Well, not exactly an invasion, but there was a wide variety of headgear as those seniors who decided to brave the elements made sure that they did not expose their ears.

Had all 54 members who had signed up to play been in attendance then it would have been an invasion. Having listened to the news and heard the weather forecast, more than half cried off without getting out of bed.

The 18 to 20 mad mullahs who did arrive at the club got caught up in the excitement of the occasion, encouraging each other to take that first drive off the tee. Bravado took over as around a score of elderly idiots hit a ball off the first tee and felt duty bound to follow it.

Needless to say not all of the foolhardy completed the course. Mike Fox walked in after seven holes, while Derek Bath struggled on to the 10th. He arrived in at the same time as our illustrious captain who succumbed to the biting wind.

A couple of other groups decided to miss out the three holes over the line. Had they crossed the bridge they would have been surprised to see that the trees on the 15th had been removed and the ground staff were busy clearing and burning the hedge beyond.

There was a touch of anticipation as those who hit the ball straight down the fairway found that on the rock hard surface the ball travelled a long way. Ray Ford made the most of his good fortune by scoring five points on the first hole, on his way to a round of 30. Others found themselves chipping through the temporary green, having to putt back towards the club.

Richard Davies and Richard Chapman both drove the temporary green on the second and Des Stone did the same on the fourth and eighth green. It was far more difficult having to fight the wind on the 10th, 12th and 14th holes.

As well as travelling far, the balls were bouncing high. Any attempt to land the ball on the sixth witnessed a 20- foot bounce, with ball ending up on the 10th green or junior seventh tee.

It was a shame that there were so few members out since there was a new member in attendance. His name was Al Zeimer, a character familiar to all of the seniors. Today was his guest appearance. We know that, since a plastic bag containing one shoe was handed in to the locker room with his name on it.

It appears that Nigel Rimell had left home wearing one black and one brown shoe (well at least they weren't both right-footed shoes) and his good lady had brought the matching shoe in to save him embarrassment. How considerate!

Bob Creese managed to lose a few balls in his endeavours to come to terms with the conditions and temporary greens. His playing partner, Allen Watts, demonstrated his versatility on the 16th. His drive had put him in tight up against some rough on the lef- hand side, halfway towards the ditch. He took out his seven-iron, reversed the blade, addressed the ball with a left-handed stance and thumped it over the ditch to earn himself a well deserved five.

Fifty-four signed up, 20 turned up and 13 cards were handed in. It was a small pot this weekm but those who had completed their round were happy to sit in the clubhouse supping a hot coffee. Stan Hudson congratulated those who had braved the elements and declared that this week's winners were:

1. Richard Chapman 35 pts (back nine); 2. Martin Neilan 35; 3. Des Stone 33.

Edwards and Juan cruise to the top!

Week five of the Tenby Rabbits Winter League and winter had certainly arrived! With the course frozen, it was a funny sight to see the balls missing fairways and not holding the greens - OK then, it was just like a normal Rabbits Sunday.

Even the sight of Tony Morris performing his own version of the tango on the eighth with his trolley didn't raise much of an eyebrow, although it was suggested that he would be a perfect match for Ann Widdecombe on Strictly Come Dancing!

Mind you, there were reports of unusally long drives, with par fours nearly being driven! But the longest of the day has to go to Richard (who's the daddy) Prout. He totally smashed his drive on the 15th, unfortunately for him, in the wrong direction, or should that be the wrong line! It was a good job the 1.30 from Pembroke Dock wasn't coming up through Penally at the time.

So yet again Mark Edwards and Juan Cruz occupy top spot and have collected maximum points from their five matches, after another fine win over John Hunt and super sub Meurig (again) Jones.

A couple of other changes worthy of note are, firstly there is now a pair out on their own in second place, namely Chris Smith and Robin Bradbury, who remain unbeaten and picked up another fine win on Sunday by beating Tim Davies and Richard Prout, who themselves were without a loss before that.

And congratulations must be given to captain Mackie Harts and Phil (the chuckle) Carpenter, who managed their first win, beating Peter Turton and his sub for the day, Derek Bath. Mind you, it went all the way to the 18th again and, courtesy of a little of Mark Edwards's alphabetical fiddling and a little of 'remember who the captain is' Mark-type conversation, they are now off the bottom.

On a serious note, the captain has asked for a bit of decorum during his after-match speeches. It has been noted that there has been a lot of chatter when 'he who must be obeyed' is talking and any further indsicretion will not be tolerated, with punishment being handed out in the form of a 1,000 lines of 'bear with me a minute lads'.

A bit early I know, but happy Christmas to everyone, and don't forget the annual Dilwater Shield is on Sunday, December 12. This is a combined pairs competition - you will play with your winter league partner and will play in the same order as your last match.

Sunday's results were: C. Smith and R. Bradbury bt T. Davies and R. Prout 3 and 1; P. Carpenter and M. Harts bt P. Turton and K. Smith 1 up; S. Watkins and S. Cole halved with P. Davies and T. Hopkins; M. Edwards and J. Cruz bt J. Hunt and B. Flower 3 and 2; T. Morris and M. Gillet bt R. Davies and M. Munro 5 and 4.

Subs: Derek Bath and Kevin Smith; Meurig Jones for Bob Flower.

Cold turkey!

As a change from the usual medal and stableford competitions, the second turkey trot of the festive season last Saturday was a par/bogey event.

It is always a tricky format and it was not made any easier last weekend by the biting icy conditions prevailing on the course, which made it difficult to even grip the clubs.

A total of 85 players entered (30 in division one and 55 in division two), and of those, only three managed to 'beat the course' and return with plusses to their name.

Leading scores and prize winners were as follows:

Division One: 1. Michael Schooling +3 (turkey); 2. Martin Morris -1 (£25); 3. Huw Roberts -2, after countback (£20); 4. Robert Howse -2, after countback (£15); 5. Neil R. Thomas -2, after countback (£10); 6. Christopher Hill -4 (£5).

Division Two: 1. Darren Thomas +4 (turkey); 2. Michael Wainwright +3 (£25); 3. David Poole 0 (£20); 4. David Llewellyn -1, after countback (£15); 5. Philip Goodridge -1, after countback (£10); 6. Geoffrey Aston -1, after countback (£5).

Twos: John Gottwaltz, Philip Goodridge, David Poole (£27 each).

Bag draw: N. Goddard, P. Fairclough, D. Llewellyn, N. Dickinson, M. Tucker, D. Cope (£13 each).

Pro Shop draw: John Gilman (Callaway stand bag).

Junior golf

On a very cold, but sunny morning, the juniors set out to play in the David Hughes Christmas Cup, 18 holes of stableford over the Tenby links.

First past the post in all categories was David Webb - well done. I think we had a couple of retirements due to the freezing conditions as well.

Next week is the December Medal, so wrap-up warm and be on the tee for 10.15 am.

The list is up for the presentation night. In order to help the caterers, please can you make sure your name is down by Sunday, December 5, if you intend to come.

Idwal