It was a cold start to Tuesday’s competition as the greens and fairways glistened white in the morning frost. With the temperature just above freezing, all 36 starters made sure they were well layered up against the chill. Well most did. There was no wind, but each group noticed that their balls did not travel as far as they would have expected in the cold dead air.

Once the frost-laden grass began to resume its verdant quality, so the fairways and greens became more manageable. As a result, there were some good scores registered as each group returned to the warmth of the clubhouse.

First in were the captain and vice-captain and they became the leaders in the clubhouse. Could they hold onto that lead? Lowest score of the day was 20, providing the best average of the season.

There were a few who bemoaned their poor performance or was it just the odd few shots? When asked, Brian Morgan claimed he had improved his score, only blobbing three holes this week. His playing partner claimed that he had a distinct advantage. He is ambidextrous and normally he drives left-handed and uses his irons right-handed. This week he determined he would try a right-handed driver. His playing partners said he used it well, but as soon as he had a couple of successes, he reverted to his left-handed club. What a dilemma.

Playing a high tempo round, Geoff Aston and Hywel Probert were close up behind the group in front, each hitting the ball down the middle. Their second shots on the 13th put them both in the same greenside bunker. They both managed to scramble out, but not at the first attempt, resulting in them only achieving one point each for the hole.

Both Keith Hubbard and Jim Martin achieved a course par with 36 points, but fell behind Alan Jones on 37. Just ahead of Alan, on 38 points were Jim Moffatt (three birdies in his round) and Des Stone, but even they did not get on to the winner’s podium.

Ray Ford was a winner this week, he won the raffle prize, ’though he was not present to claim it. There was only one two amongst the 36 who played, despite the ideal conditions, and claiming the honour was Keith Hubbard.

Third place this week, with 39 points, was Derek Cole superseded, with a better back nine, by his captain and playing partner, Idwal David. This week’s winner was not a third time lucky, but a three time winner, having received top spot in the last three weeks. John Stevenson scooped the top prize again and reaped the reward of another shot off his handicap, with a tremendous 41 points.

Christmas is fast approaching and this year most of the kids will be disappointed. It appears that Santa was attempting to get into his loft, to store toys, in the new house he has acquired in Kilgetty. He inadvertently kicked the ladder away, but managed to scramble up into the loft. There he remained, without food and water, until a friend happened to call to offer support in his move. Mike, sorry SANTA, called out and was duly rescued and should soon be back to resume his golfing reports.

Gents

14-Hole Stableford Xmas Spirits

A total of 65 players entered the annual Gents 14-Hole Stableford Christmas Spirits competition on Saturday.

Although the weather was was cool, the unusually benign conditions on the Tenby links led to some good scoring in both divisions.

Leading scores and prize winners were as follows:

Division One: 1. Darren Thomas 34 pts (bottle of malt whisky); 2. Jack Harries 32 (bottle of brandy); 3. Mark Griffiths 31, on countback (bottle of whisky, non malt); 4. John Morris 31 (bottle of spirits, other); 5. Steve Sutcliffe 27, on countback (two bottles of wine); 6. Jeremy Peters 27, on countback (one bottle of wine).

Division Two: 1. Cameron Jnr Davies 33 pts (bottle of malt whisky or voucher to same value); 2. Neil Dickinson 31 (bottle of brandy); 3 Mike D. Williams 29, on countback (bottle of whisky, non malt); 4. Michael Anthony 29, on countback (bottle of spirits, other); 5. Philip Goodridge 29 (two bottles of wine); 6. Peter Ellis 28, on countback (one bottle of wine).

Twos: Mark Griffiths, Martin Morris, Steve Sutcliffe, Michael Anthony, John Gillespie, Robin Hagley, Ralph Johns (£9.25 each).

Bag draw: Viv James, Simon Evans, Robin Hagley, Bob Howse, Martin Morris (£13 each).

Pro Shop draw: Owen James, Ian Thomas (dozen Srixon soft feel balls).

• Competition prizes are to be collected from the office on or after Monday, December 18.