Tenby Seniors come to grief at Newport (Pembs.)

No matter what the golf is going to be like, it's always a pleasant run to Newport, especially if you go the pretty route, up through Maenclochog and then through the National Park, calling in at Cilgwm if you are so minded. Then dropping down the hill to Newport Golf Club, with its splendid views out to Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea beyond. Almost a pity that golf then had to take preference, but these things are sent to try us and captain Ken Gouldsbrough was determined this week, to break the losing hold that has gripped him for so long. So along with new partner Brian Waters, he girded his loins so to speak, and sallied forth against Newport's captain Ian Peters and the indomitable Barry Onions. Up and down went the scores "against first class opponents," said Ken, and the final result was a cracking half, just as it should have been. "I think the tide has turned," said Ken, as he and Brian took a well-earned squash after the game. Brian Morgan was in his element, as he met cricketing pals from yesteryear, and spent lots of time reminiscing. I'm sure that some of the shots he played in our game against Cyril Smith and Chris James came straight from the pages of Wisden. But all to no avail, as we didn't recover too well from a three-hole deficit at the start of the game, and Cyril and Chris took full advantage of the situation. But we tried our best, and even got back to all-square, only to throw it all away over the closing holes. Tony Bailey and Roy Phillips were complaining that they didn't win a hole against a very in-form Malcolm Arlott and Stan Hudson. Threes, fours, fives and only one six and they still couldn't get the better of the Tenby pair. A dog's licence loss prompted Tony Bailey to ask for a dope test to be run. It has been a good week for Malcolm, as he collected the bag draw in the Usher Cup partnering lady captain Ann Wilks the previous Sunday. He came second behind Stan in the Seniors roll up on Tuesday, and had a hole-in-one as well, and now comes the Stan and Mal show at Newport! Stan was even sporting a damaged thumb, so goodness knows what the score could have been if he had been fit! The next game with Geoff Aston and Alan Yates against Ralph Nicholas and Tony Greatrex produced another win for Tenby, and led Geoff and Alan to say that they looked at the front nine and liked what they saw, and decided that next time around was going to be twice as easy! But the Newport pair were not overawed by the tactics and gave as good as they could, but had to concede on the 15th. Vince Shaw and Bob Howse put Tenby into a good lead against Wayne Harries and Howell Williams, by winning two up. This was a very solid performance from Vince and Bob, who incidentally, carries two putters in his bag. One left-handed and one right-handed. I thought this game was confusing enough without adding to it, but it obviously works for Bob. The only problem with pendulums, is that they have to swing back again, and this is what was starting to happen with the next few games. David Morgan and partner Roy Morgan put up a spirited show against Malcolm Owen and Terry Grover, but as Roy said, "I would have been better off building castles in all the sand I've visited today." Hmm. A cracking game ensued with Des Stone and John D. R. Williams against Gareth Evans and Alan Griffiths. The Tenby pair won the first hole, then went three down very quickly. But after a number of halved holes, managed to get back to be only one down, but a great birdie three from Gareth on the last hole sank their hopes. Newman Vincent was over the moon with partner Derek Bath, as they got off to a flying start winning the first hole. It went pear-shaped from then on, as opponents Mel Edser and Philip Turner parred or birdied every hole after that up to the 14th, when the pain was ended with a hand shake! But we still had the hope that the final two pairs would make that old pendulum come back to Tenby's favour, with the formidable Spike Evans and Paul Bradley duo, and Hywel Probert and Bob Harris. Spike wouldn't make any comment on their game against John Civil and Herbie Rowley, but Paul was not quite so modest. Even talking a good game wasn't enough to mask the fact that a loss was sitting at the table though. Hywel and Bob were up against a Newport pair whose combined age was 165! Phil Davis admitted to being 86, and Glen Evans was a mere 79. Bob Harris reckoned they lied about their ages, and because of this, should have had penalty points added. "In this way," he said, "we might have won." The pendulum kept going the wrong way! After a superb match meal that everyone was full of praise for, Ian Peters welcomed Ken and his Tenby team to Newport, and remarked that it was always a pleasure to host such competitive players, and said that over the years that the fixture had been going, Tenby probably had a positive record over Newport, but it was good to say that Newport had won today! Ken replied by thanking Ian and Newport for the day, and congratulated the catering staff for the dinner. He said that he was looking forward to coming back again for next year's fixture, not for the golf, but for the match meal! It was excellent. He also mentioned the result of 6.5 to 3.5 in Newport's favour. Results (Newport names first): I. Peters and B. Onions halved with K. Gouldsbrough and B. Waters; C. James and C. Smith bt J. Hancock and B. Morgan 2 up; T. Bailey and R. Phillips lost to M. Arlott and S.Hudson 7 and 6; R. Nicholas and T. Greatrex lost to G. Aston and A. Yates 4 and 2; W. Harries and H. Williams lost to V. Shaw and B. Howse 2 up; M. Owen and T. Grover bt D. Morgan and R. Morgan 1 up; G. Evans and A. Griffiths bt J. D. R. Williams and D. Stone 1 up; M. Edser and P. Turner bt N. Vincent and D. Bath 5 and 4; J. Civil and H. Rowley bt P. Bradley and M. Evans 3 and 2; P. Davis and G. Evans bt H. Probert and B.Harris 1 up.

J.B.H.

Junior golf

Well done to David Webb for winning the Under 11s competition last Sunday. There is no golf planned for this Sunday, but because of the cancellation of the AM-AM, the tee will be available for all junior members between 10.26 and 11 am. When playing in competitions, please remember to put your card in the box on completion of your round, even if you have 'no returned'. On Sunday, September 12, there will be a stableford competition starting at the normal time. I.P.W.D.

CLUB REPORT

Last Saturday was the monthly medal and the first round of the Lifeboats Spoons, while Monday saw the second round of the Lifeboat Spoons. The weather on both days was good, with a bit more wind on the Monday. The previous Wednesday, August 25, a mid-week medal was held.

Monthly Medal and Lifeboat spoons

The division one winner was John Kicinski with a net 65 and a better back nine. Joint second were Richard Chapman and Ron Johns, also with net 65s - very good scores. Fourth was Peter Rossi with a net 66 and joint fifth were David Ayers and Allan Morton with net 67s. The division two winner was Tim Rowe with a net 68 and a better back nine than Michael Williams, also with a net 68. Third was Michael Argent with a net 69, joint fourth were David Lemon and Paul James with net 70, and joint sixth were Tony Rogers, Peter Ellis and Tomas Dai with net 71s. Of the 119 competitors who played, 18 got twos. They were Michael Allen, Peter Brown, David Cope, Steven Court, Richard Davies, Stephen Davies, Scott Davies, Rob Hall, Stan Hudson, Ron Johns, Anthony Key (2), Gary McNeilly, Andrew Morton, Colin Murphy, Gareth Rees, Roger Schooling and David Skyrme.

Second Round of Lifeboat Spoons

This was held on Monday, a more difficult day for golf, with a tricky wind coming from the north-west. It was a good day for the Morgan family. Winner was David Morgan with net 66, second was John Kicinski with net 67, and joint third were Samuel Morgan and Jamie Preston with net 69s. Forty-seven competitors took part and of those, five got 2s. They were Malcolm Arlott (2), Matt Brown, Stephen Davies Samuel Morgan and Gareth Rees (2).

Mid-week medal

The winner was Peter Watkins with a net 67, second was Paul Fairclough with net 71 and joint third were Bob Parsons, Peter Brown, Colin Murphy, John Cook, Peter Ellis, David Evans and David Blackmore with net 72s. There were 33 competitors, of which five got 2s. They were Ray Bowen, Russell Clarke, John Griffiths, Meurig Jones and Peter Watkins. Dyfed League

The club played South Pembs. on Sunday, and South Pembs. won 7-1, to win the league. Congratulations to them and thanks to all the Tenby members who helped this year with the Dyfed League team.