It is always a bonus when the weather is set fair for a mixed foursomes event.
Tenby Golf Course was really looking at its best with blue skies, a warm, gentle breeze blowing and therefore no excuses for not playing one's best in the Usher Cup.
Well, golf is just not like that is it? A gale blowing and rain lashing and someone would have come in with a superb score. I blame the captain as it was his day (and night!) the previous day, so many of us were suffering. Over-golfed, over-fed and definitely over-drunk!
Helen and Chris Hughes must have been feeling hopeful after a super 20 points on the front nine. Chris was quite excited that he might match his wife's score with Neil Roach! Trevayne Keohane and Neil Moffatt had 17 on the front nine and thought they were in with a chance.
However, Isabel Kent, playing with Steve Maytum had a great 21 on the front and 17 on the back. Fourth place was theirs. They were pipped on the back six by Bev Owen and Idwal David. Both pairs had 38 points and both were with new golfing partners. Second place, beaten on the back nine, were Linda Evans and Nigel Ayers. Nigel so wanted his name on that Usher Cup.
Next year, maybe, Nigel. Winners of the Usher Cup this year were Laura McQueen and Jim Moffatt.
With two ones and a blob on the front, and two ones on the back, they did really well on the other holes to win through.
Laura thanked Mervyn Tucker and Heather K. Morgan for running the competition, Jim for playing so well and Steve and his team for the lovely meal they provided.
There were two twos; one by Gill and Viv John, and the other by Fair and John Ball. The bag draw was won by Eiona and Geoff Aston, and Jean and John Charnock.
Heather reminded everyone that the lists are on the mixed board for the Friendly Foursomes on Friday, August 6, and the Morgan Tucker Greensomes Trophy on Sunday, August 15.
Results: 1. Laura McQueen and Jim Moffatt 38 points (20 back nine), £20 each; 2. Linda Evans and Nigel Ayers 38 points (18 back nine), £15 each; 3. Bev Owen and Idwal David 38 points (12 back six), £10 each; 4. Isabel Kent and Steve Maytum 38 points (10 back six), £5 each.
Twos: Gill and Viv John, £15, and Fair and John Ball, £15.
Bag draw: Jean and John Charnock, £13, and Eiona and Geoff Aston, £13.
Captain's Day success
Saturday was the Captain's Day at Tenby Golf Club, despite overcast conditions a fabulous entry of over 140 members entered the various competitions available during the day.
The club captain, Mr. John Stenson, was on hand bright and early at 7.30 am to welcome the early starters,one of which, the immediate past captain Mr. Idwal David was presented with his 'best dressed golfer' award on the first tee. Idwal's catwalk ensemble consisted of a bright blue checked shirt emblazoned with bugs bunny on the chest, a pair of unnecessarily generous sky blue shorts, and matching star trek socks -who says he doesn't have a sense of humour!
After the stableford competition, all the players and their guests were invited to enjoy a meal (and free wine provided by the captain) in the clubhouse, followed by the prize-giving and entertainment by local singer guitarist Paul 'Reggie'.
The captain thanked everyone who attended, as well as Steve and Hilary Turner and their staff for a lovely meal, Chris Jenkins and the green staff for maintaining the golf course in tremendous condition, David Hancock and Marilyn Marquiss for all their hardwork in the club office, and Rhys Harry and all the pro shop staff.
The club sends all the best to Rhys who had to retire early during the afternoon after being rushed to hospital and subsequently diagnosed with shingles - get well soon Rhys.
The prize-giving ceremony was conducted by David Hancock, the club secretary. All the winners for each category were presented with prizes from the pro shop, as well as a dozen Titleist golf balls for each two. There were also prizes for closest to the hole and nearest the white line on the 13th fairway.
The individual gents and ladies category winners also received a very special prize of a pair of Ryder Cup tickets for Saturday, October 2.
After the prize-giving, a raffle was held for four pairs of Ryder Cup tickets which the club had received from the Golf Union of Wales, and a further five pairs of tickets from Tenovus in recognition for raising over £2,000 for the charity during the last year, and hosting one of the 10/10 challenges. The club is delighted to make a further donation to this worthy cause from the money raised during the evening. Many thanks must go to Chris Beecher for all his fund-raising efforts in this regard.
Winners were as follows:
Juniors Black Box (nine holes): 1. John Birt (28 points); 2. Ben Sheldon (19).
Junior Yellow Box (nine holes): 1. Matthew Webb (17); 2. Henrik Jaakola (16).
Veterans: 1. Bob Parsons (33); 2. Meurig Jones (31).
Ladies': 1. Carol Beecher (38); 2. Julie Lovett (36); 3. Georgina Ormond (33).
Gents: 1. Paul James (40); 2. Robert Brown (38); 3. David Henry (38).
Ladies' Section
There have been several Thursdays unavailable to the Ladies' section recently - either through inclement weather or the day being used for important club events. These have included Open Week, as usual so well organised by the Open Week committee, and the more recent Welsh Union Championship this week.
Later in August, the British Ladies' Open Amateur Championship will take place and well worth watching, weather permitting, as many top European amateurs will be competing.
To the usual Thursday competitions, in June, the Yorkshire Cup was played. This trophy was presented to the ladies when the current ladies' president, Barbara Williams, was ladies' captain and is always well supported. This year, Denise Edwards won the cup with 40 points, while Anne Morris and Sue Griffiths were runners-up on 33.
The June WUG Medal was played in good weather and was won by Pam Cole on nett 70 on the last nine from Nesta Hart. Mel Smith was third on nett 73.
One of the ladies' older trophies is the Marjorie Glover and was won by Anne Wilks on 33 points from Annette Flower on 30.
The WUG Centenary Greensome Foursomes has a club qualifying round for the final which will be played at Fairwood on September 16. Unfortunately, Anita Davies and Ann Marsden, on 42 points, and Heather Morgan and Barbara Williams, on 36 points, will be unavailable, so the club will be represented by Irene Gilman and Beverley Owen who recorded 32 points. Joan Pugh and Mel Smith are reserves. We hope Irene and Bev will enjoy their first representation of the club and we wish them an enjoyable and successful day.
The July Medal was won by Heather Morgan on nett 75, with Anita Davies on nett 76. The inclement weather reduced the size of the field and it was so inclement the following week no-one played in the Fourth Hill-Lowe Bogey.
Ah well, roll on August, it may live up to its name of glorious, but don't hold your collective breaths.
B.M.S.
Seniors enjoy day out at The Grove
Last Friday, 28 seniors went on their mid-summer away day at The Grove, near Porthcawl. They could not wish for better weather, with the bulk of the group travelling by coach from Kilgetty, the sun soon broke through to herald the day.
With organiser Jim Martin wanting to get away a bit earlier so that he could get his bacon buttie in before he teed off, he was starting fret when two of the seniors had not arrived by the designated time - just before he blew a fuse, Dudley was spotted coming into the car park and Jim could relax.
It was the Grove's Senior Open Day, so apart from the Tenby Seniors own internal competition, there were many prizes up for grabs in the main event.
Unfortunately, only one Tenby Senior managed to figure in The Grove's prizes and that was Seniors' captain, Bob Howse, who got a two on the 148 yard par 3 12th. It was Bob who led the way teeing off first with Brian Morgan at 10.30 am.
Of the 28 players playing, seven scored 30 points or more. With the crème de le crème prize golf balls on offer, there was a lot of scrambling to get into the prize winning pack! President Geoff Aston cursed his luck losing out on a back nine count back to Allen Watts. Both on 31 points, Allen slipped into fourth spot to pick up two of the treasured golf balls.
Despite nursing a sore back, Alan Yates managed to come in with 32 points to claim four balls. What do they say about the wounded golfer? Into second place on 33 points was Jim Martin who bagged eight of the divine balls. Pride of place though bagging a complete pack of 10 was Bob Howse romping four points clear of the field on 37 points - my how he rejoiced to have so many of these select golf balls; he thought so much of them he vowed to mount some of them where he could admire his wonderful feat!
In his riposte to the gathered band of Seniors, in their own private room, murmuring contented noises over the excellent meal provided, Bob went on to say how pleased he was that the day turned out so well. Adding that the course and greens had been prepared in an excellent condition. Everyone agreed with him. He may have been one of the first on the coach going out, but he was the last getting on coming back, namely Jim Martin; Robin Hagley was sent to retrieve him as he was enjoying his pint. Is there no respect for the organiser!
J.D.M.