Howard Webber is a former captain of Haverfordwest Golf Club and is now a regular player at Milford Haven Golf Club, where he and his pal Jeff Button, who is now the club captain, assisted by the third member of an eager trio in Richard Brock, are holding a fund-raising 'Texas Scramble' to raise much needed funds to aid the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

They know that they will receive every help from the characters at Milford Haven Golf Club and are hoping to receive support from other clubs in the area, especially since Howard has visited the golf clubs at Haverfordwest, Newport, Tenby, Priskilly, St Davids, South Pembs and Rosemarket with posters advertising the event, which takes place at Milford Haven Golf Club on Friday 8th July.

‘Texas Scramble’ is a tribute to Howard’s late daughter Lynne

It takes the form of a 'Texas Scramble' where teams of four players have 10% of their combined handicap allowance and the best score to count on each hole - with special prizes for being nearest the pin on the 6th and 16th holes. There is food available all day, with evening entertainment and at least one surprise guest!

Jeff and Richard are delighted to be organising the tournament because Howard's family has suffered tragically from the illness in the past and his granddaughter Isobel is a sufferer but shows the determination that is part of the family traits as she plays netball in Cardiff and is a member of the Welsh hub team alongside Georgia Jenkins, whose dad Neil is still involved with Welsh rugby after many years of gathering points as an ace place kicker. Howard's other daughter Nicky is also involved because she is the Hon Secretary of the local branch of CF in Cardiff - whilst son Paul helps in any way he can.

Pride and sadness intermingled

Howard is also immensely proud of the fact that Isobel carried the Olympic Torch in 2012 and says that his involvement with Cystic Fibrosis goes back to the time that his late daughter Lynne Shipp was diagnosed with the illness soon after she was born and eventually passed away, aged 30 after being only married from August to November of 2001.

At that time he was captain of Haverfordwest Golf Club and says that Brad Morse, who was his vice-captain, was a marvellous support as Howard's life was turned even further upside down when his wife Carol suffered a fall at home and was paralysed from the neck down.

Back to golf thanks to Richard

"I stopped playing golf then to look after my wife,” said Howard, “which I did until she passed away in 2009, when Richard Brock eventually persuaded me to restart my interest and after beginning off a handicap of 16 I am currently enjoying my golf off 18.

"As a 73 year old I now play for the seniors in the local league at venues as far afield as Glyn Hir, Neath and Carmarthen, although I must admit that I can't hit the ball as far as I used to!"

Dabbled in Cardiff before taking the game up in Haverfordwest

Howard hails originally from Cardiff and he did dabble briefly with golf at Llanishen Golf Club, paying green fees with some pals to hack around the course before he arrived in Neyland in 1975, having stayed in Tenby on holiday and deciding that the fresh air was just what Isobel needed.

He was introduced to Haverfordwest Golf Club by Ian Robertson and Trevor Thompson and took to it straight away.

One failed lesson and some great fun

"I only had one lesson in my life and was told by the frustrated coach that I was doing everything wrong and might like to consider playing another sport.

"But I grafted away and eventually reached my best handicap of six, winning a couple of club competitions, including a pairs’ tournament with well-known local footballer Dekker Thomas.

"I was delighted when I was captain that the club reached the finals of the Welsh team championship at Rogerstone in Gwent, with players of the calibre of Paul 'Reload' Davies and Mark Owens in the side - but then I stopped playing for almost a decade.

Played football and snooker in his spare time . . .

Outside of his golf, Howard has also enjoyed a rich and varied leisure time, playing Welsh League football as a centre half with Sully United, and in the Cardiff League with Llanishen Wanderers and Whitchurch.

He was also a more than useful surfer and used every chance to visit the Gower Peninsula and local venues like Freshwater West and Newgale in his old Volkswagon camper van!

Not content with that little lot, Howard also plays snooker for the British Legion B team in Milford Haven after a number of years alongside Richard Brock, Dai Thomas, Bill Jones, Graham King and Gary Thomas with Neyland's A team.

"I was league chairman for 12 years,” Howard told us, “working with Al Gordon, Ian Ashworth and Malcolm King and I still look forward to Monday nights at the snooker."

. . .  And made good music too!

Music was Howard's other love and he was the base player in bands like 'The Chevrons' and 'Roundabout' which appeared on the old TWW television channel and as the support group for some well-known acts on the club circuit around Cardiff and Newport.

But now it is golf that occupies much of Howard's spare time and he plays two or three times a week, putting up with Jeff Button's leg-pulling that he is a fair-weather hacker who should have doors and windows on his buggy, which should also be fitted with a coffee-making machine and a small bar!

Claimed a hole in one – twice!

Howard has twice achieved a hole in one, the first time on the par-three sixth hole in Haverfordwest and more recently on the par-three tenth hole at Milford Haven - and on each occasion it cost him the traditional bottle of whisky for others to celebrate his feat!

Howard has helped organise a 'Texas Scramble' in 1994 at Haverfordwest which helped raise plenty of cash for Cystic Fibrosis where Owen Money, who was an old friend from when he was with the 'Bystanders' in a rival group, brought along a team from Neath Golf Club.

But now it is all systems go for this latest venture and as Jeff Button told us,
"Howard Webber is a genuine friend and we are delighted to help him raise fund for a charity which has meant so much to him for so long - and we hope we will get the terrific support he deserves."

We can only echo that fact and wish such a modest and genuine character like Howard a day to remember which greatly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust!