Logos at the Challenge tour in Madrid

Challenge de Madrid

 

 

 

 

The second Challenge tour event of the year is taking place this week in Madrid.  It is being held at the El Encin golf course about 25 minutes from the city centre.  I did not realise until I arrived that I had been to the course before, having attended a main tour event there several years ago.  The main defence of the course is described as ‘undulating greens’.  I think that there maybe some flatter putts on the Himalayas as ‘undulating’ seemed a slight understatement to me.  As someone who is prone to the odd 3 putt, I was glad that I did not have to putt on these greens. My fragile putting confidence would have been shattered after 3 holes!!

With Jake Roos having graduated to the Main Tour this season, there are no Christians on the tour that I am aware of.  I concentrated my efforts on getting to know the Welsh players on the tour and building from there (there are very few players using caddies on the tour!).  I have met Stuart Manley before and managed to have a chat with him again.  I also followed former Main tour winner, Rhys Davies, on the first day of the Tournament.  This was very providential as the only other person following the group was Rhys’ Father.  He is from Bridgend and knew several people from an Evangelical church there.  We had mutual friends, so this was a great opportunity for me.
Please pray that this providential meeting will bring fruit to the Lord’s glory and will help build relationships with Rhys and the other players.
The next event will be in Antalya, Turkey where I will again be attending God willing.

Thank you for your prayers,
David Lewis,  LOGOS Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Challenge Tour

LOGOS on tour in Morocco

King Hassan Trophy Agadir Morocco March 23-27

The sun was shining this week, after the total washout of Madeira everyone was glad to be out & about again …
Two good happenings in Morocco; our old friend “the caddy”, graced me with an audience of 25 minutes, that’s 24 minutes longer than normal … His question on the “How is there one way when there are four different views from the four gospels,” was answered to his satisfaction and then another couple came flying out and he then asked me how I came to “know” God, so he got my testimony …
Do keep him in your prayers, he sees himself as a believer, which in his case means he acknowledges God is there, but Julian is appeasing Him in his own way through good works … He’s a real  character and a good and gregarious person, so do ask God to reveal Himself to him …

Secondly; Jake Roos (SA believer) was playing and we had a terrific study and chat for an hour in the players area on Wednesday morning, it’s always a joy to share with someone who is longing for Jesus and we dwelt on the intimacy that is available to us ….
As Jesus said in John 17:22
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one”
 Jake will be playing in Europe most of the season, accompanied by his wife and child, so he will be taking part in our “LOGOS Roadshow” events when possible along with Hennie Otto.
Speaking of Hennie, he had more back surgery last week and is looking to get his season re-started with the upcoming events in China, where I’ll be for the middle two weeks of April ….

I’m most grateful to you all for your prayers, support and uplifting encouragement and knowing the presence of God with me on the tour through them …
” … The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  James 5:16
Ken Revie, LOGOS Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour
http://www.logosogolfministries.com

Logo on Tour in Madeira

Madeira Island Open Santo Serra GC Funchal March 17-21

 

 

 

 

The local Madeira cake is great, the weather not so … Yet again delays abounded at Santo Serra GC, but we got there eventually, mind you it gave us a lot of time to feast on the local Madeira cake that’s much better than our version …

This is a co-sanctioned event which means that half the field is from the Challenge Tour (Division 2) and the other half from the main tour, but in reality only those on the main tour who “need” to take part do so as this is not a big money tournament.
Madeira always gives the chance to meet many players that I have come across in the last few years and who have dropped off the big tour and are looking to make their way back; the competition is such in Europe that your level of golf has to be maintained with little or no room for a dip in form …

Spiritually, sadly there was little to report although with the delays there was plenty sitting and waiting around and I had the opportunity to remind one of the caddies, of the occasion when he came up to me at 6am on the range at the Italian Open in Turin, still pitch black, showed me a photo on his phone he had taken of Philippians 4:6-7 and he asked has how can you do this?  He still hasn’t got there yet.

I know many of you keep a list of players etc I have mentioned over the years and although I don’t see a lot of these players on the tour now, still remember them before God, as I came across a number this week that stopped for a chat…. You never know what God is doing …

Next week it’s Morocco where hopefully the weather will be a lot better, although their cake won’t be as good as Madeira’s …

Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour
http://www.logosgolfministries.com

 

Logos on tour in Abu Dhabi January 2015

HSBC Championship Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates January 12 – 16

A Tale of Two Caddies

With all the pomp and splendour that is Abu Dhabi, and its claim of, “Understated Luxury” for the tourist, the absurdity of that always makes me smile when you look around you; 7-star hotels, a clubhouse you could fit a golf course into etc .. In among all that it was good to have a couple of long chats with our two caddies that I mentioned often last season ….

The first caddie I met up with last year and we had numerous chats, he was in full flow, he of the ducking and diving attribute whereby he gets his bit in and then flees before having to hear anything that anyone else might contribute, he has it to an art form … There are occasions though when he does linger, generally because he thinks his point is strong, and we had one of these times on the putting green this week …. He reckons he has the “ear” of God, and how do I know he doesn’t?  We were able to dwell on the many references to how we see the Spirit in the child of God and how you can’t and can see faith …. A good time, where he listened!

The second caddie,” he of the God, Jesus don’t exist party”, yet talks about them all during his conversation, really should record this sometime so he can hear himself, then again he’d probably deny it was him … Whereas Julian knows God is there, Reggie says the opposite and they are at opposite spectrums and yet both far from God … still, two more likeable and congenial people you couldn’t meet, despite the disparity in our chats we always leave with smiles and a promise for another time … Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see these two men saved!  Do keep praying for them …

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. “Romans 10:17

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

See what also going on at our website http://www.logosgolfministries.com

Logos on Tour in South Africa

South African Open Johannesburg 2015

 

Feeling really bad, with you all experiencing lots of rain and ferocious winds, I’m suffering in 30 degrees and endless sunshine, and I mean that most sincerely!

As ever in SA we had a terrific study with a dozen attending  … One of the good things is that there is never a lack of chat, enquiry, a thirst for more understanding and the hour just flies in with everyone contributing in some way or other …

Peter Karmis (player) has been at the last couple of studies in SA and he’s now moved back to the Sunshine Tour after playing in Asia for several years.  I have come across Peter here and there but it would seem God has really taken a hold of his life in the last couple of years and he and his wife are very much into the word … I mean that in the sense that he is studying the bible in Greek!!!  Which has opened up Gods word to him in ways he’d never imagined and it was terrific to talk to him for an hour or more after the study and hear all he was learning and the new life he was discovering in greater depth in Jesus …. The “petros” and “this rock” passage in Matthew Ch 16 was looked at and clarified for many during the study through the Greek which everyone found fascinating.. He’ll be a great asset in the SA study week in week out …

It was also good to be asked on the range during the Thursday survey for a note of some verses and passages we’d been discussing, you’re never too busy to do that …

Another couple of caddies to add to your prayer list both very friendly and  they appear happy to talk, so do keep them in mind …

Now to Abu Dhabi  which is the first of three big events in the Middle-East that attract the top players so I’ll send your regards from Norn Iron to Rory …

Ephesians 5:10-11

” .. find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

See more on www.logosgolfministries.com

Logos on tour “Portugal Masters”

Portugal Masters Vilamoura Marina October 7 – 10

Alexander Levy on his way to win the title

The final week of the European based part of the Tour is very popular and many players, caddies and others at the event bring their families out with them, disappointingly this year went out, not with the usual sunshine, but with a thunderstorm or two or three, as the event was reduced to only 36 holes …. In my four years going there the Thursday was the first time I’d seen rain, that day and Friday brought enough to do another four years, for when it rains, it really rains …

You may recall, I have asked you to pray for a chap who was looking for a caddy job after our last meet up in Switzerland and he has found one … I also met up with him and his girlfriend a couple of times so it was good to share the role of what I do there in more detail and I’ll meet up with him again over the next few weeks in Belfast … Do keep him on your prayer list ….

at the range at the Portuguese masters

I got together with the caddy, with whom I had a long talk at Aberdeen and then he intimated wanted to do a bible study the other week, so we duly met up and I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone with so little idea of God, who he reckons is a myth, as is all to do with the entire “Christian myth” as he sees it … he confidently predicts he will return as reincarnation exists and so it goes on …. He is such a friendly bloke though and always leaves with a smile, which I think really means he thinks what I tell of Jesus is ludicrously humorous to him … As we know, God can open any heart …

The next time I’m away is when the tour reaches Sth Africa in late November for a four week spell, and it really isn’t right me having to go there in the midst of our winter and their boiling hot summer, But Logos make me do it!!!

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”  1 John 2:6

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

www.logosgolfministries.com

 

Logos on Tour at St Andrews

Dunhill Links Championship – St Andrews Sept 30 – Oct 02

Nick Faldo at the second Old Course St Andrews

Well, we had both our Logos meetings over these two weeks in Scotland, and I’m pleased to say they went really well

Wednesday 24 Sept – Logos Scotland at Easterhouse Glasgow

This was our launch meeting of “Logos Scotland” and as with all things we are dreaming big and starting small … Seventeen good folks turned up and we had a Ryder Cup themed evening hosted by PGA pro Vincent Brown, we also had a putting competition which was won by the only lady taking part, but we won’t mention that … Things look promising for the future ministry there both among the pros and amateurs with five eager people all ready to organise a variety of activities in the golf world …

Wednesday 01 October – Question & Answer night at the New Golf Club St Andrews

Logos on Tour at the Dunhill Championship St Andrews

The organisation of this was done through our Logos supporters in St Andrews and we had an excellent venue, hospitality and welcome …. Around 45 turned up and the panel was made of Hennie Otto, Mike Vlismas [SA media man] and myself, our good Logos friend Lindsay Glasgow chaired the panel [that means he kept us all in check] … We had a golfing Q&A to start as many there were keen to hear what goes on in the inner sanctums of big golf events and of course this led to the Christian testimony of us all … We had several people who “turned up” on the night and were unaware of just what they were getting into, always good when you know that God will bring people to something that they didn’t know they were going to be at!!! We had a number of non-believers and one atheist who introduced himself at the end by saying, he had no intention of being there, but he was, and found it all “very interesting.”

So a good couple of weeks, and the prospect of more to follow …

Next Week; the final European based event of the Tour, in Portugal … Always a popular week and normally plenty sunshine ….

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

www.logosogolfministries.com

“ .. They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.  Mark 16:20

 

Logos on Tour at the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor

Wales Open – Celtic Manor Resort – Sept 17 to 19

Jaidee at the Open Wales

One of those weeks where I was bumping into everyone one after the other, which was terrific …. I’d love to say all the chats were God-centred but they covered a wide range; Scottish vote [which was much on the mind of many there], the last few weeks of the season and the job prospects for those on the cut line [players and caddies], new babies on the way and recently arrived, the lamenting of what appears to be the last Wales Open as it isn’t on next year’s schedule and with others how they were being treated by their employers in a variety of roles within the Tour Circus …

In amongst it all one always has the opportunity to point to God in some way or other ….

Did meet our old fiend, Andy Gorman, the putting coach and believer who is doing well with his business but has a few tricky situations in home life, do remember him …

Hennie Otto withdrew after one round, but thankfully not with any recurrence of back trouble, just feeling unwell …

There was more buzz than usual at the event due to four Ryder Cup players taking part and speaking of the Ryder Cup do please pray for the “Logos Scotland” meeting in Glasgow on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm (at Easterhouse Baptist Church) and the following week for the “Panel” answering questions at the Dunhill evening on the 1^st of October …

Off to Scotland for the next two weeks and with the vote outcome, no visa required!

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

More on www.logosgolfministries.com website

“But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a FIRE, a FIRE shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I CANNOT.”  Jeremiah 20:9 ….

If Jeremiah couldn’t keep quiet about God, with all that he had to endure, than neither should we …

 

 

Logos on Tour at the Dutch Open – Zandvoort Amsterdam – Sept 10 to 12

Dutch Open – Zandvoort Amsterdam – Sept 10 to 12

 The prize for a hole in one at the par 3 fifteenth hole at the Dutch Open was a trip into space!  This was worth $100,000 and lasted only one hour of which between four and six minutes were in actual space …. The players weren’t too annoyed by not achieving a hole in one?  Sadly one of the players, Fabrizio Zanotti was seeing stars of a different kind. On the next fairway he was hit full on the head by a stay shot from the neighbouring fairway, there was a two hour delay for an ambulance, medical attention and he was taken to hospital, gladly in the end all was well, at least as well as can be expected after being hit by a golf ball going at 200 mph …. By evening he was sitting up and recovered …

You may recall I mentioned the caddie, with whom I had a one hour discussion with at the Scottish Open after the memorial service, well for those of you who have been praying for him he approached me on the range saying he’d like to do a bible study, now what he calls a bible study and what is a study to us, will be very different but keep praying that this will come to be …. Our friend (another caddie) is back to his ducking and diving best but between Hennie and I we sent him some Christian literature to read, and I know he will, so that was good …

Hennie and I had a real good one – to – one time on Wednesday evening and it is always good to intentionally study the word and talk of the things of God ….

This coming week is a hop over to the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, a past Ryder Cup venue before that tournament takes place the following week at Gleneagles …

Two prayer requests for you; We are having our first “Logos Scotland” night on the 24^th, on Ryder Cup week, (at Easterhouse Baptist Church 7 for 7:30pm) in Glasgow … Then the following week at the Dunhill event in St Andrews an open meeting has been arranged at one of the local golf clubs where a panel made up of me, Hennie, Mike Vlismas [who is with the media in SA covering the event] and one other [possibly Vincent Brown, club pro in Scotland and involved with the meeting in Glasgow] …. We’d be appreciative of your prayers for these two evenings …

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries Chaplain to the European Tour

http://www.logosgolfministries .com

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”  Psalm 8:3-4

 

 

Logos on Tour at the European Masters in Switzerland

European Masters at Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland Sept 02 – 05

I asked that you pray for my time with a potential caddy this week and I’m pleased to say I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him and had illuminating chats on several occasions …. I had planned to meet up with him at Geneva airport where he was hiring a car and accompany him to Crans Montana but my plane delay of five hours put paid to that, still we did have many good times over the next two days … He continues to look for some type of role on the Tour and the best way in appears to be through his caddy relationship with Jake Roos in 2015 … He will come out again to the Portugal Masters in early October with his girlfriend, so we shall meet up again.  He does live in Belfast so the link that has come about shall continue even at home …

Crans Montana was its usual glorious self and is by far the most popular destination on the Tour schedule; the scenery is remarkable, weather beautiful, the town is simple, amazing and homely all rolled into one – the only drawback is the expense, which is mind boggling …. The population of Switzerland only recently voting against a rise in the minimum wage to £15.00 an hour!  Says all you need to know …

Our old friend “the caddy” has been reading the “Tour Chaplain” tweets and has a list of questions for next week, so we’ll look forward to that …

Off to Amsterdam this coming week for the Dutch Open.

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,” Jeremiah 9:23

Ken Revie, Logos Golf Ministries, Chaplain to the European Tour

http://www.logosgolfministries.com