The Tenby Rabbits concluded their Winter League with the Eddy Duffy Cup, Joe S. Williams Shield, and the presentation dinner on Sunday, March 16.

With wonderful weather and the course in excellent condition, it is fair to say that everyone enjoyed himself.

Last year's holders were unable to defend their trophies; Fred Adlam it appears had a previous engagement with St. Patrick in Ireland.

Our MC for the evening was Steven Price who produced a superb programme for the Rabbits, which kept us well entertained throughout the evening and into the early hours.

Our appreciation also goes to all the organisers, catering staff and members of the greens staff who all contributed to making the day and evening the success it was.

After dinner, our Rabbits captain, Glyn Price, thanked everyone for their support throughout the winter, in particular the subs, without them we could not continue.

The club captain, Mary Rowell, and club president, Geoff Childs, were invited to make the presentation of the Duffy Cup, Joe S. Williams Shield and Winter League prizes.

Clive Law, returning a gross 80, won the Joe Williams Shield for the best gross, but there had to be a countback for the winner of the Duffy Cup and Clive again won this with a better back nine on a nett 65.

On receiving the Duffy Cup, Clive said it had a special meaning, as 40 years ago Eddy gave Clive his first job and he still works at the Tenby Coach Works today.

In second place with the same nett score of 65 was Colin Smith, who received a cup; Roy Morgan was in third place with a nett score of 67 and also received a cup.

The Winter League presentation came next, starting with the Wooden Spoon. Brian Dooley collected the spoon for Tom Pritchard and himself. As in any competition there will always be someone at the bottom of the league, but as Brian so aptly put it "to be a member of the Rabbits Society is to be a winner in itself" - well done Brian.

In fourth place, Peter Watkins and Dave Morgan received two hip flasks.

In third place, on the same points, winning on a play-off, were Derek Farley and Steven Harries, each receiving two cut glass whisky tumblers.

Second place went to Richard Caley and John Stevenson, who each received two cut glass brandy glasses.

Finally, the winners, Dave Moran and Bud French, collected the Winter League Shield and their golfing jumpers embroidered with Winter League Winners 2003.

Simon Evans and John Stevenson won our other Winter League event, which was presented earlier in the year, the Dilwater Shield.

After the presentation, we continued to be entertained by Steven Price, our MC for the evening, and his charming wife, Ruth, who contributed so much towards the success of the evening events.

Thanks to Mac and his catering staff for the excellent food and service, and also to the Rabbits wives and families for the support they have given to the society.

We look forward to welcoming all new members (with handicaps of 15.5 - 28) to join us for our Summer League. No matter what your standard of golf, you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome from our society and its members.

Swallows and Chickens

Last Friday, the first Equinoctial day of the year (well, it sounds posher than 'first day of spring' don't it), we had the glorious sight of swallows and martins, skimming and swooping overhead, as we tried our best to get the best score of the year going. But I bet that someone, somewhere, has seen them earlier than this.

But first of all, the Chickens would like to extend their deepest condolences to Dr. David Hurle's family on their tragic loss. David was a friend, as well as a fine family doctor, and will be sorely missed.

Club handicap secretary, Eamonn Maher, is having a spell in hospital, and we wish him all the best in the world. Does this mean that our handicaps are safe for a while Eamonn? No, I didn't think so.

A strange sight was that of Jim Martin (now there's a coincidence of names), and his partners, gaining a hole in front of the following three-ball. Normally a player who gets his fair share of stick about lethargy on the course, his 'speedy Gonzales' attitude allowed him to post a fair 28 points. Vince Shaw reckoned that the reason he was so quick was because he was picking up on quite a few holes! Cruel or wot!

Ken Gouldsbrough, despite being in the sin bin, bagged himself 32 points, and this means he has dug himself even deeper into the self same bin for yet another two weeks, on top of whatever time he still had to go. You don't want to know what your revised handicap will be!

Arnold Kaney's proud boast of going the season without paying 30p came to a grinding halt, as his handicap increase has given him more shots, and therefore has brought him out of the 'booby zone'. 'Gotcha', as Vince says! Arnie even had a three nett on one on the 12th that seemed to rub salt and all that.

We had another new member joining the Friday Trot, and we welcome Paul James to the coop. As long as you're not a bandit Paul, you will fit in nicely. It was also nice to see Steve Cole and Ian Thomas back in our midst. This warm weather is bringing out everyone thankfully. Let's hope it continues.

Not one two was recorded this time out. Is the accuracy starting to wane lads, or perhaps the length is starting to go.

The booby position that almost became the private property of Arnold Kaney, has been taken over by Morran Boot, but Morran said he was a 'borrower' only, and really didn't like to see the position empty. All heart!

Results were as follows: 1. Ken Gouldsbrough 32 pts (£2); 2. Neil Dickinson 30 (£1.50); 3. Jim Taylor, Barry Frayne, Brian Morgan 29 (£1 each); Booby - Morran Boot.

There were 31 entries.

J. B. H.

Sam Morgan hits early form

Last Sunday saw the first medal of the year for the junior section, and with the weather again glorious, there was a good turnout of competitors in division one.

Early pace was set by Dan Cope with a gross 76, nett 71. However, Tom Hilling, playing in his first medal, managed to go one shot better with a nett 70, but even this was not enough to prevent Sam Morgan from being the winner with a gross 84, nett 66.

Whilst watching him play his second shot on the 14th, almost reaching the green from about 250 yards, his comment was that the round wasn't going that well! I'm sure that the handicap committee will be delighted to reduce his handicap, especially as two weeks ago when playing in the Dyfed Intercounties Championship at Penrhos, Sam finished an excellent second, again with a nett 66.

Division two saw only a couple of competitors entering, with the winner being Matthew Jones by a single shot from Georgia Thomas. Well done Matthew on your first medal!

With a large number of youngsters now turning out on Saturday morning, some of the better performing ones have been moved up to the second group starting at 10 am. Last week saw Jack Hawkey, Sam Turton, Elliot Ronowitz, David Webb, Sam Baxter, Oliver Worley and Joe Worley moving from 9 am to the 11 am group. There will be others moving up to the next group when they show the potential and performance in the first session.

The fixture list for entries for the away competitions are now on the noticeboard, and will all those looking to participate in the Open Championships for the season please enter their names so that the appropriate transport arrangements can be made.

Sunday sees the Duffy Cup being played for and back at the usual 10.26 start. This is generally the first prestigious cup of the season and will be a good test of early season form. Defending winner Holly Watkins I'm sure will be keen to keep hold of the trophy.

Practice on Saturday is at the usual 9 am and 10 am times and I look forward to seeing you there.

I.T.