Way back in the annals of time, during the last century, around 1996, John Cook and Mike Fox played as a pair in the Dilwater Shield, a Chapman Foursomes competition. Not only did they play, they actually won it! As luck would have it, they were paired in this week's Seniors Chapman Foursomes competition.
Imagine their anticipation of repeating that performance of yesteryear as they set off on a mild winter's day, with only a slight Nor'Westerly to hamper them. The excitement was unbearable, as was some of the golf. But no, I do them an injustice as they negotiated their way around the Tenby links with some degree of success. Thirty-four was not enough to lift the prize money this week, so they will have to look to the future for a repeat performance.
Accompanying them around the course were Geoff Aston and Brian Waters, who ended up with same score after a steady 17 on each half of the course.
Chris Sierwald must have thought he was being punished for losing control of his buggy last week since he was the only player, out of the 39 who turned out, to be on his own. Not to worry, any improvement in his score of 29 will be added to his eclectic. Joining him in the lower regions this week were John Hall accompanied by Ray Ford, Peter Williams and Owen Monaghan with Peter Woodhouse and Dave Morgan just ahead of them.
Dave and Peter would have been higher in the scoring stakes had Dave managed to sink the three or four two-footers that didn't grab the hole. Peter Woodhouse was heard to utter the occasional small expletive when his second shot was not executed according to plan. Perhaps I should say it was 'executed', but not according to plan.
They were out alongside Colin Griffith and Des Stone, who stuttered over the opening holes - so much for the practice. A long putt on the seventh saved a valuable point, but 13 points was a poor score for the front nine. The back nine proved more productive, earning them 24 points, with 12 of them coming from three holes. A long putt from off the green on the 13th and a long looping putt on the 17th for a two made Dave Morgan groan with embarrassment.
Brian Morgan and Bob Wiseman fared a little better, but not up to Morgie's usual standard, while their playing partners, John Hayhoe and Bart Youll (recently returned from a cruise), complained of too many fives on their card. There must have been some excitement since, on the fifth, John was so keen to finish the hole that he played his putt in turn and lagged it up close. He then walked straight up to it and nonchalantly tapped it in. The points they could have earned from that hole would have put them amongst the prizes.
As with most Chapman Foursomes, the scoring was quite high. Only four pairs failed to reach 30, while there were eight pairs reaching 35 or more. In top spot with a magnificent 42 were Stan Hudson and Nigel Rimell. Chasing them all the way to the clubhouse were Russell Clark and Tony Morgan with 40 points. Russell suggested that Tony (just back off holiday) could have improved on some of his shots. He must have been hankering for that top spot, though he did concede that Tony redeemed himself with a two on the 17th.
In third place were Ken Gouldsbrough and Richard Davies with 39. Within that score they achieved two 2s to outgun Russell and Tony, Colin and Des and John Hall and Bart Youll, who could only manage one each.
This week's raffle was won by Peter Williams and Kathy.
Of course we keep the best until last. Having announced all the results, Brian Waters asked members if there was anyone who had not put their name down for next week. Following the ensuing silence, up pops Maurice Lewis with, 'Don't forget I need a buggy!' The obvious reply among the guffaws of laughter was, 'Yes, but you won't be driving it!' Well done Maurice, you haven't lost your sense of humour.