The fifth Costa Blanca Ryder Cup took place today on the spectacular Villaitana Golf course in Benidorm – with Great Britain competing against Spain to retain the winner's cup. It was an early start for the players, who met at 7:30am for breakfast, kindly paid for by the two team captains – Dave Morris for team GB and the organizer of the tournament and Toni Serrano for the Spanish team. They then took up positions on the Poniente course for an 8:30am shotgun start – made up of 2 GB players and 2 Spanish players at each hole. The two teams were made up of 18 players in each – and within those 36 there was only one lady, Vigdis Haugan, who was playing for team GB.

Breathtaking views from the Villaitana Golf resort

The Villaitana Golf Course is probably the best on the Costa Blanca – with 2 amazing greens to choose from. The ´Poniente´ Executive PAR 62 course and the ´Levante´ Championship PAR 72 course, which both overlook the breathtaking Benidorm skyline. "Blue Green", a French owned company which has 65 courses across Europe, took over Villaitana last September, their first solo venture into Spain. The Director, Armand was on hand throughout the day and very generously waivered the green fees for the tournament. Marshall Brendan Graham was racing around on his buggy, checking that every team was keeping up with timings and not going too slowly, therefore holding up players and abiding by the rules. The youngest player was 13 year old Jacob Body (for Team GB), who even managed a hole in one!

Union Jack Golf Society in Benidorm

The teams finished off part one of the tournament earlier than expected, with a nail biting even score of 4.5 for each team, then stopped for an early lunch break. During last years Ryder Cup the Spanish team seemed to come to life in the afternoon, so there really was everything to play for in the afternoon. It also got more competitive as the players were paired off – and I must mention at this point that Vigdis – the sole lady beat her Spanish partner! Team GB (wearing blue tops) was made up of members of the Union Jack Golf Society – who play on the course every Thursday morning and Golf Relleu. Dave Morris, who runs the Union Jack Golf Society welcomes any visiting golfers who would like to play with the regulars on a Thursday morning and can even arrange golf club hire.

Sponsored by Specsavers in Benidorm

After a rest, the teams set out for the afternoon session – with a 1pm shotgun start. I wasn´t too familiar with the meaning of that until I went out with Armand and Brendan – a rocket firework is lit at precisely 1pm so that all the teams start off at the same time across the course.... Clever! It was really hot, with the sun baking down on the green – but 2 lovely girls were thankfully driving around handing out bottles of cold water to the players from the tournament sponsors "Specsavers of Benidorm". They also generously donated 2 pairs of glasses – one to a member of each team, which was decided by randomly pulling out a name rather than the best player at the end of the afternoon.

By 4:30pm the teams were slowly heading back to the clubhouse – and the nail-biting question was asked of each pair as they approached "who won". Well it didn´t take too long to work out that it was a third consecutive win for Team GB, with a final score of 10 points for España and 17 points for Great Britain! I know that they say it's the taking part, especially when you´re on the winning team, but the rivalry for the Spanish has just got that bit more intense for next years challenge I think. Not even the patriotic red polo tops could help them.... maybe a change of colour for next year boys!

Dave gave a great speech in both English and Spanish to all the participants and supporters - to much applause and annouced the winners of the best scores for each hole. This was followed by the Director Armand, who then presented the cup to the winners and a gift to each of the team on behalf of the Villaitana Golf Resort. He also gave a poloshirt to both of the team captains for all their hard work and organisation.

The players were then treated to a wine presentation and tasting session of some delicious Prado Rey wine and a selection of tapas to accompany it courtesy of Armand. There is a specialist Prado Rey wine shop in the Villaitana hotel, next door to the golf resort, which also stocks other selected gourmet Spanish produce – would make a lovely gift if you´re looking for something special