Dear Member,

Our much anticipated trip to Quinta Do Lago – organised with thanks to the local knowledge & connections of our Captain Tony – is finally upon us.  We are fully booked with 44 golfers plus our starter Bryan. If you trust a 10-day forecast we are looking at 25 degrees and sunny; but cooler in the evenings. Please print this itinerary and bring with you.

For those travelling in the main group, Michael Brennan will have sent you your flight details and reference numbers, if you are booking bags or clubs you will need to visit the Aer Lingus website and book and pay the charges.

The Aer Lingus flight EI0498 departs terminal 2 on Wednesday 7th October at 17:20. Check in 15.20, we arrive 20.15. There is no time difference between Ireland and Portugal. We will be met on arrival and transferred to Ampalius Hotel in Vilamoura which should take less than 30 mins.
Accomodation

Vila Gale Ampalius, Vilamoura, Buffet breakfast included.
Tel: (+351) 217 907 696
www.vilagale.com

Twin sharing, 4 nights. Arrive Wed 7th – Depart Sun 11th
Andy Flynn                         Michael Sludds
Brendan Fagan                  Neil O’Reilly
Brian O’Callaghan            John Opperman
Dave Walshe                     Dominic Murray
Declan Murphy                 Kevin Maher
John Gaffney                     Shay Fleming
Stephen Tucker                 Michael Norton
Patrick Ryan                      Sean Hogan
Tony Casey                        Austin Behan

Single Rooms, 4 nights. Arrive Wed 7th – Depart Sun 11th
Bob Fagan       Conor Gallagher        Liam Mullaney            Stephen Ward
Tony Judge      Mick Slein                  Tadgh O’Meara           Paul Traynor
Fer Traynor     Liam De Renzy           Malachy Menton        Louis O’Carroll
F. McMullen    Emmet Memery         Noel McGrane            Sean Guirke

Single Rooms, 5 nights. Arrive Wed 7th – Depart Mon 12th
Tony Buckley    Steve Mooney       Conor Dalglish        Enda Guirke

Single Rooms, 5 nights. Arrive Tuesday 6th – Depart Sun 11th
Derek Mooney

Own Accommodation
Vincent Clarke   David Cassidy     Shay O’Connell   Sean McKeon
Mick Kenny     Bryan Kenny

www.clubstohire.com
For those who have availed of the great deal, your clubs will be delivered to the Laranjal course on Thursday morning and will be collected in Quinta south after golf on Saturday. Obviously you, the hirer, are individually responsible for the safe return of these clubs, so please ensure you check them on receipt and mind them throughout the trip.

Thursday 8th Laranjal

Voted Best Golf Course at the Portuguese 2011 Travel Awards. Boasting some spectacular fairways and well-defined greens, Laranjal is renowned for its five beautiful lakes and its abundance of umbrella pines, cork and orange trees. At 6,480 meters in length, the course is challenging and it demands the highest levels of concentration and accuracy. Its distinctive rolling terrain has been expertly designed and manicured to provide a world class golfing experience. Comprising five par 5s, eight par 4s and five par 3s, the course is sown with Bermuda grass on the fairways and Penn A4 on the greens, guaranteeing excellent putting surfaces throughout the year.

Sponsor: Bob Fagan, Ailesbury & Ashbury Retirement Homes
Competition Format – Singles Stableford
Transfer: 2 buses leaving hotel 9.30 & 10.20 – Returning:   17.30 & 18.20
11.20    Andy Flynn    Niall O’Reilly    Patrick Ryan    Fergus Traynor
11.28    David Cassidy GD    Conor Dalglish    Paul Traynor    Enda Guirke
11.36    Kevin Maher    Sean Guirke    Stephen Mooney    Stephen Ward
11.44    Tony Buckley    Declan Murphy    John Opperman    Mick Slein
11.52    Bob Fagan    Frazer McMullan    Liam DeRenzy    Malachy Menton
12.00    Noel McGrane    John Gaffney    Brendan Fagan    Mick Kenny
12.08    Mick Sludds    Sean McKeon    Liam Mullaney    Mick Norton
12.16    Louis O’Carroll    Brian O’Callaghan    Shay O’Connell    Derek Mooney
12.24    Conor Gallagher    Vincent Clarke    Emmet Memery    Dave Walshe
12.32    Shay Fleming    Tadgh O’Meara    Tony Casey    Sean Hogan
12.40    Tony Judge    Dominic Murray    Austin Behan    Stephen Tucker

Friday 9th Oct

San Lorenzo Bordering the Ria Formosa Estuary the San Lorenzo GC was opened in 1988 and takes advantage of wonderful topography on the Quinta do Lago estate, winding its way gently over undulating pine woodland. The course was designed by the American golf architect Joseph Lee and the beautiful Bermuda grass fairways provide perfect playing conditions. The Course is laid out in a figure of eight and at the heart lies the San Lorenzo Clubhouse with a golf pro shop; comfortable changing facilities; welcoming bar and restaurant.

Extra days Golf kindly arranged by Sean McKeon, no competition
You may be able to arrange free transfers at the reception or take taxi, no bus
12.00    Austin Behan    Andy Flynn    Michael Sludds    Tony Casey
12.10    Sean McKeon    Tadgh O’Meara    Brian O’Callaghan    John Opperman
12.20    Tony Buckley    Sean Guirke    Enda Guirke    Conor Dalglish
12.30    John Gaffney    Shay Fleming    Mick Slein    Bob Fagan
12.40    David Cassidy GD    Vincent Clarke    Shay O’Connell    Emmet Memery
12.50    Dominic Murray    Kevin Maher    Paul Traynor    Declan Murphy
13.00    Niall O’Reilly    Derek Mooney    Sean Hogan    Patrick Ryan

Saturday  10th Oct

Quinta South  The jewel in the Quinta do Lago crown, the South Course has played host to the Portuguese Open no less than eight times. The favourite course of many European tour players, it is a 6,500 metre par 72 set amongst umbrella pines, lakes and wild flowers, overlooking the spectacular scenery of the Ria Formosa National Park.

Team event Stableford 2 to count and all four on 9 and 18
Competition entry €10, team prizes First, Second & Third
Michael Norton will collect sweep & check signed legible cards
Transfer 2 buses leaving hotel 11.00 and 11.50 return 18.30 & 19.20
12.48    Noel McGrane    Sean Guirke    Paul Traynor    Mick Slein
12.56    Tony Judge    Sean McKeon    Liam DeRenzy    Derek Mooney
13.04    Tony Buckley    Tadhg O’Meara    Liam Mullaney    Stephen Ward
13.12    Conor Gallagher    Dominic Murray    Austin Behan    Dave Walshe
13.20    Andy Flynn    Brian O’Callaghan    Tony Casey    Sean Hogan
13.28    Shay Fleming    Frazer McMullan    Patrick Ryan    Mick Kenny
13.36    Mick Sludds    Vincent Clarke    Shay O’Connell    Enda Guirke
13.44    David Cassisy GD    Conor Dalglish    John Opperman    Michael Norton
13.52    Bob Fagan    John Gaffney    Emmet Memery    Stephen Tucker
14.00    Louis O’Carroll    Declan Murphy    Stephen Mooney    Fergus Traynor
14.08    Kevin Maher    Niall O’Reilly    Brendan Fagan    Malachy Menton

Saturday evening presentation meal in Fairways restaurant in the port at 9 pm sharp.
We are playing a little late on Saturday so time will be tight, arriving in the restaurant on time will be appreciated by all.

Sunday 11th Free day

Hotel checkout 11.30, store your bag with the porter
Bus departs Ampalius 18.30 sharp for 9 pm Flight. NB. The RWC France v Ireland match may not be over but the bus cannot wait.
Flight EI0499 departs 21.00 so if you are not on the bus at 18.30 make your own arrangements, there will be no head count. Arrival Dublin is 11.45.

A few notes for an enjoyable trip
Personal Security – We are all big boys but just remember we are all prime targets for crime, pick pockets, confidence tricksters, etc. Please be aware and be mindful of your buddies, especially walking home at night. Villamoura will be full of all manner of golfers at this time of year and good decisions will avoid troublesome situations.
Be on time for your golf, the usual check in rules apply.
Travel Insurance – the society has no travel insurance this is down to each member to arrange.
The society has now made full prepayment for everything, there can be no refund, claim on your insurance for cancellations.
Communicate with your fellow travellers, this is a great opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones, Vilamoura is a big place, let guys know what your dinner & evening plans are and remember we are very fortunate to be part of a wonderful trip like this, enjoy and have a ball.

Best regards
Committee