I was there at Islantilla to welcome all the teams to our 7^th pro-am but without CEO Brian Knight who is recovering from major surgery and was missed greatly by me and all the girls.

This was our 1^st time at Islantilla for the pro-am and I must say all the girls loved it!!

We had 9 teams of 7 this year with 1 pro and 6 lady amateurs. We had lots of new people, 3 new pros, Clare Durbin, Ashley Arnold AND Nuria Clau as well as some old friends such as Maxine Burton’s team from Hertmoor - known as the FROGS - plus all our new lady amateurs.

Everyone was ready for the competition and we started with a practice round, then a real mix of the teams and pro for the Texas Scramble.

Over the pro-am week we had 2 “hole in ones”!! This was a first for the pro-am and there were great celebrations.  A big well done to Sharon Jenkins, on the Texas Scramble day, and one by Clair Durbin - one of the pro’s - on day 2 of the competition, just great!!

After a day off we hit the course for the competition, and I must say everyone was up for it, you know they are a real bunch of competitive bunnies!!

The way we score it is the best 4 stableford points per hole to count. Now this is a great format and all the girls love it. Day one’s scores were great... and my team of Lin, Sharon, Hetta, Alison, Gail, and Adele were also great and we were 2^nd with  172.  We had a good round with lots of laughs and birdies!! Nicky Lawrenson’s team with 173 were 1^st.   

The next day we were up for it... a bit of warm up practice and we were off.  The wind got up and it was not so easy to score (but it’s the same for everyone) and even though the wind proved to be a problem, the scores were ok and ranged from 163 to 110.  We were still 2^nd, with 152 points but there was a new leader... Nuria Clau’s team with a great 163 points.   Nuria is a young a Spanish girl who is trying to make her way on the LET tour and is a new pro playing in our pro-am.  Her name is one to remember as I feel she will do well on the tour. Nuria had 8 birdies and a great round of golf!! So there was lots to play for as after two rounds there was Nuria’s team on 333, my team on 324 and Nicky’s team on 322, so it was game on!!  The 3^rd and final round got off to a flyer... the sun shone and the wind dropped a bit too, so we were out on the course in search of making up 9 points!!

My girls played well, and we came in with 169 on the last day, a great score, but I have to say we lost by 1 point overall as Nuria’s team came in with 161... What a great competition, very exciting for my team. We gave it our best shot and had a great time, and we are definitely up for the challenge of 2009... so watch out, we will be back!!

We ended up with a nice gala dinner and prize giving in the golf club. It was a fab night where we all had a good time, with singing and dancing. I would say my girls made the most noise, even singing more than Tina’s team from Norway!!!

All in all a great week at Islantilla, the staff looked after us all very well, and they too had a good time.

I would like to thank them all, all the pro’s for doing a good job, all the lady amateurs, without them we have no competition, Martin Cook, John Barnes, and my little mate Karen Smith, Tarleton’s representative in Spain, for doing a great job and making life easy...  As I mentioned, we all missed the CEO of Tarleton - Brian Knight – but he was in our thoughts every day. Brian is a great guy and I know he was desperate to be with us too as it is one of the best competitions of the year.  All the girls sent him their love, and can not wait for 2009... so thanks again guys it was great... BRING IT ON 2009!!!

If you want to join in on the fun please let me know and I will send you the info, so see you then!!