Hello and good morning readers, and weatherwise, Wednesday, May 10, was a very good morning, blue skies, sunshine and summe-like temperatures. What a beautiful day for the society to make the journey to the magnificently manicured and ever- improving Glyn Abbey Golf Club. The layout is simply superb and extremely testing, with huge bunkers and ditches strategically positioned on nearly every fairway and guarding the velvet-like greens - which made putting a pleasure. I know about these hazards, as I'm sure I found most of them! The club professional, Darren Griffiths (son of world famous 'Snooker Supremo' Terry Griffiths), got play underway off both first and 10th tees. This allowed me and my playing colleagues to move up from last to first - what a blessing, as this meant first back, first use of shower, first to the bar and first to the food! Wonderful! First off the first tee were Daryl 'Rods' Jones, Phil 'Sheepskin' Rugg and Stuart 'Smokey Joe' Evans. These accomplished golfers led from the front and took the team spoils. Well holed! At the same time, off the 10th tee went Lee 'Larnie' Lewis, Windsor 'HRH' Royal, Tim 'Gavel' Davies and Barry 'Chippy' Wood (last month's champ - this month's chump!). We flattered to deceive and limped in ready for a rest, a shower and a pint! John 'Homer' Perrott, Adrian 'Lighning' Alman and Mark 'Woody' Wood were next off the first. 'Lightning' was in superb form and returned a near perfect card for a near perfect round. Guess whose handicap is for the chop! Third off the first were Tomas 'The Flag' Harvey. Graham 'Skip' Harrison and new society member, back to front player, Wayne 'Screw' Connaught. Welcome. A so so round! Following them down the fairway were Gareth 'Gateau' Phillips (another for the chop mate), Terry 'Hammer' Harvey and John 'Juggernaut' James. Well played Gareth (Ricky is in a sweat)! Hot on their heels were Ricky 'The Moaner' Lewis, Glyn 'Shots' Jones (hope you enjoyed) and Bernard 'Boom Boom' Bradley. A satisfactory round, but should have done better. Last off the first were Neil 'Mighty Mouse' Evans, Len 'Corrie' Fairclough and Richard 'Nelson' Davies. This trio missed the boat, but enjoyed their golf. After freshening up, we all sat supping pints in warm sunshine on the patio which overlooks this wonderful course, watching a large number of young lads on the practice green honing their putting skills. What a grand sight, which augurs well for Glyn Abbey Golf Club. Food was served, and us hungry golfers tucked in with relish. With appetite sated and thirst slaked, 'Woody' started the formalities by first thanking the stalwarts of the society for their continued support, then thanking Glyn Abbey for hosting the day and putting their facilities at our disposal. He then thanked the catering staff for the wonderful meal they placed before us. Empty plates said it all. The prize distribution followed. First, with an amazing 45 pts, Gareth 'Gateau' Phillips; second, very close behind with 42 pts, Adrian 'Lightning' Alman; third, with a very creditable 38 pts, old-timer Daryl 'Rods' Jones (his secret is relaxing in a deckchair)! Over 20 handicap - with 37 pts, Stuart 'Smokey Joe' Evans (it was nice to see you!). Yet another for the chop! OAP - 'Rods' (we all know his secret now)! Nearest pin - Adrian 'Lightning' Alman (some say he placed the ball there); longest drive - Mark 'Woody' Wood (scorched the fairway with a massive - wait for it - 'straight' drive!). Team prize, with an accumulated total of 110 pts, went to 'Rods', 'Sheepskin' and 'Smokey Joe'. Great golf. Wooden spoon - Tomas 'The Flag' Harvey (just like father before him!). Woody confirmed the next KGS day would be at the Gower Golf Club, Swansea, on Wednesday, June 7, teeing off at 10 am. Hope the weather is better than last time. 'Chippy' thanked everybody, and as this is his penultimate report on the society, he asked for a volunteer to take up the pen and continue to publicise this wonderful monthly day of golf. So come on guys, please be brave and have some fun. We will need you for August. I have all the relevant data ready to hand over - don't be shy! Here ended the proceedings, with future fun days in mind. Remember, short and straight is far better than long and lost.
B.J.A.W.