J. D. R. Williams and Owen Monaghan were a prime example. Their playing partners, Phil Johns and Langley Forest, were found wandering around the railway bridge. They had already been to the 18th tee, only to find that Owen and John were not there.
Looking lost they wandered back up to the bridge in search of the Tenby duo and had to be directed to the 15th tee to be reunited with the opposition. Despite all this, Phil and Langley exacted their revenge by winning the match on the 18th. Perhaps it was Langley's birdie on the 12th and Phil's eagle on the 14th that had prompted Owen and John to drive off in the buggy.
By all accounts, this was a case of two matches in one -Owen and Phil played the fairways, while JDR and Langley played the rough. Whatever, they all enjoyed a great afternoon in each other's company and it must be pointed out that I did not SEE Owen with a fag all day.
Another pair to lose by one was that of Roy and Dave Morgan. Barry Onions and Alan Senior, no mean golfers themselves, couldn't understand why Dave was in rather pensive mood. Roy explained to them that poor old Dave had left his jacket and tie etc. at home and had to be rescued by his good lady. Helen had to drive all the way from Cosheston to help Dave out of an embarrassing situation. Alan Senior was rather excited since this was his very first turnout for Newport seniors and he was delighted to report a win to his captain.
As he sat in the locker room, Geoff Aston reported drives of well over 300 yards on a regular basis, followed by immaculate putts - of course, this was before he went out! The reality was not quite up to that standard as he and Malcolm Arlott faced Kevin Duggan and John Farnham. In a day of good fortune, Kevin and John conceded that Geoff did play well and that Malcolm filled in when needed, like the good chappie that he is. "My contribution was to chip in twice," mused Malcolm.
You would expect a good result, since this was the fourth time that they had played together this season. However, the opposition did not make it easy, Kevin drove well off the tees all day, but stuttered somewhat off the fairways. Geoff and Malcolm won the first two holes and promptly lost the next two, halving the fifth. They then opened a gap and managed to keep the advantage to close out the match on the 14th.
Newport captain, Chris James, is always a difficult player to beat and Richard Davies was called in to help Bob Howse. He relished the challenge of trying to achieve a result against an old colleague. This was one of the very tight matches being played through the light showers that temporarily marred the afternoon. One up, to all-square, to one down was the pattern of play all afternoon and neither team could extend that gap beyond one.
Chris's partner Morys Rhys, was impressed with Richard's positivity on the difficult 16th green. He had a 10-foot putt with lots of borrow and boldly stated, "There is no reason why this should not go in." Without further ado, he putted out to win the hole. They were all-square starting the last and on or close to the green in regulation. They were all expecting a half to complete a good afternoon's golf. Up steps Richard to spoil the fun with a putt that was all of 20 feet. First blood to Tenby.
Behind this fourball there was another close encounter. Jim Martin was hoping to extend his winning streak and was supported by Des Stone. Unfortunately, he was suffering a painful back and spent the first part of the match wondering when he could take his next painkiller. Unaware of his dilemma, Ian Hinchly and Terry Jones set out to renew their acquaintance with the Tenby challenge.
They may have lost the first, but they soon demonstrated that they were competent golfers. Terry was straight and accurate and well supported by Ian, who also drove well. In a match that changed hands two or three times over the front nine, it was no surprise that the last seven holes were halved. Jim and Des were hoping to win the last to establish a half, but it was not to be.
Poor Jim left his walking stick on the ninth green and was in despair, wondering how he would complete the round. He need not have worried. As he tee-ed off on the 10th, round the corner came a wizened old man, hobbling his way to the tee with the aid of a walking stick. It could only be Brian Morgan with his unique way of returning the stick. Jim left his stick again, this time on the 16th, and had to use the buggy to retrieve it after his match was over.
Brian Morgan was in good humour since Ken Gouldsbrough was carrying him along in their match against Tony Bailey and John Civil. On two occasions it was the pin that saved Morgie. On the first, and again on the 14th, he hit a firm putt just to see the ball rap the pin and stop within a foot. He and Ken played well as a pair to establish a five-hole lead after five holes. Tony and John responded with birdies on the 13th and 14th holes, but by then it was too late. One more hole and the match was over.
There were questions raised concerning the handicap of Brian Waters. A gross par on the third showed that he obviously played well in his match against Tony Morris and Tony Greatrix. Tony arrived with great hopes, he had never won in a match at Tenby and he was hoping to change that -until he met Brian. Allen Watts had something to do with it as well. In what they all described as a super afternoon, the Newport pair responded to Tenby's five-hole lead by par-ring holes eight, nine and 10. It was not enough and this match ended on the 15th.
Eleven holes were enough for Nigel Rimell and John Hayhoe. Mark Giles and Mike Sajko were happy to play on to the 14th and then enjoy a pint in the club. Nigel was grinning from ear to ear, not because he had won, but because he had played well, grossing 39 on the front nine. Three good putts on the first three holes established a pattern and John was quite happy to support this when required.
During the period of light rain, Roy Bishop and Cliff Sharp had agreed with Rod Clark and Chris Sierwald that if the rain persisted they would retire with a half. As things happened, they played the full course and still achieved a half. Chris made the most of his shot allowance to help Rod achieve this result as he and Cliff posed as the elegant left-handers. Rod and Chris were dormie-one on the 18th, only to see the opposition win the hole with a five.
"I was just needed for my supersonic putts!" was Paul Nixon's comment as he described Martin Neilan's super effort. He par-red the first four holes to establish a lead and concluded by par-ring the last three to take the result away from Ian Artingstall and Mike Underwood. Despite that, the Newport pair had made them work and concentrate to earn the result.
Results: B. Howse and R. Davies beat C. James 1 up; D. Stone and J. Martin lost to I. Hinchley and T. Jones 1 down; B. Morgan and K. Gouldsbrough beat T. Bailey and J. Civil 4 and 3; N. Rimell and J. Hayhoe beat M. Giles and M. Sajko 8 and 7; D. Morgan and R. Morgan lost to B. Onions and A. Senior 1 down; A. Watts and B. Waters beat T. Morris and T. Greatrix 4 and 3; O. Monoghan and J.D.R. Williams lost to P. Johns and L. Forrest 1 down; G. Aston and M. Arlott beat K. Duggan and J. Farnham 5 and 4; R. Clark and C. Sierwald halved with R. Bishop and C. Sharpe; P. Nixon and M. Neilan beat I. Artingstall and M. Underwood 2 up.