Each year, the Ladies' captain of Tenby Golf Club chooses a charity for the ladies to support and for 2006 Ann Follon chose Leukaemia Research, a charity with which she and her daughters have a close affinity. This year, the magnificent sum of £546.50 was raised and the accompanying photograph shows Ruth Goldwait and Ann presenting the cheque to Ellen and Colin Jones, the South Pembrokeshire representatives of the Leukaemia Research Fund. The total was achieved in a number of ways. In August, a Texas Scramble for the Charnwait Trophy was played, as reported previously, and donations from the ladies raised £100 which was matched most generously by Ruth and Matt Goldwait, who recently took over the sponsorship of this event from JOP. In October, on the Charity Day, competitors made donations and a sale of cakes, plants and books raised a further £346.50. Ann and her family are most grateful to everyone who helped in any way to making this most successful contribution to such a vital research project. Incidentally, the competition on the day was won by Gillian Roberts, with Anne Morris and Liz Crockford second and third, respectively. Other competitions in October included the LGU Medal and Dragon Brooch. Lindsey Moran won the Bronze Medal, the Spoon and the Brooch, while in the Silver division, Sue Griffiths just pipped Heather Morgan for the Medal. The last Hill-Lowe Bogey was played in good weather and the leading scores were Heather Morgan +1, Anita Davies all-square and Ann Marsden -2. The qualifying round for the 2007 Daily Mail Foursomes was played on a superb autumn day and most pairs played reasonable golf until they reached the 16th green, where even a professional would have had difficulty holing a 12-inch putt! The winners, on nett 76, managed to chip in and they were Pat Fox and Liz Storey. Anne Morris and Toni Lucas were second on 77 and Gillian Roberts and Mary Lewis third on 79. Members are reminded there are several AGMs in November - please look at the notice boards for dates and times.
Search on for missing Divots!
We start this week's Divots League report on a serious note. We are asking for any information on the whereabouts of Robert Hall, Adam Joseph, Gareth Phillips and Gavin Field-Thomas. All are known to have left the first tee on Tenby golf course around 8.40 am on Sunday and were last seen at 12.30 pm on the14th green. A search party was dispatched from the clubhouse, but abandoned after 10 minutes, due to failing light. Gavin's wife has asked that if anyone sees him or knows where he is staying, they ask him to 'phone home as she urgently needs to know where he put the spare car keys! A decent turnout once again on what was a perfect golfing day, a little cold to start, but warm sunshine soon broke through to dispatch the ground frost. First outing in the league this week for both Steve Davies and Loz Phillips, who were drawn together in the first group, along with Richard Chapman. Richard had the difficult task of playing with a blind partner due to odd numbers; his blind partner being Gareth Rees. Steve and Loz, both playing off a 10 handicap, were to make a strong challenge on this year's title with 42 points. Their score included three 2s, one of which was achieved with a chip-in by Steve on the 17th. The score was credited mainly to Steve's play and I predict big things for this guy playing off this handicap - some silverware almost guaranteed! Richard struggled a little, not knowing how his partner was doing, especially on the front nine. A better back nine and a four-pointer by Gareth gave Richard a respectable score of 37 points, however. The second group were Nigel Ayers with semi pro Scott Davies, playing with Ron Johns and Gareth Rees. Nigel, on a yellow card, was on his best behaviour this week following some outrageous outbursts by the jolly green giant the previous Sunday. He and his partner produced a very steady performance, with the pair dovetailing well, the highlight coming from Nigel with an eagle on the 14th and five points. Three points followed on the next, but the good work was spoiled with a blob on the 16th. Their hard work resulted in a satisfying score of 39 points. Not so good for Ron and Gareth. A decent front nine of 20 points was thrown away on the back nine with three single-pointers and an end score of 36. Ron was perhaps a little burned out from his fine performance last Sunday and again in Saturday's turkey trot, while Gareth probably suffered a little knowing his score counted for two. The third group away were 'Ronnie Corbett' Hall and Gareth Phillips with Adam 'Elvis' Joseph and The Walrus. I have limited information about this group. I know Gavin scored a birdie on the second hole because I heard it while playing the 12th. The pair scored on every hole and returned a steady score of 39 points. One less for Rob and Gareth, caused by blobs on the sixth and 16th; these two holes were to deny the pair the spoils. The winning score of 42 points by Steve and Loz took the loot, a score that could have been better if it wasn't for the unplayable pin position on the 16th. A grand total of seven points scored by 11 players (three by Richard Chapman), due to the hole being cut on the side of a glass hill! Results were as follows: Steve Davies and Loz Phillips 42 pts (£11 each); Nigel Ayers and Scott Davies 39; Adam Joseph and Gavin Field-Thomas 39; Rob Hall and Gareth Phillips 38; Richard Chapman 37; Ron Johns and Gareth Rees 36. Gentlemen, still room for a few more pairs if you want to come and try and take the money! The good weather is almost guaranteed.
Tenby leave Rosslare reeling - in more ways than one!
Ten Tenby members left the Welsh shores and braved the Irish Sea on Friday, October 20, in order to take part in the annual competition against Rosslare Golf Club, which would ensure the continuation of the twinning of the two clubs. The Tenby team stayed at the Crosbie Cedars Hotel on Rosslare Strand, within minutes walking distance of the golf club. On Friday, the excellent three- course meal at the hotel was rounded off initially by a fine demonstration of ballroom dancing by Maurice, followed by some, with copious Guinness sampling in nearby Brady's Bar and by others with an early night. Saturday morning, the day of the match, dawned as overcast, but this did not dampen the spirits of the Tenby team of Allan Morton, Andrew Morton, Tony Key, John Ball, Maurice Lewis, Bill Davies, Paul James, Scott Davies, Huw Phillips and Mike Smiddy. Half of the Tenby team had never played at Rosslare Golf Club, so the Irish team had an even greater home advantage than usual. Tenby team captain, Allan Morton, and Rosslare club and team captain, Peter Fox, led the teams off for the match, which was played to a four ball better ball format, from the white tees. The course was in excellent condition and the rain held off until the last few holes for the later groups. Against all odds, the Tenby team came in with two wins and two halves to win the match overall by three to two. The day continued with a complimentary three- course dinner with wine at the clubhouse. The evening's entertainment, joined by past players from Rosslare teams, included speeches, jokes and song, a duet in Welsh by Tony and Huw, and songs accompanied by the washboard-style playing of a golf club sign. Allan thanked Rosslare Golf Club for its hospitality and gave apologies from the Tenby club captain for his absence due to the clash with the Ashburnham Putter fixture. The remainder of Allan's speech had to be revised as, for as far back as all present could remember, Tenby had never won the match in Rosslare and this had been borne in mind when the speech had been prepared. Rosslare were the newly-crowned all-Ireland champions, so were doubly humbled in the face of this defeat. The team captains presented each other with books of the history of their respective clubs and the Rosslare Putter was presented to the victorious Tenby team. The evening and camaraderie of the golfers continued at the hotel. A stableford competition was held between the Tenby players on the Sunday and the rest of the day was spent in the clubhouse before heading for the evening ferry back to Pembroke Dock. A tired but happy team returned home, having secured the trophy and the twinning, having renewed old acquaintances and made new friends. The fixture will be held in Tenby in 2007.
A senior, senior moment
It's good to have friends, especially when you turn up at the golf course with no golf shoes, no clubs and no bag. Such was the situation that Tony Morris found himself in as he saw his wife drive off in the car and realised that his clubs were not in his locker. Oh dear! What was a man to do? Well he borrowed shoes from David Kaye, some clubs from Richard Davies and some from Brian Morgan and a bag from the Pro's shop. Ready for the off, he accompanied Tony Morgan around the course in what can only be described as an interesting round and is looking forward to being reunited with his clubs again. At least they were on time; Dudley Williams had arrived late and delayed the start for his group. The seniors made the most of the calm autumn day to relax and enjoy a social game of Chapman Foursomes. This is the game in which no-one apologises, but just accepts the unusual position from which they have to play the second shot. It is also a game of benefits and penalties. Derek Bath, playing with Martin Neilan, found it strange not to receive a shot on the sixth and 17th holes; he is normally used to receiving two shots on four or five holes! Martin, on the other hand, quite welcomed the increase of shots he received from the partnership. They couldn't capitalise on it, however, as a number of putts slid by the hole. John Cook, out with Hywel Probert, thought they were in a chance when they managed 21 points on the front nine, only to see the wheels come off their trolley on the back nine. Three blobs, three ones and three two's put paid to that as they stumbled home in nine. Everyone was looking around the course for a horse, but none was to be seen. The reason? Well they had seen 'The Sisco Kid' (remember him?), alias Jim Martin, in his black hat and black outfit strutting around the fairways. All in all, it was a good day, with much to talk about in the clubhouse. This week's strong men were Mike Fox and Jack Hasdell, both delighted to receive the booby prize. There were five two's - Maurice Lewis and Jim Taylor, Rob Wilkins and John Hall, Alan Yates and Roy Morgan, Richard Davies and Doug Havard and Stan Hudson and Richard Morgan. There were two cards in with 38 points, the winners being Ron Murphy and Peter Woodhouse with a better back nine, from Maurice Lewis and Jim Taylor. Five pairs carded 36 points, but the best of them was Richard Davies and Stan Hudson, taking third place, but only because of a better back two. Next week sees a return to the eclectic competition, with a reminder that we will be playing off mats.
Three pairs tied at top of Rabbits League
After two glorious weeks of the new Rabbits Winter League season, only three pairs remain unbeaten. Heading the table (by virtue of alphabetical order) are newly-installed captain Bill Beynon and his partner Macky Harts, who are setting the pace after two healthy victories. Joining them at the top, also with one hundred per cent records, are Rabbits stalwart George Pegg and newcomer Tony Hopkins, and one half of last year's champions, Mike Hale, and another new face in the society, Joe Hewitt (taking time off from pulling pints!). George and Tony were first out on Sunday, and were also first in, having achieved the day's biggest win, a 4 and 3 victory over Steve Watkins and last year's captain, smiling Stephen Harries... perhaps still dreaming of his side's Summer League championship success! Whatever, the two Steves are one of three pairs still pointless at the bottom end of the table, the others being Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen and Dave Moran and Glyn Price. Glyn has played with a substitute for the opening two weeks, so no doubt will be hoping for a change of fortunes with the return of his regular partner, while B. and H. Shield winner John Cook stepped in for Ron Murphy last week, but just failed to get his partner off the mark against the formidable Hale/ Hewitt combination. Results were: George Pegg and Tony Hopkins beat Steve Watkins and Stephen Harries 4 and 3; Fred Adlam and John Murphy lost to Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro 2 down; Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt beat Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen 2 up; Dave Morgan and Chris Smith halved with Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas; Bill Beynon and Macky Harts beat Dave Moran and Glyn Price 3 and 2.
Chicken nearlies
You couldn't fault the conditions last Friday if you tried. Cool start, sunshine middle and a warm finish. But the early birds didn't sparkle at all in these benign conditions, and we put it down to having to keep looking over our shoulders for those pesky ravens and not looking to see what we should be doing. But the ravens were conspicuous by their absence. They are devious birds and no mistake! Spike Evans was also absent, as his endeavours‚ combining a tree, a branch and a greenhouse didn't exactly do much for his temper or well-being! We think that the last time Spike climbed a tree was when he was in short trousers. Ooer! we definitely won't go there. He should have recovered by next Friday though. Now Terry Evans said his game started poorly and then deteriorated. We all know the feeling. The 'Nearly Trio' of Des Stone, Owen Monaghan and Mike Fox nearly had a good game. They nearly dropped every putt, nearly got their drives away and nearly found their 30p's for the game. But the finishing scores on the door made a bit of Chicken history, as there were seven players on the same score, with Richard Morgan being a greedy guts by bagging two 2s as well as being in the frame. He nearly got as much as everybody else put together! Results: 1. Stan Hudson, David Henry, Des Stone, John Hall, Malcolm Arlott, Jim Taylor, Richard Morgan, all on 25 pts (60p each). Twos: Pat Rees (50p); Richard Morgan x2 (£1). Booby: Fred Adlam (30p). Played: 23.