Tenby Golf Club embarked on its annual excursion to Swansea last weekend playing against old friends at two clubs on The Gower, Langland Bay and Pennard.

The tour was about a month later than usual and consequently the parkland course at Langland was close to its best. It is situated in an exposed clifftop position between Langland Bay and Carswell Bay. As at Pennard, the sea and coastal views are spectacular.

In a tight top match, Tenby captain, Richard Ormond and his partner John Morris fell by three and one to Langland skipper Tony Lovell and former Glamorganshire captain Richard Evans. However, Paul Jenkins and Loz Phillips beat Kevin Barry and Jim Manson by two and one.

Terry Davies and Simon Evans were hammered six and five by Peter Williams and Tim Lillycrap, but Chris Beecher and Tony Key levelled matters by defeating Mark Shepherd and Ritchie Morgan one up.

The two Daves, Hancock and Henry, went down by five and three to Jeff Evans and Mike Allchurch. Viv John and Neil Webb halved their tough encounter with Russell Holiday and Ashley Issacs.

Thus, after six games, the match was fairly closely balanced at 3.5 to 2.5 in Langland's favour, but the visitors' hopes soon faded when Dai Cope and Phil Goodridge crashed by six and five to Brian Owen and Denis Jones.

John Stenson and Barrie Frayne eventually finished their game against Chris Evans and Paul Wade, losing three and two. In the final tie, Gethin Evans and John Gillespie succumbed one down to Steve Bond and Johnny Kapec.

The start at Pennard, known as the 'Links in the Sky' was delayed for about an hour due to a thick sea mist which engulfed the course, just as it had done in the same fixture last year. Once play did commence, Tenby found the Pennard course to be in an excellent overall condition, the greens in particular.

Richard Ormond and Gethin Evans led at one stage, but fell by four and two to home captain Ken Nieman, and young Alastair Verbruggen, who helped Pennard win the prestigious Victory Shield last year.

Paul Jenkins and Chris Beecher beat Steve Kissick and the absentee Tony Smith by five and four. Loz Phillips and Dave Henry halved a great tussle with Blair Viney and Phil Gavey. Dave Hancock and Tony Key went down narrowly to Jeff Joseph and Huw Morgan, two and one.

Dai Cope and Simon Evans both lost their second game of the weekend by six and five, this time to opponents John Dickson and Tim Jones. Viv John and John Gillespie crashed five and four to Roger Essex and Andrew Richards.

Neil Webb halved again, this time with John Stenson against Des Robins and Leighton Pritchard. Big hitters Johnny Morris and Terry Davies were too much for Jim Loft and Mike Neville, winning three and two. Phil Goodridge and Barrie Frayne competed well, but fell one down to Norman Allnatt and Clive Brannigan.

Thus, Tenby lost both of the friendly fixtures - 6.5 to 2.5 at Langland and 6 to 3 at Pennard. Due to a misunderstanding, the match at Langland had not been played in the previous two years. However, both clubs are delighted that the fixture has been resurrected. As usual, Tenby members received a very warm welcome at both clubs and are now looking forward to hosting the return fixtures against Langland and Pennard later this year.