Last Saturday was both a medal day and the first Turkey trot of the year. Earlier in the week two club members were part of a magnificent Welsh victory. Sunday saw the annual Ashburnham - Tenby mixed foursomes competition. The current situation in the Vardon Trophy is also reported on this week.

Monthly medal

The Monthly Medal was played on a day that threatened rain, but in the end there were only two very light showers. The wind however, was from a northerly direction and a cross-wind on most holes, made it a difficult to handle.

The winner for Division One was K. R. N. Breaker with a net 70, second was A. E. James with a net 71, and joint third were N. Dickinson, R. T. Davies and R. E. Muskett with net 72s.

In Division Two, R. H. Jones won with a net 69, joint second were L. Lindsay and G. A. Key with net 70s, and joint fourth were R. R. Lusher and N. R. Ayers with net 71s.

There were 110 competitors, and of those only N. Lovatt achieved a two.

This Monthly Medal was also the first turkey trot of the year indicating that there are only 11 weeks to go to Christmas.

Senior Home Team International Championships

The Senior Home Team International Championships between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales were held at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool in Yorkshire.

Two club members, Brain Cramb and John Gottwaltz were in the Welsh team and they participated in what can only be described as a magnificent victory.

The team beat the English 4-3 in the first game and unfortunately lost 5-2 to the Scottish team. Thus to share joint first place with the Irish the team, the Welsh had to beat the Irish 5-2.

Our indefatigable pair were selected for the second foursomes, and were two up after 13 holes. However, as they stood on the 18th tee, the game was all square. John hit a good drive and Brian hit a seven iron to about 15-feet from the pin, and John sank the put to win the match by one hole. This was a true test of nerve.

The other foursomes were also won by the Welsh team, putting the team 2-0 after the morning games.

In the afternoon, the Welsh team won the singles 3-2 to win the match by 5-2. This meant that they shared the championship with the Irish team, a great victory for the Celtic fringe. This is only the third year that there has been a Seniors Home Team International, and to win in such a short time against such tough competition is a significant achievement.

Ashburnham - Tenby Mixed foursomes

This annual match was played on Sunday at Ashburnham, unfortunately Ashburham won 12-6, but a good time was had by all.

This was the 20th time the match was played and the event was celebrated by a cake provided by the lady captain. Next year, the match will be at Tenby on October 3.

Vardon Cup

This is awarded to the club member who has submitted the six cards in the Monthly Medal's over the year.

To date 10 rounds have been played and the positions to date are as follows:

In first place is Samuel Morgan with a total of 421, second is Mark Heywood with 422, third is Ken Breaker with 428, fourth is Mervyn Tucker with 429 and fifth is Michael Schooling with 430.

The competition is very close and every shot will count over the next two medals.

TURKEY TROT

This weekend is the next Turkey Trot. Hopefully the much needed rain will have blown over by then.