The annual Pembrokeshire Seniors past captains' competition was held this year at the South Pembs. Golf Club, and the wind there was a bit stiff, to say the least. Even a local tug boat was seen making heavy weather against it. The opening hole was straight into the teeth of the seemingly howling gale, but assurances were given by the local members that the first green was simply two good knocks away! I don't know what they were knocking the ball with, but it certainly wasn't with a driver and a wedge. Not the greatest turnout that we have seen over the years - perhaps the conditions had something to do with it - but whatever the reason, the players that were there had a great afternoon followed by an excellent meal in the club after. Going for a sixth win since 1993, John Hancock, of Tenby, was blown away by the windies and could not match the local member Harold James (pictured above) with Tony Stewart, the South Pembs. seniors captain), who carded an excellent 34 points to take the money and the magnificent trophy. John had to be content with the runner-up spot, with the best front nine score going to Malcolm Arlott, of Tenby, with George James, of Milford Haven, taking the back nine prize. All in all, a very pleasing day, and many thanks to the South Pembs. club for allowing us the courtesy of their course.
J.B.H.
Wind and Tenby Seniors the winners
There was a very strong wind indeed for the final home game of the 2004 series against Haverfordwest. But the wind arguably came out the winner on the day, as the visiting seniors had some difficulty in coping with the local conditions. Tenby's senior captain Ken Gouldsbrough, who is fortunately, the Tenby club treasurer, was still on a roll from the previous three weeks games, and was even seen 'pumping the air' as he walked off the 16th green with partner Maurice Lewis. This action, not usually seen by his fellow team members, signalled a significant step forward in his drive to finish the season on a high note. Haverfordwest's captain Sylvan Thomas and his sidekick Morgan Jones were on a downside, but being dormie down they collectively decided to get stuck in and maybe turn the tables. But all the best laid plans of mice and others came to naught, and they had to concede on the 18th green Newman Vincent saved the day and my blushes, as he used his shot allocation to perfection. Never more than one hole in it up or down for the duration of the game, Iori Jones and David Banner were beginning to think that they would never get the better of the game. Newman's only gaff came on the 17th, and I proceeded to lose the hole! I'd had a modest two holes previously to my credit, and was mightily relieved with Newman's 4 nett 3 on the 18th to save the day for a great half. Next year is Newman's captain's year, and if he continues in the same vein, then heaven help the opposition. Roy Gundry and Malcolm Arlott played as a united pairing, with Roy commenting that Malcolm came in on the occasional hole, with Malcolm commenting that Roy did the same, in their game against Alan Lloyd and Terry Gwilliam. But they made a perfect partnership by coming in off the 16th for a solid win. It looks good for the 2005 season! An excellent half was taken by Bob Parsons and Alan Yates against Ron Seed and Lawrie Parsons. Is there any relation there Bob and Lawrie? If there was, it wasn't that evident. But the wind and finally the driving rain was taking its toll on both sides, and to have gone all the way for that vital half, as it turned out, was to their credit. Alan was a little put out over the wind, as he obviously thought it would be in their favour, but it was not to be on the day. Des Stone and his partner Bob Howse (who has gone totally 'leftie' with his putting) had a cracking game against David Colston and Chris Henderson. Bob has decided that the left hand path was not to his liking for his normal game and so has decided that the opposite path is for him. Not a lot you can say about that unless you are into that sort of thing, but whatever it is that turns Bob on, it certainly worked in his and Des's favour, as they ran out with a 3 and 2 win over determined opponents. Hywel Probert and Brian Morgan continued their winning ways over Glyn Miles and Gerry Tilehurst to the tune of 4 and 3. They were six up at one stage, but determined efforts from the Haverfordwest pair paid off, and the deficit was reduced somewhat, but local knowledge paid off in the end. A big win came for Tony Morris and Bob Harris over Hughie Green and Wilmot Brand. Bob said that 'keeping it low with a left hand twist, keeping the left leg straight and having a clear head is the secret'. There were the rest of us thinking that Mark Hawkey's lessons were the secret. But this was the philosophy that left him driving to the 11th via the 13th fairway, then to the apron of the 12th, then to the ladies tee of the 11th, and then nearly chipping in for a four! WOT! Biggest blow and win came from Alan Keating and sidekick Owen Monaghan. They had a tight game up to the third against Julian Davis and Tony Waldies, but then the adrenalin kicked in and left the Haverfordwest pair saying that when the scoreline was at dormie seven they were starting to get worried, but would start playing and give Alan and Owen a shock! But Tenby were not going to give in easily! Two final halved games came from Roy Morgan and Brian Waters, who said that Roy controlled himself wonderfully, against David Low and Roger Bird. Brian was a little concerned over the waiting on a few holes, and this may have contributed to the result, and Derek Bath with Spike Evans had a cracking game against Wally Barnes and David Coles up to the 14th, where the advancing hours and deteriorating weather, prompted a committee meeting on the side of the green to determine the outcome on the 18th! A solid half ensued. Ken Gouldsbrough left the result to Sylvan Thomas to announce, but said that he was totally pleased with his game with Maurice Lewis because it was a win. Sylvan replied with thanks to Tenby and Ken for the day's golf and for the weather! He hated having to give shots away to any opposition, but had to concede on the day. A few of the games went close to the wire, but the result could not be made any different than eight to Tenby and only two to Haverfordwest! But in the picture above, he looked as though he had perused the score sheet so much to get a better result, that he poked his eye with his glasses! A splendid day with good friends. Results: K. Gouldsbrough and M. Lewis bt S. Thomas and M. Jones 1 up; J. Hancock and N. Vincent halved with I. Jones and D. Banner; R. Gundry and M. Arlott bt A. Lloyd and T. Gwilliam 4 and 3; B. Parsons and A. Yates halved with R. Seed and L. Parsons; B. Howse and D. Stone bt D. Colston and C. Henderson 3 and 2; H. Probert and B. Morgan bt G. Miles and G. Tilehurst 4 and 3; T. Morris and B. Harris bt H. Green and W. Brand 7 and 5; A. Keating and O. Monaghan bt J. Davis and T. Waldies 8 and 7; B. Waters and R. Morgan halved with D. Low and R. Bird; D. Bath and M. Evans halved with W. Barnes and D. Coles. J.B.H.