Hola AMIGOS
So now you know why some of us live permanently in Spain! You visitors and guests, and how nice and sociable you are, experienced a gorgeous, sunny and eventual warm day perfect to play golf in and leaving the state of the picture (care of Steve Fitzpatrick) below, a distant memory!  Well, at least for a while!  But did your golf match up to the conditions and occasion?  Let’s see…..
Individual : Category 1
Not too shabby, but the holiday celebrations might have left some, somewhat rusty. The winning totals were modest and there were some very close jockeying for prizes.  Very creditable mentions are afforded to Iain Stewart, 33 Stableford points, James Pearson, 34, Stuart Ellis, 35 and Mike Kitchen 36 points (h/c 18.9). Many congratulations and especially to the podium finishers:-
Winner : Russell Fisher :  37 points
Runner-Up : Jon Webster : 36 points (h/c 11.1)
3rd Place : Sam McReynolds: 36 points (h/c 11.3)
Individual : Category 2
Pretty much as for the Category 1 Players but with a huge and notable difference. Firstly well played these honourably mentioned Amigos, Liz McReynolds, 32 points, Andrew Smithurst, Sue Horsfield and Simon Hastings, 34 points. Well played the 3rd Place podium finishers but how about these scores for the opening competition of the year and joining the Amigos FORTIES CLUB  already and with only 0.1 in handicap numbers separating them. Congratulations and commiserations!
Winner : Christine Gibbons : 42 points (h/c 27.9)
Runner-Up :  Graham Swift :  42 points (h/c 28.0)
3rd Place : Caz Clarke : 35 points
Team Competition 
With the High Tariff Dusty Bin. 4-3-2 format and Iain Stewart’s wicked four scores counting on the hardest holes selected, runaway scoring was not possible but the winning Teams surpassed standard par of 108 Stableford points and they were the only Teams. And the winners were in top spot by virtue of lowest combined handicap total. But congratulations to all who tried their best!
Winners : Team 8 : 112 points
Russell Fisher, Jay Fisher, Mark Dunk and Darren Bakes (Ghost)
Runners-Up : Team 5 : 112 points
Marc Van Der Cruyssen, Garry Elderbrand, Christine Gibbons and Karen Pearson 
3rd Place : Team 2 : 109 points
Reg Hole, Darren Bakes, Caz Clarke and Liz McReynolds.

Other team scores were: Team 12 = 109pts, Team 1 = 106pts, Team 3 = 105pts, Teams 7 & 10 = 101pts, Team 6 = 98pts, Team 11 = 97pts, Team 9 = 95pts, Teams 4, 13 & 14 = 94pts. 
On form on the target shooting range getting closest to the Flags were, Sandra Van Steen, Hole 9, Klaus Hummell, Hole 10 (in 2), Darren Bakes, Hole 11 (in 2) and Jon Webster, Hole 12. And 5 x Two’s completed the show, Mark Cocker, Sam McReynolds, Karen Pearson, and Graham Field all on Hole 6 and Russell Fisher with a magnificent Two on the par 4, 17th Hole. What a golf shot!  Well played you guys.
El Valle was January’s opener but look at what’s in store for the rest of the month, Desert Springs next Thursday 09 Jan’25,  Roda Golf, Thursday 23 Jan’25 and Vistabella, Wednesday 29 Jan’25. And all points counting towards the Race to Alicante, new for 2025.
Prize presentation for the Race to La Finca will take place immediately after the competition at Roda Golf.   Please do register or let me know if you wish to join us for these games but beware that you might initially join a reserve list.
Processing arrangements for Amigos Anniversary Cup Away Day to La Envia, Spa Hotel and Golf in Almeria on Thursday/Friday May 22/23 will start shortly but would welcome any newer Amigos to join us and you will find all details on the website.  Please do check them out! We always have a great time.
Finally, thank you Andrew Smithurst and Paul Best for helping us out on cashbox duties, being left short due to injuries requiring hospital treatment to our regular Organisers. And, also Iain Stewart, Brian Platt and Bob Lancaster in spirit, Harry Rice, and Dave Hughes as well as Ron Weller, Mick Lynch, Simon Hastings and Liz McReynolds.
What a day!  Thank you all for supporting us and do check out the results on the website soon.
Hasta luego
Graham🤓👍