The 14th annual Neil Rees Memorial Competition was held at Tenby Golf Club recently.

Once again, the 54 competitors, all of whom have represented Tenby United RFC, were blessed with fine weather.

Amazingly, the event once again produced a new champion. Victory this year went to big hitting Darren Griffiths, a very popular winner, with an excellent score of 40 points.

On collecting the cup, Darren gave a touching speech referring to his days in school with Neil and how he had always strived to win this competition.

In his rugby days, Darren was an elusive and strong running threequarter but his career was unfortunately cut short by injury and a willingness to socialise!

In his youth, Darren was no mean golfer and at one stage he reduced his handicap to four rather than the 15 he played off last Friday. In fact, in 1985, he apparently needed to par the last to win the prestigious Golden Eagle, an event almost as coveted as the Neil Rees Cup, but hooked his first drive over the railway line and lost by a shot!

Second on 37 points was footballer and occasional rugby player Paul Heywood who was in contention for most of his round but faded slightly over the closing holes.

Scoring a very creditable 35 points were former winners Chris Hughes and Oliver Brace, whose handicap was reduced by eight shots after he won last year, together with the consistent Simon Rossiter who collected the Best Single Figure Handicap award.

The Seniors' Section was an extremely close affair with former golf club captain and speedy wing Chan Thomas just pipping the 2000 winner John Tasker and Ian Nicholls.

The well liked part-time fireman Dickie Lewis claimed the Novice's Prize after returning from a fire in Pembroke Dock and catching up the field with playing partner Philip Lees-Griffiths who also performed well in the main competition. Tim Jackson and debutant 'Louis' Beynon were second and third.

Tim Rowe started and finished his round reasonably well but, in the middle, he must have fallen asleep. First time golfer Delwyn Brace scored his point on the fifth hole but work commitments forced him to leave the course after 10 holes although by this time he had groomed his swing and was looking good for the second nine. Tim was therefore handed The Best Endeavour trophy for his 10 points.

In form Andrew Williams hit a very controlled four iron onto the 12th green to win the Nearest the Hole award. Gavin Scotcher used all this weight to thump his tee shot well past the bunker into the wind on the seventh for the Longest Drive prize.

Following the prize giving and plentiful buffet, competitors were entertained by Strawberry Fields, a talented duo from Llanelli who were assisted, as usual, by Darren for part of their act!

Towards the end of the evening the traditional raffle was held, realising £100 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Luckily for them, Pat and Mary Rees, Neil's parents, won the fortnight for two in the luxury Sandtops Guest House. Darren kindly donated a portable television and video (he made this gesture before winning the cup!) which was won by Loz and Penny Phillips and will no doubt go well with the 70 other TVs they have in the Clarence Hotel!

This year's leading scores were as follows:

Neil Rees Cup: Darren Griffiths 40 pts; Paul Heywood 37; Chris Hughes, Oliver Brace, Simon Rossiter 35; Philip Lees-Griffiths, Ian Thomas, Mike Griffiths, Vernon Lawrence, Andrew Williams 34; Richard Smith, Nigel Edwards, David Morgan 33; Gerald Hewitt 32; Simon Toy, Peter Rossi 31; Philip Rees, Richard Ormond, Colwyn Harts, Gavin Scotcher 30; Johnny Morris, Tony Upham 29; Pat Rees, Richard Rossiter, Mike Evans (Penally) 28.

Seniors Section: Chan Thomas 23; John Tasker 22; Ian Nicholls 21; Ted Martin 19; Derrick Nicholls 19; Arthur Ormond 17.

Novices Section: Dickie Lewis 25; Tim Jackson 21; Stuart Beynon 19; Alan Thomas 18; Mike Wainwright, Neil Powling 16; Steve Hilling 13; Sam Hilling 11; Chris Brace 11.