Last Tuesday, the Seniors' winter competitions came to an end with a friendly hidden partners competition. On a lovely sunny spring morning, everyone was being very polite and helpful towards their fellow playing competitors, in case they may be drawn as their partner for the competition of the day.

It was also the day for the presentation of the trophies for the five competitions played over the winter period.

At long last the weather gods seemed to finally relent and gave us a very pleasant day; even the waters are now at long last beginning to recede, but we still have some time to get the course back to normal.

After a pleasant lunch of ham, egg and chips, Allen Watts stood up to announce the winners of the hidden partners' competition played over 14 holes. The winners were the pairing of Robin Hagley and John Hall on a combined score of 56 points; in second place were Dave Blackmore and John Hayhoe on 55, with Martin Neilan and Jim Martin on 54 in third.

Jim Martin then proceeded to announce the winners for the five competitions played over the winter, with Allen Watts presenting the prizes and trophies.

The first competition announced was the KCG Bowl, which is the Order of Merit for the best six scores over the winter in the 75 and over section. The winner of this on 192 points was Mike Fox; in second place Peter Woodhouse on 183 and last year's winner Alan Yates on 177 was third.

In the main section (all age groups) of this format, the winner of the Clifton John Memorial Trophy was the very consistent Bill Davies, with his lowest score being 36 points and his highest 38. Bill had a grand total of 222 points, winning by 11 from second place Allen Watts on 211, while in third place was Martin Neilan on 208. Jim Moffatt and John Hayhoe shared fourth place on 204.

In the 75 and over section for the Colin Griffith Trophy for the best nett score in the Eclectic, again it was Mike Fox winning with a nett 49; in second place was Dudley Williams on 52, with Peter Woodhouse one shot back on 53.

Then came the best eclectic gross return for the Des Stone Trophy. This was dominated throughout the winter by one player, Jim Moffatt, who led the field throughout to finish on a gross 59 to win by three shots from the Seniors' captain, Allen Watts on 62; three shots further back was big-hitting Mel Neale, pipping Steve Sutcliffe and Stan Hudson by one.

Finally, it came to the oldest trophy of them all, the Tenby Seniors Cup that was donated by Dudley Williams. Once more that man Mike Fox stole the show by winning this on a nett 49 to win his third trophy of the winter.

Mike must have known something, as he is on a celebratory holiday in Egypt, so was not present to receive his trophies.

Back in December, Jim Martin was 10 shots back, but along with John Charnock, hunted down the leader and actually tied with him by the end of January. Fortunately for Mike, his handicap went up by one shot from 26 to 27 and he won by that shot from Jim Martin on a nett 50; John Charnock came in third on a 51, with Dudley Williams, Bill Davies and Mel Neale all one shot back on 53.

Allen Watts, who has been plagued with severe hip problems, thanked his committee, giving special thanks to Tony Morgan for looking after the finances, Roy Morgan for all the sterling work he is doing organising the Seniors' Open to be played in July and finally a vote of thanks to Jim Martin for organising and running the winter competitions and the Seniors' summer fixtures.

Next week sees the start of the summer matches with a home fixture against Glynhir. Due to a visit to hospital, Allen will be represented by last year's captain, Tony Morgan, and we wish Allen well for his forthcoming operation.

J.D.M.

Ladies' Section

JOYCE GOULDSBROUGH

Sadly, on February 24, one of the ladies' section members died after a protracted illness. She was Joyce Gouldsbrough who joined the club with her husband Ken when they moved to Milton in the 1990s.

Joyce worked hard on improving her golf and she enjoyed being a member of the ladies' section. In 2002, she was elected vice-captain and then captain in 2003. She was an enthusiastic captain and she contributed much to the social side of the club. She was also responsible for the initial alterations to the shrubbery in front of the clubhouse and installing the rockery which enhanced the entrance considerably.

All the ladies extend their sympathy to Ken and his family for the great loss they have suffered.

B.M.S.