VANDALS ATTACK P&K GOLF COURSE
WITH golf clubs throughout the country battling to remain financially viable during the coronavirus crisis, the last thing they need is vandalism, writes Tony Poole.
But on two nights last week, Pyle & Kenfig were the victims of hooligans driving vehicles over certain parts of the golf course.
The first and third greens suffered the most damage while the second and ninth fairways were also hit.
Flagsticks were broken, cups ripped from holes and one vehicle got bunkered in the sand trap going down the ninth fairway.
Staff are continuing to work on the damaged areas, but head greenkeeper Paul Johnson is confident repair work will be completed in a fortnight.
“New turf has been laid on the damaged areas, and it’s led to them being declared Ground Under Repair,” said P & K course chairman Ian Booth.
“The police are investigating, but if anyone has any information regarding the incident then they are requested to contact the club.’’
Before the mindless vandalism, Alex Houston lifted the Captain’s Charity Cup on countback 39 Stableford points ahead of Jamie Grabham, Christopher Evans and Michael Davies.
Houston triumphed on the back of two birdies and seven pars while one-handicapper Evans shot five birdies (including a two on hole 15), 10 pars and three bogeys.
They were followed on the scoreboard by three 38-point men – Ethan Langley, Philip J Jones and Philip W Jones – and they finished a point to the good over Michael Abbott, Craig Jones, Martyn Fry and Dave Jones.
Par rounds of 36 points came from William Pontin, Gareth Tatchell, Daniel Evans, Luc Davies, Lyn Thomas, Callum Hook, Brian Jones, Paul Gunn and Gareth Carter-Clare.
CLUBHOUSES
GOLF clubhouses last week reopened for business indoors, but with greatly reduced numbers allowed to enjoy a post-round tipple.
It certainly wasn’t a case of business as usual in 19th holes with numbers at Coed-y-Mwstwr in the Sam Bevan snug and conservatory reduced from 100 occupants to just 20.
But with clubhouses receiving the green light, it resulted in the iconic Royal Porthcawl lounge reopening following an absence of 133 days.
After 18 holes out on the Lock’s Common golf course, the clubhouse is always worth a visit, as it’s packed with wonderful pictures of the sport’s rich tapestry and equally interesting memorabilia.
COED-Y-MWSTWR
QUALIFYING golf returned at Coed-y-Mwstwr with Wayne Brooks shooting 87-23-64 to win the August Medal competition.
A delay in setting up the scoring system among computer boffins was eventually overcome with Brooks triumphing by four shots over Dermot Keegan 87-19-68 and low grass competitor Eliot Williams 74-6-68.
Also riding high on the scoreboard were Wayne Hopkins 83-15-68, Dave Archibald 80-11-69, Josh Hapgood 79-10-69, Steve Williams 81-11-70, John Rosser 83-13-70 and Matthew Carpenter 83-13-70.
The Senior Section also resumed competitive action with 72 players teeing it up in a Stableford event won by Paul Reed on 41 points.
He had a point in hand over two players – Dave Vincent and Frank Button – with St Mary’s import Mike Tayler and Jonny McEachen on the 38-point level.
Sixth-placed R T Commander marched in with 37 points with par rounds of 36 on the cards of David B Ford-Williams and Terrence Hunt.
But deed of the day belonged to Senior Captain David Rees, who pulled off the biggest feat of his golfing career in going Tutu with twos on holes four and 17.
Rocky Raybould got the only other two, and it was also on hole four.
Meanwhile, an All Day Stableford was won by Simon Butcher with a beefy 40 points from Andrew Quinn 39, Alan Cooper 38 and Sean BogaLake 37.
Finally, Russ Gower coasted to victory in the Half Eight Swindle with 35 Stableford points; Michael Parker penned 33 points as did Graham Gardner while John Rogers was on the 32-mark.
SOUTHERNDOWN
TEENAGE star Brodi Lewis shot 43 points to win a Yellow Box Stableford competition at Southerndown.
The 14-year-old starlet ran up an equivalent score of two-under par 69 courtesy of a Tutu (twos on holes seven and 10), birdie on the 13th, 14 pars and one bogey (hole one).
He finished a point in front of Andrew Morton (eagle two on par-four 11th, two birdies with a two on hole 14, seven pars and eight bogeys).
Neil Sykes took third place on 41 points (two on hole 14) from Thomas Goldsworthy 37, Stephen Thomas, Ian Park, Jonathan Goldsworthy (all 36), Steffan Gdula, George Lee, Colin Tapsfield, A H Webber, Simon McCutcheon, Wynne Walters and Glyn Jones (all 35).
Division Two was won by Kraig Pook on 43 points ahead of Chris Matthews 39, Ben McAndrew 38 and Marc Twigg 36.
In a Midweek Stableford despite two no-returns, Steffan Gdula took the spoils on 42 points (eagle on eight, two birdies, nine pars, four bogeys).
Michael Phillips was a mere point in arrears, he shot four birdies including a two on the 14th hole, 10 pars and four bogeys.
Graeme Hughes exited the golf course with 40 points (one birdie, 12 pars, five bogeys) to finish ahead of George Lee 39, Graham McMonagle 38 (eagle on sixth, three birdies including a two on the 10th hole, 10 pars, four bogeys), and on the same level were Marcus Goldsworthy and Paul Brabban.
Eighth-placed Stephen Thomas recorded 38 points; Colin Tapsfield was a further point back while par 36’s came from Thomas Goldsworthy and Gwyn Evans.
In Division Two, Ryan Williams edged out Chris Matthews on countback 41 points, Paul Harris shot 39 and Ben McAndrew 35.
Meanwhile, the Senior Section event was won by M R Brand on 37 points (six pars, 12 bogeys) while three points behind were Michael Kidger and James Lynn Jones.
Wynne Walters got a two (seventh hole) on a 34-point card while Keith James was a further point in arrears.
Finally, in a Ladies Stableford contest, Caroline Kelly picked up a win on 32 points with a birdie on the penultimate hole and three pars on a 16-hole scoring card.
The victory was on countback over Amy Watkins (birdie on hole six, seven pars and no return on home hole) while Jan McPherson came in with 31 points, Amy Rees 30 (two on hole seven) and Suzanne Roberts 27 (two on hole 14).
GROVE
NORMAN Vincent pieced together a wizard round of 38 Stableford points to lift the Captain’s Cup at the Grove.
Despite failing to score on the sixth hole, the Aberavon RFC fan carded a birdie on hole 17, four pars and 11 bogeys to pull off a countback success at the expense of Stephen Channell (11 pars, six bogeys, one blob).
Jeremy Oliver got a two on the 12th green in his par 36 for third place while further down the scoreboard came Steve Cole, who fired 36 points, Julian Lewis, Norman Rand (both 35), Gareth Hewitt, Colin Rumbelow, Matthew Murray and Vincent Laing (all 34).
Other twos on the day came from Edwin Channell, Matt Evans, powerful Byron Power, master golfer Rumbelow and Jason Thomas.
On the Senior scene, John Dacey last week lifted the Nottage Cup with 40 Stableford points, finishing two points to the good over colourful John Green.
And Dave Orr took the section for players with a handicap of over 20 via a 36-point return.
MAESTEG
ERNEST Binding was successful in a White Box Stableford event at Maesteg on the strength of a 41-point round.
He finished a point in front of Dan Miller while Thomas Hedley took third spot on countback 38 points from Lyn Baitup.
The Ladies Section recommenced competitions last week, and Sue Ruffell ruffled some feathers in flying on to 38 points to win a Stableford competition by three points over Audrey Gregson.
LAKESIDE
NEWCOMER Chris Thomas won an August Eclectic contest at the Lakeside club in Margam on the back of a sizzling score of 81-22-59.
His winning card displayed eight pars and 10 bogeys, and he finished five shots clear of Peter Watkins 7915-64 (two birdies, four pars, 12 bogeys).
Former Maesteg star Derrick Pitt opened his round of 80-16-64 with a two on the first hole while the winner from the week before, putting genius Bob Lind, this time around entered Uncle Tom’s Cabin with an impressive 89-22-67.
Fifth-placed Bob Hazzard fired 79-12-67 (two on hole eight); Brian Channell signed for 77-10-67 and Bob Thomas 81-13-68.
Cliff Richards made it into the hit parade with a shock two on the opening hole, ending up with 96-26-70, while Desmond Hampton shot 9928-71.
But bringing up the rear on this occasion was big gun Nicky Walters, who on this occasion misfired too many times in 86-9-77.