Snakes and Ladders at the Glamorganshire Golf Club: Week Two (From Penarth Times)

Snakes and Ladders at the Glamorganshire Golf Club: Week Two

7:00am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

WITH Arctic weather sweeping in as predicted, Snakers were presented with their first serious test of intestinal fortitude in Week Two of the Snakes and Ladders competition at the Glamorganshire Golf Club.

It was evident that some players were also struggling to recover from over-indulgence on Saturday evening. It is said that misfortune comes in threes, and having comforted each other with assurances that hangovers pass and that the weather was forecast to improve, many players suffered a further blow on arrival with the news that neither buggies nor trolleys were allowed.

This resulted in a great deal of profanity, amid frenzied attempts to dismantle and re-store trolleys, jettison surplus clubs and attach carrying straps to bags. It’s amazing what you don’t actually need when you are unused to carrying!

Newly-elected greens’ chairman Phil Carling is a Snaker himself and, to date, the Glamorganshire has been open every day in 2013. But clearly it was felt that the course needed some measure of protection from the worst excesses of the many hackers participating. It has been rumoured that recently amphibian craft have been spotted in the far reaches of the course!

Chief Snake, Jammy James was unable to grace members with his presence, as he was at Old Trafford fulfilling a lifetime’s ambition. Not too many retired dentists get to be the team mascot. Unfortunately, it would seem that most players were unaware of his absence until Bob Bubbins deputised for him for the speeches and raffle, so news from the course was somewhat limited this week.

Jim Corsi was shocked to hear that Maurice Flynn and Bill Gill had to give a shot (to opponents Glen Prisk and Duncan Lewis), stating that he had no idea that Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles were members! It was sweet, therefore, for that particular foursome to see “Big Jim” and “Bubbsy” walking in early whilst conducting an animated post mortem.

“Chip” Chandler subbed admirably for Jammy and with captain Phil Rattray, beat Dave Kent and Clive Palfrey convincingly. The third continues to be a bogey hole for many, with Steve Summers managing to thrash the ball the full 12 inches off the tee.

Nigel Swaine obviously ate his three Shredded Wheat prior to playing, as he said to partner Bob Bubbins, “We’ve overhit it by about 50 yards”, to which Bob replied, “What do you mean 'we'!” The prize for sartorial elegance this week goes to Phil Harris and Nigel Jones (subbing for Colin Rodgerson) who appear to have joined an obscure Red Indian tribe.

Some interesting match-ups next week, with several of this week’s roosters quite likely to end up as feather dusters. Watch this space!