The last Eclectic Stableford in January 2015 was played on Tuesday, with an excellent field of 30 Seniors competing. The weather was quite un-January like, fairly dull, but not too cold, and with a wind which started as a zephyr and gradually increased as the day progressed.
I should explain the title of this article. It transpired that there were seven 2s scored during pla; I shall list the skilfully accurate perpetrators in a moment, but suffice it to say that our worthy treasurer, Stan Hudson - never a man to fritter away the funds - could see that rewarding these seven marksmen could seriously dent the prize fund. Prudently, Stan reduced the reward for a two to £1, which is precisely the eclectic entrance fee, hence the headline. Now, to keep the '2-ers' happy, here are their names:
On hole number 12 - Roger Schofield and Allen Watts; on hole number 17 - Steve Cole, Roy Gundry, John Hayhoe, Peter Williams and Alan Yates. Well done chaps!
Having ensured that there was still some cash left in the pot, Stan was able to substantially reward these successful Seniors:
Four players recorded 38 points in the battle for third place, Roger Schofield, Mel Neale, Martin Neilan and Des Stone. The computer digested this information, calculated and compared, checked and confirmed - and finally decided that the honour went to Des Stone!
Second place was easier to discover, only one Senior scored 39 points - the recovering Allen Watts.
Covering himself with glory - especially after one blobbed hole and a whiffed putt - Peter Williams's 40 points proved unbeatable. So good in fact that his handicap has plummeted from 15 to 14.
Next Tuesday the competition format will be a non-qualifying three-man team Stableford, with the best two scores per team to count. In this event, the high handicapper who is experiencing a run of good play can be a very popular team member.
And finally, 'Prudent' Stan wishes to remind all those who have booked a place on the spring tour that the balance of £129 is now due, almost overdue and sorely needed!
The weather forecast for Friday seems a trifle 'Iffy', but should conditions improve, it would be nice to see a handful of Seniors joining the Chicken Trot!
See you there!
M.F.
Ten tremendously talented Trotters turn out
The Chicken Trotters took advantage of a weather window on Friday, January 23, when 10 players enjoyed 15 holes of golf in cold, windy, but dry conditions - all of them finishing their rounds before the rain came in, exactly according to the forecast, at 12.15.
The heading of this article may be just the teeniest tad of an exaggeration; there were 10 trotters, talent was displayed by some of them - but tremendous? Well I just needed another word beginning with T to keep up the sequence! However, you may judge for yourself exactly what level of talent was displayed, by analysing the following results:
The low man on this week's Totem Pole was the obviously non-talented (temporarily) Derek Bath, who nonetheless received the booby prize of 30p and a handicap increase of two strokes
In fourth place, not actually receiving an award or having his handicap amended, Neil Dickinson showed little talent while scoring 26 points. (But he is the Editor - so what can you do?)
In third place, exhibiting a modicum of talent by scoring 27 points, was Des Stone - who is now the proud possessor of 50p and a handicap reduced by two strokes.
Fairly talented Steve Cole romped to second place with a competent 28 points, and he will be playing off a Trotters handicap of 13 next week - perhaps the 70p prize money will soften the blow!
Displaying a great deal of talent, occasional trotter David Blackmore left the field trailing in his wake as he carded an outstanding 30 points. His reward, £1 and a five-stroke cut, seems a little miserly and a trifle harsh, but he received little sympathy from the rest of the flock. David can be seen receiving his prize - and a coveted Chicken Trotters certificate - from Steve in the photograph. The skilful cameraman seems to have captured David being distracted and Steve being disinterested, but the camera often lies!
And finally, as a small tribute to our assistant Chief Trotter, secretary, treasurer and archivist; Steve Cole, here is a candid camera shot of him at work recording results and apportioning rewards. We must try and get him a desk!
M.F.
Mick seals victory
in Monthly Medal
Tenby Golf Club's January monthly medal was played in glorious and fairly benign conditions last Saturday. Although there is still some evidence of last year's problems, the links is almost back to its fabulous best.
Mick Seal got his year off to a flying start with his lowest ever round at Tenby, a gross 80 for a net 67, which included back to back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He was the Divison One winner by two shots.
Darren Thomas must have thought the medal was his when he went out in one under par with birdies on the third and the eighth. Unfortunately, he endured consecutive bogeys on the 14th, 15th and 16th. Nevertheless, his 75 net 69 was a fine effort and he finished runner-up.
Best gross score of the day was Richard Morton's 72. He birdied all three par fives and also had another on the ninth.
In Division Two, Philip Booth rolled back the years. Despite starting with two sevens, the remainder of his round was steady and he sealed his win with a two on the 17th, beating Craig Thomas on the back nine, who blew it with a nine on the 16th.
Leading scores and prize winners were as follows:
Division One - Mick Seal 80-13-67 (medal plus £41); Darren Thomas 75-6-69 (£31); Richard Morton 72-2-70 (£20); Neil Moffatt 83-12-71, on countback (£11).
Division Two - Philip Booth 91-20-71, on countback (medal plus £41); Craig Thomas 87-16-71 (£31); Owen James 93-21-72 (£20); Ralph Johns 91-17-74 (£11).
Twos - David Cope, Lee Lewis, James Moffatt, Neil Lovatt, Neil Moffatt, David Henry, Mark Edwards, Philip Booth, Stephen Cole, Michael Smiddy (£7.60 each).
Bag draw - Viv James, Steve Williams, Gary McNeilly, Tony Key, Mike Anthony, John Stevenson (£12.66 each).
Pro Shop draw - Jim Moffatt, John Morris (umbrella each).