Fine sunny weather was a godsend for the 14-strong group of seniors who set off to the first golfing venue of their three-day tour to the West Country. Would it last, was the overriding question? The answer was that it was there at the start and it was there at the finish, with some breezy, cloudy conditions as the meat in the sandwich.

Newport Golf Club at Rogerstone greeted these intrepid travellers with a warm welcoming atmosphere and provided them with their opening challenge, after the obligatory bacon rolls. Some had played the course last year and knew what to expect, but they all noted the contrast to Tenby’s open spaces and fast fairways.

Between the broad, tree lined avenues and greens there were glimpses of expansive rolling hills and impressive scenery. There was little run on the fairways, but the greens proved to be slick and well manicured, despite balls stopping where they landed. The odd soft muddy patch did little to deter this enthusiastic bunch, although one group of three was encouraged to keep up with play by the course marshal.

Having overcome the first obstacle sat navs were reset and everyone crossed the Severn Estuary eager to confront the next challenge at Burnham & Berrow. One nameless pair had the luxury of two sat navs with a slight variance of instruction. Fortunately, Paul made the wise choice to turn right, as directed by John, and drove to the end of the street in Weston-Super-Mare. There he met a very understanding police officer who informed him that he had driven the wrong way up a one-way street and politely turned him around to retrace his steps.

They eventually found the Royal Hotel on the sea-front and rejoined the group for the evening meal at Wetherspoons, following which the well coiffured captain, Dudley, announced the results of the day.

Idwal David won the honours (34 pts), followed by Brian Waters (33 pts) and Allen Watts (31 pts). The best total score on the par three holes was Paul Bradley.

An early night was the sensible option for an aging group challenging Burnham & Berrow course in the morning. They may have experience, but do they have common sense? Some do, but it was a small select group who were invited back to room 106 (or was that room 101) to continue the intellectual and philosophical discussion - in between nodding off of course. However, they did present themselves for breakfast - somehow.

On best behaviour, everyone was ready for the challenge of this difficult course. Every hole posed a different problem as they weaved their way through steeply undulating, meandering dunes, occasionally being exposed to the offshore wind which made sure that warm weather gear was well used.

The number of blobs was not recorded, but was very high according to after match conversations. Such was the challenge that no-one scored 30 or more and there were a variety of comments at the end of the day, many including tiredness.

Overall there was satisfaction at having completed the course in one piece, with a desire to tackle it again with a better idea of where to hit the ball. The greens were slick to say the least and caught out almost everyone to the extent that one tall senior member was heard to say that he was never coming back!

In the salubrious clubhouse, Dudley announced the winners for the day. In top spot was the captain himself, with a magnificent 28 pts and a better back nine from Brian Waters. Stan Hudson claimed third on 27 pts, again on a better back nine. The best score on the par five holes was shared between Peter Williams and Dudley.

The gang trouped out to be greeted by a grey sea mist with just enough vision to get them back to the hotel. Tiredness had overcome the old folks, so a quieter night was had with loads of zzzzzzz’s and snores heard around the hotel.

That just left the final day’s golf on the level Weston-Super-Mare course, again along the shoreline behind the bush-clad dunes. It was a more relaxing morning, even though a hint of moisture threatened to spoil the day. The forecast was accurate, however, and by the time the last players were in, the sun was out in all its glory and everyone was all smiles again, having restored pride with a better score.

Every member equalled or achieved his best score of the tour. A couple of balls may have been sprayed on to the beach on the (s.i.1) fifth hole, but in all most balls were found. The course improvements were obvious and appreciated and made for an easier walk than the previous day. A good day to end the tour.

The day’s winners were announced and it was no surprise to have a winning score of 41 pts. Delighted with his achievement was Tony Ranoe who had pushed Allen Watts on 39 pts into second place. Paul Bradley had recovered enough to take third spot on 38 pts. Allen Watts obviously liked the flatter course since he also won a ball for the best score on the four most difficult holes.

This year’s strongest man trophy was awarded to Ray Ford, but the Tenby Traveller trophy for the highest overall score over the three courses was Idwal David (96 pts).

As a footnote, everyone missed the company and golf of Newman Vincent and Ken Gouldsborough who had to withdraw from the tour at the last minute.

Group: Dudley Williams, Idwal David, Derek Cole, Stan Hudson, John Hancock, Paul Bradley, Ray Ford, Martin Neilan, Peter Williams, Allen Watts, Tony Ranoe, Brian Waters, Des Stone, David Rees.

Rabbits medal trophies decided

If there are five letters that strike more fear into the hearts of Rabbits across the globe than the five that spell the word ‘medal’ our links reporter, Warren Hacker, does not know of them. A baker’s dozen of ashen-faced males gathered in the clubhouse keen to get it over and done with. There is one ‘medal’ round in the Rabbits calendar and there are two trophies up for grabs - the Duffy Cup for the best nett score and the Joe S. Williams Shield for the best gross.

Nature sent a bit of early mizzly murkiness to add to the gloom and there was a two-club westerly wind to contend with - a direction that meant no help on any hole, but several shots would go astray in the cross gusts.

However, the Rabbits are a hardy bunch and they manfully battled the elements, and the dangers lurking around the course, to gather on the settees after to see if they’d win a golf ball in the raffle to make it all worth their while. Some of them even broke into a smile or two - or was it wind?

The first group of Phil, Tom and Mackie led the way, followed by Robin, Peter and Paul, ahead of Kieron, Steve W and Grant, with Mark, Steve C, John and Chris in the last fourball.

The criteria for entry into the competition specifies an appearance in the recently-finished Winter League, and anyone with any money left after Tobefair couldn’t make a ‘place’ at Cheltenham would probably have put it on Grant, who had clinched both the Winter League and the Eclectic titles last week. Could Grant keep his winning streak going? The computer worked out the results and treasurer Mark had the role of money distributor as the results were announced.

The Best Gross prize winners were Tom in third (on countback over Mark), Grant in second and last year’s Winter League winner Kieron in first, so the Joe S. Williams Shield was his.

The Duffy Cup placings saw Steve W finish fifth, Chris just missing out on bronze on countback to Kieron on a nett 77, but it was the ‘younger generation’ of the Watkins family who both notched a nett 71, with Grant winning on countback on the back nine from Tom, to increase his list of titles and take the bragging rights over Big Brother.

The ‘youngsters’ both reduced their handicaps by a shot - just in time for the club knock-outs and Rabbits Summer League matches!

Tom did manage to claim the only two of the day to pocket the twos kitty. However, he didn’t manage a birdie two - just to be different, he managed an eagle two on the par four 13th when his second shot travelled the required 60 yards or so and dropped into the hole! Happy Watkins’ all round.

The absence of captain Martin gave vice-captain Paul a chance for some publicity as he’s pictured top with the Winter League top three of (left to right) - John (2nd), vice-captain Paul, winner Grant and Robin (2nd).

Also pictured (left) is Mackie Harts, who was the ‘strongest player’ in the Winter League after eight scores and his name joins other ‘famous names’ on the Wooden Spoon. His smile may also have had something to do with the score at The Hawthorns the day before.

Paul is also pictured above between the two medal trophy winners Kieron (Joe S. Williams Shield winner), and Grant (Duffy Cup winner).

Postscript

Death of a former Rabbits Captain: Tenby Rabbits of ‘a certain age’ will be saddened to hear of the death on Sunday of a former Rabbits captain (and Chief Chicken Trotter) - Micky Johnston. He is one of a select few to have been Rabbits captain twice - in 1971/72 and then again in 1991/92. Hope the whisky in the Clubhouse in the Sky is to your liking, young man!