The popular event is held annually in memory of the late Arthur Ormond MBE, former captain and president of Tenby GC and managing editor of the Tenby Observer.
Competitors usually play two rounds on consecutive Saturdays, i.e. one at Tenby and the other at Trefloyne. However, there was unfortunately just one leg this year.
The famous links at Tenby were in pristine condition with the slick greens back to their best. Numerous favourable comments were passed.
The south-westerly breeze became stronger in the afternoon. Nevertheless, some excellent scores were recorded.
AJO Bowl (Men)
No less than 46 competitors scored 30 points or more.
Former AJO Bowl winners Richard Morton (Tenby) Gavin Scotcher (Tenby) and defending champion Allan Morton (Tenby) all had very creditable cards as did Tim Davies (Tenby) and Bob Forrest (Trefloyne) - 37 points and 39 points. respectively.
Youngsters, Roy Edwards (Tenby) and Tom Wright (Trefloyne) came in with 40 points and 41 points, respectively - both of these cards would have been good enough to win in most years.
However, the winner of this year’s AJO Bowl was decided on countback. Young Finnan Arthur of Trefloyne and Tenby’s steady Peter Rossi both collated 42 points. Playing off a handicap of 16 (he is now 13!), Finnan did not have a six or higher in his first 16 holes, but unfortunately he blobbed the 17th.
Peter managed to keep a six off his card throughout the round and finished quite strongly. Consequently, he was crowned AJO Bowl champion for 2018 by virtue of his better last six holes.
Tenby Observer Cup
This is awarded to the golfer with the best ‘gross’ score, i.e. Stableford points less handicap.
Former Tenby Observer Cup winners, Richard Morton (Tenby) and Paul Haley (guest) did well, as did Eliott Scotcher (Tenby).
However, playing off scratch, Gavin Scotcher’s 35 points was good enough for him to claim a trophy for the third consecutive year.
AJO Bowl (Ladies)
In all, 13 ladies scored 30 points or more, including Trefloyne’s Anne Morgan, Beth McMann and Jan Whiting.
Irene Gilman and Carol Beecher both amassed a fine 39 points, two better than fellow Tenby members Fair Ball and Georgina Ormond.
However, Rosina Jenkins of Tenby regained her crown and won the AJO Ladies Bowl with a wonderful 40 points.
Following Irene Gilman’s hard work in respect of checking and sorting out the cards, the evening presentation of prizes was held on Tenby GC’s sunny patio.
AJO Bowl (Men): Peter Rossi (Ten) 42 pts, Finnan Arthur (Tre) 42, Tom Wright (Tre) 41, Roy Edwards (Ten) 40, Bob Forrest (Tre) 39, Tim Davies (Ten) 37, Allan Morgan (Ten) 36, Elliot Scotcher (Ten) 36, Gavin Scotcher (Ten) 35, Richard Morton (Ten) 35. Randal Day (Tre)35, Chris Hughes (Ten) 34, Michael Allen (Tre) 34, Daniel Brace (Ten) 34, Gareth A Davies (Ten) 34, Adam Thorne (Ten) 34, Jamie Wright (Tre) 34, Simon Arthur (Tre) 34, Owen James (Ten) 33, Derek Cole (Ten) 33, Brian Diment (Ten) 33, Dan Edwards (Tre) 33, David Cope (Ten) 33, Charles Dredge (Ten) 33, John Stenson (Ten) 33, Darren Thomas (Ten) 32, Richard Ormond (Ten) 32, Chris Beecher (Ten) 32, Alastair Knibb (Ten) 32, Nick Allen (Ten) 32, Vernon Jones (Tre) 32, Mike D Williams (Ten) 32.
Tenby Observer Cup: Gavin Scotcher (Ten) 35 pts, Richard Morton (Ten) 33, Paul Haley (guest) 31, Elliott Scotcher (Ten) 31, Peter Rossi (Ten) 30, Chris Hughes (Ten) 29, Simon Arthur (Tre) 29.
AJO Bowl (ladies): Rosina Jenkins (Ten) 40 pts, Carol Beecher (Ten) 39, Irene Gilman (Ten) 39, Fair Ball (Ten) 37, Georgina Ormond (Ten) 37, Sarah Waring (Ten) 36, Jan Whiting (Tre) 32, Julie Tordoff (Ten) 32, Beth McMann (Tre) 32, Susan Ensor (Ten) 32, Anna Hubbard (Ten) 31, Anne Morgan (Tre) 31, Linda Tordoff-Evans (Ten) 30.
Longest drives: men (7th) - Alan Webster (Ten); ladies (14th) - Sue Ensor (Ten).
Nearest the pins: Men (12th) - Finnan Arthur (Tre); ladies (6th) - no winner
Twos: Charlie Dredge (Ten) (6th), Richard Morton (Ten) (12th), Chris Smith (Ten) (12th), Gareth Davies (Ten) (17th), Georgina Ormond (Ten) (12th).
Lists of winners and prize money are posted at Tenby GC. Prize money will generally be credited to competitors’ accounts in the Pro Shop to include the bag draw etc.. However, if a member of Trefloyne GC does not have an account at Tenby GC, a voucher will be issued.
Classic encounter at Pontypridd for Seniors
In some ways, Tenby Seniors’ Classic team were at a disadvantage when they travelled to Ponty for their second round in this year’s competition. The steep uphill climb, through narrow lanes, to this well established, mountain venue made them light-headed and disorientated. However, the glorious sunshine and light breeze meant that they could see clearly where they were heading and provided some stunning panoramic views over the valleys below.
To complement that, the welcome from the Ponty captain, Mike Tothill, and his team was both openly generous and genuine and made for a most enjoyable experience. All six team members had been advised that buggies were advisable due to the hilly terrain and this proved to be the case. Roger Barton, however, walked the course with his bag strapped on the buggy piloted by John Stevenson.
They were the first pair out and were guided around the ups and downs of this challenging course by Jeff Carter and Tony Real. The advice on the intricacies of the challenges facing them was both accurate and freely given. It did not follow that they were always able to avoid the hazards whether obvious or hidden and there were the usual searches for balls in the thick rough and among the numerous trees. Despite this, they were able to keep the home team guessing as Roger followed his long drives down each fairway. They did go behind, but never by more than two. Approaching the final holes, a recovery was in sight, but the reality of drawing level did not materialise and they eventually succumbed to a one-hole defeat.
They were followed by the A team captain, Robin Hagley, who had enlisted the help of the steady Stan Hudson. By the time they had completed seven holes they were three up and hoping to maintain the lead. Unfortunately, they lost two holes on the trot and found themselves under pressure from Alun James and Steve Walters, who, obviously, knew the ins and outs of the course and how to approach the greens. They lost the 16th to go one down. The 17th was halved and they only had the last to salvage any hope. Robin then played a captain’s role and found the sloping green in two. They won this one and were rewarded with a half.
That left David Rees and Des Sone who needed a win to give the team a chance of extra holes. This was another well contested match with six of the first nine holes halved. A three on the fifth provided a one-hole lead, which they duly returned to the opposition on the next hole, gifting them another on the seventh. They fell further behind on the back nine and were three down after 13. Two par threes and two wins brought the lead back to one. A missed putt on the 17th, when a half would have kept the match alive, meant this match, and the team’s fate, was sealed.
Robin was generous in his praise to the home captain for the superb welcome and generous help making the experience a memorable one on this thought-provoking course. He did not know whether to thank the captain or Idwal for the ideal weather, but was just thankful that there was no wind and driving rain, or even low cloud.
That concludes the A team’s involvement in this year’s Classic competition and all who have taken part congratulate and thank Robin for his endeavours and efficiency in organising teams and venues. The team agreed to take him to ‘Sweaty Betty’s’ as a consolation.