ITAGS - V - COSTA DEL GOLF

The Ilford Thursday Afternoon Golf Society, celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, must be one of the oldest golf societies in Britain. Based at the 100-year-old Ilford Golf Club, the ITAGS have been visiting the Costa del Sol each year for the past 10 years. Their secretary Maurice Eccles, is a frequent visitor, with a second home within the Mijas Golf complex, and is responsible for organizing the annual trips. As a member of the Golf Leisure Breaks Golf Society, Maurice issued a challenge on behalf of ITAGS to play a match against a team representing the Costa del Golf, to be played on the Los Lagos course on Saturday, 24th November. ITAGS is a very strong golf society and were able to field a team of 24 golfers, with handicaps ranging from 5 to 28. Fortunately, Golf Leisure Breaks were fortunate enough to attract a similar number, comprising a mix of residents and some regular visitors, all of whom relished the prospect of playing Ryder Cup style matchplay. Less fortunately, the weather declined to cooperate and the teams were lucky that the course remained open despite overnight rain, which persisted throughout the competition. As a result, the use of buggies was prohibited, due to the lack of buggy paths, a lack which the Mijas Golf Club must surely rectify sooner, rather than later. Consequently, a few players from each side were unable to play, but to their credit, 40 brave men and women persevered in attrocious conditions, ensuring that the first ITAGS challenge match was played, the winning team receiving the prestigious ITAGS Shield. Nine matches were completed, each side winning four, with one match halved, resulting in an honourable draw. The presentation dinner was held at the "Area 51" restaurant in Fuengirola, where it was decided that the shield would remain on the Costa del Sol until the return match next year. ITAGS members featured in our photo are (r-l) Maurice Eccles (secretary), Ian Joyce (captain), Timmy O'Sullivan (president), Ernie Morgan (captain of Ilford Golf Club) and Lee Miller (ITAGS vice captain, seen with Golf Leisure Breaks' Julie, who organized the match.

COMING SOON

On Friday 14th December, REM radio (104.6 fm) will be broadcasting it's Radio Telethon, which annually raises thousands of euros for Cudeca, the charity which has successfully built a state-of-the-art hospice in Benalmadena, which provides palliative care for patients with incurable cancer. On the same day, REM are co-promoting with Golf Leisure Breaks a golf tournament at the popular Calanova Golf Club. The format will be individual stableford with a shotgun start at 9:30. The cost, including green fee, buggy and presentation dinner in the evening, will be a mere 95€, with many fabulous prizes being provided by generous sponsors.

Entries are limited to 100; call Julie on 952 582 493 for details and to enter.