Due to the club’s Open Week, the usual Thursday Ladies golf fixture was incorporated into the itinerary for the week and was reported previously.

On Wednesday, June 6, the Wales Golf Regional Medal and Bowls Final was played at Carmarthen Golf Club. The Tenby representatives were Irene Gilman, Rebecca Naden, Denise Edwards and Fair Ball. Denise came third in her category to qualify for the All Wales final in Llandrindod Wells on August 7 and we wish her all the very best.

The Senior Ladies now have a new captain - Rita Collins - and their Monday contests continued on June 11 with seven ladies on the course. The best score came from Dinah Reed, with Marion Clarke coming second and Maura Gunning third.

On Thursday the 14th, there was the monthly GUW medal which saw 10 entrants battling in very windy conditions, with some holes into the wind needing an extra two clubs-plus to get the ball to where it needed to be. However, some players coped better than others, with the medal winner being Helen Hughes with a nett 78, ahead of Trevayne Keohane with a nett 80 (to win the Jones Parry Trophy) and Rebecca Naden third on countback from Pam Cole with a nett 84.

In unexpected misty conditions, 10 senior ladies took to the course on Monday, June 18. Due to the weather, some came in earlier than others, with a mixture of number of holes being finished. Captain Rita decided to give two prizes - one for the most holes played (which was 10) and this was won by Pat Fox with 16 points, and one for six holes, won by Irene Gilman with 12 points.

Twenty players took part in the Marjorie Glover Rose Bowl stableford competition on Thursday the 21st. It was a testing day, with a wind that changed direction a number of times during the round. Six managed scores of 30 or more, with third place going to Helen Hughes on 32 points, second going to Irene Gilman on 34, but the outright winner was Sue Shooter with a fine 37 points.

Also on the 21st, the Tenby team consisting of Holly Watkins, Denise Edwards, Hollie Jenkins, Heather Morgan and Linda Tordoff-Evans played their first round match against Pontnewydd in the Welsh Team Championships, held this year at Langland Bay, Swansea.

It was a beautiful not-so-windy day there and the course was in very good condition, with the players saying the greens were fast.

The early start didn’t deter some of us going to support the team and the attached picture taken after the Tenby victory shows the players and caddies plus the supporters.

Holly won her match 4 and 3, Denise won hers 5 and 4 and the remaining three were quite tense affairs. Hollie was all-square after 18, but managed to win the 19th, Heather won one up on the 18th and Linda’s match was one up on the 16th when she was called in as Tenby had secured the victory.

This meant they would play in round two against Bryn Meadows on Friday - and an even earlier start. Holly lost her game, but Denise won hers. Hollie and Linda both lost their games, meaning that Tenby had lost the match, the final score showing 3.5-1.5, and it was the end of this year’s championship.

On Monday, June 25, seven senior ladies played - the numbers were down due to several past captains attending the Pembrokeshire Past Captains Luncheon at Plas Hyfryd. On the day, Anna Hubbard came out as winner with 23 points (from the 14 holes played), beating Dinah Reed on countback.

On Thursday the 28th, it was the Centenary Greensomes stableford qualifier, which involved 12 pairs. Seven managed scores of 36 or better on the course that is now looking very brown and dry - we haven’t seen this scene for many a year!

In third place were Sue Ensor and Vicky Burks on 40 points, losing on countback to Nesta Hart and Marion Clarke (who had an impressive 25 points on the back nine), but the winners - who qualify for the final at Cardigan on September 19 – were Heather Morgan and Irene Gilman with 41 points.

On Friday, Tenby Ladies travelled to Milford in the C&P Division One match. It was hard work walking round the course in the heat and the local knowledge of our opponents (especially on or around the greens) proved too much for the Tenby team who battled to the end, but came away with a 5-0 loss.

South Wales Seniors Claret Jug - save the best ’til last

Monday, July 2, saw a gathering of the clans at South Pembs Golf Club. This was the West Wales venue for the first round of the Claret Jug competition organised by the South Wales Seniors Classic organisation. Other rounds will be played at Clyne and Raglan Park and the best six players from each will all meet up on at St. Pierre Golf Club to play in a final on August 1.

Gathered at the South Pembs clubhouse last Monday were a total of 31 pairs of senior golfers from clubs in West Wales. That total comprised of eight pairs from Tenby, three from Trefloyne, six from Haverfordwest, five from Machynys, five from Milford, two from Carmarthen and two from Glynhir.

South Pembs members were unable to play the competition on their own course, but they did a magnificent job in organising the event and providing a warm welcome for those taking part. They provided a marker for the last pair out as well as spotters around the course to enable everyone to progress at a comfortable pace.

The course, like many in the current climate, was looking a bit brown, but was well manicured and receptive to a long drive. The greens were well watered and receptive, but also held a few undulations that proved difficult to read. The warm breeze became a welcome relief as all 62 seniors fought their own individual battles against the course.

Lowest score on the day in this better ball competition was 34 from a couple of Carmarthen members. However, 11 pairs were able to complete the day with 40 or more points. Five pairs completed the course in 36, while a further five completed it in 37 and a further five in 38.

Peter Williams and John Stevenson were in the 36 group, while Allen Watts and Brian Jones along with Steve Sutcliffe and David Blackmore were in the 37 group. One above them in the 38 category was Chris Beecher and Dai Cope. The rest of the Tenby entrants were in the 40s. Ross James and David Rees scored 41, one ahead of Robin Hagley and Bob Howse. Idwal David and Derek Cole came in with 43 points, just one behind the best Tenby score of 44 claimed by Stan Hudson and Des Stone.

However, the best score of the day was kept until the last four-ball had completed its round and came from the Trefloyne pairing of Dennis Holloway and Jack Zeraschi. Their 46 topped the lot.

The best scores handed in came from: Dennis Holloway and Jack Zeraschi (Trefloyne) 46 pts; Stan Hudson and Des Stone (Tenby) 44: Alan Dennison and Chris Harding (Milford) 44; Idwal David and Derek Cole (Tenby) 43; Steve Allen and Steve Lewis (Haverfordwest) 43; Colin Hogg and Mark Daniels (Machynys) 42; Dai John and John?Rees (Haverfordwest) 42; Graham Lardner and Bill?Richards (Machynys) 42.

All proceeds from the raffle held on the day go to the South Wales Ambulance Service.

Luke is runner-up at Harlech

Tenby’s young Luke Harries came a very creditable second last weekend in the prestigious St. David’s Gold Cross.

The event was held at the outstanding Royal St. Davids links course at Harlech. Most of the top Welsh amateur golfers were present, endeavouring to achieve ranking points in order to be selected for international honours later this season.

On Saturday morning, Luke had a magnificent 65, four under par, and led by four shots. This was the joint best round of the week.

He scored 70 on both Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and led the field by a single shot going into the final round.

Unfortunately, Luke faded slightly with a 75 and lost out to the steady Jacob Davies, of Rhuddlan GC, who had a very consistent four round total of 276, level par.

Luke finished runner-up on 280. Jake Hapgood, of Southerdown, was third on 281 and Thomas Williams, of Wrexham, was fourth on 282.

Luke has recently completed his first year studies at Tennessee University. However, due to an administrative misunderstanding, he was unable to play competitive golf in the USA during the nine months he was studying. Nevertheless, this issue has now been rectified.

Consequently, following a series of top events throughout the United Kingdom this summer, Luke is looking forward to returning to Tennessee and taking part in the very competitive American collegic system.