28 November KO

Seniors KO with Colin Lawrance vs Mike Taylor and Steve Ogilvie. Uphill struggle, not playing very well until the last few holes and giving away a lot of shots. Steve went from dire to nicking holes with shots out of the blue. We also didn't hole anything whereas they did. Looked to be on for a comfy win on 14, then Steve holed a long putt for a half, same on 15 where Mike did the same. Then again on 16, Mike getting a par after missing the green.

25 November

Winter League with Jim Hopkins and Colin Lawrance. Bad start, losing ball. Then bad 8th. Started back well, birdie on 11, par on 12. Finished badly, one point each on last four. 31 total.

23 November

Seniors 3 man team with Rod Kennedy and George Hopkins. Played well apart from 11 and 13, otherwise 34 points. Scored 86 taking 2 scores to count per hole. Should have scored all 3 on the par 3s and would then have come second.

19 November, Medal

Frost on some greens and about 2 deg at start. With Trev and Gary, last few again.

Didn't putt well despite good greens, apart from all the leaves and helicopters. Birdie on 8, chip in from edge, boosted outward score to 18, then 17 back, gross 84. Third place by one point. Silly missed tap-in on 10!

18 November - 3 Man team

Friday league, with Dave Rowell and Alan Hootton.  Putts wouldn't go in and a few big mistakes. Just 30 points.

23 November - Seniors

2 from 3 Team.  With Gavin Williams and ... . Played okay, about 34 points but the team didn't do well.  Our score of 73 didn't compare with the winning score of 88.

6 November, Pinheiros Altos

Bus collected us at 8 am. Able to start at 8.26, ahead of our 9.14 booking. Followed a lady and man, and kept up with them all the way.  Two behind in a buggy didn't catch us up either, so a lovely clear run for us. Pete and I won comfortably, 8 pars and 35 points for me. Enjoyable course, starting very tight in trees then opening out. Fairly generous fairways but quite a bit of water.  Didn't take on the hit-the-green challenge on the last but did, along with Pete.  Finished at about 1pm and had lunch outside. Then bus back

5 November - Old Course

Sunny when we were having breakfast but rain as we waited to set off.  Able to start half an hour early at 10.30 because the tee was free, and played four holes before catching up with the pack. Then looked as if it would be really slow but okay for a long while until it slowed up again for the last few.

Trev and I lost to Martin and Pete, Martin getting another good round in. Scored 32 points, despite some awful fairway shots, either very heavy or thinned. Driving well, never in the trees.  Loved the course again but very soggy in places. Very good condition, fairways and greens very lush.  Had lunch at the club house then back for a relax before going out for supper at the same restaurant we went to last year. Lovely filet mignon, very filling.  Stopped of in the hotel bar for a last digestif.

4 November - Pinhal

Left hotel at 8 for our 8.50 start time. Very wet and windy overnight but settling down on the course, some light rain but very pleasant otherwise. Martin and I beat Trev and Pete comprehensively, Martin playing very well. Had bursts of good play but some tree trouble.  Back to hotel after lunch at the club, hour's break then a walk around the marina until a long deluge started. Went to cafe bar until it stopped. Back to hotel for more down time before dinner at the Fisherman's Shack.

3 November

Early start, leaving home at 4.30 to collect Trev. Easy ride to Luton but Trev found he'd got his wife's passport so had to home. He got a later flight, getting to hotel at 11pm. Martin, Pete L and I played the Victoria course at Vilamoura. Everything very quick at Faro, arriving at 10.30 and on shuttle bus by 11. Checked into hotel Vila Gale Ampalius then straight to course. Behind very slow Spaniards so only just finished before the light went. Course very open, quite long. Good birdie on par 3 in second half otherwise so so. Ate at Alfonso restaurant, very good.

29 October - Refos

Played in four with Tony against Simon C and Phil M. Recovered from dormie 4 down to end level. Four birdies in game, one for me on 15. Amazing 23 birdies for the 17 players.