"It's the wife's fault!" So said Hywel Probert as he handed in his team sheet on Tuesday. That couldn't be right since he had made a special request to play alongside Avril in the annual Seniors versus Ladies match. This year it wasn't a match since everyone, in each of the seven fourballs that went out, was on the same side and all were striving to be one of the best three scores on each hole. Looking at the card, Avril certainly managed to outscore Hywel on a number of holes on the front nine. We won't mention the back nine. With the help of Rob Wilks and Jo Walsh Morgan, the group managed a score of 65 which kept them out of the prizes as, unfortunately, or fortunately for them, there was no booby prize. Another married couple playing in the same team was that of ladies captain, Helen Morgan who declined to lead her team out in the first fourball, preferring instead to keep an eye on her husband Dave. Someone suggested that she could then ensure that he didn't wander off into the rough or the bushes to search for team mates' balls? Whatever - he kept a smile on his face all afternoon, as usual, even though the team ended up out of the prizes, scoring 82 points. The three other couples playing on the day were quite happy to share their golfing expertise to help the other groups. Either that or it was agreed that they be best kept apart. Geoff Aston helped Anita Davies, Babs Williams and Bart Youll to a creditable 96, while Eiona Aston aided and abetted by Anne Wicks, the inimitable Roy Gundry and in-form Bob Howse could only manage 91 points. Mary Williams, separated from husband John, had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the company of Owen Monaghan (even though she couldn't understand his scouse accent) and the Morgans. J. D. R. ended up lower in the pecking order than his wife as his team of Philip Marsden, Mary Lewis and Liz Storey could only manage76 points. Philip's wife, Ann, on the other hand, found herself, along with Linda Thomas, in the company of Brian Morgan and Ken Gouldsbrough and this proved to be a combination that worked well. They almost achieved a century, scoring nine points on two holes in the round. Ken's birdie on the 13th provided the base for one, while a consistent three threes on the ninth matched it. This was balanced with a one point score on the fourth. Their total of 98 was enough to put them in second place and earn each one a couple of balls. The winning combination on the day was that of the first group out. Des Stone had picked Derek Bath as his partner and they were somewhat in awe of their low handicap counterparts. Watching the straight and consistent hitting of Heather Morgan and Gillian Roberts inspired the two seniors and they both raised their game to support the ladies in a creditable score. Heather was disappointed to just miss her putt for a two on the sixth hole, but Gillian more than made up for it with a superb two on the 12th. Des's birdie three on the 14th added four points to the scorecard, while Derek's par on the last added the final touch to a round of 111 points. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal after the competition and both captains expressed the warmth and appreciation of the occasion in their address to the group. Helen presented the prizes to the winners and runners-up.
