This weather seems to go on and on doesn't it? The final competition of the Seniors winter season culminated in a three-ball Texas scramble and popular format it turned out to be as well. In fact, the whole of the Tenby Senior system is turning out to be more popular and friendly as the weeks go by. We even have our own shirts and sweaters with our own logo now, that's how committed we are to the cause. Rallying cries from off stage left!
The game was followed by an excellent steak sizzler meal, with trimmings, courtesy of steward Mac, and we were prettily served from behind the bar by Debbie Delightful. So we were set up nicely for the prize giving, not only for the day's competition, but for the winter eclectic as well.
Playing in the three-ball Texas format, with each player having to take four drives, and then all playing from the best position, there was always going to be some decent team scoring, and with an eighth of the combined handicap, we were sure that there wouldn't be a runaway victory.
But one of the more entertaining sights of the day was Roy Morgan trying to fit into one of the new Senior sweaters. There is a limit to the expertise and ingenuity of the company producing these sweaters of course. "A bit like Fred Wilks' golf today," said Roy. What on earth poor Fred's golf has got to do with Roy's inability to get into a medium size sweater, has one wondering, but there you go! Newman Vincent had done a great job in the 'ordering department', and despite the odd criticism, we like the colours!
Seniors captain J. D. R. Williams welcomed everyone to the get-together and bravely wore his new sunshine yellow Seniors shirt. He was pleased to announce most of the details about forthcoming trips to Ireland, Cottrell Park and an autumn three-day event.
The afternoon's prize giving was preceded by thanks to David Morgan, Roy Morgan and Newman Vincent for the sterling work put in on behalf of the Senior golfers, and to Steve Evans for all the engraving he had done over the season.
Back on form, and just in time for the new season's matches against local clubs, Vince Shaw, Ken Gouldsbrough and Tony Ranoe had a cracking game, and were one under going out, and one under coming home, and with a combined handicap of five-and-threequarters giving a score of 61-and-threequarters, pipped the second placed trio of Seniors captain J. D. R. Williams, Derek Bath and John Hancock by a couple of shots. In third place were Malcolm Arlott, Dudley Williams and Newman Vincent.
I have never seen so many balls given away for various categories. There were balls for most appearances, balls for handicap reductions and in fact the number of prize balls went down to the 12th place in the best nett category in the winter eclectic.
But top three places in the nett, went to Owen Monaghan with 47, second was Bob Harris also with 47, and Des Stone with 47.
Best gross went to John Hancock with 61, second was Mike Nesbitt-Hawes with 63, and third was Ken Fletcher also with 63.
So there were lots of happy little shining faces collecting prizes, and there was even a nice little ditty from Malcolm Arlott. Roy Morgan got up to say a few words, and promptly forgot what he was supposed to say. But when he finally remembered, he did make some sense! But we have forgotten what he did say!
J. D. R. thanked everyone for their input over the winter, and said that we now have over 80 paid up members in the section, and it is getting harder to get everyone a game in the league, but everyone will eventually. He thanked Mac the steward for the meal, and looked forward to the summer season that was fast approaching.
J. B. H.