Golf

"A surprisingly calm day greeted the twenty six entrants that took part in the West Mon RFC’s 2008 Christmas golf day once again held at Alice Springs.

In the absence of last year’s winner John Walker, the smart money was on John Price and Ray Rappel who were both vying to become the first person to win the tournament for the third time.

However both had to be content with runners up spots as a relative outsider in Alec Kestell turned the form book upside down, winning the sought after trophy by two shots.

There was some consolation for Rappel as he won a prize for the longest drive, whilst other awards were presented to James Tovey and Gary Crewe respectively, for their “nearest the pin” efforts.

Whilst the day’s golf was once again keenly contested, of equal enjoyment were the activities that took place on the 19^th hole, superbly organised by Shun Price and Wayne Coughlin."

West Mon RFC Xmas Golf Day

Past Winners Board

2001 Ray Rappel

2002 John Price

2003 Ray Rappel

2004 John Price

2005 Roger Lewis

2006 Rob O'Dwyer

2007 John Walker

2008 Alec Kestell

Held 7th December 2007

First Photograph shows the participants in the 2007 West Mon RFC Xmas Golf
Day,
which was won by John Walker.

Second Photo shows John Walker receiving the winners award from John Price
President of West Mon RFC.

"Despite the recent inclement weather, the Alice Springs Golf
Course was in remarkably good condition for the holding of West Mon RFCs
Christmas Golf Tournament on Friday

It turned out to be a triumph for experience over youth as the
event was won by former prop forward John Walker who pipped last year's
winner Rob O'Dwyer to secure the sought after winner's trophy.

Other winners were Neil Sellers, Phil Bruton and Alan Hodge who
all secured prizes for "nearest the pin" while Rob O'Dwyer found some
consolation with the longest drive award.

A further longest drive award went to Mike Venables who attended the event
from his home in Somerset, whilst a set of golf balls was presented to
Gareth Cornfield to help compensate him for the numerous ones
lost during the day.

The event is now in its seventh year and continues to go from
strength to strength."

This was held on Friday 12th December at Alice Springs Golf Club - no not
the famous Alice springs - the one near Abergavenny.

One would know this on arrival because it was a dismal wet morning.This
weather put a few off but 12 doughty individuals turned up and were
rewarded with only a fine drizzle which stopped after a few holes.
Unfortunately the low cloud prevented the newcomers to the area from seeing
the panoramic views around the course.

The golf part went well with the course holding up to the onslaught.

Back in the clubhouse the group enjoyed excellent hospitality from the club
with a two course meal , taken in the restaurant with xmas decorations,
crackers and rocket balloons flying around.

A golf putting competition in the lounge was won by that old master Ray
Rappel but as a sport he gave the prize, an automatic putting m/c, to the
runner up john Walker who as a sport left it in the mini bus at the end of
the night which has now been claimed by Roger wolfe.

Some people were then sensible and went home but others with the help of a
sponsored minibus by Exclusive Exhibitions went on to a local hostelry,
namely the Wheatsheaf Inn, Llanhennock and had an excellent singsong with
the last person home being at 1 a.m.-

Oh the results were

Winner Ray Rappel (again)

2nd John Walker

3rd Alex Keslar

Nearest Pin 3rd hole - Wayne Coughlan 10th hole - Gary Crewe

Longest Drive Glyn Thomas

Also rans Shun Price Bob Cormack Reg George Roger Wolfe Geoff Lewis Barry
Reardon

As winner Ray has decreed that next year's bash will be at Pontypool Golf
Club - so get practicing for this most sort after trophy. A number of
people have expressed their intention to join this band next year.

- Shun