The MGS return visit to Mentreuil proved to be just as enjoyable as previous tours with 15 well honed athletes taking part.

As usual its was an early start with everyone meeting at the Channel Tunnel terminal for some refreshment before our crossing to France, then onwards to our first game at Le Pins at Harderlot. Fortunately the rather dull and uninspiring journey through the tunnel was suddenly elevated to dizzying heights when a photo arrived on the WhatsApp group from Captain Kev. Rather like someone on safari spotting a rare animal, he was keen to share a true rarity. Probably needs no further explanation, other than they are apparently different to the ones in the Middle House!

Day 1 – Golf d’Hardelot – Le Pins

Fortunately everyone had recovered from the tunnel excitement to arrive in good shape with just time for some sustenance and get mentally prepared for our first round. Following a brief introduction and summary of the rules by ‘no gimmies Kev’, play duly commenced. The weather was overcast with a strong breeze making conditions testing and for some of us, particularly awkward with scores to match! That said, the course itself was in immaculate condition. Lush manicured fairways and super quick greens – a pleasant change from conditions we’ve been used to recently in the UK.

As per most years we skipped any post round drinks at the course and moved on swiftly to check in to our lodgings at the Hermitage Hotel in Mentreuil. With a relatively short turn around to get showered and changed, enough time was left for some pre dinner drinks before a short walk to the Piccolino Italian restaurant for our evening meal.

Some good food and a suitably lively atmosphere ensured a fine evening culminating with our Handicap Secretary for the tour, Richard Hannam, announcing the results and handicap changes for day 2. In this case it was Captain Kev who won the day by just one point from Alan Bigley to receive a €20 cash prize on his first tour trip with the MGS.

1st Day results

1st	Kevin Leftley	33
2nd	Alan Bigley	32
3rd	Andy Williams	30 (18 on back 9)
4th	Mark Hughes	(17 on back 9)

Day 2 – Belle Dunes

After what felt like only a couple of hours sleep, an early breakfast was taken in order get to Le Belle Dunes golf course, for a 9.20am start.

Belle Dunes is a traditional favourite for the MGS and rightly so. Like Le Pins, it was in superb condition with the views and the coastal environment make it a unique, experience.

The forecast was slightly disappointing but pleasingly proved to be incorrect as we experienced a warm and sunny morning with only a moderate breeze hampering the drive on three or four holes. The only downside was the long walk between some tees but it’s amazing how quickly you can recover after supping a couple of beers on a sunny terrace!! As for the golf itself, everyone seemed to enjoy the course but once again with varying degrees of success.

As we had an early start to the day, once back at the hotel, it meant we had a reasonable amount of ‘personal time’ to recharge the batteries before venturing out for the evening. Having an aperitif outside made a welcome change and suitably revived moved on to the La Darnetal restaurant where the lovely and efficient Estelle was once again our hostess for the evening. Sadly, one notable absentee from the menu this year were the prawns (a particularly popular choice last year for 99% of us!). Another most enjoyable meal washed down with the regular quota of wine.

Day 2 results

Perhaps the previous evening’s conviviality and merrymaking caught up with some but the scoring was a little lower than expected but at least some different names on the winners board.

1st	Richard Hannam	32
2nd	Jerry Watkiss	30
3rd	Peter Cudmore	30 (18 on back 9)
4th	Keith Townsend	30 (17 on back 9)

Day 3 – La Mer course at Golf du Touquet

We awoke to grey skies and a forecast of rain all day with blustery winds. It was clear at breakfast the mood was subdued. However, that has never stopped the MGS from giving it a go and while not exactly over enthusiastic everyone arrived at the course with a slightly improved mindset. Some of us dismissed Jame’s suggestion of driving to the first tee which was some 10-15 walk from the clubhouse. This basically used up any energy reserves for some of us before we had hit a ball!

Still, off we went with a certain amount of trepidation, rain threatening and the wind increasing. As is tradition the top 4 scoring golfers from the previous two rounds went out last with the Spring Tour Trophy up for grabs.

This was the first time many of us had played the La Mer course at La Touquet and thought it was top class. With some courses it’s sometimes hard to distinguish between holes but each one here was unique in its layout with some great vistas and which was surprisingly undulating. Fortunately the weather ended up being kind with the rain only coming in for the last two or three holes. Great relief for all.

Day 3 results

So, it was back to the clubhouse for the all important results and presentations and a special shout out to Keith Townsend who won day 3 with a great score of 35 following his previous score on day 2 of 30.

1st	Keith Townsend	35
2nd	Kevin Leftley	34
3rd	Jams Gallifant	32
4th	Peter Cudmore	30

However the overall result was very close and am grateful for Richards report on the final group:

We stood on the last tee with me on 87, Alan on 86 and Kevin on 85… but it was going to be tough for AB as he wasn’t getting a shot. Both Kevin and I hit the green in 2, while Alan missed right. A three putt left Alan with nul points, but Kevin rolled in his birdie putt for a 3 for 4. I lagged my birdie putt next to the hole and a 4 for 3 which was enough to win by a point. So a close finish, but not really tense as we didn’t know how close it was until we added up the scores!

So, it is congratulations to Richard Hannam who edged out Captain Kev by just the one point on the final hole to win the Spring Trophy for 2025 – a great finish.

Overall top 5

1st	Richard Hannam	90
2nd	Kevin Leftley	89
3rd	Alan Bigley	86
4th	Keith Townsend	85
5th	Peter Cudmore	82

. . . and finally

Another most enjoyable trip but of course there are always people behind the scene who make it happen. So thanks must go to Alan for organising the trip in the first place. Richard for sorting the cards and handicaps for each day and to James for organising the prize giving and sorting the payments for all the meals.

If anyone would like to make a suggestion for a trip next year or step up to organise, please do let the committee know. It would be great to have some new input!