Hectic schedule for juniors in Portugal
This year's Tenby Junior Team trip to Portugal saw Richard Morton, David Ayers and Niclas Thomas joined by Michael Schooling. Allan, Kaye and the boys left London on the Tuesday after Easter, bound for Lisbon Airport and a week's golf at Tenby's twinned clubs in Estoril and Oporto.
Within a couple of hours of landing at Lisbon Airport, the boys were at Estoril Golf Club getting re-acquainted with the course in preparation for their games against the Estoril Junior Team,
Ricardo and Joao led two newcomers to the Estoril team - Peter and Antonio - in competition against our four boys. The format was four ball better ball on the Wednesday, with a win for each team, and foursomes on the Thursday, with two wins for Tenby. Tenby Junior Team was very pleased to win the competition for the first time in Estoril.
Friday was the day that the Transit van was loaded up and we travelled to Oporto and straight to Oporto Golf Club. Grass does not get a chance to grow under the feet of these youngsters. The engine had not begun to cool before they were off exploring the course. This was a new course for all of them, so Allan went round with them, explaining the geographys and layout, in preparation for the games they would play over the weekend.
They had all been invited to play in two of Oporto Golf Club's competitions.
Saturday's competition, the Dockery Cup, was played with members of the club. Allan and the boys accredited themselves well and took places from 12 to 54 out of a field of 184.
The Skeffington Cup, played on Sunday, is the oldest golf competition played uninterrupted in Europe and has been played at Oporto since 1891. As the field was arranged in handicap order, our menfolk were amongst the first on the tee - no Sunday lie-ins as the first of them teed off at 9.10 am.
Again they played with Oporto Golf Club members and they came in the top 50 places. It was an honour to have been invited to play in these competitions.
Back in Estoril and a final game on Monday afternoon for all of them.
The welcome at Estoril Golf Club was as friendly as ever and many friendships, on and off the course, were renewed. We were also made very welcome at Oporto and the boys are keen to return to both clubs.
The weather was not as good as usual - but at least the rain was warm - and seven rounds of golf in seven days is some going. The boys also had energy for swimming, table tennis, squash and crazy golf.
A tired party returned to Heathrow airport on the Tuesday already with plans for the 2003 trip.
K.M.
Seniors victors at Haverfordwest
Seniors' captain Malcolm Arlott's good fortune with weather and results continues, but this time at the expense of a real thrashing himself with partner Geoff Aston. Geoff grumbled as it was the first time he had lost playing with three previous captains, while Malcolm complained that Geoff was always in the trees! Friendly stuff this seniors golf.
However, the team won valiantly by 5.5 matches to 4.5 on the lovely spring afternoon at the Haverfordwest course which has been beautifully manicured. Their presentation of tees, paths etc. are a real example to others in the locality.
John Hancock did not need a partner until the 18th when he faltered, but partner John Williams ended the match one up after a very nervous par. The pair had been subjected to a classical golf display by another John from Haverfordwest, with a dubious 22 handicap, who strung a series of pars together on the back nine. However, Hancock, with his slowest of swings, played to one over his five handicap - a fine display from the ageing pensioner!
David Evans and Ken Gouldsbrough narrowly won on the last. Colin Griffith and Derek Bath took the opposition from the first - both having birdie threes. Vince Shaw and David Leeke won easily, with talk from the opponents of David Leeke's fine performance (another bandit). When mentioning this to Vince, he quickly retorted: "It's a team game, you know."
A distraught Roy Gundry, playing with Ron Murphy, was very unusually quiet, recovering from the heaviest (6/5) defeat of the day - it comes to us all Roy, but, of course, the blame was directed at the erratic pull trolley that had to replace his broken down electric cart.
With halves to the following smiling faces of Tony Morris/Bob 'Chariot' Harris, Newman Vincent/Tony Ranoe and the steady rearguard of John Cook/Dave Morgan, the lamb supper was devoured with gusto.
It must be said that the jacket/tie rule at match dinners really gives these events the 'Masters' touch. We, of course, have our 'Red Jacket' so splendidly worn by our team comedian, but our 'best dressed' award falls squarely on the shoulders of our reformed (dress-wise only I mean) David Evans, sporting light grey cotton Oxford bags, creamish suede shoes, green shirt (new, he assured me later), the effect only to be spoilt by the yellow polka dot tie - club tie please David. You are singled out by treasurer Ken to purchase one promptly.
To cap it all, Colin Griffith drew the bottle of whisky in the Don Twigg 'draw' - it really was Tenby's day at Haverfordwest. Thank you Haverfordwest captain Iori and your team for your excellent hospitality.
J. D. R. W.