Saturday saw the opening ceremony of Tenby Golf Club's 22nd annual Open Week.

Visitors and members in a packed clubhouse were welcomed by the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, the vice-chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Leslie Raymond, Open Week organiser, Mrs. Linda Evans, and club president, Mr. Gwyn Tibbs.

When this busy week finally ends today (Friday), the historic championship links course will have been subjected to over 1,250 rounds of golf, and thanks to Chris Jenkins, the head greenkeper, and his staff the course could not have been in better condition.

Twelve competitions for both ladies and gentlemen are played over the six days, and an army of volunteer administrative staff, starters and marshalls always ensure that the event runs as smoothly as possible.

The overall aim of the captain and committee is to allow as many players as possible to have a week of enjoyable and competitive golf around this demanding but rewarding links course.

SUNDAY

Sunday dawned dry and sunny for the opening competition, the Open Mixed Foursomes, which attracted no fewer than 114 pairs (228 golfers in total, with 184 of them being visitors).

Sponsored by Lydstep Beach Caravan Centre, the competition had a stableford format, and taking full advantage of the good golfing weather were Mrs. Tessa Pearson, wife of the club secretary, and her partner John Cooper, of Barton-on-Sea, who claimed first place with a fine 40 points.

Just one point behind were husband and wife duo, Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson from Hickleton GC, who pipped Tenby's husband and wife team, Anne and Phillip Marsden, on the back nine, both with 39 points.

Results: 1. Mrs T. Pearson (Tenby) and Mr. J. E. Cooper (Barton on Sea) 40 pts; 2. Mrs. J. Sanderson and Mr. P. Sanderson (Hickleton GC) 39 pts; 3. Mrs. A. Marsden and Mr. P. Marsden (Tenby) 39 pts.

The evening concluded with a lively session from Greenhill School Jazz Band.

MONDAY

Monday heralded the Ladies Singles Medal, sponsored by Frank B. Mason. Again the weather was dry, and although it was a little overcast early on, it gradually became warm and sunny later in the day.

The competition attracted 64 entries, 60 of whom were visitors, and the ladies certainly provided plenty of excitement, with perhaps the highlight coming from Mrs. P. Hallwood, of Northampton, who scooped the pool with a superb 'hole-in-one' on the ninth, to walk away with a cool couple of hundred pounds or so. Well done.

The competition itself was no less thrilling. It proved a real nail-biter and had the statisticians pondering over the scorecards as first and second places were only split by countback over the last nine holes.

Even Mary Williams and Linda Evans, of Tenby, only managed to secure third place and best gross, respectively, using the same method.

Result: 1. Mrs. H. Rustard (Nevill GC) 72 nett - back nine; 2. Mrs. B. Kirby (Handsworth GC) 72 nett; 3. Mrs. Mary Williams (Tenby) 74 nett - back nine. Best gross - Linda Evans (Tenby) 88 - back nine.

Monday was also Gents Singles Stableford day, with 148 players, including 142 visitors, entering the competition, sponsored by Rigby Taylor.

Whilst not quite matching the excitement provided by the ladies, it was again a close contest for first place, with J. Prout, of Fritford Heath, just snatching victory with 40 points, one ahead of P. Hattersley, of Wolstanton, on 39.

Next best was 35, which secured third place for T. Hooper, of Huntmore, once again thanks to a better back nine.

Result: 1. J. Prout (Fritford Heath GC) 40 pts; 2. P. Hattersley (Wolstanton GC) 39 pts; 3. T. Hooper (Huntmore GC) 35 pts - back nine.

During the evening, all were entertained by Country and Western singer Dai Rees - we've heard that name before!

TUESDAY

Happily still no rain on Tuesday, a day which saw 148 players (142 visitors) take to the course for the Gents Fourball Strokeplay Medal, sponsored by Welsh Brewers.

Again an excellent day's golf was enjoyed and there was another close call, with a countback over the last nine holes again determining the result.

Seventeen pairs also achieved a hole-in-two and were suitably rewarded with an £8.50 prize.

Mr. J. Cook, of Orsett, won the bag draw at £40.

Result: 1. Mr. P. Gershenson and Mr. D. Combes (Brynhill GC) 65 - back nine; 2. Mr. E. Walecki and Mr. J. Parker (Broome Manor GC) 65; 3. Mr. J. Morris and Mr. J. Whitcutt (Burnham and Barrow GC) 63.

Running alongside this competition was the Ladies Fourball Strokeplay Medal, which attracted 64 entries.

Fifty-nine of them were visitors, and it was perhaps therefore not surprising that, with the exception of Tenby's Lynn Bonar, visitors walked off with all the prizes.

Mrs. Gardner, of Tewksbury Park, and Mrs. Berryman, of Wood Spring, just shaded Mrs. Watkins and Mrs. Ford, both of Market Drayton. Both pairs recorded 65 shots, with the back nine holes again deciding it.

Lynn Bonar came home with Mrs. Leggatt, of Market Raisen, with 68 shots, decided on the last six holes.

Result: 1. Mrs. M. Gardner (Tewksbury Park) and Mrs. G. Berryman (Wood Spring) 65 - back nine; 2. Mrs. A. Watkins and Mrs. M. Ford (Market Drayton) 65; 3. Mrs. E. Leggatt (Market Raisen) and Mrs. L. Bonar (Tenby) 68 - back six.

Tenby Male Choir provided the evening entertainment in their usual professional manner.