Over 70 members and guests enjoyed a fantastic evening at Restaurante Rabelo, in Carvoeiro where SICG’s annual Presentation Dinner was held. With music provided by the renowned ‘Vitor’, many of those in attendance were soon making moves on the dance floor even before making their way towards ‘starters’ from the buffet. As a result, the stage was immediately set for a typically energetic, fun-filled SICG occasion.

Cheered by free flowing, festive refreshments, and fine food from a well-stocked buffet, the banter resonating across the spacious venue created an appropriate atmosphere for celebrating our annual presentations. Between food courses - and even during them - the dance floor came alive with many revellers determined to demonstrate that swinging gracefully was not restricted to the golf course. However, with desserts finally consumed, even the most energetic members and guests were compelled to settle down comfortably as the prize-giving feature of the evening commenced.

SICG Vice-Captain, Margot Huddleston, presented the 2022 awards to the various winners, and runners-up in attendance across a range of competitions, most of whom feature in the following roll of honour:

MENS ORDER OF MERIT

1^st John Bataille

2^nd Petter Barth

3^rd Lars Persson

LADIES ORDER OF MERIT

1^st Jules Heath

2^nd Tuula Nurmi

3^rd Heli Ilves

MENS KNOCKOUT

Winner John Bataille

Runner-up Thomas Callan

LADIES KNOCKOUT

Katriina Iho

Barbro Arvidson

PAIRS KNOCKOUT

Winners - Barbro Arvidson & Par Arvidson

Runners-Up – Frank Wilson & Peter Fisher

ARIE VAN DEN BRINK TROPHY

1^st Janice Langham

2^nd Lars Persson

3^rd Par Arvidson

Best Gross Lars Persson

As illustrated in the accompanying photographs, all presentations were gratefully accepted by proud recipients, and who also undoubtedly appreciated the enthusiastic applause and whoops of delight from fellow members. To conclude the prize-giving, Margot then presented a special bouquet of flowers to Sue Hagland in recognition of the tremendous work and organisation by Sue to ensure that the 2022 Presentation Dinner was yet another highly memorable SICG occasion. The evening eventually concluded with yet more dancing, frivolity, and even bouts of community singing to further enhance the lyrics provided by Vitor. A perfect end to a perfect night, and everyone privileged to be in attendance was undoubtedly a winner!

On a sun-kissed, November day in the beautiful Algarve, over 70 golfers participated in the special 10 th anniversary edition of the SICG annual Phoenix Trophy competition. The Club has gone from strength to strength since being formed in 2012 with just 28 golfers, to its current position of more than 180 members.

A ‘shotgun’ start at 9 am at Silves signalled the beginning of competition for the Phoenix Trophy - originally introduced to commemorate the club’s foundation. For the 10 th anniversary event, players competed for not only the team trophy but also various individual ‘spot’ prizes, which were presented afterwards at the barbecue lunch. The Silves course was in
typically great condition as players graced the fairways and greens underneath a cloudless Algarve sky. The standard of golf was also first class, as several teams took full advantage of the early winter sunshine, to return very impressive scores.

Julian Lyons, one of the founder members, spoke at the post-competition barbecue, and reflected on how the club has grown to become “the welcoming, international club that it is today”. Club Captain, Brendan O’Connell, also stressed how the current strength of SICG is illustrated by the range of not only golfers of all levels, but also “the fantastic combination of nationalities, which combine to make SICG such a richly diverse and welcoming club”. Brendan also praised the Pestana group for tremendous support “in helping to ensure that the club’s 10 th anniversary would be truly a memorable occasion”.

Captain Brendan’s personal drive and determination to deliver this special event was evident both on and off the course, due the event’s organisation, superbly established and coordinated by Captain Brendan. The Pestana Silves clubhouse was bedecked in national flags representing the countries of SICG’s membership, and including, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Norway, Wales, Jersey, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, England, and Scotland. The wonderful atmosphere in the clubhouse, before and after golf, reflected SICG’s typical spirit of great camaraderie and friendship.

The presentation ceremony featured a barbecue in the sun, as delicious food, and refreshments were served by the Pestana staff. Addressing the gathering, Pestana Manager, Stefano Silvestre, proudly praised the quality of “wonderful Pestana Silves staff, who provided excellent service for members on this special occasion with customary professionalism”. Other speakers echoed Stefano’s sentiments, and generally emphasised that Silves staff were a credit to Pestana, not only for their excellent service on the occasion of the SICG’s 10 th anniversary, but for the service provided all year round at Pestana Silves, both in the clubhouse and on the golf course.

The SICG Phoenix Trophy, 10 th anniversary edition was a truly special occasion, and SICG now confidently looks to the future with the aim of enhancing even further SICG’s status as one of the Algarve’s leading golf clubs.

Competition results as follows:
Winning Team - Thomas Hornfeldt, Aulis Karjalainen, Karin Sunden, Jukka Kolho; Nearest the Pin in 2 strokes (Ladies) - Jane Williams Barth; Nearest the Pin in 2 strokes (Men) – George Hagland; Nearest the Pin (Men) – Michael Boyle; Nearest the Pin (Ladies) – Arja Edvardsson; Nearest the Line (Ladies) – Anna Gylling; Nearest the Line (Men) - Tony Seal.

Sharon Lyons was the very worthy winner of the latest edition of the Don Cox Trophy competition. A proud, and clearly delighted Sharon is pictured here receiving the trophy from Club President, Tom Callan.

Those of us participating in this year’s Nordic Day golf at Silves were privileged to have enjoyed another fantastic, SICG experience. The tremendous organisation of our Scandinavian members ensured a day to remember for the 67 players. Naturally, everyone was welcomed at the 1^st tee with not only friendly Finnish and Swedish greetings, but also the offer of traditional spirits. Similarly, at the 10^th, yet more Nordic hospitality was available, with Nordic delicacies, accompanied by a choice of refreshing liquids. Apparently, fired up with (let’s just say, ‘enthusiasm’) the efforts to land golf balls nearest to the line on the 10^th fairway, were inspired by the liquids, albeit the results of many efforts being more than slightly ‘off-line’ ..! Nevertheless, well done to Agneta Torgardh, and Brian Langham for placing drives closest to the line, and claiming the respective Ladies and Gents awards! 

 After golf, no fewer than 68 members and guests enjoyed a great afternoon at Restaurante Recanto dos Mouros, in Silves. A few golfers were unable to attend, but our guests swelled the number to 68, in total! Bedecked in Nordic blue, white, and yellow, the restaurant was a terrific setting for the occasion which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Sumptuous food, and lashings of various beverages, contributed to the friendly, carnival-type, atmosphere. Following the meal, tension mounted as the prize giving ceremony beckoned; and, in reverse order, results were as follows: 5^th - Per-Lars Tonstad/Jan Daapan (44); 4^th – Asa Hedman/Thomas Hornfeldt (44); 3^rd – Ove Flenhagen/Steve Etherington (45); 2^nd – Janice & Brian Langham (47); 1^st – Terry & Tom Brady (48). Congratulations to all on the awards’ podium, and especially to the Nordic Day, 2022 winners: Terry and Tom!  

A lottery was staged immediately after the awards ceremony, with lots, and lots, and lots of prizes on offer, it seemed that everyone was a winner, including the charity that benefited from the proceeds. Certainly, due to the privilege of participating in such a memorable SICG event, everyone whether receiving prizes or not, was indeed a winner. As a result, we are indebted to our Nordic members for their tremendous input in providing such a day. It is my pleasure, therefore, on behalf of all SICG members to convey both congratulations and sincere thanks to all involved in staging the event: Kiltos! & Tack! 

Warm regards

Thomas Callan

SICG President