Martin is new Welsh individual handicap champion

On Sunday, September 8, the Welsh Individual Championship finals took place at Llandrindod Wells GC. The two Tenby qualifiers from the May Monthly Medal were Martin Neilan in category A and Craig Thomas from Category B. Martin (seen left) carded a superb net 69 to take the Cat A title on countback from Conor Worwood from Pontypool GC, while Craig finished a creditable 10th in Cat B with a net 75. Club captain Tony Key OBE (seen right) said: "We are so proud that Tenby Golf Club has another Welsh champion. If you want to improve your golf, then play on a championship course and you will reap the benefits."

The Captain's Last Stand

Monday, September 8, saw the captain of Tenby Golf Club, Tony Key, lead his team of faithful players on his last stand as captain to yet another pair of European Golf Clubs that are twinned with the Oldest Club in Wales. The two Irish courses in Rosslare and Wexford had agreed to reciprocal arrangements with Tenby Golf Club and were eager to host the tourists. The Monday afternoon crossing of the Irish Sea was calm and relaxing which encouraged the partaking of the local delicacies so as to help with the culture change expected on arrival. Tuesday saw the touring side take on the home team at their magnificent golf course in Wexford and, as predicted, the home team took the spoils, but not without a brave fight from the Welsh visitors, with Loz Phillips being the only victor of the day for the Tenby Tigers. There was no truth in the rumour that the liquid refreshments provided the evening before had any affect on the team performance. The hospitality provided by the Wexford club was exceptional, with food being prepared by their TV celebrity chef, who delivered a three-course meal of a high quality. After the customary exchange of gifts between captains and the after-dinner speeches, the two teams relaxed in the new clubhouse and deliberated the 'what might have beens' over a local brew of black gold. The following day saw the tourists play in the Rosslare mid-week stableford competition amongst the local members. The best result of the day came from Steve Sutcliffe, who scored a magnificent 37 points on a course not familiar to him and a score which was possibly in contention for the first prize. It saw him win 25 euros from the party pot put in by the Tenby tourists. The other scores were respectable, if not likely to threaten the leader, with Idwal David scoring 30 points, picking up 20 euros from the entry stake, and three members on 28 points shared a crisp new 10 euro note. They were Chris Beecher, Paul Jenkins and Loz Phillips. The other players on tour who were in the competition included the captain, Tony Key, together with Philip Booth, Mike Smiddy, Huw Phillips, Roger Schooling and John Gilman, all of whom were exemplary ambassadors for Tenby Golf Club. Everyone was complimentary about the course and the greens which were up to their usual standard and very similar to that at Tenby, being undulating and slick. On returning to Wales, it was decided to check on the results to confirm if Steve Suttcliffe had given Tenby a winning position in the Rosslare competition. It was a surprise to find that the three leaders in the competition had all scored 40 points, with the ultimate winner carding four 2s, one of which was on the 18th hole, which was even more incredible when you realise it was a 500-yard par-five hole completed in two shots. Tenby Golf Club is twinned with many European golf clubs which can be played free of charge, apart from a small administration fee, if you are a full member of the club, quite an incentive if you love travel and golf.

Monthly Medal

Eighty-seven players entered the September Monthly Medal last Saturday, 47 in division one and 40 in division two. Leading scores and prize winners were as follows: Division One: 1. Timothy Davies 80-10-70, on countback (medal plus £47); 2. Mark Griffiths 82-12-70 (£35); 3. Paul Jenkins 77-6-71 (£23); 4. Ian J. Thomas 83-11-72 ( £12). Division Two: 1. Stephen Cole 86-17-69 (medal plus £47); 2. David Blackmore 88-17-70 (£35); 3. Paul Davies 89-18-71 (£23); 4. Ross James 91-19-72 (£12). Twos: Ian J. Thomas, Allen Watts, Jerry Whitehouse, John Gottwaltz, Martin Morris, John Ball, David Blackmore, Peter Ellis (only seven of the eight players scoring a two entered the sweep and so received £12 each). Bag draw: Dave Hancock, Mike Anthony, Bob Flower, Steve Maytum, Andy Pouton (£15.80 each). Pro Shop draw: Paul James (Logo delux travel bag). Handicap changes: David Blackmore 17 to 16; Stephen Cole 17 to 15; Paul Davies 18 to 16; Paul Jenkins 6 to 5; Robert Jones 19 to 20; Andrew Pouton 2 to 3; Alan Spriggs 22 to 23; Michael Williams 18 to 19.