Billy Lewis has a big smile on his face
As Tenby Seniors traversed the parallel valleys of the Glynhir course last Wednesday, they became aware of a deep rumbling in the distance. It was as if the collective stomachs of both teams were anticipating the sumptuous feast awaiting them in the clubhouse at the conclusion of the match.
But no, it was the heavy thunderstorm with ominous black and yellow clouds circling the hills around them that had made one or two nervous. During the course of the day the wind veered round 180 degrees, but everyone was able to enjoy the warmth of this sunny June afternoon, secure in the knowledge that they had, yet again, invoked a fine afternoon.
Billy Lewis was beaming as brightly as the sun. He was playing his long time adversary, John Hancock, and when asked how he had fared his face lit up as he declared, 'Don't let him tell you it was my jokes - 'cos we absolutely stuffed him!' While Billy had Winston Davies to help him, as he drove long and straight, John had the support of Brian Morgan. It made little difference as Billy revelled in the lead he built up and his only regret was that John's mate, Vince, was not there to witness the event.
It must be pointed out, however, that John was trying out a different set of clubs, which, according to Brian, left him a few yards shorter than he expected on most holes. Needless to say he will not be trying them again.
So, how did the rest of the team fare? Seniors captain, Brian Waters, enlisted the help of Bob Howse this week to try and conquer the parkland course. It could have worked out well, but he hadn't reckoned on the superb display of chipping and putting by Hugh E. Jones. John Balmont came in with the occasional long putt to demoralise the visitors who thought they were doing well to keep the score all-square after nine holes.
In their defence, Brian kickstarted the match by winning the first and Bob held his breath on the par three 13th as his drive approached the hole, only to drift round the back and hold just two inches away from a hole-in-one. To demonstrate his amicability, Hugh drove to the left on the 15th, almost ending up in the river, and proceeded to chip up onto the green with his second to steal the advantage from the Tenby pair.
'It was Terry Goringe who did all the damage!' declared Roy Morgan as he and Colin Griffith tried to outwit their opposition. Terry par-red 10 of the 18 holes to steal the advantage as he and Derek Locke showed the Tenby pair how to play this challenging course. Undaunted, Roy and Colin fought back to win a few holes of their own, but had to concede on the 16th.
Roy Gundry was at his best - cursing the greens as few of his putts rolled in. Could it have been that he wasn't reading the line properly? He and John Williams were four down after nine holes and fighting a rearguard action to get back into the match. Alan Cudworth and Bill Phelps had opened up an early lead and nearly succumbed to a valiant fight back by the Tenby pair. Alas it was all to no avail as they shook hands on the 17th - pleased to have extended the match to there.
It's not often that Peter Williams loses out but, even with help of John Hall, he was unable to overcome Phil Evans and Hugh Davies on their own course. 'We came an excellent second' was his observation on this interesting encounter. Although they had a good front nine with a par on the first and halving the second, they could not repeat the performance on the back nine. In a very enjoyable match the home pair took advantage of the many halved holes offered by Tenby and opened up a lead in the run in to the clubhouse, finishing the match on the 16th hole.
One group preparing to tee-off on the fourth were amazed to see Clifton John walk across their fairway and disappear into the ditch on the right-hand side. A wild hook, from someone who normally slices the ball, had put him in this position and he had to take a drop before he could continue. His partner, Newman Vincent, was in better position, but they still lost the first hole to Vernon Butt and John Pollock.
Clifton made up for his wayward drive by winning the next three holes to establish a lead. He and Newman interlinked well on this thunderous day as they developed that lead into a match that concluded on the 12th.
Stan Hudson and Des Stone finished their match just one hole later on the 13th with a birdie two. Ted Rimmell and Gil Mount had struggled to compete with the longer drives from the visitors and were unable to make the most of the shots offered them by Stan. A number of holes were halved, but Stan and Des managed to stay ahead in this friendly encounter.
Martin Neilan and Nigel Rimell found themselves in a two v one situation since Colin Hopkins's partner failed to turn up. Nigel, freed from the encumbrance of collecting the money, was all geared up and champing at the bit, as was his partner. Colin put on a valiant performance, but was unable to fend off the expertise of the two Tenby golfers. Try as he might, he could not overcome the double challenge and found himself five holes down.
A lack of concentration allowed him to recover a couple of holes, but he reluctantly conceded on the dog-leg 14th.
The Glynhir pairing of Hugh Sellick and Rod Sewter came in a good second, according to Hugh. Jack Hasdell, scoring four pars in a good round helped Robin Hagley to a well-earned victory. The Tenby pair interlocked well to establish a seven-hole lead after nine holes. Like Martin and Nigel, they relaxed their grip on the match, allowing Hugh and Rod to recover their composure and win a couple of holes. With concentration restored, they were able to finalise this match on the 14th.
That was Jack Hasdell, not to be confused with Jack Russell, who was also on the course. This brown and white 'Parson's Terrier' covered the course three times over as he chased from hole to hole, crossing fairways, darting in and out of the trees, barking at the squirrels. Some players were in fear of losing balls, but need not have worried as this lively participant scampered his way all around the course.
But I digress - the match was five to four in favour of Glynhir. Everything hinged on the last four-ball. The Glynhir captain disappeared to find out the result of the encounter between Geoff Aston and Alan Yates against Paul Murphy and Trevor Whitman. He returned to indicate to Brian that it was all-square. Brian's face dropped as he thought that meant that the overall result was four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half. But John had meant that the match was all-square - In a very exciting encounter, Geoff and Alan had just edged the home pair by one hole. Fortunately for Geoff, Alan had remembered that the match was on a Wednesday, not a Thursday (last year he had turned up a day late!). He graciously conceded that Geoff had done all the damage and that he was there just to hold the flag.
Honours even, everyone was happy - especially Billy Lewis as he regaled the gathering with his usual plethora of jokes, ending up by pumping his fists into the air to conclude with, 'Yess - I did it!'
Results were as follows: B. Waters and B. Howse lost to J. Balmont and H. E. Jones 2 and 1; S. Hudson and D. Stone beat T. Rimmell and G. Mount 7 and 5; C. Griffith and R. Morgan lost to D. Locke and T. Gorringe 3 and 2; M. Neilan and N. Rimell beat I. Simkins and C. Hopkins 5 and 4; J. Hancock and B. Morgan lost to W. Davies and B. Lewis 5 and 3; R. Hagley and J. Hasdell beat H. Sellick and R. Sewter 6 and 5; R. Gundry and J.D.R. Williams lost to A. Cudworth and B. Phelps 2 and 1; P. Williams and J. Hall lost to P. Evans and H. Davies 3 and 2; N. Vincent and C. John beat V. Butt and J. Pollock 7 and 6; G. Aston and A. Yates beat P. Murphy and T. Whitman 1 up.
Cramb claims second Welsh seniors title
Tenby Golf Club member Brian Cramb became the Welsh Seniors Champion for the second time last week.
Brian needed a superb total of 222 over three rounds at Aberdovey Golf Club.
After two rounds, Brian was joint leader with George Stowe, a member of the host club. However, a final round of 76 saw Brian win by three strokes.
Brian last won the Welsh Seniors Championship in 2002, but he has been playing some characteristically solid, consistent golf over his home track at Tenby recently, which has been demonstrated in this tremendous national display.
AJO Memorial - first round
Knibb opens up
big lead and Amos aces 17th
Home member Alastair Knibb came in with an incredible 42 points at Tenby last Saturday and leads the field by a clear four points going into the second leg at Trefloyne. Apparently, Alastair's found included an unbelievable back nine of 24 points, just one over par off a handicap of 14. He has been cut to 12.
Junior Samuel Jaakola lies second with 38 points. Until recently he was a member at both clubs and his experience at Trefloyne should prove invaluable tomorrow.
Just behind are the impressive trio of Trefloyne's Gavin Scotcher, lefty Paul James and former pro Phil Goodridge. All scored a very creditable 37 points and are followed closely by full-timer Mike Schooling, Doc Huw Roberts and Trefloyne's greenkeeper Gareth Knight.
There are no less than 28 others with scores of 30 points or more, a reflection of the excellent conditions enjoyed by all on the fabulous links.
Leading 'gross' scores for the Tenby Observer Cup are Brian Cramb's 34 pts, Scotcher 33 and Andy Pouton and John Morris, both with 32.
In the ladies' section, Tenby captain Heather Morgan is ahead with 36 points, hot on her heels are two of Trefloyne's best, Ann Morgan with 35 and Bethan Morris with 33. Tenby's Georgina Ormond has 32 and four more have at least 30.
Steve Amos's shot on the 17th hole was straight as a die and his 'hole in one' is the first ever in the seven-year history of the AJO Memorial. Drinks will be consumed at Trefloyne tomorrow (Saturday).
There are now a few additional tee times at Trefloyne for Tenby members, both am and pm. All those in contention for prizes, both for each leg and the 36-hole aggregate, should make every effort to attend the prize-giving at Trefloyne, which will hopefully commence at around 8.30 pm.
Rabbits Summer League
The Rabbits have enjoyed a mixed start to this year's Three Counties Summer League. An impressive home win over champions Carmarthen was followed by an away defeat in the return fixture, home halves against Glynhir and Garnant and an away defeat at South Pembs.
On Sunday, the team travelled to the unbeaten league leaders, Milford Haven, and registered an excellent away win 4.5 to 3.5, a superb display by all the players. This now lifts them into second place in the table.
The next league match is at home to Haverfordwest on July 5. However, before that there's the second of the 'Majors' - The John Cook Classic on Sunday, June 28. This is a yellow box stableford qualifier and is open to all paid up members of the Rabbits Society. Please meet at the clubhouse at 9 am for a 9.30 start.