EGTF Pro Am Spain 2012

Ally . - 1 March 2012 - 2:40 pm

Murcia – 20-24 February 2012

The annual EGTF Pro Am took place down in sunny Murcia at the end of February this year and it was another lovely affair, with golf, good weather and great people.

For many, being able to play golf at this time of year is a real bonus, and probably the reason we see the same faces each year, all desperate to get out onto the fairways.

This year we chose to play mainly on Las Collinas Golf Course, which was voted best new course in Europe last year, and it always lives up to its billing, being a firm but fair test.

On the Tuesday we played a Texas Scramble, which is always a great way to start any golf week. You can make some birdies and play from some areas not normally associated with many peoples’ games!!

My team scored a very respectable 61 (10 under par gross), which we thought was great. Unfortunately we came second from bottom with this score!! I knew it was going to be a tough school this week! The winning team was lead by EGTF Pro Joe Smith, whose team scored a magnificent 53.5 (17.5 under par).

The main competition was held over three days and always provides a true test of who is playing the best golf. We had an EGTF Pro’s tournament, an Amateur tournament and a Team event, to keep everyone in with a chance of winning something.

Day 1 witnessed some excellent golf in all competitions, with Ryan Boal shooting a level par round of 71, followed by Stewart Craig with a 72 to top the Pro’s board. There were also a number of good scores in the Amateur section, with Willie Stewart leading after the first round with 40 points. The Team title had Montrose LK just edging things on Day 1 with a score of 119 points.

Scenes from Las Collinas Golf Course

Day 2 was held at the lovely Mar Menor Golf Resort, designed by Jack Nicklaus. As they say on tour it was moving day, with Stewart Craig getting himself into the lead of the Pro event with another solid round of level par 72, along with Martin Park who posted an excellent -1 under par score of 71. Ryman Smith shot a fantastic best of the week round of -4 under par 68 to take the lead in the Amateur event (Ryman was playing off 3 handicap). Montrose LK continued their lead with more solid play and a score of 108 points.

Scenes from Mar Menor Golf Course

Day 3 – The final day of excitement, with a superb last day charge from Ryan Boal coming through with a fantastic round of -3 under par 68 at Las Collinas, taking the Pro event by 3 shots from Martin Park in second place. Ryman Smith continued to shine in the Amateur event shooting 36 points, and taking the Amateur event by 5 points from Mike Boyle in second. La Manga team, lead by Ryan Boal came through the rails and pinched the title from Montrose LK, with a last round of 122 points.

Pre and Post Game Scenes from Las Collinas on Day 3

The presentation evening was again a lovely affair, with the players all winding down at the end of an excellent week of golf, with a few drinks and stories.

Congratulations to the winners and a huge thankyou to everyone who turned up and made the week so entertaining.

The Winners

: Wyke Green – Texas Scramble Winners

Ryan Boal - EGTF Pro Winner

Ryman Smith - Amateur Winner

Team Winners - La Manga

My final thanks go to Gavin and Paula, who once again combined to run the tournament to their usual high standards and make sure everyone had an enjoyable time in Murcia.