Divots Winter League reporting starts now
Well those of you who thought that there was no Divots Winter League 2008 to 2009 can now go ahead and book your Christmas holidays and your New Year's Party.
The season has started with an enthusiasm that hasn't been seen for some years. Firstly the Divots AGM was held at Tenby Golf Club on Wednesday, October 15. The meeting was so well attended that the doors had to be locked 15 minutes before the start to prevent any more people coming into the premises, you know health and safety and fire regulations etc.
Indeed, many had to stand during the proceedings to listen to resigning captain Gavin Field Thomas's speech and the signing in of the new captain for 2008 to 2009, Mr. Nigel Ayers. The applause, as you can imagine, was deafening and the bar staff were down to their last barrel of ale.
Now, as from this week, your new Divot correspondent has been appointed and starts his first weekly assignment by informing you faithful Divots followers of some sad news.
Many of you may think that the reporting delay was due to the disorganised methods of the new Divots captain, but your correspondent can vouch that this is not the case as the new captain Nigel (don't throw that switch) Ayers has filled the shoes of last year's captain Gavin (bent left arm) Field-Thomas and has a wonderful team around him this year.
A bit more about the team later, but the sad new first... It can now be reported that last year's correspondent had to be instantly dismissed from his post as he was seen talking to Phillip Marsden. Now under normal circumstances he may have got away with it, but it has been rumoured that he handed Phillip the Divots tactics for the annual Divots v Rabbits encounter to be held during the early part of January 11, 2009 (watch this space).
About the team
The Divots set-up this year is nothing short of total brilliance. Captain Nigel Ayers has selected an astonishing array of people around him to make this year possibly the best year for sometime. His vice-captain is Gareth (Straight line) Phillips. Somebody asked me, was this new nickname due to the fact that Gareth hit the ball so straight and true. Sadly it's not... it's due to the way he lays his bricks and blocks.
Nigel's treasurer is John (fingers) Stevenson, who is the only person by all accounts that has emerged from the current financial crises with a smile on his face. Its good to know that the Divots finances, all £5 of it, are in good hands. Now where did I leave my specs'?
Divots standards get a huge lift
This year, Scratch Cup winner Paul Haley has decided to join the Divots. By all accounts Paul wanted to play this year because he heard that there were some very talented newcomers to the Divots scene and felt that he could learn some of their finely tuned skills in order to reclaim the cup next year.
There are two new Divots members this year, namely Kilgetty based Paul (jampot) James, whose ball control is a joy to behold, mainly by the left-hand rough and sand bunkers. Having said that, he's not doing too bad in the league.
Another big asset to the Divots section this year is Tenby based William (the draw) Beynon, who by virtue of the handicap system has played himself out of the Rabbits Society. William, or Bill to his golfing companions, has been well-impressed with his new colleagues. The likes of Rob (lofty) Hall and Viv (is that really a CONGU handicap) James have already left their mark... one on the leg and the other high up on the left shoulder.
With such a plethora of golfing talent in such a small society bodes well for Tenby Golf Club future amongst its playing members.
Winter League Results so far
So let's update all of you ardent Divots followers of the results to date:
Week one - This week saw the multi-talents of Rob Hall and Viv James pick up the yellow shirt with a combined stableford score of 40 points. Paul James came in with a 37, Bill Beynon and Jim Moffat 35, Nigel and Gareth with 31, Clive and Gavin with 19.
Week two - Week two saw Bill Beynon and Paul Haley lift the FA Cup with a colossal 43 points. Rob Hall and Roger Schooling scored a respectable 38, Paul James and Richard Chapman 33, Jim Moffat 32 and Nigel Ayers 22.
Week three - Week three saw Viv James and Clive Law pick up the winnings with a score of 42, Paul James came second with 38, Rob Hall and Paul Haley 37, Bill Beynon and John Stevenson 36, Roger Schooling and Richard Chapman 30 and Nigel Ayers 29.
Week four - Roger Schooling and Rob Hall were first to the summit with a fine 40 points. Second were Gareth Phillips and Gavin Field-Thomas with 35, on 33 points came Viv James, Paul James, John Stevenson and Loz Phillips, and finally that man again Nigel Ayers and Jim Moffat 29.
Week five - Finally this weekend, November 30, a fine performance by Loz Phillips and Rob Hall saw them triumph with a points tally of 37. Second place went to Paul James and Bill Beynon with 36, Viv James and Gareth Phillips scored 35, Clive Law and Gavin Field-Thomas 34, Roger Schooling and Richard Chapman 33, with John Stevenson scoring 28.
The draw for a partner is made each week, so any paid-up member of Tenby Golf Club can join us on any Sunday and play as many or as little number of games as you want. The combined team score is shared by each individual for that weekend. The winter league will then be decided by the best six results over the winter season. If you fancy your chances, join us on a Sunday morning at 8 am.
Putting perfection from The Pipe
This week's round of the Rabbits Winter League brought with it a surprise change to the top of the table, with the leaders playing the bottom of the league and thus far unbeaten.
The pressure was on our captain, Mark Edwards, and his vice, Mick Gilett, but those who have participated in this league in the past will tell you to expect the unexpected and on Sunday it came in the form of John Murphy and Gerald Hewiitt! They played with such confidence that even a visit from one of our resisident crows couldn't put them off.
By the way, if anyone finds the Holy Grail, that is in the shape of a nest of balls, can John please have his Commando back - great balls for putting with obviously. Our captain informs me of John sinking a putt of some 150-foot which in turn sunk Mark Edwards and Mick Gilett.
Mind you, that putt was longer by some 145-foot than past captain, Chris Smith's drive on the 10th - didn't get past the ladies' tee... didn't even get close.
Mike Munro, watching from the 11th green, was in hysterics. Insult to injury springs to mind there then.
Nothing more on the course to report, but back in the clubhouse some unusual eating was going on and none more so than from Terry Davies. He started with a chocolate spread, Marmite and chutney sandwich and, if that wasn't enough, he followed that with a piece of cake, not dust, just cake, and I think it was carrot; which came as surprise to Macky, as he didn't think you could have your cake and eat it.
What a great atmosphere it was in the clubhouse, with Mike Hale as chilled as polar bear and his partner Dorian Thomas doing a star turn with the raffle - you had to be there, but it was funny.
Finally, congratulations go to Juan Cruz for making it through to the final of the regional bell ringers championship - this boy really does knows the ropes!
Results: Fred Adlam and Mike Munro lost to Mike Hale and Dorian Thomas 4 and 3; Simon Evans and Mackie Harts lost to John Hunt and Terry Davies 3 and 1; Dave Morgan and Juan Cruz halved with Jerry Whitehouse and Chris Smith; Mark Edwards and Mick Gillett lost to Gerald Hewitt and John Murphy 2 and 1; Dafydd Evans and Paul Davies lost to Chris Davies and Steve Watkins 2 down.
Bart takes top perch
A total of 12 Chicken Trotters left the hutch on Friday morning for yet more friendly rivalry on the lush Tenby links.
And after 15 holes of enjoyable competition between the brood, there was a new name sitting on the top perch.
Proudly preening himself after returning a healthy score of 29 points was Bart Youll, who pocketed the princely sum of £1.50 for his efforts.
Trailing him in second place, just one point adrift, was Fred Adlam, who earned himself a quid to spend on holiday!
There were no twos recorded on the day, so treasurer Micky Johnson was rubbing his hands at the size of the kitty, although Clifton John did make another slight dent in it as he had his 30p entry returned after claiming the booby with 15 points.
Two others sitting on 17 points, including your correspondent, had been seen sweating rather nervously before Chief Chicken Morran announced the results. Phew!
Par for the day, meanwhile, was calculated to be 23.
Finally, Chicken Trotters are reminded that the annual festive bash and Christmas dinner will be held on Friday, December 19. Make sure you put your name down on the list.
Pack closes in on leaders
The field closed in on the leaders this week, with the top of the leaderboard becoming very tight. In the net table, there are now 10 players with scores under 60 and in the gross only four shots cover the top seven players. So going into the final eclectic competition next Tuesday, there is still room for some changes at the top.
This week saw nine players improve their gross by five to seven shots, in fact there were two who improved their scores by 12 and 15 shots, respectively. There were only four players who failed to improve their status.
Despite the early rain frightening off seven players, 38 were still willing to brave the elements and strive to improve their eclectic. Leading the field and finishing in the leading frame for the first time this season was Peter Woodhouse, coming in with an excellent score of 38 points. Two points further back was Peter Williams on 36. Both players saw their handicaps cut by one shot as a result. In third place on 34 points was Hywel Probert, in his final event before going off to sun himself in warmer climes.
Coming into this week's competition there had only been 26 birdies scored by the players, but this week saw that figure improve by 27 per cent, with seven birdies being scored, six of them twos. The twos pot was shared by John Charnock, Rod Clarke, Ken Gouldsbrough, Chris Sierwald, Peter Woodhouse and Bart Youll.
Brian Morgan's charity event saw Roy Morgan looking forward to a nice Sunday roast (courtesy of a generous member); could be Tony Ranoe will come along to join him with his bottle of wine. While Chris Sierwald will practise with his new ball!
Captain Brian Waters reminded the Seniors to let him know their choice of food by next week for the Seniors Christmas event on December 12. He also clarified the situation regarding starting earlier; it seems that some members took it to mean that they could choose to go off earlier than 9.30 am no matter where they were drawn. Basically, if the tee is vacant between 9 and 9.30 am, then the earlier starters can get away between then, giving due regard to other members going out before 9.30 am.
J.D.M.
Ladies' Section
Inevitably, it seems this year, competitions have been cancelled or postponed because of poor weather and the recent weeks have been no different.
Those competitions which did not take place recently included the October LGU Medal in which the Silver Division was won by Pam Cole, followed by Heather Morgan, and the Bronze by A. Wilks, with Nesta Hart runner-up.
The final Hill-Lowe Bogey produced some golf all the participants would rather forget in the poor weather, but the best results come from Angela Hunt and Pam Cole.
November began with a team Stableford in which the two-player teams were drawn. Helen Morgan and Jean Charnock amassed 64 points, Denise Edwards and Rita Collins 63 and Rhian Walters and Angela Hunt 60. It was good to see Rita back at Tenby and Angela appearing among the leading scorers.
The November Medal was won by Rhian Walters on nett 73, with Anita Davies second on 74, while Ann Marsden won the Bronze Division on 73, with Liz Storey second on nett 81.
Turkey Trots always feature towards the end of the year and this year will be played mainly over 14 holes. The first was won by Rhian Walters on 27 points, with Heather Morgan second on 23 and Linda Thomas third on 20.
Most sports clubs hold annual general meetings during which captains and some committee members retire and are replaced by new incumbents. Golf clubs are no exception and the AGM of the Ladies' Section took place at the end of November.
The retiring president, Anne Morris, and the captain, Nesta Hart, with other retiring officers and committee members, were thanked for the contributions they had made to the successful running of the section in 2008. They, in turn, wished the incoming committee a good year in 2009.
President - Barbara Williams; captain - Heather Morgan; vice-captain - Mel Smith; hon. secretary - Liz Storey; hon. treasurer - Anita Davies; hon. handicap secretary - Barbara Williams; past captain - Nesta Hart. Committee members - Jo Walsh Morgan, Mary Lewis, Pat Fox, Fiona Aston, Anne Wilks and Mary Williams.
2009 Captain -
Heather Morgan
Heather was born in the Isle of Wight, but as a child travelled widely since her father was in the RAF.
She played county hockey while in Cardiff and dabbled in golf, but only began to play seriously when she came to Tenby in 1991.
Prior to this, Heather had qualified as a teacher in Brighton, taught in Sussex and Kuala Lumpar, married and had three children, Ben and Danny and finally Katie, who like her mother, became a competent golfer at Tenby, but rarely has time to play now.
Since retiring from teaching, Heather has become very competent on her computer, has served on the greens committee, been ladies' handicap secretary, reached a single figure handicap and recently has become involved in helping to run the 'infant' County Golf Team in Pembrokeshire.
With her flair for ideas and ability to organise, we are in for a busy year, which I know will have everyone's enthusiastic support.
B.M.S.
Turkey Trot
Last Saturday's seasonal Turkey Trot took the form of a fourball better ball competition.
After early morning ice and frost, conditions improved and, not suprisingly, so did the scoring compared to recent weeks.
Prize winners were: 1. John Ball and R. Morton 40 pts (turkey and £10 each); 2. Martin Morris and Dai Cope 38 (£30 each); 3. Brian Cramb and Dr. J. Helliwell 37 (£25 each); 4. Austin Davies and Neil Thomas 37 (£17.50 each).
Twos (£3.75 each player): R. Davies and P. Hart 2 (£7.50 each), T. Martin and V. James, P. Ellis and A. Jones, J. Ball and R. Morton, T. Key and P. Booth, A. Yates and J. Hall, P. Nixon and R. Bradbury, R. Johns and G. Willars, D. Llewellyn and J. Rees, M. Morris and D. Cope, R. Scholfield and N. Vincent.
Bag draw (£15 each player): Rob Hall and Gavin Field Thomas, Tony Key and Philip Booth, Huw Roberts and Roger Schooling.