A week last Sunday saw the conclusion of the Divots Winter League programme, when the Peter Tucker Trophy was played for. This is a fourball better ball stableford competition off threequarters handicap.

Winning scores for the competition are generally in the mid 40 points bracket, although with the strength of the wind, bets were being placed at about 36 points for the winning pair.

With nearest the pin and longest drive competitions also to play for, everyone had an opportunity to win.

The winning score on the day, however, belonged to Dan Cope, substituting for Nigel Ayers, and partner Michael Schooling with 41 points.

Second spot went to David Ayers, substituting for Elvis, and partner Mike Anthony, who just missed out on doing the double with a score of 40 points. Third spot went to Niclas Thomas and Martin Durham with 36 points.

Longest drive on the 14th went to Niclas Thomas, while nearest the pin on the 17th was won by Andrew North with a five-wood.

The presentations were made by Mervyn Tucker, who also gave all present a bit of history as to how the Tucker Trophy came into being, and that its golden anniversary is not far away!

Captain Kenny Breaker then went on to present the Winter League prizes, with Adam 'Elvis' Joseph and Mike Anthony receiving the new trophies for the next 12 months.

Runners-up spot went to Tim Edwards and partner Laurence Lindsay, who is wished a speedy recovery to health from all members of the Divots and the club.

Third spot went to Niclas Thomas and Martin Durham and the wooden spoon went to next year's Divots captain Gareth Rees and Ian Thomas.

The league this year has been blessed with very good weather and all the players and substitutes have had a great deal of enjoyment. A big thank you to the Tenby Observer for publishing the match reports and to everyone concerned for being great sports in allowing the 'freedom of the press' - plain mickey taking to you and me!

Next year sees the captaincy being taken by Gareth Rees, who in time will look forward to welcoming all players interested in becoming members.

Chicken returns

After a fortnight without the usual Friday fix, the Chickens were back with a renewed vigour. An absolute treat to play in lovely sunshine, instead of peering through mist and driving rain trying to gauge if it's a three-wood or a nine-iron. Mind you, for some of us Chickens, it don't mean a thing, if you ain't got that swing!

In hospital, and feeling a bit cut up about it, Ted Martin receives our best wishes, and we hope for an early recovery for you. Vince Shaw said, "When you come back to the Chickens, you may be off 30, and hopefully two-stone lighter"!

Meurig Jones, nee Evans, tried to con Vince for his sin bin handicap to be rescinded, but as Vince said, "You can't con a conner my son," and so it stayed, but at least a two was a bit of a consolation.

Arnold Kaney excelled himself at long last. He has tried all season to get away with a free game, and has to his credit, succeeded on many occasions, but this week, or last, depending on your time zone, his points total has ensured that chief Chicken Vince, will increase his handicap to a level, that almost, almost, guarantees a weekly loss of 30p! This has upset Arnie's principles of course, but as Vince says, "some you win ..."

Welcome to new member and Chicken Trotter, Doug Harvard. With an awesome name like Harvard, he should either be a high flyer, or a candidate for Secretary of the Year. Hmm, go for the high flyer bit Doug, it's safer! Steve Harries is another new Chicken Trotter, who, we are sure, is going to make a name for himself before too long. Welcome both.

Mickey Johnston was bowed down by the weight of his 'tablet of stone' calculator. It is so big, that even Moses would have had difficulty coming down from the Mount with it. No, not the Mount in Penally, silly. But even with this 'edifice' (and it really is one), sometimes even the final solution to Vince's fiscal problems, pale into some insignificance, as finger trouble, and of course the odd large one and chip butty or two, tend to make the going a bit of a slog. Mick will disagree of course, but you have to be there, as Max would say.

On a more serious note, there were a number of complaints about SLOW PLAY! We all know that sometimes a putt or two may be critical, and care should be taken, but please remember that there are other players out there enjoying their day on the links, and if play is that slow, it can sometimes feel like all day! So, no wonder there are complaints.

Back to the golf, and Alan Keating, who has sportingly put up with all the suit remarks, finally came into his own, and took top spot with a nice 32 points. He still looked like a million dollars, but £2 will have to do. Nice one Alan. Your handicap has been well adjusted for the next two weeks!

Three 2s were recorded, but only 33 entries on such a nice day. Apparently, the slow play had something to do with that.

Results were: 1. Alan Keating 32 pts (£2); 2. John Hancock 28 pts (£1.50); 3. Spike Evans 26 pts (£1); 4. Ken Gouldsbrough, Neil Dickinson, Morran Boot, Colin Griffith, Owen Monaghan 25 pts (50p).

Twos: Peter Williams, Ian Nicholls, Meurig Jones (50p each). Booby: Arnold Kaney (30p).