Portugal

JANUARY TRIP TO PORTUGAL 2019

Annual January Portugal Trip runs like clock work…….. Well thats what we thought!

The annual Portugal January Trip is usually from the 2nd week of January each year and in 2019 this was the same running Wednesday 9th January to Saturday 12th January 2019, with golfers coming from all over the UK meaning golfers exercised the option to arrive earlier and also depart later as they craved more of the Algarvian Sunshine.

Like 2018 the official Finch Golf Tour starter was drafted in and we managed to pull off a fantastic trip for all as New & Old faces to the tour had the banter this trip brings every year.

A couple of shout outs go to Paul Noon from Preston Golf Club who unfortunately missed the 2018 trip due to a triple heart bypass but was great to see him back involved and playing only his 3rd, 4th & 5th Rounds since the operation in mid 2018, great to have to back Noony and top man for coming along again.

Also Darren Stokes from Leicester……. I was an awesome moment seeing him sat in the bar with the INFAMOUS LEICESTER lads after the year he has had but it was his determination to be in Portugal which stood out for me and seeing him out on the golf course was just fantastic! Well Done mate……. So proud of you!

Big groups on a trip to Portugal is AWESOME, lots of laughs and fun on the course but we had a quiet 1st night before the additional competition arrived in the from “WHACKER” and Adam Swallow – Whose Feter Pinch has managed to stick for the last 4 years.

There has been a huge catchment area for trip again and on this years trip making it another blinder, with players coming from Sheffield, Barnsley, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Wales, Wirral, North, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire……….. and not forgetting the Leicester lads of course!

Everybody has been great getting stuck in and mixing the pairings on the final day made for a great way to finish the trip!

Half of the group flew out from Liverpool on Wednesday morning and departed at 06:30 for a 11:30 tee time at Pinheiros Altos GC – touching down at 09:00 we where sipping Nespresso Coffee’s or more likely sinking pints of Sagres on the veranda in the sun,  as the guys looked to get the most out of their trip on a trip where the weather was glorious throughout, with temperatures in the high teens daily with players in shorts and t-shirt’s throughout!

What is not to love about that in January?

Day One at Pinheiros Altos was official Practice Day and a singles chuck in eased the groups into the trip as Matt Watts played some fantastic golf for his 37 points but knowing the course at Pinheiros Altos is a huge key and partnered alongside tour regular Rob Hezel in the buggy – yours Peter Finch managed to hole some putts as 41 points was the bench mark. James Frost, Adrian Hartley and Chris Harper also grabbed the limelight picking up and what was a fantastic 1st day.

Day Two was a Pairs Betterball Event and Harry Nixon made it 4 years in a row where he has won at least one of the days and partnering son Steven the pair played some splendid golf at San Lorenzo GC to card a great 39 points winning on a back nine playoff, as the Barnsley Lads of Harper, Potts, Woodhead & Sanderson grab some well deserved Order of Merit Points.

Nathan Evans from Huddersfield GC kept things together in my group as he fist pumped in his birdie on the 3rd while sinking Sagres after Sagres on the back nine trading his sandwich for beers in a very much enjoyable day on the course with Andy Smith & Dave Boucher making up our fourball.

Yet again the course at San Lorenzo was presented in stunning condition with greens as fast and true as ever with the whole group finding it difficult getting accustomed and showing that knowing the course well pays dividends.

Day Three was yet another view of how beautiful yet difficult San Lorenzo can be as not one of the 62 man field managed par or better with conditions just ideal for golf.

But it was Adrian Hartley who managed to come out on top and claim the Champion Golfer of the Year Award for his solid golf and regular steady rounds as the Hull Man enjoyed golf with the group for the 2nd year running.

Some great evenings in the Hotel Bar where had as everybody came together and made it a trip to remember – and thank you to the brilliant Dona Filipa Hotel yet again.

The perfect spot to host an event and the brilliant refurbishment makes for a high class trip which doesn’t really hurt the pocket!

Thank you to everybody for all their comments on the trip and feedback since you have been home, we enjoyed hosting the event which is a great buzz at the start of the New Year!

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Two Great venues in San Lorenzo & Pinheiros Altos are the perfect spot for golf and Dona Filipa offers great accommodation all for just £350pp (sharing a twin)

The 2020 trip will be the same cost for those rebooking / booking before the end of January 2019 but a faltering € means the cost will have to slightly increase for bookings after this date.

Would you like to come on the 2020 Trip?

5* Dona Filipa Hotel – 4 Nights Bed & Breakfast

4 x Rounds of Golf

£350pp if (£100 deposit paid by 31st January 2019)

£369pp (sharing) for 4 people – £45pp single supplement.

£399pp if booking for less than 4 people.

Please email Peter and secure your spot at peter@finchgolftour.com