Most of the 38 participants....

Yesterday the Union Jack Golf Society held their Open at the Villaitana Golf Resort, on the Poniente course in Benidorm.
An incredible 38 participants took part, meeting at 9am for a 9.30am tee-off. I must say you have to be very keen to be up and ready to play at that early hour.... the Benidorm skyline was shrouded in mist as I stood on the green, wrapped up in my scarf and jumper! I have decided that I´ll never make a golfer as I wouldn´t be able to wear my heels on the green.

Setting off - with me in foreground wrapped up and in heels

Dave Morris, who is the Union Jack Golf Society club secretary organised this massive event, which is no easy task for such a large group.  As well as preparing all the score cards and tee-off positions he decided to run a fun competition whereby each player had to guess who would come in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and which lucky player would be awarded the toilet seat - yes literally. At my shocked expression Dave explained that the person which ended coming last was awarded the Union Jack design (obviously) toilet seat! Group photo taken the players all headed off to their buggies and set off to find their starting positions.

Winner Paul receiving the cup having achieved a +2, 64 nett

After the game had finished all the players scrubbed up to reconvene at 4.30pm in the Union Jack Bar in the Rincon de Loix, next to the Dynastic hotel for their Christmas meal. To start the proceedings, Dave gave a speech and had put together a dvd showing many of the clubs events over the past year. Then Pat and her staff put on a terrific traditional Christmas meal... which was devoured by all.  The presentations then followed and the winner of the Union Jack Open Champion for 2012 was announced - PAUL MOORE, whose name now goes up on the winners board. The recipient of the toilet seat went to established member JOHN BLYTH, who was gutted at this "achievement"!

Players enjoying their Xmas meal

I spoke to Dave about the club and how he got involved with it all. He came to live in Spain 14 years ago and was an avid player back in the UK. He met up with Ted, who he knew from his days back home and together they formed the Union Jack Golf Society in 2008, having found a big gap in the area for a decent Golf Society. It is an English speaking club but has many other nationalities including Dutch and Norwegians.  Ted, the owner of the Union Jack bar is the main and very generous sponsor behind the club. Together with his wife Pat, they provide free buffet lunches for the players at the many fundraising charity days and are known for their readiness to help out and organize many of the events. Membership is FREE and the only prerequisite is that you put 3 score cards in to get Union Jack membership and support the Union Jack Bar with your custom - after all, you are certainly saving an awful lot of money and Ted is a wonderful host, so its no hardship.

If you are just on holiday and fancy a round of golf on the stunning Villaitana course, Dave has 13 sets of clubs available to hire. He can also arrange matches between clubs - he use to run social events back in the UK so is a dab hand at such things and often arranges Ryder Cups against other visiting clubs. The Union Jack play every Thursday morning and if you fancy a game just pop into the Union Jack Bar to register before 5pm on any Wednesday or contact Dave Morris on 626 270 860.