Last Sunday, the Tenby Rabbits played out their Autumn Classic, The B. and H. Shield. Twenty-four sleek, fit and bronzed athletes assembled on the first tee to give it a go. There was a strong wind howling in from the West. The conditions were difficult enough, but the ruling committee had declared the competition would be played off the medal boxes, which were set so far back, that any pretence of good scoring could be disregarded.
Curiously, this was the first major decision of the new committee. It bodes badly for the year ahead.
Amidst the assembly were two former members of the Divots Society, namely Neil Dickinson and Michael Hale. Both had been former Rabbits who had sought their fortune with our brother society. Regrettably they had not been well looked after and have returned to the fold in down and out condition, spirits low, under-fed and quite abject. One must hope that Rabbit rehabilitation for them will be speedy and they will soon enjoy, once again, the fair way of life.
Over the last months, the national news has been disappointing and in many cases disastrous. We have all worried about where our politicians are taking us. Terrorism is at our very doors. Earthquakes, hurricanes and floods stalk the earth, and bad industrial relations are beginning to emerge once again.
Indeed, I read only last week that the staff at the Royal households have been working to rule and on Wednesday Her Majesty the Queen had been seen sweeping down her staircase at Buckingham Palace in a white silk gown, red velvet cloak over her shoulders, wearing wellingtons. Then mopped out the kitchen floor and did the ironing. With news like this it must be a relief for Tenby Observer readers to return to accounts of the Rabbits activities.
Returning to the golf, last Sunday it has to be reported that three golfers who went out together, namely captain Stephen Harries, Fred Adlam and Dorian Thomas, lost between them 21 balls. As two of them were committee members, it served them right for setting such an impossible course. Members were very pleased to hear of their misfortune.
The scoring generally was low, but new member Jerry Whitehouse did hand in a card with 37 points and this earned him the coveted B. and H. Shield. This winner comes from the stockbroker belt in Surrey and he has a playing handicap of 16. His golf on the day must have been excellent and with youth still on his side he can expect many successes ahead. A tremendous round.
John Cook took second place with 31 points, followed by Dafydd Evans on 30 and the experienced David Lemon took fourth spot with 29. The Rabbits are sorry to hear that stalwart Peter Watkins is not well and everybody sends their best wishes to him, and look forward to seeing him swing again.