I remember vividly the first time I saw Silves Golf Course. It was a few weeks before it opened and I along with about 20 other SdM members were given a guided tour by Jose Matias. We travelled in a convoy of buggies and it all seemed very pleasant, until we stopped on the 5th tee and I got my first view looking down the fairway from that elevated position. It actually took my breath away, a sunny November day and a prefect vista. From that moment to today I have never tired of that view.

56 players entered what will now become the annual SdM Valentines Day matchplay competition in which the men play against the ladies, although 4 had to withdraw so there were 13 matches.  For the first Club Day in nearly two weeks, we had a rain free morning - much to the relief of organiser Dave Tweed, who was dreading having to postpone the high workload Saturday competition for the second week running.

Last year was virtually a "Valentine's Day Massacre" with the men almost acheiving a whitewash victory , so the guidelines were changed a bit for 2014 to give more advantage to the ladies - but clearly by not enough, as the men still won by 8 to 5, and 3 of those 5 by the ladies had men playing for them.

The draw for the knockouts has taken place. These can be found via the Knockouts button on the left hand menu.

The draw will also be placed on the SdM notice board in the clubhouse.

Below are the completion dates for each round - note that these are the very latest allowable date and hence I would encouraged you to begin playing the games as soon as possible.

After the "away day" at Alto last week due to the European Seniors Competitions, the matchplay men came back home to Silves on this damp and relatively cold Thursday morning.  Quite a few of the regulars were not playing today, as they were on marshalling duty for the Seniors Final at Pinta - getting very wet and very cold!

So, just 12 of us today, and only two of the three 4balls were our normal matchplay game, as Pete Vaughan and his guests played their own game.

A windy and overcast day saw the 2014 Captain's Drive In at Silves Course today. Out going Captain welcomed incoming Captain Gary Edwards early in the morning for the ceremony of putting out on the 18th green and driving off on the first tee. Afterwards 56 members played in a match play format, Gary's team in Red and Geoff's in Blue.

SdM Handicap secretary Mags Taylor finished 2013 with a bang by scoring her first hole in one on the 7th hole at Gramacho today.