It's tight at the top as Rabbits bunch up

At the beginning of the season there were a few pairs who looked certain to make an impact in the battle for this year's Rabbits Winter League title, but it seems a few have now faded away.

My original favourites of Bill and Steve had a close encounter with my new favourites of Steve Watkins and Robin Bradbury, the latter pair winning on the last hole to put them in contention in fourth place.

Above them are Paul and Mick who had a victory over bottom placed Mike Munro and Pete Turton by 3 and 2, and if it hadn't been for Mike playing his best golf, despite windy conditions, it could have been by more, so best up your game Pete.

Mark and Chris are also languishing near the bottom, just one point above the wooden spoon position after a dismal 6 and 5 loss against Phil the vice and Bob 'shots' Flower.

This leaves the top of the table clash between Tim and Mackie and Tony Morris and Richard Prout.

Apparently, all these early mornings have been getting to Mackie and his game has been suffering, so much so that it was left to Tim to take it down the 18th and for Richard to miss a putt from 12 inches to hand the match to Tim and Mackie, leaving both pairs joint top of the table.

As every hack knows, it pays to keep one's ear very close to the ground in order to pick up any scandalous information, and so it proved last weekend when I overheard that one member has been told not to play in the January medal to protect his handicap for the league! What next I ask? Bungs in golf shoes? More next week.

The Scribe

Results were as follows: Steve Watkins and Robin Bradbury bt Bill Davies and Steve Cole 1 up; Paul Davies and Mick Gillett bt Peter Turton and Mike Munro 3 and 2; Tim Davies and Mackie Harts bt Tony Morris and Richard Prout 1 up; Phil Carpenter and Bob Flower bt Mark Edwards and Chris Smith 6 and 5.

LEAGUE TABLE

P W H L Pts

T.Morris/R.Prout 8 6 0 2 12

T.Davies/M.Harts 8 5 2 1 12

P.Davies/M. Gillett 8 5 0 3 10

S.Watkins/R. Bradbury 8 4 1 3 9

B. Davies/S.Cole 8 4 0 4 8

P.Carpenter/B. Flower 8 2 2 4 6

M.Edwards/C. Smith 8 1 2 5 4

P.Turton/M. Munro 8 1 1 6 3

Liquid links - soaked seniors!

First and most important, my apologies for the false information that I published last week. In a resounding display of ignorance, I spouted a load of codswallop about the 'waltz' format. I have been made aware of my failings by several serious seniors, so here is my retraction and correction.

As I am sure that everybody (except me) knows, it goes like this. Three players per team, the best score on hole one to count, the best two scores on hole two to count and all three scores on hole three to count - and so on in rotation for the 18 holes. Apparently not so seemples!

I also incorrectly reported that it was a non-qualifying event!... Oh dear, apart from the date and the venue - did I get anything right at all I ask myself?

So, carefully studying my notes, I will attempt to do better this week.

Tuesday, January 24, was a chilly, dull and occasionally rainy morning with lots of standing water on the links - check.

Tenty-four seniors paddled forth to compete in the Stableford, eclectic, qualifying competition that also counted towards the Order of Merit. Sadly Peter Woodhouse had to retire injured on the 10th, limping back to the clubhouse for an early shandy! - check.

There were no 2s - check.

The winner of the charity raffle was Bob Howse with number 19. Generous Bob promptly sponsored next week's raffle - check.

I can't possibly make a mistake with the results, because we can all see them on the website; http://www.masterscoreboard.co.uk">www.masterscoreboard.co.uk, but I think all the winners deserve a mention here.

In third place, with a very creditable 36 points was Alan Yates.

Second, with 39 points was the ever-present Allen Watts.

The overall winner, also with 39 points, but beating Allen on the last six holes, was the well-hatted Martin Neilan.

A bronzed, broke and busy Jeff Banfield is back from the Bahamas and he would like to bring the following points to your attention,

First and most important, Jeff would be immensely grateful if the person who mistakenly took his battery charger from the trolley shed would return it as soon as possible.

Next, there are three forthcoming events that we should be considering. The three-day trip planned for March 19 - 21 to Harlech, also taking in rounds at Borth and Aberdovey. The Away Day to the Gower on May 22 and the Grove GC Seniors Open Day on July 20. Please keep your eye on the notice board for entry lists and information.

Looking ahead to next Tuesday, we have an 'Ambrose' competition scheduled. Heaven forefend that I should get this wrong - but I am assured that it is a two-man team Texas Scramble format. The start sheet is on the board and on the Seniors' website; it sounds like fun.

See you there!

M.F.

Chicken dressed as Lamb

It may be tempting fate to report that Friday, January 20, was the 14th consecutive Chicken Trot of the season - not one meeting has been cancelled due to bad weather. This is in total contrast to last year, and now that I have brought it to the attention of the weather gods, probably the last fine Friday this year.

Initially 13 Chickens trotted, but just a little later captain David Blackmore joined the competition. Conditions were chilly, windy and not conducive to high scoring, but Chicken Trotters laugh in the face of adversity and carry on regardless!

As the Trotters finished their 15 holes of golf and returned to the clubhouse, Chief Chicken Mickey Johnston was just arriving to check cards and award prizes and penalties to the flock. This week he had remembered the record book, his spectacles, his walking stick and the date. The latter was important because on Sunday, January 22, he reached his 80th birthday, about which he was heard to remark, "Apparently the second 80 years are more difficult than the first"

Fees paid, checking cards concluded and money counted, Mickey and assistant Steve were able to announce the following results:

In second place, with 26 points was Brian Morgan. Now Brian is without doubt the Trotter with the longest distance to drive to play the links, so the £1 prize to help offset his travel expenses was welcome - which was more than can be said for the accompanying chop of three strokes.

Pity poor David Lamb, every positive result attracts a sheep oriented headline. However, his 27 hard-earned points also attracted a well-earned £1.20, together with the inevitable five-stroke reduction imposed by the unfeeling committee.

Not satisfied with his runner-up winnings, Brian Morgan also scored a two, adding 35p to his corn. Also pocketing 35p for a birdie on a par three was our perennially publicity-seeking captain David Blackmore, who delighted in his 5p profit for the day!

Statistically inclined Steve Cole informs me that the par for the day was 24 and that there were six players on 23 points and four on 22.

Not scoring 23, or 22 was the day's low man on the totem pole, Derek Bath, who stoically accepted his 30p consolation prize and the accompanying addition of two strokes to his Trotter handicap.

Happiest player of the day was Owen Monaghan, who is currently suffering back problems. He doubted if he would be able to complete the course, but in fact, he romped home to third place. The old adage 'Beware the injured golfer' is obviously true.

Topic of the day was the huge number of divot holes on the fairways. For various reasons - and despite the provision of a very attractive supply point at the foot of the clubhouse steps - the practice of filling divots with a sand/seed mixture seems to have decreased and divots that are replaced are soon pecked out by the birds.

The Trotters have vowed to reverse this trend and to do their share of 'gardening' on the course.

Let us hope for fine weather for trotting again today.

See you there!

M.F.

Ladies' Section

My apologies that much of this report is rather out of date, but forces of circumstances in recent months have prevented my writing being legible.

You will all by now have forgotten Christmas turkeys and are thinking about Easter eggs. However, in much of November and early December, a number of turkey trots were played and the following won contributions towards a bird (in some cases a rather small bird) - Liz Storey, Marion Clarke, Pam Cole, Laura McQueen, Heather Morgan, Linda Evans, Rita Collins and Anne Morris.

During the winter months, most of the competitions are reduced to 14-hole stablefords to take account of short days and often not very pleasant weather. Just before Christmas, Laura McQueen won with 28 points from Denise Edwards and Anita Davies on 27. The last competition of 2011 was won by Isabel Kent, with Heather Morgan second.

This year so far seems to be a mixture of gales or completely still days, all liberally spiced with drizzle or torrential rain. Ah well, 'twas ever so.

Laura McQueen won the first 14-hole stableford with 29 points, with Vicky Burks second on 24.

The January Sunday GUW medal was won by Laura McQueen, with Sarah Waring second and the Thursday medal was won by Rita Collins and the recently introduced nine-hole medal was won by Dorothea Rogers-Davies.

B.M.S.