The annual foursomes competiton for the Tipton Cups was played last Wednesday. The competition has a medal format with a shotgun start. Winners were Peter Rossi and Paul Hoyland with a score of 75.5. Second were Richard Morton and Philip Booth with 76.5, who gained the runners-up spot thanks to a better back nine than third-placed Roger Schooling and Barrie Frayne. A twos sweep was held and Peter Rossi and Paul Hoyland celebrated further success by also picking up the kitty with the only one of the night. The bag draw, meanwhile, was won by Michael Schooling and Mike Anthony.
All to play for in AJO Memorial
Chris Smith and Simon Evans, both men of St. Florence, are joint leaders of the AJO Memorial after the first leg at Tenby last Saturday. Their scores of 37 points leaves them just one ahead of Paul Hoyland and Mike Schooling on 36. Former winner Chris Beecher, Ian Thomas and Richard Morton are all only a further point adrift on 35. Leading Trefloyne member at the halfway stage is young James Maxwell, who is joined on 34 points by Richard Reed, Rob Hall and James Moffat. Trefloyne's Harry Jakola and junior Stephen Jones collected 33 points, as did Philip Andrews, Steve Amos and Richard Caley, who nowadays plays mainly at La Manga. The best 'gross' scores after the first round of the Tenby Observer Cup are Maxwell (33 pts), Morton (32), Hoyland (33), Schooling (29), Chris Thompson (29), Gavin Scotcher (29) and Amos (28). In the Ladies' section, previous champion young Georgia Thomas claimed a superb 39 points, which puts her seven ahead of her colleague and friend Emma Guerreiro on 32. However, arguably the round of the day was put together by Kristalle Blum, of Trefloyne, who is just 10-years-old and also scored 32 points whilst playing at Tenby for the very first time! There are a few spare tee times available for the second leg at Trefloyne tomorrow (Saturday) and entry sheets are at both clubs. The presentation of prizes will take place at Trefloyne at around 8 pm tomorrow evening. All those in contention for prizes in respect of either leg or overall are urged to attend.
Ladies' Section
A TASTE OF GOLF
For many years there has been an imbalance between the number of boys and girls taking up golf and to help remedy this, Golf Development Wales, with support from the Ryder Cup Legacy Fund, have promoted 'taster' sessions for girls and older women throughout Wales. As a result of this initiative, the Tenby professional, Rhys Harry, and the committee of the Ladies' Section organised three 'taster' sessions. Rhys hoped for a response of perhaps 20 potential players, but was delighted, and almost overwhelmed, that there were 45 who signed up for six group lessons. Progress by many has been most encouraging and to round off the series, Rhys, the ladies and the stewardess, Julia Mackie, held a barbecue. It is always risky to plan a barbecue in Britain, but we had a beautiful evening last Tuesday, with nearly 100 members and guests enjoying a good meal and company. The age range present was five to 95 and it was good to receive support from the club captain, Bryn Rowell, and all sections of the club. A putting competition was run throughout the evening, with prizes in four categories. Best lady was Anita Davies, best gentleman David Webb, best junior Amber Thomas and best beginner Debbie Sheldon. Debbie will be a force to reckon with in the future as her score was better than many of the seasoned players. Rhys and the committee are delighted there has been an 80 per cent uptake of membership and/or more lessons, and those of us who were merely onlookers of this enterprise are full of praise for everyone's efforts and look forward to welcoming many new members to the club.
B.M.S.
Saturday Swingers
Members are reminded that the AGM will take place on Wednesday, June 25, commencing at 6.30 pm. Swingers' Day is on Saturday, July 5. Members must indicate on the sheet on the noticeboard whether or not they will be playing in the competition and attending the presentation dinner thereafter.
The dangers of mowing!
Senior members were dismayed to hear last Wednesday that their regular correspondent would not be with them on their excursion to Glynhir Golf Club. The news had spread over the grapevine that our champion of words was somewhat indisposed and resident at Withybush Hospital. It was a sad mishap that had put him there and one that reminded most of Humpty Dumpty - yes Humpty Dumpty! You see - Poor ol' Jim Martin fell over a wall Poor ol' Jim Martin had a great fall They called paramedics and ambulance men Who took him to hospital to mend him again. It would seem that our Jim's golf will take a back seat for a while as he adjusts to a pair of crutches, but then again it will allow him more time to spend on the computer! We all wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on the golf course again. Now, Jim's place was taken by another hospital casualty who had also enjoyed a ride in an ambulance. This was Clifton John, but his stay was shortlived and he was given the all clear to join Richard Davies as they put one over on Gil Mount and Paul Murphy. All of this information had to be digested by the older members which took the edge off the celebrations of the Morgan boyos. As has been the custom for a number of years, both Roy and David decked their buggy with balloons, and a 'micky', and set off to enjoy their birthday. We don't divulge ages, suffice it to say their combined total of years is somewhat in excess of 128 years. They thought they were in for a drubbing when they found themselves five down after five holes. Then the effects of the 'micky' kicked in and they relaxed and rallied to put the frighteners on Hugh Sellick and Alun Davies. They couldn't, however, take the lead and had to be satisfied with a restoration of pride as they finished only one hole down. Jim's neighbour Roy Gundry was disappointed that the team had been re-arranged which meant that he could not play alongside Des Stone as listed. He made up for that disappointment by scoring 34 gross on the front nine as he and J. D. R. proceeded to burn up the course. Leading by five holes, he allowed J. D. R. to lead them on the back nine. That proved to be an error of judgement as the opposition, in the form of E. Hughes Jones and Vernon Butt, demonstrated their prowess on the back nine to also win five holes and halve the match. Ken Gouldsbrough was Des Stone's reshuffled partner and this pair knew they had a tough proposition as they watched Ivor Dempsey birdie the first and then win the second. Ken replied with a birdie of his own on the third and Des joined in with one on the par five fourth. This was, however, the closest they would get as some good golf was needed to just halve a hole. Ivor was on sparkling form, occasionally helped by Rod Sewter, and the home pair took advantage of two wayward shots on the 16th to seal a Glynhir victory. Now Newman Vincent was content to sit back and admire the form of his partner, Stan Hudson, who hit eight pars and a birdie. However, the opposition, in the form of Ted Rimmer and Terry Gorridge, hit back with seven pars and a birdie of their own. Newman is also a mean hitter of the ball, so between the two of them they managed Tenby's first victory. Last out on the day were Colin Griffith and Owen Monaghan and, being Liverpudlians, they thought the opposition, dressed in blue, were from Everton. The match was over by the time Owen realised that blue was the preferred colour of Glynhir. This was a rare occasion when Tenby took the honours in overall result. Glynhir were without their stalwart, Billy Lewis, who was otherwise engaged in hospital having a hip operation. Bob Howse and Martin Neilan managed a win, as did Geoff Aston and John Cook, along with Brian Morgan and Tony Ranoe. John Hall and Derek Bath were unfortunate in their match as they lost by a single hole. As both leaders remarked in their words of wisdom afterwards - comradeship and the game of golf were the winners on the day. Happily fed and watered, all went home in contented mood. Results: R. Morgan and D. Morgan lost to H. Sellick and A. Davies 1 down; S. Hudson and N. Vincent beat T. Rimmer and T. Gorringe 2 and 1; C. John and R. Davies beat G. Mount and P. Murphy 3 and 2; B. Howse and M. Neilan beat H. Jones and R. Lewis 1 up; R. Gundry and J. D. R. Williams halved with E. Jones and V. Butt; J. Hall and D. Bath lost to D. Trussler and E. Davies 1 hole; K. Gouldsbrough and D. Stone lost to I. Dempsey and R. Sewter 3 and 2; B. Morgan and T. Ranoe beat G. Daneules and P. Wilson 2 up; G. Aston and J. Cook beat T. Whitman and B. Gingell 3 and 2; C. Griffith and O. Monaghan beat J. Pollock and D. Danskin 3 and 1.