Divots League deadlock
After their Christmas festivities and the previous week's match against the Rabbits, it was back to the serious business of the Winter League for the Divots last Sunday.
Joint leaders Chris Hughes and Matthew Evans were playing against rivals Nicklas Thomas and Neil Dickinson in a top-of-the-table clash. The match was closely contested with little to separate the sides. With the game all-square playing the 18th, an excited gallery would normally have been waiting the arrival of these protagonists on the final green. However, the wet and windy weather and the attractions of the clubhouse ensured no one witnessed the tense putting battle that followed. Each side had the opportunity of taking all three points, but both missed crucial putts on the last, halving the hole and match to share the honours. The result keeps both teams tied on equal points at the top of the table.
No such problems for Thomas senior. Julian Thomas, playing as a substitute, helped Nick Rogers achieve a win over Loz Phillips and Steve Evans. The match was a tale of two halves, with Loz and Steve two ahead at the turn. A strong comeback from Nick and Julian, winning five holes in succession, culminated on the last green where they secured their win by two holes.
Richard Chapman and Laurence Lindsey cruised to a comfortable win over Allan Morton and Gavin Field-Thomas. The 'Walrus' apparently played a variation of the previous week's format - unfriendly foursomes, while his partner failed to respond to the challenge of playing the course unconventionally. The result, a comprehensive 6 and 5 victory for Richard and Laurence, keeps them in third place in the league.
In a very close match, shot of the day came from young Richard Morton hitting the flag with his second shot to the difficult 16th green. However, Richard and partner Nigel Ayers could not capitalise on this piece of golfing wizardry and finally succumbed to Adam Joseph and Graham Waring on the last green. Adam and Graham's win moves them to fourth place.
Putting was the key element in the match between Kenny Breaker and Alan Yates, playing against Barrie Frayne and substitute Steve Sharma. With the match finely poised after 12 holes, long single putts on three successive holes was enough to tip the scales in favour of Barrie and Steve who finally clinched a 2 and 1 victory with a par on the 17th hole.
The match could have been concluded earlier, however, if Steve had not been quite so aggressive on the putting surface. With two shots in hand to win the ninth, and faced with only a 10-foot putt, Steve sent the ball racing past the hole to finish further away than when it started its journey. Doing a 'Sharma' will no doubt be included in the next book of golfing terminology and have the opposite meaning to a lagged putt.
Gareth Rees and partner Martin Durham, returning after his injury, failed to find any form and lost to David Ayers and Roger Schooling by 2 and 1. Gareth and Martin remain rooted at the bottom of the table, and face the joint leaders next week. Could a big upset be on the cards - watch this space.
Results were as follows: R. Chapman and L. Lindsey bt A. Morton and G. Field-Thomas 6 and 5; B. Frayne and S. Sharma bt K. Breaker and A. Yates 2 and 1; D. Ayers and R. Schooling bt G. Rees and M. Durham 2 and 1; N. Rogers and J. Thomas bt L. Phillips and S. Evans two holes; A. Joseph and G. Waring bt R. Morton and N. Ayers one hole; C. Hughes and M. Evans halved with N. Thomas and N. Dickinson.
B. F.
Golden Chicken
Before we get to the nitty gritty of the Chicken results, a piece of news for us all.
Ivor Pike was an ardent Chicken Trotter before being incapacitated somewhat by suffering a stroke. However, although not playing golf (yet), Ivor and his wife Joyce have recently celebrated 50 years of marriage, and all of us send our congratulations, albeit a couple of weeks late!
Now, to the rest of the news. Colin Smith and Malcolm Arlott both carded 33 points and collected lovely cuts in handicaps, as well as £2 each for their efforts. "The money was consolation," said Vince Shaw.
Mike Fox, on his own again, pecked up £1.50 for 30 points, closely followed by Jim Taylor, Neil Dickinson (having a rare couple of hours off), and Des Stone, all on 30 points and the princely sum of 90p!
Three 2s (all on the 12th) from John Hancock, Malcolm Arlott and Peter Williams for 60p each, and finally Jack Hasdell, going from the heady heights of one of the leading money listers, to the lows of the booby for 30p! Jack looked a little pale and wan as he handed in his card, muttering to himself over what should, or was it could, have been.
1. Colin Smith and Malcolm Arlott 33 pts ( £2); 3. Mike Fox 31 pts (£1.50); 4. Jim Taylor, Neil Dickinson and Des Stone 30 pts (90p).
Twos: John Hancock, Malcolm Arlott, Peter Williams (60p each).
Booby: Jack Hasdell (30p).
J.B.H.
Moran and Evans top the Rabbits table
The honourable gentlemen of the Rabbits resumed league combat last Sunday under clouds pitilessly grey. The festive season is over. The Dilwater Classic has been played, with Mike Anthony and John Stevenson the new champions. The Rabbits had also fought a team, masquerading as Divots, the previous week and had emerged from that with the greatest of credit.
But as the second half of the season commences there is all to play for in the league. Eight matches remain and it is anyone's guess who will win at the close. Competition is severe and nerves will break as the final weeks close in.
Talking of severity, in the clubhouse prior to play, one was astounded by the closeness of Mike Munro's new haircut. Whereas once it was long and wavy and rather aristocratic, it now resembles wheat stalks after harvest. Clearly he has visited a local Delilah Hair Saloniste, and Delilah has done her craft.
But, though Samson had been weakened by his trim, Mike Munro has emerged strong and effervescent. The poor Philips, Marsden and Watkins, could not cope with this new man, well supported by partner Peter Watkins as usual, and were defeated once again.
This was a curious match, for Peter and Philip Watkins are brothers. One would normally expect a bond of closeness and friendship in the family, but there they were snarling at each other. Debating rules, defining mole hills, claiming the most obscure golfing reliefs imaginable. And all the time it rained. Not surprising really.
Very early in the day there had been a substitute crisis, caused mainly by the fact that most Welsh people have the same Christian and surnames. So, when we seek Thomas Thomas, Owen Owen, or Jenkin Jenkins in as a substitute it is probable there will be a mix up. And so it was last Sunday.
At exactly 9 am and lying in bed with the News of the World - reading the financial pages of course - David Blackmore was disturbed by the ringing of his telephone. Could he be on the tee in 10 minutes?
He was, and had travelled from Saundersfoot. David has been precluded from playing Rabbit golf for two-and-a-half years as a result of handicap aberrations and it has been his life ambition to return. There he stood on the tee with tears streaming, full of emotion; an experience which justifies the very existence of the Rabbits. His game is still sharp and with the cool dependable Tom Pritchard as his partner achieved a comfortable victory over the seasoned Peter Moss and George Spain, three and two.
The Rabbits now have a happy David Blackmore back in the fold. It is a joy, and he will join us on the Irish outing.
It was a red letter day for Clive Law and Jonathan Broome. They managed their first win of the season in a close match against Fred Adlam and Brian Dooley. They now climb to an insecure position of safety in the league. They cannot relax yet.
Ray Bowen was pleased to have Andrew North with him as a substitute this week. Andrew of course had captained the Rabbits with great distinction one year ago; and he is sharp, a very good player. Fred Wilkes, in this week in place of David Morgan, and Gordon Glaves had to bow to this power pairing. But it should be noted that your correspondent observed Gordon playing a shot, on his knees, on the 13th of divine skills. Nobody could have played this shot better, not even Tiger Woods. However, it was not enough to win the game.
George Pegg and Stephen Watkins are a genial pair and they have started to surge up the table. This week's victims were Ron Murphy and Stephen Harries, vastly improving, but to date having no luck. They are giants still sleeping. There is a fine line between Rabbit Wooden Spoon seekers and Ryder Cup hopefuls. Your correspondent is an authority on this, have no doubt.
Phil Carpenter, Stephen Price, Colin Smith and Ian Thomas were all on administrative duties this week. They were the financial fund-raisers for the week. The golf was intense. Ding dong play; hole by hole. No team took a decisive lead, but finger nails were bitten to the quick. So sore they were that it took nearly two hours to tear the raffle tickets. It delayed the formal events, but after all the scramble on the course their match was halved.
Colin Smith and Ian Thomas are now poised to pounce on the leaders. Just one point away from top. Comfortable, confidence, under no pressure. They will be prominent at season's end.
Glyn Price has a problem. He is the vice-captain with an Arthur English type captain over him. Glyn has to do all the work, all the administration and takes the worry, while the captain is now on pink gins and anchovy slices; making speeches. Glyn is a fine golfer, a latter day Gary Player is an apt description, but with his responsibilities he has not made a mark on the league this year. This week in came Wyn Hopkins as his partner, but in spite of assistance from another Ryder Cup hopeful, pressure told, and Dave Moran has now climbed to number one spot, and he is glowing. His regular partner Simon Evans was away this week with the Beaufort Hunt, but in came the legendary Tom McLean as substitute. The Moran-McLean pairing was selected in Heaven. Alas, Glyn Price and Wyn Hopkins succumbed on the 15th.
Last out on the course were Brian Hartley and John Davies against Mike Anthony and John Stevenson. For the last four weeks Brian and John strode the table as Colossuses, unassailable. Soon they were in the lead. By the ninth they were four up. The engravers were summoned to imprint their names on the trophy. But wait, a fight-back sparked. Mike and John Stevenson then went into birdie par mode and nothing could stop them. They won on the 18th and an earth tremor shook West Wales. The favourites were vanquished and the league is open.
The leader of the Rabbits then spoke. He never stopped. Even called for a referendum on the Euro. Gave a lecture on behaviour for the March outing to Ireland. Did not what brawls on the boat, trashing of hotels or trampling on cars.
Every Rabbit had departed before he finished. Bad captain this year.
Results were as follows: P. Carpenter and S. Price halved with C. Smith and I. Thomas; G. Pegg and S. Watkins bt R. Murphy and S. Harries 4 and 3; D. Moran and T. McLean bt G. Price and W. Hopkins 4 and 3; R. Bowen and A. North bt F. Wilkes and G. Glaves 5 and 4; C. Law and J. Broome bt F. Adlam and B. Dooley 2 and 1; T. Pritchard and D. Blackmore bt P. Moss and G. Spain 3 and 2; P. Watkins and M. Munro bt P. Marsden and Ph. Watkins 2 and 1; M. Anthony and J. Stevenson bt B. Hartley and J. Davies 1 up.