With the Winter League season having finally come to a close, the Tenby Divots Society took to the road last weekend for their annual outing.

Venue for this year's memorable sojourn was beautiful Belmont in the delightful Herefordshire countryside, home to acres of wonderful woodland and fast-flowing rivers.

Ah, woodland and rivers... something few Tenby golfers are familiar with. And, yes, you've guessed it, they were to play a major part in the weekend's proceedings.

The winding River Wye, which skirts the lower nine at Belmont, gobbled up Pro Vs (or was it Dunlops and Top Flites?) quicker than a seagull in a refuse sack, while a chainsaw might have been a more useful implement to have in the bag than drivers, irons and putters.

But, still, it was all great fun, with plenty of good golf in between - from some that is. Others struggled to get to grips with the vagaries of the greens and yearned for the smooth-running surfaces back home. My, aren't we lucky at Tenby.

Various competitions were played over the three days, including singles, pairs, teams - even an international clash!

And, after motoring up through Wales on Friday morning, with a pit-stop for breakfast, it was Neil Dickinson who was quickest off the grid in the opening event, his 34 points being good enough to earn him first place and a handicap cut.

His playing partners, Alan Morton and Nigel Ayers, also hit early form, for the trio to take the day's team prize. But, like the par three 10th at Belmont, after that it was all down hill for the clubhouse leader.

After a relaxing night - with perhaps some relaxing a little more than others - it was back to the course for an early morning start on Saturday. Fortunately, it was not quite as early as originally anticipated, with the scheduled 7.30 am tee-off time put back an hour-and-a-half. Phew! At least it meant there was now time for breakfast.

By now, Richard Chapman, who had missed Friday's action due to work commitments, had also travelled up to join the tour party, bringing the total complement of players up to 16.

And he immediately made his mark on the day as he returned an excellent card of 35 points... good enough, most thought, to take the bulging pot of gold.

But wait a moment, among the late starters was that mighty Walrus, Gavin Field-Thomas, who made a late charge up the leader board to tie at the top.

On countback, however, it was Richard who did finally take the honours. No matter, it meant that a delighted Gavin was now overall tour leader and would retain his full handicap for the last day. No cuts for him, as he didn't win!

And there was further joy for the big man when he realised that winner Richard had also been drawn out of the hat as his pairs partner for the day, the two obviously combining for an unassailable score. Not a bad day's work by them both, eh!

Meanwhile, quietly moving through the field were the 'Steady Eddies' of the weekend, Laurence Lindsay and youngest member of the party, Scott Davies. The two had been partners in this year's Winter League and had ended the season with the wooden spoon.

But there was no way they were going to suffer a similar fate on this occasion. Both were in good form and finished the day in second and third place after a couple of solid rounds.

Saturday was also international day on the rugby field... and on the golf course!

For, the night before, while discussing the likely fortunes of the national teams with the oval ball, it was realised that there was just about an even split in the tour party, with half Welsh and half qualifying for England - give or take the odd Scot.

And so the gauntlet was thrown down, with the points of the respective halves being added together to find a winner. It was obviously Wales' day, for like their rugby counterparts later, the Welsh swept to a clear victory, while the English were left to lick their wounds.

After another night of mulling over the 'ifs and buts' of the day's proceedings, Sunday again dawned dry and still - ideal conditions for golf.

With several hours to tee-off, however, players were left with plenty of time to ponder the likely outcome as the search was well and truly on for an overall tour champion.

Nerves were jangling. Would Gavin 'use his shots' and hang on? Would the obvious class of four-handicapper Scot shine through at the end? Would the unflappable Laurence produce the goods for a third time?

As it turned out, the answer to all three questions was, 'Yes'.

In true pro tournament style, the trio were sent out together at the back of the field. It meant it was a real pressure-cooker situation for the threesome.

But, yes, Gavin did hold his nerve to hang on for a prize, a solid par on the 18th making sure of that, while the eventual battle between Scott and Laurence for top honours turned into a real nail-biter.

In fact, it all came down to the very last hole, where the rest of the party had gathered to eagerly await the outcome.

Laurence was first to finish, out of the hole with a rare 'blob'. It meant the door was open for Scot, a par would now be enough. His shot into the elevated two-tier green was true and accurate, but skipped through to the back. Still, two putts would seal victory. Unfortunately, for Scot, his first was a little too strong and tumbled on down to the lower level; and when his putt back also failed to find the cup, it meant Laurence was crowned champion by virtue of a better back nine. Phew, what a finish!

With bags and trolleys suitably stowed away, everyone then adjourned to the Lodge at Belmont for the presentation ceremony, Divots captain Gareth Rees having provided some superb prizes in the form of salvers and cut glass... as well as the traditional wooden spoon for best endeavour!

In order, the top three were: 1. Laurence Lindsay; 2. Scott Davies; 3. Gavin Field-Thomas; while spoon 'winner' was Ken Breaker.

Along with captain Gareth, other members of the tour party were Neil Dickinson, Roger Schooling, Loz Phillips, Nigel Ayers, Andrew North, Brian Hartley, Steve Evans, Alan Morton, Rob Hall, Richard Chapman and Maurice Lewis.

With thanks to Gareth bringing the weekend to a close, it was back to the cars for the journey home, with all now eagerly awaiting next year's Tenby Divots outing!

FIRST WIN OF THE YEAR FOR TENBY SENIORS

Are we ever going to rid ourselves of these cold and blustery easterlies, and equally as cold and blustery northerlies, that don't seem to ease until you leave the course!

But moans aside about the weather, and no matter what the conditions are, it is always a pleasure to welcome our first fixture of the year against Glynhir. These boys were willing and able to take on Tenby Seniors, and to put the first notch on their belts.

First out were captain Ken Gouldsbrough and Geof Aston, against Glynhir captain Paul Murphy and his sidekick Dennis Kenchington. A slow haul that had the following games wondering about, and fearing, the onslaught of rigor mortis. But Geof and Ken held their collective nerve, and put in a convincing win over a side that had two birdies in the first four holes.

A most satisfying win for Tenby, that had the home pair thinking of putting wine on each of the tables, but Geof said after due thought, that the other pairings could do their own thing!

A rejuvenated Vince Shaw put it all together on the day, and left me with very little to do. My contribution was so small it was almost embarrassing, and it was a measure of Vince's play, that we managed to walk in on the back of a 7 and 5 win over Austin and Meidrim Thomas. Splendid opponents, who were a pleasure to play with. Austin was the 'Red Adair' of mines, and he kept us enthralled with tales of mishaps and mayhem that he had encountered over his years in the business.

"Mike Nesbitt-Hawes played a splendid game," said partner Newman Vincent, as they came in with a 7 and 6 win over Cyril Rees and Hugh Sellick. "I was pleased to have played a contributory part in my own way, as Mike turned on the style, but the Glynhir pair took it well."

John D. R. Williams and David Rees were four down after eight against Gerald Sadd and John Balmon. Staring into an abyss comes to mind, but by dint of some excellent play and true grit and all that, they came to dormie three down, and managed to halve those three holes to make the first and best half of the day.

A one up win for Jim Taylor and Alan Keating. Who said that they wanted to make a game of it against Colin Hopkins and Ken Williams, so decided to go all the way. The ploy almost came adrift, and the Glynhir pair were looking to upset the proceedings, but Alan and Jim held on and avoided an embarrassing result.

Another big win came for Derek Bath and Tony Morris. Glynhir's Peter Cowell said that his excuse for finishing the game on the 12th, was that the wind was sneaking up under his glasses and making his eyes water too much to see the ball. All those who wear glasses can sympathise with you Peter.

"We were quietly confident as well," said Hywel Probert, as he and Bob Harris saw the wheels come off their trolleys. Peter Bourne and Herbie James took full advantage to take the first win for Glynhir of the day by 2 and 1.

Des Stone and Colin Griffith redressed the balance a bit, by storming to a birdie filled win over E. Hugh Jones and Brian Gingell.

"It felt like I was playing with Montgomery today," said Des. Which Montgomery do you mean Des?

The final two games were losses for Tenby. From being 2 up on the 11th, it went pear-shaped for Dudley Williams and Tony Morgan, as they lost the next three holes to Gerald Davis and Derek Locke. Then, despite being offered a half on 18, they decided that honour must be upheld, so they lost the hole! Oh dear.

The final game with Roy Morgan and Stan Hudson followed a similar vein against Gil Mount and Trevor Whitman. The Glynhir pair went three up at the turn, but then had a poor spell to let in Roy and Stan, who then lost momentum to lose on the 17th.

Still, a good overall win for the Tenby seniors, that had captain Ken Gouldsbrough smiling and being a little relieved to get the first one out of the way and in his favour, and on a course that had been well prepared and presented by head greenkeeper Chris Jenkins and his staff.

Results: K. Gouldsbrough and G. Aston bt P. Murphy and D. Kenchington 3 and 1; J. Hancock and V. Shaw bt A. Thomas and M. Thomas 7 and 5; M. Nesbitt-Hawes and N. Vincent bt C. Rees and H. Sellick 7 and 6; J. D. R. Williams and D. Rees halved with G. Sadd and J. Balmon; J. Taylor and A. Keating bt C. Hopkins and K. Williams 1 up; T. Morris and D. Bath bt P. Cowell and T. Windsor 7 and 6; H. Probert and B. Harris lost to H. James and P. Bourne 2 and 1; D. Stone and C. Griffith bt E. H. Jones and B. Gingell 1 up; D. Williams and T. Morgan lost to G. Davies and D.Locke 1 up; S. Hudson and R. Morgan lost to G. Mount and T. Whitman 2 and 1.

Tenby 6.5, Glynhir 3.5.

J.B.H.