Having had some serious rain the previous two days, and earlier in the day, meant the course was very wet and heavy going. With some strong gusting winds and ominous clouds hanging over the course would give rise to looking at ones club selection more closely. A nicely laid out compact course with easy walking gives rise to a good round of golf. A flat course making it easy walking for all, but with mature trees and narrow fairways, one must not allow ones guard to drop, as the back nine has 8 par 4’s, five of which were into a prevailing wind. Playing at least 5,500 yards with no run off the yellow tees could mean ones handicap could be swallowed up very quickly.

Very much a thinking course, as club selection can make or break your card, but very enjoyable, one that would suit all. A nice club house, well stocked and with an adjoining driving range to get those swings going. A good day was had.

My thanks go to Simon Edmonds and members of St. Andrews Major who will be supporting the “Penny” challenge during the course of my Captaincy.

Conditions:    Overcast with slight rain and strong westerly winds.

Result:        Win against the course

Out:      39
In:        43
Gross:  82
H/Cap: 13
Net:      69
Par       69
Putts     16 /16 = 32
Stableford Points   19 / 17 = 36

0 Birdie;  8 pars;  8 bogeys;  1 d/bogeys;  1  other

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Starting out at 5.30 am to drive the 143 miles to Pembroke meant there would not be too much traffic on the roads at that time of the morning. As dawn was breaking one could see the fingers of mist drifting through the valley with the peaks of the mountains rising above them, within 10 minutes the sun was trying to rise above the horizon warming the air clearing the mist at the same time.

Arriving at the clubhouse I was greeted by the secretary Mike who explained the layout of the course.

This 6,200 yard parkland course was open to strong winds coming off the estuary which gave rise to some strong prevailing winds making a number of holes that would be playing longer than the yardage would suggest.

The greens having just been cut an hour beforehand meant they would be fast. The first three holes are played out to the estuary and into a strong wind. The third, a par 3, 122 yards off the yellow elevated tee meant club selection was crucial, as there was a pond left of the green which would force you to play to the right. Normally I would be looking to use a wedge, but with the wind a seven iron got me 8 foot left on the pin. A par today felt like a birdie.

The fifth, a par 4, 370 yards, another hole where a good drive position is essential, as one gets to the end of the fairway you think “where’s the green gone?” but looking to ones left over a tree line and road the green is cut into the side of a slope and guarded by two bunkers, another challenging hole.

A site that one doesn’t often see on golf courses is an old derelict barracks silhouetted against the grey skies, it was built to fortify and strengthen the military presence during the war for the port of Pembroke and near by Newhaven. A ghostly reminder of days gone by.

With seven of the holes playing into a strong westerly wind, making pars would be difficult. The wind did help on holes downwind, making par would be easier.

The course was in excellent condition considering the weather recently, the greens were fast and true, and congratulations must go to the green keeping staff on doing an excellent job

Conditions:       Overcast with light variable winds.

Result:              Win against the course

Out:      43
In:        40
Gross:  83
H/Cap: 13
Net:      70
Par       72
Putts     13 /15 = 28
Stableford Points   19 / 20 = 39

0 Birdie;  10 pars;  6 bogeys;  2 d/bogeys;  0  other

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This is a special day for five good reasons. Firstly, it’s my birthday, 64, and who would have thought I would be gallivanting round the principality at this age, playing 177 golf clubs, walking over 550 miles and driving 32,500 miles in 12 months?

Secondly, Mr. Tony Davies, the professional, was responsible for guiding me on that golf highway 20 years ago, for that I have to thank him.

And lastly, here’s three more very good reasons:

Hope House,          Ty Gobaith      and         Ty Hafan.

When I arrived at 8 am, a welcoming committee was there to greet me Mr. Berwyn Griffiths, Flintshire County Vice Captain, Captain of Old Padeswood, and Tony Davies, club Professional.

Arrangements had been made for an early tee time as there was a Ladies match pre booked for mid morning.

My young caddy for the day was my President, Mr. Fred Roberts, who gave me good advice on the day, being an ex member, as I needed all the help I could get.

The course was in very good condition across the board and the greens where true as I found the line quickly, and all was dropping into the hole. Everything was going well until I came to the 12^th. The group in front allowed me to play through, and as one doesn’t want to hold anyone up. So on the tee I jumped; setting myself up, and seeing that out of bounds on the right over a dividing ditch was a no go area, so, I opted to play a conservative shot down the middle. With a slight wind left to right the ball decides to fade with it, and sure enough it goes out of bounds. Playing three off the tee, the ball again bounces off the fairway and into the same ditch. So now 5 off the tee and with frustration I hit one right down the middle and long, how many times do you say to yourself “If only”. This was going to be an ugly score, and I felt it was going to cost me to lose to the course. It has been a few years since I had a nine, but just goes to show that if you upset your rhythm you can pay dearly for the consequences. Trying to put it aside, a good drive was needed on the next hole to redeem my composure. It did, and a final score of a gross 82, net 69 meant that the course had been beaten.

Conditions:       Overcast and variable winds

Result:              Win against the course

Out:      40
In:        44
Gross:  84
H/Cap: 13
Net:      71
Putts:    14/16= 30
Stableford Pts      20/20= 40

2 Birdies; 8 Pars; 5 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys; 1 Other

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On arriving at Llandudno (North Wales) G.C. I was greeted by the secretary Nick Kitchen and then introduced to the past Captain Mr. Alec Harvey, who kindly escorted me to the first tee and gave me courtesy after explaining to visitors on the tee the challenge I had set myself.

The weather was overcast and breezy, as one would expect on a seaside links course, very open, so having an accurate drive off many of the tees is essential, otherwise you pay the price.

The course was well presented visually with good greens and fairways, a course that has a good reputation with societies and visitors, as they come back year after year.

Very open to the element of wind as all links courses are, this can be a true test as it only takes a couple of bad holes to wreck your card.

Result:    Win against the course

Out:      43
In:        39
Gross:  82
H/Cap: 13
Net:      69
Par:      70
Putts:    16/17=33
Stableford Pts:  18/19= 37

0 Birdies; 9 Pars; 7 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys; 0 Other

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Another links course on the Isle of Anglesey, with winds and some sunny periods, a challenging day for golf was to be had. With some wide fairways and nice scenic views of Snowdonia over on the main land this course invites you want to come back.

Out in 43 with four three putts making 8 over at the turn meant there was all to do on the back nine. As the saying goes “good fortune favours the brave” well all was to play for if the course was to be beaten, and paring 4 and only bogeying 4 meant equaling par beats the course.

With wide fairways and excellent greens left one feeling a good day was achieved.

Conditions:       sunny periods, overcast and windy.

Results: Win to the course

Out:      43
In:        40
Gross:  83
H/cap:  13
Net:      70
Par:      70
Putts:    20/19= 39
Stableford Pts: 17/19=36

1Birdie; 6 Pars; 9 Bogeys; 1 D/Bogeys;  1 other

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This is not part of the challenge, but one of meeting some old friends and to receive a donation to the challenge.

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This is a lovely little course nestling nicely within the boundaries of Llantristant and Pontyclun sheltered from adverse weather that was all around on the day, but with the recent wet weather the course would be heavy under foot and playing long.

Given the pleasure of playing with John Richards (secretary of the Rabbits) and Alwyn Pugh and Byron Ferris meant an enjoyable round would be had.

This parkland course opened in 1927 is well established with well matured trees and fauna that are pleasing to the eye and with some undulating fairways makes for an interesting challenge of golf.

Conditions:       Overcast and heavy under foot.

Result:              Lost to the course

Out:      45
In:        41
Gross:  86
H/cap:  13
Net:      73
Par:      68
Putts:    19/13= 32
Stableford Pts: 13/18= 31pts.

1 Birdies; 3 Pars; 10 Bogeys; 3 D/Bogeys; 1 Other

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Re-scheduled from Week 19, this mountain course will test the best especially when the weather is overcast and windy. Open to strong winds most of the time due to it’s location this 6,063 yard par 70 was today very kind, as there was no wind so to speak. Out in 39 including a birdie 2, on the 5^th 178 yards and back in 42. Some classic holes like the 14^th National, 308 yards dogleg right over water. A good drive needs to be centre of the fairway to give you a shot into the green, with water directly in front, club selection needs to be accurate.

Conditions:       Overcast

Result:              Win against the course

Out:      39
In:        42
Gross:  81
H/cap:  13
Net:      68
Putts:    15/15= 30
Stableford Pts: 19/19= 38pts

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Travelling up the valleys to Maesteg from Swansea one could not envisage what it was like when coal tips and slag heaps where there in abundance in years gone by to what it is now, where re landscaping and new plantations have taken place. And yet there are still places that haven’t changed since the turn of the 20^th century, one of them being the course at Maesteg.

A moor land course nestled in the valleys this 5,889 yard course will test your ability of your golfing prowess.

Introducing myself to the professional Thomas Davies, who listened with great interest of my quest in the Penny challenge and wished me well. He then introduced me to my playing partner and past Captain Mr. Roger Evans, who has been with the club for quite a number of years, and gave me some good advice on a number of holes. Due to heavy rainfall over the previous 3 days the course was playing very long and little or no run on the fairways. The greens had been top dressed the previous day so they were playing slow, hence 31 putts on the day.

Conditions:       Overcast and very wet fairways due to heavy rainfall.

Result:              Win against the course

Out:      36
In:        45
Gross:  81
H/cap:  13
Net:      68
Par:      70
Putts:    14/17= 31
Stableford Pts: 22/16=38pts

1 Birdies; 7 Pars; 8 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys; 0 Other

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This nice little 9 hole course hidden away just outside Llanidloes is undergoing improvements by building a 4 bay driving range, with a chipping and putting area alongside.Only 5,512 yards par 66 with plenty of trees to negotiate and some narrow fairways and undulating greens this can only add to the difficulty. Starting with a 190 yard par 3 on the first tee into a prevailing wind would test ones ability right from the start, coming off with a bogey would feel like a par. A course that one needs to be accurate rather than a big hitter. With pleasant scenic views and a cosy club house to finish the day off enjoyment can be had by all.

Conditions:     Overcast with strong gusting winds.

Result: Win against the course           

Out:     42
In:        36
Gross:  78
H/Cap: 13
Net:     65
Putts:   18/13= 31
Stb.Pts: 16/21= 37 pts

o Birdies; 7 Pars; 10 Bogeys; 1 D/Bogey

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