Competitions round-up

Peter Satariano continued to establish himself as the major force in amateur golf when he lifted the prestigious Scratch Challenge Cup after a two-day tournament at Marsa. However, he was made to work hard by young Nicky Beck who forced a three-hole play-off.

The first day was characterised by a very difficult wind which was reflected in the comparatively high scores recorded. Only five players broke 80, with Satariano and Beck each carding a 75.

Second day conditions improved and so did the scores.

Seventy-two strokes each left the leaders tied on 147. The play-off was held over the three closing holes of the course, providing spectators a shot-by-shot view of the proceedings. Beck bogeyed the first hole while Satariano produced a birdie to effectively win the competition with two holes to play.

The Scratch Challenge is one of the oldest competitions in local sport - the first edition having been held in 1891 and practically every year since, bar the war years.

Until the late 1980s it was the club's major competition. It has now been overtaken by The Championship following the change of format of the latter event to 54-hole stroke play-off scratch.

The Barclays Handicap Cup is the second major on the club's calendar followed by the Wedgwood Cup which is to be competed for on two consecutive Saturdays - May 13 and 20.

The Wedgwood Cup will be followed by the last and most important golf major, The Championship, over three days during the first weekend in June.

In the knockouts, the first known semi-finalists in all competitions are those of the Le Meridien.

Lou Collins will meet Edwin Mifsud while Paul Gray is pitted against Peter Satariano.

Two of the semi-finalists in the Creasy Cup are known, Jeremy Kirk and Ken Waddington. Similarly the two known semi-finalists in the Scratch KO are Tony Vella and Peter Satariano.

All other quarter-finals have to be played by this weekend.

The individual Order of Merit is led by Peter Satariano with 163 points. He is followed by Ken Waddington (143) and 14-year old J.J. Micallef (137).

Micallef also features in the Eclectic with a 57, equal to Satariano with whom he shares second position. Beck leads on 54.

Results on line

Members automatically receive competition results if they register their e-mail address with the club.

The Competitions Secretary also forwards a copy of the start sheet prior to each competition, making it easy for every competitor to check their start time and tee from the comfort of their home or office.

Full competition results are posted on a dedicated Website which also contains details of individual handicaps.

The site is certainly worth browsing: www.howdidido.co.uk/royal-malta-golf-club

RMGC goes mobile

To further its policy of upgrading facilities the RMGC has taken delivery of eight new car buggies.

Although perceived as an 'older man's toy', these electric buggies are becoming a necessity in the very hot summer months and, following the successful experiment conducted with only two buggies last year, it was decided to extend the 'fleet'.

Initial results have been encouraging with both members and visitors making extensive use of the new facility.

Members already enjoy reduced rates but the club is exploring the possibility of further reductions by offering a 'roll-up' rate.

Course marshall

Another innovation is the introduction of a course marshall whose principal remit is to ensure smooth flow of play on the course during peak hours.

The marshall, in the popular form of Ray Mountford, is also responsible to ensure that there are no members on the course who have not pre-booked, and no non-members who have not paid a green fee.

He also acts as a starter, ensuring that flights go off on time and that no one encroaches on tee times booked by others.

The introduction of a course marshall has long been felt and became necessary because of the ever increasing popularity of the game and the large number of golfers now using the course on a daily basis... contrary to the misconception that the Marsa course in underutilised.

More innovation

The introduction of buggies and a course marshall are two of the developments announced during a club extraordinary general meeting held last December. Also announced was the committee's resolve to press ahead with plans for a much improved clubhouse.

This is in keeping with the club's objective to ultimately provide members and visitors with a complete golfing experience.

The improvements will entail the building of an extension to house lockers and new dressing rooms. There will be alterations to the bar/restaurant area complimented with a new kitchen.

A welcome addition will be an exclusive members' lounge. A reception-cum-front office will cater for visitors and members' everyday needs.

The proposals are far reaching and will require a substantial commitment for the club. The committee, therefore, feels that the members' approval is essential before embarking on the project.

To this end a meeting is being called during May which every member is urged to attend. Full plans and a model of the project will be made available.

National association

The Malta Golf Federation has been renamed the Malta Golf Association in order to better reflect the nature of its composition.

Its constitution has also been completely overhauled, with the major change being that now all golfers who are members of an affiliated club or golf society have a vote. The next step is the election of a new council and this will take place in June.

The association's object is to regulate the sport and promote golf in the Maltese islands. It is responsible for local and overseas affiliations and for the selection of representatives for international competitions and fora.

The association has no say in the management of the Royal Malta Golf Club.

R&A support

The R&A has, through its golf development programme, agreed to provide the club with technical support with the aim of possibly preparing a team for the Mediterranean Games to be held in Pescara, Italy, in 2009.

The programme will concentrate upon talented youngsters of Maltese nationality but will possibly also include clinics for all members.