Over the years in golf, I have noticed that some people just rise to the challenge, no matter what is thrown at them. On Saturday, it was my privilege to play in the Valentines mixed foursomes at Tenby Golf Club with such a pair.

Let's face it, the weather was cold, the course had some interesting water hazards, and this pair had just returned three days before from Mexico. Regardless of all that, they played superb golf, which was a joy to watch.

There was a good turnout for the annual game, although a few desperate phone calls and emails were needed when there was a last minute cancellation. Thanks to lady vice-captain Marion Clarke and Jeremy Morris for stepping in.

Only one birdie two was recorded, although most had a tale of 'nearly had one' to report. That was from Paul and Ros Jenkins on the 17th. (Good drive Ros, and good putt Paul!). They scooped the twos pot of £20.

Jeremy and Marion made their entry worthwhile by coming in with 37 points and winning £6 each.

In second place with an excellent 40 points were David T. Morgan and Laura McQueen. They won £15 each.

But first place, and £25 each, went to Paul and Ros Jenkins. With only 12 shots between them, this was an excellent score on a tricky course.

Mention must also go to Pam and Steve Cole who just missed out on the prizes with 35 point; and thank you, Steve, for helping out with the computer.

Thanks must also go to the captain for his generous gesture of a chocolate heart for each of the ladies, to Barbara Williams for helping with the cards, to Ben in the Pro Shop, and all the catering staff for looking after us so well at the 19th hole.

For those of us who wait eagerly for the bag daw to see if Lady Luck has shone on us - £5 per pair went to Beth and Dave McMann, Bev Owen and Andrew Morton, Carol and Chris Beecher, and Julie Lovett and Gavin Field-Thomas.

For those entering the knockout Llewellyn Thomas Foursomes Cup, it is on the computer now. The draw will take place on March 1, but you must be sure to be available for Finals Day on September 22, and you must have paid your £6 entry fee to the Pro Shop before the draw.

The list for the last of the Frostbites, on Sunday, March 3, is on the noticeboard now. This is a wonderful opportunity to play social golf over 14 holes ,then sample a delicious Sunday meal afterwards.

H.K.M.

With the leader away, the Seniors make hay

Tuesday's Seniors Eclectic was played in some of the best weather we have experienced this winter; in fresh, but sunny and dry conditions, 38 seniors competed in the 11th such event of the season.

In the nett eclectic competition, with the previous leader Mike Fox away sunning himself in Egypt, many seniors took advantage of the benign conditions to improve their eclectic scores, with Rod Clarke taking over the lead in the nett division.

There are now eight players covered by just three shots at the top.

In the gross section, Jeff Banfield took over the lead from Allen Watts by one shot. In that division it seems that effectively the competition is down to five players within three shots of the lead; with two other players two shots further back.

With only two eclectics to play, it looks like a nail-biting finish to both sections.

In the main Stableford competition, there was some excellent scoring from several players, with 38 points (playing to handicap) not good enough to get into the frame. Twenty-nine out of the 38 players taking part scored 30 points or more.

On 39 points, but not good enough to get into the prize money, was the current leader of the gross, Jeff Banfield. He lost out on the back nine to Martin Neilan, also on 39 points. In second place was Brian Morgan on 41 points. As a consequence Brian was cut by a shot from 18 to 17.

Top of the pile, though, with an outstanding return of 43 points was Alan Yates, with his straight driving yielding positive results.

Although receding, there is still a lot of water to be negotiated around the course, especially on 14, 15 and 16, but Alan's consistent accuracy saw him top the field. As a result of his excellent round, he has been cut two shots to 21. The CSS for the day was 69 (38 points).

There were three claimants for two's, Jim Moffatt and Peter Williams on the 12th -Peter claimed he did it with two eight-irons! The third two came from Bob Howse on the temporary par three 18th, the first player this winter to bag a two on this hole.

The only par three Bob has failed to score a two on this winter is the 17th. You have two weeks left Bob to complete the set.

Next week's Eclectic will be the postponed event from January, Eclectic number 10. The list is up on the site and at the club. After the results, there will be an update on the situation regarding the Seniors' summer home matches.

J.D.M.

Captain Rabbit stuffs Chickens

A pleasant winter morning saw 11 Chickens leave their coop early in the battle for the bank-breaking prize money on offer. Still having to wade through a couple of wet areas didn't seem to bother early bird Paul Bradley as he took an early clubhouse lead with a fine 27, which was topped by Newman Vincent from the following group.

We also had a couple of booby-battlers from the early groups, with 18 managed by two trotters - who shall remain nameless on this occasion - and as there was no lower score from the later competitors, Mr. Johnston, the Head Trotter, was pleased not to have to pay out 30p for the booby, as shared booby winners don't get paid for their efforts!

The next group - featuring two of the -5 sin bin club - failed to get into the frame, but the final group managed to get a couple of the Rabbit hierarchy into prize-winning places.

In the absence of the usual scribe (he's off getting some sunshine, a fair ol' way away, 'giza clue where he is,' I hear you ask), I shall reveal the prize winners.

As mentioned above, the two at the bottom of the pyramid don't get prizes and thus don't get their names published in lights. There were also no twos, so Mickey's smile was even wider as the kitty grows by another 'eleven bob'.

In third place was the afore-mentioned Newman Vincent with 28 points, earning him an enormous 40p and a one shot cut next time out.

Second place was a position earned by Rabbits vice-captain Paul Davies with a fine 29 points in a blob-free round, and his reward was a pocket-busting 60p and a three-shot cut to 16 on his next Trotters venture.

Top of the pile was the Rabbits captain Phil Carpenter, in his first Trot for many years, with a huge 33 points which included a blob on the 7th! For his efforts, he earned himself a whole £1 and a handicap cut of five shots to 14 on his next outing. He was also presented with a genuine original copy of the 'Golfers Certificate'- one of the few things he says he has won in his burgeoning golf career!

The Trotters can now claim to number a certified Carpenter amongst their ranks... Phil is our 26th different Trotter this season and Mickey Johnston is keen to encourage more Chickens to summon up the strength to rise from their slumber early on a Friday morning to grace the Tenby fairways with their golfing presence and to enjoy the Chicken ambience in the bar afterwards. Come on down.

S.C.

Junior Section

The Juniors played a stableford competition on Sunday in windy conditions.

The white box category was won by Billy Truman with a score of 32 points, while the yellow box section was won by Ben Sheldon with 27.

There is a fun day this Sunday, so turn up for 10.30 am and we will decide on what format you would like to play.