Los Arqueros beat Real Guadalmina in an Interclub Match! To put that result into context it is the first time that Los Arqueros have won the annual match since 2009 and only the 4th win since the match’s inception on 2001. Considering that RG have over 1200 playing members to choose their team from and LA have less than 200 it really was a case of the underdog winning against the odds, and for my first Interclub match as Club Captain it was a fantastic result.
The first leg was played on the North Course at Guadalmina on a sunny and calm day but Brian and me ran into the ex-European Seniors Champion on top form and the standard of golf from all of the home side was exceptionally high. Although there was some spirited resistance from most of the pairs, the home advantage told in the end with local knowledge making the difference. There were excellent wins for Fran and Alan and Nigel and Robin, and a fighting half by Markus and Guy kept the team scores close so that there was everything to play for in the return leg. After the golf the Guadalmina hospitality was outstanding with a delicious meal, which was particularly memorable for Leon as his table collapsed covering him with red wine!
The second leg was played on Friday 24th March and this time the weather was less favourable with a stiff wind off the sea and much cooler temperatures, but at least the rain held off. The teams were slightly changed with Fran and Guy absent but Martin and Thompson valiantly stepped in to fill the gaps. This time Brian and me gained our revenge on our opponents and most of the Guadalmina team found the greens and the windy conditions very challenging. There were also good solid wins for Alex and Leon, Steve and Mike, and Markus and Martin but Alan and Thompson, and Nigel and Robin’s opponents proved to be more resistant. Every member of the team who played in both legs won a point making it a real team effort and special mention should be made of Markus who was the only unbeaten player.
In the after match meal speeches Lars, the Captain of the RG team, complimented the condition of the LA course saying that it was in the best condition he had ever seen. But after that he made a big play of the results over the past seven years of the match itemising the scores and attempting to underline how dominant his club had been. He then made several jokes but the disappointment of the defeat shone through and it was clear that the result had really hurt and he emphasised that the recently re-silvered trophy was only resting temporarily in our trophy cabinet. Certainly it is a friendly rivalry with an edge and it is clear that they will not be taking victory for granted in the future.
The team would like to thank Alvaro and the kitchen staff for their excellent meal and table service, the green keepers for all of their hard work on the course, and for Augustine, our President, who instigated the fixture in 2001, and who has contributed so much to the Club over the years.
Everybody involved with the fixture represented the Club with great distinction and the result can only have boosted our reputation as a Club with good golfers and great hospitality. It was a very encouraging result against our distinguished neighbours – hopefully the first of many. Well done to the team. Awesome!
Los Arqueros captain
Dean Cox
Overall Result Real Guadalmina 5 1/2 – Los Arqueros 6 1/2
At Real Guadalmina (17th March)
Dean and Brian lost 4&3
Fran and Alan won 1 up
Mike and Alex lost 2&1
Steve and Leon lost 2&1
Nigel and Robin won 3&2
Markus and Guy halved
At Los Arqueros (24th March)
Dean and Brian won 5&4
Leon and Alex won 4&3
Alan and Thompson lost 4&2
Markus and Martin won 4&2
Steve and Mike won 3&2
Nigel and Robin lost 4&3
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