Return “home” To La Manga Club for the Greencard Tour

La Manga Club was home to the Greencard Finals for many years but it is nearly a decade since we were last here. I am delighted to report that things have improved since our last visit. The practice facilities are now fantastic with a large driving range, short game area and practise studios. The accommodation offers the clients the choice of staying in either the hotel or apartments. In short it is the perfect set up for a Greencard event.

There have been a lot of improvements since our last visit to La Manga Club

Jez Morgan and Team Take the AM AM

The first round was the AM AM, played on the tricky West course. Position off the tee is crucial to accumulating a good score here and with so many risk and reward shots on offer the design lends itself to a team game.

The format we played was two scores to count on each par 4 and par 5 and three scores to count on the par 3’s. The team led by Jez Morgan and including Peter Miles, Lodewijk Schlingemann and Marian Raybone had a convincing victory with a score of 85. The runners up were the team captained by Phil Raybone and included Bob Kerr, Paul Borrell and Greta Schlingemann.

Golfing All Over the Compass

After heading West for the AM-AM the golf programme for the remainder of the event included two rounds on each of the main courses. The South Course is considered the most challenging of these with bunkered greens, wide palm fringed fairways and ravines. The North course is less demanding, but more picturesque then the South. However, the ravines come into play more often.

The West Course at La Manga Club – venue for our AM-AM event

Fielding Heads South

The first round of the individual tournament was held on the South course. Reuben Fielding was on top form and shot an impressive 35 points. Alan Orritt carded 33, whilst Paul Borrell finished the day with 31.

Borrell & Fletcher Impress up North

The following day we moved to the North course for the second round. Paul continued from where he left off the day before and came in with 35 points, a score matched by Brenda Fletcher. Alan Orritt had another solid round, finishing with 34 whilst both Roger Lascelles and Neil McGarva had 32. After a poor first round, Jez Morgan’s 31 put him back into contention.

There are some great views around the courses at La Manga

Alan Orritt Sees La Manga Club Glory Days Return at Halfway

At the half way stage, Alan was leading the way on 67 points, one clear of Paul and three ahead of Reuben, who had scored 29 in the second round. Brenda was in fourth with 60, a score matched by Anthony Trafford.

The free day followed, which gave people the chance to relax around the hotel, play another round or explore the local area.

The weather to this point had been fine and perfect temperatures for playing golf with sunshine and light cloud. However, unfortunately there was a weather front due to come through over the next couple of days.

Borrell Makes a Break With Best of the Day

We returned to the South course for the penultimate round of the event. Fortunately the weather was ok and we only experienced a few showers. It certainly did not affect the scoring with Paul completing another great round and carding the day’s best score of 36 points. Jez Morgan and Gerry Gentle both shot 35, Phil Raybone 33 and Reuben 32. Meanwhile Alan had dropped back slightly with 27.

Going into the last round Paul had established a six shot lead over Reuben. Alan was a further two back, whilst Jez’s 35 had moved him into the final fourball.

Grim North Weather Impacts Scores

The following day we drew back the curtains to a wet and windy La Manga. Although the forecast was for the rain to move away throughout the day, it was clear that playing conditions were not going to be easy and this time the scores were affected.

 Brenda Fletcher Goes High on Tough Scoring Day

Indeed there were only three scores of 30 and above. Brenda Fletcher carded the best of the day with a tremendous 34, which would move her into fifth position overall. Neil McGarva also managed to reach 30 and as a result claimed sixth position. However, with the scores being on the low side and no challenge coming from the chasing pack it was clear that the winner was going to come from the final fourball.

Two More Qualifiers for the Tour Grand Finals

Jez played well and was the only other player to reach 30 points in the last round. His overall total of 121 was enough to secure a very credible third place and sufficient tour points to qualify for the Grand Finals week towards the end of the year.

Although Lodewijk Schlingemann had not featured in the leading groups on this occasion he still managed to claim 9^th place and the two Tour Points required for his qualification to the Grand Finals.

It was nice to be back at La Manga Club & to see it has returned to being a premier golf destination

Borrell Keeps Nerve to Hold off Back Nine Challengers