The Divots League welcomed two new members on Sunday in the shape of Tony Morris and his son Steve. Also returning for his first game in four or five months after suffering back problems was captain Clive Law. And what a comeback! After playing some solid golf, he and his partner Richard Chapman lost out in the end by just one point. First off the tee, however, was a two-ball of Tony Morris and Ron Johns. They produced some steady play throughout, but felt they could have done a little better, having set the early pace with 39 points. Next game out started as a three-ball, namely the pairing of Clive and Richard, with Rob Hall needing a blind partner. As mentioned earlier, Clive and Richard combined well for a steady 41 points, but no one knows what happened to Rob Hall as he was seen scurrying back to the clubhouse after the fourth hole. It was reported that he was caught short, but then everything about Rob is short as he stands on the first tee with his cut-down junior clubs! Next out were Jerry Whitehouse and John Stevenson. Nothing much happened for them on the front nine, but the pair played much better coming home to amass 21 points and a final total of 36. The probable highlight for them, though, was witnessing an event that nobody thought would happen! Playing with them were Chris Davies and none other than Gavin 'The Walrus' Field-Thomas, who, to everyone's amazement, actually played some decent golf. Yes, honest, we know it's hard to believe, but it's true. After his usual slow start, 'The Walrus' began to burn up the course with a barrage of three- pointers. In the end, he bagged no fewer than six of them, and with Chris dovetailing well, the pair piled up a healthy total of 42 points. And, as it turned out, that was to prove enough to earn first place, leaving Nigel Ayers and Loz Phillips somewhat disappointed as another pair on 41, with Nigel cursing his luck and claiming, if his "partner had turned up," they would easily have beaten the winning score. Roger Schooling was paired with new boy Steve Morris and they were somewhat tight-lipped on their return to the clubhouse, with little to tell your correspondent, apart from, "the least said the better!" A fancied pairing of Viv James and Adam Joseph never really got going, ending up with a so so round of 37 points, while last but not least, Steve Davies and Rick Lewis, another pair expected to do well, dovetailed nicely as they produced a very steady 20 points on both halves for a final total of 40. With another rare event - the weather having been like a summer's day - the Divots now look forward to this weekend, eagerly waiting to see if the Walrus's performance was a one-off, or has he really started to play golf? Watch this space.
And then there were two...
After their narrow defeat at the hands of the Divots, the Rabbits section bounced back into action on Sunday as they started the second half of their league programme. And happily, after the rain and wind of the previous weekend, the day dawned bright and breezy. Indeed, it was a pleasure to be out on the course - although, probably more so for some than others. Before the start of proceedings, four pairs were tied at the top of the table on six points, but by the end of the morning there were only two. Probably the top clash of the day, on paper that is, was the one between two of those tied pairings, namely Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas against Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt. Unfortunately for Mike, he was basking in the Canarian sunshine, so had substitute Neil Dickinson standing in for him. He probably now wishes he had stayed at home in the cool of the British winter, for Neil and big-hitting Joe quickly found themselves in trouble. So much trouble, in fact, that they were five down at the turn. A determined fightback saw them reduce the deficit to just two as they crossed the line, but some crucial putts by the unflappable Mark Edwards kept them at bay and he and his partner eventually closed out the match on the 16th. Mark and Dorian are the only unbeaten team in the league, with three wins and two halves to their credit, and currently sit in pole position, along with section captain Bill Beynon and partner Macky Harts. They, too, enjoyed a big win over Fred Adlam and John Murphy, who struggled to get their game together and are now just one point off the bottom. That place is occupied by the two Steves, Watkins and Harries, who fought out a gruelling battle with Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen, before eventually succumbing on the last. Another match to go all the way was that between Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro - another of those pairings who had been tied at the top - and Dave Moran and Glyn Price, who had been propping up the rest. And following another battle royal, it was the latter who just got the edge on the final green to leave their opponents licking their wounds after a win that sees them creep out of the 'wooden spoon' position. In the day's only other match, early exchanges were fairly even, before Dave Morgan and Chris Smith eventually took a firm grip of things to send George Pegg and Tony Hopkins for an early bath. Results were: Steve Watkins and Stephen Harries lost to Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen 1 down; Dave Morgan and Chris Smith beat George Pegg and Tony Hopkins 6 and 5; Bill Beynon and Macky Harts beat Fred Adlam and John Murphy 6 and 5; Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas beatt Neil Dickinson (sub for Mike Hale) and Joe Hewitt 4 and 2; Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro lost to Dave Moran and Glyn Price 1 down. Sunday's matches: Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt v Dave Moran and Glyn Price; Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro v Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen; Dave Morgan and Chris Smith v Steve Watkins and Stephen Harries; Bill Beynon and Macky Harts v George Pegg and Tony Hopkins; Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas v Fred Adlam and John Murphy.
Junior golf starts again
Last Sunday saw the beginning of the junior golf season, and with such a fine day, a good turnout from the keen junior golfers was inevitable. The first stableford competition of the year saw good scores posted by Jack Guerreiro 35 pts, David Webb 34, Daniel Wood 32 and Emma Guerreiro 31. Oliver Worley, playing in his first competition off the white boxes, also scored a creditable 28 points. The younger juniors also ventured out, with Megan Guerreiro scoring a gross 58 and Matthew Webb a gross 63 over nine holes - superb performances in their quest to gain their handicaps. Naomi Hunt and Amber Thomas also made a return to their golfing year with some great shots over the six holes they played. This Sunday sees the January monthly medal being played. Tee-off is at the usual time of 10.26 am prompt!
Recruiting day at Tenby Golf Club?
Let's face it, much as we may dislike the thought, as each day passes we are all getting older. This is as true of golf club memberships as of any community in the world and to try to improve, or more particularly, reduce the age of Tenby Golf Club's vintage, Mary Rowell had a bright idea. Mary suggested inviting as many ladies as possible to an informal meeting, over a cup of tea, to introduce them to the prospect of playing golf. This idea was enthusiastically embraced by the ladies' committee and the club management committee and on Sunday, the club captain, Malcolm Arlott, and the ladies' captain, Helen Morgan, welcomed more than 25 potential golfers to chat with a number of members and to hear from Mark Hawkey, our professional, several ideas of receiving lessons either in groups or individually. The ladies targeted were mainly those whose children have reached the age when they do not need constant attention (do they ever, I hear you say!) and will have more time to take up a game that will give them new friends and will keep them fit and active until, like many of us still playing, they will be well past their anticipated sell-by-date! We were delighted with the response and enthusiasm shown and are looking forward to many who joined us on Sunday becoming members when they have had a taste of golf. Anyone who missed the meeting on Sunday will be more than welcome to contact the club secretary, David Hancock, on (01834) 842978, or the ladies' captain, Helen Morgan, on (01646) 687836, who will be delighted to give them any information they may need.
B.M.S.