Traditionally, the Brooks Cup, one of the oldest cups to be played for in the mixed calendar, is contested on Easter Saturday. So, it is quite a relief when the day is dry and fine. Admittedly, at only five degrees on my car’s dial as we were driving down, it was somewhat chilly, with a bitter wind, but at least it was dry.

Twenty-two pairs entered the competition and as usual there were some excellent scores. Only two 2s were recorded: one by Maura Gunning and Jim Moffatt on the sixth, and one by Angie Gottwaltz and Roger Schooling on the 18th.

Winning back their entry fees in the draw were Chris and Carol Beecher, Allan Morton, Trevayne Keohane, David T. Morgan, Laura McQueen, Mick Seal and Linda Tordoff-Evans.

Just missing out on the prizes with 35 points were David T. Morgan and Laura McQueen and Julie Tordoff and Nigel Ayers.

In fourth place with 36 points were Denise and Tim Edwards, and in third place, beating them on the back nine, also with 36, were Terry Davies and young Nel Allen. Second place with 37 went to Chris Thompson and Holly Watkins.

This year’s winners of our prestigious Brooks Cup were Roger Schooling and Angie Gottwaltz. Although Roger is no stranger to our trophy board, this was Angie’s first, and I’m sure she’ll still be smiling when I see her next week!. Well done to you both - with 41 points, it was very well-deserved.

We were all sorry to be saying goodbye to Chris Thompson. We wish him well in his new home and we’ll be keeping a welcome for you Chris. Maybe he’ll come and play for his new club on Friday, April 20, when we have our annual friendly against Derllys Court at Tenby. We play 14 holes, then have supper afterwards; places are limited, so sign up on the sheet at the back of the club if you want to play.

The annual Ashburnham game is away this year and that also needs to be signed up as soon as you can. It is on Sunday, May 6, and is a ‘must win’ match!

Back to Tenby members’ fixtures, the Llewellyn Thomas knock-out is on the board. Please don’t leave your games to the last minute. Get some dates suggested as soon as possible.

The next trophy is the Mathias Thomas Medal Cup on Sunday, May 20, and that will go on the computer three weeks before.

Finally, thanks to Laura for sorting out the computer, to Tom for doing the cards, to the caterers for feeding and ‘watering’ us, but most of all, to the competitors who make this such a super event.

Bar the shouting

A dozen keen Easter Bunny Rabbits (plus a guest) took to the course last Sunday in the penultimate (it means there’s only one left) Winter League contest, writes our links reporter, Warren Hacker, but now it seems there is a large female clearing her throat in readiness to burst into song as it seems it’s all over...

The Rabbits captain, Paul Crawford, and his co-pilot Robin took the opportunity to have a couple of practice rounds at the trip venue (St. Mellion in Cornwall no less, however I sense a fine coming on!), so vice Steve W took the reins and drew the teeing groups, which decreed that treasurer Wyndham had his wish to be in the first group granted, alongside guest Jonathan G and Chris S. Jonathan and Wyndham finished with matching 36s (Wyndham’s back nine of 23 being better), which augurs well for Jonathan’s Wednesday comp, but Chris couldn’t maintain his decent front nine to finish out of the top 10. The best front nine plus best back nine would have totalled 40.

Next away were Steve C, Rees D (runner-up last week) and John Payne (in only his second winter outing) and two of them started well (18 points from three holes), whilst the other struggled (he did manage more than a point a hole by the end!). John played through the pain barrier and manfully battled on to come in with a respectable 29, while a second blob on the 13th in a fortnight scuppered a chance for someone to get the top place.

Third off were the defending champion Grant W, the current leader Mike W alongside fellow big-hitter Ian J. They were the group with the fewest blobs between them (only six) and this consistency resulted in podium places for two of them, whilst the other one just failed to get 30. The best front nine added to the best back nine would have totalled 43.

The final fourball contained John Ball, stand-in money-man Mark E, Shaun T and vice Steve W. They were well-matched on the front nine (three 16s and a 17), but only two could manage back nines in the 20s to finish just off a podium place, while the other two had matching 33s.

Each group saw at least one four-point hole, with the second and fourth groups seeing two, but there were no twos, so the pot will roll-over for next week.

Wyndham’s 36 was enough for sixth place, with John B losing out to blob-less Steve W on back nine following their 37s, with the vice getting fourth. In bronze place was Steve C after his 38 points, just behind silver place Ian J, who carded the only other blob-free round in his 39 to get his entry fee returned.

Rabbit of the Week this week (as he has been for 5 weeks this winter - Ian J and Wyndham being the only other Rabbits to win more than once) was Mike W with an egg-cellent 40 points - three points per hole for half the course!

On the Eclectic front, the big mover was John P, who went up 13 to 36, with the only other gainers being Shaun up one to 56, Grant up one to 60 (sixth place) and Steve W also up one to 60 (fifth place). Adrian remains fourth, John B is still third (both on 61), with Tom second on back six from Robin - both on 62.

The Winter League placings will decide the teeing groups for the last league outing next Sunday - which will also incorporate the Gwyn Tibbs Trophy - with the highest positions going off last.

The current standings mean Mike (307), Robin (297) and Steve C (295) would be in the last group with the ‘lowest eighth score’ to drop being 36, 34 and 34, so 44 from Robin or 46 from Steve will prevent the inevitable crowning of ‘Mizuno’ Mike as champion and that assumes Mike doesn’t better 36, and he only needs a 39 to better Grant’s 309 total from last winter.

The penultimate group will see Grant (293), Ian J (291) and Peter (286) teeing-off together to maybe put some pressure on the podium placings - we’ll have to see.

The mind games banter has already begun on the Rabbits Whatsapp group and will doubtless continue all week.

Ladies’ Section - March, Part 2

On Thursday, March 22, twenty-two ladies signed up for the annual Captain versus Vice Captain contest. Last year, the fourball betterball format was well received amongst the ladies who do not normally play in league/matchplay competitions and, therefore, it was decided to do the same again this year. The selection for the teams was made by a random draw, which saw five pairs each, plus a twoball at the end. The weather on the day was cloudy and quite breezy, which proved to be quite cold on times, but we were all grateful that the day remained dry.

All the matches were played in great spirit and were quite close, with all going ‘over the line’ and many concluding on the 17th and 18th greens.

This competition is another opportunity for the lady captain to raise some money for her chosen charity - Samaritans Haverfordwest - and Pam was very grateful for the £44.

The outcome was a very good win for the vice-captain Bev Owen over captain Pam Cole by 4.5 to 1.5.

Once the results were announced, the tradition of the captain and vice-captain handing out Easter Eggs to all participants was carried on - chocolate is always very well received, with many of the ladies scoffing theirs within minutes of receiving them!

A number of Tenby ladies recently went on a journey to Holland to one of our twinned clubs, arranged by Linda Tordoff-Evans, and below is an account of the trip as written by vice-captain Bev:

Sunday, March 25, 10 ladies departed for a four- night trip to Holland. The main purpose to play at Kennemer Golf & Country Club with who our club have special links. Having lost an hour to the clocks changing, leaving Cardiff at 10 and then losing a further hour on arrival, we were somewhat sleep deprived, though this did not deter us. Suitably refreshed with food and drinks, we began to focus on our golf the next day.

Monday was sunny and calm, we played in threes, as unfortunately Penny had sustained an injury some days before, but still travelled and was kept busy! Cards completed and Julie was first, Carol second and Gill third.

Tuesday, a free day, the majority travelled to the Keukenhuf gardens, some chose to have fun in Amsterdam, while others chilled locally.

Wednesday and the predicted rain came. We opted to play a nine-hole competition against the Kennemer ladies and gave each a Tenby ball marker on the tee. Afterwards, we were pleased to learn that Tenby had come out on top.

Back at the magnificent clubhouse, once showered and dry, our hosts had laid on wine and nibbles, followed by a two-course meal and, yes, more wine. Speeches and thanks were made and their ladies presented us all with Kennemer golf towels, which we were all delighted to receive. Their welcome and hospitality, we all agreed, was excellent.

Thursday we were able to explore Haarlem’s cultural side, before our afternoon departure.

Linda, who planned and organised this trip for us, deserves a special mention, as each day evolved so smoothly making it easy for the rest of us; thank-you Linda.

The stableford competition due to be played at Tenby on Thursday, March 29, didn’t take place due to the weather.

Tenby ladies have to play in the preliminary round of the Welsh Team Championships which will be held in Langland Bay, Swansea, this June. Tenby have been drawn against Derllys Court, which will be played at Haverfordwest Golf Club, on Sunday, April 22. Good luck to the Tenby girls on the day.

For any ladies reading this article about the life in Tenby Ladies Section who fancy joining us and giving golf a go, you are invited to a free Taster Day at Tenby Golf Club on Monday, April 16, at 11.30 am, with our senior PGA teaching professional Tom Hilling. Tom is a brilliant coach and very friendly - come and give it a whirl - just think of the benefits, exercise in the fresh air, new friendships, trips playing golf all over the place, laughter and a feelgood factor! If you are interested, ring the Pro-Shop on 01834 844447 or [email protected]

P.C.

ALL THOSE YEARS AGO

Calendar-wise, 20 years ago the nearest Friday to today’s date was April 3, 1998 - not a nice day at all, the scribe records the weather as ‘Windy and very cold with some rain’.

Despite the conditions, 11 stalwart Chickens trotted - well to be strictly accurate, 18 started - but the flesh was weak for seven of them, and they are recorded as retired, and since you don’t pay until you hand in your unique Chicken Trotter card - the kitty was only swelled by eleven, £3.30

Fighting for a share of this treasure - and doubtless keen to get back into a nice warm clubhouse - the feathered flock performed like this:

No twos were recorded; no booby prize was awarded.

In the 15-hole Stableford competition, Sonny Perkins - in the ‘Sin Bin’ thus playing off a meagre 11 handicap -tied with Billy Griffiths, playing off 25, to snatch joint second place with 28 points. A chilly Dudley Williams convincingly conquered the course with a score of 29 points, playing off a handicap of 23.

The generous prize money amounted to £1.30 for Dudders and £1 each for Sonny and Billy - which consumed the total takings for the day, leaving nothing for the Trotters ‘Kitty’.

Let us hope that the weather improves for Friday, April 10, and some cash trickles into the end of season luncheon and prize-giving pot - fingers crossed!

M.F.