Club report
A South African Stableford competition was played on Saturday in very difficult conditions. There was a strong, cold, easterly wind, and an example of how difficult it was, was demonstrated by play on the third hole. After a drive and approach shots into the wind, the shot to the green was almost impossible. The pin was at the front of the green, and shots that were pin high were blown off the green down the slope, and shots past the pin resulted in an almost impossible putt down the green, helped by the wind. The South African Stableford format is played in pairs, with the stableford scores of each player multiplied together. Thus, both players have to play well to score well. A difficult format, net par play on each hole by each player would result in a score of 72. The difficulty of the format and the tough conditions were reflected in the scores. Winners were Dave Roberts and Ian Thomas with 51 points, second were John Stenson and Phil Goodridge with 46 points, third were Brian and Lawson Cramb with 43 points, fourth were John Rees and Neil Thomas with 42 points and fifth were Paul Hoyland and Peter Rossi with 41 points. A total of 38 pairs took part in the competition and of those six had twos.
Next competition
The next competition is the qualifier for the Presidents Cup which will be held tomorrow (Saturday).
Curtain falls on Divots season
This week's report shall be short, but sweet. After 18 weeks and with my promotion now in the bag, my time is far too valuable to be spent on these minions known as the Divots. I must, however, commence my report by making a correction following the publication of last week's report. I did suggest that Nigel Ayers was smoking cigarettes during the trip to the Gower alongside our captain, Rob Hall. It has been brought to my attention that this is incorrect and that it was actually cigars. Rob would like to thank Nigel for supplying the said cigars during the whole weekend. Apparently Nigel wanted to make sure there were none left to take home, probably something to do with luggage space. To conclude this year's Winter League, we gathered to compete for the Divots Tucker Trophy. Firstly, I must clear up a little matter that seems to confuse some people. We put a sheet on the Divots notice board for current and past Divots to write their name if they wished to join in. This was publicised in this paper two weeks prior to the competition. The idea is that if you write your name down, then you should also turn up to play - not that confusing really but it obviously baffled some! One very noticeable absentee from the day's proceedings was Mervyn Tucker; he was sorely missed and we all wish him the very best. We do hope he will be available to play next year in what I believe will be the 50th anniversary of the trophy! Unfortunately, I didn't play this week with the Walrus, Gavin Field Thomas, so there are very few amusing stories to report. I will therefore go straight to the results. Tucker Trophy: 1. John Stevenson and Rob Hall (won on back nine) 37 points; 2. Steve Davies and Martin Morris (lost on back nine) 37 points; 3. Clive Law and Gavin Field-Thomas 36 points. Winter League: 1. Clive Law; 2. Gareth Phillips; 3. Nigel Ayers; wooden spoon - Loz Phillips. Congratulations to all the prize winners. A special mention to Clive Law, who makes it three years in a row! To mark this special achievement, Clive was voted in as next year's Divots captain. Clive was speechless and obviously emotional when told of the decision. We all know that he will do a fine job and may even become the first captain in many years to lift the Winter League title.
Ladies' Section
Recent weeks have shown little change in the weather, mostly very dry with icy winds, which has not encouraged much good golf from most of us. However, there are always those who can produce good scores from beneath umpteen layers of woolies. At the end of February, a Flag competition was played, in which a flag is inserted in the ground when you have used up all your stroke allowance. The flag went out with the first group and most of us did not see it until it was collected from the course at the end of the competition. Rhian Walters and Emma Guerriero finished on the 18th fairway, Helen Morgan on the 18th green and Heather Morgan, by far the best, on the first green. The Marie Curie Cancer Research qualifying round was scheduled for the beginning of March, but course work meant we were on temporary greens, so it was postponed, as it was the following week for that phenomenon - rain. The weather for the LGU Medal was still cold and, except for Liz Storey, most competitors were on the borderline of their buffer zone or well over it. In the Silver Division, Anne Morris had nett 75 and Denise Edwards 77, while Liz had nett 71 and Ann Wilks 79 in the Bronze. Liz wins the monthly spoon. March is always the month for the ladies' annual social afternoon of whist, bridge and bingo. I refrained from spreading my cold germs round the visitors, but I gather it was a most enjoyable occasion which raised a healthy sum. It would not have been so successful without the efforts of the committee and members and their cooking skills, but of course the expertise of Ted Martin and Newman Vincent in organising their part of the afternoon was vital to the smooth running of the event. Our thanks to you both. B.M.S.
Junior Section
Last Sunday saw a good turnout for the Duffy Cup, despite the early start. First group out saw Charlie Allen and David Webb together with Jack Hawkey, who was playing his first 18 holes off the yellow boxes. With a strong easterly wind, the players found scoring difficult, despite the competition being changed to a stableford event. A creditable 30 points from David was the pick of the bunch. Second away were Emma Guerreiro and Georgia Thomas, who despite enjoying themselves only managed 28 and 26 points, respectively. Third group out were Matthew Adams, Matthew Jones and Rhys Williams. Once again the conditions were proving difficult to master, with Matthew Adams scoring 27 points and Rhys. Matthew Jones, however, scored an excellent 36 points, which would have been a fantastic nett 64. Last to go out were Dan Hawkey and Harrison Sharpe, playing off the black boxes, but still determined to do the full 18 holes. Some excellent golf was played by these boys, who managed to keep the ball under the wind. As a result of this, Dan sees his handicap reduced to 26 and Harrison sees his reduced to 42 - well done both! Winner of the Duffy Cup was Matthew Jones, who will shortly be producing three cards off the white boxes! This Sunday there is no junior slot. However, there will be availability at 1 pm should anyone want to venture out. The junior fixture list for the season is now on the board in the junior room, together with entry forms for forthcoming events.
Fun evening!
A junior golf fun evening will be held at the club tonight (Friday) at 6:30 pm. This is traditionally the start of the forthcoming season, and this year a 'Beetle Drive' has been arranged to entertain both children and parents. There will be spot prizes, a raffle and a complete fixture list will be available to all golfers. This fun evening will give those who have played golf before, or have considered taking up the game, a chance to come along and meet all the organisers and other players. There will be sausage and chips available for the children, and adults will be able to order food off the menu if required. All junior members will shortly be receiving letters informing them of the event, whilst all newcomers and friends of existing players should contact Junior organiser, Ian Thomas, on 01646 651111, in order to know numbers for the evening.
Cold Chicken
A dry, but bitterly cold and windy day greeted the ever-intrepid Chicken golfers last Friday morning. In fact, it was so cold, that one 'Clever Dick', although wrapped up like an Eskimo, decided enough was enough on the 10th and, 'mush mush', headed back to the warmth of the igloo, sorry clubhouse. Like brave Arctic explorers, his partners were left to struggle on alone, but for poor Doug Havard, his expedition was all in vain as, perhaps suffering the effects of frostbite, he could only muster 12 points - enough to claim the booby! In all 15 hardy, or was it foolhardy, golfers did battle on the frozen wasteland that was Tenby links, and of those, David Henry led the pack with 28 points, earning himself a tidy £1.50 pocket money. Three points further back was Pat Rees on 25, who netted £1 for his efforts, while Idwal David in third place collected 30p for his 24 points. Two players also earned themselves big money - well 40p each - for bagging a two, Spike Evans on the sixth and Ken Gouldsbrough on the 12th. After last week's 'cold chicken', let's hope a Friday roast is on the menu today!