October 2015
Good Day to everyone
Now into my 3rd quarter as Club Captain and below a brief summary of the last quarter.
Firstly can I take this opportunity to thank all the Management Committee and SDM Members for making this a very pleasant nine months?
CAPTAIN’S DAY
Ninety six players took part and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, especially Peter Chapman and Gwynne Jones who were the winners of the Captain’s Trophy.
CAPTAIN’S RECEPTION
The reception was held at the Tivoli Hotel and once again a fantastic response with ninety eight guest’s enjoying what I thought was a great night especially as a lot of my family were there to make it a special night for me.
CAPTAIN’S CHARITY
Captain’s Charity still going strong thanks to your generous support with fines and donations.
Over 1100 euros raised and rising.
Mags Taylor’s jam making has raised over 200 euros not included in the above figure (a big thank you to Mags for all her hard work).
Please keep donating your old brown coins, we have a large box full so far but not counted yet.
COMBINED CHARITY EVENT FOR FATIMA’S DAUGHTER.
As I said in my earlier report over 8000 euros raised and I’m pleased to say Monica will be starting her treatment in the next few weeks.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership still continuing to grow getting close to the 150 mark now with three new members this month and we welcome Mick and Hermione Macfarlane along with James Kinnear to SDM and hope they enjoy their time with us.
Myself and Peter are putting together a welcome booklet for new members which will be introduced before the New Year. If anyone has any suggestions that you think would be helpful to new members please speak to myself or Peter.
SILVES GOLF COURSE
I think most of you will agree Silves for most of the year has been in fantastic condition with work still going on to improve the course.
INTERLEAGUE TEAM
At the moment we are in second place and looks likely that we will be promoted with one game to play.
COMPETITIONS
Lynn Cook also doing a great job with Comps still well supported with record entries for some competitions .The Not the Ryder Cup was again a great success and every one wearing their team colours and entering into the spirit of the comp and providing members with a taste of the real thing.
JULY CUP
Congratulations to Mags Taylor and Damir Babikov in winning the July Cup
With Ingrid Helsen and Peter Hatherley taking the respective runner up places.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Well what can I say other than what a fantastic achievement by last year’s winners
George and Lynn Cook in retaining the club championship for the second year in a row.
That’s what you call keeping it in the family.
Runner up for the men was Andy Richardson
Runner up for the Ladies was Marja Chapman.
KNOCKOUTS
Thank you to Peter Chapman for organizing the Knockouts which are now complete.
Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to the runners up.
Men’s singles champion Arthur Greenwood Runner up Peter Chapman
Ladies singles champion Lynn Cook Runner up Paula Luijt
Men’s doubles champions Stuart Deans Runners up Ray Groves
Larry Pratt Chris Price
Ladies doubles champions Gill Edwards Runners up Marieke Hofmann
Judi Murphy Maddy Van Kleef
Mixed Doubles champions Unna Bischoff Runners up Jane Norris
Steve Edwards Dave Tweed
NEW WINTER KNOCKOUT COMPETITION
You are all aware I have introduced a trial winter foursome’s knockout competition.
Another great response and the draw already made and on the website a format that will throw up some interesting match’s I’m sure.
THURSDAY MATCH PLAY
Thursday’s match play still very popular and good way for new members to get to know other members and a thank you to Dave Tweed for organizing the games.
LADIES DAY
Eileen continues to do a great job organizing the ladies day I know the ladies from other clubs always look forward to coming to Silves there is also the home and away day with Boa Vista which now looks like being a annul event once again a thank you to Eileen.
SOCIAL SECRETARY
Gary Edwards has done a great job in his new role as social Secretary organizing our many events this year not least the recent Summer Ball which was a great night with good food and music and a good time had by all.
Presentation night is now the 15th of November so please try to support this event even if you have not won anything
The Christmas dinner and Christmas Carols is not far away so plenty more good times to look forward too.
HANDICAP SECRETARY
A thank you to Mags Taylor who continues to monitor your handicaps and enter all you’re qualifying cards a very time consuming job.
Mags has also taken on the role of course assessment for the Portuguese golf federation which involves visiting clubs in the whole of Portugal.
TREASURER
Also thanks to Gill Edwards for looking after the club funds with the balance sheet looking very healthy but with a lot of expenses due to be paid for prizes for the presentation night looming.
All will be revealed at the AGM.
SUMMARY
SDM continues to grow not just in numbers but also in stature with good foundations in place to take our club forward for the years to come.
The running of any club is a difficult job and while it’s not possible to please everyone all of the time I believe for the most part the committee do a fantastic job in looking after us all and so making SDM the happy club we are.
If you have read this report to the end I thank you for your patience.
It just leaves me to once again thank the committee officers for all their work in my year and a very big thank to all the members for your support for the year.
My very best regards
Ray Groves
Club Captain