Twenty-four Tenby Senior golfers gathered at the Irish Ferry terminal at Pembroke Dock on 9th September having manoeuvred their way round closed roads due to the Iron Man competition. They were disappointed that they had to forego their entry into this year’s race but the commitment to play golf on the similar links course at Rosslare and the green hilly course at Wexford was too strong to miss out on.

What happens on tour stays on tour so I am not able to relate the odd unusual events that occurred while we were away – like, one lady on the ferry who joined our group thinking that one of our seniors was the husband of an elderly lady who was not feeling too well - like the rather loud and raucous singing on the terminal bus as we disembarked – like one member who enhanced his reputation of always being last to arrive – like one esteemed member who found himself in the shower at two in the morning with the shower curtain in the bath – like one member who lasted all of seven holes on the second day and two unable to play on the third day.

The Whitford House Hotel provided excellent accommodation giving everyone the chance to relax in the pool, the sauna or the gym, a chance not many acceded to. Following an excellent meal in a very busy establishment the group was able to relax and prepare themselves for their first round of golf on the Rosslare links.

An early start on Monday saw the group enjoy coffee and scones at the Rosslare clubhouse before meeting their respective opponents in a four-ball competition to decide the recipient of the Mervyn Tucker Putter. The welcome, as always, was open, friendly and genuine adding to the pleasure of playing this challenging course. Idwal’s influence had not fully kicked in as a brisk westerly wind was accompanied by one or two splashes of the wet stuff (rain that is not Guinness). The result would be decided by the scores of the best ten pairs from each side. The Rosslare team managed a 47pts and a 43 pts with lowest score of 33pts in their total of 377pts. The best Tenby could offer was 41pts by the captain and Jeff Banfield, who put one over on a past member of the Irish amateur team. Their lowest score of 30pts provided a total of 334pts. The home team Club President, BobQuilty, was delighted to reclaim the esteemed trophy and restore it to its allotted place above a window.

Another excellent meal was enjoyed by all before Idwal made the presentation along with a few gifts from Tenby Golf Club –two club ties and a voucher for a stay in the dormie rooms at Tenby. Tenby’s best scores for the day received golf balls for their endeavours with Idwal and Jeff receiving three, Allen Watts and Des Stone two and Jim Moffatt and Roger Barton one each. An eighty-six year old ex prop forward, Tommy Byrne, did the almost impossible in the match against Allen and Des when he drove his ball straight through the gap in the buggy which was parked twenty yards away.

Following the meal one Tenby member was seen to be practicing on the putting area while the rest were imbibing. That’s how seriously some seniors take their golf. In the same match Mick Whale thought he recognised one of his opponents. It turns out that he was the proprieter of a restaurant in East Grinstead that Mick used to frequent.

Wexford was the next challenge and a complete contrast to Rosslare. Lush grass and numerous trees on a very hilly course with extremely fast greens threw a few seniors off balance and it took many a long time to adapt. The panoramic views over the bay and into Wexford provided an extra diversion. However some rose to the challenge and were able to turn in a decent score. Following another fine meal Idwal Rose announce the day’s winners. He had done his bit to make the day a success by ensuring that the light cloud interspersed by warm sunshine compensated some from the frustrations of the course. All that time spent on his knees had paid off.

Jim Moffatt’s practice also paid off as he returned the highest score of 37pts winning three balls. Following him, with a better back nine, was Chris Beecher on 35pts with Roger Barton claiming third. In the two’s sweep Allen Watts had one as did Nic Rogers but Jeff Banfield scored two all on his own.

Another night of prayer put Idwal in everyone’s good books since they awoke to bright sunshine for their last game of golf. All the rain on this tour fell during the night. This warm sunny weather with only a slight breeze was what the group had been waiting for. Now they could attack the course – and that’s what they did spraying balls all over the place and missing putts galore. Something had upset the equilibrium between Monday and Wednesday and no-one could work out what that was.

The highest score of the day was 31pts, scored by Chris Beecher, while the two, nameless, tail-enders failed to reach 20pts. Chris duly received his three balls, followed by two for Mick Whale on 29pts and one for Roger Barton on 28pts.Peter Williams, Des Stone, Jim Moffatt and Idwal David also scored 28pts but they received nothing. Allen Watts did though since his drive on the par three fourteenth gave him the nearest-the-pin and the only two of the day.

To crown off three great days, well organised by Idwal, Derek and Stan, the scores over the final two rounds was added together to provide an overall winner for the Travellers Trophy. In third place, with a score of 63, was Roger Barton two behind Jim Moffatt on 65. The highest score and winner of the Travellers Trophy for this current tour was Chris Beecher on 66.

Another enjoyable and memorable tour had come to and end. There were a few tired looking faces as the group trudged wearily back to the Ferry. Everyone found a space and were far quieter and more subdued than they had been on the outward journey.

Another tour over – roll on the next one.