July monthly medal

A fine summer's day greeted the 121 golfers who competed in the Monthly Medal held last Saturday.

The recent warm weather has seen the rough burn back a little, and those golfers fortunate enough to regularly hit the fairways were rewarded with the extra run the dry conditions produce. Even so there was still a tricky westerly breeze blowing which complicated club selection and added a degree of difficulty, no doubt helping 23 players to produce nil returns.

With so many golfers competing for the medal, the players were divided into two divisions. Those with handicaps from scratch to 12 competed for the 1st Division Medal, while those with handicaps of 13 and above competed for the 2nd Division Medal.

Excellent scores were produced in both divisions, while others will have regretted their missed opportunities. None more so than one Saundersfoot golfer, a butcher by trade, who shall remain anonymous.

He produced a match winning score of 66, only to be disqualified for not signing his card. His performance did however earn a reduction in his handicap from 8 to 7 - there's no justice in this world Paul!

The winners of the Division One medal, was Bill Farrell, who scored a nett 63 playing off 4. His excellent performance not only won the medal, but a voucher for £30, and a reduction of his handicap to 3.

Runner-up was Paul Haley who shot 67, but his 1 handicap gave him a nett 68 and a voucher for £20. With a nett 69, John Gottwaltz and Mervyn Tucker shared third place with Paul Hoyland. Paul's achievement was even more remarkable as he had to recover from a 9 on the par 4 third hole. All three win vouchers for £10.

Playing off 17, Richie Reed took the Division 2 medal, and a voucher for £30 with a fine nett 66. Runner-up, playing off the same handicap, and winning a voucher for £20 was Ken Gouldsborough with a nett 67.

Two players, Owen Monathan and Dean Rossiter shared third place with 68, receiving vouchers for £15. While a further shot behind in joint fourth, were Simon Evans, David Hughes and Eugene Boyd all receiving vouchers for £6.

There were 20 twos' scored on the day each worth £6.15. Seventeen players shared the rewards, with three players John Gottwaltz, Owen Thomas and horse racing tipster, David Hughes doing the double by scoring 2 'twos' each.

Four lucky competitors earned themselves a voucher for £29.50 when their names were pulled out of the bag. They were Andrew Williams, John Gillespie, David Hurle and Gavin Field-Thomas.

200 CLUB NEWS

At the recent Captain's Day evening celebrations and prize giving, Mr. Allan Morton. Club Captain, generously allowed time for the 200 Club draw for June and July to take place.

The large gathering greeted winning names drawn by the Captain with a mixture of pleasure, envy and suitable remarks. For those who must now be tempted to join the 200 Club, membership is straightforward and can easily be arranged by a visit to the Manager's office or via the Club Treasurer.

The lucky winners were as follows:

June - 1. Mr. J. D. Williams £150; 2. Mr. and Mrs. M. Fox £100; 3. Mr. Tony Ranoe £50.

July - 1. Mrs. Joan Pugh £150; 2. Mr. and Mrs. T. Martin £100; 3. Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Williams £50.

Tenby Seniors crash at Ashburnham

The day did not start at Ashburnham last Thursday with yours truly being "thrown out" of the bar over lunch for being improperly dressed in shorts.

It is lucky some of Tenby player's trainers/beach shoes were not noticed or we would have been a very hungry side! Why do we have such archaic rules at some clubs in 2002?

It was pleasing to note that we all got the 12 noon start time correct by arriving on time this year (memories of a very fraught Bob Storey last year) but, with the bar shut, some of our players failed to reach top form later as the side collapsed 6.5 to 3.5 in Ash's favour - it must have been the unusual quantity of caffeine at midday!

Our Captain Malcolm and partner Bob Storey put up a fine display with a 3,4,4 par finish to take the honours one up against Ashburnham Captain, Gerald Coles and Meyrick Richards.

The 'Johns' pairing of Cooke and Williams were beaten 2 and 1 by the supremacy of "bandit" Alun Killa off a 19 handicap. How is it you always meet such handicaps at these matches. Alun had 21 points on the back 9 with 5 pars and a birdie 4!

Ken Gouldsbrough saved a massacre by sinking several huge putts, while Barry Frayne found negotiating a strange course a little difficult.

However, Ashburnham's Keith Thompson did play to 5 below his 10 handicap so they could well be excused on the day.

Peter Williams and Tony Morris drank too much coffee prematch from the awful vending machine (please house committee can we avoid one at Tenby). While Tony went "walkabout," Peter played well but missed several short putts and they lost 2 and 1. Peter was later found trying out several putters on the practice green and now is the proud owner of a horribly ugly looking "machine" and is some £70 worse off from the trip!

Geoff Aston and Owen Monaghan were further losers, but apparently played the bye well according to Geoff. This 5th match came into the bar after match 8 we could all smell Geoff's fragrant aftershave from the changing room. I was told Geoff had a bad game as he could not keep up with partner Owen's (24 handicap) drives.

Roy Morgan complained that Owen and Geoff held up the tail end all the way, we are such friendly team members in the Seniors!

Roy and Clifton John were our second winning pair, well done you rear-end stalwarts. It was a "dream team" performance claimed Roy who is never short of a few words.

Our 'reserve,' John Hancock looked a little glum having lost on the 18th, but, in fairness, he had to give 14 shots to the opponents, while Bob Harris was more interested in playing someone else's ball when I met him on our fairway.

Howell Probert was his usual boisterous, amiable self after winning 4 and 3 with big hitting Dave Morgan, the win was a 50/50 contribution said Howell. Des Stone and David Leeke looked very tired as they clambered up the 18th, so I obviously could see they had been beaten by very experienced Ash Veteran David Howells and partner.

Our halved match came from the Tony Ranoe/Brain Waters combination. Monster putts from the opposition ruined winning chances, related Brian.

After an absolutely super dinner (do hope our new steward read this) where we all sat a table together in a civilised format (which we could do at Tenby), Captain Gerald welcomed the Tenby team in the customary manner.

Captain Malcolm Arlott responded, stating we had all combined our mediocrity very well and were to shortly have a new team motto Adopt/adapt/improve. He again made fun of JDR's shorts (never says anything about his pal David Leeke's shorts!). He also asked Clifton John to remember his shirt next match!

He appropriately thanked the Ashburnham Management for super course presentation (they had sensibly cut down the rough) and excellent hospitality, a great day. Pity we lost again Malcolm!

JDRW

Juniors qualify for PGA

Last Sunday was the PGA qualifier round and the Russell Jones Cup.

With both Holly Watkins and Nic Johnson through to the next round in Ashburnham, the rest of the juniors had the chance to qualify.

With the conditions good, Dan Cope and Jack Guerreiro made it through to join Nic and Holly. Well done to you both and good luck to all four of you in Ash.

It was obviously Dan's day as he went home with the cup as well!

Last Thursday 13 junior girls took part in Lady Captains Day. Holly and Rachel Scourfield went out with the early birds, with the rest going off at 11. The younger girls played six holes and did really well. Shelby Rossiter took the first prize with Lauren Keating and Georgia Williams coming second and third respectively. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the day and would like to say thank you to the Lady Captain for inviting them and paying for their tea.

Holly took home the putting prize, an excellent achievement against so many competitors.

Holly and Rachel have been in North Wales this week, and as I am writing this, the girls are playing hoping to qualify for the next round. It looks like they will have to go round in less than 80, a hard task on a strange course. Whatever they achieve, the junior section know they will represent the club well and do their best.

JS

Ladies Section

The weather for Captain's Day, last week, was fine and dry, not too windy and not hot so conditions were ideal for some good scoring.

More than 50 ladies and Junior girls played a Stableford Competition and, beside the main prizes, there were prizes for hidden holes, putting, veterans and the Rowlands Granny Salver together with numerous prizes for the juniors.

After an excellent tea, complete with strawberries and cream, the captain, Beryl Oliver spoke of her delight at the presence of so many members, nearly 80 per cent of the section, and particularly the past members and a dozen or so Juniors.

She reflected that there are few sports where the young and not so young can all display keenness on their own progress and that of several different generations and, of course, compete together.

Prize winners were:

Juniors - 1. Shelby Rossiter; 2. Lauren Keating; 3. Georgia Williams. The remaining Juniors each received a golf ball.

Peggy Rowlands Granny Salver - Joyce Gouldsbrough, 37 points.

Veterans' Trophy - Gillian Roberts 37 points.

Hidden Holes - Ursula Collis.

Putting prize - Holly Watkins.

Copper Division - 1. Joyce Gouldsbrough 37 points; 2. Senga Waddilove 32 points.

Bronze Division - 1. Melfa Smith 40; 2. Ann Follon 37 pts; 3. Rita Collins 33 pts.

Silver Division - 1. Linda Evans 38 pts; 2. Gillian Roberts 37 pts; 3. Margaret Canning 37 pts.

On behalf of the competitors and guests Linda Evans thanked Beryl for providing us with a memorable day.

Finally, the captain presented two planters to Roger and Ria from the Ladies' Section and thanked them for their care of us during the last decade and wished them a happy future.

B.M.S