A lot of Firsts

It was our first game of the 2026 season yesterday, playing the Benidorm Levante course. And we played it in glorious sunshine. A perfect start to our brave new world.

This was the first competition organised and managed by our re-structured Committee. You might remember from the AGM and the last report that Captain Jordan relinquished his secretarial duties, to concentrate on his Captaincy and his comedy routines. Tony Bowers has stepped up to be the Competitions Secretary, Christoph Dünwald will be our New League Captain, and Viv Bacon (Mrs Fed) will make sure we are all legal and above board.

So, this was the first game organised by our new Competitions Secretary, Tony Bowers. We played an individual stableford competition, which will count towards POTY1, and POTY2. The handicap index to determine the Divisional split for 2026 was set at 20.0. Anybody with a handicap of 20.0 or below, as of the 17th December 2025, is in Division 1. Anybody at 20.1 and above is in Division 2.

But, it was more than a POTY qualifier yesterday. It was a first for White Coast. It was an official RFEG handicap qualifier. The Federation knew we were playing a qualifier, and the Levante course knew we were playing a qualifier. Our scores were going to be sent to the Federation after we had finished. The Federation would update the playing record of players who had registered with their Licence, handicaps would be adjusted overnight, and new handicaps would be available the following day.

And this is exactly what happened. On the day, we had 12 players that registered with their licence, so 12 playing records updated. The other 12 registered as "Guests", but for a reason. 7 were waiting for their Federation applications to be processed (some were coming through as we were playing). And 4 Levante GS members (all Federated) registered as "Guests" only because their Federation handicaps were not up to date (we can now adjust their handicaps so that they can register with their Licence).

Had those 7 applications been processed, and had we adjusted the Levante GS handicaps, we would have had 23 of 24 players, Federated, and Federated handicaps updated. Just to complete the picture, the 1 remaining player is Federated as well but not Spanish Federated (UK) So, a major first, a result, and a success.

Our brave new world includes registration and payment on GolfDirecto. 21 of 24 players registered themselves, and paid, in the full week before the game. An excellent result, and thanks to all. We had to chivvy a few people along and we had to help with some links, but the process went rather well, given that we were doing this for the first time in anger. It will get better as we get used to it.

Regarding payment on line, this has been made possible by GolfDirecto and for the convenience of many Members who prefer online transactions v cash. It's also for safety and security. Having upwards of €1,500 cash at every game, on a golf course, in a car, in someone's possession, before it gets to Campbell Lamont is a big headache, responsibility and risk. On the day, the 21 players paying on line, paid a total of €1,485. That's €1,485 not at risk. Another success, and thanks to all those who have supported this method of payment.

Our brave new world includes live and electronic scoring, another first for White Coast. Everyone got their electronic scorecards the day before the game. This lets players know their handicap index, their playing handicap, and their playing group and time. All good information to know. We had it organised that one player in each group would complete the electronic scorecard. Some players did this during the round, some back in the clubhouse. This worked very well, and speeded up the scoring process at the end. Immediately after the winners had been announced by Captain Jordan, the full results were published, and were available to view in the electronic scorecard, or in the GolfDirecto App for those that have it. So, within minutes of the competition ending, players could see their results and standings (Ranking). Another improvement.

What happended on the golf course? Here are the results.

Winners

Overall.

Hans Benzler - 38 points.

Division 1.

Winner. Hans Benzler - 38 points.

Runner Up. Lennox Boyd - 33 points

Division 2.

Winner. Ray Stone - 34 points.

Runner Up. Paul Harrison - 33 points

NP's

Hole 5. Lennox Boyd

Hole 14. Andy Price

LBS

36 was the answer to the puzzle. Andy Price worked it out. He needed a calculator to work out his winnings, though. €27 from last time + €30 from this time = €57.

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Back in the clubhouse (not the terrace, it was getting chilly), Captain Jordan announced the winners, after rousing everybody on the 3rd attempt at "wasn't it fun?" And, as a final first, we might get more insights from him. Watch out for a new Post.

Our next game is at Oliva on Wednesday 21st January. Please remember that registration and payment via GolfDirecto opens on Monday 12th January at 09.00. It closes on Sunday 18th January at 17.00. But, we would like everyone to get into the habit of registering and paying for the Wednesday game, sometime between the Monday and Friday of the week before. This will help our Competitions Secretary immensely, and it will save us having to chase or remind, bothering you, bothering us! Thanks in advance.

As ever, this game will be sponsored by Blevins Franks, International Tax and Wealth Management. peter.hodgkinson@blevinsfranks.com

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