Our 2nd trip to Salobre golf & resort in Gran Canaria was a roaring success, so much so that we're already looking at returning in October. We played a 2-day competition on the Salobre course just outside of Puerto Rico. Just as last year, the folks at Salobre were excellent, they couldn't do enough to make us feel welcome. We played the 1st game on the afternoon we arrived after a superb buffet lunch laid on by course. We were so content after the food that we could have quite easily just stayed at the bar taking in the views with our feet up, but we forced ourselves up to go and play the 1st leg of the 2-day competition.

  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the course, especially the people that hadn't played it before, and there was lots to talk about on the bus back to the hotel. After a few drinks in the bar, a shower and quick change, some of us went out for a meal whilst others wanted to get straight down to the serious business of partying. As our next game wasn't until the following afternoon, an early night was not on everyone's agenda so some who went for the meal joined up with the party animals to sample the nightlife in Puerto Rico. An Irish bar in the main commercial centre bore the main brunt of our crooners, Vince Price, Terry Blood, Simon Atherfold & Paul Benham to name but a few. Everyone was asked to sing a 2nd song except Paul and Simon! Derek Mac, the leader of the 1st days golf got up to sing and then didn't like the versions they had of Mr Bo Jangles so sat back down, he even got a bigger round of applause than Simon and Paul!

  The groups on the 2nd day at Salobre were sent out in order of best scores going out at the end, I was lucky enough to be in the last group with Simon, Annie Streams and Derek Mac. We had a great game, by about the 6th hole myself, Annie and Derek were all neck and neck. The battle continued all the way to the 15th where Derek said " I quite fancy this chip" from a bank just off the green. As soon as he said this I knew what was going to happen! He did chip in from the side for a 5 point birdie! I saw every role of the ball as it trickled in! He did deserve it and Derek went on to win the 2-day event at Salobre. In 2nd place was Annie Streams and 3rd was me. We had a nearest the pin on each day, 1st day was won by Mike Streams in a rather unconventional way by hitting the rocks on the left hand side and rolling down to the pin! Day 2 was won by John Burgess on the par 3 where you have to launch off a mountain top to a green you can barely see!

  On the 2nd night at Marina Suites Hotel we held our presentation meal. Again we were treated like royalty, and had a fabulous meal. The prizes were presented by vice-captain Dennis May, then a few celebratory drinks and off to bed as some of us had an early rise to go and play the Maspalomas golf course for a 1 day special comp.

  On this occasion I once again accompanied the winner. Maspalomas was the venue for 2 PGA Opens in 1995 and 1997. Victor of this one-day event was past captain Dave Cooper, who said he success was all down to his caddy Mary, 2nd place was Grumpy himself, Simon Atherfold, and in 3rd place was Mike Streams after beating me on a card play-off on the back 9. Incidentally, you can find past captain Simon Atherfolds take on the Gran Can trip on Fuertenews.com www.fuertenews.com under "grumpys groans".

  I would just like thank all the people who came with us this year for making it a trip to remember and I know that next time will be even bigger and better. As soon as we have details on the our planned trip in October I will post details on our website

  If you want to join us as a member or guest for this or any future events, or if you would like any further information about the society, please contact:

President: Derek Mac on (0034) 646 672888
or myself on (0034) 620 161360
or drop me an email

Alternatively check out our website for details & dates.

Hope to see you soon,

Dave Brown (Society Secretary)