The Greencard Grand Finals week was held in the superb golfing area of Quinta da Lago in the Algarve.

The itinerary for the week was the same for both the Tour Finalists and those participating in the Masters. The competitions would be contested over rounds on Quinta South, Quinta North and Laranjal. In addition there was a planned AM AM to be held on Laranjal.

Quinta Do Lago South Course – Part an Amazing Golf Complex

The Monte da Quinta Suites would be our base for the week, with the hotel suites working extremely well for the group.

Best Laid Plans…

Whilst the best laid plans can be made, the one thing that is out of one’s control is the weather! The forecast prior to departure suggested that there would be rain for the early part of the week before things started to brighten up and we would finish the event under blue sky and sunshine.

Now whilst that forecast was pretty accurate we had not realised just how much rain was going to fall.

AM-AM Wash-Out

After arriving on the Saturday in pleasant conditions, we watched New Zealand win the rugby World Cup before enjoying evening dinner. It was not until late on Sunday night that you could start to hear the rain falling and the wind picking up.

When the user-friendly automatic curtains were drawn back in the morning it was throwing it down with torrential rain. It was clear that the chances of any golf being played were slim at best.

Indeed a large portion of the hotel gardens were flooded and a quick venture outside the front revealed that water was flowing across the nearby Quinta South and North courses. The main road in places resembled a river. It was at this point that many of us wondered how many rounds we would actually be able to play at all.

Needless to say the opening AM AM was cancelled and with more rain forecast the following day, things were looking bleak. However, in true Greencard fashion, the next morning we ventured over to Quinta South. The green staff had done a remarkable job and whilst we would be playing under winter rules the first round of the individual competition was underway on time.

Bit of Flooding Won’t Sink Greencard as Baxter Takes the Helm!

On the Tour, Alan Baxter made the early move with a strong 35 points. John Shearan, Mark Stacey and Jez Morgan were all in close pursuit, just two shots behind. Jackie Carter was leading lady in fifth position with 32.

Meanwhile, Peter Roe was leading the Masters having scored 34 points. Ian Robinson was hot on his heels with 32, a score matched by Melanie Baker. Dave Rothwell was one further back.

So we had completed round one and with the exception of a few showers early in the day the weather had behaved. The second round took place on the recently renovated Quinta North.

Good Putting the Key at New Quinta North

The changes implemented by Paul McGinley’s team have improved this course. It is now a much more enjoyable experience to play with several greenside bunkers having been replaced by run off areas, thus promoting the use of various recovery shots.

Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley at the Opening of the Renovated Quinta Do Lago North

However, the main difference is in the greens, which have been reshaped and now allow the green staff the opportunity to increase or shorten the distance to the hole by several clubs. Your putting boots have to be securely fastened to score well.

Ladies Show the Way as it Gets Tight at the Top

It would prove to be the ladies’ day in both competitions. Jackie Carter led the way in the Tour finishing with the day’s highest score of 36 points. Debbie Morgan, who claimed her first Tour victory a month earlier in Bermuda, found her form with 35. A score matched by Anthony Trafford and Mark Stacey.

At the half way point Jackie Carter and Mark Stacey shared the top spot with 68 points. John Shearan was on 66 with Anthony Trafford and Janette Roe one further back. Our 2015 Order of Merit winner, Gary Corbett, was also still in the hunt with 64 points.

The Spectacular Quinta do Lago North Course

Francis Chegwidden and Karen Hartley had fantastic scores in the second round of the Masters both finishing the day with 37 points. May Parks and Dave Rothwell both carded 35.

At the half way stage Peter Roe was leading the field with 68 points. However, as with the Tour, it was close at the top as both Ian Robinson and Frances Chegwidden were on 67 with Dave Rothwell and Melanie Baker just one point behind them.

Solid Scoring on Moving Day Opens Gap

The third round was held on Quinta South and with the weather now improving each day the course, although still wet under foot was beginning to recover from all the rain.

On the Tour side, Jez Morgan continued his solid form of the week with 36, a score matched by John Meagher and Claire Howell. Jackie Carter was still playing some excellent golf and finished the day with 34.

Jackie Carter Heads the Field After 54 Holes

Heading into the final round, it was very close at the top of the leaderboard. Jackie held the lead with 102, Mark Stacey was on 100, whilst the other two members of the final fourball Claire Howell and John Shearan were both on 99.

However, it certainly was not a given that the eventual winner would emerge from this foursome. John Meagher and Janette Roe were both on 98 and Anthony Trafford was only one point further back. One thing was certain with Laranjal being the venue for the last round the eventual winner would have to be on their game.

Dave Rothwell Moves 3 Ahead in Masters

Meanwhile, Dave Rothwell’s 39 points in the Masters had resulted in him securing top spot with 105 points and establishing a narrow 3 point lead from Peter Roe, who had enjoyed another consistent round of 34. Ian Robinson’s 33 ensured that he was still very much in the running lying only 5 points behind the leader.

Perfect Conditions for Final Challenge

The sun was shining brightly in a perfect blue sky as we set off for the final round. It was a wonderful way to finish the week and as has become the tradition, we started from the tenth tee allowing our finishing hole to be the par 5 which brings water into play for both the tee shot and the approach. The green sits adjacent to the clubhouse and so makes for a superb finish with everybody gathered on the bank watching the final groups coming in.

Laranjal Golf Course Scene of What Was to Become the Closest Greencard Tour Finals Competition

Superb Rothwell Saves Best Til Last & Masters the Field

In the Masters, Monique Petiot had a good round with 32 but the top three scores of the day belonged to the final group. Ian Robinson finished a very consistent week of golf with 33 points, giving him an overall total of 133 and third position in the event. Peter Roe shot an excellent 35 points, resulting in a total score of 137 for the week and securing the runners up place.

2015 Greencard Golf Tour Masters Winners Group: Left to Right – Peter Roe, Dave Rothwell, Frances Chegwidden and Ian Robinson

However, congratulations go to Dave Rothwell, playing of a handicap of 8, he saved the best until last. His superb 41 points gave him an overall total of 146 and deservedly the 2015 Masters title.

High Scoring Roll in at Final Round of the Season

There were some excellent scores from the earlier finishers on the Tour with Gary Corbett carding a 35 and Lodewijk Schlingemann a 34. The former would eventually finish in fourth place overall, courtesy of the countback rule, over the latter.

Great Display by Tour Finals Leaders

As we watched the penultimate group putt out, it became clear that John Meagher had enjoyed an excellent round and this was soon confirmed as he scored 36 points. Whether that would prove to be enough to overtake the final group remained to be seen.

It is never easy to play this sport when you are in the spotlight and it was great to see all four members of the final group finish in such style with their pitching and putting. Both John and Claire had solid “up and downs” whilst Jackie narrowly missed a long putt before tapping in for a bogey and two points.

Tension Builds to Closest Finish in Greencard History

When all the cards were signed and handed in, it become apparent that we had witnessed one of the closest finishes in the Tour’s history. Jackie Carter’s round of 32, John Shearan’s 35 and the aforementioned John Meagher’s 36 ensured that all three players finished the event on 134 points.

Countback Decides the Title

Courtesy of the countback ruling Jackie took third place overall and leading lady. John Shearan was once again the runner up in second but huge congratulations must go to John Meagher, our 2015 Tour Finals winner.

Three Players Tied at the Top After 72 Holes: From Left: John Shearan, John Meagher and Jackie Carter

As has become tradition at the Finals week, we all met for prize giving, dinner and music. It is a great way to finish a great week. Despite the weather issues at the beginning of the week, it was a hugely enjoyable event and it was fantastic to witness such a tight finale in glorious sunshine.

2015 Greencard Golf Tour: An Amazing Season – Thank You

This was without doubt the closest and most exciting Grand Finals we have seen on the Greencard Golf Tour.  It was a fitting conclusion to what has been an amazing season. Thank you to everyone who participated in all of our Tournaments as always it is the people that make these events so successful and fun to attend.  Golfers and Non-Golfers alike contribute to making the trips special and everyone is very much appreciated – thank you, we look forward to seeing you all in 2016.