Inclement weather is the norm at present and the Saturday Swingers of Tenby had to contend with typical showers and gusty winds during their annual Swingers' Day last Saturday.

Nevertheless, a healthy contingent of 44 Swingers took part in what was also Tenby GC's monthly medal. Despite battling the elements, the scoring was generally reasonable, with 20 Swingers coming in with 30 points or more.

Phil Keating, Paul James, Phil Goodridge and Tim Edwards all scored 32 pts, Dai Cope and Gary McNeilly were both one better with 33.

Joint third were John Stenson and Terry Davies with a creditable 34 pts each. However, the best Swingers' cards of the day were returned by Richard Ormond and Simon Toy, scoring 36 apiece.

Toy claimed top spot and the Swingers Shield by virtue of a better back nine (21 pts to 20), but Ormond had the consolation of winning the main prize in the raffle - Sunday lunch for two at St. Brides Hotel, kindly donated by fellow Swinger, Andy Evans.

It was way back in 1995 when Toy previously won the Swingers Shield and this may arguably have been his last good round. His game has suffered in recent years, but he found his form again last weekend. He has played relatively little golf over the past 24 months or so and in his winner's speech he admitted that Ormond has to persuade him to play occasionally, otherwise he may not bother at all.

In fact, Toy now has a dilemma. He is not sure whether to try to build on this success or to take the opportunity of retiring gracefully whilst at the top! Hopefully he will choose the first option.

Most of the Swingers who took part in the competition, together with a few more, attended the evening meal where the other principal Swingers' trophy, the Ralph and Phil John Shield, was also presented.

This award is for the Swinger who accumulates the 12 best Stableford scores throughout the preceding year. Again the scoring has been excellent, with 20 Swingers having aggregates of at least 400 pts.

During recent years, the same handful of Swingers have been in contention for this trophy. Due to the unseasonal weather, most of the these have been unable to improve their aggregates in recent weeks and indeed this was also the case last Saturday.

Finishing third in 2011/12 was Mike Schooling with 440 pts. Peter Rossi, probably the highest points scorer in Swingers' history, was runner-up with 441 pts.

However, Darren Thomas enjoyed another very successful and consistent year and his aggregate of 445 points was good enough for him to retain the 'Top Swinger' title he won last year. During the past 12 months, Thomas's handicap has been a shot or two lower than the previous year and thus his achievement is even more admirable.

On receiving the shield from the Swingers' president, Dai Thomas, Thomas informed those present that he was very proud to have claimed the trophy for a second year, emulating the likes of Rossi and Brian Diment, and stating that he would be trying his very best to make it a hat-trick of victories.

This year's Swingers Day was once again enjoyed by all who took part, including the fine beef dinner prepared and served by stewardess Michelle Richards and her staff.

The leading scores were as follows:

Swingers Shield: Simon Toy and Richard Ormond both 36 pts; John Stenson and Terry Davies both 34 pts; Gary McNeilly and Dai Cope both 33 pts; Tim Edwards, Phil Goodridge, Phil Keating and Paul James all 32 pts, Paul Hoyland and Peter Rossi both 31 pts, Austin Davies, John Gillespie, Viv John, Darren Thomas, Neil Thomas, Neil Webb, Simon Law and Jerry Whitehouse all 30 pts.

Ralph and Phil John Shield: Darren Thomas 445 pts, Peter Rossi 441 pts, Mike Schooling 440 pts, Ross James 439 pts, Gary McNeilly 435 pts, Richard Ormond 424 pts, Roger Schooling 422 pts, Neil Webb 420 pts.

Twos: Jeff Haley and Mike Schooling.

Longest drives: Paul Hoyland (2nd and 7th) and Neil Webb (14th).

Nearest the Pins: Simon Toy (6th), Mike Schooling (12th) and Paul Heywood (17th).

Nearest the pins in two: Paul Hoyland (3rd), Phil Goodridge (9th) and Paul Heywood (15th).

Footnote: Both Ormond and Toy have a tendancy nowadays to be a little erratic and neither completed their medal scores which cost them £33 each in the monthly medal prizes.

The raffle on Swingers Day raised £125 for Tenby GC captain, David Blackmore's nominated charity, the John Hartson Foundation.

Captions

1.

Simon Toy with the Swingers shield.

2.

Darren Thomas with the Ralph and Phil John Shield.