Before starting this week's report, I would like to ask if anyone playing in Saturday's competition lost anything. Nearly all the Divots reported finding pitch-marks, in numbers, on nearly all the greens! It only takes a few seconds guys - if you can't find yours, then repair somebody else's, there's plenty to choose from. The first group out of the hat this week were Steve Davies with Viv James and the returning Don Sigsworth playing with a silent partner, namely newcomer Terry Martin. Steve and Viv turned in a creditable 22 points on the front nine by picking up extra points on the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes. Not so hot for Don, but 16 points, with possible further help to come from his partner. A blob on 15 by Steve and Viv was the only disappointment in a very steady performance by the pair - 40 points the total and in with a chance of the day's prize money, as well as a great contribution towards their league positions. Don was left hoping for something from his partner after scratching three holes. He was not disappointed and after adding Terry's scores, including a couple of three-pointers, a total of 37 points was a satisfying start to Don's campaign. Next group out were hot favourite Gareth Phillips with Richard Chapman, playing with cool head Nigel Ayers and table propper-upper Gareth Rees. There was a great start for Gareth P and Richard as they picked up three extra points after only four holes. Disappointingly, they were to drop one of those on the short sixth, but 20 points on the front nine was a good start to their challenge. Alongside them, it was a steady if not spectacular start from Nigel and Gareth R, made better with a birdie on the fifth by Gareth, the hole rewarding him with four points two weeks in a row. Good job there are no pictures in this game, though, as I'm told his drive from the tee was just a little wide! Unfortunately, a three-putt later by Gareth R resulted in a single-pointer and a total front nine of 19 points. More of the same by Gareth P and Richard on the back nine, although a shank on 15 by Gareth P showed that he is human after all. In fact, both pairs bagged a useful 20 points on the back nine, meaning a total of 40 for Gareth P and Richard, with Nigel and Gareth R trailing by one with 39. Third group out were Loz Phillips and Richard Morton, Richard making another welcome return to the Divots. Playing alongside them were Rob 'Corbett' Hall and The Walrus, Gavin Field-Thomas. A solid performance was produiced by Loz and Richard, the highlight being an eagle on the par- five 14th by Richard. A good drive was put on the green with his trusty four-wood, two putts and an easy four points. A final 38 points was a decent total for the low handicap pair. Not such a good performance from the not-so-low handicap pair of Hall and Oats. A blob on the first set the tone for what turned out to be a struggling front nine holes. A motivating team talk on the 10th and a birdie on 14 from Rob helped turn a disastrous round into a mediocre one. A total of 35 points was just enough to keep both from the bottom of this year's table, so far! Last group out were John Stevenson and newcomer Terry Martin, playing with the Davies brothers, Scott and Chris. With so many other commitments, Chris was making his début in this year's league. Taking a little time to gel together, Terry and John got off to a slow start as they collected only 15 points on the front nine, but they improved greatly on the back nine with a 21-point haul for a final total of 36. The back nine included a birdie two from Terry on the tough par-three 12th. There was a better score of 39 points from the brothers, with both contributing almost equally to the total. Two birdies from Scott and two net birdies from Chris gave the pair a total of four three-pointers. This week's golf was interrupted briefly at 11 am for all the Divots to stand in silence for two minutes to remember all those lost to war. It was wonderful to see the Rabbits and everybody else on the course doing the same. On return to the clubhouse, an inquiry was launched into the cause of Gareth Phillips's shank on the 15th. Gareth is convinced there was a mobile phone ringing as he got to the top of his back swing. This was soon dismissed, as none of the fourball was carrying a phone and the only other person anywhere near was Divots captain, Clive Law. Clive, having decided to sit out until Christmas to give others a chance, walked around the course once again this week, studying the competition ready for his return in January. He was carrying a phone, but only for emergency purposes. Gareth now has to accept that he, too, will hit a bad shot from time to time. Don't worry Gareth, 18 months to go until your next one! Results; R. Chapman and G. Phillips 40 pts (back nine); Steve Davies and V. James 40 pts; N. Ayers and G. Rees 39 pts; C. Davies and Scott Davies 39 pts; L. Phillips and R. Morton 38 pts; D. Sigsworth 37 pts; J. Stevenson and T. Martin 36 pts; R. Hall and G. Field-Thomas 35 pts.
And then there was one!
And then there was one! After Sunday's matches, only one pair remains unbeaten in the Rabbits Winter League. Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt now head the table on their own after recording their third win of the season against Dave Morgan and Chris Smith. It was a clash which probably had a little added spice to it, as opponents Smith and Hale were last year's champions! Elsewhere, George Pegg and Tony Hopkins saw their 100 per cent record well and truly shattered as they went down heavily to Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro, not even managing to get 'over the line'! While, the other unbeaten pair before last weekend, captain Bill Beynon and Macky Harts, did muster the energy for the extra walk from the 14th, before surrendering their unbeaten tag on the very next hole. And like the top, one pair now also stand alone at the bottom, Dave Moran and Glyn Price still remaining pointless after a titanic struggle with Steve Watkins and Stephen Harries, a game which went to the last before finally being decided. The only other match of the day was also another tight affair, with Fred Adlam and John Murphy and Ron Murphy (no relation as far as we know) and Anthony Allen sharing the honours with a hard fought half. Results: Bill Beynon and Macky Harts lost to Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas 4 and 3; Steve Watkins and Stephen Harries beat Dave Moran and Glyn Price 1 up; George Pegg and Tony Hopkins lost to Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro 6 and 5; Fred Adlam and John Murphy halved with Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen; Dave Morgan and Chris Smith lost to Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt 3 and 2.
A bit wet for some!
Don't you just hate it when the darkening skies promise rain, but don't deliver the full extent of the downpour until you are on the eighth tee and ninth green! You are as far away from the dry, warm clubhouse as you can be and have to walk back in the rain whatever happens. This was the fate that befell the Seniors last week and just as most were walking down the 14th, so the rain eased to create the dilemma of whether or not to cross the line. For a number of the exalted there was no dilemma at all - they just picked up their clubs and walked, in that is. Of the 28 who set off, only 22 managed to complete the course and are to be congratulated on their perseverance. They are forgiven for the soggy nature and state of the cards which had to be deciphered by the organisers. There were a few moans about wet feet and damp clothing, but the good nature of the group shone through, especially after a bowl of hot soup. In addition to the rain, the greens had been hollow tined, mats had to be used on the fairways and there were a number of temporary tees in operation - nothing there to improve the game then. Jim Martin wondered what all the fuss was about - he used his mat three times and then only once on his own fairway, which was on the 16th. Despite that, he was able to cover the course in a better score than anyone else on the day and scored two 2s into the bargain. Never mind, the three-stroke penalty will bring him down to earth next week. Still labouring under his penalty strokes, Martin Neilan lost confidence in his driver on the back nine and struggled home with five points. Even so, he managed to avoid the booby this week, that honour going to Rob Wilkins, who managed 17. These were the only scores below 20 from the completed cards handed in. Apart from a small group of six who reached the heady score of 30 or more, the rest were in the low 20s. Paul Nixon was another labouring under a three- stroke penalty, after winning two weeks ago, and he, like Martin, failed on the back nine. Stan Hudson, in a round of 30, improved on the back nine, scoring 18, one more than Des Stone with 17. Jim Martin surpassed them all, however, with a massive 20. John Hall and Roy Morgan both had steady rounds, despite the conditions, and were nearly in contention with 30 points each. The master of the course this week was Jim Martin with 35 points, followed by his playing partner, Des Stone, with 33. To complete the trio of this week's winners, John Cook played his usual steady game to score 31 points. Everyone is hoping that the weather will be a little less severe next week to allow them to get used to the mats again. Seniors are asked to note that the Christmas social evening will be held on Tuesday, December 12.