The weather was superb and the camaraderie every bit as good as many friends and associates lined up to compete against each other in Tenby Seniors' clash with near neighbours Trefloyne. The sun graced the occasion for the whole afternoon and it was the Trefloyne contingency that made home advantage count in all but a few matches. Tenby's lines of communication had become somewhat blurred during the week, perhaps because the course was closed and members did not see each other as frequently. As a result, two of the Tenby team played matches on their own. Bob Howse found himself alone against Roger Cryer and John Shepherd and, despite his success the previous week in the AJO competition, found that he couldn't keep the momentum up to win many holes. The fact that he claimed that he was not playing well and that his opponents were, meant that this match was over on the 13th. Another playing on his own, but managing to hold his own, was Maurice Lewis, who provided stubborn resistance against John Smith and Brian Norman. With his usual enigmatic smile, Maurice thought that he had an easier time since he didn't have to carry anyone this week. Despite their gallant efforts, John and Brian could not break his determination in a very tight match. Another honourable half was fought out by Geoff Aston and Ron Murphy in their encounter with Mike Burke and Alan (a previous Tenby member) Hicks. This was a 'tidy game' quoted Geoff as he eulogised on the excellence of the match - never more than one hole in it. Ron stated that it would have been a shame for either pair to lose such an enjoyable match, so they didn't. Dave Morgan and Colin Griffith also came in with a half in a game which was close right up to the last. They were one down and had to win the last hole to achieve that. "Don't forget to follow through," was Graham's advice to his partner Barry Wood when he found himself in the bunker on the ninth. Good advice, but he still took two shots to extricate himself from the hazard. Close out behind them were John Hancock and Des Stone (who doesn't know his left from his right) up against Gary Hopkins and the hard-hitting Bernard Bradley. John's sound advice to his partner for a short putt on the seventh was "Just on the left edge." Des thought he meant the other left and missed. He did make up for it with a par on the third, thanks to John's patience and support. There was an audible yelp from the ball every time Bernard hit it, such was his swing and effort. Perhaps that was the reason his first few balls hid themselves in the rough - to avoid being clobbered again! Gary also hit a few wayward shots in the opening holes, which allowed the Tenby pair to open an early lead. This was not relinquished, though Gary and Bernard fought back to close the gap to one by the 15th. John's consistent play, however, ensured the only win for Tenby. "They kept throwing birdies at us!" exclaimed Roy Gundry as he and Martin Neilan struggled against Terry Morgan and Keith Warmington. In a very competitive match, Terry was hitting the ball further than the Tenby pair went on holiday and their four birdies to Tenby's one, claimed by Martin, was to prove the decisive factor in this match. Hywel Probert and Roy Morgan were sharing a buggy but not fond memories as they conceded in their match against Mike Evans and John James. On one hole Hywel thought that he had done enough to win the hole with a birdie, only to be matched by John, who was hitting the ball 'out of sight'. Roy and Hywel found themselves 'outgunned' as they struggled against the long hitting of the Trefloyne pair. Now we keep getting surprise meetings of old friends on golf courses and this Thursday was one such occasion. Malcolm Arlott was surprised and delighted to re-acquaint himself with John Rolfe, the gentleman who had introduced him to the art of golf? years ago on a course outside Reading. The master still held the upper hand, though, as John and Grahame Wharton showed them around the expansive Trefloyne course. Malcolm said that Tony played well and that John and Grahame were lucky to win by three and one. "Yes," said Grahame, "lucky it wasn't five and one!" Enough said. Unusually, Stan Hudson, out with Brian Waters, said that his game was diabolical! The encumbent joys of helping with an increasing number of grandchildren evidently took its toll as the Tenby pair failed to get to grips with the course or the opposition, Pat Casement and Garfield Price. They did halve the first six holes to keep the match alive, but failed to take the chances when the opportunity presented itself. Brian missed an 18-inch putt on the notorious 12th to compound the misery. Alan Yates was delighted to be out with the team this week. He managed to turn up on the right day and was rewarded with a good friendly match as he and Jim Martin fell by the wayside on the last two holes against Bob Burks and Trevor Lewis. Making up an extra pair were Derek Bath and John Williams. Dennis Busby and Glyn Jones took advantage of the fact that the Tenby pair had only recently stepped off the boat after a sailing trip to North Wales and hadn't found their land legs. Derek said that he still felt himself swaying, so he wasn't making good contact. John, on the other hand, claimed that he hadn't shanked a ball so often in one round for many a year - if ever! Results: D. Morgan/C. Griffith halved with G. Harrison/B. Wood; R. Morgan/H. Probert lost to J. James/M. Evans 4 and 3; J. Hancock/D. Stone beat G. Hopkin/B. Bradley 3 and 2; S. Hudson/B. Waters lost to P. Casement/G. Price 5 and 3; B. Howse lost to R. Cryer/J. Shepherd 6 and 4; M. Lewis halved with J. Smith/B. Norman; G. Aston/R. Murphy halved with M. Burke/A. Hicks; R. Gundry/M. Neilan lost to T. Morgan/K. Wormington 4 and 2; T. Ranoe/M. Arlott lost to J. Rolfe/G. Wharton 3 and 1; J. Martin/A. Yates lost to B. Burke/T. Lewis 2 and 1; D. Bath/J. D. R. Williams lost to D. Busby/G. Jones 4 and 3.
