John Howorth and his ‘Howorth’s Heroes‘  are the toast of the Algarve after claiming a memorable five point success in the 2014 Crail Golfing Society/Golf Hotel – Vilamoura Challenge.

Despite Fran Donnelly’s ‘Frank’s Foes’  winning five of the eight Sunday Singles encounters at Vale Do Lobo it was not good enough to deny ‘Howorth’s Heroes’ who had led from the outset.

Howorth’s men were 3 – 1 point winners on day one at the Oceanico Old Course and extended that to 6 – 2 with a similar winning margin on the Oceanico Millennium Course.

The winning eight celebrate victory in the 2014 Crail ‘Vilamoura Golf Challenge on Portugal’s sun-splashed Algarve.

On day three at the Oceanico Victoria Course points were shared two apiece that saw ‘Howorth’s Heroes’  remain four points clear of ‘Frank’s Foes’  at 8 – 4.

Then on day four it was a 3 1/2 to 1/2 point triumph for John’s men at Vila Sol.

‘Frank’s Foes’ then headed to Vale Do Lobo and seeking to achieve a feat never before attained in the either the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Solhiem Cup or Walker Cup and that was to overcome a 7 point deficit and win all eight Sunday Singles.

Frank could hold his head high as he ended the week as the only player among the 16 who had traveled from Crail to Portugal to return home undefeated with four wins and a half for 4 1/2 points out of a possible five.

But in the bigger picture his team could only manage to win five of the eight Sunday Singles.

Overall it meant ‘Howorth’s Heroes’ claiming a 14 1/2 to 9 1/2 point success and on a course where Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson set a course record of 64 on route to victory in the 2003 Portuguese Open.

One of the highlights on the final day was Eamon Scanlon taking out Joe Duddy after Joe had twice won the individual Stableford honours twice over the opening four rounds.

There was the comment on day five from George Morris at the eighth hole of the very tree-lined Vale Do Lobo course where his approach shot hit one of the many umbrella trees left of the green.

“I just never get a break as there’s one tree on the golf course and I’ve managed to hit it,” said George.

There was further consolation for Frank as he also finished the leading Stableford points scorer at Vale Do Lobo with 33 points,

As has been the custom over the years the losing team had to buy the winning team dinner.  That took place later that night at one of the many restaurants in Vilamoura.

Here is the results of the Sunday Singles:

HOWORTH’S HEROES -v- FRANK’S FOES

John lost to Frank  3 & 2

Joe lost to Eamon  2 up

Gregor defeated Fraser  3 & 2

Alastair lost to Danny  3 & 2

Craig lost to Andy  2 & 1

Richard defeated Alan  2 up

Peter lost to Davy  2 & 1

Bernie defeated George 2 & 1

Danny McMullen tries to secure a point for his Frank’s Foes team by offering Joe Duddy vodka with his bacon and eggs at Vale do Lobo.

Ian Poulter (alas Richard ‘Stich’ Guthrie) makes an appearance at Vale do Lobo.

The opening Sunday Singles matches – left to right – Eamon, Joe, Frank and John.

The second match of Sunday Singles – Alastair, Danny, Gregor and Fraser.

The third match of Sunday Singles – Andy. Craig, Ian Poulter (Stitch) and Alan.

And the final matches in the Sunday Singles on the tee at Vale do Lobo – Bernie, Davy, George and Peter.

Your Vilamoura Golf Challenge editor caught napping at Vale do Lobo.

A BIG THANK YOU TO – DOM PEDRO GOLF HOTEL, VILAMOURA

A big thank you to the Dom Pedro Golf Hotel at Vilamoura for a wonderful week and also the lovely gifts of umbrellas and bag towels as prizes.

Those thinking of travelling to Vilamoura can do no wrong in staying at the Dom Pedro Golf  Hotel.

It is conveniently located just a 2 minute walk from the beach and just over a quarter mile from Vilamoura’s marina, Dom Pedro Golf Resort has elegant rooms with flat-screen TVs and a minibar.

The wonderful Dom Pedro Golf Hotel at Vilamoura.

Guests can relax in Dom Pedro’s Spa Aquae, which features an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub and cardio equipment in the fitness center.

Restaurant Oliva serves dishes with a Mediterranean influence. At White you can choose from the extensive buffet. The Grill is in the hotel’s lush garden and open only in the warmer months.

An entertainment program during summer and facilities such as a playground and kids pool are available. Hotel Dom Pedro Golf Resort also features a game room.

A beach bar with lounge chairs, dedicated exclusively to Dom Pedro guests, is also available during the summer season.