'Dark horses' gallop to Rabbits League title
New champions of the Rabbits Winter League are Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen. They were crowned on Sunday after a thrilling climax to the section's league season. Before the weekend, three pairs were still in with a shout of lifting the coveted shield, with the eventual winners perhaps ranked as the outsiders of the trio... as they would have to rely on results elsewhere. But, like true champions, the 'dark horses' certainly finished at a gallop, their impressive victory charge seeing them win their final six matches to pip their challengers at the post. Murphy and Allen had not started the season too well, though, and after three weeks were languishing near the bottom of the table with just a single point to their name. What happened then is anybody's guess. But a change in fortune saw them surge up the table as they remained unbeaten for the rest of the campaign. Their final victims were long-time joint leader Bill Beynon and Paul James, subbing this time for Macky Harts, who unfortunately had to miss out after being struck down by flu. Section captain Beynon had fallen at the final hurdle last year when he and his partner had been involved in a play-off for the title, and he was hoping that it wouldn't be a case of lightning striking twice. But strike it did, as Murphy and Allen, with the scent of success in their nostrils, took an early six- hole advantage. Showing their mettle, this signalled a determined fightback from their opponents, who gradually began to eat away at the lead, and they were still in with a chance of taking something from the match as they teed-up on the 18th. But it was not to be. Murphy and Allen won it to take pole position in the table on 13 points, one ahead of the unlucky Beynon and Harts. Would it be enough, though? Time alone would tell, as other joint leaders and title aspirants Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas (Beynon's play-off partner last season) were still out on the course. They, too, were involved in a battle royal with Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro, who themselves were hoping for a podium place at the end of play. And no prizes for guessing. Yes, again it went right down to the wire - hardly surprising really, as Evans and Munro's four previous matches had all been decided on the 18th. With a 50-50 record, two wins and two defeats in those four games, would fortune favour them this time? Yes it did, as they sneaked a 1 up win, shattering the hopes of Edwards and Thomas and leaving Murphy and Allen as champions. It also meant a three-way sudden death play-off for the minor placings... which, as it turned out, was all sorted after just one hole. A cavalry charge down the first saw Evans and Munro claim the runners-up spot with a bogey, Beynon and Harts third place courtesy of a double bogey, with Edwards and Thomas finally finishing fourth after a triple bogey. Phew, what a finish! Who would have believed such an outcome just a couple of weeks back, when the title looked a two-horse race... and the eventual champions and runners-up were not among them! But what about the wooden spoon? Well, that's another intriguing story! Before Sunday, any one of five pairs could have got their hands on the 'trophy', with Fred Adlam and John Murphy - at the time propping up the rest - looking the likely favourites. But they obviously had other ideas. Galvanising themselves for one final battle, they at last came good to record a vital 3 and 2 victory against other spoon contenders George Pegg and Tony Hopkins. It left the two pairs locked together on six points, and with the two Steves, Watkins and Harries, being awarded a walkover against Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt, it meant the outcome could hinge on the crucial clash between Dave Morgan and Chris Smith and Dave Moran and Glyn Price. Defeat for Morgan and Smith (a title winner himself last year) would see them as spoon recipients, while any other result would mean a play-off between either two or three pairs. As it turned out, the match was a real nail-biter and finally ended in a hard-earned half. So three pairs were to be involved in yet another sudden death play-off... or were they? Two of the pairs were there ready for action, but where was Dave Morgan? Apparently, he had left for home, leaving his partner with little option but to concede and claim the trophy! It's a funny old game, isn't it. Although perhaps not so funny for Steve Watkins! While enjoying a 'friendly' knock following their walkover, partner Steve Harries fired a booming seven-wood towards the 18th green, only for it to be stopped in flight... by his colleague's neck! Rumour has it that Steve - Watkins that is - now has a permanent ProV1 imprint on his collar! This Rabbits golf is never dull, is it! Sunday's results: Dave Morgan and Chris Smith halved with Dave Moran and Glyn Price; Bill Beynon and Paul James (sub for Macky Harts) lost to Ron Murphy and Anthony Allen 2 down; Mark Edwards and Dorian Thomas lost to Dafydd Evans and Mike Munro 1 down; Mike Hale and Joe Hewitt lost to Steve Watkins and Stephen Harries (walkover); Fred Adlam and John Murphy beat George Pegg and Tony Hopkins 3 and 2.
Reminders
With the league now at an end, players are reminded that there are still a number of events to look forward to, including a re-match with the Divots (pencilled in for Sunday, March 11) and the Duffy Cup on March 25, tee-off at 9.30 am. The following weekend, meanwhile, will see the first Summer League match, away to Garnant Park, on Sunday, April 1, at 1.30 pm, while the annual outing, this year to Gloucester, takes place from Friday - Sunday, April 13-15.
Seniors scramble in the rain
It was the cold rain driving its way in from the west that made the tail-enders in the Seniors' competition scramble in on Tuesday. "I don't do wet!" was Maurice's remark as he made his way to the bar. "Just make sure that the weather is dry next week!" Of course he had to complete his round - his partners in crime, Derek Bath and J. D. R. Williams were relying on his expertise and prowess to lead them to glory in the Seniors' Texas Scramble. Unfortunately, they did not quite make the money list. In a round of 75 gross (70 net), they scored three birdies and six pars to put them in fourth place. All the odds were on Bob Howse, Paul Nixon and Ron Murphy. Bob has been on the winner's podium quite often, as has Paul, and, of course, Ron was fresh off his victory with the Rabbits. Unfortunately, their form deserted them as they limped in with a net 73. Their one birdie on the 17th was offset by the nine bogeys on the rest of the course. Mike Fox, marshal on the Abu Dabi course, wanted to pass on all the tips he had received from the professionals at the recent tournament. Unfortunately, Alan Yates and Peter Woodhouse became more confused, scoring 41 on the front nine and 37 on the back nine, giving them a net score of 74 after the Gramby adjustment. Two birdies and six pars did help, but the six on the first and the eight bogeys didn't. Martin Neilan had the support of Jim Taylor and Jack Hasdell and, as they were the last group out, had to contend with more rain than the rest. They were relieved to hear that there was no booby prize this week and they need not have worried anyway, since they had a better back nine than the group ahead. Their 11 pars (no birdies) proved better than six pars (no birdies) of Colin Griffith, Rob Wilkins and Dave Miller, though they both netted 75. A creditable 10 pars from Ken Gouldsbrough, Owen Monaghan and Bob Wiseman was not enough to beat the two birdies and six pars scored by Tony Ranoe, Tony Morris and Dudley Williams. Ken's group ended up with a 73, while Tony's group went one better with a 71. Just ahead of this group last week's booby winner, Richard Morgan, helped John Cook and Stan Hudson to a net score of 71. Stan claimed that, as soon as the rain came, his game went to pieces. That and a six on the 16th meant that they ended up outside the winners enclosure. There was one wet card handed in that deserved a placing. Brian Morgan, Geoff Aston and club captain, Malcolm Arlott, did not let a drop of rain slow them down as they managed 14 pars and finished in style with a three on the 18th. However, that only put them in third place since the first group out, Roy Morgan, Hywel Probert and Clifton John stayed dry and had the best of the conditions, as well as a buggy, enabling them to be the leaders in the clubhouse with a net 67. This included a solo effort by Clifton to score a three on the 10th as well as a team three on the third. Add to that 11 pars and they deserved their short-lived lead. Short-lived since the second group out, that of Des Stone, Dave Morgan and Brian Waters, shaved two shots off their net score to steal their thunder in a round that included a front nine of one under par 34 plus two birdies and 13 pars. Everyone enjoyed the format, if not the weather, and look forward to the next one. Next week sees a return to the Stableford/Eclectic - weather permitting.
Divine intervention for democratic Divots
I've often wondered whether God is a golfer and, if so, whether Tenby golf course is his choice of venue (writes your Divots correspondent). After listening to the rain falling most of the night, I thought the chance of getting a game of golf on Sunday morning was extremely unlikely. So did most of the other Divots, it seems, as only six decided to turn up and give it a go. By 9.30 am, I bet most of the others had wished they had also turned up on what turned out to be a fabulous morning for golf; instead they had probably been roped into the shopping or the household chores. Taking advantage of the missing league leader, Steve Davies, and the small numbers, were Gareth Phillips and Gareth Rees. Playing steady golf on the front nine, the pair scored 17 points going out, a reasonable effort considering Gareth P had not previously played the two new holes and Gareth R had only played them once - and not that successfully either! A better back nine saw them add another 22 points, including a blob on the 15th following some bad luck with two lost balls - a disappointment for the pair, who played the other eight holes one under gross. With a total of 39 points, Gareth R was able to gain some ground on the other wooden spoon contenders! Playing partners Nigel Ayers and captain Clive Law also had a steady round, dovetailing well to equal the front nine score of 17 points. Once again this could have been better, had it not been for a blob on the seventh. The pair were able to demonstrate that the two new holes are no problem once you get used to them, scoring five points with a net par and net birdie. Twenty points on the back, thanks to scoring on every hole, but with only a single point on the 17th, they were unable to get back the lost ground on the two Gareths, although total of 37 helped Nigel to improve his overall score by two. Out on the course leading the way were the two- ball of Rob 'Corbett' Hall and 'The Walrus', Gavin Field-Thomas. Getting back to the clubhouse would be the only first for this pair on the day, with a total score of 34 points. There was a disappointing start for the pair, with only two points after three holes. With Gavin being second in the league standings and Rob third, they only required a net par score of 36 points to improve their league positions. With single points on three more of the closing holes, the damage was done and no ground was gained. There are still six weeks or so for Steve Davies to be caught and, if not, with money to win each week, it's still worth the effort! Following the morning's golf, an urgent meeting was held to vote on who would represent the Divots in the up-and-coming Charity Golf Day on Friday, March 23. Tenby Ladies Circle are organising the event to be held at Tenby Golf Club. It is open to teams of three, with the best two scores to count. With only four able to stay on after the golf to make the decision, one of whom was Clive, who is unable to play, it was voted by Gareth, Nigel and Rob that Gareth, Nigel and Rob should represent the Divots. What a democratic society we live in! If there are any other Divots who want to get together in teams of three and want to take part, speak to captain, Clive Law, who can obtain additional entry forms and will explain how the Divots will subsidise the entry fee and hole sponsorship. Current leagues positions are: Steve Davies 332 pts (8/12); Gavin Field-Thomas 314 (8/12); Rob Hall 311 (8/12); Nigel Ayers 307 (8/12); Loz Phillips 302 (8/12); Richard Chapman 291 (8/12); Viv James 290 (8/12); Gareth Rees 290 (8/12). Club report
Saturday's competition at Tenby Golf Club took a break from the usual singles format, with a Chapman Foursomes being the order of the day. Both players drive, you take each other's for your second shot - hopefully from the fairway - and choose one ball to play from there on in. It's usually a recipe for good scoring, and so it proved on Saturday, with little to choose between the top five pairs. In fact, only one point separated them and the mathematicians had to get their heads together to work out placings on back nine and back six scores. In the end, it was some early starters who got the nod, and that was hardly surprising, as they certainly had the best of the day's conditions, with heavy raining sweeping across the course by the afternoon. Results: 1. J. Gottwaltz and M. Tucker 41 pts - back nine (£30 each); 2. P. Goodridge and D. Cope 41 (£22.50 each); 3. J. G. Morris and J. Ball 40 - back nine (£12.50 each); 4. S. Court and J. Webb 40 - back six (£10 each); 5. B. Cramb and J. Helliwell 40 (£7.50 each). Twos: J. Gottwaltz and M. Tucker, M. Williams and M. Argent, N. Ayers and G. Field-Thomas, R. W. Johns and P. Nixon, D. Llewellyn and H. Thomas, S. Davies and S. Davies, G. McNeilly and J. Stenson (£5.57 each player). Bag draw: B. Howse and A. Yates, M. Schooling and S. Toy, P. Goodridge and D. Cope (£13 each player). Tomorrow (Saturday), for those of a romantic nature, there's a mixed Valentine's competition.