What a day! Wall to wall sunshine, an excellent venue just outside of Cardiff, and a Silcox bus to take 25 of us there, and luckily bring us back. A well organised day out by seniors captain John D. R.Williams, ably helped by David Morgan.
But I have never seen so many seniors wearing shorts at one time. Looking at some of those sticky, white legs, it looked like stork feeding time at the zoo, zoo, zoo. Only Mummy wasn't taking us there of course.
An excellent course at Cottrell Park, and everyone who could keep the ball on the fairways, enjoyed the experience of a good parkland course. Those of us, who couldn't keep the ball straight, had a lorra, lorra looking to do!
But J. D. R. was so moved by the experience, that he resorted to showing his partners, some excellent trick shots. One in particular, involved taking the tee peg clean out of the ground with his driver, and leaving the ball exactly where it was.
Mike Nesbitt-Hawes and I didn't know which way to look. We couldn't have seen anything anyway, as there were too many tears in our eyes!
But it wasn't the end of the tricks, as he had a 3, 4, 5 day as well. Lost three balls, found four, and landed in five bunkers.
Bob Harris wouldn't tell us how many balls he had lost, but Hywel Probert blew the whistle on him, and we were impressed!
Fred Wilks said he played so bad that he couldn't have scored in a house of ill repute. John Bonar sympathised with him.
Mike Nesbitt-Hawes thought he had a free day out, until David Morgan reminded him to sign his cheque. But never mind Mike, at least you came fifth overall on the day.
Poor Ken Gouldsbrough's buggy ran out of fuel or some such mishap, but he soldiered on, and had an excellent front nine score to pick up some consolation.
It was nearly drinks all round, when Jim Taylor won the 'nearest the pin' on the 8th. He was only 77 inches away from being voted the most generous man on the trip. Geoff Aston won the longest drive on the 18th. In the clubhouse afterwards, the drive got longer and longer, and finished up by being awesome.
David Morgan looked suitably pleased and his score couldn't be believed by J. D. R., and he had to take yet another look at the card!
After the group photo call, we all sat down to a very nice meal, and eavesdropped on each others tales of near misses, ifs and buts and if onlys.
J. D. R. dispensed the prizes, and after the usual cheers and jeers, it was ready to hit the road back to Tenby.
All in all, everyone agreed it was a good day out, and one that must be repeated at some later date.
Results: 1. David Morgan 36 pts; 2. Malcolm Arlott 34; 3. Hywel Probert 33; 4. Roy Morgan 32; 5. Mike Nesbitt-Hawes 32 (back 9).
Nearest the pin - Jim Taylor; longest drive - Geoff Aston; best front nine - Ken Gouldsbrough; best back nine - John Bonar .
Special prizes in lieu of there being no twos - Rob Wilkins, Dudley Williams, David Leeke.
J.B.H.
Junior Section
The last few months have been focused on all aspects of the game, so last Saturday saw a chance to put into practice what had been learnt. The group were divided into three teams for a five-hole Texas scramble.
The scores were very good indeed, with not one hole being played in more than four shots. The most consistent team of the morning, however, were Mary's team of Jack Beynon, Jasmine Pouton, Sam Butler, Ceiron Murray-Coller and Bethan Osborne. They managed to play the five holes in only 14 shots -well done! Gillian's team were second with 16 shots, followed by Ian's team with 17 shots.
The second group had practised on their short game with the importance of good chipping and putting. In the chipping from off the green, Dave Webb was the best, followed by Sam Baxter and Joe Worley third. The putting to nearest the hole was won by Sam Turton, followed by Joe Worley again and David Webb, but as they were already prize winners, the honours went to Hugo Wellum and Luke Rees.
In the putting competition, Dan Worley was the winner after a putt-off, followed by Sam James and Claudette Pouton. The competition winners getting a drink and a chocolate bar for their efforts.
Practice tomorrow (Saturday) is at the usual time, with a break from competition on Sunday.
ARGENT CUP
Last Sunday saw the annual playing of the Argent Cup, with yet again, a good turnout from both adults and juniors. With the draw made live in the clubhouse on Saturday lunchtime, some interesting pairings were made, with almost any pair capable of winning on the day. With the weather being excellent, pairings were introduced to each other, and tactics decided.
Winners on the day were Ann Dassen and Holly Watkins with a score of 43 points. Second spot went to Stephen Davies and Georgia Thomas with 42 points, who just edged it on the back nine from her dad, Ian Thomas with Emma Guerrerio, who also had 42 points.
Although Ian and Emma had a two-shot penalty called on them for causing the ball to move and then playing it without replacing it, they took it in good spirit on what turned out to be an excellent event for all.
TENBY GIRLS EXCEL
IN NEWPORT
Tenby's proud record of producing some fine players looks set to continue as the performances in the South Wales Girls Championships at Newport Golf Club in Gwent showed. In the 18-hole medal event, Holly Watkins scored 82 gross to come home in fourth place, while in the Under 12s nine-hole medal competition, eight-year-old Georgia Thomas came second with a fine 67 gross off the ladies tees and Emma Guerrerio was third with a 68 gross. Well done to all concerned.
Club report
The club has nine knockout competitions which are played during the year, and which end on Finals Day, which this year is on Sunday September 21st. They are the Allen Cup, Davies Cup, Charles Mathias Cup, President's Qualifier Cup, Reason Jones Cup, Scratch Cup, Sellar Cup, Veterans Cup and Colwyn Williams Cup.
They are currently about halfway through, and mostly down to either the last 16 or quarter-finals. The current round completes by July 6.
The Allen Cup is for players with handicaps up to 24; the Davies Cup is for players with handicaps between 10 and 15; the Charles Mathias Cup is for handicaps over 16; the President's Cup is a knockout competition involving the top 16 from a monthly medal qualifier; the Reason Jones Cup is foursomes; the Scratch Cup is for single figure handicappers; the Sellar Cup is similar to the President's Cup, but from another monthly medal; the Veterans Cup is for players over 60 and the Colwyn Williams Cup is a four ball competition.
There are currently still up to 16 people in each cup. We shall report who is still in the hunt when they get down to the last four.
Last Saturday, Tenby played Ashburnham at home in the Dyfed League, on what proved to be a lovely day for golf. The team had a tough match and came out with an honourable draw at four games each.
The team was made up of Brian Cramb and Matt Brown, Richard Morton and Nic Thomas, Dan Cope and Kenny Breaker, Scott Davies and Richard Chapman, Dean Kennett and Martin Creese, David Ayers and Robert Hall, Allan Morton and Steve Evans, Loz Phillips and Nigel Ayers and Nick Rogers and Steven Davies.
The captain and the professional have now played six games and have won two and come second in four. Since we last reported, they have had a walkover against Ken Breaker and Martin Morris as they didn't turn up and lost on the 16th to Anne and David Blackmore.
The captain and professional went into a rapid three holes lead, but were pegged back by the husband and wife pair. The killer blow was struck on the 10th hole, when Anne Blackmore hit an eight-iron 90 yards onto the green and into the hole for a three, beating a par four.
The next chance for the captain and pro to improve their statistics will be when they play Linzi Hawkey and Heather Morgan.
Captain's Day is soon, on the July 19, and next week details will be given of all competitions and events that day.
Best wishes to Brian Cramb and John Gottwaltz, who are playing in the European Seniors Wales Open at the Royal St. Davids Golf Club at Harlech on today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) and hopefully on Sunday when they make the cut.