DYFED LEAGUE
On Saturday, Trefloyne Golf Club's Dyfed League team made the long journey to Cilgwyn, near Lampeter, with the bus picking up at 10.30 am to get there in time for a one o'clock tee-off. Captain Meurig Evans had difficulty finding players for this match and, with so many unavailable, he had to call on his reliable seniors and thanks them for their commitment. Cilgwyn is a nine-hole course and looked in spectacular condition as you approached, but when you stood on the first tee, it caused confusion immediately, with a narrow fairway and a brook splitting it right down the middle. Indeed, every hole on this course had something to offer, so the players needed to be on top of their game, as they knew all the Cilgwyn players hit the ball miles off the tee. The team for Trefloyne was Scott Davies, Tiger, Barry Harrison, James Maxwell, Graham Willcocks, Bill Myres, Dylan Phillips, Sam Anderson, Meurig Evans, Mel Bealey, Simon Arthur, Ben Price, Terry Morgan and John James. First on the tee for Trefloyne were Scott Davies and Tiger. All the players had drivers out and all hit great drives which left a short chip into the green. Although the first was halved, the Trefloyne pair found it difficult to hold on to their opponents; if you missed a par, you lost the hole. With so many birdies from Cilgwyn and missed putts from Trefloyne, the visiting pair found themselves four down at one stage, but for most of the match they were trailing by three and they were still three down with four to play. Then Tiger found the form we all know he has and won three of the last four to halve the match. Next away were Barry Harrison and James Maxwell, another strong pairing for Trefloyne, but don't forget, when you bring an electric trolley, it works better if you bring the battery as well... Barry! The Trefloyne pair found how challenging this course can be, let alone the opposition, and were two down early on. Again a par would not be enough to win a hole, so when you are down in a very tight match, it is sometimes impossible to get back into the game and this was so, with the Trefloyne pair falling further behind for a loss. Third out for Trefloyne were Graham Willcocks and Bill Myres, who between them have a wealth of experience... over 100 years! This experience showed and they were up for any challenge. They held on to a slender lead in the face of some very solid golf from Cilgwyn and responded by going further ahead for a comfortable four and three win. Dylan Phillips and Sam Anderson were Trefloyne's next pair. Playing solid golf, they took an early advantage as they went three up, before Cilgwyn pulled one back. And this was how it stayed until the ninth, when Dylan injured his leg and had to leave his 15-year-old partner to take on the home pair. Sam played some great golf and stayed in contention until the 17th where he just missed a putt to lose two and one. Well done on a fine effort Sam. Next for Trefloyne were Meurig Evans and newcomer Mel Bealey. This was another big game. Meurig hit his first out of bounds, but his partner won the first to go one up. This match immediately came alive, with pars and birdies again being the order of the day. Cilgwyn levelled the match on the short par three third, only for Trefloyne to take the lead again on the fifth, a 215-yard par three, where Meurig hit a five-iron within four-foot of the pin for birdie to go one up. Cilgwyn again levelled on seven and this was how it remained until the 15th when the home pair played themselves into trouble and a par was enough to win the hole for Trefloyne. Cilgwyn won 16 to level again, but Trefloyne won 17 and then Mel secured a half on 18 for a win. Simon Arthur and Ben Price, a reliable pair, found the challenge of the course and their opponents difficult. As with all pairings, you had to be on top of your game, but on this occasion Lady Luck also seemed to be with the home team - sometimes this game can be cruel - resulting in a Trefloyne loss. Last on the tee were Terry Morgan and John James, who were a late call-up by the captain. They must be wondering why they agreed, but they will take some experience away with them. Again Cilgwyn had a very strong pair and with the contours of the course not favouring Trefloyne, it made the match even harder. The Trefloyne pair played good golf, only to be punished by a course where local knowledge has a big advantage. Final result was Trefloyne 2.5 Cilgwyn 4.5.
Super Six The Super Six fixtures have come to an end and the Trefloyne players have had a busy few weeks. On July 14, Trefloyne were home to South Pembs. and won 4.5 - 1.5. On July 27, Trefloyne were away to Priskilly, with the result being a 3-3 draw. On August 3, Trefloyne should have had a return match with Priskilly, but they failed to raise a team, for Trefloyne to be awarded the points 6-0 Next Dyfed League match is away to South Pembs. on August 14 - get your names on the team sheet. The remaining games are must wins, with Trefloyne being six points behind Newport, who have a game in hand. LADIES' SECTION
Some rather awe-inspiring golf has been happening amongst the ladies' section in the last few weeks. We really do not need Michelle Wie in Trefloyne as we have our own in the form of Fair Fraser, who burst onto the scene with a blistering 48 points in the Homestead Cup on Sunday and received a well deserved cut in her handicap, much to the other members' relief! This was after a scintillating week where she accompanied Julie Jenkins in the Centenary foursomes held on Tuesday. They certainly gelled together in this format and came in with a convincing 46 points to take first place and a spot in the final at the exciting Machynys course in September. Not content with this, she travelled to Haverfordwest for the first time on Friday as part of a six-strong Trefloyne representation to play again with Julie Jenkins in the West Wales Ladies Foursomes Championship. They arrived full of enthusiasm for Fair's first game at the immaculate Haverfordwest course, only to be thwarted by the fact that having booked a buggy, they were told that such machines were not allowed in this competition. With only a short time before their tee-off, it looked like this intrepid pair would not be able to play, but thanks to the quick-thinking of the very kind pro, Alex Pile, a pair of trolleys was produced, with Fair electing to be the brave one and use a pull trolley all the way round! Feeling rather flustered on the first tee, as you can imagine, Fair sent the ball in a graceful arc over the clubhouse, over the practice area to end up in the gravel by the back door....out of bounds! Julie tottered back to the first tee, with playing partners sitting pretty in the middle of the fairway, and hit a smacker straight down the fairway into left side hedge. Despite fervent searching by the girls, no ball appeared and back to the tee Fair was sent once more and this time she produced a lovely perfect drive to get the girls off the first tee at last. They managed to regain some equilibrium to play on to a very respectable 18-hole medal score and with the wonderful encouragement of their fantastic playing partners from Cardigan Golf Club (one of whom was 76-years-old and the toughest of the lot), they continued to play lovely golf to come in with a net 31 on the nine-hole section and taking second place in the 27 holes net score, missing out on first by a half a point! What a day and what a week for Fair. Who says golf is boring! Earlier in the week, the Dragon Brooch was won by Julie Jenkins with a 75, followed by Sheila Phillips on 76. The stableford on Tuesday was played in very windy conditions and was won by Liz Crockford with an amazing 36 points and it was lovely to see so many new members out in force. Linda Kromrei was second on 30 and Ceryn Harris came top again winning Division 2 with a fine 35, followed by Estelle Carter with 34. On a lovely sunny Friday evening, approximately 20 enthusiastic and conscientious golfers strode out with club pro Christine, and her very able and knowledgeable assistant for the night, vice-captain Graham, to hold what we hope will be the first of many Practical Rules Evenings. Most of us were very surprised to discover how fascinating the intricacies of golf rules and regulations could be and it soon became clear that we had something to learn, especially when it comes to water hazards, and in particular lateral ones! For the novice golfer and indeed for those who thought that they knew everything about golf rules, it proved to be very revealing and informative and it is surely a great pity that more of golfers do not show an interest in how to play the game by the correct rules. We all had thoroughly enjoyed our walk with Chris and Graham and had many opportunities to ask some very difficult questions which may have puzzled us during our own games (indeed Graham is still researching one of Barry's). The evening was rounded off in the usual Trefloyne manner with pleasant convivial company back in the clubhouse and we all really hope that Christine and Graham will feel inspired to give up some more of their time to repeat this very useful but fun evening soon.
First Club Championship
Trefloyne Golf Club is 10 years old this year, and to mark the occasion they're going to have their first Club Champions from among the members. On August 26 and 27, men play 36 holes in divisions for two new Trefloyne Championship Salvers. The Trefloyne Challenge Cup - and the title of Trefloyne Men's Club Champion, 2006 - then goes to the best gross score from either division. It doesn't end there, though. As Meurig Evans, Trefloyne men's captain, said: "As well as these three scratch trophies, there's the Kitson European Trophy for the best nett score. And there are plenty of prizes, plus a halfway tent and a special offer on meals for all players." It's not just the men, either. The Trefloyne Ladies' Championship runs over the same weekend, with a range of completely new competitions. There's a new Championship Cup, and trophies for two divisions and the best nett score. So there's something for everyone and as Meurig Evans put it: "This is the biggest and best club competition we've ever held. So we're expecting a full turnout of members for a great weekend - men, women, seniors, juniors, tigers and rabbits. "All the details are at the club, and with Christine Burton our professional."