Friday the 13th, in some quarters, is considered to be unlucky. But not among members of the Chicken Trotters at Tenby Golf Club, surely. They have played on Friday mornings for years, so many a 13th has come and gone, apparently without major mishap. But, if they weren't prone to superstitions before, perhaps after last week's Chicken offering on the sun-drenched Tenby links, opinions might have changed just a little. For Friday the 13th certainly proved unlucky for some. Among them, Meurig Jones, who probably wished he had brought his bucket and spade, he spent so much time in the sand. It meant his 22 points earned him the booby prize! It was also unlucky for big John Ball, who managed to bag a brace of twos (rare birds in Chicken golf), but still didn't do enough to earn a podium place - thanks to four blobs! Jim Taylor was another unlucky one. After hitting a screaming drive off the first tee, his 'favourite club' decided enough was enough... and was well and truly out of favour by the end of the round! More suffering came the way of Richard Morgan - he of 28 points and no passes! Poor Richard waited more than an hour for the prize-giving ceremony, fully expecting to peck up some large pieces of corn... but his patience went unrewarded as he eventually discovered there was nothing in the kitty for him. Unlucky indeed! Meanwhile, it was nice to see Vince Shaw making a comeback after his convalescence. According to reports, he produced an excellent round of golf and came in with a more than useful score of 30 points. It was a welcome return to form for Vince, who has flirted with the booby spot on a number of occasions recently, but he, too, was unlucky, as his score was not quite good enough to earn him top perch. No, on this day, that went to Neil Dickinson, lucky so and so. No, correction, unlucky so and so! For, if you haven't already guessed, his 31 points - yes, that's right, 31 points - will mean a severe penalty in the sin-bin next time out. With par for the day standing at just 25, early forecasts were for a six-shot reduction in handicap... to add to the two already chopped the previous week! It's a hard life for the Chicken Trotters, isn't it... particularly on Friday the 13th! Perhaps it would make a good horror story! Incidentally, how many Chicks turned out to do battle on the course on Friday morning? Yes, that's right... 13! Strange or what? Results: 1. Neil Dickinson 31 pts. (£1.20); 2. Vince Shaw 30 pts. (£1). Twos: John Ball x2, on the eighth and ninth (30p each). Booby: Meurig Jones 22 pts. (30p entry fee returned). FOOTNOTE: Chickens are reminded that the end of season competition for the Norman Badham Trophy and Roger and Mary Trophy will be played on Friday, May 4, and not May 5, as previously reported.
