This having been a second visit to Builth Wells, the first was cancelled due to flooding three weeks prior. And I was amazed to see how the course had dried up; this was due to the magnificent efforts of the green staff, praise where praise is due, well done gentlemen.

A full turn out of 22 teams was the order of the day, with some sunshine as a bonus and very little wind made the day one to remember.

Playing 5424 yards off the competition tees, not along course, but one where you have to think your way round. With six par 3’s and no par 5’s playing to your handicap would be a difficult task, as shots could be easily dropped on the par 3’s. All was going well until the 16^th  a 300 yards par 4. With out of bounds on the right along the river to the dogleg right and water running across the fairway offers the risk or reward shot. Finding the river, a penalty shot meant coming off with a double bogey 6, which in turn meant coming in one over par net and losing out to the course.

PHOTOS>>>>

Conditions:     Sunny periods with slight winds.

Result:             Lost to course

Out:     41
In:        30
Gross:  80
H/cap:  13
Net:     67
Par:      66
Putts:   18/18=36
Stb Pts: 17/17=34pts.

0 Birdies; 6 Pars; 10 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys

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A parkland course playing 6473 yards, par 72 off the white tees is an easy walking course with very little gradients to contend with, but one that challenges the best.

Three par 5’s on the front nine and one off the back nine playing the yellow tees makes it more accessible on the front for the average golfer. A par 37 going out on 3095 yards was more difficult than the return, a 35 par and 3165 yards. Some difficult par 3’s, albeit not long could ruin a good card.

Conditions:     Overcast with some sunshine. Winds variable

Result:             Lost to course

Out:     45
In:        41
Gross:  86
H/cap:  13
Net:     73
Par:      72
Putts:   17/15= 32
Stb Pts: 16/19= 35pts

0 Birdies;  5 pars;  12 bogeys;  1 D/Bogey

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Driving to Porthmadog is always picturesque going through the mountains even if the weather is not at its best. Today would be no accept ion as it would be a mixed bag, overcast, cloudy, variable gusting winds and the odd sunny period.

The front nine is more inland than links, with water coming into play on 5 holes, where as the back nine is truly a test of ones ability to handle an open links course.

An easy walking course apart from the 12/13/14 holes which flexes your leg muscles a little.

This is an interesting and varied course which would appeal to all that play it, and gives rise to interesting conversations in the clubhouse after your game.

PHOTOS>>>>>>

I was approached by the Seniors Captain Mr. Colin Digby to say a few words about the challenge, and then he presented me with donations that were collected by the seniors on the day of £59.95.

Conditions:     overcast, cloudy, variable gusting winds and infrequent sunny periods.

Result:             Win against the course

Out:     43
In:        39
Gross:  82
H/cap:  13
Net:     69
Par:      71
Putts:   17/15=32
Stbl Pts:      17/21=38 pts

1 Birdie; 7 Pars; 8 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys

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The club is situated in the shadow of Caernarfon Castle where HRH Charles was crowned the Prince of Wales back in 1969.

The course is open to the elements being close to the sea; with a strong wind it played very much a links type course. With walls, hedges and trees to contend with and wind and soggy fairways due to the recent wet weather made conditions difficult.

After completing the course I was introduced to the Captain Will Owen, who stated he had funds for the challenge which would be sent on.

Conditions:     Overcast and windy, wet under foot with some sunny intervals.

Result:             Lost to course

Out:     45
In:        40
Gross:  85
H/cap:  13
Net:     72
Par:      69
Putts:   17+16=33
Stb Pts: 15+18=33pts

0 Birdies; 5 Pars; 10 bogeys; 3 D/Bogeys

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This well established links course is well renowned in the principality hosting many major tournaments over the years, and this year being crowned the best Welsh club of the year, and it is still rated as one of the top 50 courses in the U.K.I had the privilege to be playing with the Vice Captain Mr. Colin Appleby, who showed great interest in the challenge in addition to giving me some good advice around the course, albeit the ball did not take heed to it.

 The weather was sunny and no wind as such, which is unusual for a links course especially as autumn was upon us. The course was playing long as there was no run on the fairways, but the greens were true and firm with some being tined.

Poor putting on the back nine was my downfall, especially on the 14^th, where by 4 putts cost me dearly. Getting a birdie on the next hole did give some solace, only to give it away again on the very next hole with a double bogey.

Conditions:     Sunny, warm calm and no wind as such.

Result:   Lost to course

Out:     41
In:        48
Gross:  89
H/Cap: 13
Net:     76
Par:      71
Putts:   17 / 19= 36
Stb Pts: 18 / 13= 31pts.

1 Birdie; 4 pars; 8 bogeys; 4 D/bogeys; 1 other

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Another delightful drive through mid Wales nearly too Aberaeron brings you to Llanrhystud in Ceredigion. This picturesque setting leads you to a holiday caravan site with its own golf course, that of Penrhos Golf and Country Club..

This 6,660 yard par 72 parkland course is one of those hidden gems, with excellent clubhouse and dining facilities, a day to be had to remember.

Due to the recent wet weather over the last week temporary tees were brought into operation which meant the course would be playing shorter in addition to not having any run on the fairways.

Like all courses, being on the fairway makes the game easy, but wayward shots can make a double bogey seem like a par. The first four holes into a prevailing wind with out of bounds on the right would test your abilities. Working your way round the side of the mountain, and then playing over the top gives you some stunning views. One that would flex your muscles is the 17^th par 3. 160 yards off the yellow tee. This tee is approximately 150 feet above the green with bunkers in front and a river behind. With the right club selection, one can see the ball flight all the way to the pin.

PHOTOS>>>>>

Conditions:     Overcast with variable winds

Result: Win against the course

Out:     41
In:        40
Gross:  81
H/cap:  13
Net:     68
Par:      72
Putts:   17 / 14 = 31
Stb.Pts:      18/20  = 38 pts.

1 Birdie; 8 Pars; 8 Bogeys; 1 D/Bogey

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Whilst driving through the valleys on this autumn day seeing all the colours glistening from the sunlight drifting along the mountainside, seeing the true splendor of nature at its best. But within the hour clouds had formed bringing with them strong winds.

This little club way up in the mountains of South Wales can boost having the second highest green of any Welsh golf club at nearly 1300 feet above sea level giving scenic views all around that are timeless.

Standing on the first tee one can imagine what it must have felt like when in 1921 a consortium of gentlemen got together to form the club. Very much a mountain course with heather, ravines, dips ditches, bunkers and some steep climbs makes it a course not for the faint hearted. With the wind factor high accuracy here will pay rewards more than most, as many of the greens are smaller than the majority of courses played so far.

Only 5,386 yards, par 67 and no par 5’s it is not easy. The wind factor was a strong 30 mph plus which made club selection difficult as there are very little features to distinguish the distance to the greens. The most difficult hole, the 15^th, stroke index 1 playing from a tee approximately 100 foot below the green into a strong prevailing wind, this 411 yard uphill into wind with out of bounds on the right was a daunting hole. Putting one OOB off the tee didn’t help, and then driver, 3 wood and a 5 iron and a single putt gave me a double bogey which felt like a birdie. Looking down the fairway, from what is reputedly claimed as nearly one of the highest greens in Wales seeing panoramic views that seem timeless; one must applaud the visions of those that laid out the course over 87 years ago.

Conditions:       Overcast with strong gusting winds

Result:              Lost to course.

Out:      43
In:        47
Gross:  90
H/Cap: 13
Net:      77
Par:      67
Putts:    20 / 18=38
Stableford Pts:       16 / 12 = 28

0 Birdie; 2 Pars; 2 Bogeys; 3 D/Bogeys; 1 other

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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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