Victor Satariano is the Royal Malta Golf Club (RMGC) captain for 2005/2006. Satariano's drive-in took place earlier this month with a sizeable crowd of members and guests in attendance. Also present were 17 ex-captains in their traditional green jackets.

On drive-in day it is customary for the new captain to arrive in an unusual mode of transport. Past years have seen captains arriving in anything from a long stretch limousine to a ride-on greens mower.

True to tradition, Satariano arrived astride a very docile gelding. Once dismounted on the first tee, outgoing captain, Tom Davies presented him with his (golf) driver and the new captain proceeded to hit his drive. Judging by the quality of the shot Satariano is in for a good year.

Senior captain, Colin Urpani, then presented Satariano with his green jacket and welcomed him to the exclusive club of RMGC captains.

Satariano started playing in the early 1970s. His agenda during his year in office includes his desire to repair the rift between the golf club and the Marsa club.

AGM goes well

Club chairman, Paul Stoner, has expressed great satisfaction at the outcome of the club's annual general meeting when a number of far reaching changes to the club's constitution were approved by the membership present.

From next year the revised constitution envisages a two-tier management system; with a slim five-member board deciding on finance and policy, while a Captain's committee oversees the day-to-day running of the club.

This committee will be responsible for all members' activities like competitions, handicapping and social functions, and also for all clubhouse facilities.

The newly-elected committee is composed of Paul Stoner, chairman; Victor Satariano, Captain; Claire Muller, Lady Captain; John Lewis, vice-captain; Alex Mangion, treasurer, William Beck, member; Ian Restall, member. Tony Bonello is club secretary.

Satariano wins championship

Peter Satariano drew on his considerable mental and physical reserves to beat off 47 other contenders in the 54-hole club championship, emulating his father's achievement of 19 years ago.

In Lino Satariano's time, however, the championship was played on a scratch knock-out basis.

This year's championship was characterised by rather higher scores than one would expect from this event; no doubt a result of nervousness on the part of the competitors.

It is a phenomenon of the championship how tension takes over the minds of usually very competent players, causing them to miss the easiest of putts and generally miss hitting ordinary shots. But such is the nature of golf, 80% mental and 20% physical.

The best score of the first day, 75, was carded by Tony Vella, a newcomer at the club. He was followed by young Nicholas Beck on 77. Only five players broke 80 on the day.

With only the top 24 scores qualifying for the Saturday round, the competition became a little more intense and produced a few changes to the leader board. Satariano had the best round, a 76, as did the evergreen Freddie Zammit who once again proved that he cannot be discounted from any golf event. Again only six players broke 80.

With the top 15 scores and equal eligible to go forward to the third day, 17 players qualified to play the final round on Sunday. Players were grouped in threes in accordance with their aggregate scores from the previous two days, with the final threesome going off last.

This was made up of Satariano (156), Beck (156) and Vella (155). Vella was penalised four shots for inadvertently carrying an extra club in his bag and fell by the wayside. Beck may have been betrayed by his youth and the occasion and also produced a lacklustre 80 which however secured him joint third place.

On the other hand Satariano kept his cool and again produced a round of 76 to win the title. Runner-up position went to Kim Borg whose third round 72 was the best 18-hole score of the tournament.

Red Bull final 5

Concurrently with the championship, Red Bull sponsored a competition based on the final five holes of every round.

As it has been clinically proven that the average amateur golfer starts tiring after 13 holes, Red Bull are promoting their product as an energy booster to help players finish their round on a high note.

Players kept a separate score for their final five holes on purposely printed cards and special Red Bull prizes were awarded to the players with the best score over that part of the course.

The winner was Alex Scudamore. John Payne and Hans Proell were second and third respectively.

Abele nets Centenary plate

Also concurrently with the championship the club organised a 54-hole competition for those players not eligible to play in the main event, and also for those who failed to qualify for the second and third days of the championship.

The Centenary plate was won by Michael Abele with a net 203, followed by John Payne (206).

Laferla double in Creasy Cup

Nick Laferla capped a splendid year by winning the Creasy Cup, beating finalist Nigel Hall 8-7 in the 36-hole final.

The score suggests that the quality of Hall's game on the day was below par but this is untrue. The scoreline was the result of the exceptional golf played by Laferla who was only two over par when the game ended on the 29th hole. He had shot five over in the morning round and was three under par for 11 holes in the afternoon.

This is the second time that Laferla has won the cup which is the most popular individual knock-out organised annually by the club. This year, Laferla also won the Scratch Challenge Cup and was runner-up in the Emirates Challenge.