Thursday mornings are differerent to the other Serra de Monchique club days, as the games are split into the following catergories.
1 - Every week the men play pairs betterball matchplay in a fourball, against another pair and tee off from around 8:00 until just after 9:00 (Depending on the tee times we are allocated and the amount of players). Clearly fourballs are ideal for matchplay, but often it is necessary to have some threeballs, when we play "split 6", which we have found is the best matchplay related game for three players.
All pairings are drawn on arrival at the Clubhouse, but it is always possible to ask for an early or late time when registering on the website. In our peak matchplay seasons, from late February until early June, we can have around 40 men playing - so during these times players will be split into separate groups (early, middle, late), to avoid waiting at the Clubhouse too long before playing
Up to date MM league table has been circulated by email, but it is worth pointing out that the author/organiser is no longer top of it! Frans Bus has taken over with 5 wins and 1 A/S from his 7 matches, with Colin Hynd in second place just 1 point behind (4 wins and 2 A/S) from his 7 games...
Still 4 Thursdays remain this quarter, but remember only your best six results of Q1 count, so the maximum is 12 points. Therefore any of the top 17 men, who have 4 or more points can win the €50/€30/€20 prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd respectively.
Silves was closed this week for the European Seniors Qualifiers, so the Thursday regulars were off to Alto for the morning. Many members were marshalling for the Seniors, leaving 15 of us hardy souls to do battle against each other at Alto - as we played the "split 6" 3-ball game.
Most of us found Alto very "challenging", to say the least! However there are usually human winners in matchplay related games (rather than the course winning!) - although Euan Pyper & Gwynne Jones did finish up with the same score to half their match. The other four games were won by Gerry Davis, Dave Underwood, Frans Bus and Richard Whiteley's guest Stuart.
After a lengthy break, due to heavy Serra de Monchique work commitments by the author last year, 2015 sees the return of what is hoped to be a regular Mens Matchplay newsletter.
The first Thursday of the month was on 1st January, so understandably there were not many takers! Silves was closed, so Larry Pratt, Stuart Walker and myself had a very relaxing and enjoyable round at Gramacho - although me and Larry enjoyed it more than Stuart, who had a "nightmare day"!
All Pestana courses are really busy for the next two weeks, as many of the courses are hosting the European Seniors' Tour Qualifying Competitions. Silves was closed for the Seniors yesterday, so the 12 of us "matchplay boys" who were not on marshalling duties, turned out at Alto for our weekly fix of social MMMsomes matchplay.
Early tee times were allocated by Pestana to us today, so it was a joy to turn up at Silves shortly after 7.45am to see 24 men (and a few of their wife's), arrived and ready to play golf on what was a cold, but sunny morning. So, the ideal number for a matchplay competition, with six 4balls playing the MMMsome game (preferred drive, pairs betterball matchplay).
Peter Chapman continued his winning streak, with four wins out of four, as did Steve Edwards - but Steve has only played 3. However, still early days, as the maximum is 14 points and there are still 18 to play for. All yesterday's scores are below:-
15 of us played on what was probably the best day of the week, from a weather perspective. Quite bright, fairly warm, no rain and little wind. Unfortunately Pete Steward had to drop out due to a twisted knee, so the other Peters' (Chapman and Vaughan) played the "split 6" game with Russell Lloyd. The remaining 12 of us played the MMMsomes matchplay game.