Not satisfied with playing at the Gower on Tuesday, the seniors faced a home match against St. Davids on Thursday, May 24. The match was downsized because the visitors could only raise a team of nine - but a game is a game and on such a delightful day what could be better than playing our challenging links.

Before the match, there was a small donation to charity to take care of. I'm sure that by now you are familiar with the seniors fundraising Tsar, Brian 'The Raffle' Morgan. Each week he seeks out every player and ensures his or her participation in the charity raffle. He persuades us to donate prizes and provides prizes himself, leading by example and benefiting from the endless generosity of the seniors. Periodically, Brian, Captain Jim and treasurer Allen Watts decide on a couple of deserving local charities and they are offered some financial assistance.

This time the recipients were HOPE, the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre at Neyland, represented by Ken Brombley, and Parkinsons UK from Tenby, represented by Norman Gray.

Due to circumstances beyond his control, Norman could not get to the club, but Ken Brombley accepted a £300 cheque for each of these charitable causes, and thanked the seniors for their donations. I recommend both these deserving local charities as candidates for your generosity in the future. The photograph shows Captain Jim and Brian Morgan presenting the cheques to Ken, supported by a few of the regular players.

As our little ceremony was concluded, the St. David's team was arriving and the list of competing pairs was finalised. The first tee was bathed in glorious sunshine as the competitors started their rounds full of hope and high expectation.

Somewhat later, the course was still enjoying the sunshine as the players completed their games, some with hopes dashed and expectations not realised - some with dreams come true and all expectations met. Whatever the individual results were, the match was played in a true spirit of friendly rivalry and all agreed that they thoroughly enjoyed the day.

After a tasty steak match meal - and after the visitors had won every single raffle prize! - both captains addressed the teams. The stewards and greens staff were deservedly thanked, the course was admired, the mandatory jokes were cracked, and then it was time for the result. Three rousing cheers for the winners -Tenby.

We shall be playing St. Davids on their course on August 9, perhaps then we might win at least one of the raffle prizes!

See you there!

M.F.