Newly-elected as vice-captain of the Seniors Section, Bob Howse was called into action in his first week in office.
Due to bad weather in August, the annual match against Carmarthen had to be postponed. The re-arranged fixture was played last Thursday in blustery, cloudy but dry conditions.
As a result of the weekend, rain buggies were not allowed on the course, which made it difficult for a few members, in fact it was impossible for the outgoing captain, Roy Morgan. Bob had to step in and, unfortunately, did not have time to collect Roy's book of jokes and stories.
He and David Evans were up against Mick Fenny and Jimmy Myo and by the end of the round they understood why Roy had declined to play. Bob's smile had frozen to a grimace as he and David explained to their Senior compatriots that they had failed to win a hole and had been trounced by seven holes with five to play.
'The harder we tried the better they played' was the quote from the Tenby pair as they related how well the Carmarthen duo had performed, considering it a relative success if they managed to halve a hole. However, there weren't many of those.
So, how would the rest fare? Geoff Aston and Martin Neilan would be considered a good bet for a win - but not this week. Mike Ashley Jones and Dai Elias made them work for every point in what became a battle of the putters. Mike's was red hot for this match needing only one putt on each of nine holes in the round. Martin on the other hand was in 'lippy' form. The majority of his putts skimmed, lipped out or catapulted around the holes in turn.
Though they worked at it and brought the score back to all-square after seven holes, they could not hold the Carmarthen pair and had to concede on the seventeenth. The friendly 'well done Mike' changed to a tight lipped 'Well done Michael!' as the afternoon progressed.
J.D.R. Williams (he who has his name inscribed as a past winner on one of the Carmarthen Hall of Fame lists) was Showing Chris Sierwald around his old course with high expectations. Neville Richards and Ray Sinden, however, were not in benevolent mood. Ray scored four pars and two birdies in six consecutive holes as they forged into an early lead. They kept their noses in front right up until the match ended on the thirteenth.
Mike Fox kept everyone in stitches as he nearly exhausted his wealth of stories (an impossibility). Of course, David Morgan had heard most of them so he tried to concentrate on his game with a wry smile. However, the ploy did not work as Irfon Jones and Gerwen Davies steeled themselves against a fit of the giggles.
Gerwen's fairway wood was in good form as was his putter. He was putting from both on and off the green and from all angles and distances. Close as this match was, the Carmarthen pair brought it to a conclusion on the 17th.
Alan Yates and Nigel Rimmell suffered a similar fate at the hands of Dafydd Williams and Alan 'cash' Evans.
Trying to redress the balance, Richard Davies and John Hall fought a close match against Ross Butler and Tony Reed-Smith. This match was close all the way and both pairs walked off the course with the satisfaction of a well-earned half.
Des Stone had a Carmarthen stalwart as his partner - Alan Phillips was drafted in to help Tenby out in the absence of Roy Morgan. And a good job he made of it as both he and Des hobbled up and down the hills to complete the round.
Although Alan won the first hole the opposition, in the shape of Alun Rees and Ben Bethell, replied with holes of their own to take a three-hole lead after nine holes. A little complacency must have set in because they allowed Alan and Des to win the occasional hole and creep back into this match, so much so they drew level and carried the momentum into the final holes to claim a victory. Alan will now be selected for the last match against Trefloyne.
Bob may have been led around the course, but behind him Stan Hudson, ably supported by Rod Clarke, were involved in a great game. One wonders what the result would have been if the Carmarthen pair had not been so generous on the 12th. Rod's drive, on this par three hole, landed marginally inside the temporary green. Without thinking, he putted up to the green only to see it drop into the hole for a two. Tony Hurd was gracious enough to allow the putt and they walked onto victory for Stan and Rod.
Roy Gundry was absolutely gobsmacked when someone in the clubhouse suggested that he had an accent. 'Ailing from Norf Landan it's plain 'e aint yet familiar wif the Pembrokeshire brogue. Way aye boy!' That was like suggesting that his partner, Owen Monaghan, also didn't have an accent! Perhaps it was the fact that they spoke in 'tongues' that helped them to out manoeuvre the Carmarthen pairing of Terry James and Stuart Barclay.
Whatever it was, Roy entered the locker room with a great big grin on his cockney face to declare that he had thoroughly enjoyed his match and that it was his wonderful putt on the 18th that had won them the game. Where was Owen? He was puffing his way up the hill behind him! A great afternoon.
Russell Clarke graced the occasion by partnering Peter Williams in a closely-fought match against Graham Williams and Fred Robinson. Belonging to the campanologists, they described their match as a ding-dong affair with never more than one or two in it. They did manage to win the 17th and then hold on to a half on the 18th to earn a valuable point for the team.
Stand-in captain, Bob, was relieved to announce that it was a narrow victory for Carmarthen.
Results: B. Howse and D. Evans lost to M. Fenney and J. Myo by 7 and 5; S. Hudson and R. Clarke beat T. Hurd and G. Jeremy by 3 and 2; A. Yates and N. Rimmell lost to D. Williams and A. Evans; J. Hall and R. Davies halved with R. Butler and T. Reed-Smith; O. Monaghan and R. Gundry beat T. James and S. Barclay by 1; C. Sierwald and J.D.R. Williams lost to N. Richard and R. Sinden by 6 and 5; A. Phillips and D. Stone beat A. Rees and B. Bethell by 3 and 1; D. Morgan and M. Fox lost to I. Jones and G. Davies by 2 and 1; G. Aston and M. Neilan lost to M. Ashley-Jones and D. Elias by 3 and 2; R. Clarke and P. Williams beat G. Williams and F. Robinson by 1.
D.J.S.
Seniors giveaway
Tuesday, October 7, saw a few hardy souls gather in the clubhouse with the intention of playing 15 holes before the momentous decisions to be made at the annual general meeting. They sat, drank coffee, peered out the window and sat some more.
It soon became obvious that the rain was not going to abate so all thoughts of golf were abandoned and their minds turned to more serious business.
One o'clock saw them all re-assembled to appraise the activities of the last year and appoint the new officers for the coming year.
Roy Morgan was full of praise for the effort and support he received from his happy band throughout his year of office.
He then handed the reins to Brian Waters, who was voted in as this year's captain of the Seniors section.
Brian, in turn, proposed that Bob Howse be elected as his vice-captain. Stan Hudson agreed to continue as treasurer and Jim Martin stepped into the role of secretary. All were approved by the 26 present and the meeting turned its attention to the pleasurable task of giving out money.
During the last year, Brian Morgan has been active in organising a raffle each time the group met, as well as on match days. As a conclusion to this year's charitable donations, he and the two captains (outgoing and incoming) were delighted to make presentations to the Pembrokeshire Alzheimer's Society and the Macmillan Nurses Trust.
Senior member, Rob Wilkins, was delighted, as treasurer of the local Alzheimer's Society, to accept a cheque for £230 and he thanked all members for their generosity.
Ms. Pauline Davies, on behalf of the Macmillan Nurses Trust had ventured into this male domain and was very pleased to accept a cheque for £300. She informed the group that everyone concerned with Macmillan Nurses was grateful for this contribution to a very worthy cause.
The meeting concluded with everyone looking forward to another challenging and enjoyable year of golf.
D.J.S.
Rabbits
Society
Tenby Rabbits held their end of summer league match recently, the B & H cup, a stableford yellow box competition.
It was a strange sort of day weatherwise with a mix of sunshine and sea mist blowing in.
Some sixteen golfers turned up and greeted their new captain, Mark Edwards and his vice-captain Mick Gillet.
These two are no strangers to being on the ball and as usual were just like the Chuckle Brothers, me to you, you to me!
As usual out on the course there was some superb golf and the three that seemed destined to shine was that of Steve Maytum, Steve Watkins and Paul James, with a mixture of a recent winner, a return to form player and a man with more trophies than Phil Mickleson, I don't know why the rest bothered? but not quite as simple as that this game and just when you think you have it conquered, it bites back and leaves you a broken man.
Bringing up the rear in the day's golf was that of Steve Cole, Dafydd Evans, Mick Gillet and El Ninio, Mark Edwards. All of these hit a big ball, which direction mind who knows? but the one that probably stood out from the rest was that of the ex-captain, playing what will probably his last Rabbits golf ever. However, despite smiles out on the course (probably a bit of wind), it wasn't to be his day.
Not difficult conditions at all and some decent scores in and some shocking ones, but we won't pick on the bottom of the pile because I would have to name most of us.
So to the winners. Third place, with a better back nine to Fred Adlam, was Steve Maytum with 32 points, second place, with a very credible 37 points, was Dafydd Evans, and first place, with 38 points and a nice cut in handicap surely was Steve Watkins. There were two twos only - Steve Maytum and Chris Smith.
Winter league
Tenby Rabbits recently held their annual general meeting at the clubhouse.
Chairing the meeting was the outgoing captain Chris Smith who thanked everyone for their assistance during the past 12 months, in particular Mark Edwards, Mick Gillet, Dafydd Evans, Dorian Thomas and a special thanks also went to Bill Beynon, who had improved his golf to such a degree that he was unable to play Rabbits summer league golf, yet he continued to support both meetings and competitions.
After the usual waffle from Chris, it was time for the new captain of Mark Edwards and his vice Mick Gillet to take office.
Mark thanked Chris for the past year and remarked on what a good job he had done and that he would do his utmost to maintain the our position in pool A of the summer league and hopefully improve on finishing third this year.
After a break to stretch the legs and a beer on the Rabbits, the all important winter league draw took place and some tasty pairings there were: 1. Daffydd Evans and Paul Davis; 2. Simon Evans and Mackie Harts; 3. Chris Smith and Jerry Whitehouse; 4. Mike Hale and Dorian Thomas; 5. Chris Davies and Steve Watkins; 6. Terry Davies and John Hunt; 7. Mick Gillet and Mark Edwards; 8. Fred Adlam and Mike Munro; 9. Gerald Hewitt and John Murphy; 10. Dave Morgan and Juan Cruz.
The league starts November 2 - meet at 9 for a 9.30 am start.
Ladies' Section
September and the early part of October seem to have been a period during which either the course was closed on Thursdays or the weather continued in its familiar 2008 dreary vein.
A greensome foursome in mid-September attracted no entries and the weather for the L.G.U. medal was not particularly kind, judging by the scores.
In the Silver Division, Denise Edwards won with nett 75 and Ros Williams was second on 77, while the winner and runner-up in the Bronze Division, Ann Marsden and Ann Wilks respectively, were not at their best!
A jubilee 3s competition for the Garfield Evans Trophy was played last week and the winning total was 71 from Denise Edwards, Heather Morgan and Ann Wilks, while Pam Cole, Pat Fox and Liz Storey amassed 63 points. Scores earlier in the year were higher when the weather was kinder.
At the beginning of August, a Texas Scramble for the Charnwait Trophy was played and the results announced then.
This trophy, a charity event, was initiated by Julie and Colin Jenkins and has recently been sponsored by the Charnock and Goldwait families. We are most grateful for their sponsorship which produces most generous prizes and at the same time guarantees matching any donations received for the captain's charity.
This year, Ruth Goldwait was unable to be present in August, but while we were at Newport recently, she presented the captain, Nesta Hart, with a cheque for £200 which represented the ladies' donations and the sponsorship by Ruth's family.
Nesta was delighted to forward the cheque to Cancer Research, her charity for this year.
B.M.S.
High School Reunion
Last Tuesday was just like a school reunion as the Senior fraternity of Tenby Golf Club gathered for the first outing of their winter programme.
The 29 optimistic members who braved the elements were rewarded with a dry, but breezy day to lay down the foundations for a good eclectic.
Members not seen together for some while were greeting each other as long lost buddies. Rob Wilkins shared a buggy with Roy Morgan as Peter Woodhouse, Ron Murphy, uncle Jim and Jack Hasdell smiled their way through a pleasant reunion.
There was just a slight hint of rain half way through the round and it was enough to stop Geoff Aston, Dave Morgan and Chris Sierwald from completing their round. They stole in behind the fourth group as they returned to the 19th hole via the 14th and 18th holes.
Another who was excused a complete round was Bob Howse who had to see his dentist (not someone who can improve his golf!) The banter in the clubhouse was a comforting resume of the camaraderie shared by this gallant group.
There were scorch marks all over the fairways and greens as Richard Davies blazed a trail for the rest to follow. Unfortunately, there was no one to match his form as he grossed 78. Paul Nixon was close behind him scoring 37 points to open his account.
The rest of the field rued all those missed shots, lost balls and blanked holes as they struggled to get the better of the course. J.D.R. claimed he failed to score on too many holes, while Martin Neilan was witnessed having a poor day by his high standards.
Three players were lucky enough to earn a two, Brian Waters, John Cook and Richard Davies shared the pot, while Mike Fox was the winner of the draw.
This week's winners were: 1. Richard Davies. 38 pts; 2. Paul Nixon, 37 pts; 3. John Hall 32 pts (back nine).
Seniors are reminded that next week a re-arranged match will be played against Trefloyne, tee-off at 10. Roll-up members may still use the tee from 9.30 am. All members aged 55 or over are invited and welcome to join this happy band.
D.J.S.
Chicken Trotters
Mike Fox was the outright winner notching up 24 points when the Chicken Trotters met last Friday morning.
With eight chicks venturing out onto the course, it was Owen Monaghan who was unfortunate enough to exit with the booby prize.
All the Chickens Trotters wish to congratulate Neil and his wife Alison on the birth of their second daughter.
Dyfed Golf League
Tenby rounded off their very successful Dyfed Golf League season with a win away to Glyn Abbey B.
Although the course was somewhat waterlogged, the team managed to win by four matches to three and therefore champions of the league by a substantial margin.
Thanks go to all the members of the club who have supported the team through this season.
Geoff Aston (president), Richard Morton and Andrew Morton tied for the most successful player of the season, but Geoff was heard to say that as he is the oldest, the trophy was his.
A golf day will be arranged early in the new year for all the players to get together and celebrate in traditional style.
I.P.W.D.