A total of 67 competitors took part in the 20th Neil Rees Memorial last Saturday and they were blessed with excellent conditions. The weather was kind and the course was well presented. In fact, although the winning score was by no means the highest ever, the scoring overall was perhaps the best in the event's history, with no less than 14 players posting 32 points or more. The main category, the Neil Rees Cup, was a very close affair. Ian Thomas and young Alex Jenkins both had a very creditable 36 points. Gavin Scotcher found his form again with a fine 37 points, although he lost out for second place to former winner Rob Brown, who had a better back nine. However, Neil Rees champion for 2007 is Simon Rossiter, whose very solid round gave him a superb 38 points, which included 21 points on the very tough front nine. In an emotional speech, Simon said he was delighted to have won this prestigious competition after 20 years of trying. The winner in the Guests' Section took some sorting out. Neil Webb and Phil Mumford tied on 33 points. They had the same score on the back nine, the back six, the back three and the back two, but Neil's three points on the 18th secured him the prize of the Steve Briers Trophy. In the Seniors' Section, although he was feeling a little under the weather, Alan Thomas saw off Pat Rees and Spike Evans by a single point. Chris James claimed this year's Best Novice cup with a satisfying 24 points. Martin Hurlow, who has not entered for a few years as he suffers from golfer's elbow, was second with 20 points and debutant Gareth Nock took third with 19 points. Paul Woods drove eight hours through the night so that he could play in the competition. He left Clacton-on-sea at 2 am and arrived in Tenby via Liverpool at 10 am - so much for sat nav! After a few pints, he was ready to take to the links, but fatigue soon took its toll and Paul failed to register a point on the front nine. Nevertheless, he regained his composure and managed to get four points on the way home, but sadly he was still the winner of the Best Endeavour award with the equivalent of two hours travelling per point! Nicky Allen boomed his tee shot 319 yards down the 14th fairway to win Longest Drive and 20 feet of backspin saw Shaun James's ball finish two feet eight inches from the flag on the sixth green for him to claim Nearest the Pin. Following the prize-giving and a great buffet, polished entertainer Kenny Morris proved to have a wonderful singing voice, but unfortunately he mislaid his joke book on the way to Tenby. Competitors and their wives then enjoyed the music provided by Rob's One Stop Disco and no-one danced more than the energetic Paul Hoyland. The 2007 Neil Rees Memorial was another memorable day and the turnout was satisfactory, although no less than 13 former winners were absent for various reasons. A few family scores were settled, such as Geoff Martin Senior beating Junior by three points, although Pat and Nicky Rees tied. The leading scores were as follows: Neil Rees Cup: Simon Rossiter 38 pts; Rob Brown and Gavin Scotcher 37; Alex Jenkins and Ian Thomas 36; Paul Heywood 35; Nick Griffiths, Peter Rossi, Dylan Lawrence 34; Paul Hoyland, Ron Johns, Shaun James 33; Nicky Allen, Johnny Morris 31; Richard Rossiter 30; John Broomhead, Steve Amos 29. Novices Section: Chris James 24 pts; Martin Hurlow 20; Gareth Nock 19; Will Crockford 17; Delwyn Brace 16; Shaun Brace 9; Sam Smith 8; Harry Bolton 7; Ben Griffiths 5; Paul Woods 4. Seniors Section: Alan Thomas 21 pts; Pat Rees, Mike Evans 20. Guests Section: Neil Webb, Phil Mumford 33 pts; Phil Goodridge 32; John Gillespie 30; Ralph Johns, Gary Willars, John Harries 29; Martin Morris 28; Phil Keating 27.
THANKS
Pat and Mary would like to thank everyone who took part in the 20th Neil Rees Cup, with special thanks to Lynn Jenkins for the excellent buffet, Rob Mayhew DJ and especially Richard Ormond for all his help.