Spring has sprung and more ladies are now returning to the links. The weather is still a bit unpredictable, but we haven’t missed a Thursday - yet - this month.

March 2 saw an 18-hole stableford and two-dozen ladies took part. Seven managed scores in the 30s, with Denise Edwards taking top spot with 37 points (helped by the only two 2s of the day on the sixth and 17th holes), ahead of Linda Tordoff-Evans on 36, who beat Helen Hughes on countback.

The following Thursday was a pairs competition - the WWLGA Foursomes qualifier. Having been playing in much cooler conditions, many ladies ‘layered up’ to start their round, but a welcome warm front caught a few of them out and some committee members were spotted stripping off over the line.

Best pair of the day (in relation to the results!) were Liz Storey and Anne Wilks on 31 points, who will represent Tenby in the knock-out rounds. Runners-up on 30 points were last year’s tournament winners, Bev Owen and Sue Griffiths, with Fair Ball and Rebecca Naden third on countback on 27 points.

The Monthly Medal was held on the 16th and ‘early birds’ Sue Griffiths and Rebecca Naden, who avoided the worst of the weather, took the top two places, Sue with a nett 74 (to reduce her handicap to 11) and Rebecca with a nett 78. Rhian Walters was third with an 82 - helped by a two on the 12th, a hole which also saw the other two from Pam Cole.

Thursday, March 23, was our purple-coloured Charity Day for Pancreatic Cancer Action which was advertised in last month’s report. The event was very well supported, with 28 players taking part and the entrance fees, raffle sales and donations all going to the worthy charity - a total of £215.

Both Sue Shooter and her son Dan (who is also running the London Marathon in support of the charity) wish to give their thanks to everyone who helped raise this wonderful total.

The weather was pretty decent, if a bit nippy on times. Emergency first aid was provided by head greenkeeper Scott Williams for our ‘damson in distress’ - president Pat - who suffered a nasty bump to her knee which needed attending to. Scott will be requesting a blue light on his tractor next!

Seven ladies got scores in the 30s, with Rebecca Naden coming out on top on countback from Heather Morgan on 33, with Gill John third with the best of four scores of 32.

Four twos were managed, Fair Ball and Sue Shooter on the sixth and Rebecca and Judy Brew on the 17th. The picture shows some of the ladies who were able to stay for the prize-giving.

Five ladies played in the Sunday Medal last weekend, with Fair Ball coming out on top with a nett 83, ahead of Trevayne Keohane on a nett 85, which included the only two on the 17th.

The Senior Ladies have been missing a few Mondays due to the inclement weather, but 13 of them managed to get out last Monday (the 27th). It was a beautiful Spring day and Helen Morgan was top performer with 28 points from 14 holes, ahead of Pat Fox on 27 and Liz Storey on 26.

Upcoming events in April include Sunday 9th - the Ladies 36 hole Scratch Open, an opportunity to see how lower handicap golfers cope with the Tenby links and the 11th and 12th sees the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Ladies County Championships.

Tenby Ladies are reminded that they can put their names down for the club knock-out competitions - entries will close on April 22.

P.C.

Seniors see some sunshine (sometimes)

After last week’s drenching, it was a pleasure to see that the weather would be fine, if a bit dull and windy, for Tuesday, March 28 - when we welcomed Glynhir seniors to the Tenby links.

Not everything went smoothly, however, an unfortunate traffic accident near Carmarthen caused the A40 to be closed for some time - which in turn caused some of the Glynhir team to be late, so that the first match started a little later than the planned 10.45. No matter, eight 4BBB matches were soon under way, and the occasional glimpse of the sun peeping through the blanket of cloud only served to lift the players’ spirits. There were lots of familiar faces among the Glynhir lads - well the clubs have been competing for a very, very long time!

All matches completed and all players ‘bib and tuckered’ - it was time for a really tasty post-match meal, prepared by Lee and elegantly served by Emma 1 and Emma 2, after which both teams gathered in the bar, where excitement rose to fever pitch as the charity raffle was drawn. Sadly, Tenby was defeated by three prizes to one - and even the one was not actually claimed because a lucky John Hancock had been obliged to leave early. No problem John, Mike has saved almost all of your wine for you!

More excitement - the match result! Now you will see from the photograph that the first group to tee-off comprised (from left to right) Glynhir’s Heddwyn Price, Tenby’s Allen Watts, Glynhir captain E. Hugh Jones and Tenby’s captain Dudley Williams - all smiling for the camera - but who would be smiling when the captains announced the result?

I can reveal (as they say on TV) that the winning team was - pause - Tenby, by a margin of 6 to 2! But, don’t get carried away, the return match at Glynhir is never easy.

Next Tuesday, Tenby play Haverfordwest at Haverfordwest - they can field 10 teams of two, so captain Dudley would welcome some more volunteers - Master Scoreboard, telephone, carrier pigeon - just let him know!

M.F.

March Monthly Medal and Sellar Cup qualifier

A total of 102 players (53 in division one and 49 in division two) entered the March Monthly Medal and Sellar Cup qualifer on Saturday.

Conditions were good, with the sun shining, although the wind did get up considerably throughout the day and proved a real test for the later starters

Leading scoers and prize winners were as follows:

Division One: 1. Laurent Phillips 78-10-68 (medal plus £52.50); 2. Jeffrey Banfield 76-6-70 (£38.50); 3. Jon Bolter 76-5-71, on countback (£25); 4. Phillip Rees 77-6-71 (£14); 5. Peter Rossi 84-12-72, on countback (£8.50).

Division Two: 1. John Ball 88-20-68 (medal plus £52.50); 2. Barrie Frayne 90-18-72, on countback (£38.50); 3. David Skyrme 91-19-72 (£25), on countback; 4. Neil Dickinson 100-28-72, on countback (£14); 5. Michael Argent 93-21-72, on countback (£8.50).

Twos: David Cope, Mike Davies, Chris Hughes, Laurent Phillips, 2, Darren Thomas, Alastair Knibb, Paul Hoyland, Steve Sutcliffe, John Gillespie, Tom Jnr Griffiths, David Blackmore (£8.50 each).

Bag draw: Jon Boulter, Peter Rossi, Paul Davies, Keith Dolman, John Gottwaltz, Owen James, Robin Hagley, John Stevenson (£12.50 each).

Pro Shop draw: Nicholas Corbett, Keiron Plested (Ping polo shirt each).

Changes to handicap: Michael Argent 21 to 20; John Ball 20 to 18; Jeffrey Banfield 6 to 5; Philip Booth 18 to 19; Gareth Brace 13 to 14; Andrew Cope 5 to 6; Steven Court 12 to 13; Mike Davies 10 to 9; Paul Davies 13 to 14; Neil Dickinson 28 to 27; Mark Edwards 15 to 16; John Gillespie 16 to 17; Robert Howse 13 to 14; Chris Hughes 6 to 5; Philip Mumford 16 to 17; Laurent Phillips 10 to 9; Phillip Rees 6 to 5; Peter Rossi 12 to 11; David Skyrme 19 to 18; Stephen Watkins 19 to 20; Michael Whale 24 to 25; Jerry Whitehouse 12 to 13.

Dates for your diary

SPORTS QUIZ

A Sports Quiz will be held at the club this (Friday) evening, commencing at 7 for 7.30 pm.

It is open to teams of four (£20 per team to include chip butties) and questions will be on all sports, not just golf.

It is hoped that all sections at the club will enter at least one team, i.e. Seniors, Divots, Rabbits, Ladies, management board, green staff and caterers etc. etc.

To enter a team, contact Richard Ormond on 07774 640718 or [email protected]

AJO MEMORIAL

There has been a change of date for the away leg of the annual AJO Memorial at Trefloyne. It will now be held on Sunday, July 2, and not Saturday, June 17.

Unfortunately, this is the only date which is remotely suitable for both Tenby and Trefloyne due to busy diaries.