This year it was Rosslare's turn to host the annual match between the two twinned golf clubs of Tenby and Rosslare. So last Friday, 17 club golfers, led by club captain Mr. Allan Morton, boarded the 3 pm Irish Ferry from Pembroke Dock and set sail with high expectations to foreign shores.

After an excellent dinner at the team's hotel, the rest of the evening and the early hours of the next morning, gave everyone the opportunity to familiarise themselves with local customs in the hotel bar. It also gave the captain an opportunity to speak to his team, discuss tactics, and select playing partners.

Rosslare had thoughtfully scheduled the match to start at 3.30 pm on Saturday, giving the Tenby team ample time to acclimatise themselves and recover from jet lag, sea sickness or any other local ailment.

So at the appointed hour our captain, partnered by his son Richard, started proceedings by driving off first. Their match was closely contested and went to the final holes before Rosslare gained their first victory. This unfortunately set a precedent with the remaining teams following their captain example and all seven matches ending the same.

The results, however, do not show the full picture as most games were hard fought and only decided on the final holes.

After the match, the Tenby players dined as guests of Rosslare Golf Club. Both captains spoke after dinner and thanked all those involved in making the trip such a success. Everyone agreed the result was largely academic, with the main winners being the clubs and players renewing old acquaintances and forming new friendships.

Tenby players had courtesy of the course on Sunday afternoon before boarding their ferry back to Wales that evening. Although expecting to arrive at Pembroke shortly after 1 am, once again along came divine intervention. A heavy sea mist prevented berthing until 7 am, allowing many of the Tenby players to clear the Irish mist from their eyes before returning to their families.

Mid Week Medal

A fine, fair, but breezy day greeted the 48 members who completed in the Mid Week Medal held on Wednesday, July 10. With the rough at its longest in the season to date, scoring was difficult, with the competition scratch score being set at 73.

Three players produced cards of nett 74, but it was Ron Johns, gross 84, who was eventually declared the medal winner on a final nine count back from John Morris playing off scratch. In third place with a gross 88 was Owen Thomas. All three receive vouchers to the value of £20.

Also in the money receiving vouchers for £3 were four players who shared fourth place, David Cope, David Little, Bill Farrell and Ray Bowen.

The only golfer who recorded a '2' on his card was Mike Nesbitt-Hawes, earning himself the princely prize of a voucher for £40.

Ron Johns also shared in the bag draw with Ken Gouldsborough, each receiving a voucher for £19.

Smiling Seniors revel in the sunshine

You unfortunately have to earn the '55' badge to enjoy the great camaraderie of seniors golf. The section is now some 78 members strong, and we all get great enjoyment and, while not being too serious, our matches with local clubs are great days.

Thursday's game at home against a strong Carmarthen side was typical. Honours went to Tenby by 6.5-3.5, but just read on for the apres golf scene.

Smiling like a Cheshire cat, our captain Malcolm Arlott (mother to some - not my words) was clearly a winner to look at, relaxing and supping his red wine, while beaming Tony Morris related his putting expertise yet again. Their Carmarthen opponents, captain Ted Hurd and partner looked, not surprisingly, very dour, but Ted surprised us all with his string of saucy yarns after dinner - must have been nervous awaiting speech time!

Roy 'Grumpy' - no, sorry, Grundy was once again quiet 'played even worse than at Glynhir'. Winning Carmarthen opponent, retired accountant Gwyn Jones said it was all about 'winning partnerships'.

John Hancock (almost back to his old self again, organising everyone and everything around him) with a broad grin over his dark ale said it was "a brilliant team effort," but a tired, pale partner Roy Morgan did not look so sure! Needless to say the Tenby pair won convincingly - John H's consistency makes you sick!

Carmarthen character, big hitting five handicap ex-policeman Ken Evans's comments were superb: "We were torpedoed by Owen Monaghan's 24 handicap and well and truly beaten." I am sure Ken Fletcher's steady game also assisted the home win.

Desmond Stone and Bart Youll were clearly very happy with their winning match. "We co-ordinated our indifferences; took our mediocrity to new heights; took the enemy by surprise." These were just some of their comments.

I cannot publish the writer's loss playing with secretary Ken Gouldsbrough. Our form was unprintable against the might of another John Williams and Terry 'Steady' James, the experienced Carmarthen veteran golfer. Suffice to say, the best part of our day was our dinner chat, when the merits of golf lessons was a subject under great discussion.

Still, Ken and I concluded that a day's bad golf in the rare summer sunshine was better than any day at work. With a brace of John Williams' at a table what else do you expect.

'In conclusion' (as Roger and Ria so appropriately wrote on the blackboard menu}‚ captain Malcolm paid great tribute to the past nine years, two months, two weeks and seven hours loyal service that Roger and Ria have given to Tenby Golf Club, and in particular the way we seniors have been cared for over the years. In presenting them with a hand crafted vase for their new home, he wished them both well in the future.

We all tucked into the super steak meal and we trust their successors will appreciate the high standard of catering required at Tenby before applying for the vacant post.

Captain Ted Hurd also thanked Roger and Ria on behalf of all visitors to Tenby Golf Club for the excellent meals provided over the years. He continued, praising the course describing it as a 'special' with the most superior greens, which he said were second to none.

One can only conclude that all staff involved should feel very proud of their efforts at Tenby Golf Club. A super day was had by all players.

J. D. R. W.

Brian Cramb Welsh Senior champion

Congratulations to Brian Cramb who recently won the prestigious 2002 Welsh Seniors Amateur Championship. The event was a three-round medal competition held in June at Aberdovery Golf Course and attracted over 100 entries from all parts of Wales.

Brian shot an excellent 70, three shots below the standard scratch score of 73, on the first day to head the field. It was followed with a sound second round score of 74, giving Brian a six-shot lead going into the final round. His third round score of 77 gave him a final tally of 221, enough to win the championship by a two-shot margin from his nearest rivals.

Tenby's John Gottwaltz also put in a very creditable performance with a nett 230, sharing sixth place overall.

Brian's performance will surely stand him in good stead for selection for the Welsh team who will be competing in the Seniors Home International Championships later this year in Scotland.

Well done Brian and good luck for the future.

Final Saturday fling

Saturday was the Juniors' last Golf Foundation day for the summer, with the adults taking a break, and perhaps playing a bit of golf themselves!

It was a competitions morning, with the juniors having the opportunity to show off their talents in chipping, target golf and putting.

The chipping groups appeared to struggle at first, but once warmed up the shots were flying, but Ollie Worley proved to have real style and won the competition outright! Well done Ollie, you chipped to perfection!

The putting groups were split into two teams, with Mary's team challenging Gill's team. The tension was high, nerves crept in, and the hands just didn't prove to be steady enough for some of the juniors.

In the first round, Gill's team of Dan Hawkey, Max Patterson, Luke Rees and Leo Moreland proved too strong for Mary's team and won 3 and 1.

In the second round, with different teams, the victors were on Mary's side, who turned the tables and won 3 and 1, the winners being, Ollie, Rhys Lewis, Jack Hawkey and Louis Fecci.

The third and final round went again to Gill's team with yet another 3 and 1 win, the victors here being Georgia Williams, Georgia Thomas and Jasmine Pouton, who even had a hole in one.

The target golfers, aiming to hit the balls through the umbrellas, found it a real challenge, and not many 10s were scored!

Overall winner was Freya Knibb, who consistently hit the target. Special mention also to Leo, Sam Turton and Rhys, who also hit the ball well and managed to notch up a number of 10s, but not enough to beat Freya.

The second group also participated in competitions, with some of the juniors taking the competition very seriously indeed!

In the putting, Emma Guerreriro proved to be the best girl, with Jason Ronowitz, Jack Guerreriro, Dan Worley, Josh, Thomas Headland and Sam James winning their match play competitions.

In the long game, Lauren Keating struck the ball beautifully and stormed into winning position, consistently scoring 20s with the ball landing on the green regularly.

In the chipping it was boys against girls, with the girls winning by the smallest of margins, but everyone proved to be consistent in their approach and scored well.

Despite their being no golf, Ian and Julia hope that you make every effort to practise your golf and even book in some lessons with Mark or Peter.

Don't forget, Junior Captain's Day on Friday, August 9 - please let Julia know as soon as possible if you are attending. You need to be there by 10, and after your game there will be a putting competition followed by a meal and presentation.

Girls, don't forget, you've been invited to Lady Captain's Day on Thursday, July 25. You need to be there by 11 am.

Enjoy your golfing summer!