Yet again the Seniors chose one of the windiest days of the week for their Stableford/Eclectic competition. When everyone arrived the wind was just freshening, by the time they had played two or three holes, it had increased considerably and everyone played the far reaches of the course in a gale. Not that it deterred this hardy bunch, well not all of them. Of the 28 starters, 13 completed the course, while 10 missed out the holes over the railway line and the rest just walked in when the rain started. The wind certainly played its part in keeping the scores down as the senior gentlemen bowed their heads in an attempt towards Giltar. Many were also seen wavering and hesitating over the ball as they attempted to putt, particularly on the more exposed greens, but there were no reports of anyone falling over this week. Brian Morgan was out early with Roy and Hywel and he had to run to keep up with the 'Two Ronnies' as they motored on in their buggy. As a result, he could only manage 27 points, but even that was better than Roy's 25 and Hywel's 15. Brian Waters was striking the ball well ,but hiccoughed on the 11th and 12th to leave two blank spaces on his card. Even so, he still walked away with a share of the prize money. His playing partner, Malcolm Arlott, drove almost as well, but found that he had taken his reserve putter with him. As a result, most of his putts were short of the hole and the short ones skimmed the hole. At one stage he thought he was in with a chance of the booby. It was good to see Mike Nesbitt-Hawes competing, but his 24 points was not enough to raise him to the prize-giving ceremony. His playing partner, Jack Hasdell, beat him by two to fall in line just behind the leaders. Just ahead of him was Newman, who declared that his round of 27 was much-improved from Saturday's medal competition off the blue tees. Despite the conditions, there were two players scoring a two, Ken Gouldsbrough having one on the sixth and Paul Nixon on the 17th. Top dog this week was Paul Nixon, scoring a tremendous 35 points, with 21 of them on the back nine. Six points behind him was Bob Howse, despite his two-stroke penalty from last week, while in third place, Brian Waters, with 29 points also, was beaten on the back nine. Seniors are reminded that next week is the last event before Christmas and is a hidden holes competition played over 15 holes. This will be followed by a meal and presentation. Please check the notice board for details.
Ladies' Section
At this time of year, only the brave or foolhardy play golf in the kind of weather we have experienced in the last few weeks. The combination of gales and rain does little to help one's swing and the activities of the crows taking balls to Caldey and Giltar are making a round of golf very expensive. The Lifeboat Spoon competition is always well supported financially and this year was no exception, £50 being raised. The competition was won by Pat Fox with 38 points, Rhian Walters was second on 36 and Heather Morgan third on 34. Complications concerning the winter playing conditions meant that two December LGU Medal competitions were played. The first, which was officially abandoned after the event, produced good results in the Silver Division, Denise Edwards and Linda Evans both returning nett 72, while in the Bronze Division, Paula Morgan and Pat Fox both returned nett 80. The second attempt was in much worse weather and scores were poor (it was much more comfortable in the clubhouse!) In the Silver Division, Linda Evans won with nett 79, with Rhian Walters on 83, while in the Bronze Division, Liz Storey and Anne Wilks scored nett 91. The first Turkey Trot which it was possible to play was played in very poor weather and Anne Morris did very well to score 31 points, with Linda Evans second on 30. Last week, the wind and rain were quite awful, so the competition was cancelled - only the most besotted golfers would have ventured out. The annual general meeting of the section took place in the late November and was very slickly conducted by the president and officers of the club. It was interesting to hear of the various successes during the year - our Junior members Emma Guerreiro and Georgia Thomas exceeding everything the rest of us managed. The committee for 2007 is president - A. Morris; captain - H. Morgan; vice-captain - N. Hart; hon. secretary - E. Storey; hon. treasurer - L. Bonar; hon. handicap secretary - H. K. Morgan; ex-captain - A. Follon; committee members - P. Fox, M. Lewis, S. Waddilove, J. Walsh-Morgan and A. Wilks. The Annual Dinner and Trophy Presentation was, as usual, on the first Thursday in December and was attended by nearly 50 members. We had an excellent dinner provided by Lyn and and her staff and the trophies were distributed quite widely throughout the section. Maureen Shepherd entertained us with a very amusing assessment of our new captain, Helen, and then a flight of fancy about me. For once I was speechless (almost!), but now I am ready to accept my errors and omissions of which there are many, but I draw the line at those of Bush and Blair! May I wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a peaceful and healthy year in 2007. B.M.S.
Club report
The December Monthly Medal was held on Saturday. Although the weather had improved considerably from storm force winds and torrential rain of earlier in the week, it was still a difficult day for golf: no rain, but a tricky north-west wind which was across most holes. Division One medal winner was Ian Thomas with a net 70, second was Ralph Johns with a net 71; then came seven players with a net 72. They were Chris Hughes, Dai Cope, John Gottwaltz, Brian Cramb, Richard Ormond, Paul Hoyland and Stan Hudson. Division Two medal winner was Peter Ellis with a net 71, second was Matthew Evans with a net 73 and a better back nine, third was Dave Miller, also with a net 73, and then there were four players with a net 75. They were Neil Dickinson, John Hall, Brian Morgan and Robert Brown. There were 79 competitors and 14 of those had twos. Future competitions: Tomorrow's (Saturday's) competition is a 15-hole turkey trot to allow more players to enter and the following Saturday and last competition of the year is a 15-hole Christmas spirits competition.
Basking Chickens
Fifteen early bird Chickens enjoyed glorious sunshine in December last Friday, practising for their Christmas competition due this week. Top sunshine boy was Pat Rees with 33 points, just pipping Doug Havard on 32. But Doug got his own back by bagging a two as well. Also with a two was Sonny Perkins, just showing he's still got it! At the other end of the 15 came Ron Murphy with the booby. Perhaps he was thinking of other things. Last of the Chicken Trots is today (Friday), after which they all go to roost - but they'll be back in 2007. J.M.J.
Divots denied
For the second week in succession, Sunday's horrendous weather conditions meant that play in the Divots Winter League had to be abandoned. No doubt, most players decided to roll over and go back to sleep on hearing the monsoon battering against the windows. Nevertheless, the forecast appears brighter for this weekend, so hopefully it will be back to action on Sunday, with extra prizes on offer as it is the last gathering before Christmas. Once again the format is four ball better ball stableford - maximum 18 handicap - with prizes for first, second, nearest the pin and longest drive. It should be fun - weather permitting!