What a Gas!

There was an international flavour to our game at Font del Llop, which was really quite nice. We had players from The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Germany, USA, Australia, Scotland and Guernsey. The English were out in numbers as well, just to keep things in order. Yes, it was good to have players from around the world, but it does present some language problems or barriers. This is something we will all have to get used to.

For example, thanks to Christoph Dünwald, we have already experienced the German collective noun for a group of White Coast golfers. Translated into English, this became "elderly".

Now we find that the Dutch say some strange things. Casper Moerbeek, playing with us for the first time, and not knowing any White Coast etiquette, strode onto a green early on and said, "shall I take it out"? To which the answer came back very quickly, "Nae here, noo". Of course, he was talking about the flag, but you can see how it all might go wrong.

And then we have the Septics? Two nations divided by a common language. Wayne Stallings didn't win the main competition but, to his surprise, he won Nearest the Pin at the 16th AND the rollover Lost Ball Sweep, netting him a whopping $73.

Before we find out Wayne's expression of surprise as he was collecting his prizes, here's a selection of expressions that others might have used, had it been them:

Scottish - In the name o the wee man

Irish - Jaysus, Joseph and Mary

Australian - Strewth, Mate

Dutch - Now my clog breaks (Nu breekt mijn klomp)

English - Sorry.

And American? What a Gas!

Parked outside the clubhouse as we were leaving. What a Gas? Repsol!

Ray Gambrill wasn't surprised with his overall win, so no need for him to apologise. He knew he was playing well and 39 points was an excellent score. Being very competitive, and wanting to retain his 2024 POTY and SPOTY titles, he could have said "Dub", but since this expression never reached Kent, he didn't. There's no doubt though that he was "chuffed". MOT.

Full results as follows;

Overall winner

Ray Gambrill - 39 points.

Division 1

Winner. Nick Austin - 37 points

Runner Up. Tony Bowers - 37 points

Division 2

Winner. Ray Gambrill - 39 points

Runner Up. Barry Woodcock - 36 points

NP's

Hole 8. Gary Stone, in the first group out, hit a shot that nobody else could beat. His ball landed just 4 yards left, almost pin high. Birdie?? Never in doubt.

Hole 16. Horrible pin position, front left hand corner, not a lot of green to play with behind the bunker. Wayne Stallings shot just cleared the bunker and settled on the very edge of the green. Birdie? Nope, had to settle for his par.

LBS

Wayne Stallings spent 30 years with UPS in the logistics business, so he is well used to dealing with tricky delivery problems. He instantly recognised the FDL formula, crunched the numbers, and got the answer for x, which was 52. Everyone else was either too high, or too low!

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Back on the terrace of the clubhouse, there should have been a sea of green, but there wasn't. There was a smattering of blue. Some people like the contrast, some people prefer green, some people prefer blue, and for some people, the green shirts don't fit. Fines are mounting but there could be a legal challenge. is it againt the European Convention on Human Rights to force people to wear green? What about BREXIT? We've not heard the last of this.

Our next game is at Oliva on Wednesday 25th June.

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

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Licence to Play

We expect Members to obtain the appropriate Federated Licence valid in Spain. This licence grants permission to play on all the Courses on our schedule and includes the liability and accident insurance required by Royal Decree 849/1993.

As a general guide, resident Members should be looking to obtain an Annual Licence with handicap from their corresponding Spanish Regional Federation. In the Valencia Region the cost is €105.70. There is a one off joining fee of €15.

Non resident Members can also obtain an Annual Licence if they wish. If not, they should purchase a One Day Licence at each course which affiliates them to the Federation for that day's play. A One Day Licence costs €2.