For those who were hoping to catch up with this year's Divots League leader, Steve Davies, their hopes were dashed last Sunday, with Steve returning after a two-week break to put the final nail in the coffin. Partnering Rick Lewis, the two recorded not only the best score of the day, but also of the league this year, almost guaranteeing a prize for Rick and now two for Steve. With a handicap obviously too high, Steve did most of the damage, playing some eight shots under his 11 handicap, with the added security of Rick's steady game in support. There are not enough pages available to go through every hole that the pair picked up shots; it would probably be easier to write about the holes they didn't, as there were only six of those! A fantastic display of golf saw them record a total of 47 points - and that was after only 18 holes! The only other pairing to even challenge on the day was captain Clive Law and Rob 'Corbett' Hall, the two being drawn out of the hat once again to partner each other. Obviously getting to know each other's game, they producing an excellent score of 42 points, which on most other weeks would have taken the spoils. Rob has requested that I record the fact that he birdied the new eighth hole, scoring four points - two more than the three following groups of players put together. One of the favourite pairings on the morning was Gavin Field-Thomas and Gareth Phillips. With Gavin's shots and Gareth's steady game, the pair would surely be challenging on the day. Unfortunately, the two started slowly and with a blob on the ninth their challenge was over, with only 14 points on the front nine. A great fightback on the back nine saw them collect another 20 points, but with a total of 34, Gavin found himself falling backwards on his title challenge. Returning with the same score of 34 points were Viv James and Ron Johns. No real disasters on the card, with 16 on the front and 18 on the back nine. Unfortunately, the pair could not take advantage of Viv's shots and Ron's consistent game, the highlight of the round coming on the 15th, where Ron managed a fantastic birdie and four points on the one hole. We were delighted to welcome a visitor this week, namely Brian Hartley, all the way from Turkey. Obviously news is travelling far on how enjoyable the new format of the Divots League has become. Brian has played in the Divots League previously and is also a past Rabbits captain and one of only two Rabbits captains to be on the wining side against the Divots. It was a bit of a struggle on the course for Brian, who is finding it hard to find time to play at all at home in Turkey. With the added difficulty of the new holes at Tenby, he was unable to help partner John Stevenson much, but thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with the guys once more. Results: S. Davies and R. Lewis 47 pts; R. Hall and C. Law 42; G. Field-Thomas and G. Phillips 34; V. James and R. Johns 34; B. Hartley and J. Stevenson 26. League table: Steve Davies 332 pts (8/13); Rob Hall 314 (8/13); Gavin Field-Thomas 311 (8/13); Nigel Ayers 307 (8/13); Loz Phillips 302 (8/13); Viv James 291 (8/13); Richard Chapman 290 (8/13); Gareth Rees 290 (8/13); Ron Johns 232 (7/13); Clive Law 223 (6/13); Rick Lewis 220 (6/13).
Owen's Sound
What is the collective noun for a large group of golfers? A gaggle of golfers sounds about right and if that's the case then it is a term that suited the gathering of 36 seniors who assembled to enjoy a day in the sun last Tuesday. Excited at the prospect of accepting the challenge of the course and their fellow players, they set off in a misty shroud and were later delighted by the warmth that the breaking sun brought as the day progressed. A number were seen to discard their outer garments and a few ended up in shirt sleeves. Now, as a previous winner, Owen Monaghan was awarded three penalty points, but the point he was out to prove was that he was not going to allow that to affect his game. The computer showed that he scored 36 points with his club handicap. When the penalty shots were taken into account this was reduced to 33. Unfortunately, four other players scored the same with better back nines, so Owen just missed out on the prize money, and further penalty shots, this week. Another previous winner on penalty shots was Bob Howse and his 31 kept him below the money line. Richard Morgan came in smiling and thought that his 21 points might earn him his money back, but Mike Fox was determined that he was not going to be outdone and presented Roy with his card showing three strokes less. Clifton John was a bit perplexed. He thought that he had cured his slice and to a large extent he had. What he forgot to do was to adjust his line. Aiming down the left he was frustrated when the ball did not return to the fairways, but sailed on into the rough. At the last count he had lost seven balls and found only one. It was a tenor voice that echoed melodiously around the course as Dudley Williams sang out "F- o-r-e!" while standing on the fifth tee watching his ball fly towards the second green. No-one was hurt. Martin Neilan was burdened with a two-stroke penalty, but still managed to score 30 and was one of only two 2s this week. His was not as good as Ken Gouldsbrough's, though, who scored his on the fifth - yes, the fifth! He hit his second shot blind and was disappointed that he and his partners couldn't find his ball on the green - that is until they looked in the hole. He was so excited that his game deteriorated somewhat and he ended up with 27. It was good to welcome back from their winter breaks a number of bronzed faces. Adding their names to the list were Mike Nesbitt-Hawes, David Kaye, Doug Havard and Alex Leese, while Meurig Jones delighted all his old friends with his wit and repartee as he rejoined the seniors for some real action. Thirteen players managed a score of 30 or more, with only two below 20 and one nil return. The highest score this week was 35 and was well- earned by that very fine fellow - Derek Bath. The organisers will take great delight in reducing his handicap by three shots next week. Joining him on winners parade were Peter Woodhouse on 34 and Des Stone on 33, by virtue of a better back six. Poor Brian Morgan left the clubhouse with his head bowed, having only just missed out.
Rain stops play for Chickens
After the snow of the previous week, it was a case of 'rain stops play' for the Chicken Trotters on Friday morning. At least for most of them it was. Seven hardy, or perhaps that should read 'foolhardy', players, did trot out to brave the elements, while some of the not so hardy, or not so 'foolhardy', played snooker and drank coffee and hot chocolate in the warmth of the clubhouse. By the time the Chief Chicken and Co. arrived, some of the bedraggled brood had left for home and were perhaps disappointed to learn later that their prize-winning efforts were all for nought, as the competition was declared null and void. "Not enough players," muttered a spokesman for the Chicken committee. "We need at least 10 for it to be game on." Pity for early starters Paul Bradley and his partner Pat Rees, who was rubbing his hands after bagging a two. Pity for Rick Lewis, who carded a healthy 30 points and must have fancied his chances of pocketing a pretty penny as leader in the clubhouse. Pity for his valiant partners Des Stone and Stan Hudson, who would also surely have been in the money. Pity for Doug Havard, who was left to battle on alone after his partner Owen Monoghan made an early exit from the course... unlike regular partner Richard Morgan, who had made an early exit from the car park. And pity for the rest of us who had to bear the brunt of Micky Johnson's jokes! Let's hope there's some play today (Friday)... please!