Portland GS, Wales Trip 2026
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Our annual awaydays trip took place with a return to Wales this year. 18 of the Portland members took part and for a change we did not have to battle the wind and rain that normally greets us in the land of the sheep worriers. Instead we had to contend with temperatures in the high 30’s and playing on parched earth. Our hotel for the duration was a tried and tested old favourite The Nanhuron Arms at Nefyn. Unfortunately our Master of Ceremonies and Quizmaster Mr Ernie Rowlands contracted an illness and was unable to make the trip. However he did provide a full set of questions and answers for the three nights. A close contest saw a three way tie for first place with John Coburn pushing Mel Garner and John Martin into runner up slots. |
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Our first day saw us battle the course at Maesdu and although records were broken with longest drives try as we might getting the ball to stop on the green proved nigh on impossible. To give you an example you could have a put of 6 feet above the hole, and if if you didn’t hit centre of the hole your next shot was a 30 yard chip back up the hill. It was therefore no surprise to find there was only one nearest the pin. Johnnie Shepherd was the only person showing us the way. |
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Day 2 saw us make the short trip to Nefyn. Unfortunately the good weather previously celebrated decided not to play ball and we were greeted with a number of downpours and strong winds. One of the attractions of Nefyn is the Point course which is a spectacular 9 holes along the coastal path. This is only available these days as part of a 27 hole package with the 18 hole championship course. We had notice of this but having succumbed to the wind and rain only a handful went out to play it. Once again the greens proved very tricky and this time organiser Ian Ringwood was the only recipient of the sleeve of balls prize. Once again a close finish with card play of between John Coburn and Keith Bolton for 2nd and 3rd with John taking the prize. Their 30 points were not enough to catch Jonnie Shepherd with a 34 point win. |
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The next day found us at Abersoch and fortunately the weather had relented and the course was a bit more conducive to golf. Johnnie Shepherd showed the way winning 3 nearest the pins and Jim Cleary taking the 18th. No card playoff required here with Andy Southworth making a welcome return to the winners enclosure 3rd with 27 points, just behind John Coburn again with his 3rd visit to the podium, but taking 1st place was Jim Cleary with 32 points. |
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As is tradition the leading 4 after 3 days go out last masquerading as professionals in this case John Coburn, James Cleary, Johnnie Shepherd, and Kevin Bolton. Johns form seemed to desert him on the final day and James Cleary came out victorious. The other results on the final day found Pete Derbyshire picking up a nearest the pin as did John Martin. Johnnie Shepherd trailing Jim Cleary into 3rd spot with Rob Goodwin Davey shooting an excellent 42 . |
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