Frosty start for Divots

Sunday saw an excellent turnout of Divots eager to participate in what can only be described as the marque of winter golfing tournaments. The standards are high and the prize money and trophies carry a prestige the envy of the Pro Tour circuit. If in doubt, ask our current captain, Nigel Ayres, as he knows a lot about circuits (pun intended).

With prize money well into six figures and the winners trophy under constant CCTV 24-hour surveillance, it's no wonder that some big names have started to turn up for that Sunday morning stroll. Even members of the higher handicapped Rabbits section have been asking if they could join our ranks. Sorry Fangsy you're cup tied until the end of the Rabbits Winter season.

Our captain Nigel started the proceedings by issuing the day's challenge, which was to hit the ninth fairway from the ninth tee. Failure to do so would result in a £1 fine.

Then, as soon as the eagerly-awaited pairs draw was complete, it was out to the car park, bags and buggies ready and assemble on the first tee. With the sun slowly breaking the horizon, throwing those long wintry morning shadows across the fairway, and just a hint of breeze from the north-west, the first pair, namely Gavin Field-Thomas and Rob Hall, started the proceedings. As the odd pair got underway, the remaining three four-ballers were ready to join in, not that there is anything odd about Gav' and Rob, as we later found out.

The first four comprised Clive Law and Bill Beynon joined by Loz Phillips and Paul James. This was Loz's third 2008 winter league turnout and Paul's sixth and, although they looked strong in the starting blocks, they failed to ignite and came home with 32 points.

Loz at present is carrying an injury, which obviously affects his game. With a heavily strapped ankle, he explained how it occurred and he told us that the x-ray revealed a piece of floating bone. Your correspondent can report, however, that the radiologist found a pound coin inside his sock (he'll do anything to get out of paying his fine).

Clive and Bill on the other hand, not only hit the ninth fairway, but also had a steady start, accumulating 17 points on the front nine and then fired into overdrive on the back nine with a super 24 points, giving them a fine total of 41.

Nigel Ayers and Paul Haley, along with Gareth Rees and Roger Schooling, were the next fourball to breath in the crisp morning air. Steady golf saw Gareth and Roger accumulating a respectable total of 32 points. This was only Gareth's second 2008 winter league outing and Roger's fifth, so perhaps we can expect greater things from Gareth later on in the season.

Nigel and Paul, on the other hand, must have felt confident that their tally of 36 points may place them on top of the pile. Paul shot an amazing three over for the round, which is pretty special when you think that this gentleman of a golfer is playing off plus-one.

The final pairing saw Viv James join forces with John Stevenson and they were accompanied by Jim Moffat and Gareth Phillips. What could this last pair conjure up? Would Jim be able to wave a magic wand and produce a miraculous round? Sadly, Jim's putter didn't fall into the magic wand category as putt after putt lipped and rolled past the hole much to his dismay. The last fourball saw Viv and John returning to the clubhouse with 34 points and Jim and Gareth with 32; it wasn't to be their day.

But let's return to the odd couple... the fireworks didn't come from league leader Rob Hall, but his playing partner Mr. Walrus. I've called him Mr. because after this week's performance he deserves some respect. After losing three balls over the first four holes, Rob must have wished he'd drawn someone else, but Mr. Walrus, swinging like a man possessed, played to standards well beyond previous weeks, and it can be reported that most of their 36 points was scored by the Walrus himself, with a putt for five points on the 10th and steady scoring from the fifth hole onwards leaving a big smile on his face... and justifiably so, as Gav' hasn't been playing up to his normal high standards over the last couple of months.

So, with all of us back in the clubhouse, the December sun arcing low in the sky, throwing its lazy winter rays through the clubhouse windows, I'm sure everyone can vouch that it had been a pleasure and a joy to be playing out on the course.

Results were: Clive Law and Bill Beynon 41 pts; Rob Hall and Gavin Field-Thomas 36; Nigel Ayers and Paul Haley 36; Viv James and John Stevenson 34; Roger Schooling and Gareth Rees 32; Gareth Phillips and Jim Moffat 32; Paul James and Loz Phillips 32.

Important notice: Divots v Rabbits, to be held on January 11, 2009.

Rabbits League is wide open

Tenby Rabbits played their fifth match of the winter league campaign on Sunday. This was a re-run of the week two round which was called off due to thunder and lightning.

With the league being so close, someone had the chance to take an outright lead, so what happened - well the pairing of John Hunt and Terry Davies, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and had a lesson from Tim Davies (sub for Mike Hale) and Dorian Thomas.

Dorian, by the way, is offering putting lessons for those who are left-handed - pity then that most are cack-handed.

With the league starting to shape up now, it really is anyone's title, but watch out for the pairing of Chris Davies and Steve Watkins. Undefeated in their last four games, they are now joint second in the league and on Sunday despatched Mark Edwards and Mick Gillet - now that's some win.

Not so lucky for the bottom pairing of Fred Adlam and Mike Munro, though. Despite Mike having super sub Steve Maytum with him, they were easily seen off by Dave Morgan and Juan (campo) Cruz and are starting to look favourites for the wooden prize.

Another drubbing was handed by Macky Harts and Simon Evans as they sorted out Chris Smith and Jerry Whitehouse. Some say most of their putts just fell in! - and this was despite Chris's attempt to put them off with an early Christmas jumper that required sunglasses to look at.

Mind you, apparently Juan was heard asking where such a garment of style and quality could be purchased. He said he hadn't heard of the make, but it rang a bell.

Not much else to say boys, but if you carry on being shy with your snippets, I will make it all up!

Results: Jerry Whitehouse and Chris Smith lost to Simon Evans and Mackie Harts 5 and 4; Gerald Hewitt and John Murphy halved with Dafydd Evans and Paul Davies; Mike Hale and Dorian Thomas bt John Hunt and Terry Davies 4 and 3; Dave Morgan and Juan Cruz bt Fred Adlam and Mike Munro 4 and 2; Mark Edwards and Mick Gillett lost to Chris Davies and Steve Watkins 2 down.

LEAGUE TABLE

Pts

John Hunt and Terry Davies 7

Chris Davies and Steve Watkins 7

Mark Edwards and Mick Gillett 6

Mike Hale and Dorian Thomas 6

Jerry Whitehouse and Chris Smith 5

Dafydd Evans and Paul Davies 5

Simon Evans and Mackie Harts 5

Dave Morgan and Juan Cruz 5

Gerald Hewitt and John Murphy 3

Fred Adlam and Mike Munro 1

Rainbows and squalls

Rob Wilkins would be a wealthy man if he were to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. As he and his fellow golfers stood on the 12th green, they could see the perfect rainbow arching the Esplanade, with one end in the area of his house in Penally and the other end at Kinloch Court, where he used to live.

Perhaps not a pot of gold, but a better performance than in previous weeks was his only reward. He was playing alongside Nigel Rimmell, who had managed to score 18 points on the front nine, but was unable to match it on the back nine. In a game where his putting did not match his driving he, nevertheless, scored on every hole - except the last that is. Had he completed the set he would have been in the prize-money.

Again, despite the cold weather, there were 39 seniors in attendance and all but one completed the course. JDR decided enough was enough after six holes and made his way to the bar to enjoy the company and the warmth.

A search party was needed on the 10th - Bob Howse had lost a ball, one he reckoned he had played with for months. Never mind, he can buy one out of his previous winnings.

He was out with Stan Hudson this week and was subdued into submission with a great performance by Stan. Thirty-six points in total and one wonders what it might have been had he not failed to score on the 14th and 15th.

Peter Woodhouse was in a panic - he had lost his car keys! He came back to the first to look for them, leaving his playing partners to carry on. Fortunately, the group behind them were observant and found them on the path and duly returned them. By now his game had deteriorated and he never fully recovered, ending up with a score in the mid 20s.

Another of last week's winners, Peter Williams, was also unable to repeat his high score, also ending up in the 20s.

Newman and John Cook blamed the group in front of them for some mixed scores on the seventh. They complained that the flag had not been re-instated to its proper location, which meant they had nothing to aim at. How come JC had a four!

That one hole was not responsible for Newman's score of seven on the front nine, a score that he made up for with four pars on the back nine - followed by two blobs!

The warmth of the clubhouse was a welcome relief from the wintry showers and everyone was pleased to defrost as they came in. The showers and the cold wind were responsible for some of the lesser scores, but that did not stop eight players from scoring 30 or more.

At the other extreme there were five on less than20. Roy Morgan thought he was going to achieve notoriety with his 18, but was pleased to see Mike Munro's card with 15. They were both breathing a sigh of relief when Ray Ford handed his card in with a lower score than theirs.

Nine players scored between 20 and 24, while a total of 16 managed to beat 24, but were less than 30. There was one nil return.

Missing from the senior ranks since the summer is Mike Nesbitt-Hawes. He has undergone an operation and is now recovering at home. We all look forward to his return.

Another on the road to recovery is our current secretary, Jim Martin, who was seen in the clubhouse for the second week in succession, bashing everyone with his crutches. He was there for the big committee decisions taken in camera.

There were five players scoring a two this week - Peter Woodhouse on the sixth, Rod Clark on the 12th and Bob Howse, Dudley Williams and Paul Nixon on the 17th.

This week's winners were -Stan Hudson with 36 pts; John Hall with 32; Alan Yates on 31, back nine; with Nigel Rimmell also on 31 points.

Next Tuesday is the last event of the Autumn Season and all who turn up will enjoy a Texas Scramble followed by a meal and presentation.

Before that there will be a gathering of senior members today (Friday) to enjoy each other's company as well as a Christmas meal. Everyone should be at the clubhouse by 7.15 pm for a 7.30 pmmeal followed by entertainment.

See you there.

Ladies' Section

Each year on the first Thursday in December the ladies hold their Christmas dinner and trophy presentation evening.

This year, nearly 50 members enjoyed an excellent meal provided by Julia, Mary and Gary and when replete heard the recently elected captain, Heather Morgan, reminisce about her early golf history and her hopes for 2008.

This was followed by the presentation of the LGU medals and the various trophies, many of which were originally presented nearly a century ago.

There was a fairly reasonable spread of winners, with Holly Watkins regaining the championship. However, many of us were chickens when it came to the wind and rain this year and only those who played regularly through the wind reaped their just rewards and it is clear many of us will have to mend our ways if we are to keep up with our captain, Heather, and emulate her 2008 haul!

B.M.S.