Trefloyne's Dyfed League team made the journey to Glynhir on Sunday for their first away fixture of the season. Whilst feeling full of confidence, away matches in golf are so totally different to away matches in any other sport. Every golf course is different, and offers its own challenges, especially if it hasn't been played before, and a number of Trefloyne's team were visiting Glynhir for the first time, so there was understandable tension. With sunshine and drying winds, the course looked to be in good condition, far better than was expected on leaving Trefloyne. Team captain Steve Wedlake had lost some of his players due to unavoidable commitments, so some of the successful pairings from the last match, won so convincingly 7-0, would have to change. He once again elected to put out his strong pairings first, hopeful of putting some early wins together and get off to a good start, which has been his policy this season. Chris Thompson and Steve Wedlake were the first pair out, followed by a strong looking partnership of Barry Harrison and Meurig Evans. Sensibly, the enthusiastic youngsters were paired with experience, Adam Thomas went out with Dean Rawlins, James Maxwell was with Graham Harrison and Richard 'Tiger' Davies would once again have his tiger cub with him in the shape of Ben 'Little Tiger' Price. Rob Evans and 'Chic Brown' looked a useful pairing, with Ken Badham and John James completing a well balanced looking team. The first hole at Glynhir is called 'Gwyddfan' on the scorecard, but it should be called the 'Road Hole'. From the white tees, it is 341 yards over a road down to a blind green. There can be no better sight in sport than seeing a golf ball fly away as though fired from a rifle, and that is exactly what Chris Thompson did with the first shot of the day. Whilst you didn't know where it had landed, there was little doubt in anybody's mind that his next shot would be a short pitch onto the green. The Glynhir pairing looked awe- struck, as they realised what they were going to be up against. Trefloyne were two-up by the fourth, and held on to their advantage until the ninth, which they won to go three-up. There was a glimmer of hope for Glynhir at the seventh, which they looked like winning to reduce the deficit to one, but a superb iron shot to the edge of the green by Steve Wedlake saved the hole for a half. Steady golf over the back nine saw the Thompson-Wedlake partnership once again getting the team off to a winning start, coming home by 2 and 1. Behind them, Barry Harrison and Meurig Evans were having a ding-dong battle. They were down at the third, but a good iron shot by Meurig Evans set up a win at the fourth, to bring the match all-square. By the seventh they had once again fallen behind, but hung on to halve the hole. Losing balls in the rough is not uncommon in golf, but Barry Harrison went one better, by losing his trademark cigar! Fortunately, Trefloyne's club secretary was on hand at the eighth, to rescue a dire situation and dash off for a couple of replacements. It did the trick, because the ninth was won with a par from Meurig Evans. This saw a resurgence and by the 13th they were two- up, and despite a scare at the 14th, they won fairly comfortably by 3 and 2. The Dean Rawlins-Adam Thomas combination was an interesting call from the captain, and looked a partnership that had some exciting golf in it; things are never dull when Adam has a club in his hands. The ever steady Dean would have to keep the wonderfully talented Adam Thomas reined in. Adam's play can teeter between the spectacular and the maddening, often on the same hole! This was none more in evidence than at the 14th and 15th. The 14th at Glynhir is a sharp dog-leg left from the top of a hill, almost identical to the 15th at Trefloyne. Adam played a wonderful second shot into the light rough just a few feet from the green, but played poor second and third shots. At a time when he most needed to keep his cool, the 'red mist' was starting to rise. Dean halved the hole, and the match was all-square with four to play. Teeing up on the 352-yard 15th, which has a river and woods running tight on the right- hand side of the fairway, Adam pulled out a three-wood, which is all that was needed, but with the 'red mist' still in the air after the disappointing 14th, he put it back in the bag and pulled out the Ignite Driver - now anything could happen, and it promptly did. Adam's drives often take off and split the fairway at prodigious distances, but on this occasion the ball disappeared into an area of the golf course, with which Glynhir club members are not familiar. In truth, this match should have been won by the 14th, but with putts lipping out, Glynhir had managed to stay level with four to play. It was to go all the way to the 18th, by which time Dean had settled down his young- charge, and the match was won one-up. Trefloyne had now won the first three matches into the clubhouse, with a win very much on the cards. The fourth match out was a definite mix of youth and experience - the supremely talented James Maxwell with Graham Harrison, and it has to be said that it was youth who would look after experience. James played some inspired golf to keep the match alive, although Graham came good in the middle part of the match - having a superb 14th hole, which was very close to a birdie-three; the ball was seemingly in the hole until the cruel hand of fate pushed it out. A very close match ended being halved, so with three matches still on the course, Trefloyne were in a position where the match couldn't be lost. The pairing of the season so far has to be that of Tiger and his tiger cub. Richard 'Tiger' Davies and Ben 'Little Tiger' Price have been a dream pairing. Ben hadn't started well, and was starting to feel frustrated with his game, but Tiger coaxed his little cub, which resulted in him chipping in from off the green at the sixth, to set him on his way. By the eighth they were flying at four-up, and this was won in fine style to go five-up. At this stage the match looked like being a short one. The ninth was lost, but there was no way back for Glynhir, and the match was all over at the 14th to win 5 and 4. With an early win secured, Ben had to scamper off to prepare his homework for Monday morning; it was noted that Tiger headed for the bar, instead of offering help to his cub with his studies! This unlikely pair have forged a wonderful partnership, which has developed a quite unique rapport. The final two matches on the course were lost, but the Rob Evans-'Chic' Brown and Ken Badham-John James partnerships both took their matches to the closing holes. The match was a tight one, filled with tension, in which all seven matches could have gone either way from the 14th hole. Trefloyne were commendable winners by 4.5-2.5, to continue their unbeaten start to the season and sit proudly at the top of the table. This is credit to the enthusiasm of the captain, and all the players, who at last, are making themselves available for matches. The Glynhir captain congratulated Trefloyne on a fine win, and singled out James Maxwell and Ben Price as being exceptional young talents who are a credit to the Junior Section at Trefloyne, and have wonderful golf futures ahead of them. After being entertained by Glynhir, the drive home in the team coach was a slow, gentle and smooth one, through the lanes of Carmarthenshire, with everyone sitting back and relaxing, reflecting on the fruits of a well-won victory. Trefloyne's next match is at home tomorrow (Saturday), when Carmarthen are the visitors to Trefloyne Park. This is a must-win match to consolidate their position on top of the table. With Gary Lewis, Thomas Burkat and Scott Davies all available for selection, the captain will be in the unenviable position of who to leave out. It is hoped that those who don't make it, will support the ones who are chosen.
SENIORS SUFFER FIRST LOSS
Having started the season unbeaten, with a half away at Milford Haven, followed by home wins against Carmarthen and Haverfordwest, Trefloyne Seniors travelled to Newport (Pembs) last Thursday, seeking to maintain their good start to the season. With kind weather of sunshine, and a gentle breeze, the host captain, Gareth Evans, welcomed Trefoyne. Although the match was lost by 5.5-4.5, it was an enjoyable day's golf, played in very sociable company. The match, however, wasn't without incident. Trefloyne have become used to crows and ravens picking up golf balls at Trefloyne Park, but after hitting a five-wood at the par-three 15th, which landed on a bank just in front of the green, Trevor Lewis was astonished to see a young boy appear out of the sand dunes and take off with the ball! Gareth Evans gave chase and returned a few minutes later, slightly breathless, but with the ball, which had been retrieved from the youngster on the beach. Results: Lewis and Evans -halved; Cryer and Busby - lost; Shaw and Price - lost; Witts and Sheppard - won; Burks and Bradley - lost; Smith and Norman - won, Thompson and Crosby - lost; Owen and Hicks - lost; Wharton and Harrison -won; Morgan and Cliff - won.
CLOSE FINISH TO MONTHLY MEDALS
There was a close finish in the May Monthly Medals, on Saturday, with the results in doubt right to the very end. Mel Neale emerged the victor with a net 73, Chris Thompson, playing off scratch, had a net 74 and Ben 'Little Tiger' Price, who can't do any wrong at the moment, came in with a net 75. Chris Thompson, Steve Wedlake and Rob Evans had birdie-twos at the 16th, with Mark Jones taking a birdie-two at the Glorious 12th. It was good to see Pat Fletcher at last winning a competition, after a string of second places. A net 75 saw her winning the LGU Medal Qualifier, with Linda Kromrei finishing second with a net 77, just edging out Heather Thorne, who came in with net- 8.
JUNIOR TWILIGHT EVENING SHINES
The first of the Junior Twilight evenings took place on Wednesday, May 4, and was well attended by eight juniors, of different ages and standards, but full of enthusiasm, on what was a cold and windy evening. The evening started with a free 30-minute putting session, held by Christine Burton PGA, which was well received by the youngsters. The group was then split into two groups of four to play the back nine, with high calibre juniors, James Maxwell and Anne-Marie Dasson leading each group. It was hard going for some of the younger players, considering the conditions, but they kept going, being encouraged by Christine Burton and Junior organiser, Bob Maxwell. It was a good start to what is a new format, which is to be held on a fortnightly basis. All juniors, no matter what their standard of play, will be welcome at any of the forthcoming Twilight Meetings. More information is available from the Pro-Shop on 01834 845639. The Juniors held a successful Flag Competition on Sunday, May 1, which was won by Samuel Jaakola. James Maxwell had three strokes in hand at the 18th, which meant that he had effectively gone around the course in three strokes!
LADIES' SECTION
Under the stewardship of captain Linda Kromrei, and her vice-captain Vicky Burks, the ladies' section is going from strength to strength, with competitions being well attended, and new lady members in the pipeline. The standard of the golf being played by the ladies is also impressive. The Bogey Competition, which was held on Saturday, April 30, turned up a new and surprise winner, in the shape of Michelle Richards, who has joined Treloyne from Pontardulais Golf Club. Michelle, who is a very enthusiastic golfer, came in with a score of -3; Heather Thorne was second with -5. The ladies gathered for a very successful and pleasant social evening on May 4, with many new lady members joining straight from club professional Christine Burton's latest coaching session. The Trefloyne chefs laid on a mouth-watering array of goodies, and while waistlines and fitness regimes were forgotten, a number of friendships were forged, which bodes well for the future. As a token of their appreciation, the new members presented Christine with a bouquet of flowers, which she followed by winning a huge basket of fruit in the raffle! All members present signed up for Ladies' Captain's Day on Tuesday, May 17, for what looks like being a fun and innovative day, to which all members are welcome as no handicaps are required.
GLENDA PEARCE COMPETITION
The Glenda Pearce 12-hole competition for ladies was formulated to encourage novices and new members, as no handicaps are needed. It is played mid-week and finishes at the Glorious 12th. There was a field of eight entrants on Wednesday, May 4, in cold and windy conditions; because of this, the competition was reduced to nine holes. Vicky Burks brought the field home with a quite staggering score of 14 points; Linda Kromrei pushed Vicky all the way, but whilst carding a mighty impressive 13 points, just failed to catch her vice-captain, and had to settle for second place.