A handful of intrepid Chicken Trotters wandered the Tenby links last Friday in an effort to get their names in the Hall of Fame for ever. The defending champion - Steve Cole - was there to try to take the silverware home, with the others desperate to get their names linked to the rrophy forever more.

The 'Roger and Mary Trophy' was established in 1985 and bears the name of previous stewards - Roger and Mary Price - who took over the task of 'watering' the parched chickens when they trooped in from the course way back in 1982. The first winner in November 1985 was the esteemed Norman Badham,, whose name is also linked to another trophy battled for annually by the Trotters - well those above a certain age anyway.

In the absence of several busy/Christmas shopping/ holidaying regulars, Friday's Famous Five battled it out. The early birds teed off before sunrise, whilst the late-comers had the benefit of daylight when they struck their first shots.

Trotter trophies are not competed for with sin-bin reductions (or additions) and our single-figure handicapped feathered friend John Hancock set the early pace with an excellent 31 points, including a four-pointer on the third hole - the hardest of the course.

His playing partner, Pat Rees, wasn't able to match John's masterclass, but still managed well over a point per hole from the 15-hole course.

The remnants - sorry late-comers - had the better of the light, but not the better of the golf. Despite a semi-decent back six, the defending champion returned to the clubhouse and had to content himself with the runner-up position, pipping the editor of this fine weekly journal - Neil Dickinson - with a better back six. Meurig Jones - the third member of the Three Wise Men - had the benefit of having his entrance fee returned as he managed a respectable 19 points, only a couple adrift from Pat in fourth, and an extra one behind Neil and Steve in third and second.

Not only did John get the trophy, but he also managed to get a whole 90p for his efforts. Well done him!

The trophy seems to be a favourite for his fellow 'Johns' - past-winners include John Mabe in 1986 and 1989, John Hutton in 1991, John Lehane in 1992, John Hunting in 1997 and even Clifton John in 2002! Maybe a change of name for some people may help next year!

So the final Trotter outing of 2013 has passed. There will be no trot until 2014 - January 3rd to be precise. Come and have a go if you think you can put up with jovial banter, friendly chit-chat and historic recollections of bygone days. You may learn something you didn't think you needed to know!

In the absence of the usual scribe - visiting his grandchildren in Germany - I will write what he would have done and pass on goodwill wishes and Yuletide felicitations to all Trotters and their families, fellow golfers, as well as the readers of the regular Trotter columns.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

S.C.