The Valentines mixed competition was started by Anne and Johnny Morris in Anne's last captaincy year, 1997.

All week the weather forecast had given heavy rain for Saturday, but as the weekend drew nearer, there did seem a possibility that it might pass through, as it often does in Tenby.

Saturday morning the skies were grey, but the slight drizzle was playable, so as first off the tee, off we went. Then down came the rain! It blew; it was cold; and by the 6th everything (and I mean everything) was wet, so we walked in. By the time we got to the clubhouse, the sun was shining and the last group were going up the first. Ah well, such is golf.

Considering the weather, the scores were respectable. Five pairs recorded 34 points, and two had 2s.

By the time everyone was in, the wet ones had showered and warmed up with a beverage from the bar; and those that had continued were all patting themselves on the back for having persevered.

In third place were John and Fair Ball with 34 points; second were Viv and Gill John also with 34 (with a better back nine), but first with 35 points were a new pairing of Annette and Bob Flower.

The two recorded on the 6th was by Sophie and Neil Lovatt, and on the 12th it was by their playing partners, Olivia and Robin Bradbury (it would appear that both young ladies are putting well!).

There were three winners of the bag draw: Carol and Chris Beecher, Viv and Gill John, and Veronica and Jim Martin.

Congratulations to all the winners, and to all those who went out to battle the elements.

Advance notice that the Llewellyn Thomas Knock-out Cup will be drawn at the end of the month, and all entry fees should be in to Rhys in the Pro Shop before the draw is done.

Also, the date for the Ashburnham match (at Ashburnham this year) has been changed to Sunday, July 22. It is the 30th anniversary of the event, so we want a big turnout.

The Brooks Cup on Easter Saturday (April 7) will go live in the clubhouse three weeks before, so times (from 9.36 am) have to be booked using the touch screen in the clubhouse.

H.K.M.

All change for Chicken Trotters

Despite a dubious weather forecast, the morning of Friday, February 17, was bright and even sunny. After the disappointment of the previous week's cancellation, a very keen band of 14 Chickens trotted out to do battle for the sumptuous prizes on offer.

It was nice to see the return of the 'early birds', even if they did not manage to feature in the prize list - John Hancock and Pat Rees were probably distracted by watching Spike Evans using up his two strokes on practically every hole!

Keen Trotter, club captain David Blackmore added a little class to the occasion, and he brought along a new member. Welcome to Ken Sanderson - long may you trot!

Chief Trotter Mickey Johnston was waiting for the Chickens as they returned to the clubhouse, and after he and 2iC Steve Cole had collected, collated and calculated, the morning's outcome was:

Winning again with a quite massive 33 points was the aforementioned Steve Cole, who once more loses five strokes from his obviously far too generous Trotters' handicap. Beaming from ear to ear, he accepted his £1 prize from Mickey, while the Trotters gave him a spontaneous round of groans!

In second place, with a score of 27 points - which would normally have been sufficient to win - was Newman Vincent. Graciously accepting his paltry 90p prize, Newman even managed to smile as his handicap was savagely cut by three strokes.

A firm believer in starting at the bottom and working his way up, our new Trotter, Ken Sanderson, claimed this week's booby prize with an undisclosed, but less than magnificent score. Winning his 30p entrance fee back, Ken will have the benefit of two additional strokes for three weeks.

There were no twos recorded, and the par score for the day was 25 points - pretty good for 15 holes.

It is now time to list the changes referred to in this week's title. Perhaps it would be best if you ignored all that I wrote last week about the end of the rotting season in March. The committee have recanted, revised and re-scheduled, so that the forecast is now as follows.

Friday, March 9, will be the last day of the 2011/2012 Chicken Trotter season. The programme for the day will be a normal 15-hole Stableford tournament competing for the prestigious Roger and Mary trophy.

Entrance fee will be 50p, no 'sin bin' handicap reductions will be made and there will be no cash prizes.

The competition will be followed by that gastronomic extravaganza which is the ham, egg and chips lunch. The top table will take wine with the Chief Trotter, while the poultrytariat will swill lager, porter and ale a little lower down the pecking order! Lists will be available on the notice board, do try to come along.

See you there!

M.F.

Muffy makes money!

Palindromic Pancake Day Tuesday 21-2-12 turned out to be wet, windy, cold and miserable. Not the ideal setting for a game of golf - yet despite the weather, 36 seniors braved the conditions to test their skills in a non-qualifying, but hotly contested Chapman Foursomes competition.

The conditions failed to stop some very good scoring, but it's true to say that all 18 pairs were pleased and relieved to get back to the warmth of the 19th hole.

Brian Morgan was busy building up the charity raffle kitty, and only when every senior had purchased a number did he announce the winner for this week.

Pocketing the prize, which was generously donated by Richard Davies, with the bonus ball number of 24 was Chris Sierwald - who promptly returned his winnings to Brian for next week's raffle prize. Thank you Chris - and thank you seniors for your ongoing support for this worthwhile cause.

Captain Jim, a.k.a. 'muffy', then announced the following results:

In third place with a very creditable 41 points was Captain Jim himself, with his sometimes maligned partner Graham Jenkins. Allen Watts, our trusted treasurer, decided that this score only merited a prize of £2 each - possibly because he and his partner Bart Youll were reasonably confident of a win with their 40 points before all the cards were returned!

Second place went to Russell Clarke and Tony Morris, who recorded a splendid 45 points, winning £4 each and only pipped over the last six holes by;

Brian Diment and Stan Hudson, whose 45 points won them £7 each and a round of applause from the seniors.

Now, dear reader, "Why muffy?" I hear you ask. Well the answer is, in my continuing search for humorous and topical titles, my attention was drawn to Captain Jim's computer username.

There is no explainable reason why 'muffy' is funny, yet every senior who heard it roared with laughter. So there you are - it could well be Captain Buffy from now on!

Our diligent secretary, Jeff Banfield, offered up some good suggestions for where to play during the club's open week in July. To follow this up, more information is available on the seniors' website under 'forum'

Next week is a qualifying eclectic competition; the list is on the board and the website.

See you there!

M.F.

Masked raiders scupper top two

With a fine day in prospect and clear weather, our top two of Tim and Mackie took to the course on Sunday confident that a win would secure the Rabbits Winter League title and a new jumper would be hanging in their respective wardrobes come the summer.

However, they were up against Phil (muscles) Carpenter and Bob (shots) Flower and, as these two have shown over recent weeks, they are not to be taken lightly. So it was that this match would go all the way, with the latter pair robbing the leaders with a win on the 18th and, having dumped their masks, they awaited the rest of the teams' scores in the comfort of the clubhouse as if nothing had happened (brazen pair).

After last week's near fatal injury, Robin decided 'If you can't beat them, join them,' and so it was that he and partner Steve took on Mark and Robin's assailant Chris. At least being in close proximity meant Robin was safe in the fact that he couldn't get hit by a stray shot from Chris, and all the better as he and Steve won the match by 3 and 2.

Elsewhere, Bill and Steve rekindled their partnership with a win by 5 and 3 over potential 'wooden spoonists' Pete and Mike, but not before Mike had a very near 'hole-in-one' on the sixth.

The battle for second and third place was a close run affair, with Paul and Mick setting an early pace against Tony and Richard, going three up, but once again with a fabulous second shot on the 14th, Richard came into his own and with Tony in support, the match was level coming down the 18th A halved game was the best result, leaving the top three teams as they were last week with two matches remaining.

One thing before I sign off, does anyone know what pharmaceutical company sponsors our captain's new shoes?? 'Til next week.

The Scribe

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

Junior section

The new season started on January 22 with a Stableford competition, with the results being as follows: 1. Jack Harries 32 pts; 2. Sophie Lovatt 29; 3. Olivia Bradbury 29.

This was followed by a Medal on February 5, when the results were: 1. Sophie Lovatt 68 nett, 2. Jack Harries 72; 3. Mathew Webb 75

We had a further Stableford on February 12, results being: 1. Sophie Lovatt 35 pts; 2. Olivia Bradbury 29; 3. Amber Thomas 29. The boys were away on training, so it was a 1, 2, 3 for the girls.

A Medal took place last Sunday, with the following result: 1. Mathew Webb 73 nett; 2. Sophie Lovatt 76; 3. Jack Harries 78.

The season has only just started and already Sophie Lovatt has dropped her handicap from 20 to 18 and Mathew Webb from 21 to 20.

I would like to thank Heather Morgan who stepped in to do the cards while I was on holiday.

During half term, four juniors went to Ashburnam to play a match. Luke Harries and Sophie won 3 and 2, Jack and Olivia lost 2 and 1, so the match was an honourable draw. Well done those who took part. We hope to organise some more inter-club matches in the future.

A couple of dates to keep in mind: March 25, the Juniors will be teeing-off in the afternoon at 1 pm and an important date for the girls, with or without a handicap, is 2.30 pm on March 18, when there will be the opening Girlie Gig of the year at Tenby. Please look in the junior room for the poster.

Finally, tee-off time for this Sunday, February 26, is 10.24 am for a Stableford competition.

A.D.