Every year, the ladies' captain of Tenby Golf Club chooses a venue and books an outing for the ladies' section for their spring outing.
This year, their captain, Heather K. Morgan, chose Tewkesbury Park in Gloucestershire. It was a beautiful venue, with stunning views, and the weather was just perfect.
Twenty ladies went on the outing and all arrived in good time for their first game in the sunshine on the Monday afternoon. It was to be a Stableford competition, and after a draw had been done by vice-captain Mel Smith, everyone was eager to get out and explore the course... and explore it many of them did!
The scenery was majestic, with huge, ancient trees full of luxuriant blossoms. They were so enthralled with the views that the scoring was not inspiring. They decided it was because they were missing their beautiful true greens back in Tenby!
Ruth Goldwait just missed out on third place to Liz Storey. Second was Linda Thomas playing her first competition since breaking her ankle on holiday, and first was Linda Evans with 30 points.
After the game, everyone sat out in the sunshine enjoying a bevy or two before retiring to the jacuzzi and pool to ease those aching muscles (from the car journey, of course, not the golf!).
Everyone sat down to a cordon bleu meal in the evening, in the gazebo, where they felt very exclusive. The evening was broken up with quizzes (provided by Linda Evans), prizes for the day's golf from the captain, and stories to entertain from various members of the group. The last ladies rolled up to bed way after midnight... but that's another story.
For the second day's competition, the ladies' captain changed the rules and we all agreed that the competition was more fun. The scores reflected this with some dramatic results. Anita Davies recorded the first birdie on the seventh, followed by Pam Cole on the same par three. Then the ladies' captain birdied the par four 18th.
Three ladies came in with 46 points. This time, Anita missed out on the third prize to Penny Cope. On the same score was Liz Storey in second place (on the back nine). The winner with 48 points was Rhian Walters with good steady scoring all the way round.
Another pleasant evening was spent in the Gazebo Restaurant and everyone celebrated the vice-captain's birthday in style.
Later, the ladies retired to the lounge bar where they entertained the patrons with their games and singing. They all agreed it had been a most enjoyable, if tiring, day.
Many ladies decided to pack up after breakfast the next day and go to the shops to spend their winning vouchers. Eight ladies entered the last day's competition.
They had to delay the start due to the mist, but it soon lifted and the sun came out again.
Anne Wilks got a birdie to help her take third prize. In second place was Rhian Walters. But first was Linda Evans with 30 points again.
However, the highlight of the day had to be a hole-in-one by Penny Cope on the seventh. Everyone heard the shrieks two holes away, but apparently Penny missed it because she was picking up her tee peg! Mary Rowell was so excited by the event that she recorded it in verse:
A hole-in-one, on the last day too,
Penny struck the ball, she hadn't a clue.
It went in the hole for the others to see.
They shouted "Well done!" She danced with glee.
We all drank champagne and wished her well.
Then off we went home with stories to tell.
And so another year's outing was over. The course, the weather, the company could not have been better, and for some... the golf will always be remembered.
Heather K. Morgan,
Ladies' captain.