Benidorm, 4th April 2007
England V Rest of the World

The April 4th game, at the lovely yet tricky Benidorm short course, was declared by
the WCGS powers-to-be as “England v. The Rest of the World”. Now, one does not
mind being on the losing side, but being an honorary Yorkshire lad I took umbrage at
having to play as the Serb that I am with a bunch of foreigners including the
Scotsman Martin Moran.

Thankfully we were not in the same group, as I hate to watch a man crying when
losing. Yes, the “Rest of the World” lost and were lined up, with great ceremony
at prize giving when each passed over a bottle to the winning opponent on the
“England” side. Nearest the pin was played on all 10 par threes but the list is not
at hand , and yours truly wasn’t on that either. Congratulations are offered to all
winners regardless, including Martin Moran!

The boys and girls of the WCGS deserve a poet laureate, a writer of distinction,
or a scholar of the written word to describe the camaraderie and gentlemanly
generosity of spirit that prevails at WCGS. I am proud to have witnessed the most
selfless act for many a long year that day. Just as we were to tee off, Bill Lucas
turned up, very late, and very flustered as he had got the wrong information re the
time to meet, tee times etc. To cut a long story short, ‘El Presidente dos’ John
Williams insisted that Bill takes his place, and even though he had started his game,
with impeccable good grace and manner walked back to the club house so that Bill
could play in his place. The generosity is greater than it may first appear as John so
loves and so looks forward to his days of golf with the society. This was truly as
heroic an act as any that you can compare with. John, I know that I speak for many
when I say that it’s an honour to know you and to think of you as a friend.

Both readers of these reports will recall my declared 14 lost balls last time out on
this course. Well, thanks to my personal trainer and golf pro Gary Stone, and the
one invaluable lesson, only 3 were lost this time out. The bag of hundreds of lake
balls brought to the club house and actually offered in consolation by Joe Schulein
is much appreciated. That he took the bag away before I could delve inside it is not.



Photograph of group on terrace with bottles

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