Sunday produced a memorable climax to the 2004/5 Divots Society winter programme. Like the weather, the golf was sparkling, as players did battle in the annual end-of-season competition for the Tucker Cup. On this occasion, however, the competition had an extra edge, as it also featured a play-off for the championship. The previous weekend, two pairs, namely long-time league leaders Ron Johns and Clive Law and Gareth Rees and Gareth Phillips, had tied at the top of the table in somewhat dramatic circumstances. It meant a decision had to be made on how the title was to be decided. Sudden death? Chapman foursomes play-off (the league format)? Or something completely different? After much head-scratching, the two pairs involved agreed that they should go head-to-head in the Tucker Cup, a four ball better ball stableford competition, but now with the added interest of matchplay as well. A juicy prospect indeed. Sadly, though, as it turned out, the play-off side of the contest proved a little disappointing. Re-finding their form, Johns and Law were quickly out of the traps, building up a healthy advantage with an early barrage of pars and birdies. Rocked by this onslaught, the two Gs, never really recovered and finally succumbed on the 13th by a margin of 6 and 5. Therefore, it was a delighted Johns and Law, who finally secured the title, Clive for the second season in succession, having won it last year with partner Richard Morton. But would the new champions make it a rare league and cup double? At the end of their round, a useful looking stableford score of 41 points suggested that they just might. Out on the course, however, were a couple of other pairs who obviously had other ideas. Among them big-hitting Adam Joseph and his partner Rob Hall, who themselves had enjoyed a good season in the league, finishing in third spot. Setting the pace with wooden spoonists, Divots captain Loz Phillips and Neil Dickinson, Joseph and Hall got off to a rather sluggish start, but gradually upped the tempo, before moving into overdrive. Highlight came on the ninth hole, where Adam's sweetly struck iron shot homed in on the pin. On reaching what is a blind temporary green, however, his ball was nowhere to be seen. Where could it be? Yes, you've guessed - in the can! "That's my first hole-in-one ever," remarked a delighted Adam, as he served up the drinks in the clubhouse afterwards. "It's just a pity I didn't see the ball go in." His partner Rob was also rather pleased, as the ace secured the pair four valuable points as they, too, marched in with a total of 41 - including three more after another vital birdie on the last by Adam. But would that be good enough to take the silverware? As it eventually turned out, it was, for although Richard Chapman and Lawrence Linsey later became the third pair to come in with 41 points, a better back nine by Adam and Rob proved the deciding factor. Unfortunately, they were unable to be presented with the cup as it was safely locked away in the trophy cabinet in the snooker room - and there it stayed, despite the best efforts of a string of aspiring safe-crackers and locksmiths! On a brighter note, the league trophies had been returned safe and sound and were positively gleaming (at least one was) as they, along with the coveted championship shield, were presented to winners Ron and Clive by captain Loz. Loz also raided the coffers to hand out prizes to the pairings who had finished second and third in the cup and league, while he and partner Neil had to suffer some jovial banter from the odd 'stirrer' or two as they received the 'coveted' wooden spoon from one of last year's holders, Scott Davies. Hmm. The presentations brought the curtain down on another enjoyable season for the Divots Society, although a small party will be gathering over the Easter weekend for the annual outing, this year to Bryn Meadows.
Runaway Ranoe revels in the rain
It was the Dragonfly versus the Grasshopper for the first group off the tee on Tuesday and Des Stone found himself sandwiched between Roy Morgan in one buggy and Denzil Thomas in the other. Roy's Dragonfly had a tendency to flit from one flower to another in search of water, while Denzil's Grasshopper leaped in intermittent short and long hops down the fairway. As the day wore on and the wind continued to disrupt play, it was the Grasshopper that triumphed in the end with a score of 25, while the Dragonfly, due to under-hitting the putts, could only manage n---, a score best forgotten. As he was the first in the clubhouse, Des Stone's score of 37 had to be in the lead, at least until the next group arrived. Dave Morgan was pleased with his 36, only to see his card slipped underneath into second spot. And so it was to stay until the last group of the day arrived in the clubhouse after braving the rain that enveloped the course for the last hour of the afternoon. Peter Woodhouse had had enough by the 14th and made his way directly to the clubhouse. Roy Gundry was welcomed back from his long holiday claiming that he was k-------d (extremely tired), but found the round most enjoyable. "Beware the Ides of March!", quoted Newman as he tried to hide his card in the lower end of the pack. He informed the gathering that he was driving majestically, sometimes into the rough, but then suffering with his approach irons. Stan Hudson was smiling as he handed his card in, but he corrected those present, stating that it was a grimace not a smile. Having seen his card, we can understand why. Last Friday's winner of the Chicken Trotters, Mike Fox, threw his card in the air, so we guessed that he hadn't repeated his winning streak, scoring less in 18 holes than he did in 15. Ken Gouldsbrough, meanwhile, continues to play a steady game. After a stuttering start, he recovered to complete 15 points from the first nine and follow it with 20 points on the back nine. Derek Bath, however, was disappointed with his 24. Jim Rowley tried to confuse the organisers by handing in a blank card, but, fortunately, was able to resurrect his original. Despite the windy conditions and the rain-laden air that spoilt the day for the tail-enders, 35 seniors played the course and enjoyed the day. Tony Ranoe, playing in the last group, showed that he was not going to be put off by the rain and handed in his card with a magnificent score of 39. Of the 35, 11 scored 30 or more and, due to the conditions, 20 came in with a score of between 20 and 30. Six players had a two on their card. They were Ken Gouldsbrough (12th), Roy Gundry (17th), Bob Howse (17th), Jim Taylor (6th), J. D. R. Williams (6th) and Martin Neilan (9th). This week's strong men were Alex Leese and Roy Morgan. Results: 1. Tony Ranoe 39 pts; 2. Des Stone 37; 3. David Morgan 36. Next week, all seniors will gather to conclude the winter programme in a hidden partners competition over 15 holes, followed by lunch and presentation. On March 24, the first seniors match takes place at Tenby when we entertain Glynhir. Following that, the seniors tour to Rosslare leaves on the Pembroke Dock ferry on March 29.
Chicken picks
Not a lot of difference to last week's Trot as far as the weather was concerned, still cool, but with a stiff wind this time, and this meant that woolly hats and windcheaters were on full display. But the poor old Chickens soon warmed up when they got back into the clubhouse, as the ladies' golf from Honolulu was on the telly. It was sunshine from wall to wall! Our Ed Neil Dickinson and partner Meurig Jones felt that after last week's 'almost' game, when the Chicken committee had to have a recount on the results, that they should get up a bit earlier and come in at a respectable time. But their scores didn't really reflect the early rising. Des Stone had a brilliant three on the 14th. His second shot finished about three inches from the hole and he was so excited he nearly missed the putt! But his picture showed that he was still in control of his nerves, and was practising his drawing room techniques in the clubhouse after. But Richard Morgan was so elated over his score that he didn't know if he should eat or play his bacon roll, but it was good enough to bag him joint second. His score, not the bacon roll! Jim Taylor went from being in the doldrums with last week's booby to share the second slot with Richard and Peter Woodhouse. Peter hasn't been in the frame lately, so it's nice to see you back in form. Now Mike Fox wasn't going to let a little thing like having his card marked by a dyslexic golfer put him off celebrating his winning score of 33 points. He trolled the seated Chickens until he found an unused mobile so he could get onto the Press Agency to tell them all about it. But it looks like he has the mobile the wrong way round! It puts a new meaning to the phrase getting an earful. Results: 1. Mike Fox 33 pts (£1.60); 2. Jim Taylor, Richard Morgan, Peter Woodhouse 28 pts (90p each). Booby: Bob Howse 18 pts (30p). Entries: 21.
J.B.H.