Bart Youll has agreed to give lessons to any senior who wants to putt-out from a bunker. This was his claim to fame on Tuesday when he and Geoff Aston putted out from off the green on the sixth hole.

Geoff’s was a mere chip which trundled up to the edge and toppled over into the hole. How they went in does not matter and was of little consequence as they both accepted their prize money with great delight.

They were joined in their success by Allen Watts, who earned himself double, with a two on the 12th and the 17th. Two others to equal these exploits were Idwal David (6th) and Bill Davies (17th).

Thirty-eight seniors reported in on Tuesday morning eager to test their skills against the course which was, this week, aided by a noticeable breeze. The day was cloudy and cool, but pleasant, allowing everyone a chance to complete the course, unlike the previous week when the competition was rained off.

Of the 38 who played, 23 scored 30 or more points, while at the other end, two players were unable to break 20 points. The golfing gods have their way of making us all suffer at the hands of the course.

Richard Davies might have thought it worthwhile staying for the results as he returned a creditable score of 37 points -three points ahead of Ross James. Even he was disappointed as the trio to scoop up this week’s prize money were all in the 40s.

Paul Bradley, having to play without a buddy, was delighted to return a score of 40 points. One ahead of him on 41 points was Des Stone.

This week’s accolades go to the amiable Kiwi, Allen Watts, who was able to make the most of his seven-handicap to achieve a magnificent score of 44 points. He modestly pointed out that had the greens not been so slow, he could well have reached 50 - in your dreams! He will now have to do it with a reduced handicap of five, as will Des Stone (19 to 18) and Paul Bradley (18 to 17).

As well as his two, Bill Davies was the recipient of this week’s prize draw which he can wisely invest.

Looking through my archives, I have come across a few photos which may provide some interesting discussion. Seniors, do you recognise the golfer in the photo? He is named in this report and was captured at our Seniors Day some years ago.

Rabbits fireworks

We are already four weeks into the Rabbits Winter League and the jostling - with necessary verbal jousting - has already begun, writes Warren Hacker, our links reporter, who was assisted last Sunday by trainee reporter, Catherine Wheel. The WhatsApp Tenby Rabbits Group is the place to be to see the encouraging comments given to each other... and the occasional rocket!

Past and current treasurers (Mark and Wyndham) accompanied secretary Peter in the first group off and they obviously had the best of the weather (and light) as they all managed to get their scores in the 30s - indeed the three ball total of 96 was only seven less than the two fourballs managed (103 each!).

In the second group was a brace of Steves (C and W - no, not Country and Western), Kieron and Adrian. These four all made splendid contributions to the ‘Leave A Ball Out There Fund’ with a variety of hiding places, but one of them still managed a podium finish.

The final group had captain Paul leading from the rear, alongside Robin, defending champion Grant and Ian. It was fortunate for one of them that they were off last, as it gave him a chance to get his breath back after the walk round from the practice area to the first tee (yes, readers - the practice area. That is correct - a Rabbit not only knowing where the practice area is, but also actually using it. The rules have been checked and there doesn’t seem to be anything preventing this action taking place. Perhaps that’ll be a proposal at the next AGM).

When the golfers gathered around the sofas to hear the reading of the results, they were amazed at the ability of the new treasurer to divide the twos pot into three equal piles of full pounds for the birdie twos this week - the recipients being Ian - nasty six-footer - on the sixth, Steve for his chip-in from the back of the 12th and Robin’s tap-in on the 17th.

Seven Rabbits managed 30 or more, with Mark and Robin just adrift of a podium place on 31. Bronze place went to Steve W on 32, with runner-up being Ian on 35 - beaten by the Top Guy Wyndham with a better back nine (19 to 18). Mr. Treasurer managed to sort out his cash piles to reward the top two.

We now have five Rabbits who have performed four times in the last month. The Winter League will be won by the best eight scores over the winter and early front-runners are Ian on 129, Wyndham on 126, Mark 124 and the Steves - W (121) and C (117). But pull your fingers out chaps - last year’s winner Grant had an average of 38.6 over his best eight - no-one has managed better than 38 yet.

No-one can hold a candle to Chris in the Eclectic as he maintains his lead on 51, however all those playing made improvements - biggest betterers being Wyndham by four, Steve C, Ian, Peter and Paul by five and Robin by eight - and Wyndham, Steve W and Ian are only a point adrift now.

Wonder if sparks will fly this weekend?

League Table

P Eclectic Total

Ian Jarvis 4 50 129

Wyndham Collins 4 50 126

Mark Edwards 4 46 124

Steve Watkins 4 50 121

Steve Cole 4 48 117

Chris Smith 3 51 98

Peter Turton 3 45 89

Grant Watkins 3 47 88

Kieron Plested 3 42 79

John Ball 2 42 69

Adrian Palmer 3 40 68

Bill Beynon 2 43 65

Paul Crawford 3 36 65

David Blackmore 2 41 61

Robin Bradbury 2 38 61

Phil Carpenter 1 32 32

Experienced and virginal Chickens

November’s first trot brought a mixture of the old and the new onto the famed Tenby links. The Friday Frollickers welcomed back Chickens from a bygone year and some from a previous century, plus an interloper from across the pond. There was also a new hatchling who hadn’t done it before. It was all going on, I tell you!

The interloper was a visitor from the States who has been touring around Wales and was accompanied on his round by the links experience that belongs to Messrs Hancock and Bradley - one of whom will manage a mention in the prizes. Our US friend really struggled marking the Chicken card though!

The name of John Ross last appeared in the record books following a rainy outing in December 2016 - and nowhere else in the computerised back-up records since 2011 - but he will be another one to get a prize mention.

Brian Morgan’s last trot was November 2013 and his 21 wouldn’t bring him a prize - but he was glad to find his ‘missing’ car keys afterwards.

Steve Decosimo reminisced that he had actually last appeared as a ‘guest’ back in the mid 80s (we’ve checked - it must be in the ‘missing books’), but he acquitted himself well with a 10th place finish - his 21 having a better back six than Brian.

Booby prize went to Ron Murphy, who got his entrance fee of 30p back - plus an increase to 30 handicap next time, John Hancock won a free week with his 25 for fourth place, John Ross - with 27 - won himself 60p and a cut to 22 for third place, while Allen Watts - despite a savage two-shot cut after his second place the previous week - helped himself to a flawless 29 points to earn 90p - and a further cut down to three! I can anticipate a lack of glee when he finds out. Cover your ears this (Friday) morning.

Top Chicken this week was recently-joined member Charlie McFee. He had a generous allocated handicap of 28 for the day - and it’ll be the last time he’ll be off that! He scored an impressive blob-free 30 points over the 15-hole course. In the future he’ll be off five less - but he has got £1.20 winnings in his pocket to soften the blow. Welcome to the Chickens, Charlie!

Despite missing a few regulars (holidays, house-moving etc) 19 Trotters left the coop, they managed 57 blobs between them and the par was 24. Fancy a game today?

Gents Monthly Medal

Eighty-four players entered the Gents Monthly Medal on Saturday, 43 in division one and 41 in division two.

Conditions were not easy, with a stiff breeze providing some with problems, but others were clever enough to negotiate their way round and earn themselves some prizes.

Leading scores and prize winners were as follows:

Division One: 1. Jack Harries 74-4-70, on countback (medal plus £45.50); 2. Mark Griffiths 83-13-70 (£34); 3. Neil Moffatt 83-10-73 (£22.50); 4. Mike Davies 83-9-74 (£11).

Division Two: 1. Hugh Phillips 100-28-72 (medal plus £45.50); 2. Stephen Cole 91-17-74 (£34); 3. Richard Ormond 93-18-75, on countback (£22.50); 4. Cameron Jnr Davies 96-21-75, on countback (£11).

Twos: Colin Duffield, John Gottwaltz, James Moffatt, Mike Davies, Stan Hudson, Barrie Frayne, Ross James, Ryan Dennehy, Philip Goodridge (£9.30 each).

Bag draw: David Blackmore, Peter Rossi, John Stevenson, Owen James, Peter Ellis (£16.60 each).

Pro Shop draw: Spencer Harries (Sunderland Ontario jacket).

Handicap changes: Paul Dennehy 10 to 11; Charles Dredge 12 to 13; Neil Evans 14 to 15; Mark Griffiths 13 to 12; Vivian James 21 to 22; Vivian John 8 to 9; Hugh Phillips 28 to 27.