Who would imagine a day like Friday could appear between all those windy and wet, wet, wet days we've had? It's already been seven weeks since the shortest day and the nights aren't as long as they used to be. The weather girls had forecast a fine and dry (for once!) morning and the 'Early Byrds' (John Hancock and Pat Rees) lived up to their name and teed off first on the dampish links - but no mud. They are glad it's light early! Little did they realise that both of them would be amongst the prize-winners this week. But would either smell the sweet smell of success?

Next in were the pair of Ken Gouldsbrough and Derek Bath on their first trots of 2014. Both were in the sin-bin - Ken three shots worse off, but Derek two better off. The unique Trotter handicap system does work, as Ken managed to score one more point than Derek. No doubt Ken wants to get back to his full handicap.

They were followed into the clubhouse by Richard Davies and Steve Cole and one of these was destined to be the Chicken Supreme - so which one?

Fourth pair in were Bill and Paul, young and older Davies, with Paul enjoying his first Trot of the season. He is our 27th trotter since our first clash in October. Bill was trying to emulate his fourth place from the last outing. Would he succeed? Or would Paul - one of the new kids on the block - triumph?

The big three at the end were the last to arrive at the oasis that is the clubhouse watering hole. Meurig - sin-binned by three for a second week, Mel - bearded and left-handed and Neil, diamond amongst his less-sparkling playing partners.

So the scores on the doors. Pipped to the booby prize was Meurig Jones with 21 as Early Byrd Johnny cashed in to the tune of 30p by managing two less. He also boosts his handicap by 150 per cent next time out (four to 10!) - and not due to his begging note either! The gloom denoted in his request ought to be lifted now and he'll feel over the moon about his extra shots and he'll be living the dream playing off a double-figure handicap, but for how long?

Meurig was pipped by one by both Derek and Mel. Comfortably pipping them by one was Ken and Richard, who in turn were pipped by Bill by another one with 24.

So who would be amongst the four top scorers? The creme de la creme? Getting his name into the paper this week - and not just in the adverts - is one of Tenby's favourite editors - Neil Dickinson - who pipped Bill with 25 points to achieve the dizzy heights of fourth place, but gets no prize and no handicap cut.

Pipping Neil by one was Paul, the Rabbits captain. Sensible golf - five pars - made up for his three no scores. He'll get a free week next time out as he gets his 30p entrance fee back, but he loses a shot, so he'll be off 16.

Runner-up this week was Pat, getting a whole one point more than Paul. For his efforts, he will suffer a three-shot cut next time out - so only seven more than John! However, to lighten the gloom, the 60p prize should give him a bit of a buzz.

Top Trotter this week was Steve who, despite being Mr Blobby twice on the front nine, still managed to pip Pat by one to waltz off with 90p, but suffers in the shots department by five, so that'll be 11 next time then!

This season we've now had 102 players taking cards out, and the scores on those cards have totalled 2,352. If you want to join the Happy Band, pop along today (Friday) and join in. Can I persuade you? By the way, I hope you all got the musical reference in the title. If you did, did you find the other 31 groups or singers in the report?

S.C.

Seniors' waltz washout

Are we all absolutely fed up with this seemingly never-ending rain? - YES! Was the seniors' competition scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, cancelled? - YES! Have I got anything to report this week? - Well, just a few snippets.

In a week when the main news highlights concerned Britain finally winning a medal on snow in the winter Olympics, bankers awarding themselves obscenely large bonuses, the government and the relevant agencies realsing that the country has a serious flooding problem and Swansea beating Cardiff! -here on the 'Pembrokeshire Levels', our concern was with more mundane and parochial matters.

After all the effort that Jim Martin had put into organising the Waltz competition for this week, the weather forecast coupled with the standing water on the links led to a cancellation. Seniors were invited to just poll up for a roll up, and the several hardy golfers who did were rewarded with a fine morning, a bit of a stiff breeze and actual sunshine (you remember!). There was no competition, only 13 holes were played and no scores were recorded - but it was a round of golf.

Bill Davies won the charity raffle prize with ball number four, it was decided not to have a raffle this week - and that, I think, is enough excitement for this week!

Next Tuesday, weather permitting, we shall be back to the ongoing eclectic competition, and I would hope that today (Friday) is fine enough for the esteemed Chicken Trotters to leave the coop - if only to give me the chance to beat Steve Cole's 'Glad it's light & the Pips' headline - OMG!See you there!

M.F.

Junior Section

No junior competition was held on Sunday due to the adverse weather.

Fingers crossed, the next junior competition is due to be held this Sunday - meet at the club for 10.30, with the first tee time being at 11 am.