Last Saturday's March Monthly Medal at Tenby Golf Club was combined with the annual Sellar Cup qualifier. Qualifiers for the knockout stages of the cup would be those returning the best 16 scores from both divisions. Once again, weather conditions were not ideal, with a strong south-westerly wind providing a stiff test for the players - particularly on the way out. But at least it was dry - unlike the 18th fairway, which has seen the return of a large lake after a period of heavy rain. Playing off the rock, it was OK for the big hitters, but for some lesser mortals, the safe route was down the first! As it turned out, the competition was a close run thing, with three players tying at the top of division one and having to be separated by best back nine scores. Eventual winner was Phillip Rees, who returned a gross 76, net 70, while the unlucky ones, also on net 70, were youngsters Sam Morgan and Christopher Davies. Leader of the pack in division two was Michael Williams, who carded a net 73 off his handicap of 16, while again the minor placings had to be decided by virtue of best back nine scores, with three players a shot adrift of the winner on 74. A total of 103 turned out on the day, 42 in division one and 61 in division two, but of those only eight bagged a two. Meanwhile, 14 players from the top division qualified for the Sellar Cup knockout and only two from division two. Leading scores and prize winners were as follows: Division One (handicaps -3 to 12): Phillip Rees 76 -6-70, last nine (medal and £35); Samuel Morgan 73-3-70, last nine (£30); Christopher Davies 78-8 -70 (£20); Brian Cramb 72-1-71, last nine (£15); Jack Guerreiro 75-4-71 (£10). Division Two (handicaps 13 to 28): Michael Williams 89-16-73 (medal and £35); Joe Taylor 88-14-74, last nine (£30); Mark Edwards 96-22-74, last nine (£20); Robert L. Brown 92-18-74 (£15); John Hall 92-17-75, last nine (£10). Twos: David Cope, Stephen Davies, Paul K. Heywood, Stan Hudson, Adam Joseph, Neil Lovatt, Phillip Rees, Joe Taylor (£13 each). Bag draw: Tony Key, Stan Hudson, Eamonn Maher, Sam Morgan, Steve Poole, Neil Lovatt (£16.60 each). Sellar Cup qualifiers: Phillip Rees (70), Sam Morgan (70), Christopher Davies (70), Brian Cramb (71), Jack Guerreiro (71), Idwal David (72), Anthony Key (72), Stephen Davies (73), Alan Morton (73), Colin Murphy (73), Michael Williams (73), Richard Morton (73), Paul K. Heywood (74), Ralph Johns (74), John Gottwaltz (74), Joe Taylor (74). Note - Mark Edwards and Robert Brown, who both also had 74, missed out on back nine.
Missing Divots!
With play abandoned the previous week due to the inclement weather, Sunday was the last chance for the Divots to challenge for the remaining prizes. With the league winner, Steve Davies, already crowned, there was only the smaller prizes to play for, namely second, third and, of course, the real big prize - the wooden spoon! With perfect weather, a great golf course, three prizes still up for grabs, the only thing missing for a perfect Sunday's competition was, The Divots! Only the captain, Clive Law, Loz Phillips and the always present Walrus made it out of bed. There are rumours that Gavin had phoned all the Divots telling them that the golf was off, therefore protecting his third place. What he hadn't calculated was that if Clive recorded a good score with this his eighth card, he could still be toppled into fourth place. Fortunately for Gavin, Clive was drawn with the big man, allowing the Walrus to keep a close eye on the scoring. A decent score of 37 points was returned, but it was not enough to steal Gavin's third place. Loz, meanwhile, just went along for the ride, knowing he was safe from the wooden spoon. It's a shame really, as Loz had the opportunity to place his name firmly into the club history books with a fourth wooden spoon in a row! The lack of Divots was not to be the only shock of the day; not even the refereeing fiasco during the Wales v Italy game was as shocking as the news that our resident pro, Mark Hawkey, is leaving the club. Let's just hope that our fine committee members do whatever they can to change his mind. It's certainly not going to be the same club that I joined without him. The 2006/2007 Divots Winter League results (best eight cards): 1. Steve Davies 348 pts; 2. Rob Hall 326; 3. Gavin Field-Thomas 318; best score overall - Steve Davies and Rick Lewis with 47 pts; wooden spoon - Viv James 293 pts. Nothing arranged for this Sunday, although if enough turn up, then a stableford competition can be arranged. The following Sunday, March 25, the Tucker Cup will take place. The traditional winter league closer, this will be a four-ball better ball competition, with partners drawn on the morning. Hopefully Mervyn Tucker will be able to make a guest appearance. This competition is open to all current and past Divots - weather almost guaranteed!
G.H.R. Last eclectic for Seniors
The winter season has all but reached its conclusion. Next week sees the last event of the dark days when Senior members will meet to conclude this interesting period with a 'three club' challenge, followed by a meal and presentation. This week was the last opportunity to improve on eclectic scores and it could not have been a better day to do just that. The forecast was for bright sunshine and that was what they enjoyed all day. It was warm enough for a couple of brave souls to play the course in short-sleeved shirts - but not everyone. Hywel Probert was back in harness and slowed his swing down enough to show his playing partners that he had not forgotten the various skills honed over many years on the course. "I'll have to work on the house more often," was his quote. "Where was Roy Morgan today? - I could have taken the money off him for a change." His 30 points was enough to make him leader in the clubhouse, but then he was first out! That lead was not held for long as the cards in excess of 30 came in thick and fast. In all, 10 out of the 31 players exceeded his score, while Stan Hudson and Tony Morgan equalled it. Maybe the fact that the short eighth and ninth were back in play had something to do with it. Terry Evans was also first out and on entering the clubhouse was asked, "What do you want?" (meaning a drink). "Putting lessons!" was the rapid (and accurate) response. Had he two-putted rather than three-putted on most of the holes, then his score would have improved by 10 or so points. One of those in the 30s was Doug Havard and he had a different reason for not being at his best. An expensive new pair of varifocals was his excuse for a poor front nine - he reckoned that they did nothing for his game, so he took them off and went on to score 20 points on the back nine in a round of 31. Jim Taylor and John Cook were pleased with their rounds of 33, as was Maurice Lewis with his 34, while Mike Nesbitt-Hawes and Paul Nixon weighed in with a 32 each and David Kaye with a 31. The smug expressions were evident with Brian Morgan on 37 and David Miller on 38 assuming they would be in the reckoning. They were but put firmly in their places by this week's winner, Bob Howse. He was already docked a penalty point and four-putted on the 13th for a six, but he more than made up for that with 11 pars and one birdie to romp home with 42 points. He hasn't been heard to complain about his putter recently! Alex Leese was half expecting to lift the booby with his 23, but he was again not allowed this privilege. That went to John Williams, who struggled into a buggy with Dave Morgan, suffering a bout of sciatica. Numerous painkillers helped him round as he struggled with a spare set of clubs (his were still in Spain). What sacrifices we make.
Owen cashes in - again!
Is Owen Moneyman (sorry Monaghan) about to try his hand on the professional circuit? That's the question all Chicken Trotters are currently asking themselves. On Friday, the high-flying 'Liver Bird' was again clucking all the way to the bank after boxing clever to claim top perch... for the third time in the past six outings! Yes, that's right, the third time. Just what is happening? Have the 'Chicken choppers' gone soft in their dotage? Perhaps so, for your correspondent can reveal that there have been some rare signs of benevolence amongst the triumvirate after receiving a welcome adjustment in handicap (thanks Ted - about time!)... but that's another story. Back to Owen. Surely, for the remainder of the season - it finishes in the first week of May - he must be shackled in the biggest sin bin that can be found this side of the Mersey after again feathering his nest with the top money prize. Indeed, with his bank balance simply bulging with the proceeds, there must now be serious doubts as to whether he can actually retain his amateur status. The R and A are currently being consulted on the matter. We will keep you posted on the outcome, but don't be surprised if Owen is soon seen rubbing shoulders with Monty and Co on the European Tour! Out on the course on Friday, meanwhile, he led the rest home with a healthy score of 29 points, while his nearest rival was another 'money man', club treasurer Ken Gouldsbrough, who returned a card of 27. Once again no twos were recorded and there was no booby payout, as two tied for bottom spot. We understand it was a couple of the Chickens' most experienced players, but to avoid them any further embarrassment, no names will be mentioned here! No, your correspondent was not one of them - not quite! A total of 16 chicks turned out and par for the brood was 23, with prize winners being: 1. Owen Monaghan 29 pts (£2); 2. Ken Gouldsbrough 27 (£1). Tenby pair progress in Daily Mail Foursomes
On a cold, windy day at the links of Tenby, a classic local derby was to be played in the first round of the Daily Mail Foursomes, between Tenby Golf Club and Trefloyne Golf Club. Representing Trefloyne and taking the short trip over was the club's best pairing last year of Paul Howells and Martin Yates, who were up against the father and son pairing for Tenby of Stephen and Christopher Davies. From the start it was shot for shot, with some good play and with only a few shots given to the Trefloyne pair. After seven holes, the game was all-square with nothing in it. Then Stephen and Christopher, from hole number eight, went gross three, four, four, three, then four - yes, a birdie and four pars, some great golf, which put the Tenby pair four up after 13 holes. Who said the two new holes are difficult? With a gross birdie and par, the myth is over. Stephen and Christopher won the 14th to win the game 5 and 4. It was an excellent win and an excellent game played in a great spirit, just as golf should be played, with drinks in the clubhouse afterwards and mutual respect shown by all four golfers for some great golf on the historic Tenby course.