Having been rained off last week, the re-arranged Roger and Mary Trophy competition was battled for last Friday by the Tenby Chicken Trotters. This famous retro art-deco style trophy is a must for any discerning golfer to have on display on their mantlepiece and there was steely determination in the eyes of the 15 Chickens who left the warmth of the changing rooms to try to get their names on the ‘roll of honour’ of past winners, with three previous victors (Steve Cole 2012, Roger Scholfield 2015 and Allen Watts 2017) trying to become double winners to follow in the footsteps of such Trotter luminaries as John Mabe, Doug Perry, Ken Gouldsbrough and John Hancock - although ‘Rained Off’ has been successful four times! The players have to play off their club handicaps - meaning an increase for some, but a reduction for others from their unique blue card ‘Trotter handicaps’.
A couple of the buggy boys came in early as the cold, breezy conditions meant it was draughty round the extremities and it wasn’t conducive to high scoring, with only the podium placers managing to beat the ‘par’ for the day of 25.
A couple ended up with scores in the teens, the young Cole boys were separated on the back three holes in 10th/11th places, but behind a pair of our active octogenarians, last year’s runner-up (and early clubhouse leader) Richard Davies finished in sixth, Des Stone notched fifth place in his first Trot of the season, beaten on the back side by Geoff Aston on 25 in fourth place - who earned his entry fee of 30p back.
Taking bronze position was another first-timer this winter - David Rees - who pocketed 60p for his efforts and for a long time, Allen Watts was looking good to become another ‘doubler’ after his fine blob-free round of 31 points (gross 65 of par 60 off a handicap of six isn’t a bad effort!), although eventually he had to be content with silver position and a reward of 90p when the last group in brought the excellent winning score of 33. The name atop that card? - it belongs to Neil Dickinson, who had been third last year and not only took home the trophy to take pride of place at home to impress his family, but he also had a financial increase of £1.20 - that’s FOUR free weeks!
Neil also writes his own piece of Chicken history as he now has his name on this trophy, as well as the Danny Carew Putter (twice), plus the new twice-presented Booker Prize - the only one he hasn’t won is the Norman Badham Cup (and he’s not eligible yet as he’s too young!).
On the subject of the Booker Prize (awarded for the best aggregate five scores in the winter), Neil’s score takes him into the lead this season on 136, one ahead of Steve Cole, with Richard Davies on 130 and ‘Pedro’ Ellis on 124 - although there’s still plenty of weeks left for some of the Trotters who haven’t got their five in yet to shoot up the table.
The undoubted ability that Neil possesses has also come to the notice of the data processor that sits in the club computer room and the same Dickinson name popped up on the list of those to be considered for a handicap reduction in the Annual Review and so it came to pass - Neil ended the day with a trophy, more money, plus a handicap reduction of ONE WHOLE SHOT. The Editor really has made the headlines. Well done that man!
Not only are Chicken Trotters fairly decent golfers, but they also possess special powers. One of their brood has been absent recently and has been feeling somewhat ‘under the weather’ and the Chicken Arranger decided that a ‘Get Well Soon’ card would be appropriate and got signatures and thoughtful wishes of an imminent betterment from those at the clubhouse. It is pleasing to report that as they were thinking of him and writing to him, he was getting telepathic Chicken therapy sent over special mind-waves and he is somewhat chirpier now and his return to the Trotter fold is eagerly anticipated in the hopefully not-too-distant future. It’s been SO quiet without you!
It’ll be back to ‘normal’ for the Trotters next week which means the sin-bins come back into play. Please feel free to join us!