Welcome to the 2nd Captains corner of this year 2026!
The weather has improved somewhat over the last few months, but we have still had a few interruptions with rain, but summer is getting closer. Thanks to the excellent work carried out by the Greens staff and the rain, the Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort course is in spectacular condition, and many visitors have commented that it is looking and playing the best it has for many years. It has been a very busy period at the club.
Costa del Sol Senior league 2026
After the great start for the men’s team in the league with 9.5 points against Azata Golf in our first match, we have now played both home and away games against Añoreta and La Cañada golf clubs. Firstly, it was at home against Añoreta Golf, where we achieved a clinical 6.5-2.5 win. The away game in Malaga the following week was a hard-fought match, which we lost 7-2 in difficult conditions, therefore losing by the smallest of margins 8.5-9.5 over the 2 games. Thanks to the team of John Collins (Captain), Alan Richardson, Joe Horvath, Roger Williams, John Bell and Bjorn Eldoy. We obviously made some changes to the team for the next match against La Cañada, and I am delighted to report that we won the home match very comfortably 6.5-2.5. The away game at Sotogrande was a much closer affair and we were beaten by a whisker 5-4 on a very tricky course, but we won over the 2 matches 10-8 so a great result. Thanks to Stephen Gilks (Captain), Bjorn Eldoy, Joe Horvath, Roger Williams, Andrew Farrant and Brian Smith. This sets us up nicely for our next big game against Miraflores.
Matchplay knockout competitions
There was great excitement at the club with the start of the knockout competitions. In the singles there were some excellent contests and some incredible upsets. Big wins in the first round for Paul Winter against the heavily backed Joe Horvath, and Sue Keenan was narrowly squeezed out by debutant Marwan Tarazi. In all Argentinian tie Eduardo Tubio out maneuvered the young Santiago Farfan. Stephen Gilks had a big win against Stephen Cullen and Andrew Farrant got the better of Brian Smith. Ex-captain Roger Kemp overcame the challenge of Brian St. John. There were many tense matches none more than the tie between Vice-Captain Joe McKelvey and Saskia Schoenmakers, which was an excellent match with Saskia triumphant on the 1st extra hole. Nae luck Joe but there is always next year. Another big shock was Grant Evans overcoming the challenge of Tony Humphreys. It wasn’t straightforward for me either, but I managed to get over the line against Stephen Walton on 18th green! In the second round there was another big shock with the elimination of one of the pre-tournament favorites, Paul Judson, at the hands of the big underdog Andrew Farrant.
In the Doubles competition Eddie Ball and Sheelagh Maloney unfortunately failed to get past the first round but took Saskia and Marcel Schoenmakers to the 2nd extra hole before succumbing. The biggest surprise was the shock elimination of Julie Owen and me against Brian St. John and Tony Humphrey’s, nae luck Jan and Julie.
There have also been some great Club competitions held in the last few months with Joe McKelvey, David Stewart, Roger Williams and Bern Henningfeld winning the Spring Texas scramble with a marvelous score of 56.5.
At the Bob Naify tournament Joe Horvath was the big winner with a marvelous 2 under par score to win the trophy. Chrissie Wills was the Ladies’ winner so well done to them and to everyone for participating and getting involved.
The members’ competitions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are always well attended, and everyone is welcome for friendly and competitive golf.
That’s all for now and see you at club!
Jan Zadruzynski
Club Captain
