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Bandits Trip 2023
The Bandits trip 2023 has successfully run to its conclusion. The sixteen stalwarts met up
from various locations, three were already in Spain and waiting for us, sipping their cold
white Vedejo wine and nibbling their tapas, Peter Featherstone, Vipen Khanna and Gary
Denham. Of the other thirteen Paul Healy, John Smith, Roger Prowting, Lee Cooksey, Ian Hill
and John Wake flew into Malaga airport from London Gatwick, David Manchester and Frank
Whiffin from Bournemouth, Paul Newman from Bristol, Malcom Bailey from East Midlands,
and Graeme Hunt and Don Baynham from London Heathrow.
We finally convened at the Sol Atalaya Park Hotel near Estapona after picking up the hire
cars, and met up at 7 o’clock for some well earnt drinks after of course Paul Healy relieved
us all of 150 euro’s for the weeks prizes !
The following day woke us rather wet but with a temperature of 21c, at which level it stayed
all week I am delighted to report. We departed for our first venue, Alamanara. It was a good
test of golf in the rain and we eventually settled to only play only 9 holes. Lee Cooksey
played a blinder with a magnificent score of 22 stableford points for which he earnt a cut of
two shots for the rest of the week . Oh what a shame I hear you cry !!
The second day was at La Reserva, a magnificent course whose greens and bunkers take no
prisoners. Unfortunately due to the overnight rain buggies were restricted to the buggy
paths. It was won with another magnificent score from Lee of 37 points, again earning him
another two shot cut for the rest of the week. Oh what a shame I hear you say again ! We
also played here on the Thursday and Saturday which were won by Peter getting 30 points,
and Paul Healy getting a net 76 in the final Saturday medal round.
Day three was played at Valle Romano and won by Don with 32 points and day five at San
Roque and won by Peter with 39 points. The weather at Valle Romano was particularly wet
for the first nine holes with what the Spanish call “soft rain” which was a mix of low cloud
and misty drenching rain, not at all nice ! But it cleared and the back nine turned sunny and
fortunately dried us out.
Our thanks go to Peter and Vipen for them allowing us to play at their magnificent La
Reserva course and to Paul Healy for managing the daily tally and payout out of prize money
each day and sending out the daily results sheet.
Lee is now our Chief Bandit and his name will be engraved on the trophy with all those other
well known bandits. He will be nicknamed El bandito until next year.
Finally attached is the final results sheet showing the weeks winners and losers for those
who are interested.
John Smith
Bandits tour organiser 2023