condition however you either love or hate the greens here, they are very hard and not receptive to a direct hit to the green. It’s no secret and we all need to adapt our games to suit the conditions.In Division 2 we had a change in venue from La Sella to Oliva Nova. La Sella belatedly changed the layout of their course for maintenance work and we were lucky to get on Oliva Nova at very short notice. I’d like to thank Tony Carroll for organising this and the Management of Oliva Nova for accommodating us by moving start times around. Unfortunately the greens had an unscheduled fine tining on the Monday previous which left them sandy and unusually slow. Beggars can’t be choosers and we were lucky to complete the matches.There were a number of surprises in both divisions with lower placed teams raising their games against fancied opposition showing that nothing can be taken for granted in this league.
Division One In Match 1 Marina Alta defeated the Costa Blanca Golf Society three and a half games to one and a half. The season goes from bad to worse for the Costa Blanca and like last month my game went to the final putt on the final green which I sadly missed. To add insult to injury 2 Yorkshiremen were defeated by 2 Lancastrians! Oh the shame! Marina Alta thoroughly deserved their win and they always seem to finish the season strongly. In Match 2 Orba Warblers defeated Pego Golf Society by three games to two in the match of the round. The draw had been unkind to the Warblers in the previous 2 rounds playing teams on their home venues and on neutral territory this was a great result for them. Pego were naturally disappointed and this may have killed off their title ambitions but they were graceful in defeat and in a lesson to some other nameless teams they were the last to leave the terrace having joined their opponents for the customary drink. In Match 3 Oliva Nova defeated the Downhill Golf Society by five games to nil. This big win means that it’s really a two horse race for the title now with El Patio. Oliva Nova after their first round defeat seem to improve with every match and El Patio, after their bye today, can not afford to lose games in the final two rounds.
Division Two In Match 1 Montgo Golf Society, back on their home course, defeated Peer Gynt by five games to nil. This return to winning ways means they can now only finish in first or second place and will be playing in Division 1 next year. Their crunch match comes in the final game against Campbell Lamont Golf which will determine the winners of the league. In Match 2 Levante Golf Society produced the result of the round in defeating Campbell Lamont Golf by three games to two. Levante now have their best team together and are improving in every match but unfortunately a little too late to challenge for promotion. Campbell Lamont Golf have to win at least four games in their last match in April to win the league. In Match 3 Don Cayo International defeated White Coast in a hard fought game by three games to two. This has been another good season for Don Cayo who give every team a difficult game. With more consistency they will get the results they deserve. We have a months rest in Division 2 now with the final round taking place at Alicante on the 30 April. In Division 1 we return to action at La Sella on the 26 March. Thank you to all players and the Costa Blanca News for your continued support of our wonderful game.
Costa Blanca News Premier Golf League – Friday 29th January 2010.
We returned to serious competitive golf after the long Christmas break on Friday the 29 January at Oliva Nova for the Division 1 teams and Villaitana Levante for the Division 2 teams. The whole of the Costa Blanca had experienced torrential rain for the preceding week. Thankfully the Sun shone on Thursday and Friday and we were able to complete our matches in reasonable conditions. The Villaitana Levante course has excellent drainage and the players were able to compete in near perfect conditions despite a cool headwind on some holes. Oliva Nova with the back 9 holes below sea level struggled to get the course open for us. Some of the holes were under water up to Wednesday and credit must go to the greenkeeper and his team for getting the course playable. Buggies were restricted on the course, impacting some teams more than others and with no run on the fairways and a strong breeze the course played very long and difficult. Despite all of this we had some excellent matches played in the usual good spirit and some surprising results.
Division 1 (Oliva Nova)
In Match 1 Club de Golf Oliva Nova won against the Orba Warblers 3 games to 2. Oliva Nova were hoping for a clean sweep to keep up with the leaders El Patio but Orba Warblers competed well and despite suffering their second defeat they produced a good result. Oliva Nova have a strong team and still have a chance to win the division in their first season but they can’t afford to lose any individual games in the remaining matches.
In Match 2 Pego defeated Downhill by 4 games to 1 in a good competitive match with the restricted buggies impacting both teams. Pego have now won both their matches convincingly and as always they have a good chance of winning the league this year. Could it come down to the final match against El Patio? It probably will!
In Match 3 Oh how the mighty have fallen! El Patio whitewashed the Costa Blanca 5 games to nil to increase their lead in the title race. Having won the title 2 years in a row teams seem to raise their games against the Costa Blanca (a bit like Manchester United in the Premier League or is it Accrington Stanley?). El Patio fought hard in every game and were deserved winners and must be favourites for the title now after coming so close in previous years?
Division 2 (Villaitana, Levante)
In Match 1 Campbell Lamont Golf beat Peer Gynt 5 games to nil to continue their good start in this their first season in the league and now share top spot with Montgo. They have the strongest team on paper and their last match against Montgo could be the title decider.
In Match 2 Levante defeated White Coast 4 games to 1. Levante seem to have got their strongest team together again and they will be difficult to beat for the remaining 2 matches. The will have a big say in the title race if they take points off Campbell Lamont Golf in the next match!
In Match 3 in probably the biggest surprise of the day Don Cayo International defeated the Montgo 3 games to 2. Montgo hadn’t lost a game in either of their previous 2 matches but they came up against a strong Don Cayo team who are now playing consistently well and like Levante if they win all their remaining games they could be in the title race at the end. Have Montgo been flattering to deceive, a bit like Birmingham City ?
Our next matches take place on Friday the 26 February at El Plantio (Division 1) and La Sella (Division 2) and we look forward to seeing you there.
Best Wishes
Richard Davis
Costa Blanca News Premier Golf League – Friday 27 November 2009.
The 2 round of matches took place at the Villaitana, Levante course and Club de Golf Oliva Nova and once again we were blessed with perfect weather for golf and two golf courses presented in excellent condition. The only complaint I received related to the restriction of buggies on the fairways and rough at Villaitana. This led to one or two confrontations between a very officious caddy master and a strong willed golfer! To be honest the fairways on the Levante course are in magnificent condition and if that’s the result of limited buggy use I can understand why. It is important though to communicate in advance restrictions on the golf course as we are in the main well past our peak fitness levels! These incidents did not spoil a very good day for golf.
Division 1 Villaitana (Levante)
Oliva Nova GC defeated the Costa Blanca GS 4 games to 1
El Patio GS defeated Marina Alta GS 4 games to 1
Downhill GS defeated Orba Warblers GS 3 games to 2
In the surprise of the round Costa Blanca suffered their first defeat in three years to Club de Golf Oliva Nova. It was a well deserved win and played in a very sporting manner. Oliva’s players played at the top of their game whilst the Costa Blanca star players were slightly under par, but many congratulations to Oliva Nova on the way they achieved their victory.
El Patio had their second big win and must be firm favourites now to win the Division. They meet with the Costa Blanca at Oliva Nova in January in a game which could decide the title. Peter Lane made a welcome return to the El Patio team after undergoing surgery and he now has to keep his winning team together.
Orba Warblers turned out for the first time this year and had a very tough game against Downhill GS who came out close winners. There is not a lot between any of the teams this year as the results show and we are therefore in for a good competitive season.
The two tee start is not ideal but it seemed to work well and it meant a good crowd and good camaraderie on the bar terrace afterwards, as everyone finished closer together.
Courtesy of Villaitana and Campbell Lamont Golf we had two nearest the pin prizes today. I was delighted to present 78 € to Marina Alta Golf Society courtesy of their two winners David Kitson and Allan McManus. Congratulations on your excellent golf shots.
Division 2 Oliva Nova
Montgo GS defeated Levante GS 5 games to nil.
Don Cayo IGS and Peer Gynt GS finished all square
Campbell Lamont GS defeated White Coast GS 4 games to 1.
Montgo now have a 100% winning start to the season and are the team to beat. It looks like an easy win but three of he games went to the last hole and the opening pairing were 3 down with 5 to play, before going on to win!
Don Cayo and Peer Gynt fought out an honourable draw and both teams are going to be difficult to beat this year.
Campbell Lamont Golf had a good win but he result was marred somewhat by Gary Stones late withdrawal due to illness. The two golf professionals had sportingly agreed to match themselves and their two scratch players in the final game. After Gary’s withdrawal they again sportingly agreed to change the teams to allow a more competitive match. Hard luck on White Coast, but thanks to you all for maintaining the spirit of the game.
We now have a Christmas break and return on the 29 January to the same golf courses, just swapping divisions. We wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Successful New Year.
Richard Davis
League Secretary
