Sat 6th Oct
Our host, Anthony Speelman, pictured in the middle of the finalists, looked after us exceptionally well and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing Valderrama under clear blue skies with no wind.
In the 2009 finals, Mark Lyttleton (pictured on the right) prevailed over William Stogdon (pictured second from right).
In the 2011 finals, Thomas Olesen (pictured on the left) prevailed over Tom Webb (pictured second from left).
On Friday 5th October Anthony Speelman kindly collected us from Gibralter airport and brought us to his house where we met up with Anthony’s wife Marie Anne and with William Stogdon who had travelled out earlier with his wife. After unpacking we went to the club for light lunch prior to a practice round. That evening we enjoyed local fish at a nearby restaurant, trying not to drink too much as our matches were due to be played the next morning.
Following breakfast at the club we hit a couple of balls before moving to the 1st tee for our two singles matches which started at about 9:30. We battled hard and then all met for lunch afterwards. Mark had to leave for the airport but the rest of us played the par 3 course with Anthony before returning to his house to relax. That evening we enjoyed an Argentinian steakhouse followed by a table tennis tournament back at the house, won by Anthony.
The next day Anthony kindly took Thomas & Tom to the airport and then returned to take William and their wives to the famous Sunday lunch at the club. The Stogdons made their way to the airport after lunch.
It was a marvellous long weekend of golf and entertainment and well worth getting to the Rix-Hill finals to experience. The 2010 final was delayed because Jeremy Fricker was playing in the Grafton Morrish finals and the 2012 finalists have not yet been established.
