On a morning that promised so much rain, but delivered just a bit, and the Chickens promised so much golf, and delivered... well, let's find out shall we?

Brian Morgan and Alan Paice were the early leaders, and although it was nice to see Alan back amongst the 'Paice' setters (sorry about that Alan), it was unlikely they would stay in front for long.

Ed Neil Dickinson (pictured) was over the moon and punching the air with delight as his two on the 12th looked at the time to be the only one of the day, and he could pick up more corn than the winner.

He was celebrating with Owen Monaghan, who looked as though he might be in the booby position, but was going to have a half or two with Neil whatever the outcome. Good man!

Arnold Kaney, who was playing off his girl's handicap of 36, made quite an impression with his 30-pointer. But this was only because his 11 points the previous week had provoked such a torrent of abuse that he had to do something to rectify matters. A blooming good effort Arnold, but mostly wasted as Rick Lewis came in from the cold and recorded the same score.

Not too many had ventured to the links, as the forecasted weather looked as though it might have put a damper on proceedings. But you know what Chickens are like. Very little brain, but a lot of guts when it comes to golf! That's what makes this game so appealing to most of us!

Anyway, Ed Neil was going to have to revise his habits, as right towards the end of proceedings, in came Kevin Pullen with another two, this time on the sixth. Go to work another week Neil!

Results: 1. Rick Lewis and Arnold Kaney 30 pts (£1.80 each); 3. Brian Morgan 28 pts (90p).

Twos: Neil Dickinson and Kevin Pullen (50p each).

Booby: Owen Monaghan (30p). Entries: 22.

J.B.H.

Ladies' Section

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness seems to have been followed very rapidly by one of continual annual general meetings and as a result I have been most remiss in not writing about the Ladies' Section's results.

The October LGU medal and spoon was played in slightly windy conditions and the Silver division winners were Pam Cole on nett 74, followed by Gillian Roberts on 78. In the Bronze division, Ann Dassen didn't notice any inclement weather and was delighted with her nett 76 and she was followed by Liz Storey on 75.

The following week we played the Final Jubilee Foursomes of the year and somehow no pairing could produce a really good score, Ann Dassen and Linzi Hawkey on 33 being the best. We will draw a discreet veil over the rest of us!

By November, except for a few 'running' competitions, most of the important results were completed. However, at the end of October, Holly Watkins and Heather Morgan played the final of the Autumn Cup, on handicap. Heather had an exceptional round and was delighted with her play and, although Holly played well, she could not, on handicap, touch Heather that day.

The first winter competition was a stableford three clubs and a putter and the rather damp conditions indicated that it is necessary to carry a few more clubs, as Toni Lucas reached 29 points and Ann Dassen and Heather Morgan amassed 27 each.

A team competition - a yellow ball competition is fun and besides being a three-member team event allows some respite if you are not really on top form. Ann Morris, Lyn Bonar and Ann Dassen achieved 33 points, as did Toni Lucas, Ros Williams and Mary Turner.

This year we decided to try to play the qualifying round for the Daily Mail Foursomes in the autumn when the weather can be much kinder than in January or February when we have usually played this competition. We were lucky with the weather on our chosen day and the qualifiers were Pat Fox and Toni Lucas on nett 74.5, with Lyn Bonar and Anne Morris on 76.

The November LGU medal and spoon was played last week on a beautiful autumn day. In the Silver division, Heather Morgan and Anne Morris achieved nett 77s, but two players in the Bronze division took full advantage of the conditions, Ann Blackmore returning a nett 69 to win the Bronze medal and Judy Lewis an excellent nett 67 to win the spoon.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The annual general meeting of the Ladies' Section was held on November 25.

A resume of the year was given by the captain, secretary, treasurer and handicap secretary. The captain, Mrs. Joyce Gouldsbrough, spoke of her enjoyment of the year and in particular congratulated the A and B teams on their successes in the Three Counties League. This is the eighth time in 25 years that Tenby has won both divisions of the league.

The membership remains constant at 123, the finances are healthy and the handicap secretary mentioned some of the proposed changes to the handicap system for 2004 which will have some far reaching effects on play.

The following officers and committee were elected: president - Mrs. M. M. Williams; captain - Mrs. A. Wilks; vice-captain - Mrs. A. Davies; honorary secretary - Miss B. M. Shaw; honorary treasurer - Mrs. L. Thomas; honorary handicap secretary - Mrs. A. Blackmore; committee members - Mrs. L. Bonar, Mrs. J. Charnock, Mrs. N. Hart, Mrs. H. Morgan; ex-officio - Mrs. J. Gouldsbrough.

The proposition that the president should serve for two years instead of three was passed unanimously, but the proposal to reduce the number of qualifying rounds for the Hill-Lowe Bogey Bowl from four to three was lost narrowly.

THE NEW CAPTAIN

The 2004 captain, Mrs. Ann Wilks, is a native of Monmouthshire where she was educated and grew up. She spent much of her young adult life as a ballet dancer, working in the theatre and television and touring widely. After her marriage to, he became a sub-postmaster, while Ann ran a haberdashery and children's shop while also working for the keep fit organisation in South Wales.

On their retirement, they lived in Spain for the winters and Penally for the summers, but now are living permanently in Penally.

We all wish Ann a happy and successful year as ladies' captain.

B.M.S.