The noted physicist and inventor Professor Barnes-Wallace is famous for designing a bomb that would allow the RAF to breach the Mohne and Eider damns during World War 2 - the 'bouncing bomb'. He was influenced by watching children playing 'ducks and drakes' - skipping a stone across the surface of the water. Had he been able to take advantage of seeing the efforts of some of the seniors to get across the unaccustomed water hazards at Machynys on Thursday, May 17 - the war could have ended in 1943!

Sixteen seniors, led this week by Captain Jim, made the long journey to the rather splendid clubhouse at Machynys peninsula for a return match with their seniors. We were greeted by the home team and then led into the dining room for a very sumptuous brunch - really very tasty. It was only when everybody had cleared their plates that they began to wonder if consuming 5,986 calories was the best preparation for playing a course that none of us had ever visited before.

Jack Nicklaus designed the course - obviously a man with a sense of humour! My main recollection of the match was advice from our opponents such as "careful of the water on the right" or "avoid the water on the left" and not forgetting "you have to clear the water in front." Advice well meant, but not always taken!

I have a sneaking suspicion that I could reverse the current financial downturn simply by sneaking onto the Machynys course one night, clad in a wetsuit, flippers and mask, and salvaging the millions of balls that lay submerged there. I would need at least one assistant and the use of a large truck - volunteers to assist in this lucrative venture please contact me at HYPERLINK 'mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]' [email protected]">[email protected]

Enough of this levity! The eight four balls had to contend with a brisk wind and chilly conditions, but the match was played in good spirits and our opponents were friendly and courteous.

Returning to the clubhouse when all the games were completed, the teams had drinks together and awaited the outcome of the match. I will remind you, dear reader, that when we played Machynys at Tenby we scraped a victory by seven games to one! This time, with the benefit of the home advantage, Machynys were looking for revenge - and they got it!

Ah yes - for the Tenby team there were more thumbs down than thumbs up - and the final result was Machynys 5, Tenby 3. Announcing the result, Captain Jim was visibly disappointed, while the home team was smugly satisfied. All in all, a good day out and our experience of the course will surely pay dividends on our next visit.

Just for a change this week, the photograph shows both teams and not just the captains. Next week's Observer article will cover last Tuesday's seniors' away day at the Gower.

See you there!

M.F.

Revenge is sweet

On Saturday, Tenby Golf Club welcomed their opponents for the day, Cardigan Golf Club, in a league match to decide who will be the victors in the race for promotion to division two in the Dyfed League.

The competitive spirit had been enhanced by the fact that only the previous Wednesday, the Tenby team had been defeated by Cardigan in the Jeff Harries Knockout Bowl by a margin of five games to two, which did not sit well with this ambitious outfit.

The day had come for the roles to be reversed and for the competition to be played on the Burrows, a completely different environment to the hilly slopes of Cardigan, and on slicker greens.

The day was perfect for the encounter, with there being no wind, the greens were well watered as the result of a downpour of rain the night before, and the course was once again in immaculate condition as prepared by Chris Jenkins and his staff. To lose in these circumstances was not an option.

The presentation of the course was only matched by the presentation of the team, who were dressed in their red club shirts and looked quality opposition even before they had teed-off, a compliment to the club they represent.

The opponents had paid a compliment of their own by fielding a very strong team led by a county player who threw down the gauntlet on the first by crashing a drive off the tee which would have made a professional proud. The Tenby pairing of Dan Cope and Darren Thomas were not to be intimidated and matched the superb drive by delivering ones of their own. The scene had been set and the encounter was to be a close fought one, with the Tenby duo claiming the victory by one hole.

Paul Jenkins and Idwal David had a similar battle, with their result ending in the same fashion, winning by one hole.

Jim Moffatt and John Stenson had a more emphatic win by 3 and 1, only to be outdone by Jeff Banfield and Peter Rossi, who won their match by 5 and 4, putting the home team in an unassailable position of being four matches up with only three left to return their results.

Neil Thomas and Loz Phillips were in a struggle with their opponents who refused to give in and the match ended with honours shared.

The final two pairs on the course ended with wins for Garry McNeilly and Viv John by 4 and 3 and the last ones out, Robin Hagley and Tony Key by 4 and 2.

A resounding success for the Tenby team by six-and-a-half matches to a half, which goes a long way in their quest for promotion and sweet revenge for their defeat by the same opponents earlier in the week.

The visitors were later treated to a delicious steak dinner, prepared by Hilary and her staff, before making their way back over the Preselis to prepare for the next encounter in the league against the Tenby Tigers due to be played in July.

In the meantime, the next opponents at the Burrows in the Dyfed League will be Glyn Abbey, who face the challenge of this magnificent links course tomorrow (Saturday) - check the notice board to see if you have been selected to represent the oldest affiliated club in Wales. If you don't fill in the availability sheet, you may never be a team member of this famous old club.

Remember, there is no 'I' in team.

Mathew scorches to Cobb Cup success

Jon bowled over by trophy win

What a glorious morning greeted the entrants for the 36-hole club stroke play championship at Tenby Golf Club last Sunday.

With the course immaculately laid out by Chris Jenkins and his staff, everything was set for some good scoring, and the players did not disappoint.

In ideal conditions, Jim Martin (starter) got the leading group away sharply at 8 am. These were Mathew Moseley, Dan Carpenter (defending champion) and John Morris, who has won the Cobb Cup on seven occasions. The rest of field, were all off by 9.50 am, with handicaps ranging from +1 to 24, so there was a good spread of abilities competing for both trophies. Forty entries started the day, but three withdrew after the first round.

Round of the day belonged to Mathew Moseley, who, despite a seven on the 11th after a lost ball, proceeded to shoot a gross three under par 69 - this with only 22 putts - in the morning round!

Following Mathew in the morning, Andy Pouton 72 and Dan Farmer 73 kept in touch for the Cobb Cup, with the rest of the field on 75 and over.

In the nett, Martin Neilan off 13 continued his recent good form to return a nett 67 to lead in the Regimental Bowl. He was closely followed by Lewis Hurlow (80) 68, Andy Pouton (72) 70 and Mathew (69) 70. In fact there were another seven within two shots of 70.

Biggest problem of the day, though, was the deep rough that the recent warmer weather has encouraged. Many a game was held up with players taking time to find balls in the lush new growth. This may be something that the green staff may need to address before Open Week in three weeks' time!

Into the afternoon, with the conditions tending to be a bit harder with the cooler temperature, but nothing could stop Mathew Moseley from continuing his excellent form, shooting another sub-par round of 71. Jon Bolter also had a fine round with a one over gross 73.

In the nett section, it was Jon who blazed the way with a fine four under nett 68 (73). Martin Neilan slumped badly to fall away on a 13 over nett 85. Michael Schooling had a nett even par 72 (77) alongside that magical man Mathew Moseley. Richard Morton had two good rounds of 75, nett 73.

At the end of the day, though, it was Mathew Moseley who proved to be unstoppable with a gross four under par 140, to take the Cobb Cup.

In second spot, seven shots back, was last year's winner Dan Farmer on 147. Third was Andy Pouton on 149.

As a result of his fine afternoon score of 73 nett 68, Jon Bolter stormed through the field to win the Regimental Bowl by one shot from that man Mathew Moseley. Jon was lying six shots back after his morning round of 78 nett 73, and but for him Mathew would have won both trophies.

In third spot was Lewis Hurlow with an even nett par score of 144 playing off 12, with Michael Schooling and Andy Pouton one shot further back.

There were numerous twos, 16 in total, with John Whitcutt, Michael Schooling, Chris Thompson and Dan Farmer scoring a two in each round. Others having a two were Jon Bolter, Rees Davies, Andy Pouton, Roger Schooling, Robert Wilcox, Terry Martin, Nick Thomas and Richard Morton.

At the end of play, Irene Gilman, who had recorded all the scores for the day, quickly produced the final results. Many thanks must go to Irene for looking after M&H matters, including this event during the chairman's illness.

The captain, David Blackmore, addressed those who had remained for the presentation, giving a brief history of both trophies. Jim Martin then gave the results, outlining that next year's event would have a bigger time gap between rounds, plus the possibility of hosting the event on a Saturday.

Unfortunately, Mathew Moseley, winner of the Cobb Cup, was not able to attend to the presentation as he had a long journey to Sheffield to compete in a major event on the Monday. All being well he may be present for Finals Day in September to be presented with the trophy.

Jon Bolter received the Regimental Bowl from the captain and he quipped that the last time he was awarded a trophy; it was rescinded because of a mistake in scoring. With diligent administrators such as Irene Gilman, there was no chance of that happening here, so pinch yourself, Jon, as you have won the bowl.

Thanks go to Rhys Harry who remained on duty from before 7 am to nearly 9 pm, issuing the cards and even assisting in starter's duties to relieve Jim Martin, plus acting photographer for the presentation; Steve and Hilary for looking after the competitors' culinary requirements throughout the day; and to Chris and his team for preparing the course in such an immaculate manner.

J.D.M.