Last Saturday Tenby GC Captain, Mike Anthony, held his Captain’s Day.

As is common nowadays, the weather was very hot and the balls travelled a long way on the burnt links, although the slick greens remained fairly receptive to a well struck approach shot.

As in recent years, the format was a Texas Scramble. A total of 23 teams took part. There were shotgun starts at 8 am and 1 pm. Most of the teams comprised two men (white tees), a senior man (yellow tees) and a lady (red tees).

Texas Scrambles usually produce very low scores and Captain’s Day was no exception. All but two of the teams bettered 60 net.

Alan Webster, Nick Allen, Allan Morton and Penny Cope came in with a net 52.7 but lost out by just 0.1 shot for runners-up spot to John Morris, Dave Hancock, Anthony Key and Rosina Jenkins. Both these scores would have been good enough to win most years.

However, this year’s winning quartet were Mark Edwards, Phil Carpenter, Brian Jones and Sue Ensor Their gross 63 comprised nine birdies and nine pars and contained no fives. Their fabulous net 51.4 made them clear and deserved winners on the day.

Following the presentation of prizes and a well supported raffle, competitors and their partners enjoyed a fabulous buffet prepared by chef Lee Shannon and his staff.

The evening entertainment was provided by local singer and guitarist Reggie whose eclectic mix of well known songs was appreciated by all those present.

Mike’s nominated charity this year is Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders which will benefit from well about £600 raised on Captain’s Day.

The top ten scores were as follows:

1. Mark Edwards, Philip Carpenter, Brian Jones, Susan Ensor 63-11.6-51.4.

2. John Morris, David Hancock, Anthony Key, Rosina Jenkins 60-7.4-52.6.

3. Alan Webster, Nick Allen, Allan Morton, Penny Cope 62-9.3-52.7.

4. Roger Barton, Neil Dickinson, Vernon Lawrence,?Laura McQueen 65-11.7- 53.3.

5. Allen?Watts, Derek Cole, David T. Morgan, Maura Gunning 65-11.6-53.4.

6. John Gilman, Richard Morton, Barrie Frayne, Trevayne Keohane 65-10.7-54.3.

7. Michael Anthony, Owen James, Steve Sutcliffe, Lucy Anthony 67-12.2-54.8.

8. Neil Moffatt, Nicholas Corbett, Andrew K.?Williams, Pam Cole 63-8-55.

9. Gary McNeilly, Richard Ormond, Alan Barber, Nel Allen 66-10.8-55.2.

10. Stephen Cole, Chris Smith, Hugh Phillips, Diane Williams 69-13.4- 55.6.

Mamma Mia

Six pairs of Tenby Rabbits headed north into deepest Mid Wales for their Three Counties Rabbits Summer League match against Aberystwyth (a real summer night city) last Sunday (the 8th), writes our links reporter, Warren Hacker. He was unable to attend following his appearance on ‘Take Me Out (The Senior version)’ when he got selected by Frida and went on a mini-holiday to the Isle of Fernandos where he was filmed in the famous cafe run by Penny and her son on Rue Layvoo eating a Chicken Tikka and reading a book by Marilyn French.

Nothing spectacular happened to the Tenby team prior to the arrival, although one of us had forgotten to switch the plug on on his trolley battery charger the night before, so ended up in a buggy. The roads weren’t as busy as they had been on the 7th - the day before they came - when the local quintuplets had got married - although three of the best men lost the wedding bands they were supposed to hand over to the vicar. Five ‘I dos’ and only two rings. Paul’s chosen dozen were put into his preferred pairings - he woke up in the middle of the night (Friday night, when the lights were low) and scribbled down his choices - his ‘I have a dream team moment’! - and he made agneeter version later and decided to take a chance on these.

Sixth on the sheet (but first out) were captain Paul and his vice Steve W against the home captain, who, despite an unsuccessful late SOS for any home player to join him, battled like a super trooper on his own to take the game to the final hole where the Tenby pair won 1 up.

The St Flo pair of Ian J and Chris were first on captain Paul’s selection (even though they were second off), but they met their Waterloo as they succumbed to a 3 and 2 loss.

The visitors also lost the second match on the sheet when Mark and Shaun - the Three Wood Boys - again faell by 3 and 2 after a few putting woes on the greens for the newly-reduced one, but that’s the name of the game.

The third pairing on the list were the Rabbit hierarchy - treasurer Wyndham and secretary Peter. Their bonding session on the way up helped (knowing me, knowing you etc) and not only did they come away with a win by 3 and 2, but they also won the ‘Flinstone Award’ for the best dressed Tenby pair - the ‘Aber Dapper Two’ Prize.

Fourth on the list were the Buggy Boys - Phil and Robin - and despite being three down after 12, they pulled their fingers out on the backside to win 1 up (when all is said and done it’s an 18-hole contest) to make the score in the clubhouse 3-2 in favour of the southerners.

The last group on the course were greeted onto their last green by the gathered crowd of finished golfers and a message was given that the score was ‘all square’. Adrian had a few bunker issues, so it was left to Grant to match the Aber player’s score - and, having seen him roll his four-footer in for a par, Grant kept his nerve to slot his three-and-a-half footer to halve their match, but secure the victory for Tenby by 3.5 - 2.5. England and Tenby winning in the same weekend!

Captain Paul’s ‘dream selection’ had worked and the winner takes it all - well the winners (Tenby) take 7.5 points back home with them (four points for an away win plus 3.5 ‘bonus’ points) to move them off the bottom of the table and onto 18 for the season after four away games with a further three July games to follow (two home, one away) and hopefully they’ll have climbed into the upper half of the table by the time August starts.

If you weren’t bjorn yesterday, you might have noticed some (almost correct) old Swedish song titles in the report - if not try asking one of your parents - does your mother know?

(Editor’s note - Warren, on behalf of the readers, I would like to say ‘Thank you’ for the music references. I counted 28!)

Usher Cup success for Roger and Gill

Now is the time to play Tenby golf course if you want a true links. The fairways are burnt brown, the rough has gone wispy, and the greens are green and true. Being on the coast, we had a beautiful breeze to keep us a bit cooler in the brilliant sunshine. Eighteen couples took part on Sunday, despite being part of a great Captain’s Day on Saturday, so many thanks to them all for turning out.

There were only two 2s, both on the sixth hole, from Anna and Keith Hubbard, and captain Mike and his daughter, Lucy, Anthony.

Winning back their entry fee were John Ball and Sue Ensor, Chris and Carol Beecher, Pam and Steve Cole, and Brian Jones and Linda Tordoff Evans.

The foursomes format is never easy as one is only hitting every other shot, but some good scores were recorde. With 37 points and just missing out on the prizes were John Ball and Sue Ensor, and Pam and Steve Cole.

In fourth place with 38 points were Steve Maytum and Angie Gottwaltz. They were beaten on the back nine by Neil and Sophie Lovatt on the same points.

With an exciting front nine score, but a tired back nine, in second place with 39 points were Di and Andy Williams. They were pipped on the back nine by Gill John and Roger Schooling, also with 39 points, and winning the Usher Cup for this year.

Gill was quite overwhelmed by her win, but Roger thanked their playing partners and the organisers.

Thanks also to Leigh and Conner for the catering, to Tom and Matthew in the Pro Shop, and Laura McQueen for running the competition on the computer.

Next up is the Ping third round against Cradoc in Carmarthen on Monday, two matches against Derllys Court, then St. Pierre, on the July 29 and August 5; finally, the next silverware is the Morgan Tucker Open. Entry forms are on the website for visitors, and in the clubhouse for members. Computer booking will open in two weeks for members.