The season is slowly coming to an end and Idwal’s power over the weather has begun to wane, or so it seemed. It was literally blowing a gale as fourteen seniors set off for Fairwood Park last Wednesday. This is the last away fixture in the 2018 season leaving just two home matches to complete the calendar.

Although it was warm enough for shorts there was no sunshine during the afternoon and half way through the match everyone was subject to a prolonged heavy shower of rain. Wet weather gear was dragged out and umbrellas were almost turned inside out as Idwal momentarily lost control of the weather. It was reminiscent of this fixture last year but on that occasion everyone walked in for an early hot shower. This lot had faith in their captain and although the rain ceased the wind continued to batter the old codgers.

Idwal had chosen Richard Davies to rescue him this week and it proved a good choice as the pair was successful in their endeavours winning three and two and looking smug as they sat down for their meal.

Stan Hudson had the support of David Rees and this pair followed their captain’s example, but only winning by two and one over Kevin Rees and Nigel Howard. Things were looking up.

Newman Vincent and Mick Whale were third off and faced Simon Pearce and John Fennel. They surprised themselves by winning the first two holes and were set to follow the captain’s lead. Unfortunately their early success was converted into a resounding six and four defeat as the home pair took control of the match. Mick hadn’t recovered from the Ireland trip.

Des Stone couldn’t find his rhythm as he and Allen Watts struggled to establish any momentum against Gerald Tomaszewski and Jim Watkins. The fact that he had not brought his jacket and tie, contrary to Idwal’s instructions, played on his mind all afternoon – that’s his excuse anyway. Although they went two behind they did restore the balance to all square after nine holes. Unfortunately that was the best they could do as they fell behind again and ended up two and one down.

Rod’n Robin were paired together and faced Barry Williams and John Simon. That’s Rod Clarke and Robin Hagley and they had the same score as their captain but in reverse order. A three and two defeat was their reward for surviving the rain.

Phil Carpenter and Brian Morgan shared a buggy and looked a promising pairing. Peter Smith and Mark Provis had other ideas and proved stiff opposition, holding off the challenge of these wily golfers. Two and one to Fairwood was the result.

Fairwood were four matches to two up before the last four-ball completed their round so the result was not going to affect the overall standing. Alan Jones and Brian Waters had put on a positive face and brought a consolation smile to their captain’s face as they informed him that they had beaten Mal Watson and Dave Dixon by three and two. They provided the sting in the tail with the overall result finalised at four – three to Fairwood.

Just as the season draws to a close so Idwal’s jokes increase. He had three this week and they all went down well. I hope he hasn’t exhausted his store of funnies, he still had two more home matches and then the AGM.

No promotion for Tenby

Last Saturday, the Tenby team played their last match of the season at home to South Pembs. The weather was fairly brutal. A strong gusting wind which changed from a northerly to an easterly and some heavy rain.

Tenby needed to win by at least 6.5 to 1.5 points in order to beat Machynys for the Division Two title but, unfortunately, they fell short.

The top match was always going to be crucial. Ben Childs and Neil Thomas were two up at the turn. However, the experienced and consistent Alan Jones and his partner Mark Parsons clawed back to claim a one up victory on the last green.

The second game was also a very tight encounter. Jack Harries and his father Spencer were never ahead, but held on to Chris Veale and Paul Walkey until they too fell by the narrowest of margins. Thus, unbeknown to the rest of the team, Tenby’s title and promotion hopes had already disappeared.

Graham More and Darren Thomas were three down with six to play against Peter Balkwill and Mike Shaw. However, they then won the 13th, 14th and 15th, but could only halve the last three holes. A half was probably a fair result.

Tenby’s best win of the day was that by Lee Lewis and Rhys Davies. Although they were two down after six holes, they rallied and convincingly beat Micky Barrett and Gary Hughes by 5 and 3.

Regular pairing Alan Webster and Loz Phillips seemed to be in control against Bob Veale and Peter Johnson. However, Peter holed a good putt to win the 17th. The 18th was halved as was the game.

Mikey Harries and Rob Willcox were ahead for most of their game against South Pembs’ skipper Paul Grimwood and Simon Bourne. They won by two and one.

Similarly, the two Adams, Thomas and Thorne, played well against Robbie O’Rourke and Stephen Vale before clinching a three and two win.

In the final rubber, Tim Davies and Dai Cope claimed a walkover as South Pembs did not field an eighth pair.

The 5 to 3 victory for Tenby meant that Machynys finished one point ahead (i.e. 72 to 71) and will consequently play in Division One next year. This is despite Tenby winning eight of their 10 matches whilst Machynys won just six. However, before taking bonus points into account, Machynys averaged 5.0 points per match in comparison with Tenby’s 4.4 points.

Nevertheless, it has been a very successful season for Tenby. The squad now looks forward to the Jeff Harries Bowl final against their rivals Machynys. This will be played at Ashburnham GC on Sunday, October 7. Supporters are, of course, very welcome.

Penultimate success for Seniors

One more to go and Idwal will breathe a sigh of relief, his reign over the Summer matches will have reached the end. Following the re-arranged match against South Pembs. he will only have the Seniors AGM to administer and his year as captain will be over. At that meeting he will hand over to the incumbent in waiting, Derek Cole.

It was important then that he finishes with a flourish. His weather control was back on line as the sun shone all day on this happy bunch. He related that during the current match against Derllys Court captain Phillip Jones and partner, Wayne Couson, both drove out of bounds on the eighth and had to reload. Idwal and Keith Hubbard thought they were safe, but proceeded to give the hole away, with an eight winning it. However, that error was soon corrected and they went on to win 3 and 2.

Many of the Derllys members do play Tenby as an away-day each year so are not too unfamiliar with the course. It does pose its own problems, especially to those who are unfamiliar with it and adjusting to it does sometimes prove difficult. Tony Wood and Phil Mountjoy adapted well as they faced Derek Cole and Mick Whale. The Tenby duo did manage to just edge them out winning by one hole.

Stan Hudson and Adrian Palmer were not at their best but managed to hang on against John Hartley and Ray Gallop over the opening holes. Stan used two of his shots on seven and eight to give them the lead they needed. By the 11th they were four up, helped by Adrian’s four net three on the 10th. They had chance to finish the match on the 15th, but a short putt slid by the hole edge and the chance went begging. They held their nerve and finished two up.

In typical self deprecating style, Newman Vincent passed all the praise to his partner, John Stevenson, for their victory over Hugh Thomas and Nicky Goldsmith. ‘I did help out on two or three holes,’ said Newman and that obviously enabled the pair to complete their result on the 17th, winning by two and one.

Three of the matches started on the 15th tee and the first of these was between Charlie McFee and Roger Scholfield up against Wynne Evans and Brian Newcombe. Roger skied his first drive over the railway line and later Charlie was seen searching for his ball on the first. Despite all this, they were able to stay within striking distance. The 27 handicapper was proving the more difficult to beat as they traversed the course, but the Tenby pair reached the 13th tee all-square. They won the final two holes to end the match two up.

Dudley Williams and Des Stone were matched against Ian Watson and Phil Rogers. This was Ian’s first outing on the Tenby links and he was full of admiration and awe all the way round as each hole revealed itself to him. Through some good golf and some good luck, Dudley and Des opened up an early lead and held a four-hole advantage for a number of holes. Ian and Phil did claw one back and kept the Tenby pair honest with some good play, but Dud and Des held on to claim a four and two win.

Steve Decosimo and John Hayhoe kept the captain smiling when they reported in having won their match against Idwal Thomas and Winston John two and one.

It looked like a whitewash was on the cards. Did Derllys have a sting in their tail? Yes they did. Chris Palmer and Ninian Davies did not claim to be playing well as they battled the course. What they did manage to do was to gel well as a pair so that one was always in the hole. Rod Clarke and Alan Yates had to work hard on their own course, but eventually succumbed to fate, losing by five and three.

This fixture has proved a popular one with all and looks like a permanent addition to the Tenby calendar. Such was Idwal’s disappointment at not achieving a second whitewash, he did not tell a story. It’s not good enough!

THE CHICKEN TROTTERS

Q. What do Roger & Mary, Danny Carew, Norman Badham, Arthur Booker and Marion Hutton have in common?

A. They all have a trophy - and a competition - named after them, each event being vigorously contested every winter season by the Chicken Trotters

To expand a little on this information; Danny Carew and Norman Badham were founder members of the Chicken Trotters, they originally played for an actual chicken - hence the name of the society. Norman was a vegetarian and a frequent winner, so the prize was changed to cash, which accounts for the huge prizes awarded to the top players today! Both Danny and Norman donated a trophy to perpetuate their involvement.

Roger and Mary were the club caterers in the late ’80s - not purveyors of epicurean excellence, according to those who remember their cuisine -but they curried (do pardon the pun!) favour with the Trotters by presenting them with a spectacularly unique trophy. In those day, 40 or 50 Chickens trotted every week, thus even if only half of them had the traditional breakfast ‘bacon butty’ - Roger and Mary’s Friday income was assured!

The Booker Prize commemorates Arthur Booker, a well known and popular member of the club, who became a regular Trotter. After his death, his family came across Arthur’s putter and after refurbishing and mounting it, presented it to the Chicken Trotters in 2016 to be played for annually.

The latest trophy to grace the Trotters display is the Hutton Shield, donated by our sponsor Marion Hutton in memory of her late husband Tommy Hutton, a keen Trotter who actually moved to Tenby in order to play the course he loved. Incidentally, the Tenby Seniors, whose members make up the majority of the Chicken Trotters, compete annually for the Tommy Hutton Bowl, presented to them by Marion, again in memory of Tommy.

So there we are, in between October and April, the Chicken Trotters have to fit in these five competitions – and in addition the world renowned Christmas Luncheon and Raffle, a spectacular social event where every participating Trotter brings along a raffle prize - and every participating Trotter wins a raffle prize! Hurrah! Steve The Organgrinder usually subsidises the drinks at this event, from the bursting Trotters’ coffers! Only here can Chickens be seen eating turkey!

I hope, dear reader, that this little soupcon of information has interested you, as you read this page it is only two weeks before the Chicken Trotters play their first tournament of the winter season on Friday, October 12. I know that you will be scarcely able to contain your excitement - never fear! - the good old Observer will keep you informed of the results, the prizes and the personalities.

See you there!

M.F.Presentation nightAfter a week of weather-watching, Tenby Golf Club’s annual Finals Day went ahead as scheduled on Sunday (apart from the Scratch Cup which will be played at a later date). After the finals, the presentation evening was held when the knockout cups were presented, as well as the various trophies and medals from throughout the season