Reports

KING OF THE SWINGERS NABS FOURTH HOLE IN ONE
A Report from our local Newspaper about local golfer Mr Viv Davies.
Viv sadly passed away at the age of 86 on the 13th March 2008.
For most golfers a hole-in-one comes along once, maybe twice in a lifetime. 
In the last 40 years 83-year-old veteran swinger Viv Davies however as aced four times and is 
averaging one a decade!
His first coming in 1973 and his most recent two months ago on the 20th October 2005. 
The former miner and Rhymney RFC club steward achieved all except one of his aces at
Tredegar and Rhymney Golf Club where he was secretary for 14 years.
Recalling the first occasion, Mr Davies said: "It was on the old 7th hole (now the 16th) on a foggy morning.
"My playing partners and I were looking for my ball for ages around the green, 
until eventually one of them found it in the hole!
I didn't see that one go in the hole and actually I have never seen any of them go in."  
At that time Mr Davies who lives in Meadow Crescent Tredegar with wife Lillian had been playing for    
five years after catching the golfing bug from his brother-in-law on holiday in Northern Ireland. 
On his return, he joined Tredegar and Rhymney where he has remained ever since.  
His second ace though occurred at Pontypool Golf Club in an open day competition in 1985.
Ten years later he repeated the feat on the old 2nd hole (now the 9th) of his home course. 
Another decade passed before his most recent achievement on October 20 in a club competition.
Mr Davies said: "It was on the 135-yard 9th hole (old 2nd). "I struck my 7-wood well, 
but again was unsighted when it hit the green. I thought it may have gone through, but sure enough,  
there it was in the hole."
Having already paid for the traditional round of drinks in the clubhouse on the previous three occasions.
This time Mr Davies had wisely legislated for an unlikely fourth.
"I took out golfing insurance recently, and as part of the deal found I was covered for the bar bill 
if I had a hole-in-one.
"I didn't think it would happen but was very grateful that I was protected. 
The insurance company even sent me a certificate which is hanging on the wall in the club."  
Mr Davies still plays five days a week with playing partners Clive Davies, Albert Wilks and Ken Weed. 
He plays off a respectable 12 handicap, although at one time he was as low as eight.
I just love the game, he said, "and play as much as I can, though I don't play on weekends any more." 
He said modestly: "To put the ball straight in the hole is mostly down to luck. 
Anybody, even someone who hasn't picked up a club before, could do it.
RIP Viv and thanks for the memories.