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Costa Blanca News League vs. Vega Baja Premier Golf League

21st September 2007 at Bonalba Golf Club

In this annual event between the two elite League sides on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida were set to battle it out for the prestigious Garay Cup, donated by Manolo Garay.

This was the third time that the Garay Cup had been played for, each the venue is decided on an alternate basis, the inaugural tournament was held at Alicante Golf Club, and was won by the Costa Blanca News League. In 2006 it was played at Roda Golf Resort, at Los Alcazares, Mar Menor and was won by the Vega Baja Premier Golf League.

So this year it was the choice of the Costa Blanca News and their “Home” course of Bonalba was the venue.

There is a lot of history between the two Leagues so it was with both mutual respect and pride that both sides had for each other.

Both Secretaries Richard Davis of CBN League and Ivie Davies of VBPGL selected their teams based on last season’s players performances, with sixteen players on each side, the chosen format by the “home” team was Fourball Match Play with the lowest handicap giving strokes on ¾ differences.

The two sides were resplendent in the shirts provided by ironically by two car hire companies for the VBPGL by 1CAR1 UK Car Hire and EDI Car Hire here in Spain.

The parings were made prior to the day, and the draw made on the day.

The two Captains Peter Lane – CBN and Ron Nicholson – VBPGL shook hands and battle commenced with the first match Alan Craig and Ian Roberston (CBN) teeing of first against Trevor Hough and Dave Parnell (VBPGL).

The weather forecaster had promised rain late on in the afternoon so eberone had fingers crossed that the tournament would not be affected.

The two secretaries and non playing captain Ron Nicholson could be seen running around the course checking on scores and encouraging the players.

The first two matches went in the favour of the defending Vega Baja League; the first went 4 and 2 to Dave Parnell and Trevor Hough of VBPGL and the second match also going in their favour to Mike Chambers and Guffi Vihjaslmmon 2 and 1.

To the delight of Richard Davis the third match swung the other way by 2 up. Clive Dresner and Brain Fell beating Phil BIrtwistle and Alan Rixson.

So there was still a long way to go but VBPGL needing only a further two points, to retain the Garay Cup.

But with the pairing of Dave Mason and Robin Easton showing no mercy to the ladies Sue Wood and Anne Bain of the Costa Blanca team, beating them 5 and 3 all that was required was another point.

This was put in the bag by Roger Scott and Guy Wade-Palmer when they won 1 up on the 18th after a really close match where CBN putts just would not fall, much to the disgust of Geoff Alinson and partner Marlies Achcar.

So it was now a case of winning the Garay Cup it this was secured by Teo Ledezma and Max Bourgonje 3 and 2 against another lady pairing of Julie Barry and Jean Booth, but the match was lot closer than the score suggest as the ladies gave no quarter.

The final two matches came in with a 5 and 4 win to CBN in the form of Gary Maskell and Fabio Peral against Arthur Williams and Alan Masters, the result of the last match seemed quite fitting, going All Square between Doug Wright and Tom Hardie against Peter Lane and Roland Reilly.

The Garay Cup was won 5½ - 2½ and the holders are still Vega Baja Premier Golf League

The presentation was made following lunch in the Bonalba Club House kindly provided by sponsor Manolo Garay. Although a substitute cup had to be made as the VBPGL were so confident of retaining it they left it in Torrevieja.

It maybe a hackneyed old phrase but, golf was the winner, all the matches were played in the best of spirit and this was shown at lunch in the club house.

Thanks should go to Manolo Gary, for whose original idea it was and his sponsorship, the shirts sponsors 1CAR1 and Edi Rogers, the two captains Peter Lane and Ron Nicholson and the two secretaries for the guile in selecting the teams, Ivie Davies and Richard Davis, and again to Richard for hosting and organising the day, last but by no means least, to all the players for the spirit and manner in which all of the matches were played.

FINAL SCORE

VBPGL 5½ CBN LEAGUE 2½

1. Dave Parnell/Trevor Hough 4 Alan Craig/Ian Robertson 2

2. Guffi Vihjaslmmon/Mike Chambers 2 Dennis Pyman/Edi Rogers 1

3. Phil Birtwistle/Alan Rixson 0 Clive Dresner/Brain Fell 2up

4. Dave Mason/Robin Easton 5 Sue Wood/Anne Bain 3

5. Ray Scott/Guy Wade-Palmer 1up Geoff Allinson/Marlies Achcar 0

6. Teo Ledezma/Max Bourgonje 3 Julie Berry/Jean Booth 2

7. Arthur Williams/Alan Masters 4 Gary Maskell/Fabio Peral 5

8. Doug Wright/Tom Hardie AS Peter Lane/Roland Reilly AS