Sunshine, a bit cool, but quite bearable really, and all this and bluebells, buttercups, butterflies and the ladies too.
This annual foray, into the territory known as the 'Seniors versus the Ladies', usually sends the odd shudder down the Zimmers, and this year was no different. Why is it, that the sight of a lady golfer in full flight can inflict such sensations?
The day didn't really start too well, when seniors captain John D. R. Williams, announced the format, and shot situation. It had been serious stuff for the ladies, as vice-captain Ann Wilks, did a pre-emptive strike on J.D.R., and knocked him up early a couple of mornings before. J.D.R. doesn't get knocked up very often, knocked down yes, but not up.
Armed with an array of rule books, Ann caught him in an unguarded moment, as well as in his short dressing gown, so we had a disadvantage from the word go.
However, John and partner Des Stone, girded their loins so to speak, and proceeded to put it across club captain Mary Rowell, and lady captain Joyce Gouldsbrough (pictured).
They were not pleased, and we think that this opening defeat, probably had a knock on effect with rest of the ladies. I can't get away from that word!
Anyway, this opening 4 and 3 win put the smile back on J.D.R's face, and a couple of glasses of red, placated the girls.
Vince Shaw and I had a cracking game against Ann Morris and Babs Morris, with lots of shots being given, 18 to be exact, but we didn't let that deter us at all. From being 4 down at one stage, we fought back and reduced the deficit to 1, and then they had to go and spoil the party, by slotting a very long putt on the 17th for a 3 nett 2.
The language was restrained, but the steam from the ears was visible. Vince said: "Gosh, did you see that?", but the damage was done, and it was the ladies short game and putting skills that did that damage.
Ken Gouldsbrough and Jim Taylor brought a resemblance of normality back to the seniors, with a very good win on the 18th, and a well earned kiss and cuddle from opponents, Gill Roberts and Gladys Budd. You can never say that these matches are cool affairs!
We now move into a gloomy stage, with the next four games going downhill all the way.
Anita Davies and Paula Morgan could not contain their glee, especially viewing the discomfort of Owen Monaghan and Dave Llewellyn on their loss by 2 and 1. Anita wanted to know what the score was, but it wasn't clear exactly what she meant!
Heather Morgan, along with Helen Morgan, said their game was easy. They were 2 down at the turn against Dudley Williams and Jack Hasdell, but then turned the screws, and waltzed home by 4 and 3. "Girls 'r' us" they said, and who could disagree.
Pat Fox and Liz Storey wanted to know where the opposition was, as they eased to a 4 and 3 win over Malcolm Arlott and John Charnock.
"Enjoyed the game", they said, and enjoyed taking the wine after as well.
Then Vena Davies and Rita Collins, completed the mid table rout, over Bob Storey and David Morgan. These two worthy gentlemen, put an extremely brave face on things, and said that if things had been different, then......!
The rot was stopped for a while, by Bob Harries and the indefatigable David Evans. Poor Bob looked exhausted from looking for David's ball in the rough all the time. "A burden someone has to bear", said Bob, but he managed of course.
For once, words actually failed David, but there was an upside, as Lyn Bonar and Linda Thomas couldn't quite bring home the bacon, as it were.
The two Barbara's, Shaw and Evans, thoroughly enjoyed their game against Tony Morris and Roy Morgan. Tony said that he was completely mortified, by being out driven by Barbara Shaw. "But at least I out putted her", he said with some pride. Partner Roy said he was over whelmed by the opposition, but he felt that he had kept his end up, by containing the enthusiasm of Barbara Evans. Oh, it gets worse.
Roy Gundry and Allan Keating almost made it, against lady-vice Ann Wilks, and partner Betty Charnock. But unfortunately, Allan had an air shot on the 18th, and Roy finished up by banging his head against the bar counter.
Allan said: "I'm having trouble breathing", Roy said: "It's because I've got my hands around your throat". You have probably gathered by now, that another win for the ladies was pretty evident.
Jim Fleming and Richard Morgan also fell by the wayside, against Jean Charnock and Ann Dasson. Jim had to leap clear of Ann's 3 wood at one stage, if he hadn't, he wouldn't be in full working order otherwise.
Every female tactic was thrown in. It was like corn being thrown upon stony ground, nothing was going to come out of it for Jim and Richard.
Finally, to rub salt into an already raw wound, Mike Fox and Peter Woodhouse, actually played for the ladies team, as they were two short. (No, I refuse to get drawn into that one).
Mike was threatened with having to wear a short skirt and fishnet tights, for the rest of the season for defecting, but the experience of playing against a squeaky voiced Fox and Woodhouse, who said his wife's clothes wouldn't fit him, was too much for Ron Murphy and Rob Wilkins, and they could only manage a half. A bit less than they had in the club house after.
When the scores had been totted up, and a meal had been consumed, lady captain Joyce Gouldsbrough thanked John Williams and his lambs to the slau....., sorry, seniors, for the game, and said how much she and her ladies had enjoyed the day.
The seniors had been exemplary in their conduct, courteous and amiable. We still haven't worked out who Joyce meant!
But as a leading member of the ladies section, she looked upon some of the seniors as father figures, and therefore held them in some esteem. Tongue in cheek Joyce, tongue in cheek!
Club captain Mary Rowell, proposed a vote of thanks to Joyce, vice-captain Ann Wilks, and to John Williams, for the excellent day. Thoroughly deserved applause.
J.B.H.