Members turned out in force last Saturday to compete for the many prizes donated by Tenby club captain, Mr. Allan Morton, on this year's Captain's Day. There were separate stableford competitions for gentlemen, ladies, seniors and juniors. Additionally, there were longest drive, nearest the pin and hidden holes competitions for each of the categories.
Tenby golf course was bathed in sunshine throughout the day. Although a stiff breeze made scoring difficult, the conditions were far better than at the Open Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, where rain, wind and heavy rough made even the likes of Colin Montgomerie and Tiger Woods struggle around a links course.
With over 150 golfers taking part, it was late afternoon before the final cards were returned to the clubhouse, and the longest drive and nearest the pin markers collected.
At 7 pm, a buffet was arranged for the competitors and their partners, giving an opportunity for the score cards to be checked and ratified by club manager, Mr. Basil Warren.
Before prize giving commenced, Mr. Phillip Booth, of Booths Leisure Group, presented Mrs. Pat Wright, of the Friends of Tenby Cottage Hospital, with a cheque for £500. The money was raised from the proceeds of the annual Phillip Booth Texas Scramble held recently at the club. Mrs. Wright thanked Mr. Booth and all those who competed in the competition for their support.
A full clubhouse greeted the captain, Mr. Allan Morton, as he stood up to present the prizes. First announced were the winners of the nearest the pin competition: Mark Lemon (gents), Mrs. Anne Marsden (ladies), Oliver Duckett (juniors) and Roy Gundry (seniors). Next up were the big hitters: Darren Griffiths (gents), Tony Morris (seniors), Heather Morgan (ladies) and David Schooling (juniors), winners of the longest drive competition played for on the 14th hole.
Unknown to the competitors, four 'hidden holes' were selected by the captain. The player from each category with the best score over the four holes was awarded a prize. The holes chosen were the first, 10th and 18th, all difficult par fours, and the equally difficult par three ninth hole. The winners were Paul Heywood (gents) with 16, Gill Roberts (ladies) with 19, Vince Shaw (seniors) with 17, and David Ayers (juniors) with 18.
The prizes for best individual stableford score in all categories were closely contested. Countbacks of the final holes decided the positions in all four competitions.
The juniors prize was won by Oliver Duckett with a score of 36 points, just winning on his back nine performance from Dan Cope. They were closely followed by Lewis Hurlow in third place with 35 points.
Club vice-captain Mary Rowell claimed the ladies stableford prize with a score of 38 points. Runner-up was Toni Lucas scoring 33 points and just pipping Anne Morris on a nine-hole count back.
A count back decided all three places in the seniors stableford competition. Three players scored 34 points, with Brian Hartley being declared the winner on his back nine performance. Runner-up was Bob Storey after a further count back of the last six holes from Peter Hart in third place.
The club's senior players (the 55s and over) had the option of playing either from the yellow tees, competing in the seniors stableford or playing off the white tees in the gents' competition. A difficult decision for senior golfer Bob Lusher who elected to play off the white tees. However, his choice paid dividends when he was declared the winner of the gentlemen's stableford with a score of 36 points after a final nine hole count back.
Runner-up, also with 36 points, was Owen Thomas, while Graham Jennings came third with 35 points.
The final presentation of the evening was the President's Putter to club vice-captain Mrs. Mary Rowell. The putter is awarded to the golfer with the highest stableford points tally of all four categories posted during the day's play. Mary's score of 38 was two points clear of the gents and junior winners.
After the formalities were over, the club's social committee had organised a video horse racing evening with promoter Gerald Price Entertainments. Everyone present enjoyed the big race atmosphere which completed a successful and most enjoyable day.
Special thanks to individuals and organisations who sponsored each horse race. They were David and Dawn Hughes; Tenby Golf Club professional Mark Hawkey; Mark and Anna Warley; The Sun Inn, St. Florence; Mr. Phillip Booth, of Booths Leisure Group; Welch Roofing; Roger and Ria Phillips, club stewards; Grandiflora Nursery, St. Florence; and Mrs. Mary Rowell, club vice-captain.
The event raised £100 for the captain's chosen charity, the Leukaemia Research Trust.