The 16th annual Neil Rees Memorial Tournament, held at Tenby Golf Club in glorious weather last Friday, May 30, remarkably produced its 16th different winner.

In all, 69 competitors entered this year's event, including a handful of guests invited by Pat and Mary Rees.

The vast majority of those who took part qualified to do so by having played rugby for Tenby United RFC, and the field included a high proportion of the current First XV.

The 2003 champion is young Mark Heywood who, unfortunately for Tenby United, has presently given up rugby to concentrate on golf.

Mark was a very promising rugby player who was equally comfortable at centre or flanker. However, he is now working with Tenby Golf Club professional Mark Hawkey and on Friday he played off a handicap of seven, but the club's match and handicap committee have requested sight of his card!

Mark's excellent gross score of 71 equated to a total of 39 points, but it could easily have been better. He had a five on the par three 12th hole and then another five on the short par four 13th hole.

Not only was Mark the star on the golf course, later in the evening he also starred in the hilarious hypnotism act, but although he recalls every shot he played during the afternoon, he cannot remember much about his performance in the clubhouse!

Runner-up in the main competition was Anthony Griffiths, who now plays soccer rather than rugby, with a fine 37 points, albeit some would say off a rather generous handicap. The consistent Steve Amos was third with a very creditable 35 points. Steve has now had six top five finishes in the Neil Rees Memorial and is surely destined to win the competition soon. Those who also performed well included Dai Cope, Johnny Morris (best gross winner), Gavin Scotcher and Mike Wainwright. Tim Rowe, last year's best endeavour winner, was in a group on 32 points.

The evergreen Sonny Perkins, now 83 years young, once again won the Seniors Section beating Ian Nicholls and Derrick Williams into second and third, respectively.

Although the scoring was not quite as good as usual, the Novices' Section was nevertheless well contested. Young centre Gavin Brace was victorious, while Alan Thomas, who played his rugby in the 1960s, was runner-up. Gavin's brother Delwyn just pipped his uncle Macky Brace for third. Yet another Brace, this time Chris (Niffy), was next with his best ever score.

Darren 'Huge' Griffiths (nickname reflects his big hitting rather than anything else) won the longest drive with a monstrous clout on the 14th hole. Gavin Scotcher's tee shot on the sixth won him the nearest the pin prize, but his brother Gareth, who took up golf very recently, had the dubious distinction of claiming the best endeavour award.

The trophies were presented by Tenby Golf Club's captain, Mary Rowell, who in turn received a bouquet of flowers from Mary Rees. All the competitors and their guests then enjoyed a superb hot buffet prepared by the Golf Club's new chef/caterer, Richard Gwyther.

This year the traditional evening entertainment was provided by renowned hypnotist Richard Brooks. Prior to his act, he explained that those of high intellect are more likely to become hypnotised. However, unlike his recent show at Tenby United RFC where he soon had about 10 participants under his spell, he only managed to hypnotise three of the audience at the Golf Club!

Furthermore, two of these proved useless. Ian 'Yobbler' Thomas went under so deeply that he was snoring and Neil Webb was so lazy that his reaction to all commands was very lethargic.

However, the day's champion golfer, Mark Heywood, was Robert Brooks' saviour and provided wonderful amusement for well over an hour, although no part of his performance would have caused him embarrassment. In fact, Mark's exhibition as John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever was a beauty,

DJ Rob Mayhew, using equipment provided by Steve Briers, allowed those present to dance until the early hours and Norman Goddard went home with a golf bag after winning the main prize in the raffle.

Neil Rees Cup: Leading scores - Mark Heywood 39 pts; Anthony Griffiths 37; Steve Amos 35; Dai Cope, John Morris 34; Gavin Scotcher, Mike Wainwright 33; Simon Rossiter, Tim Rowe, Aled Griffiths, Richard Smith, Colwyn Harts 32; Richard Rossiter, John Rees, Stephen Hartland 31; Richard Ormond, Oliver Brace 30; Nigel Edwards, Ian Thomas, Peter Rossi 29.

Seniors (over 15 holes): Sonny Perkins 24; Ian Nicholls 18; Derrick Williams 16.

Novices: Gavin Brace 21; Alan Thomas 16; Delwyn Brace, Macky Brace 15; Chris Brace 14; Neil Powling 8.

Guests: Neil Webb 34; Dean Rossiter 30; Gary Willars 29; Paul (Chap) Harris 28; Paul Bradley, Norman Goddard 27.

Best endeavour: Gareth Scotcher 5 pts.

Footnote: A few of the novices were unable to complete their rounds. Some ran out of balls, but some were running late for Tenby United RFC's annual dinner. Next year, the organisers of both the Neil Rees Memorial and the Rugby Club dinner will ensure that these events do not clash.