MORE THAN A GOLF COURSE

Miraflores Golf Urb. Riviera del Sol, Ctra de Cádiz Km. 198.1, Mijas Costa 29647, Málaga. Tel: (34) 952 93 19 60 - Fax: (34) 952 93 19 42

Administration Tel: 952 93 40 95 - Restaurant Tel: 952 93 19 41 - E-mail: info@miraflores.com - www.miraflores-golf.com

Club Newsletter Issue Nº 18 Autumn 2006

CHANGES AT THE CLUB New President

New Web Site www.miraflores-golf.com

MORE THAN A GOLF COURSE

MemberGeorge Cooney

Past PresidentStan Smith

MemberFlemming Hansen

iraflores is a Members’ Club. We have

all said these words many times over the

last few years when speaking with friends, guests

or other members. But when we say Members’

Club – do we all then mean the same thing?

I have been wondering about this ever since I

took over as President from Stan Smith in the

spring. What we put into these words is

important because it has an immediate impact

on how the Club is run; it distinguishes us from

other Clubs on the coast and it is many times

the deciding factor when we attract new

members to the Club.

SO HOW DID IT ALL START?It all began in 1999 when an opportunity arose

to acquire the majority share in Golf de la

Riviera S.A. which is the company that owns

the golf course and maintains and runs the

Miraflores Golf Club. About two hundred of

the members of Miraflores Golf got together

and raised the necessary funds, and the shares

were bought through a holding company. As

of then, the members owned and controlled the

ownership and the running of the club, and in

that sense we became a Members’ Club.

BUT IS OWNERSHIP ENOUGH?I do not think so. I believe several other criteria

must be met before we can call ourselves a

Members’ Club

For instance, I think that the degree of a

Members’ Club is decided by the degree to

which members participate in the running of

the Club. This is important for several reasons.

It is a way to utilise the expertise and experience

of the members for the benefit of the Club. It

is a way for the members to become involved

and to feel that they can influence the

development of the Club. So let us see how we

live up to this requirement.

The members control the two decision points

within the Club: the Board of Directors, and

the Junta Directiva (Management Board). In

addition to this the members every year appoint

the Captains and the Vice Captains who, on a

voluntary basis, put in a large amount of time

and effort for one single purpose – to make the

golfing life easier for the rest of us members.

But there are also specialist areas where the

Club benefits. We have had a Course Committee

for several years now and we have all seen the

result of their work on the course. We have a

recently formed Marketing Advisory Group

who have been looking at publicity and

promotion for the Club, and have been

responsible for launching the new Miraflores

Web Site. Our Rules and Handicap Committee

deals with all aspects of playing golf, and this

year we have revised the Members’ Handbook

to include a section on local rules to assist all

our members. The new House Committee is

responsible to the Junta for matters concerning

our Clubhouse and social events for the

members. Finally, the latest addition from which

we all have benefited is the Water Committee,

which during the spring has made invaluable

contributions to the decision process for solving

our water issue.

So yes – I believe that we are on the right track

here, although I personally would like to see

even more areas where members contribute.

But what about the other bit then? A

Members’ Club surely must mean a Club

mainly for members?

Well yes, we are now moving in that direction

because, as many of you remember, we changed

direction only about a year ago at the 2005

Annual General Meeting. That is when we

decided to become a Club mainly for playing

members and where the members’ annual fees

should pay for the running of the Club and that

investments and developments were to be

financed by inviting green fee guests to our

course. As a consequence, the fee structure was

changed and efforts made to increase the

numbers of playing members. This has given

results and we can now enjoy the company of

several new members taking part in the many

different competitions and golf activities.

For many of us a Members’ Club also means a

place where we spend the major part of our time.

“A home away from home” you may say. It is

a place to meet friends and socialize also outside

of golf. The Clubhouse with its lovely Restaurant

and Spikes Bar is the natural place to meet, and

members use it for all sorts of activities. And it

is used – for Bridge evenings, Fashion Shows,

lately for Pilates, for meetings, celebrations and

much more. It is a house where something is

always going on – as it is in any home.

But to me, the deciding factor that shows

whether we can call ourselves a Members’ Club

or not is what relations we build with all the

people who have their daily work at the Club.

To Shirley and Inma in the office. To Caddy

Masters and Marshals. To Pepe and the

greenkeepers who have turned our course into

a quality that I have never seen it have before.

To Juan Carlos and his excellent Restaurant

team. To them we say “hello” when we meet.

We know each other by first names. We respect

each other and we appreciate each other.

Yes, I think we are moving in the right direction

– I hope you do too!

Dag Harsing

2

M

Dag Harsing

Vice-PresidentRobin Spearman

PresidentDag Harsing

MemberBob Allcock

SecretaryMiguel Gallart

THE COMPANY BOARD

PresidentBob Allcock

Director GerenteMiguel Gallart

Operations ManagerRicardo Cabrera

Head GreenkeeperJose González

SecretaryShirley Wald

THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

House CommiteeLeslie Crehan

Vice-PresidentGeorge Cooney

www.miraflores-golf.com

Correct telephone / mobile & e-mail detailsare a great help to the Captains whenarranging matches / competitions, soplease advise the office. Please alsoprint names on entry sheets, and

include handicaps.

t is a very special

honour to serve

Miraflores Golf as your

next Lady Captain.

First of all I would like to

thank Marie Dew not only

for an excellent year but

also for her co-operation to me as her Lady Vice

Captain. Her friendliness towards everyone is

evident in her infectious and welcoming smile,

bringing us together especially in Moonlighters.

Marie’s initiative and interest in flowers has been

contagious, with so many members contributing

plants for the gardens around the club house, which

have given pleasure to all of us.

After Birgitta Bjork, I am the second Swedish

Lady Captain, and I hope with our different

Scandinavian traditions to further improve the

international flavour of Miraflores Golf. The

camaraderie of International Day and evening

event were a fine example of what Miraflores

is all about. Different nations took part,

contributing national dishes and songs of their

homeland – it was a very lively cabaret. I am

therefore looking forward to Ladies’ Day with

attention to a mix of all these nationalities,

handicaps, serious golf, but fun games as well.

I will take particular interest in progressing the

new Ladybird section and making the new ladies

feel at home.

Despite starting playing golf just a couple of

years ago, I am now a keen golfer and have

made many new friends at the Club. I have also

been fortunate to meet many new and interesting

golfers in the Inter Club Friendly matches and

the Ladies’ Senior League.

I am very pleased that Elyane Stuart has accepted

the position of Ladies’ Vice Captain and, together

with Peter, we shall look forward to working

with her and David as a team.

I am also appealing to all the members for

support, constructive suggestions and help.

Jag förväntar mig speciellt starkt stöd fran Er

Skandinavier under det kommande aret.

It is with great anticipation, willingness and joy

that I am looking forward to my year.

Christina Ekstrom

Tel: 952 93 10 05

E- mail: 952931005@telefonica.net

hen I retired to

Spain in 1998 I

was determined to enjoy

my golf at Miraflores

and assist in any way

possible to make the Club

more friendly for all

golfers. As some of you are aware, badminton,

squash and soccer were my main sports, but

with age creeping on, I had to find a new

challenge. It turned out to be golf and what a

challenge!

In September 2004 I was honoured to be asked

by Alan Chapman to be his Vice Captain. My

year as “Vice”, as my wife Ethne says, has been

dogged with injury; two hips and joined tendon

operations – not a lot more to replace – but

hopefully, this is now in the past!

I have enjoyed my year as Vice Captain

tremendously and more so since my wife has

been captivated, even addicted, to the game and

participating in the wonderful social life that goes

hand in hand with the game here at Miraflores.

I have been impressed with Marie Dew’s

organisation in running Moonlighters, bringing

together all nationalities and ages, and it will be

my aim, in all the matches, to bring a good mix

of people together.

We are running Mens’ Friendlies, Mens’ Senior

League and Los Bandidos. I am pleased to say

that David James has accepted my invitation to

be Vice Captain and I am sure he will bring some

good ideas to the Club from his past experience

as a golf captain.

I have had much appreciated support in the past

year from Alan and Marie who have organised

many successful and enjoyable events, and I look

forward to continuing their good work with my

charming Lady Captain, Christina Ekstrom. My

thanks go to all the other golf members who have

assisted me and hope that I can rely on their

continued support in the year ahead.

The annual Mens’ Trip is planned for 16-18th

May 2007 and suggestions or ideas for a venue

would be greatly appreciated in order to make it

a resounding success.

Wishing you good golfing at Miraflores.

Peter ConstableTel: 952 93 25 51

E-mail: cgolfboy@aol.com

Club Captain

3

Dinner Nights* Compulsory attendance at the presentation, prior to dinner,

to be awarded a prize.

** Compulsory attendance at the dinner and presentation.

# Board competitions: to enter members must have playedthree individual qualifiers in the previous 12 months.

N.B. On most other Saturdays throughout the season therewill be some form of competition.

Ladies’ / Mens’ Trips - venues to be decided,will be on the 9th & 11th May and 16-18th May 2007respectively.

The Captains WriteThe Captains Write

Alan & Peter looking for a pot of gold? Captains’ handover: Peter, Christina, Marie and Alan.

Ladies’ Captain

CALENDAR 2006 Date Event Format

23 Sep Aguila Welcome Stableford

30 Sep Morrissey Trophy # Pairs Betterball

07 Oct Autumn Medal Medal

14 Oct ** Captains Day Stableford

21 Oct Richardson Scramble # Texas Scramble

04 Nov Ord Shield # Stableford

11 Nov Fernandez Trofeo AM/AM

18 Nov ** Nordea # Stableford

25 Nov Down's Syndrome Stableford

09 Dec Sunshine Golf Christmas Special Stableford

16 Dec Aguila Texas Scramble

CALENDAR 2007 Date Event Format

01 Jan New Year In 3 Clubs & Putter

20 Jan * Curtis Cup # Greensome Stableford

27 Jan Winter Medal Medal

03 Feb Castro Estates Stableford

10 Feb Aguila 3-2-1

17 Feb * Morgan Valentine # Pairs betterball

03 Mar Presidents’ Putter # Medal

10 Mar Nordea Texas Scramble

17 Mar Spring Medal Medal

24 Mar International Day Stableford

31 Mar Filmer Cup Texas Scramble

07 Apr ** Club Championship # Scratch

21 Apr Aguila AM/AM

28 Apr Dominguez Trofeo Stableford

05 May Mens v Ladies 4 BBB

12 May Aguila Snowball

13 May Past Captains’ Trophy Stableford

19 May Parker Sol Trophy 3-2-1

26 May ** Captains’ Handover Greensome

W I

Golf CompetitionsGolf Competitions

Peter Constable Christina Ekstrom

The turf nurseries were completed, so we have

a ready stock for repairing greens, aprons and

fairways.

It is possible to see some fairway repairs already.

The new tees (see later) will not use turf but will

be seeded with Bermuda Princess.

The repairs to the walling of the 15th lakeappear to have been successful, and we still

hope there will be no need to modify the Five

Year Plan. The proposed grass bunker to the

right of the 17th green is still on the waiting

list for attention, it being decided to concentrate

on course manicuring.

The stream that ran along the left hand side of

the fairway of the 5th hole was piped. This year

we intend to complete this work by softening

the slope, using soil and sowing a grass seed

which will mature into semi-rough.

The hole will be more user-friendly and prevent

balls being lost in the tangled undergrowth.

We experienced another invasion of micejalusmahalis but these were dealt with by a new piece

of machinery injecting insecticide to a depth of

15–20 cms.Unfortunately, more damage was

caused by wild boars (jabalís). We used to

‘receive’ them during the summer, but in 2005

they visited us through the summer and autumn

and into the winter. Mainly, they came out of

the valley alongside the 8th fairway, so we

brought forward the installation of a fence

stretching from the 8th tee to the 12th tee. This

has two purposes – to keep out human intruders

and to keep out wild boars.

A working party cleared all the stones and rocks

from among the fir-trees to the left hand side of

the 6th hole and built a small random wall that

marks the out of bounds. We intend to continue

this O.O.B. line by planting a row of Casuarinas

(fir trees) and creating a gentle grassy slope

reaching down to the buggy track.

WATERIn 2005 we continued with our investment in

the water project. In the President’s report to

the 2006 A.G.M. there is a brief description of

the water system, so there is no need for repe-

tition, but it is worth mentioning that in the

summer we use up to 2800 cubic metres of re-

cycled water per day. The water system is basic

to our needs for a well tended course. For four

years we have worked with Nimasco S.L. who

installed all the water equipment we use. The

Board set up a Water Sub-Committee of three

of its members together with two shareholders,

Ken Gilder and Bryan Venn who are engineers

with experience in the field. The Sub-

Committee is working with Nimasco to effect

improvements to the system (we still experi-

enced some smell in 2005). A contract for

maintenance has been agreed with Nimasco.

Your Guide to Course Improvements

YEAR 2005Last year’s report took us to the Summer of 2005 and the forecasts of the work to be done during the summer,concentration being on the turf nurseries, improvement to the water treatment project, improvement of the 17th holeand detailed manicuring of the course.

By Stan Smith & George Cooney

The 5th lake

The valley near the 8th fairway.

Several new gates have been installed.

4

5th & 6th lakes.

Pepe González - headgreenkeeper 2005.

Up to the first hole.

Pepe in hospital 2006.See Club Talk.

The 15th lake.

Passing DivotsPassing Divots

YEAR 2006The water project has been mentioned previously, but another priority is the need to net certain boundaries of

the course to prevent the “balls in communities” incidents.

5

THE BIRDS TO LOOK FOR AT MIRAFLORES

Pylons have been erected down part of the

boundary of the 1st fairway for netting to protect

the properties, at a cost of c. €30,000. A similar

problem on the left hand side of the 14th fairwayis being tackled differently. After examination

is was decided to re-design the hole. We arranged

a test using high, low and medium handicappers

with a representative of Riviera Phase 5 Com-

munity observing the trial. Four different tee

sites were tried and the following was agreed:

(a) A new men’s tee would be constructed 25

metres to the rear of the existing tee and

just 3 metres wide.

(b) The existing bunker would be filled and

converted into fairway to encourage all

golfers to play for this area.

(c) A new bunker would be constructed to the

left of the pylon to encourage all golfers to

play away from the properties. We sincerely

hope that members and visitors will not try

to hit over the corner in future.

An extension to the right of the men’s 9th teeis being built. This should be 11/2 metres higher

than the present tee giving a better view of the

fairway and the game in front, but will also

improve the line of attack for the drive. A new

ladies’ tee is being built in front of this. Some

trees on the left of the fairway at the bottom

will be removed.

With the builders’ portacabins removed from

the road, alongside hole 15, fencing will be put

in place. Drawings for this project and all other

improvements will be posted on the Course

Notice Board.

The course is in its best condition ever and

manicuring has certainly improved it, helped

by the purchase of a machine to sweep the buggy

paths. We continue to be praised by members

and visitors alike, but there is still room for

further improvement. It is hoped that this is

noticed when members return in Septem-

ber/October.

WORKING PARTIESVolunteers meet every Wednesday at 4 p.m.

at the Clubhouse. Equipped with varying tools,

the intention is to keep the course user-friendly

and concentrate on keeping the scrub and un-

dergrowth to a minimum. Two hours is usually

the maximum before it is time for a well-earned

beer or a ‘cup of tea’. During the summer

vigilante groups are organised to keep trespass-

ers off the course. In the cool evenings, many

‘Twilight’ golfers are still playing and dog

walkers and children do not realise how vul-

nerable they are to being hurt by balls when

roaming on to the course. Miraflores Golf is

private property.

PLANT A TREEMany members have been most generous in

sponsoring some of the trees around the course.

We need six sponsors for the Apple trees planted

behind the 6th green. For a donation to the tree

fund, a plaque bearing the sponsor’s name will

be placed on his/her tree and it will be theirs

for life. Please contact either George Cooney

or any member of the Course Committee to

sponsor a tree.

For convenience, there is a new facility just

outside Caddymasters’ Reception to clean clubs

and a power hose to clean shoes.

Course Committee Members: George Cooney,Alan Chapman, Jean Curtis, Bryan Vennand Flemming Hansen.

New fencing put in place.

New chipping circle by the putting green.

Fountain at the 12th lake

Jacaranda trees

Renovations at the 14th hole

The 9th tee

Photography of the course, wildlife and flowers Salvador Gómez - greenkeeper.

www.miraflores-golf.com

STABLEFORDJanet Dooley 40/11 Hans Erik Aggesjo 41/16

MIRAFLORES CLUB COMPETITIONS WINNERS2005- 2006 SEASON

6

MEDALRobin Spearman net 70/9

Christina Ekstrom net 73/24

5th March 2006

PRESIDENT’S PUTTER

PAIRS BETTERBALLVicky Coath & Adrian de March

42 points

11th February 2006

MORGAN VALENTINE

STABLEFORDAlan Chapman & Janine Griggs 46 points

1st October 2005

MORRISEY TROPHY

STABLEFORDGunnel Astrom 36/21 Kenneth Halin 35/10

AM/AMPirjo Halin, Mike Dew,

Sven Erik Karlsson, Marie Dew

19th November 2005

ORD SHIELD

STABLEFORDBob Allcock 39/10 Janet Dooley 41/10

26th November 2005

DOWNS SYNDROME

SPECIAL STABLEFORDRoman Porras 36/4 Natalia Gjertsen 41/24

10th December 2005

SUNSHINE GOLF CHRISTMAS

GREENSOME STABLEFORDPirjo & Kenneth Halin

43 points

21st January 2006

CURTIS CUP

Alan Chapman 69 Inger Harsing 72

8th October 2005

AUTUMN MEDAL

STABLEFORDBrian Collier 40

15th October 2005

CAPTAINS DAY

TEXAS SCRAMBLEInger Harsing, Roy Braney,

Ken Gilder, Ineke Afzelius net 57.9

22nd October 2005

RICHARDSON SCRAMBLE

5th November 2005

FERNÁNDEZ TROPHY

Special thanks to Jasper Hertz of Nordea for sponsoring 2 of our monthly Club Competitions and the Club CalendarPr i va te Bank ing

12th November 2005

NORDEA

TEXAS SCRAMBLEInger England, Ineke Afzelius,

Mike & Marie Dew net 57.9

11th March 2006

NORDEATEXAS SCRAMBLEMarie Dew, Peter Garvey, Mike James, Brian Venn

Gross 64.0 Net 56.1

17th December 2005

AGUILA

Jordan Abbasciano (de Marco) won 2 Guest Prizes,President’s Putter & Captain’s Handover

www.miraflores-golf.com

29th April 2006

DOMINGUEZ TROPHY

STABLEFORDRoman Porras 38/5 Ann Allcock 39/13

HOLES IN ONE

Dag Harsing & Jan Samuelsen. John Baars.Ethne Constable.

In March 2006, after seven interesting and eventful

years, I resigned from the Presidency of Golf de

la Riviera S.A., the parent company of Miraflores

Golf. Whilst the course was being built in 1988,

I bought a share in Golf de la Riviera S.A.

Miraflores Golf opened in 1990 and shortly

afterwards I was asked to sit on the Junta Directiva.

I was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1993.

In 1995 I became the first Captain of Miraflores

Golf, a position I held for two and a half years

and, together with the first Lady Captain Lorraine

Shufflebotham, we formed ‘Miraflores Golf Club’.

The Club now has over 500 active playing

members and from which sprang the idea of

making Miraflores Golf a “Members’ Club” – we

are both proud of that.

I have been privileged to work on the Board with

some very able people, for very pleasant members

and with some excellent staff. Running a golf

company is similar to running a university, where

I had an academic career as Professor of Education

and Dean of Faculty. Both are run by committees,

fees are determined by the market, by quality of

product and ability to pay. Most importantly, the

business is about people. I have learned a lot about

people! I make no apologies for my “hands-on”

approach to the Presidency and I recognise you

cannot please all the people all of the time. I am

proud to have been the first elected President of

the Club. I am happy to hand over to Dag Harsing,

with the company in a sound financial position,

the course in excellent condition and the active

membership growing.

The generosity of members and staff on my

retirement was overwhelming and I was delighted

to receive the latest 8 Mega-Pixel digital camera

and printer which, together with funds given by

so many members, I was pleased to take Mavis

to Vienna for a Golden Wedding holiday. I was

astonished to discover that, despite a marriage of

50 years, she kept the ‘surprise gift’ a secret! I

could not have done the job without her support;

I hope to continue on the Board for the next three

years to complete my term of office. I am 74 and

now want more time for ourselves. I very much

appreciate so much kindness and that of the Board

in making me the first honorary life member of

Miraflores Golf.

Stan Smith

Stan Smith and Dag Harsing

THE PRESIDENCY

LOS BANDIDOS by Jim Wills.

STABLEFORDMiguel Ángel Romero, Carlos Hirschfeld,

Antonio Dominguez, Román Porras149 points

25th March 2006

INTERNATIONAL DAY

SCRATCHDavid James 74 gross Pirjo Halin 91 gross

8th April 2006

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPDecemberEthneConstable AGolden Eagle outof the bunker onthe 1st.

FebruaryDag Harsing onthe 15th using a 6iron from theblocks.

MarchPeter Hemickieon the 13th duringthe ClubChampionship.

AprilJohn Baarson the 13th with a7 wood:champagne allround.

JulyChris Lundy ofMoochers GolfSociety - on the15th using a 9 iron.

Los Bandidos have continued to flourish, and

home and away matches were played with Atalaya,

El Paraiso, Guadalmina and La Duquesa. All five

clubs took part in a Round Robin and it is our

turn to be host next season. Our worst defeat was

at El Paraiso 4-1 but our best ever victory followed

at home 5-0 to win overall 6-4! Out of 23

members, eight nations represented Los Bandidos.

A new introduction was the role of ‘Match

Captain’ and my thanks to Kevin Williams, John

Goodman and Klaus Kaiser for taking on the

responsibility and discharging their duties

admirably, each in his own inimitable manner!

My part as ‘El Cacique’ has now been terminated

after two years of raiding the links. Good luck to

my successor and all future Bandidos; it is a

pleasant, sociable way to play golf, play other

courses and meet like-minded people.

1st April 2006

FILMER CUP

TEXAS SCRAMBLEBob Allcock, Elyane Stuart,

Brian Venn, Ray Theodorsennet 59

7

AS ALWAYS MANY THANKS FROM ALL OUR MEMBERS TO COMPETITION SPONSORS

STABLEFORDBob Allcock 33/10

14th May 2006

PAST CAPTAINS TROPHY

Los Bandidos home match.

However, in fairness to all our members, the

Golf Committee require that new members with

handicaps higher than 27 for men and 35 for

ladies play at least 18 holes with the Captain or

his representative before they play in any

qualifying competition: on a Tuesday (Mens’

Day), Wednesday (Ladies’ Day) or a Saturday.

The Golf Committee can then ensure that speed

of play and adherence to rules and etiquette are

equal to all. If your handicap is above the ratings

stated, please contact the Club Captain or Ladies’

Captain, who will be pleased to meet you and

make the necessary arrangements.

PUBLICITYThe recent ly formed MARKETINGADVISORY GROUP has been considering all

the forms of promotion and publicity for the Club.

Members include John Curtis, FlemmingHansen, David James, Ron Westcott and JimWills.

David James who joined the Club in 2005 has

hit the ground running and hopefully will not run

out of steam! He is Club Champion for 2006

/2007; he is our Club Vice Captain and has taken

over one of my tasks as

‘Press Officer’ submitting

articles and news to be

published in Costa del Sol

Golf News. The most

exciting news is that,

working together with Mark

Hopkins of Alternate

Creations, David has

launched the long-awaited Miraflores Golf website:

www.miraflores-golf.comOur new Miraflores Golf Club website will be

available on line in September 2006. The site

will be of great benefit to members and potential

visitors. Members will have their own dedicated

secure section, where they can view a variety of

items which will be made available online: the

club calendar, details of social functions,

competition results and photographs, competition

start times, important notices etc. Other items

will be added as demand dictates. Members will

be able to keep in touch with the golf club and

find out what has been happening from anywhere

in the world!

The site will also help us to compete with other

clubs to attract visitors and bring more revenue

into both the golf club and restaurant sections.

t would seem that most Scandinavians are

used to dealing with tough conditions, so

when our new Swedish President, Dag Harsing,

e-mailed me this photo on the 8th March this

year, just prior to our Annual General Meeting,

it occurred to me that

he would not be shy of

getting on with his new

task, and it may not

always be snow that he

has to shovel! Dag is

Swedish, 64 and retired.

He has been living on

the Costa del Sol with

his wife Inger since

1997. He is a graduate of Stockholm School of

Economics and has a broad experience from

working in international corporations in Sweden

as well as in Britain and the U.S.A. Dag became

a shareholder 10 years ago in 1996 and was Club

Captain of Miraflores Golf in 2002/3. He became

a Board member in March 2005 and was

appointed Vice President in October 2005. We

shall look forward to working with Dag and wish

him success in taking Miraflores Golf to a

different level.

O u r n e w L a d y

Captain, ChristinaEkstrom, is also from

Sweden and may be a

force to be reckoned

with! She has been a

dentist for 40 years and

has seven children and

14 grandchildren.

Being used to pulling

and impacting teeth, she will no doubt do a great

job of pulling her ladies’ teams together and

making sure the beginners know how to fill holes

and replace divots!

In keeping with our northern neighbours,

Flemming Hansen is from Denmark and was

newly elected to the Board of Directors at the

2006 E.G.M. Flemming has been an investment

banker and latterly

involved in windpower.

He has also been

President of a Danish

Football club. He is now

a member of the Course

Committee and the

Marketing Advisory

Group.

NATIONALITIESThere has been a noticeable shift in our

membership. In the early days shareholders were

predominantly British and this changed when

more and more Scandinavians started retiring to

Spain. More Spanish golfers are joining the club

and the club is attracting younger members. Stan

Smith recently did a calculation by nationality

of members who had played more than the

equivalent of 10 full rounds of golf in 2005 (328

members). The result is thus: Belgians 10 (3%),

British 132 (40.2%), Croatian 1 (0.3%) Danish

39 (11.9%), Dutch 8 (2.4%), Finnish 41 (12.1%),

German 10 (3.0%), Irish 13 (4.0%), Japanese 1

(0.3%) Norwegian 43 (13.1%), Russian 1 (0.3%)

Spanish 9 (2.7%), Swedish 20 (6.1%).

SHARESThe question I am most repeatedly asked about

is golf shares and membership. As mentioned in

the A.G.M. report, 120 shares have exchanged

hands since last year. If this momentum continues,

we will soon have a waiting list and the price of

golf shares will rise.

RULESThe majority of new members are already

experienced golfers; however there are some

new members who have retired to live in Spain

and taken up the new sport of golf. With this

in mind, we have re-printed the MirafloresMembers’ Handbook which was originally

written by Stan Smith and which he has

updated; it is a guide to finding your way

around the course and the club. We have

included Dag Harsing’s local rules when

playing the course. It is recommended as a

courtesy to fellow members that all recent

members read the new Handbook, as it will

provide answers to many questions frequently

asked and explains the history of the club to

which they now belong. Original members

may also like to read the revised version so

they are up-to-date on golf matters. Members

please note that there is now a new notice

board specifically for Rules. We also hope to

have a new Tees to Green booklet with aerial

photography of all 18 holes.

HANDICAPSWe hope that our new members will join in the

various competitions, both social and serious.

Check Members’ Handbook for booking in

members’ times, with and without guests.

No-Show/late cancellations will incur a fine.

Check the New Rules Notice Board for

information.

Golf Shares are available.

Become a Social Member of the club.Shirley WaldClub Secretary - Admin./P.R. Sales,Marketing, Golf News, Clubhouse &Memberships, etc, etc,

Shirley Wald’s

I

8

Cristina Ekstrom

Flemming Hansen

Dag Harsing, President

David James

We can display, through the web site, what an

attractive place Miraflores Golf Club and its

facilities are to visitors to the area from all parts

of the world. Please e- mail shirley@miraflores-golf.com with your own e-mail address, if you

have not already done so. We can keep you

informed of the progress of the web site and then

set you up with a personal password to enter the

members’ section. For instance, each member

will be able, individually, to access his/her account.

PUBLIC RELATIONSMiraflores Golf was the venue chosen for a

seminar by José Nolasco, Director of Marketing

of Haifa Chemicals Ltd., which specialises in

fertilizers and nutrients for turf and grass used

in golf courses throughout Portugal and Spain.

More than 50 Head Greenkeepers from Málaga

and Almería attended. It was a prestigious event

for our club; half the group played 9 holes and

the compliments were profuse, not only about

the course but also our generous hospitality. The

whole event was organised by our own Head

Greenkeeper Jose (Pepe) González for whom it

was an honour to be the host. They were very

welcome and we hope they will return.

In June Pepe González was admitted to the

Costa del Sol Hospital in critical condition and

spent several weeks on ‘life support’ as a result

of a burst oesophagus. On return from vacation

in July, I went to see him again and did not

recognise him minus the moustache and several

kilos. He said “I feel as if I won the lottery”. Just

prior to his illness the golf course had looked at

its best, as you all know, and the situation could

have been drastic. Pepe’s brother Juan Gonzalez

and the rest of the team worked from dawn until

dusk to make sure nothing was lost. Paco

Navarro, who was our previous course consultant

and knows all the peculiarities of Miraflores

Golf, was also very supportive, at a time when

all the new fencing, walls and gates also had to

be installed. I take this opportunity to thank

Carlos Buzo of Discampo who was at the club

almost daily giving advice and encouragement.

He supplies product to every golf course on the

coast and his knowledge knows no bounds when

it comes to grass, fertiliser and chemicals.

Members of the new House Committee are:

Lesley Crehan, Birgitta Bjork, Marie Dew &Elyane Stuart. The ladies have been involved

in helping to organise several social events and

instigated changes in the upkeep of the club, for

which we thank them. A special thanks also to

Allison Padfield who has become a social member

and is now taking care of all the in-house plants.

Social membership has increased now with over

50 members.

You cannot miss the new Clubhouse Miraflores

Logo (only the bed-side tables are missing)!

However, passers-by will have no doubts who

we are and, with the newly planted geraniums,

this provides a colourful impact for first time

visitors. New railings have been erected, the

garden lamps have been renewed and also those

inside and outside the pond. The frogs and the

tortoise have settled down.

We are now permanently lit-up with three new

illuminated, Miraflores Restaurant signs around

the building,and a new illuminated menu-box at

the entrance. The palm trees are also looking

festive on the terrace. The car-park lines have

been re-painted and, with the extra spaces beside

the new building, car parking problems have

almost diminished. Reserved spaces are allocated

for invalids and we plan to install a new lift in

the entrance to access the first floor.

CLUBHOUSE

Mike Roberts has joined the

professional teaching staff

and been nominated by the

Club to fulfil some of the

roles of Club Professional.

He has 25 years experience,

spending the previous 11 as

Club Professional to Mount

Pleasant in Bedfordshire, in the U.K. Mike is a

regular on Mens’ Day and hopes to play with

many members in future. He will be partnering

Peter Constable in a Captain/Pro challenge later

in the year. Stephane Hoarau continues to en-

hance his reputation as a first class coach and

his dedication to developing programmes for

golfers of all ages remains undiminished. Chris

Grahame is resident Explanar Master Profes-

sional and is keen to demonstrate the technical

benefits of the world renowned Explanar System,

endorsed by Butch Harmon.

Meanwhile the Academy has had a face-lift and

the upper level of the range is specifically for

teaching and providing Privilege Card holders

with an enhanced practise facility. New ‘posture

and plane’ mirrors, unavailable elsewhere on

the coast, demonstrate that all-important address

position. Call Mike Roberts on 679 258 369

who will offer members a free 15 minute incen-

tive lesson and you will be pleased to see the

improvements, which will hopefully also help

with your game.

9

Greenkeepers’ seminar Haita Chemicals LTD

The staff - Pepe returns to the club.

THE GOLF ACADEMY

Mike Roberts.

www.miraflores-golf.com

Several years ago, Marie Dew changed Moon-

lighters on Thursday evenings to a Texas Scram-

ble competition with only a handful of members

playing nine holes in summer. She is surprised

at how many international phone calls she re-

ceives from members booking before their arrival

in Spain from as far away as Finland, Holland,

Ireland and Tenerife! Her success with numbers

sometimes totalling 76 gave her a strong foothold

for a challenging year as Ladies’ Captain. Her

encouragement to new Ladybird members have

been worthwhile and when their knowledge of

play and golf rules allows them, they are able

to join the main stream ladies’ competitions.

Her thanks go to all the many volunteers for

their patience and guidance. We all had to learn

at some time! New lady members may speak to

Christina to join in on Wednesdays or Marie to

play in Moonlighters.

Our improved course and excellent restaurant

continuously receives praise from lady golfers

from other clubs and especially the Spanish

ladies in the Senior League. They have been

delighted at the warm welcome received when

visiting our Club. The Miraflores Team were

winners for the third year in succession.

Marie’s success in bringing vibrance and colour

to the gardens around the Club House is won-

derfully eye-catching, and we must thank all

the other ladies who got their hands grubby in

assisting her. Having handed over the captaincy

to Christina Ekstrom, Marie will now look

forward to putting her own garden in order! As

a member of the House Committee, recent

election to Miraflores Golf Catering, organisa-

tion of Moonlighters, and constant tinkering

about in the gardens, there are likely to be few

dull moments; and Mike Dew thought things

would quieten down!

CHARITIESMiraflores Golf members have once more

been tremendously generous with donations

to various charity events. We helped the

Fuengirola children in need through Sun-

shine Golf. With the support of the Shabeen

Bar in Cabopino we raised €11,542 for

Downs Syndrome in Málaga and helped

PADS, ACE and SOS charities for homless

animals. Brian Collier appealed for funds

to be sent to Sri Lanka to build new houses

for the Tsunami homeless.

Antonio Pino worked at Miraflores Golf

as a Marshal and finally Caddy Master

for 10 years. Due to a serious fall and

injury to his head he has been left without

speech and therefore unable to work. A

golf competition to help Antonio and his

family was rained off twice, but we were

eventually able to hold a successful event

and raised €5,650. Congratulations to our

members and friends who raised over

€30,000 in total for all the above charities.

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented - it was ruled “Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden”-G.O.L.F entered into the English Language.

Ladies Senior League, 3rd time winners

Molly, Julie, Janine & Vicky enjoying Halloween!

Ray Theodorsen & Elyane Stuart - Ladies’ ViceCaptain.

Jan Bray’s original Bird Flu Easter Hat - all thehens were feet up!

Tsunami Appeal. Houses built in Sri Lanki.

Antonio Pino, ex caddy master,Len Fitzgibbon 42/13

Table cloth logo courtesy of Sunshine Golf

Caddy Masters’ garden.

Moonlighting at Christmas.

11

With so many members now living here

permanently, the summer of 2005 started a busy

year for Alan Chapman, as competitions on

Mens’ Day and every Saturday needed to be

organised right through until mid-September. 28

official Saturday competitions followed and over

90 members played in the Mens Inter-Club

matches with 11 visiting clubs playing here. Los

Bandidos also played eight matches. The men

joined the Andalucian Men’s Senior League, and

are currently top of the League.

Highlights of the year included Burns Night

combined with the Curtis Cup. The Scottish Piper,

haggis, neaps and tatties; never have so few eaten

so much, all laced with whisky sauce.

Alan organised the first Mens’ Christmas Lunch

and soon the red noses were matching the red hats!

A great time was had by all on the Mens’ trip to

Montecastillo, Costa Ballena and Montemedio and

we must thank Christian Debels for sponsoring the

prizes. We once again extend our gratitude to

Jasper Hertz of Nordea for his continued

sponsorship throughout the year with an exciting

Shotgun competition played in February.

The drinks company Aguila not only supplies

us with generous funding for prizes and

competitions but also keeps down the thirst with

their various brands of beer. Four new companies

have sponsored competitions, namely: CastroEstates, who were introduced by Roman Porras,

and Stuart Kennedy of Herbalife.

Steve Parker of Parker Sol Properties has kindly

agreed to help sponsor our new score card.

Amyn Dhaya of Nimasco, our water experts

since 2001, sponsored the finalé at Captains’

Handover. We thank all the above sponsors who

helped make so many

competitions successful

and enjoyable.

Alan can now enjoy a

well-earned rest with

Annette, who, despite

being a non-golfer, has

been tremendously

supportive. Alan will continue to be involved

with the Course Committee.

Shirley Wald’s

MEN’S PAGE

Steve Parker of Parker Sol PropertiesHerbalife - Vicky Coath 36/22

Alan’s Farewell Lunch. Ken, where are the loaves & fishes? J.C. The watermust have turned into wine?

Men in black Alan, Pepe, Roman and Brian

Trip to Alcaidesa, Alan, George, Peter, Ken.

Curtis Cup Burns Night Piper.

Dirty Dozen - away trip

Alan and Annette.

SPONSORS

Castro Estates - Román Porras 36/4

www.miraflores-golf.com

ur new Restaurant Manager is JuanCarlos Garcia del Valle Montoya, who

joined us in November 2005. Prior to working

on the Costa del Sol, Juan Carlos spent many

years in the Canary Islands and Cuba, where he

met his wife.

Soon after his arrival, he re-organised the kitchen,

the staff, revised the menus and the stock, and re-

newed some of our chairs. It quickly became

apparent that a professional had joined the ranks.

A new Sunday menu has been introduced. A

major change in routine was to build a kitchen

facility downstairs in the Spikes Bar, which opens

up the terrace for breakfast and light snacks during

the morning. The Restaurant upstairs now opens

at mid-day for lunch and for dinner until late.

BBQ’s on Thursdays continue to be popular on

the terrace.

Members are now accustomed to using their swipe

cards which provide a 10% discount on food and

beverages, but in order not to forget the staff, a

line has been inserted on the bill to add tips if

you wish.

No Smoking has been a bone of contention as,

together with the rest of Spain, we had to enforce

the new rule within our facilities. Fewer people

are smokers these days, but we have designated

three areas in the Clubhouse for those who wish

to smoke. Government legislation has been final-

ised and the Board will have to make a decision

to close off a “smoking only” area.

We installed a new Plasma screen in the Spikes

Bar and in fact there are four televisions within

the Clubhouse. Golf will always take priority over

other sports, but if members wish to watch other

events such as sailing, football or tennis, the other

television sets can be independently tuned into

other channels. We also have a new stage on the

terrace for open-air shows in summertime.

When Juan Carlos joined the club he had no

knowledge of the sport of golf, or how a members’

club should be run. He was a fast learner! He

wishes to express his gratitude for the patience

and understanding of the staff and especially by

our members. It is his ambition to ensure that all

our members and visitors enjoy the club facilities.

SPECIAL EVENTS

In November 2005 Jostein Haukali celebrated his

70th birthday with members and friends.

A special farewell lunch was held for Directors

Jostein Haukali and Birgitta Bjork. Jostein can

now pursue his interest in the Tall Ships events

and Birgitta, who we are all glad to see, has

recovered well from her recent operation.

Gottfried Noack celebrated his 80th birthday in

January. Rather than give him gifts, Gottfried

once again asked friends to make a contribution

for the continued restoration of the church in

Dresden. All guests were given a copy of his

fascinating autobiography. What impressed the

ladies was that Gottfried danced with all of us!

Jean Lesley Berridge who is a resident of La Cala

was licensed as a Lay Reader in June at the Church

of Calahonda. The Right Reverend Geoffrey

Powell, Bishop of Gibraltar and Europe, performed

the ceremony and joined a group of 40 friends

and family at Miraflores Golf for lunch.

In February the Allcocks (British) and the Halin

(Finnish - Pirio is Lady Club Champion) embarked

on a holiday to play golf in South Africa; they

encountered Inge Steen (Danish) at breakfast in

their hotel on the first morning, only to find she

was playing at the same course. Coming out of

a restaurant in Cape Town were Tom & Deirdre

Dolan (Irish) – it’s a very small world indeed,

but fortunately golf is universal and can be played

in any language regardless of race or religion. All

that remains is to say – enjoy!

Shirley Wald

Birgitta Bjork.

Gottfried and Irmgard Noack.

Dag, Jostein & Stan

St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Juan Carlos & Staff on New Years Eve.

Lesley Berridge & the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Powell.

CATERING BOARD

Robin Spearman Dag Harsing Marie Dew

Mavis Smith & Jostein Haukali on his 70th birthday.

Little Angels Santa Lucía.

MEMBERS ABROAD

HALLELUJAH

MIRAFLORES GOLF RESTAURANT

Thursday BBQ: Nick, Uli, Juan Carlos, Danni andNadia.

O

Miraflores Golf Urb. Riviera del Sol, Ctra de Cádiz Km. 198.1, Mijas Costa 29647, Málaga. Tel: (34) 952 93 19 60 - Fax: (34) 952 93 19 42

Administration Tel: 952 93 40 95 - Restaurant Tel: 952 93 19 41 - E-mail: info@miraflores.com - www.miraflores-golf.com