What a grand morning for this last outing of the Chicken Trot season - lots of sunshine, quite a breeze, but not enough to cause anyone too many problems. All were starting to gather around the first tee fairly early on, and jostling for the best positions whilst thinking about the lunch and prize-giving. Some looked lean and mean as they waited in line. Probably thinking about how many spuds they could consume before the pud arrived! Vince Shaw, looking mean if not entirely lean, posted an early score of 32 points. His putting skills were back to normal and saved him more than once. But he couldn't decide if he should enter for the 'Putter' or the 'Trophy'. I think he was waiting to see how many of the over 70s had handicaps of 36 or more! Rick Lewis was going all out for the putter and his 31-pointer was looking good enough to cause problems for Morran Boot and his team of accountants. They looked remarkably like characters out of the 'Godfather'. Someone said more like the 'Godmother'. It was nice to see such a good turnout for the competition and for the lunch as well. It was almost a case of same old faces, but of course there are always some welcome new faces as well. Future Chickens that we need to keep the coop going. After a very satisfying lunch, courtesy of Lyn Jenkins and her excellent staff, it was time for the prize-giving, but Paul Bradley, who tried so hard to win something, was out of luck this time (as his picture shows,) and had to settle for clapping everyone else. Morran welcomed the club captain, Bob Parsons, to the proceedings and asked him to present the prizes. Bob was recovering from a bad back sustained the previous day, and was grateful for the timely healing hands of his wife, who had administered some horse liniment before he turned out. Morran started off by giving out the winnings from the previous week, and gave out a few statistics about the season. John Hancock was leading money winner with £8 and the odd pence or two, closely followed by Rick Lewis and Des Stone. Total numbers were down from the previous season, but hopes were high that they would pick up in the autumn. The 'Danny Carew Putter' was won by Vince Shaw with his 32 points, who said he was pleased as punch to have his name on it for the second time since 1996, and it had been a long hard road to get back to something like his normal form. The 'Norman Badham Trophy' went to Richard Morgan whose impressive 32 points wiped out the opposition, and he was so pleased and overcome with emotion and best bitter, that he couldn't speak for some time. Captain Bob thanked Morran for his contribution to the Chicken Trot cause along with Ted Martin and Micky Johnston, and long may they continue to do so. Results were as follows: The 'Danny Carew Putter': 1. Vince Shaw 32 pts; 2 Rick Lewis 31; 3. Nick Beacham 30; 4. John Hancock 29; 5. Idwal David 28; 6. Peter Woodhouse 26; 7. Pat Rees 24. The Norman Badham Trophy: 1. Richard Morgan 32 pts; 2. Sonny Perkins 27; 3. Doug Perry 25; 4. Jim Taylor 24; 5. Arnold Kaney 21; 6. Derek Bath 20; 7. Keith Jones 19. All the above received various prizes as well as the trophies. There were 33 entries.
J.B.H .
Ladies' Section
Now that the 2005 season has got well underway, the ladies have been occupied most Thursdays with various qualifying competitions. At the beginning of April, the Australian Spoons Foursomes qualifying round was played and the qualifiers were Vera Davies and Mary Rowell with 34 points, while Rita Collins and Anne Thomas-Ferrand were second on 30 points. We wish Vera and Mary success in the regional final at Bargoed in July. The weather for the LGU Medal was fine and the course was in excellent condition and these factors were reflected in the scores. In the Silver division, Anita Davies won the medal and spoon with nett 67 on the last nine from Denise Edwards. In the Bronze division, Rita Collins had a nett 71 and Vera Davies 74. It is good to see Denise back on the course after a nearly four-year 'twin induced' absence and it is clear she has picked up her game where she left off. In quite awful weather, high wind and rain, most of us chickened out of playing the Coronation Foursomes qualifying round and the rest are to be congratulated on completing the course, whatever the scores. The qualifiers were Ann Dassen and Anne Thomas-Ferrand, with Heather Morgan and Liz Storey second. In the Marie Curie Cancer Research qualifying round, there were three scores of 36 points - Holly Watkins lost out to Anne Wilks on the last nine, who lost out to Ruth Goldwait on the last six. The next round is being played later in the summer. Away from Thursdays, Liz Storey and Anne Wilks had an excellent match against a strong Ashburnham pair at Ashburnham, but sadly lost on the 20th hole. On Monday, the Senior Ladies held their annual outing at Bancyfelin. Most of the section was there and those of us who only went for the meal were glad we were not playing when we felt the very cold, strong wind. Everyone found the new holes taxing, but were fully appreciative of the views from the top of the course. The scores were not exactly brilliant, but nevertheless there were winners. Results: Seniors' Trophy - Liz Crockford; 2. Lyn Bonar; 3. Anne Morris. Nine-hole competition - Delisia Martin. We all thank Ann Marsden for organising an enjoyable day and we congratulate the caterers on the very fine meal. B.M.S.
Ladies' Section
Now that the 2005 season has got well underway, the ladies have been occupied most Thursdays with various qualifying competitions. At the beginning of April, the Australian Spoons Foursomes qualifying round was played and the qualifiers were Vera Davies and Mary Rowell with 34 points, while Rita Collins and Anne Thomas-Ferrand were second on 30 points. We wish Vera and Mary success in the regional final at Bargoed in July. The weather for the LGU Medal was fine and the course was in excellent condition and these factors were reflected in the scores. In the Silver division, Anita Davies won the medal and spoon with nett 67 on the last nine from Denise Edwards. In the Bronze division, Rita Collins had a nett 71 and Vera Davies 74. It is good to see Denise back on the course after a nearly four-year 'twin induced' absence and it is clear she has picked up her game where she left off. In quite awful weather, high wind and rain, most of us chickened out of playing the Coronation Foursomes qualifying round and the rest are to be congratulated on completing the course, whatever the scores. The qualifiers were Ann Dassen and Anne Thomas-Ferrand, with Heather Morgan and Liz Storey second. In the Marie Curie Cancer Research qualifying round, there were three scores of 36 points - Holly Watkins lost out to Anne Wilks on the last nine, who lost out to Ruth Goldwait on the last six. The next round is being played later in the summer. Away from Thursdays, Liz Storey and Anne Wilks had an excellent match against a strong Ashburnham pair at Ashburnham, but sadly lost on the 20th hole. On Monday, the Senior Ladies held their annual outing at Bancyfelin. Most of the section was there and those of us who only went for the meal were glad we were not playing when we felt the very cold, strong wind. Everyone found the new holes taxing, but were fully appreciative of the views from the top of the course. The scores were not exactly brilliant, but nevertheless there were winners. Results: Seniors' Trophy - Liz Crockford; 2. Lyn Bonar; 3. Anne Morris. Nine-hole competition - Delisia Martin. We all thank Ann Marsden for organising an enjoyable day and we congratulate the caterers on the very fine meal. B.M.S.