The weather forecast was dire. The Met Office said summer was over. Wet suits were hastily scrambled from mothballed cupboards. Seventeen intrepid Seniors motored along the M4 to Bryn Meadows Golf Club 12 miles north of Cardiff. Following a showery morning, hey presto, the sun appeared on cue after lunch and J. D. R. Williams' elite prepared for three glorious days of competitive golf.

Bryn Meadows Golf and Country Club is a success story with an underlying tragedy. In 1973, Bryan Mayo decided to build his own golf club. With three business associates, he bought an old farmhouse with some rough farmland and turned the whole into a golf complex. He was a popular local figure, so membership grew like Pinocchio's nose. Bryan had an unfortunate habit of licking his golf ball before putting. At a neighbouring club, toxic weedkiller caused a severe reaction; he lost his spleen and had both legs amputated above the knee.

However, inspired by Douglas Bader, he continued to play off a seven handicap. He founded the British Amputee Open, raised thousands of pounds for charity and was awarded the MBE. His was a story of triumph over adversity. Following his death, the club is now run by the Mayo family. A clock was erected in his memory.

Captain John led his team into action. The course is lined with numerous trees, so it wasn't long before the squirrels foraging for their winter store and the morehens on the ponds, decided enough was enough and took shelter, as leaves and golf balls rained from the branches.

The format was stableford for the three days. First day winners were Tom Morgan 35 pts, Clifton John 33 and Rob Wilkins 33. Day two winners were Peter Woodhouse 37 pts, Ken Gouldsbrough 36 and John Cook 32. Incidentally, Peter was the only player to beat the SSS of this 6,156 yard course. The hospitality shown to John and his players was second to none.

For the last day's play, the team travelled back to St. Mary's Golf Club at Pencoed. This was another bright and breezy day. This parkland course borders the motorway and again had numerous trees and ditches to catch the errant shot. Winner on day three was John Cook 31 pts, followed by Mike Fox 29 and Clifton John 28. Many birds decided to migrate early for the winter after this bombardment.

The overall winner of the three days golf was John Cook, closely followed by Tony Morgan, Clifton John, Peter Woodhouse, Ken Gouldsbrough and Rob Wilkins.

Tony Ranoe won the 'balls lost' sweep - 71, of which 35 disappeared on the last day! Mike Fox, Ken G, Bob Harries and T. Ranoe shared the 2s sweep.

At the final presentation, Mike Fox, on behalf of the others, thanked J. D. R. for outstanding leadership and organisation. The Seniors' esprit de corps was paramount - what a wealth of experience these guys call upon! Here's to 2004.

K.J.C.