On a day that felt a little like the start of the winter period -what, in July, I hear you ask -our sister, or even brother club, Trefloyne, came to Tenby links determined to avenge any defeat that had been inflicted in previous encounters.
It was not a day for short sleeves and sun hats, although a couple of hardy souls were observed with pale arms and foreheads, and all hoping to get back to the clubhouse before the forecasted rain inflicted itself.
Looking at the handicaps that were offered on the start sheet, it looked like Trefloyne had a bit of an edge, especially when reminded of those aforementioned encounters, and so the Tenby hearts were beating just that little bit faster on the first tee.
Stand in Tenby senior captain for the day, Ken Gouldsbrough, and his partner, the effervescent David Morgan, well, perhaps not quite as bubbly as we have seen him, took on Graham Wharton, the Trefloyne skipper, and Alan Brown.
Well, the Tenby side were up against one of the longest strikers of the ball in Trefloyne senior golf, not to mention Tenby's. The game finished on the 16th after some very solid 'hanging on in there' golf from Ken and David, but the 16th was a kick in the proverbials, as Ken was 18 inches from the hole in three, with Alan way up the green with little chance of getting near the hole, when "Eureka," said Alan, as his ball neatly slotted itself into the hole for the decider. "Well, bless my soul," said Ken and David in unison. "Look what that silly golfer has just done." First blood to Trefloyne.
Playing together for the first time, for goodness knows how long in a match, well, nearly three years actually, Vince Shaw and John Hancock turned back the clock, and had themselves a fine old time against Mel Beeley and George King, despite the 'shots given' situation.
Quickly going two up, then having that thrown back at them almost as rapidly, the Tenby pair got down to some solid play, and mastered the fast greens that were a credit to the greenkeeper's skills. An outrageous four on the 11th, followed by a two on the 12th and par on 13th, followed by a par putt by Vince on 14, was enough to dent Mel and George's aspirations for the day, and shake hands before going over the line.
In the third game, Colin Griffith was quite upset, as he noticed that playing partner Roy Gundry had only uttered his usual expletive twice. Once as they started, and once on the 17th when the game had been over before the railway bridge. Roy had himself a couple of birdies in an almost flawless partnership against Trefloyne's Windsor Nicholas and Trevor Lewis, but then reverted to type once back in the clubhouse. Another large portion of the 6 and 5s to take Tenby into the lead.
When asked about their comments on the game against Ken Fletcher and Tony Morris, Trefloyne's Denis Busby and Neil Thomas, as they sat down to dinner, said that as far as they were concerned the game was history, so Ken and Tony jumped in quickly and gave a nine-page resume on the result, which was a 5 and 4 win to Tenby. Tony said that his short lesson from Steve Evans the previous day had given him a lot of food for thought, but may have contributed something to his game. Hmmm.
Bob Storey said that he was his own brilliant self as usual, but the handicap secretary couldn't touch him as he had picked up on the third. Partner David Leeke didn't have to say anything, but had let his game plan do the talking for him, as the Tenby pair finalised the game against John Smith and Brian Norman on the 16th. Now what is this game plan David? Perhaps we all should be privy to it. Especially for the next three matches that Tenby lost.
Birdies on the 16th and 17th from Trefloyne partnership Phil Jenkinson and John Bancroft meant that Denzil Thomas said it's good night for me, and David Rees said it's goodnight from him, as a consolation glass of lemonade was quickly quaffed in the clubhouse.
Rob Wilkins and Derek Bath also lost to John Cliff and Gerald John, but obviously enjoyed the company and game, as their conversations in the club afterwards were quite amicable.
Ron Murphy and Brian Waters were almost inconsolable, as their loss against Peter Scourfield and Tom Fletcher meant that the match was now all-square, but not so inconsolable that a good cigar and a bottle of claret couldn't put right.
Having lots of humour in their game, Des Stone and Owen Monaghan were five up for most of the way, against Pat Corcoran and John Rolfe, due to some good driving from Owen that set them up for an early lead, but despite losing a few balls (only a few)? Des and Owen put Tenby back into the lead, and it was down to the wire for the final game and tail-end pairing of none other than Roy Morgan and Clifton John, against Roger Thompson and John Kirk.
It almost needs a drum roll before the final result is known, but before we hear that, the 'Dream Team', aka Morgan and John, were spending a lot of time looking for balls (no wonder dinner was late), and all they found were two dead rabbits. But rather than let that find put them off, they both came good on the 16th, but the last that was seen of Clifton's ball on the 17th, it was rising rapidly as it went over the railway line. The Dream Team had a slight hiccup there, but they held their collective nerve, and won the final hole for a fine 2 up, and the match for Tenby. Stars or what!
After a splendid match meal courtesy of steward Roger Phillips, and a clash between Vince Shaw and John Smith, about whose bus driver's jacket was the prettiest, Ken Gouldsbrough welcomed Graham Wharton and his friendly and merry (by this time) men, but thought that their game was anything but friendly because they were hammered. But that it was good to see Trefloyne at Tenby, in such fine fettle and numbers.
Graham replied by thanking Roger Phillips for the fine fare, and complimented the greenkeepers for the quality of the course, and greens in particular, and that he and his team had enjoyed themselves despite the result, and hoped that next year's fixture would show a different result. All in all, a good day.
J. B. H.