The last month has been a busy and successful time for the Rabbits, taking in the Three Counties Open, the Tom McLean Snuff Box Challenge, the Gwyn Tibbs Silver Rabbit Trophy and the continuation of the Summer League.
Three Counties Open
On July 19, eight members of the Rabbits travelled to Penrhos to represent the club in the annual event. The weather was not good as we started out early in the morning, but captain, Mark Edwards, was confident of better things to come and we were not disappointed.
The hilly course proved to be a tough challenge, but the team performed well, recording a respectable fourth position. Congratulations go to Mackie Harts, who was runner-up in the individual competition with an excellent score of 37 points.
Our thanks must go to Bill Beynon, who offered to drive the minibus and also for insisting that we stop at a few watering holes on the way back!
Tom McLean
Snuff Box
On Sunday, August 2, we entertained Ashburnham for the 21st annual challenge. On a great day for golf, seven pairs set out to do battle, with Tom McLean taking part in the last pairing. Many thanks to Jerry Whitehouse for stepping in at the last minute after already playing a foursomes match in the morning.
Ashburnham have held the trophy for the last six years, with the last two matches being halved.
Competition on the day was fierce, but fair, and the clubhouse score was three-all as the last pair of Tom McLean and Richard Caley neared the 18th green with the score one up. After a quick piece of advice, or was it a threat, from our captain, Richard coolly sank a monster putt off the back of the green to win the game, the match and the trophy for Tenby.
Mick Gillett will have the challenge of retaining the trophy when we visit Ashburnham next year.
Gwyn Tibbs
Silver Rabbit
A glorious morning greeted the 19 players who vied for the trophy on Sunday, August 9. In typical Rabbits fashion, the scoring was a bit like a well known film, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
In third place was Paul Davies with 36 points, with Mackie Harts taking the runner-up place with 38 points and a one shot cut.
The winner, with an outstanding score of 44 points, was Gerald Hewitt, who collected the trophy and a handicap cut of two shots. Well played Gerald.
Richard Caley and Steve Maytum shared the twos money.
Summer League
On July 5, we recorded a comfortable 5-1 win at home over Haverfordwest, which places us in mid-table. Our next fixtures are on August 16 away to Garnant, on August 23 at home to South Pembs. and on September 6 at home to Milford Haven.
We are still in the mix for a tilt at the championship, so please put your names on the fixture sheets on the notice board as soon as possible.
Many thanks to everyone who played in the above events. Your continued support is appreciated.
Inaugural Mid-Week Stableford
Last month - July - was supposed to have seen the inaugural mid-week club stableford, but due to atrocious conditions, it was cancelled. How different it was this week on Tuesday; played on a glorious summer day, it finally got under way.
The intention is to play this on a Wednesday, but due to calendar requirements, it was played this month on Tuesday - the next one will be on Wednesday, September 16, so note it in your diary. It is played on the yellow course, so is ideal for most golfers.
Due the fact that it is a new competition and not well known, there were only 27 competitors playing this month. Although the numbers playing were small in quantity, the quality of scoring was excellent.
Early leader in the clubhouse was club treasurer, Ken Gouldsbrough, on 39 points. Going out in the middle of the day, the two Jaakola boys, Henrik and Sam, eclipsed this, returning 40 and 30 points, respectively, Sam's back nine moving him ahead of Ken. Both the Jaakola lads received one shot reductions. Young 12-year-old Henrik, who has gradually improved all summer, broke into the teens. Coming down from 20 to 19 for the first time. Sam moved back down to seven.
Finally, some of the late afternoon boys came in around 8 pm and Patrick McKeown, playing off 13 (now 12), topped that with a grand 41 points to take top spot. Other notable scores were David Webb and Kyle McKeown returning 37 points, with nearly half the field returning scores in excess of 30.
Results: 1. Patrick McKeown 41 pts (£25); 2. Henrik Jaakola 40 (£15); 3. Sam Jaakola 39, last nine (£10).
There were two 2s and John Charnock and John Broomhead earned £12 each for their efforts.
Bag draw, Nigel Rimell £16, and as consolation prize, Ken Gouldsbrough, although ousted from third spot by Sam, won the Pro-Shop draw.
J.D.M.
Ladies' section
Variable results in the recent Thursday competitions are indicative of the variations we have enjoyed, suffered, endured in recent weeks.
The July Medal was won by Denise Edwards on nett 74, with Anne Wilkes on nett 76.
The fourth Hill-Lowe Bogey was held at the end of July. The leading result was from Anita Davies, who finished all-square, while both Laura McQueen and Heather Morgan tied on -3.
The Jane Davies-Hughes Trophies are always played at this time of year and this year Pam Cole won the Silver Trophy from Anita Davies, while Georgina Ormond won the Bronze Trophy from Laura McQueen.
Some years ago, Colin and Julie Jenkins presented a trophy for a Texas Scramble competition with generous prizes and also charity donations. More recently this has been taken over by the Charnock and Goldwait families, again with most generous support for the competitors and charities.
This year, the winners were Anita Davies, Mary Rowell and Sophie Lovatt on 71.7. Heather Morgan, Mary Williams and Mair Evans were second on 73.1 and they just beat Anne Wilkes, Laura McQueen and Jo Walsh Morgan into third place - they were on 73.4.
B.M.S.
Cups move into semi-final stages
The club's cup competitions moved into the semi-final stages this month, with some promising matches on offer.
First to claim a final spot was Andrew Pouton, beating the in-form Robin Hagley in the Sellar Cup. Andy now awaits the result of veteran Mike Argent and the up-and-coming 14-year-old Sam Jaakola for his final opponent.
Sam is very much involved in the Colwyn Williams four-ball best-ball pairs competition, as well as the Presidents Cup, and if he qualifies in all three, could have a big problem playing them. Partnered by young David Webb, they play Peter Brown and Johnny Ball in one semi, while in the other, Gethin Evans and Nick Allen moved into the final, beating Alan James and Richard Reed. Hard luck Richard, who, flying the flag for the M&H committee, was our favourite. Perhaps we should have given you a couple of shots Richard!
In the main cup, The Scratch, three of the seeds are in the semis. Defending champion Johnny Morris beat Dai Cope to take on last year's losing semi-finalist Mathew Moseley, who has much improved this summer. This should be a cracking match. In the other half, Paul Haley, last year's losing semi-finalist, moved past Roger Schooling and now faces a stern test in Brian Cramb. Brian won the Welsh Seniors Championship a month ago, plus two medals in February and March. This again promises to be an outstanding match.
Allen Cup: Phil Goodridge plays Steve Court and Neil Thomas is up against Nick Allen.
Davies Cup: Phil Goodridge (what a busy lad) plays Bill Beynon and Peter Rossi, who claimed the scalp of club secretary Dave Hancock in the quarter-final, plays David Webb, who beat his father Neil in his quarter-final.
Charles Mathias (Junior Cup 16-28 handicap): Viv James plays John Stevenson and Mark Edwards plays John Hall.
Veterans Cup: Bob Wiseman plays John Hall and Stan Hudson plays Richard Reed.
Presidents Cup: Paul Davies faces Richard Ormond and Sam Jaakola plays Alan Yates.
Finally, in the only other pairs competition, the Reason-Jones Foursomes, Roger Schooling and Viv James (another busy lad) play Terry Davies and Jerry Whitehouse. In the other semi, Mike Schooling and Austin Davies play Ian (Yobbler) Thomas and Chris Hughes.
I hope I got all your names right, please correct me if I have not and accept my apologies.
J.D.M.