Stan Hudson and Des Stone cleaned up the prizes this Tuesday, with Clifton John the lone interloper. Despite the spiked greens, 12 of the 41 players, turning out in benign conditions, scored over 30 points in this week's Stableford Eclectic competition.

Stan Hudson, who is going through a real purple patch, came scorching in early on with a superb 39 points to set the target for the rest of the field; according to his playing partner, seniors vice-captain Bob Howse, Stan's score could have so easily been three or four points better. Had it have been, Stan may well have seen his handicap chopped more than one shot to bring him down to nine.

The way he is playing, Stan would not be out of place competing in the Scratch Cup.

Ron Murphy, the other playing partner in Stan's group, claimed second place for much of the day on 33 points, with Peter Williams joining him further down the field, until Clifton John, playing in the back half of the field, also came in with 33, but his back nine elevated him over them into second place. He was to relinquish that spot a little later.

However, the course was buzzing about Des Stone's first ever hole in one on the sixth. Des had started fairly quietly until his ace and that seemed to galvanise him into action with a string of pars, but 16 and 17 marred what should have been a wonderful day; yet despite blobbing two holes and a seven on the shortened 16th, he still managed to rack up 37 points to take second place. He too had his handicap cut by one shot.

Back in the clubhouse, Des celebrated with the seniors in traditional style. He even took the prize money by himself for his ace, as there were no twos.

To complete the day, the 'Mafia', Des and Stan took the prizes for Brian Morgan's charity raffle. No wonder the pair of them were beaming with smiles to make the proverbial Cheshire Cat look grim.

Bob Howse, in charge for the day in the absence of Brian Waters, warned Des he ought to look at his tax return a bit more carefully, with him leading the money list by some way. It was nice to see John Hancock back in the Winter Eclectic after an absence of a few years; although we only have two more eclectics left John, we look forward to your regular company in this summer's seniors club events and next winter's eclectic.

In the eclectic event, over half the field improved their scores. The biggest mover was Paul Nixon, who made up five shots; as you know Paul won the front half of the winter eclectic. Three other players picked up four shots, Doug Havard, Bob Wiseman and, yes, that man again, Des Stone - no wonder he enjoyed his day.

In the second half of the eclectic, we now have two joint leaders and only four shots cover the top six in the gross section.

In the net, only one point separates the top two. In the race for the Tenby Seniors Cup for the overall best net, the lead is down to two, with several other players closing in fast, and with two more counting events, this could easily go any way. The leader in the gross saw his lead cut down by a shot, so there is still a chance that there can be a late charge.

Next week will see the final eclectic medal round being played, followed a week later by the final winter stableford eclectic.

J.D.M.