With the wind blowing strongly from the normal westerly direction, the air heavy with moisture, and the temperature remarkable mild for the time of year, the Divots once again ventured out onto the course for their pre-Christmas knock.
The captain, Nigel Ayers, with his heart full of the festive joy of Christmas, offered the faithful few the possibility of winning prizes galore.
The captain's challenge to hit the fairway on the 13th... Christmas prize for the best two scores on predetermined parts of the course... monetary reward for the person closest to the pin on the sixth... and, of course, a six figure payout for the winning pair of the day. Father Christmas was definitely coming early for the talented few.
But firstly, what of last week's request by the captain that all players should adorn themselves with something of a festive nature? Most of us wore Father Christmas hats with flashing lights or the customary white beard attached. Christmas wreath...? Not bad Viv, but hung from your shirt button with bailer twine... this must have been a panic move before leaving the house. Gavin... Father Christmas does not have a Mohican haircut, but it was funny. Sadly, those that forgot, found themselves a pound down before leaving the clubhouse. Roger, you could have saved yourself 56p by buying the Tenby Observer last week.
So who were the winners and who were the losers?
Top marks this week went to Paul Haley and Jim Moffat coming out winners with 35 points. In second place were Paul James and Gareth Phillips with 34, followed closely by Captain Ayers and Roger Schooling, also with 34.
The debate of the day for last place was between Bill Beynon and Clive Law, and Gavin Field-Thomas and Rob Hall, both on 30 points. With a well-sharpened pen and the mathematical enthusiasm of a rocket scientist, the captain informed us that Bill and Clive came last as Rob and Gav had a better back nine.
Accuracy of the day went to Paul James, who placed his ball closest to the pin on the sixth, thus picking up a nice Christmas bonus for himself. Non-accuracy of the day went to Bill, Clive and Nigel, the only three to miss the 13th fairway.
Then, by a mathematical conundrum known as 'Fermat's Last Theorem', or certainly the captain's version of it, it was determined that Roger Schooling and Gavin (tomahawk) Field-Thomas should receive the captain's specially prepared and wrapped Christmas present. Your correspondent can report that, after peeling off the Christmas wrapping, Roger Schooling, with eyes full of tears, thanked the captain once again. Must have been that strong aftershave you couldn't get rid of last year Nigel.
So, with all done and dusted, the captain reminded us that Wednesday morning, December 24, will be a practice round for... something to do with Rabbit bashing???
Festive Chickens
The Chicken Trotters at Tenby Golf Club were in party mood on Friday as they turned up for their annual Christmas bash.
And guess what, among the party-goers was none other than club professional Rhys Harry, who had heard so much about the brood that he thought he would join them for the day.
In fact, he made up a formidable three-ball with club captain Idwal David and club secretary David Hancock. An impressive trio, if ever there was one.
And what's more, the club treasurer, Ken Gouldsbrough, was also out on the course.
So the regular Chicken Trotters were in exalted company indeed. Not many societies can boast such a prestigious gathering of top brass in their ranks.
But would these be the ones to beat in this festive competition? Surely one of these highly talented golfers would get his hands on the highly coveted Roger and Mary Trophy... if it could ever be found.
Wrong. Amazingly, not one of this quartet featured on the leaderboard at the end of play, with pro Rhys languishing way back in the middle of the pack.
OK, it was his first outing with the Chickens, so he can be excused, but he now knows what a tough school it is.
In fact, one recent booby winner who has been contemplating having the odd lesson or two with the pro, says he is now prepared to offer him a crash course in Chicken golf in return. We will keep you posted on the outcome of this.
Meanwhile, back on the golf course, the day's competition proved a close affair among the 14 who turned out, with occupier of the top perch having to be decided on countback.
Sitting pretty after the mathematicians had worked out the scores over the back six was Brian Waters, who returned a score of 25 points, as, surprisingly, did Neil Dickinson. Amazing what an extra few shots can do, isn't it.
Richard Morgan, yes that man again, was a point adrift of the two leaders, while smiling Meurig Jones was a further point back in fourth place.
No twos were recorded and par for the day was set at 22.
Results: 1, Brian Waters 25 pts (bottle and three balls); 2. Neil Dickinson 25 (bottle and two balls); 3. Richard Morgan 24 (bottle and one ball); 4. Meurig Jones 23, last six (bottle and one ball).
After the action on the course, the Trotters and their guests sat down to a sumptuous Christmas meal in the clubhouse.
Chief Chicken Morran Boot welcomed everyone and gave a potted history of the Chicken Trotters and how the society was formed many years ago.
Among the VIPs on the top table, meanwhile, were club president Geoff Aston, Chicken statistician Arnold Kaney, Chicken treasurer Micky Johnston, club secretary's assistant, Marilyn Marquiss, and Tom Hughes, who had been the first person Morran had played golf with 60 years ago and was his vice-captain 30 years ago.
The prizes were kindly presented by Marilyn, while in conclusion, Morran hoped that pro Rhys's appearance with the Chicken Trotters would be the first of many. Sentiments echoed by everyone.
After a festive break, the Chickens return to action on Friday, January 9. Will Rhys be with them? Watch this space.
Christmas spirits
Although last Saturday dawned miserable, damp and windy, there was still plenty of festive cheer at Tenby Golf Club as the annual Christmas spirits competition was held. Played over 15 holes, with no trip 'over the line', a total of 83 golfers turned out in the two divisions, 28 in division one and 55 in division two, with the lucky winners of bottles of the hard stuff being as follows:
Division One (handicaps -3 to 12): Peter Rossi 31 pts (Penderyn); Gary McNeilly 30 (Dalwhinnie); Ian Thomas 28 (Famous Grouse); Chris Thompson 27, last nine (Gordons Gin); Alan E. James 27 (two bottles of wine); Roger Schooling 26, last six (wine).
Division Two (handicaps 13 to 28): Vivian James 35 pts (Penderyn); Stephen Maytum 30, last nine (Dalwhinnie); John Rees 30 (Famous Grouse); Roger Scholfield 29, last nine (Gordons Gin); Peter Turton 29, last nine (two bottles of wine); Robert Howse 29 (wine). Fifty-five competitors.
Twos: Alan E. James, Vivian James, John Rees (£27.66 each).
Bag draw: D. Hancock, I. Thomas, P. Nixon, R. Schooling, C. Thompson (£16.20 each).
Ladies' Section
The ladies played their last medal of the year on a windy dismal day. Only nine entered the competition, although 15 ladies went out to play.
Many came to join them in the clubhouse afterwards for the presentation of the overall winner of the Turkey Trots. Due to the inclement weather, only three of these were played.
The runner-up, with 72 points, was the ladies' captain, Heather Morgan. But first, with a colossal 78 points, was Rhian Walters. Rhian is beginning to hit the form now she is quieter in work. She also won the medal with a nett 75.
To round off the presentation, vice-captain, Mel Smith, had organised a Christmas sing-a-long and the stewardness put on coffee and mince pies to add to the atmosphere. Although the songs were carols, their words were not the traditional ones, but all to do with golf, and very amusing. Thanks to all the ladies for their support.