Tuesday, 7 May 2013

JLCC 2014

Blog counter has been reset: Robert is our new organizer!

A big Danke Schoen to Rolf for the splendid trip: great combination of splendid weather, excellent facilities and the normal banter!!

66 comments:

  1. Huge thanks to Rolf for an excellent tour. The bar has been set the challenge laid down for 2014 Of which more to follow.
    It would be good to get together for a beer soon to relive the memories. Certainly my birdie on 11th and stay with me for a while. Well done Rolf good choice of venue roll on 2014 - may the banter continue!

    Robert McMorley

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    Replies
    1. Robert McMorley !

      A huge thanks to Rolf for a spending golfing long weekend

      Roll on next year

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  2. And ditto from me. Very well organised, an excellent venue, great courses and food and wine that exceeded expectation. A JLCC classic!

    Thanks Rolf for all the hard work and to everyone for making it a really fun weekend!

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  3. Having just spent the afternoon working with an Excel spreadsheet and formulas and getting nowhere fast, it reminds me to say a special thanks to Martin for the behind the scenes work he does on all our behalf, both on the scoreboard, with the accounts and in managing the blog by which we all stay in touch!

    Great job!!

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  4. Thanks to everybody for the great company and congratulations to the worthy winners. Well done Adrian and Martin!

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  5. All,

    I have had a positive response from Roland and Adrian so far - Look forward to hearing from others so that I can confirm the booking and organise Tee times etc. For completeness Itinerary set out below :

    Best

    Robert

    JLCC 2014 - Italy

    THE PROPOSAL


    Gentlemen,

    Subject to your approval, the next JLCC is planed for western Tuscany Italy over the weekend of 3rd to 6th May 2014

    The proposed itinerary

    Saturday 3rd May 2014

    OUTWARD FLIGHT Leave London Heathrow to Rome 09.15 – 12.45 on British Airways

    Arrive Rome and collect van hire : Europ Car / National Car Rental
    Renault Traffic 9 Seater, Unlimited mileage 3rd party insurance and theft and local taxes included

    4 days rental to cover our flight combinations

    ACCOMODATION

    Check in and stay at the Argentaio Golf resort which is north of Rome an due south of Sienna – http://www.argentariogolfresortspa.it/en/resort/accomodations

    4 superior twin rooms (3 twins and 1 double for single share)
    Bed and breakfast included and dinner on the Saturday evening.

    This is a five star resort and by all accounts should deliver everything that we need

    Close to Argentario about 10mins away is Orbetello and for dining out in the evenings Porto Ercole, just less than 10 minutes away is a lovely small fishing port and harbor with a lovely outlook over the sea.

    Also close by is the bigger Porto Stefano from where the ferries run to Giglio, and Elba and where the Costa Concordia ran aground.

    The cuisine in Argentario, is said to be very good as is the service so far as dining out is concerned there are said to be good venues in Porto Ercole


    GOLF

    Saturday 3 May pm play Argentario http://www.argentariogolfresortspa.it/en/golf

    http://en.comuni-italiani.it/053/018/mappa.html

    Evening Dinner (but not wine ) is included for us all on the Saturday that we arrive at Argentario Resort.

    Sunday 4th May am play Terme di Saturnia
    http://www.termedisaturnia.it/en/golf/golf-course
    SP Follonata, 58014 Saturnia, Manciano, Italy.

    This golf course is about 50km north east of the hotel and is therefore about one hour away by car, but to all intents is a fabulous course with stunning scenery

    Suggest eat out in Orbetello or Porto Ercole ( I will enquire as to venues)


    Monday 5th May am play golf at Punta Ala golf resort
    http://www.golfpuntaala.it/foto-gallery.html

    Punta Ala is about 50Km north west of the hotel (again an hour or so from the hotel) but is an established course not far from and with stunning views over the Tuscan coastline

    Tuesday 6th May am again play Argentario for a second time for the JLCC cup


    Flight details

    RETURN Rome to London Heathrow 19.05 – 20.35 6 May 2014

    Flights to be booked Economy class with golf club carriage included in the price

    PACKAGE PRICE

    £989 per person x 7

    NB Single room supplement has been shared evenly across the party of 7

    NB if required an upgrade is available to Club Europe both ways for just £95 per person supplement

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  6. Robert, Hotel and hotel course looks very nice. You've obviously had to look long and hard to find other courses of reasonable standard. Like Rolf I'm a bit concerned about the distances and cost. 2 hours a day is a lot of driving on the 2 middle days. On the first day if we pick up the van at, say, 1.30 pm then it's 1.5 hours to the hotel which means golf probably not getting under way until 3.30 - which means we won't be finishing until 8 pm. Maybe that's not an issue, but you may want to consider earlier flights of which there are plenty.

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  7. Nigel, an earlier flight out had been on my mind so i will explore that. Otherwise so far as the driving is concerned it would have been great if the courses had been a little closer, but they are very good and I think they offer a bit of variety. As for the cost - the Euro zone is a problem particularly when you have to take into account flights and car hire - Turkey might be cheaper as is Morocco but all a bit too far to do in four days. Given the courses and the standard of accommodation this did not seem unreasonable. certainly better value than I was quoted for much poorer courses and worse accommodation elsewhere in Italy. Are you up for it?

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    1. It's fair to say that Italy is one of the most difficult and expensive golf destinations in Europe. There is more choice, and probably better deals, to be found in Portugal, Spain, France ... and the UK?

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    2. All,

      This sounds like a no from Rolf? If anyone else is similarly minded please say now and I will look elsewhere - I am mindful that it is October and if we are going to get this booked we / I need to do so within the next couple of weeks. Better to say now if unhappy and I will braoden search to Portugal France etc Please respond ASAP Thanks Robert

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    3. Just to clarify: I will not stand in the way, if everybody else wants to do this at all cost.
      I do, however, feel that we should be pragmatic about this and enlarge the search, if it’s easier to find several golf courses within easy reach of each other in other countries at half or two thirds of the costs (at the same level of luxury). At the end of the day what counts is the camaraderie, the fun and the banter, some good food and wine, and the thrill of contending for The Cup!

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    4. Chaps, I am entirely with Rolf the JLCC is all about the camaraderie, the fun and the banter, some good food and wine, and the thrill of contending for The Cup! So I will explore Portugal and let you have something to compare Italy with. Be back soon...............

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  8. Chaps,

    I have now received a couple of quotes fro Portugal Excellent accommodation and courses :

    SMMARY:

    5* accommodation :

    Flying BA cost pp £794
    Flying Easy Jet cost pp £779

    4* accommodation

    Flying BA cost pp £644
    Flying Easy jet cost pp £629

    DETAILS


    Please advise if you would like any alternative options and I will be happy to help.

    Formosa Park Hotel & Apartments 4*, Algarve
    http://www.yourgolftravel.com/formosa-park-hotel

    03/05/14
    - Three nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a double/twin bedroom
    - Four rounds of golf included at San Lorenzo, Pinheiros Altos, VDL Royal & VDL Ocean
    - Golf shuttles included
    - Return Airport transfers included
    - Full use of hotel facilities
    Price per golfer £399.00 (based on 3 twins & 1 single)



    Vale do Lobo 5*, Algarve
    http://www.yourgolftravel.com/vale-do-lobo

    03/05/14
    - Three nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a double/twin bedroom
    - Four rounds of golf included at VDL Royal, VDL Ocean, QDL South & QDL Laranjal
    - Golf shuttles included
    - Return Airport transfers included
    - Full use of hotel facilities
    Price per golfer £549.00 (based on 3 twins & 1 single)



    BA Flights at £245 per person (including 23kg golf club carriage)
    Outbound - Saturday 3 May, 2014
    Gatwick (London) 3 May 08:40
    Faro 3 May 11:30
    BA2694
    Inbound - Tuesday 6 May, 2014
    Gatwick (London) 6 May 18:15
    Faro 6 May 20:55
    BA2695

    Easyjet Flights at £215 per person (including 32kg golf club carriage)
    London Gatwick to Faro
    Dep Sat, 03 May 2014 08:05
    Arr Sat, 03 May 2014 10:55
    Flight 8917

    Faro to London Gatwick
    Dep Tue, 06 May 2014 19:45
    Arr Tue, 06 May 2014 22:30
    Flight 8926

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  9. Chaps,

    I forgot to mention that the principal difference here is that the hotel and the courses are all relatively close and only about 10- 15 mins away from the hotel . Since the hotel runs a shuttle bus service to the golf courses there is no need to hire a van.

    I have also received a slightly cheaper quote at £799 pp for an alternative venue and courses in Italy this time north of Venice outside Padua the hotel looks OK and the courses to look ok but probably not as nice as the Tuscany option. The details of this option are :
    Staying at - Villa Condulmer 4* hotel on a b&b basis
    and playing the courses at (i) Ca della Nave Golf Club
    (ii) Montecchia Golf club and (iii) Padova Golf Club

    Anyway we now have three quotes to consider

    And I would welcome your feedback.

    Best

    Robert.

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  10. Lots to think about!
    Will revert, Martin

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    Replies
    1. I quite like the fact that everything is nearby (maybe I am getting older...)

      Is it possible to mix & match the courses? The following website ranks them: http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/area.asp?id=133




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  11. Ok chaps .

    To summarise proposals for next year JLCC 2014 :

    VENUE - Portugal The Algarve.

    DATES - 3/05/2014 to 06/05/2013

    ACCOMMODATION:
    Vale do Lobo 5*, Algarve
    http://www.yourgolftravel.com/vale-do-lobo
    Three nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a double/twin bedroom
    - Golf shuttles included
    - Return Airport transfers included
    - Full use of hotel facilities

    GOLF
    - Four rounds of golf included at (i) Vale do Lobo Ocean (ii) Vale do Lobo Royal(iii) Quinta do Lago -Laranjal and (iv) Quinta do Lago - South Course, (eight-times host of the Portuguese Open)

    FLIGHTS:
    BA Flights at £245 per person (including 23kg golf club carriage)
    OUT - Saturday 3 May, 2014
    Gatwick (London) 3 May 08:40
    Faro 3 May 11:30
    BA2694
    BACK - Tuesday 6 May, 2014
    Gatwick (London) 6 May 18:15
    Faro 6 May 20:55
    BA2695


    Price per golfer £794 (based on 3 twins & 1 single)
    Inclusive of Flights

    So far I have a YES from everyone (apart from Colin - is Colin away?) so I am minded to book and confirm unless anyone says I should not. -

    All replies within the next 24 hours please.

    Robert

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  12. All,

    Unfortunately BA have changed the flight time for the return flight o Tuesday and have brought it forward by 11/2 hours this has resulted in my having to bring forward the tee off times on the last day - Boring but outside of y control.

    The new Itinerary details are below - PLs would Nigel and Roland let me have their passport details or confir that you have logged on to the BA website and entered these yourself. - Thanks

    REVISED ITINERARY

    Summary JLCC 2014 to Portugal - ITINARY


    FLIGHTS

    OUT - Saturday 03/05/2014: London Gatwick to Faro
     British Airways Departs 08:40 / Arrives 11:30
     Flight number: BA2694
     Reference: ZAEPPO

    RETURN - Tuesday 06/05/2014: Faro to London Gatwick
     British Airways Departs 16:45 / Arrives 19:25
     Flight number: BA2695
     Reference: ZAEPPO

    6 passengers: (Rolf is making own arrangements )

    Robert McNally – Passport details provided
    Adrian Fawcett - Passport details provided
    Martin Charles Lawrence - Passport details provided
    Roland Morley - Full passport details awaited/ Outstanding
    Nigel Briscoe - Full passport details awaited/ Outstanding
    Colin Peter Jelfs – Passport Details Provided

    Hold Baggage has been booked: Including 1x 23kg Suitcase & 1x 23kg Golf Bag


    7x Transfers to and From Airport to Vale do Lobo Resort Booked

    24h Contact Number: +351 91 669 0150 Emergency Number.

    HOTEL

    Vale Do Lobo (Vale Do Lobo Resort)
    3 nights / 7 guests / Bed & Breakfast

    Check-in: Saturday, 03 May 2014 (probably not before 15:00 – we will have to leave our bags in depository)
    Check-out: Tuesday, 06 May 2014 (before 11:00 – late check out has been requested on one room.)

    1 x Single (1 occupant), 3 x Twin (2 occupants)

    Late check out for 1 apartment up until 15:00
    Airport Transfer on Tuesday, 06 May 2014, pick up 14:15 from Vale do Lobo Resort to Faro Airport (flight BA2695, departs 16.45)








    GOLF

    Day 1
    Saturday 03 May 2014

    Ocean Course (Vale Do Lobo) Tee off at at 14:08 (2 tee times)
    1 round / 7 golfers

    Notes: Golf Shuttle booked locally from Apartments

    Golf Transfer by 5-8PAX for 7 passengers
    (ref. MCNALLY )

    Day
    2 Sunday, 04 May 2014, pick up 08:00:

    Vale do Lobo Resort to Quinta do Lago South Golf Course (tee off 08.56) (2 tee times)
    Sunday, 04 May 2014, pick up 15:00 (TBA):
    1 round / 7 golfers

    Golf Transfer by 5-8PAX for 7 passengers
    (ref. MCNALLY )

    Day 3
    Monday, 05 May 2014, pick up 10.15:

    Vale do Lobo Resort to Quinta do Lago Laranjal (tee off 11.12) (2 tee times)

    Monday, 05 May 2014, pick up 16:00 (TBA):
    1 round / 7 golfers

    Day 4
    Tuesday, 06 May 2014 pick up at 07.00

    Royal Course (Vale Do Lobo) (Tee off at 07:44) (2 tee times)
    1 round / 7 golfers
    [We have to be back at the Hotel for a pick up at 14.15]




    Notes

    PRICING

    6 × British Airways Flights with airport transfers @ 344.00 GBP

    7 × 3 nights Bed & Breakfast, 4 rounds, golf transfers @ 549.00 GBP

    Less cash received: 1120.00 GBP
    (CC supplements: 16.80 GBP)

    Balance outstanding:
    4787.00 GBP

    Balance due by:
    06/02/2014


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  13. Does BA allow for a change of plane (because it is their fault that the schedule is changed)? There is a later BA flight, which costs 55 Euros less at current sales prices. If that was possible, we could spend the balance on another good meal instead?!

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  14. Would prefer later flight and no rushing !

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  15. Sounds good - am looking forward to it already!
    Martin

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  16. boys anyone fancy get together before JLC?

    adrian , rolf and robert, do you fancy a game of golf before hand?

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  17. Excellent idea...how about this Friday?

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  18. can't make it ! My birthday …… should be in your diary

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  19. we can help you celebrate! what better way...?

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  20. Drinks would be a great idea, if we can do it some time during the week.
    (We have family over the next two weekends and I have my name down for a Stableford the weekend thereafter, hoping that my handicap will go up to reflect my state of play.)

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  21. Excellent idea. I have booked restaurant for dinner on the Sunday I think we should also discuss some tour rules and handicaps. When would suit everybody to get together?

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  22. Sunday's difficult for me, as I have a full house with brothers and sisters over from Germany...

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  23. Rolf - I think Robert meant he had booked a restaurant in Portugal for the Sunday...

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  24. Precisely! But a get together over drinks one evening would be good - a few things to sort out such as handicaps tour rules etc. best

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  25. If Friday no good how about Thursday this week?

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  26. Thursday this week works for me? Can everybody else make the 10th? Best

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  27. Sorry to be difficult; but I need to pick my mother up from the airport at 9.30 p.m. on Thursday.
    Next week (Mon-Thu) would work much better for me...

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  28. I could do Wed or Thurs next week.

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  29. Could do Thursday next week after 8.30 pm

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  30. That is Thursday 17/4. Good for me.

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  31. Most likely OK for me.it is possible though that an afternoon event carries over into the evening.

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  32. Yup- Thu 17th works for me. .

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  33. Thursday 17th - I am in Madrid so no good for me - could make the 16th if everyone else can ( Adrian I know cannot as he is on call) ? Robert

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  34. Tuesday no good for me I regret...

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  35. What about Monday 14th - any good?

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  36. I guess the key is - what dates can Bobby do?

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  37. Crossed posts. Monday is OK for me.

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  38. Chaps I can make 14th, 15th, 16th, 24th, 25th,28th and 1st Any of these any good to anyone else? Robert

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  39. I am committed monday unless i cancel prior engagement

    Sunday good for me

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  40. Can everyone make Monday ?

    If so I will try and rearrange my prior commitment

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  41. every day is fine except for the next few weekends (I guess I sound like a broken record...)

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  42. Ref Robert's text of 11:25

    14, 15 no
    16 yes
    24 yes
    25 no
    28 yes

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  43. SO TO SUMMARISE Looks like either 16th, 24th 0r 28th? Any comments ?

    Time to meet :

    14/4 15/4 16/4 24/4 25/4 28/4
    Robert YES YES YES YES YES YES
    Martin NO NO YES YES NO YES
    Colin
    Nigel
    Rolf YES YES YES YES YES YES
    Adrian YES NO NO ? ? ?
    Roland NO YES ? ? NO YES

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  44. 28th sounds a possibility - Colin? Adrian? Nigel?

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  45. Chaps are we meeting on 28th? Say 8.00-8.30 at the old Plough?

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  46. All

    With sincere apologies all round particularly to Roland who should clearly have had the salver over the lat six months - i have the Mianne Bagger Salver.

    Order is restored. But i too favour abolition.


    Robert

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