The 24th Iberian Open 2021

Iberian Open Beats Weather

The 24th Iberian Open came to a conclusion on Wednesday in fine sunshine and was enjoyed by many spectators. Only the Rinks Final was not completed, having been washed away by the torrential rain on Tuesday, a new date will be agreed soon.

The Triples Final was a very closely fought contest for the first 9 ends as Stewart Beattie, Lynne & Derek Eldon trailed 8-10. The match changed as Jean McLaughlin, John Pittaway and Chris Salter picked up 10 shots in the next three ends and effectively won the title there and then. They were able to keep their noses in front to secure the win by 23-14.

The Aussie Pairs match was deservedly won by Maria Morawiec and Jeff Richards who were in control for most of the match. John Pittaway and Alan Phillips did pick up 7 shots in two ends to briefly lead, but then got stuck on 13 and finally lost 13- 17.

Jeff Richards, from Benitachell BC, also had success in the Gents Singles when he came up against Chris Salter the in form Javea Green player. Jeff took command early on and led 8-3 but Chris fought back to briefly lead 9-8 before Jeff was able to retake control and apply the pressure. The final score was 21-11 to Jeff who won the Iberian Gents Singles for the first time.

The Ladies Singles saw Velia Wood race into a 6-0 lead after just two ends and it looked like this could be over very quickly but her opponent, Dee Hamilton, had other ideas and settled into the match and after 9 ends the match was all square at 8-8. Then Velia piled on the pressure and re-established a six shot lead at 17-11 but Dee was not going down without a fight and got back to within 2 shots before finally losing 21-16. With this victory Velia joins the elite few, who have won 3 Singles titles in the Gents and Ladies disciplines.

At the presentation of prizes our Captain, Keith Hamilton and our President, Joe Schulein, jointly thanked all our sponsors and specially those main sponsors who were able to attend, Bindley Properties, Telitec and Scottsdale Financial Advisers for their continued support and also thanked everyone who stayed to watch the Finals, with a special thanks to those Members who had Marked or Umpired during the Competition.

On behalf of the visiting teams Jeff Richards, who was also nominated as Player of the Tournament, congratulated Dee Hamilton for once again providing an excellent Competition which was enjoyed thoroughly by all entrants.

Alan Phillips, Javea Press Officer

LADIES SINGLES WINNER – VELIA WOOD WITH DAVID WALLIS-POWELL, SCOTTSDALE FINANCIAL ADVISORS

LADIES SINGLES RUNNER UP – DEE HAMILTON WITH DAVID WALLIS-POWELL, SCOTTSDALE FINANCIAL ADVISORS

MENS SINGLES WINNER – JEFF RICHARDS WITH GEMMA BROAD, TELITEC

MENS SINGLES RUNNER UP – CHRIS SALTER WITH GEMMA BROAD, TELITEC

AUSSIE PAIRS WINNERS – JEFF RICHARDS AND MARIA MORAWIEC

AUSSIE PAIRS RUNNERS UP – ALAN PHILLIPS AND JOHN PITTAWAY

TRIPLES WINNERS – CHRIS SALTER, JEAN McLAUGHLIN AND JOHN PITTAWAY WITH PEDRO BUIGUES, BINDLEY PROPERTIES

TRIPLES RUNNERS UP – STEWART BEATTIE, LYNNE ELDON AND DEREK ELDON

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT – JEFF RICHARDS

WINNERS AND SPONSORS