A very nice morning with just a hint of dampness in the air, but it didn't stop certain Chickens from making the cut!
Des Stone (pictured) put it all together and came in with a very nice 33 points. This stood him in good stead for a very long time, as it was towards the end of the morning that things started to hot up.
Des took a bit of stick from his playing partners, Brian Morgan and me, but it didn't faze him one iota. In fact, it focused his mind to such an extent, that his usual colourful turn of phrase was absent. He put it down to not playing with usual sidekick Rick Lewis, but we were not so sure.
Idwal David came close to Des with his 32-pointer, and looked to be in with a chance of having Morran wield the dreaded red pen.
But topping the lot of us, and earning himself a massive cut for his pains, was Bob Howse. Bob has been threatening to come good for a few outings now, and he finally got his come uppance with a chop of eight shots. Are you reading this Bob?
Alan Paice tried out his new clubs to good effect. He scored a grand 28 points, and was just out of the money. But he is justifiably proud of the fact that he is only on his third set of clubs since he started his playing career in 1965.
In fact, he still has a five-iron that he purchased from Ernie Fitchett, and A. J. Ormond used to say that Alan was the only club member whose grips were worth more than his clubs! You could always rely on A.J.O.
Much better scoring all round though, perhaps it was the thought of all that good weather yet to come!
Chan Thomas is spending a few days in Ward 7 at Withybush. "Languishing in a warm bed," said Morran, as he nonchalantly made a couple of Chickens bleed.
Another one who couldn't make it to the first tee was Vince Shaw. Vince has caught the dreaded sniffs and snuffs from Alma, who had been quite generous with her favours!
Results: 1. Bob Howse 36 pts. (£2); 2. Des Stone 33 (£1.50); 3. Jim Hinchliffe, Idwal David 32 (£1 each); 5. Jim Taylor 29 (50p).
Booby: tied - none paid; twos: Doug Havard, Bob Howse (70p each); entries: 28.
J.B.H.
Adlam and Beynon crowned new Rabbits championsFred Adlam and Bill Beynon have sewn up the Rabbits Winter League 2004, despite the fact that there are two fixtures yet to be played.
Their 5 and 4 win over Dave Lemon and John Murphy put them beyond the reach of their closest rivals, Dave Moran and Rees Davies.
Long-serving Rabbit member Fred Adlam and his rookie partner, Bill Beynon, took the applause of their fellow players after the announcement of the day's results in the clubhouse.
The pair struggled to find their form over the first seven holes, but won five holes on the trot from the ninth onwards, and eventually ran out 5 and 4 winners.
Other results of the day saw bottom-placed Steve Price and his partner Phil Watkins beat John Hunt and Meurig Jones 3 and 1. Meurig subbed for John's normal playing partner, Steve Bennett.
Now, John and Meurig's defeat could be attributed to their difference in height, and the game plan discussions taking longer to travel from mouth to ear? I'm sure I heard Meurig remark on this in the clubhouse prior to venturing out!
This result, however, takes Steve and Phil off the bottom of the league. That spot has now been acquired by Tom McClean and Brian Dooley, who took one of the thrashings of the day by going down 7 and 5 against Dave Moran and Rees Davies.
Another surprise saw Simon Evans, who subbed for Derek Farley, and partner Bud French beat Colin Smith and Paul Greenwood by 5 and 4. This win has taken Derek and Bud into fourth spot and another win next week against Dave Moran and Rees Davies will see them sharing third spot.
Colin and Paul, on the other hand, have dropped back into fifth place and they will need to put in a concerted effort to regain their lost places, as one of their remaining games is against champions Adlam and Beynon.
One of the other thrashings of the day was dished out to captain Ron Murphy and Paul Jones by Richard Caley and Jason Rolfe. If it's any consolation to Ron and Paul, Richard and Jason hit a real purple patch in this game and played really well, hitting a season's best and winning 7 and 6. I thought you were a bit quiet in the clubhouse after Ron!
A closely contested game saw George Pegg and partner Dorian Thomas narrowly missing out to Ben Blake and Roy Morgan by 2 and 1. This was Roy's first appearance this season in the winter league and it was nice to see him being rewarded with a win.
Two mid-table matches saw Glyn Price and Chris Smith return to the clubhouse with smiles on their faces as they managed to beat Peter Watkins and Steve Harries 3 and 2, and finally Dave Morgan and Mike Munroe lost out to Kilgetty duo Steve Watkins and Anthony Allen 5 and 4.
With two games remaining, any of the bottom five pairings could either share or achieve the undesirable position of wooden spoon contenders. The league table tells a story now, but what will the final outcome be? Will Steve still retire on his winnings? Will John lock himself in the Post Office, never to play again? Will Ron's year of captaincy be rewarded with a wooden spoon? Or will it be hang down your head Tom/Dooley. For the conclusion to this season's story, watch this space.
Junior Section
Dates for the diary: Please note the spring/summer season will begin on Sunday, February 29, with plenty of competitions planned (writes Ann D). Our coaching sessions will also begin on that date. Free coaching to all members, with handicaps, from 9.30 am - 10 am, to be followed by the Sunday competition.
For younger children who wish to start golf, Mark Hawkey and Mary Rowell will be running a new style of coaching, based on the WGU Junior Passport for Golf scheme. We have purchased some colourful new equipment to increase the fun!
There will be 15 weekly sessions at £2 per session, teaching the basics of golf and leading to obtaining a 'Passport' and becoming a full junior member. This session will also be good for those who are already members, but don't yet have a handicap (free of charge). This will be from 10 am to 11 am, starting Sunday, February 29. Parents are encouraged to stay when possible.
Any teenagers keen to learn will also be welcome. Depending on numbers we will try and run a group coaching session especially for you. However, Mark and his team are available for one-to-one lessons to bring you on quicker.
Fun bingo evening
To get the season off to a light-hearted start, we have organised a fun bingo evening. All young golfers and their families are welcome, as are those thinking about taking it up! It will be held at 6.30 pm on Friday, February 27, at Tenby Golf Club. There will also be a raffle in aid of junior funds (donations gratefully accepted).
Fixture sheets and details of the Junior Golf Passport will be handed out on the evening. Sausage and chips will be served at £3.50 a head. Please 'phone Dave Hancock on (01834) 842978 if you would like to come (Lyn needs numbers for the catering).