Tenby Seniors B team played at home to Grove GC (Porthcawl) last Tuesday, May 15, in the second round of the South Wales Classic. On the first tee, non-playing captain Roy Morgan gave a presidential style address, welcomed the Grove team and wished both teams well in their match. In the lead match, Mike Nesbitt-Hawes, partnered by John Hall, played against Paul Clarke and Tom Hawkins. The Tenby pair, after going ahead early on, was never headed throughout the game. Mike, in particular, had an excellent game. There was a minor hiccup on the fourth hole, when John Hall played Mike's ball and put his own ball into his pocket. Mike was not amused, and for a few holes, no words were exchanged between the two of them. When John made a good putt to win a hole, Mike was placated and they kissed and made up! For most of the game, the Tenby pair was three up, with accurate play keeping to the fairway. Paul Clarke, complimented the Tenby pair by saying that "they never gave us a chance." Mike put the Tenby team one up by winning their match on the 15th hole. In the second game, Geoff Aston was partnered by Brian Morgan. Moggy had a real hot streak. It was just as well, because Geoff had a bit of an off day. Their opponents, Dave Halliga and Ken Goodwin, where no slouches. In fact, the Grove pair only actually lost one hole through poor play. Brian said: "They were the best two putters I have ever seen." Despite this, the Tenby pair eventually won their game on the 16th green, giving the home team an unassailable lead. In the final match, Dave Morgan, who had just returned from a golfing holiday in France, along with Jim Martin, had a very tight game against John Perrott and Keith Griffiths. The first six holes were all halved, but fine play from John put Grove one up on the seventh. On the eighth, John had a fine four to put Grove two up. It looked like the Tenby pair would go three down on the ninth, but with great tenacity, they scrambled a half when John missed a putt for a four. Spurred on by this let off, Dave and Jim went up a gear and on the next hole, Dave reduced the deficit by slotting a great 16-foot downhill putt. Jim weighed in with a 10-foot putt on the next hole to square the match, and then put them one up with a three on the 12th. The match ebbed and flowed right up to the end, but when Jim just missed a six-footer for a par four on the 18th, the game ended all-square. In the clubhouse, Roy Morgan pointed out that this was the first time that any of the Grove team had played Tenby, but despite being beaten they had a thoroughly enjoyed playing on a great course. The Grove captain responded saying they hoped it would not be too long before they returned to play on the famous links again. He went on to wish Tenby well in the next round. Results: Mike Nesbitt-Hawes and John Hall beat Paul Clarke and Tom Hawkins 4 and 3; Geoff Aston and Brian Morgan beat Dave Halliga and Ken Goodwin 4 and 2; Dave Morgan and Jim Martin halved with John Perrott and Keith Griffiths. Tenby won 2.5 to 0.5.
