Final Round - Junior Players shine at Praia d'el Rey as Senior Pro wins

The last round of the GSAL Golf Tour 2015 was a great finale and fitting that it was played on the challenging championship Praia d'el Rey Golf Resort course. With overnight rain making the fairways play long the younger and higher handicap players took advantage of the conditions and stormed through the field with some excellent stableford scoring. The winner on the day was Jenson Small with a phenomenal 49 points and Brad Cohen with 42 points in second place. Lydia Derbyshire played some steady golf to make third with 41 points. In the Order of Merit, senior pro, Will Ellis held off a strong challenge from Max Adler to win by three shots and James Woodward in third one shot further back. Will Eardley made GSAL Golf Tour history completing his round in a one under par gross score, making five birdies in the process.The tourists enjoyed a final presentation at a local tapas restaurant.

Round 5 Final Day line-up confirmed at Royal Obidos

Playing in ranked pairs (1st place with 24th place etc.) in better-ball stableford, the final day groupings are now confirmed. The big movers today were Tour Captain Dan Davies (from 16 to 11), Tom Altman (8th to 5th) and Will Ellis moved from 4th to 1st due to inspired golf from his partner Ben Goldberg who in turn moved up to 16th. The top four and therefore in the best tradition of golf, the final group on the course are:

4th Max Adler, 3rd Cal Jackson, 2nd Nick Summersgill, 1st Will Ellis.

For those not so successful today, useful shots have been gained in preparation for tomorrow's singles. Since every stableford point earned tomorrow is added directly to one's Order of Merit total, everyone is in the hunt for higher positions and it is perfectly likely that our eventual winner could come from way down the field.  There will plenty of nerves on the first tee tomorrow and some half-eaten breakfasts, with much at stake as the Tour reaches its crescendo.

DAY 4 Europe retain the Ryder Cup

The European Team captained by Harry O'Garra and his vice-captain Will Eardley led their team to 4-2 victory over the challenging undulating Campo Real Golf Course. Europe were in a strong position after winning the opening four matches repaying their captain's faith in his playing order strategy.

The successful European Team are pictured below on the first tee.

The Tour Party return to Royal Obidos tomorrow for the business end of the week's golf, the first of the final two rounds which historically has been "moving day" for the Order of Merit placings. As things stand the top of the Order of Merit placings are:

1 Nick Summersgill 45 pts

2=  (38 pts)  Max Adler, Will Atherton, Will Ellis and Cal Jackson

ROUND 3 Teams of Four - Praia D'el Rey

Day 3 on Tour and several of the newbies began to show their true colours as they progressed up the leader board. Under the watchful eye and guidance of SD, Bradley Cohen enjoyed his best round so far, and together with Tom Altman and Nick Summersgill they posted a winning 86 points. On a stunning, yet accessible golf course for all abilities,  the fourman team format proved to be an exciting and enthralling competition which ultimately resulted in several significant moves in the merit table. 

The highlight of the day however, was the draw for the GSAL Tour Room-mate Ryder Cup Challenge. The European (James Woodward/Will Eardley) and USA captain's and vice-captains were invited to choose, in secrecy, the order of play for their respective pairings. The resulting match-ups revealed some very exciting matches; watch this space for the next instalment!

ROUND 2 Bom Successo Golf Club - the Merit Table begins to take shape

The second day of the tour was played on a classic purpose built Donald Steel course with undulating fairways, challenging greens but a course accessible to every ability level. As usual the Tour party ripped the range, chipped the practice green until it was white with golf balls and putted out until the rain arrived!!! Despite a heavy downpour at the start of the round the 12 groups enjoyed three hours plus of blue sky and great golf. The groups finished the day all within 12 points of each other and everyone had plenty of tales to tell in the clubhouse. The winning pair, Will Eardley and Max Adler (43 points) were deserved leaders with some splendid golf throughout their round. The day was capped off with a team dinner at Restaurante Milano where Maitre d' Josh Borlant ensured the ice cream order reached its intended customer. The squad retired to the hotel just in time for Messrs Eardley and Hardless  to celebrate Stoke City's emphatic win over Chelsea.

DAY 1 Royal Obidos - The Fourballs

The party enjoyed a pleasant early evening meal in the restaurants of Calas da Rainha on Sunday and returned to the hotel to prepare for their first day's gold on Monday. After an early breakfast the squad were treated to the spectacle of the Seve Ballesteros designed Royal Obidos course; a par 72 gem. A quick warm up on the range was followed with some putting and then on to the Captain's Drive-in, a monster thump from Dan Davies down the first hole. A close fought competition with teams of four playing off three quarter handicap. The winning score of 77 points was the Woodward, Summersgill, Veitch and Lydia Derbyshire team. Everyone enjoyed the course, especially the fantastic array of well designed holes, in-particular those surrounded by water. 

The Tees are booked and waiting.....

BR (L-R); B. Goldberg, R. Simmons, W. Atherton, N. Summersgill, J. Cavanagh, W. Eardley, Mr J. Veitch

MR (L-R); Mr S. Corcoran, J. Small, A. Evans, B. Cohen, L. Derbyshire, E. Abrahams, M. Adler, Mr S. Dunn

FR (L-R); A. Hussain, H. O’Garra, J. Woodward, D. Davies (Tour Captain), W. Ellis, T. Altman, R. Hardless

(not pictured);                  J. Borlant, C. Jackson

Portugal's Silver Coast

Portugal's Silver Coast is one of Europe's most beautiful and unspoilt stretches of coastline prized among holidaymakers as the perfect and tranquil place to relax and escape from the traditional honeypots of the Iberian peninsula. It is also one of Europe's hidden golfing gems with a range of golf courses which test and attract golfers of all abilities and ages. The Silver Coast is the ideal location for the GSAL Tour 2015 and all the players are looking forward to taking on the challenge ahead.

The local geography

Given there are two geographers on the trip we thought we should indulge you .....

The unspoiled Silver Coast region of Portugal is stunningly beautiful with wide golden stretches of unmarked sand, turquoise sea, rolling countryside, traditional charming villages and world heritage sites. This truly unspoiled landscape in the heart of Portugal, with a quite extraordinary concentration of history, culture, tradition, fascinating towns, beautiful museums and natural assets. We are certainly looking forward to the golf but will also be keen to take in the local cuisine and culture.

The region is renowned for its fantastic clean beaches, water sports activities (including boating, scuba diving and fishing), and of course world-class golf-courses. 

Our base

We shall be staying in the Sana Silver Coast Hotel in Cala da Rainha - click here to find out more about our hotel and for a little information about the town click here.

OK that's the holiday advert over on to the main business....