Wednesday 17th April saw a group of eight pairs of Tenby Seniors travel to Machynys to try to continue their winning streak. A challenging course at the best of times it was not as wet as when they visited last year so there was hope at the start of the day. That is where the hope ended. The Machynys team was in no mood to relinquish their understanding and mastery of their own course.

While the hope and the endeavour was in place the results did not reflect either. The group had to drive home in the hope that they could return the favour when Machynys visit Tenby on the 30th. While the result was a 6-2 defeat there was a ray of hope as two of the Tenby pairs managed to escape with a half. The praise for maintaining Tenby’s reputation fell to Peter Williams and David Rees. They were the only duo to bring a smile their captain’s face by winning their match.

It did not help matters when the catering staff mixed up the orders and came out with a few too many pies.

Derek’s first drive

This Tuesday saw a return to the links in a match against Cardigan and the familiar roll of the ball on the firm fairways. The long spell of dry weather held out for one more day to allow for a warm reception and an enjoyable game of golf.

Mick, Steve, Ed and Derek waiting to tee off

There were only seven pairs from each club on this occasion and the clubhouse was alive with conversation as old friends greeted each other and caught up with the news. The familiarity of the course gave Tenby Old-Uns the advantage and they were ready to put last week’s defeat behind them.

We are told, ‘You can’t win-em all.’ That may be the case but the group wanted to make sure that they at least win this one. As he was not able to remain for the meal, Derek chose his vice-captain as his playing partner this week and they greeted their opponents, Ed Wilson and Steve Moore on the first tee. It was Derek who was giving up shots this week, but that did not affect the pair at all. They both set off with determination and soon established a comfortable lead.

Mick’s supporting drive

Their cause was helped along by a birdie from Mick on the seventh. It was not a one below par on the card, more a direct hit on a seagull. Mick declared that it was a near miss rather than a direct hit. The seagull managed to escape. Not so the opposition as the Seniors’ leaders romped away with the result by six and four.

Stan Hudson and Bob Forrest went one better with a six and five win. They made a flying start by winning the first two holes and refused to relinquish a hole as they opened up a match winning lead. The only hole they lost was the tenth but they soon recovered when Bob earned himself a two on the twelfth. He went one better when he surprised himself, and the rest of the group, by holing his second shot on the fifteenth.

Peter Hughes was in the line-up this week, aided and abetted by John Richards in his bright yellow shirt. Peter’s consistency paid dividends as, with John’s capable support, they forged ahead to finish this match against Dick Parry and Ian Tushingham on the fourteenth.

Nic Rogers surveying his garden

Allen Watts and Des Stone were down to partner each other but due to a shortage of buggies Derek re-jigged the line-up and Nic Rogers graciously agreed to share his buggy with Des. Allen Watts dropped to the anchor position and picked up his support from last week’s winner, David Rees. Both pairs finished with the same result – a four and three win.

Nic and Des were facing Barrie Davies and Ken Evans, both of whom were familiar with the course. Nic’s opener was to win the first with a par, while Des complimented that by parring the second. From there on the score fluctuated  between 1,2, and 3 in Tenby’s favour with the last scare coming on the back nine. The Cardigan duo won ten and eleven, which galvanised the home team into action winning twelve, fourteen and fifteen. With the game over Nic relaxed and chipped in for a two on the seventeenth, from five yards behind the bunker. Not to be out- done Des putted in from the edge of the green for his two.

Allen and David were following suit in a battle against Dave Prout and Haydyn Davies. They also established a three-hole lead, which the opposition reduced to one after eight holes. Course knowledge and expertise allowed them to increase the lead again and retain it until they shook hands on the fifteenth.

Yet another successful pair was that of Roger Barton and Rod Clarke. They were up against Vaughan Jones and Alan Lewis. Roger was giving up the shots but he had a capable partner in Rod as they had a close encounter winning their game by three and one.

That just leaves Last year’s captain Idwal partnered, this week, by Keith Hubbard. Bernie Legg and Josh Williams gave them a run for their money as they claimed they were lucky to get a half. One of them used the phrase ‘couldn’t buy a putt’ and they found themselves one down after fifteen. Keith birdied the sixteenth to bring it to all square and they managed to halve the last two holes, making sure they did not lose. A lucky escape!

Mick Whale and Ed Wilson congratulate each other

In Derek’s absence Mick Whale did the honours and distributed the raffle prizes – 4 – 3 in favour of Cardigan. He then let everyone know the individual results. Ed Wilson thanked the group, praised the course and the cuisine, and looked forward with anticipation to the return match at Cardigan later in the season.