The Christmas Cracker at Las Madrigueras

After an absence of over four years, we returned to Las Madrigueras, arguably the most outstanding boutique hotel on the island of Tenerife. This time it would be the venue for our first ever Christmas Cracker overseas.

Leaving the miserable British conditions behind, the group enjoyed incredible weather for the entire week with hardly a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the mid-20s everyday.

Round 1 Pairs Event

After a lively registration the night before, it was just a short buggy ride from the basement of the hotel to the first tee of the Las Americas course for the couples. Excitement was in the air as each group teed off to take on the challenge of this delightful layout.

Low-handicap duo Tim & Sarah Arnold would start their campaign in fine style. With Sarah making a two at both the par three eighth & 13th they finished with a wonderful opening round of 41pts.

Whilst playing just a couple of days earlier, Matt Harrison unfortunately took a fall leaving him in plaster with a broken ankle. This left Angie on her own and how she took to the challenge! In an amazing round, which included ten no. three-point holes and one no. four-point hole she scorched around the Las Americas layout in an incredible 41pts to put herself joint top of the leader board.

As each of the couples returned it was proving the score to beat. It wasn’t until late in the day, when the Radcliffe-on-Trent team of John & Mary Watson, with the help of a birdie on the 16th, joined the party leaving us with three teams at the top of the leader board after round one.

Christmas Cracker Team Event

It was time to don the Christmas outfit as we celebrated the festive period with the team event. Format of the day was the best two scores from four to count on each hole. Each and everyone of our couples made an incredible effort to join in the frolics, so much so the starter mentioned it was the funniest day he had had in the 25 years of working at the course.

In a closely fought contest, the runners up were John & Barbara Taylor with Tim & Sarah Arnold. After a steady front nine of 35pts, they heated up on the back to come home in 43 for a total of 78pts.

The day belonged though to the team of silent assassins. Richard & Ro along with Barry & Gerry combined wonderfully. Out in the 39 which included 2no. four -point holes from Rosemary, they continued their brilliant play on the final nine with 42 giving them a total of 81pts and claiming the team prize by three shots.

Round 2 Pairs Event

After a well earned days rest, it was back to the course for round three and to the second round of the pairs event. It would be a day of improvement for many.

After a mediocre opening round, Paul & Maria Baker came to life. Improving their first round score by 13 shots, they carded a wonderful 41pts. In the same vain, John & Barbara Taylor went one better. After a disappointing opening round of 29pts, the duo from Leigh had obviously had a team meeting and put a few things right! In a round that included nine no. three-point holes, they increased their first round score by 14 shots signing for a stunning 43pts.

The last time Fairways was at this venue, the overall winners were Warrick & Gill Dawson. The second round would belong to our defending champions. In a round where Warrick would produce five birdies, the team from Prestbury shot an impressive front nine of 24pts. Coming home in 20 for a total of 44pts they claimed the day by one shot and at the same time fired their way up the leader board.

It would leave five couples within five shots of the lead heading into the final round. On top was John & Mary Watson with Rod & Sara Barnes in second place just three shots back.

Final Round Pairs Event

As if by fate, the draw would see our two leaders pinned together in the last group of the day.  Their close chasers were out earlier and would post the total to beat.

In probably the best scoring day of the week, Barry & Gerry Robson in the first group out and John Sharp with Sue Bury in the second fourball, both produced wonderful rounds of 39pts. The ever consistent Surbiton team of Richard & Ro Kennett were next in. With matching nine holes of 20pts, their round of 40pts leapfrogged them up close to the top of the leader board.

With no other team reaching this mark as expected it came down to our final group. As they reached the final green, with the rest of the group watching from the balcony of the clubhouse, it was left to John to hole out. He confidently rolled in a tricky six ft putt for the Watson’s to complete their campaign. All that was left was for Sara to hopefully clean up the three ft putt she had left. It was not a problem and with Rod raising his arms in celebration it became clear how important the putt was.

After the two scorecards were checked, the Watson’s had played a solid round of golf and finished the week with a score of 37pts. However, Rod & Sara had played superbly. With a back nine off 22pts it gave them a final round of 40pts.

Incredibly, both pairs finished the week on a total of 118pts. In the closest of finishes, the result went to countback with Rod & Sara victorious because of a better last round. How important that final putt was! A special mention to Angie Harrison, playing on her own all week finished just one point out of third place!

Many thanks to all the management and staff at both the Las Madrigueras Hotel and Las Americas Golf Club for taking such great care of us. We were the largest group they have ever had and they were brilliant. So much so, we are going to do it all again this December for the second edition of the Christmas Cracker abroad!