Pancake Day it may have been, but the day was not as flat as might have been expected for the club's Senior Section. While there were reports of snow in other parts of Wales, the sunshine capital was bathed in sunshine, even if the wind was cold and somewhat fierce out on the extremes of the course. Yet again the wind had an effect on the scores, with most returning cards below 30 and only a few managing to break 30. The first group out were in the latter category as Tony Morgan and David Miller raced away from their playing partner, Tony Ranoe. Tony's score was 10 points behind his playing partner, who entered the clubhouse with big smiles on their faces as they both carded 31 points. They must have been fairly confident of some reward as the following cards in were in the low 20s. Geoff Aston had a reasonable front nine, scoring 14, but failed to follow it up with an indifferent back nine to give him 23 points. His playing partner, Bart Youll, did the reverse; he could only manage 11 on the front nine and started well on the return leg, only to tail away on the last few holes for 24 points. Still that was better than Clifton John's effort. With a good 16 points on the way out, he must have thought that a good score was on the cards. The six points he scored on the 10th to 13th holes was followed by five blank holes to bring him in with a disappointing 22 points. Roy Morgan wasn't out this week. He did turn up to see everyone off, but then had to return home to complete the chores given him by his wife. Alan Yates managed to start, but had to walk in after 14 holes. Peter Woodhouse, on the other hand, surprised the organisers when he handed in two cards. It appears that he had forgotten to hand in his card and pay his pound last week (a senior moment, perhaps!). He is just hoping that both can be entered in the eclectic. As it happens, both cards were around the 25 mark, so didn't challenge the leaders. Tony and David's scores were surpassed by a trio of 32s that came in from the fourth group out. Stan Hudson was making up for his poor performance at Newport and just pipped Mike Nesbitt-Hawes on the back nine. However, Derek Bath went one better with 16 points on the last nine to stay ahead of his travelling companions. Would anyone else match, or improve on that? Maurice Lewis tried, but his 31 only put him level with David and Tony. The rest of the scores remained in the 20s or even below. Last week's basement occupant, Jim Martin, temporarily put himself in the hot seat with a score of 19, one less than Malcolm Arlott. He had left before Doug Havard handed in his card with the statement that he had gone from "champ to chump". He was in the prize money last week, but his score of 15 ensured he was the strong man this week. No one was able to better that, though David Kaye did try with his score of 18. Twenty-four members competed this week, with another group of six seniors helping out the ladies in some practice at match play. There were no twos this week - a reflection of the affect of the weather. Results: 1. Derek Bath 32 pts; 2. Stan Hudson 32; 3. Mike Nesbitt-Hawes 32. Members should note that there is only one eclectic competition left. Next week, March 7, is a Texas Scramble. On March 14 we have our last eclectic stableford competition and on the 21st we conclude the winter programme with a Hidden Partners competition, followed by a meal and presentation.
Mat withdrawal symptoms
Mat withdrawal symptoms -this was the reason quoted by Stan Hudson for winning the booby prize when a group of hardy senior golfers braved the cold at Newport golf course recently. For some reason, this normally consistent golfer couldn't handle the grass and open fairways of Newport's well manicured course as he played a second ball for three off the first tee and ended up with a total of six points on the first circuit. This was matched with another six on the return leg as he kept reaching for his mat, rather like a comfort blanket. Whatever the reason, Stan, like the rest of the 19-strong contingent, enjoyed the company, the scenery and the warm welcoming atmosphere of the clubhouse. Another who anticipated the warmth of the clubhouse was the jovial seniors' captain, Dave Morgan. He was ready to embrace the comforts of the clubhouse after nine holes and had to be persuaded by Hywel to carry on through the niggling cold rain to complete his mission. Hywel must have been on better form than his last game at Tenby, with a desire to be in the prize money. Dave's score, on the other hand, was a bit lacklustre and missing the usual two and three points per hole. Although he did not qualify for the booby, he failed to break the 20 barrier, unlike Hywel who stormed in with 33 points. That's why he wanted to finish the course. Roy and Colin could be heard all over the course singing, "Aren't we having a lovely time, today while we're at Newport, with coffee and rolls plus all those golf balls, and all for under a pound you know. And on the way back...." You knew they were enjoying the day out, but the quality of the golf was another question. Unfortunately, Roy's putter has deserted him and his three-putt average on each green, with balls sliding in all directions or coming up short, did not provide him with a high score. J. D. R. Williams could also be heard, bemoaning the fact that after four holes he had not scored a point. A slight recovery gave him seven points after nine holes, but a much stronger and more determined approach provided him with 14 points on the back nine, which lifted him well clear of the tail-enders. John Hall spends so much time working in Newport that this should have been like a home course to him, but even he failed to match his handicap on this occasion. Derek Bath scored 29 points, but the blank space on the sixth hides the amusing scene of Derek playing ping pong with himself as he chipped out of the deep bunker to overshoot the green and then chip back into the bunker, only to repeat the process all over again. C'est la golf! Seniors' treasurer, Brian Waters, was more worried about balancing the day's takings to concentrate on his game only managing 27, equalling that of 'Uncle' Jim. Guest for the day, Roger Stanford, claimed that he had played his best game ever to end up with 35 points, but it was not good enough to topple his playing partner, Brian Morgan, who beat him by one point, despite a pulled muscle in his neck. He told his wife that he could not do any work around the house because of it - but it didn't affect his swing! Good old J. C. was somewhere close with his 34 points, but on this occasion Des Stone had a better back nine to edge ahead of him. Ken Gouldsbrough was also close to challenging the leaders and would have scored better, but for the gorse. There was only a small bush on the 11th hole, but he found it with his second shot - though he didn't find his ball. A couple of Newport golfers were seen later also searching in the same bush, but we don't know if they found Ken's Callaway! On the ninth hole, Ken fired his drive long, but towards the line of gorse bushes. He and his group were amazed to then see the ball shoot high into the air - to come to ground we know not where!! With some well chosen words, Dave Morgan led the appreciation for a wonderful day and informed everyone that no-one would win two prizes - especially since he was not in the reckoning. Results: stableford - 1. Brian Morgan 36 pts; 2. Roger Stanford 35; 3. Des Stone, John Cook 34. Hidden holes - 1. Des Stone, Roger Stanford 19 pts; 2. Brian Morgan, John Cook, Jack Hasdell 17; 3. Hywel Probert 16. Best net - Brian Morgan 70; Roger Stanford 71; Des Stone, John Cook 72, Ken Gouldsbrough 77. Booby - Stan Hudson 12 pts.
All to play for in Rabbits League
With just one week remaining in the Rabbits Winter League, the silverware is still up for grabs. Indeed, it's all set up for a nail-biting climax this weekend when the protagonists do battle on what is sure to be a tense final Sunday morning. At present, only one point separates the top two pairs, while there is also a battle royal for the minor places, with another five duos all having their sights set on prizes. But it's not only at the top of the table where there's still plenty at stake. Eyes will also be firmly focused on the lower echelons, where the wooden spoon is still to be decided. Two pairs are currently locked at the bottom on four points and the smart money is on a sudden death play-off. Should there be a tie at the top, meanwhile, it is understood that the committee have met and decided that the two pairings should meet in a play-off over 18 holes at a later date. It should be an exciting weekend. Watch this space! Last Sunday, like the rest of the weekend, the weather was horrendous for golf, with a bitter north-easterly wind crossing the Tenby links, making it very tough going for all concerned. But, if nothing else, the Rabbits are a determined bunch and battled on regardless to produce the following results: Steve Price and Paul Davis beat Neil Dickinson and Mark Edwards 4 and 3. Jerry Whitehouse and Mackie Harts beat Dave Moran and Steve Hockings 5 and 4. Nick Allen and Chris Smith beat Fred Adlam and Paul James 4 and 3. Dave Morgan and Anthony Allen halved with Richard Caley and Mike Munroe. Dafydd Evans and John Cook beat Ben Blake and Jason Rolfe 6 and 5. Bill Beynon and Dorian Thomas beat Derek Farley and Stephen Harries 3 and 2. Steve Watkins and Glyn Price beat Simon Evans and John Evans 1 up George Pegg and John Hunt had a bye.
Emma gets her first ace!
Last Sunday saw the brave junior golfers face the extreme cold conditions in an attempt to post a good stableford score that will count for the season-ending Dassen and Adams Cups. Star of the day was Emma Guerreiro, who scored a tremendous hole-in-one on the eighth hole, this being the first in a junior competition that I can remember. As a result, the junior section will honour a promise made by the late Gwyn Tibbs, who promised £25 for any junior hole-in-one. With five stableford points picked up for the ace, it still wasn't quite enough to overhaul big brother Jack Guerreiro, who managed to score an excellent 36 points to win the day. Emma's score of 33 points was good enough for second, however, with Christopher Davies third with 30 and Georgia Thomas fourth with 28 . The cold affected the ever-present David Webb, who with Matthew Adams returned to the clubhouse after completing 10 holes. The cold was to be no deterrent for Matthew Webb, Naomi Hunt, Sophie Lovatt, Megan Guerreiro and Amber Thomas, who all braved the weather to insist on playing their three holes. Over the last month or so, these youngsters have improved with every week that goes by and will surely only get better as the weather warms up. The list for the March fixtures is now on the board in the junior room, with a monthly medal kicking off the month this Sunday at the usual time of 10.25 am.
Club report
In total contrast to the previous Saturday, the weather for the Monthly Medal was Arctic. It was described by one member as the Polar Medal. There was a strong, very cold, north-easterly wind, which made it very difficult to control the ball. Division One winner was Colin Murphy with a net 71, second was John Gottwaltz with 72 and third was Gary McNeilly with 73. Division Two winner was Mike Brew with a net 68, second was Huw Roberts with 71 and a better back nine and third was Neil Webb also with 71. A total of 86 competitors took part and of those seven had 2s. Next competition: The next competition is the March Medal and Sellar Cup qualifier on Saturday, March 11.
Charity golf day
In his capacity as chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in West Wales, Richard Ormond is organising a Charity Golf Day which will be held at Tenby Golf Club on Friday, April 7. Profits generated will be divided between The Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund and the RICS Benevolent fund, known as Lionheart. Gareth is a local lad with a young family and he is suffering from Motor Neurons Disease for which there is unfortunately no cure at present. Potential sponsors or groups are invited to enter teams of four golfers. There will be prizes for various categories. The entry fee will include an evening dinner with guest speaker/comedian. If you have not yet received an entry form, please contact Richard Ormond at home on (01834) 844243 (home) or at Guy Thomas and Co. on (01646) 682342. As well as hopefully raising very useful funds for two worthy charities, it promises to be a fun day at Tenby Golf Club.