The labours of trying to win the Hall of Fame at Tenby on Tuesday had a detrimental effect on the match against Haverfordwest on Thursday. Our friendly Kiwi won Tuesday's event with a magnificent total of 44 points. However, the BFG couldn't maintain his magnificence even with the aid of Dudley Williams, as they were subdued into a six and five defeat at the hands of Jim Morgan and Barry Smith. Allen claimed his score was more like 24 on this occasion.

His was not the only pairing to suffer in this first away game; Ron Murphy and Owen Monaghan succumbed to the expertise of James Griffiths and Terry Gwilliam by five and four.

There were three other matches that failed to descend into the depths of the 17th, all losing by three and two. You sometimes wonder if it is deliberate! Not really.

John Hancock and Ken Gouldsbrough resorted to violence in their efforts to keep the match alive. On the 13th, Ken shanked his second shot so badly that his ball hit Roger Jones on the shin. Unperturbed, Roger gave his leg a quick rub and soldiered on, even more determined to exact revenge. 'He didn't even cry,' said John.

Stan Hudson and Derek Bath allowed Ray Woodason, who did most of the damage, and Les Hastings to win three holes on the trot in the middle of their afternoon and never recovered. In similar vein, Richard Chapman and Robin Hagley were a bit off key and failed to find their best form, so allowing Brad Morse and Tony Tuckwell to steal the show.

Jim Martin was hoping to lead his team out after a two-week lay-off, but was prevented from doing so by another bout of ill health. He did start the Tuesday Hall of Fame, but had to return home after a couple of holes. We all hope that he takes care of himself and makes a speedy recovery.

Consequently, Tony Morgan had to step into the breech and take on the headache of filling in the gaps as a total of five seniors were unable to fulfil their selection for one reason or another. By Thursday morning he was tearing his hair out, but did manage to salvage the situation and find 10 pairs to make a full complement.

Not only that, he chose the right partner in Jeff Banfield as they were the only Tenby pairing to win a match. They not only won it, but did it in style, beating Gerald Evans and Dave Phipps by five and four. No-one else could match this, but two pairs did come close. Bob Howse and Nigel Rimell had to work all the way to the final hole to establish a half, as did Brian Jones, all the way from the Midlands, and Russell Clarke.

In their match, Mike Williams was on the edge of the green on the par five ninth hole and thought that his birdie was enough to give him the hole. Not so, Brian was just past the hole for two and surprised everyone by winning the hole with an eagle. This was obviously a very tight match and again was taken to the last without a win for either pair.

Des Stone and Hywel Probert thought they had done enough to also earn a half, but it was a case of almost. They faced the 17th all-square and just managed to lose that one. Des was on the green for two on the last and hopeful of equalising, but he reckoned without the hardy Arthur Williams (a short sleeves and shorts man all year round). He had a shot on the last and used it effectively to halve the hole and win the match.

Martin Neilan and Tony Ranoe were up against Clive Frankton and Mike Robinson and only just lost - two down.

Despite all this, everyone enjoyed the company and of course the fine sunshine, even though it was cool in exposed places.

Results: T. Morgan and J. Banfield beat G. Evans and D. Phipps 5 and 4; J. Hancock and K. Gouldsbrough lost to R. England and R. Jones 3 and 2; S. Hudson and D. Bath lost to R. Woodason and L. Hastings 3 and 2; M. Neilan and T. Ranoe lost to C. Frankton and M. Robinson 2 down; B. Jones and R. Clarke halved with M. Williams and M. Foley; A. Watts and D. Williams lost to J. Morgan and B. Smith 6 and 5; R. Murphy and O. Monoghan lost to J. Griffith and T. Gwilliam 5 and 4; R. Chapman and R. Hagley lost to B. Morse and T. Tuckwell 3 and 2; D. Stone and H. Probert lost to M. Charles and A. Williams 1 down; B. Howse and N. Rimell halved with M. Davies and G. Flood.

Dyfed League team shines through the rain

Tenby Dyfed League golf team started a new season with new shirts and a new objective of being promoted to the second division. The task is going to be a difficult one, with some formidable opposition to overcome, not least the first match which was against Aberystwyth Golf Club at home at the Burrows on Saturday.

On viewing the list of handicap players Aberystwyth had brought to the challenge, it was obvious to all that a difficult encounter was ahead if any points were to be achieved. A determined Tenby team set off in the rain with one objective set by the captain, Chris Beecher, and that was to win.

The weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of both sets of players and stories from the course told of some outstanding golf, with birdies being achieved on the superbly manicured greens as prepared by the ever-reliable greens staff.

The results were coming in and the first pairing of Martyn Morris and Dai Cope set the standard by winning their encounter 2 and 1. They were closely followed by the captain, Chris Beecher, who was taking his own instructions very seriously, and his partner Paul Jenkins with another winning score, this time by 3 and 2.

All was going to plan until the third pair of Rob Wilcox and Idwal David failed to overcome their opponents, losing on the final green. The fact that they took the game to the final putt was an achievement in itself as one of their opponents had recorded five birdies in returning an excellent score over this difficult links course.

The rest of the team overpowered their opposition, winning all of their matches.

Jeff Banfield and John Stenson won 4 and 3, Darren Thomas and Garry McNeilly by 6 and 5, and the final two pairings of Roger Schooling and Tony Key, and Loz Phillips and Robin Hagley by 3 and 2 .

A wonderful start to the new season, with a six points to one win for the Tenby team, which has given them a good start on their road to achieving their ultimate goal of promotion to the next division.

The social side of the competition was as enjoyable as the playing side, with a wonderful meal being provided by the steward and stewardess, Steve and Hilary Turner.

The next fixture is against another formidable opponent, Cardigan Golf Club, on Saturday, May 19, at the Burrows.

There will be another match against Cardigan in the Jeff Harries Bowl knock-out DGU competition before the 19th, so keep an eye on the notice board.

Any player who wants to be considered for the team, please indicate your intentions to play on the availability sheet in the clubhouse, as it is the intention of the captain to select as many combinations of players as is possible without jeopardising the main objective.

Local winner in Valero sponsored ladies' event

The Ladies Section held their annual 36-hole open meeting on Sunday, April 15.

This event was started to give appropriate competition to current and potential international players at the beginning of the season.

We were fortunate that Texaco Ltd. sponsored setting up the competition and continued for a number of years. Chevron then took on their involvement and we are delighted and grateful that Valero Ltd. have recently taken over the sponsorship. All these companies have the encouragement of the participation of the young in sport and in the Tenby open they succeed as 75 per cent of the entrants are always teenagers.

Each year we hope the weather will be good and this year we were lucky again - it was dry, sunny and calm, but rather chilly for the spectators, but ideal for the competitors.

The vagaries of the weather this year mean the course is still only 90 per cent of its usual very high standard, but nevertheless these top amateur golfers produced some fine scoring, particularly among the top players, and they played at commendable speed (take note high handicap dawdlers!). The standard scratch score of the course is 74 and a number of competitors were near or below this and birdies abounded - the winner amassing 13 over the two rounds.

This year is Curtis Cup year and we are all delighted that Amy Boulden from Llandudno, who has played here for a number of years, is in the team and Becky Harries, of Haverfordwest, is a reserve. Looking at their scores, it is clear their selection is well justified.

We were very pleased to welcome Will James, of the personnel department of Valero Ltd., who presented the trophies and prizes for us. Most years there is a wide distribution of prizes, with the emphasis on England and rest of Wales, so we were privately rather pleased this year to have three winners from Pembrokeshire.

In August, the British Girls Championship is being played at Tenby. Many of our competitors will be playing here again, so they will be worth coming to watch.

We cannot thank our sponsor, Valero Ltd., enough for their continued support and the competitors always express their gratitude for the provision of this event. Personally I wish to thank the Ladies Section for their unstinting support and also the essential input of the management committee, the professional, the caterers and, most important of all, Chris Jenkins and his ground staff.

Results

Tenby Trophy and 1st prize - Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 70+71 = 141; 2. Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70+75 = 145; 3. Katherine Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 73+75 = 148; 4. Katherine O'Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 75+75 = 150.

Under 21 Neguri Trophy - Amy Boulden.

Best gross AM - Samantha Birks (Wolstanton) 76.

Best gross PM Kate Whitmore (Tadmarton Heath) 79.

Best nett AM - Bethan Morris (Tenby) 71.

Best nett PM - Elspeth Owen (Haverfordwest) 76.

B.M.S.