Amy Boulden wins Ladies European Tour’s OMEGA Rookie of the Year Prize

Amy Boulden capped her first season as a professional by winning the Ladies European Tour’s OMEGA Rookie of the Year prize.

The 21-year-old from Llandudno in Wales led the rookie rankings heading into the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters, the final tournament of the 2014. With her tied 24h place finish, she held off the challenge of her nearest rivals, Sally Watson of Scotland and Nicole Broch Larsen from Denmark, to earn a beautiful OMEGA Speedmaster chronograph with a white mother-of-pearl dial, a diamond-paved bezel and a white leather strap.  

“It’s been a really great first season on the Ladies European Tour,” said Boulden, who won the Association Suisse de Golf Ladies Open on the LET Access Series in May.

“It was one of my goals from when I turned pro, to win Rookie of the Year.  I thought it was going to be quite tough this year not having a full card.  I wasn't sure how many events I was going to be playing in but starting the year well has helped me a lot. It’s a real honour to win and join the prestigious list of former winners, including Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam and Charley Hull.”

Boulden was one of the top performers in 2014 and recorded four top 10 finishes including a second place at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.

She finished third at the Sberbank Golf Masters in the Czech Republic, fourth at the Ladies German Open presented by Marriott and 10^th at the Tenerife Open de España Femenino.

With season’s earnings of €83,982.17, she finished 18^th on the 2014 Order of Merit, five places ahead of the second placed rookie Watson.

The Ladies European Tour congratulates Amy on a fantastic start to her professional career.

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HARRIES HAPPY WITH PING TITLE

Haverfordwest's Becky Harries is looking forward to a winter of hard work building on her success winning the Golf Union of Wales Ping Order of Merit for the first time – after three years as runner-up.

It was fourth time lucky for Harries after finishing behind Amy Boulden for the last three years - but while Boulden is making her way onto the Ladies European Tour, 25-year-old Harries is in no rush to join her in the professional ranks with some more targets in the amateur game first.

Victories in the Tenby Scratch, the stroke play stages of the Welsh Amateur Championship and the West of England Ladies Open, along with a second place at the English Women's Open and runner-up in the Welsh Amateur.

“I have been close to winning the Order of Merit a few times and had some good years, so it is nice to do it this year,” said Harries, who works at Haverfordwest golf club.

“We have just come back from the Home Internationals where we did well until the final game against England, after beating Scotland and Ireland.

“I will have a bit of a break now, but keep practicing through the winter. I do not feel I am ready to turn professional yet.

“You have got to be really good and on top of your game to get somewhere in the professional ranks of women's golf.

“I enjoy what I am doing at the moment, I love playing for Wales and the team events are something special.

“Next year we have the Vagliano Trophy between Great Britain and Ireland and continental Europe, then in two years time there is the Curtis Cup so I have plenty of targets left in the amateur game.”

Harries and Boulden are the only two players to have topped 1,000 points in a season under the current Order of Merit scoring system, with Boulden just coming out on top two years ago.

The Haverfordwest player scored more than 700 points this time round to finish clear of Wrexham's Chloe Williams with Newport's Jess Evans in third.

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Harries claims victory in North Wales

Haverfordwest’s Becky Harries was crowned Welsh Ladies Close Champion at Nefyn on the  Llŷn Peninsula yesterday for the second time in three years.

The 2011 winner lost her title last May to Amy Boulden, but recaptured her crown with a tense 2&1 victory in the final over Wrexham's rising star Chloe Williams.

An overjoyed Harries described herself as “on top of the world” after her triumph, saying: “I am really happy.

“I’ve got a couple of 36-hole tournaments and then it’s the British Amateur coming up in a few weeks. I am really confident going in to that after this week.”

Williams made the better start and won two of the first three holes but then the Haverfordwest star came roaring back, taking five of the next six to turn for home three ahead.

Still three up with five to play, Harries looked on course for a comfortable win but Williams collected back to back birdies to reduce the deficit to one. After halves at the next, Harries eagled the long 17th where she rattled in a 15-foot putt to lift the crown.

"I just kept going when Chloe was in front and believed my chance would come," said the new champion.

Harries had opened her day with a potentially tough semi-final against Cottrell Park’s Gemma Bradbury, who sensationally knocked Curtis Cup winner Boulden out in the quarters the day before, and in the end only a hole separated them.

Williams had made the final thanks to a 3&2 victory over former Welsh international Katherine O’Connor in the semis.

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Golfing gold (and bronze) for Chloe at Youth Olympics

Wrexham’s Chloe Williams starred in a memorable weekend for GB at the Australian Youth Olympics Festival in Sydney, taking bronze individually and forming part of the GB team who took gold – one of the first golf Olympic gold medals for more than 100 years.

Williams had a closing round of 68, sharing the best score of the day, to push her way up the leaderboard into the medal positions, finishing four shots behind Team GB colleague Georgia Hall, who claimed the gold medal.

Australia’s Celina Yuan claimed silver to make it a remarkable family double with her brother Kevin winning the boys event.

Team GB easily won gold by 12 clear shots from Australia, while New Zealand took bronze a further 20 shots adrift. Team GB were captained by Wales' Tegwen Matthews, the victorious Curtis Cup captain.

“This is a great result for Chloe against many of the world’s top amateur golfers, another significant step forward in her progress at the age of 17,” said Ben Waterhouse, the Golf Union of Wales director of performance.

“She left herself a little bit to do in the final round to claim an individual medal, but then she went out and did it, which was a most impressive performance.

“To get an individual bronze is great, but to be part of the team performance which took gold by such a big margin is also a great credit to Chloe – and Tegwen of course, for whom this is another great success following on from her leadership in the Curtis Cup.

Williams had rounds of 74, 69, 75 and that closing 68 at the event, which helped to mark golf’s return as an Olympic event after 109 years.

The sport will return to the Olympics in Rio in 2016 after last being played as part of the Games in 1904, with this event in Australia including 17 sports and being held at many of the venues used for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

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Big night out for Neath after great golf year

AFTER retaining their Glamorgan League crown this year, Neath Golf Club hosts its annual awards night tomorrow with an array of winners being toasted for their successes in 2012.

Prizes for more than 50 competitions are set to be handed out as the club celebrates another fruitful 12 months out on the course.

The most decorated player at the club this year has been Marita Williams, a winner on no fewer than five occasions, including in the President’s Cup, Kate Jones Cup, Hern Salver, Struels Foursomes with Margaret Pile, and the big one, the Club Championship.

She was also runner-up to Kim Lewis in the Gwyn Derby Cup while Maureen Poulton won the Doris Phillips Rose Bowl and finished second in both the Vera Davies Salver and Hern Salver.

Glamorgan County player Craig Melding was among the winners in the men’s section, his victory coming in the President’s Cup. Daniel Davies claimed the Glyn Peters Matchplay Medal and teamed up with Ann Bradley to win the Lyn Owen Mixed Foursomes.

In the juniors there was a trophy treble for Joseph Howe who triumphed in the Edgar Jones Scratch, the Charles Grimley Foursomes alongside Myles Davies, and was the Player of the Year in clinching the Junior Order of Merit.

At Ashburnham, Elwyn Hughes edged the Richard Rowlands Cup by one point from John Beynon with Simon Hill claiming third from Alan Webster on countback.

Rhydian Bowen’s margin of victory in the Junior Boys’ Stableford, however, was far more comfortable. His total of 45 points was six better than closest rival Tomos Davies with Edwards Spencer in third.

Dave Gladwin is the early overall leader in the Derllys Court Seniors’ Winter Eclectic after the second round of competition, won by John Hartley.

Hartley and Ian Robertson both posted 41 points but the former just got the nod on countback while Phillip Jones came in third just one point behind the top two.

A field of 34 men entered the second round and Hartley’s success was largely down to a superb one-over-par gross score of 36 on the back-nine. Despite missing out on the win, Robertson could be comforted by the fact that his second place saw him climb 13 places in the eclectic table.

In the overall standings, Gladwin, with a score of 65, heads Jones, Hartley and Jeff Thomas by four points although it’s still very early days. Gladwin’s steady scoring of 37 and 38 has been the reason for his four-shot lead.

The eclectic scores are very tightly bunched further down the table and as the event continues the higher handicap players should begin to take advantage.

Results

Ashburnham

Richard Rowlands Cup; 1. E. Hughes 41pts, 2. J. Beynon 40, 3. S. Hill 36

Junior Stableford Boys; 1. R. Bowen 45pts, 2. T. Davies 39, 3. E. Spencer 38

Derllys Court

Winter Eclectic 2; 1. J. Hartley 41pts, 2. I. Robertson 41, 3. P. Jones 40

RAF St Athan

Turkey Trot 1 (Texas Scramble); 1. J. Pengelly & S. Hampson net 64.8, 2. M. Edwards & K. Lewis 66.5, 3. B. Hawkins & R. Brookes 66.5

Individual Stableford; 1. C. Sherman 39pts, 2. P. Green 37, 3. K. Bowkett 37

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In-form Thomas celebrates double success at Derllys Court

DERLLYS Court senior Jeff Thomas has been enjoying a real purple patch on the golf course of late with a win double in the last few weeks.

With playing partner Ian Robertson, Thomas won the final of the club’s Seniors’ Pairs Knockout Cup then took first place in the rain-delayed opening instalment of the Winter Eclectic.

Thomas needed countback to claim that event after he and Dave Gladwin both recorded stableford scores of 38 points. There was also a titanic struggle for third but in the end Wynne Evans took it over Meirion Evans and Brian Newcombe, also on countback.

Prior to that, Thomas and Robertson were the only Derllys Court pair to win their game in the rearranged match at Trefloyne before they took on favourites John Hartley and Roger Horsfall in the finale of the Pairs Knockout Cup.

The first three holes were halved then Thomas and Robertson won the fourth and they kept their lead until the par-five 15th when a Horsfall birdie levelled the encounter. It was perhaps appropriate that the match should go to extra holes given there was little to choose between the pairings.

They still couldn’t be separated after the first but, with both teams hitting the green on the short par-three second, Hartley missed the cup by a matter of inches and had to watch as Thomas, whose red-hot form with the putter had kept him and Robertson in it throughout, sank a 20-footer to clinch the trophy.

Meanwhile, at Langland Bay, Simon Hughes and Andrew Jones teamed up to win the 4BBB Stableford but only on countback from Peter Lewis and Tim Padfield. Both pairs returned to the clubhouse with 42 points while Dave Norton and Stephen Rees were third with 40.

More than 50 players took part in the White Box Medal at Southerndown and it was James Hunt who made the most of the calm weather to emerge victorious with a net round of 69. The 12-handicapper won by one stroke from Matthew Williams.

Williams took second from Gavin Embling courtesy of a better back-nine after both had posted rounds of 70. Phil Williams was a shot further back in fourth.

Colin Rumbelow, captain at The Grove, held his rescheduled Away Day at Radyr with support from 35 club members. Brian Rees was the overall winner of matters out on the course with a total of 45 points, three better than runner-up Norman Rand.

Also at The Grove, Scott Jones just edged the latest Leon Warne Order of Merit event with a stableford score of 41 points. Terry Thomas had to settle for second on 40 and Ricci Burton was third with 38.

One point was also the difference between first and second place in the Ladies’ Coracle Shield at Carmarthen which was claimed by Jennifer Lewis and Sheila Neate with 34 points. Ann Heath and Susan Saunders were second and Patricia Langley and Olive Lloyd made up the top three on 31.

Results

Carmarthen

Ladies’ Coracle Shield; 1. J. Lewis & S. Neate 34pts, 2. A. Heath & S. Saunders 33, 3. P. Langley & O. Lloyd 31

Derllys Court

Seniors’ Winter Eclectic 1; 1. J. Thomas 38pts, 2, D. Gladwin 38, 3. W. Evans 37

Seniors’ Pairs Knockout Cup; J. Thomas & I. Robertson beat J. Hartley & R. Horsfall on 2nd extra hole

Langland Bay

4BBB Stableford; 1. S. Hughes & A. Jones 42pts, 2. P. Lewis & T. Padfield 42, 3. D. Norton & S. Rees 40.

Southerndown

White Box Medal; 1. J. Hunt net 69, 2. M. Williams 70, 3. G. Embling 70

The Grove

Leon Warne OOM 4; 1. S. Jones 41pts, 2. T. Thomas 40, 3. R. Burton 38

Captain’s Away Day; 1. B. Rees 45pts, 2. N. Rand 42

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Rain can't dampen spirit of Derllys Court seniors

THE wet weather put paid to Derllys Court senior section’s Away Day at The Grove near Porthcawl but they weren’t going to let a bit of rain ruin their chances of playing some golf.

The 22 members who weren’t able to take to the seaside course returned home and got together to organise a hastily-arranged day of competitions.

In the team event, where the best two stableford scores on each hole would count, a four-ball of Chris Palmer, Peter Jones, Ian Robertson and Winston John recorded 84 points to triumph, one ahead of the trio of John Hartley, Barry Woodford and Clive Jones.

Hartley’s excellent 38 points earned him first place in division one (handicaps of 17 and below) of the individual event with Dave Wood taking second place. Chris Cousins and Phil Jones secured first and second respectively in division two.

The seniors were thankful for a break in the rain to enjoy their first visit as a team to Glyn Abbey. The visitors’ most successful partnership was Roy Gallop and Brian Newcombe. who played consistently and kept two balls in play on most holes for a deserved 5&4 victory.

The pairing of Clive Allman and Phil Rogers had a remarkable round against one lone Glyn Abbey member who got off to a rapid start to go 4up after four holes. Not to be dismayed, the visiting pair slowly fought back and an excellent back-nine saw them record a tremendous 3&2 win.

Unfortunately, these two wins and two halved matches was all the visitors could manage and they ended up losing the match 6-3.

The rain did, however, force the postponement of the first week of the Winter Eclectic which will now be played next Tuesday.

In a rearranged Channel League fixture, Glamorgan captain Ian Flower took a young side to St Enodoc to take on hosts Cornwall. After a couple of tight games just went the way of the home side Glamorgan trailed 3.5-1.5 after the morning foursomes.

The afternoon again saw a number of tight finishes with both sides sharing the spoils courtesy of two 1up wins. Five singles successes each wasn't quite good enough and the visitors went down 8.5-6.5 but Glamorgan juniors Delon Hau, Oliver Dickson and Tim Harry all returned victories in impressive performances.

Norma Barber and Kath Evans teamed up to win the Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes at Southerndown with a stableford score of 33 points. Judi Pickard and Amy Watkins were second on 31 with Chris Evans and Chris Gwilliam third.

Also at Southerndown, James Hunt’s net round of 69 was just good enough to take the White Box Medal, one stroke clear of Matthew Williams and Gavin Embling.

Gareth Davies needed countback to beat John Howell to the Past Captains Gold Medal at Ashburnham after both recorded a score of 42 points. Shane Davies, on 41, was a close third.

The Winter League at Carmarthen is up and running and it was Chris Pither with 40 points who took first place. He edged out Huw Smith by one point with Len Davies third on 35.

A fantastic 44 points saw Peter Moroney claim the Knights Roy Griffiths Cup with Ian Griffiths second on 42 and Martin Richards third with 40.

Results

Ashburnham

Past Captains Gold Medal; 1. G. Davies 42pts, 2. J. Howell 42, 3. S. Davies 41

Carmarthen

Winter League 1; 1. C. Pither 40pts, 2. H. Smith 39, 3. L. Davies 35

Knights Roy Griffiths Cup; 1. P. Moroney 44pts, 2. I. Griffiths 42, 3. M. Richards 40

Langland Bay

Monthly Medal; (div one) 1. A. Thomas 77-10=67, 2. D. Allnatt 81-12=69, 3. Ad. Kamil 78-8=70, (div two) 1. A. Marchant 83-18=65, 2. A. Ballantine 81-15=66, 3. P. Matthews 84-16=68, (div three) 1. M. Rees 86-19=67, 2. Al. Kamil 100-24=76, 3. M. Hollyman 97-19=78

Southerndown

Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes; 1. N. Barber & K. Evans 33pts, 2. J. Pickard & A. Watkins 31, 3. C. Evans & C. Gwilliam 28

White Box Medal; 1. J. Hunt 81-12=69, 2. M. Williams 78-9=70, 3. G. Embling 79-9=70

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Captains' Days at The Grove produce some great golf

COLIN Rumbelow and Shirley Isaacs, Captain and Lady Captain at The Grove, have had a busy few weeks as their year in both roles begins to wind down.

Firstly, Rumbelow’s Captain’s Day took place at the club with a number of individual and team competitions producing some eye-catching performances.

In the singles stableford, Mark Gordon’s 42 points saw him claim first place in the section for players with handicaps from scratch to nine. Norman Rand was runner-up with 40 points.

A better back-nine gave Joe Muir the edge over Les Fitzgerald in the 10-18 category after both men had recorded 39 points. It was more comfortable in the 19-28 section where David Williams beat namesake Dennis with 37 points to 33.

One point was the difference in the Ladies’ event as Cheryl Western (35) finished just ahead of Heather Davies.

In the team-of-three contest, Ken Bale, Ken Godwin and Ian Thomas won by the narrowest of margins from Wayne Morgan, Stuart Hodgson and Keith Richards. The winners totalled 98 points to their rivals’ 97.

Neil Summers, John Williams, Vince Laing and Stuart Mason combined to triumph in the team-of-four competition but again it was a close run thing. Their 142 points was just one more than that of Don Knight, Norman Williams, Jeff Waite and Norman Rand.

Two points further back in third was the quartet of Alan Cole, Cheryl Western, Steve Matthews and Luke Evans.

The Lady Captain’s Away Day was held at Greenmeadow where Jackie Sexton, Lynda Dacey, Mel Williams and Vicky Ford won the par-three competition.

Sheila Stubbs and Sue Bishop were the putting queens and Faye Ashman was nearest the pin with Ann Bevan second. There was more success for Bishop as 36 points gave her victory in the stableford while Frances Robertson edged out Jayne Weston for second.

Also at The Grove, club captain Colin Rumbelow and vice-captain Karl Murray went head-to-head in the Founders Cup with teams of 14 taking on each other in fourballs, greensomes and singles matches.

Murray’s men took the fourballs 4-3 only for Rumbelow’s team to level the match by winning the greensomes by the same scoreline. And in a very close finish, the captain saw his side triumph 7.5-6.5 to clinch the cup 14.5-13.5.

The Lyn James Cup at Carmarthen had to be replayed after it was abandoned the first time around with a third of the field unable to complete 18 holes due to the adverse weather.

Mathew Pither, who had originally shot a net round of 73 was thankful for the delay as at the second time of asking he went six better, registering 67 to win by one from John Dive with Peter Williams third a single stroke back again.

Jane Lindquist and Jennifer Williams combined to win the WWLGU Jubilee Foursomes with a net round of 79, beating Sheila Neate and Sheila Reed-Smith by one shot. Jean Barratt and Jennifer Lewis were third.

Results

Carmarthen

WWLGU Jubilee Foursomes; 1. J. Lindquist & J. Williams net 79, 2. S. Neate & S. Reed-Smith 80, 3. J. Barratt & J. Lewis 80

Lyn James Cup; 1. M. Pither net 67, 2. J. Dive 68, 3. P. Williams 69

The Grove

Founders Cup; Captain’s Team 14.5pts Vice-Captain’s Team 13.5pts

Lady Captain’s Away Day Stableford; 1. S. Bishop 36pts, 2. F. Robertson 29, 3. J. Western 29

Captain’s Day Singles Stableford; (0-9 Hcap) 1. M. Gordon 42pts, 2. N. Rand 40, (10-18 Hcap) 1. J. Muir 39, 2. L. Fitzgerald 39, (19-28 Hcap) 1. Da. Williams 37, 2. De. Williams 33, (Ladies) 1. C. Western 35, 2. H. Davies 34

Captain’s Day Team-of-four; 1. N. Summers, J. Williams, V. Laing & S. Mason 142pts, 2. D. Knight, N. Williams, J. Waite & N. Rand 141, 3. A. Cole, C. Western, S. Matthews & L. Evans 139

Captain’s Day Team-of-three; 1. K. Bale, K. Godwin & I. Thomas 98pts, 2. W. Morgan, S. Hodgson & K. Richards 97

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Williams lands double at Carmarthen Finals weekend

AS many as 13 trophies were handed out at Carmarthen last weekend as the West Wales club held its two-day finals extravaganza.

With men’s, ladies’, mixed and junior competitions taking place no fewer than 18 members got their hands on some silverware with Tom Williams the only golfer to taste victory twice.

On his own, Williams won the McGarvie Cup with a one-hole victory over Chris Reynolds and teamed up with Ian Elias, who lost the Gog Cup to Meirion Griffiths by the same margin, to claim the T S Davies Cup.

Williams was denied a treble when Chris Reynolds and Alan Williams defeated him and Elias to take the Iori Jenkins Cup with a commanding 5&4 triumph.

In the Ladies’ section, Ann Morris had the better of namesake Cynthia to clinch the Bertram Rees Cup, also 5&4, while Jean Barratt edged out Anne Ashley-Jones in the Morfudd Lewis Cup.

There were three junior finals and the one singles encounter, the R&S Lindquist Cup, was secured by James Bryan with a 4&3 victory over Jac Price.

Full results of Carmarthen Finals weekend;

Men’s

McGarvie Cup – Tom Williams beat Chris Reynolds 1 up

Mond Cup – Ian Marks beat David Thomas 2&1

J B Arthur Cup – Jason Evans beat Peter Moroney 2&1

Gog Cup – Meirion Griffiths beat Dai Elias 1 up

Iori Jenkins Cup – Chris Reynolds & Alan Williams beat Tom Williams & Ian Elias 5&4

T S Davies Cup – Tom Williams & Ian Elias beat Berian Jones & Chris Jones 5&4

Ladies and Mixed

Bertram Rees Cup – Ann Morris beat Cynthia Morris 5&4

Morfudd Lewis Cup – Jean Barratt beat Anne Ashley-Jones 1up

Ashley-Jones Cup – Sheila Reed-Smith & Carole Fleetwood beat Rebecca Robinson & Jean Barratt 19th

Olgarv Cup – Gwenallt Jones & Anne Williams beat Alun Rees & Edna Morris 6&5

Juniors

R&S Lindquist Cup – James Bryan beat Jac Price 4&3

D Jack Jones Cup – Scott Jones & Jamie Dean beat Sam Harries & Sion Jenkins 5&4

Hill Challenge Cup – Sam Reynolds & Edward Rocke beat Lewis Sizer & Scott Jones 2&1

Three finals are still to be completed, namely the Brigstock Cup between Tony Jones and Matthew Williams, the Rose Bowl between Shan Lewis and Elin Jones and the Old Oak Challenge Cup between Sion Jenkins and Sam Reynolds.

At Ashburnham, Andrea Martin won the Welsh Dragon Brooch with a net round of 82 from Joyce Thomas, who also carded 82. Yvonne Williams shot the lowest gross round and was third two strokes behind.

Also in the Ladies’ section, 42 points gave Sophie Anderson the A & E Charles Cup by one ahead of Eleanor Roberts. Lynette Bassett was third with 39 points.

Stuart Goddard returned with a net 69 to take the Prince of Wales Cup while two-handicap Elliott Anderson, with a gross 72, was the runner-up with Huw Dixon a shot further back.

Two points separated the winner and runner-up in the John Pugh Cup as Roy Jenkins (36) took top honours in front of Alun Clement (34). Alan Webster (32) had to settle for third place. There was an almighty tussle in the Brian Rolfe Cup with the top three home all carding net rounds of 70.

In the end it was Rodney Capron who was awarded the win with Philip Nicholas second and William McAlpine third.

Thirty-two pairs battled it out in the Perry Shield 4BBB Stableford at Southerndown for a top eight finish and a share of the biggest cash prize fund of the year.

Gavin Thomas and Glenn Howells, with an outstanding score of 44 points, were the ones celebrating most at the end of the day as they took the win by two points from Paul Rees and Rhys Thomas.

The seniors at Derllys Court held a special challenge match between two teams led by captain Meirion Evans and vice-captain Chris Palmer.

Evans’s men won the foursomes 13-5 – two points were awarded for a win and one each for a half – and although Palmer’s troops closed the gap in the singles they couldn’t prevent a 32-22 defeat overall.

Results

Ashburnham

Welsh Dragon Brooch; 1. A. Martin net 82, 2. J. Thomas 82, 3. Y. Williams 84

Prince of Wales Cup; 1. S. Goddard net 69, 2. E. Anderson 70, 3. H. Dixon 71

A & E Charles Cup; 1. S. Anderson 42pts, 2. E. Roberts 41, 3. L. Bassett 39

John Pugh Cup; 1. R. Jenkins 36pts, 2. A. Clement 34, 3. A. Webster 32

Brian Rolfe Cup; 1. R. Capron net 70, 2. P. Nicholas 70, 3. W. McAlpine 70

Langland Bay

Charity Single Stableford; 1. N. Hogg 38pts, 2. P. R. Lewis 38, 3. D. Sparks 38

Southerndown

Perry Shield 4BBB Stableford; 1. G. Thomas & G. Howells 44pts, 2. P. Rees & R. Thomas 42, 3. S. Jenkins & A. Finucane 41

Derllys Court

Challenge Match; Captain’s Team 32 Vice-Captain’s Team 22

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Smith and Cole team up to take Mel James Cup

HUW Smith and Rhodri Cole won Carmarthen Golf Club’s prestigious Mel James Cup with a brilliant score of 46 points.

The victory was all the more special for Smith as he had previously played the event alongside his father and was full of praise for young partner Cole.

The parent/adult and junior competition produced some tremendous scoring despite the trickiness of the strict foursomes format.

Joint fifth place went to father and son team Steve and Sean Hazelby together with father and daughter duo Aled and Megan Thomas, both of which scored 39 points. Fourth went to former club champion Tim Jones and his son Rhys with an excellent 42.

Third were Ed Wheeler and Christopher Jones with 43 – Ed had been hoping to follow in the illustrious footsteps of his father Brian who won this event three times.

However, he and Jones were beaten to second by another father and son, Chris and Sam Reynolds, who carded 44 points. Amazingly, that was not enough as Smith and Cole took the title with two points more.

The Pee-Wees event was also keenly fought and the tremendous scoring was as much down to the excellent play of these smaller juniors as the parents themselves. In fourth was Simon Davies and daughter Erin with 24 strokes while Paul Davies and daughter Phoebe were third with 21.

Second place went to the club’s Director of Golf, Darren Griffiths, and son Ollie on 19 but they were pipped by another father and son combination, Steve and Oliver Rees, with just 18 strokes.

The Knights P C Evans Cup was claimed by Chris Smith on countback from Kevin Jones after both had recorded a score of 38 points. Ian Griffiths was third just one point back.

Susan Convery and Julia Webb posted a score of 41 points to clinch the Ladies’ Daily Mail Foursomes, two clear of Ann Bateman and Alison Rees. Elin Jones and Jennifer Williams were third on countback.

Carmarthen will meet Pennard in the semi-finals of the Ping Mixed Foursomes at Neath on October 8 with Woodlake Park taking on Clays in the other last four tie. The two winners then face each other later in the same day.

The first West Wales Golf Alliance meeting of the season at Glynhir had to be cancelled due to a lack of entries. They will try again on October 12 when Cradoc are the hosts.

A gross round of 97 gave 22-handicapper Eleanor Roberts the Breakthrough Brooch and GUW Medal at Ashburnham. Lynette Mortimer was runner-up with a net 78 and Olivia Martin completed the top three on 84.

After just missing out on first place in the last event, Benjamin Sheppard went one better in the latest Junior Medal, coming through to win by five strokes courtesy of a net round of 64. Ben Thomas was the player to finish second this time while Joe Francis took third.

A three-hole play-off was needed to determine Tredegar & Rhymney’s club champion for 2012 after Matthew Trigg, Alun Davies and Darren Sullivan couldn’t be separated at the end of 36 holes.

In the end it was Trigg who prevailed to become the champion with Davies and Sullivan having to settle for second prize.

Results

Ashburnham

Junior Medal; 1. B. Sheppard net 64, 2. B. Thomas 69, 3. J. Francis 72

Breakthrough Brooch & GUW Medal; 1. E. Roberts net 75, 2. L. Mortimer 78, 3. O. Martin 84

Carmarthen

Knights P C Evans Cup; 1. C. Smith 38pts, 2. K. Jones 38, 3. I. Griffiths 37

Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes; 1. S. Convery & J. Webb 41pts, 2. A. Bateman & A. Rees 39, 3. E. Jones & J. Williams 39

Dewstow

Pyman Marsh Bowl; 1. L. Fraser 32pts, 2. J. Sayer 32, 3. K Weare 31

Peglar Cup; 1. D. Pollard 32pts, 2. D. Hudson 28, 3. J. Wood 26

Monmouth

Phil Jones Memorial; 1. B. Kennedy 38pts, 2. B. Hudson 37, 3. M. Ingram 36

Pontypool

Members & Guests 4-Ball Stableford; 1. A. Jenkins & D. Watkins 43pts, 2. S. Jones & J. Hunwood 41, 3. J. Powell & T. Clachan 41

Tredegar & Rhymney

Club Championship; 1. M. Trigg 149, 2. A. Davies 149, 3. D. Sullivan 149

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Ash juniors crowned county champions at Glyn Abbey

ASHBURNHAM’S juniors were crowned Dyfed champions following their victory in the County Championships at Glyn Abbey in the Gwendraeth Valley.

Jake Griffiths clinched the season-long Individual Order of Merit title after shooting gross rounds of 71 and 73 while Edward Beynon Davies narrowly missed out on the Net Trophy, settling for second with scores of 67 and 68.

Welsh Boys international Zac Galliford, from Borth & Ynyslas, won the County title with two brilliant sub-par rounds of 65 and 67.

Ashburnham junior captain Oliver Rumble, who shot a 71 gross in the afternoon round, collected the trophy on behalf of the team which will now represent Dyfed in the all-Wales Finals at Builth Wells in October.

The club’s junior golf organiser Richard Brice was delighted with the team’s success. “The boys were a credit to the Ashburnham Golf Club,”he said. “Developing young talent is very important to us here and we always take great pride in their success.”

The Coracle and Cottle Cups were played for at Carmarthenand there was some good scoring despite the damp conditions. Young Scott Jones produced a fine net 67 to win the Coracle Cup (0-14 handicaps) by two from Tony Fairlamb. Peter Ashley Jones secured third place on 71.

The Cottle Cup (15-28 handicaps) was won by Matthew Pither with a terrific stableford round of 42 points. Martin Richards was runner-up with 39 and Keith Elias was third, beating Andy Green on countback after both had scored 38.

After the original competition was called off due to bad weather, Captain’s Ladies’ Day took place and the overall winner was Vicki Thomas with 37 points. Division one was claimed by Shan Lewis (37), Jennifer Williams (36) took first prize in division two and division three was headed by Rebecca Robinson (34).

The Welsh Dragon Brooch, which was run in conjunction with the above competition, was won by Vicki Thomas. Shan Lewis was second and Jennifer Williams took third place.

A two-round total of 140 gave Philip Watts victory in the Gold & Silver Medals by two strokes from Keri Phillips and Ben Thomas, who both carded 142 over 36 holes.

A net round of 72 gave Carole Fleetwood the Ladies’ Ewart Harries Salver ahead of Nora Thomas (74) and Patricia Langley (78).

The RNLI Pairs Cup at The Grove was another close affair with Michael Thomas and Mark Gordon emerging victorious with a score of 44 points. Craig and Geraint Jones were second ahead of Steve and Joe Muir on countback.

Round 12 of the seniors’ Dawn Patrol at Derllys Court couldn’t have been much closer as Phillip Jones and Barry Woodford both carded 36 points to claim 10 league points each. Roger Horsfall and Idwal Thomas were just one point adrift with 35.

Colin Yamin-Ali and Gary Dalton got their months off to a fine start by taking first place in division one and two respectively in the White Box Medal at Southerndown.

Nine-handicapper Yamin Ali shot a net 68 to finish one clear of Richard Jones with Matthew Rees third. Dalton was the clear winner in his division, winning by six from Tony Jones and Matthew Thomas.

Results

Carmarthen

Gold & Silver Medals; 1. P. Watts 140, 2. K. Phillips 142, 3. B. Thomas 142

Ladies’ Ewart Harries Salver; 1. C. Fleetwood net 72, 2. N. Thomas 74, 3. P. Langley 78

Derllys Court

Dawn Patrol; 1. P. Jones 36pts, 2. B. Woodford 36, 3. R. Horsfall 35, 4. I. Thomas 35

Langland Bay

Lee Taylor Cup; 1. C.Williams & J. Hixson 45pts, 2. J. Davies & K. Fletcher 43, 3. J. Noble & P. Jones 42

RAF St Athan

September Medal; 1. C Auterson net 70, 2. R. Morgan 70, 3. S. Wilson 72

Barclays Bank Trophy; 1. K. Bowkett 39pts, 2. P Rees 37, 3. A. Hawkins 37

Southerndown

White Box Medal; (div one) 1. C. Yamin-Ali net 68, 2. R. Jones 69, 3. M. Rees 72, (div two) 1. G. Dalton 69, 2. T. Jones 75, 3. M. Thomas 75

The Grove

RNLI Pairs Cup; 1. M. Thomas & M. Gordon 44pts, 2. C. Jones & G. Jones 42, 3. S. Muir & J. Muir 42

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Moseley makes hay at Carmarthen club championship

MATTHEW Moseley posted the best two-round scratch score to lift the D R Evans Cup at Carmarthen’s Club Championship.

There was some exceptional scoring on the West Wales course with Moseley firing a superb 65 over the morning’s 18 holes then following that up with a 74 in the afternoon.

His total of 139 was four shots better than the next player home which turned out to be Rhys Lindquist, who also broke 70 in the morning with a 69 before matching Moseley after lunch.

Ian Marks took third place with rounds of 74 and 71 for an aggregate score of 145. There was silverware for Lindquist though as he won the Chairman’s Bowl for the best overall net score (135).

Marks was runner-up with 137, six clear of David Thomas (143) in third. Other players to acquit themselves well during the morning round were James MacDonald (net 68), Mick Fenney (69) and Ray Skinner (70). Simon Davies also came in with a net 70 in the afternoon.

Carmarthen’s junior members contested their own Club Championship and Jamie Dean took first prize in the silver section after two great rounds of 67 and 68 for a net total of 135. He beat the McAvoy brothers, Iestyn and Osian, who  finished two shots adrift on 137.

Sean Hazelby also had a fine round on the second day, shooting 67, while Osian McAvoy’s net 63 on day one was the best of the competition and could have been even better had he not finished with a 10 on the final hole.

In the bronze section, Rhys Jones won with his six-under par two-round total, beating Nick Evans by just a single shot. Jordan Evans carded a terrific net 64 on the first day and Nick’s brother Chris fired a 66 on day two.

Iestyn Evans, Jamie Dean, Jordan Evans and Sion Jenkins were once again in the prizes in the EMS Junior Open Day.

St Mary’s held three big finals recently while those not involved took part in a full handicap stableford.

First, Ian Taylor beat Joe Davis to win the Vets Challenge Cup then George Parry was victorious over Phil Banks to lift the Matchplay Knockout Shield.

The third major competition, the Summer Pairs Knockout, was won by Roy Denton and Allan Bennett after they saw off Andrew Lane and Gordon Martin to take first prize.

The stableford was won with 37 points by David Knighton, who edged out Bob Coombes by one with Fred Evans third on 34.


Lynette Bassett and Gethin Davies teamed up to win the Brodie Shields Mixed Foursome at Ashburnham with a combined net round of 74.5, just ahead of Aled and Nia Greville.

A stunning 65 gave Ben Thomas the Junior Medal, his gross score 77 was also the lowest in the event. Jordan Davies (74) was second and Daniel Brice  (77) third while Craig Young edged out Kieran Stephens on countback to claim the Bowen Cup.

Round 11 of the Dawn Patrol Seniors’ League at Derllys Court was clinched by Roger Horsfall with 41 points. Jeff Thomas was next best on 39 with Idwal Thomas making up the top three with 37.

Meanwhile, Richard Bennett was the clear winner of the Bogey Cup at The Grove as Ged Rave took second from Stuart Mason.

Results

Ashburnham

Brodie Shields Mixed Foursome; 1. L. Bassett & G. Davies net 74.5, 2. A. Greville & N. Greville 75.5, 3. E. Roberts & C. Stimson 76.5

Junior Medal; 1. B. Thomas net 65, 2. J. Davies 74, 3. D. Brice 77

Bowen Cup; 1. C. Young 40pts, 2. K. Stephens 40, 3. A. Price 38

Derllys Court

Seniors’ Dawn Patrol; 1. R. Horsfall 41pts, 2. J. Thomas 39, 3. I. Thomas 37

Langland Bay

4BBB Stableford; 1. M. Morgan & R. Hughes 49pts, 2. R. Evans & M. Reeves 43, 3. J. Mullins & P. Williams 43

Monmouth

Sunday Stableford; (div one) 1. B. Kennedy 36pts, 2. B. Hudson 35, 3. R. Williams 33, (div two) 1. S. Meredith 38, 2. A. Ing 36, 3. N. Hollingsbee 35

Pontypool

Harold Russell Cup (Foursomes Medal); 1. G. Doughty & C. Arnold net 66.5, 2. H. D’Urso & S. Hewitt 67.5, 3. A. Jenkins & D. Williams 68.5

Mixed Rosebowl; 1. A. Bridges & M. Bridges 28pts, 2. J. Kendall & M. Williams 28

The Grove

Bogey Cup; 1. R. Bennett 6up, 2. G. Rave 3up, 3. S. Mason 2up

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Lydia Hall wins ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters

Lydia Hall clinched her maiden win in dramatic style as she came from two shots behind to take the inaugural ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club in England on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Welshwoman, who held a share of the lead after day one, shot rounds of 66, 71 and 72 for a fantastic seven under par 54-hole total. She sealed a one stroke victory over Beth Allen of the United States in glorious conditions at the stunning parkland course, which was hosting the tournament for the first time.

“I’m over the moon, obviously,” said Hall. “I’ve been waiting to win a tournament for the last five years since I came on tour. I came in close at Q School and it’s been a while. I’ve done well in Dubai the last few years but obviously today was one of my first experiences of final group and all of the pressures that come with that.”

It was a double success for the town of Bridgend, home to Hall and her experienced Tour caddie Lee Griffiths, who was on the bag for the first time.

“It was good to have Lee on the bag who is experienced as he kept me calm and focused throughout the round,” Hall said.

Griffiths, who has worked for the likes of international players such as Melissa Reid and Anja Monke, commented: “We are both from Bridgend. I played all my golf as a kid with Lydia’s coach so we go way back, myself and John Peters. John has always told me, he said, ‘big man, you could do a job for Lydia one day’ and it happened this week.

“It’s the first time I’ve worked for a Welsh girl. The Taffy were in operation today. I’m made up for her because she’s been knocking at the door for some time.”

Hall started out two behind the overnight leader, Ashleigh Simon, her partner in the last pairing, but had moved one clear of the field after three birdies in her first 11 holes, at the second, ninth and 11^th.

After striking a beautiful approach shot to around a foot at the par-four 11^th, Hall endured a mid-round crisis as she pulled her tee shot left at the par-three 12^th and duffed a chip from the rough resulting in a double bogey five.

She then found the left jungle on 13 and had to hack out, dropping another shot there. Allen moved two shots clear with a birdie on 14 after getting up and down from the bunker, but after a 10 minute wait on the tee, Hall felt mentally prepared to start again.

At the par-five 14^th, she played a beautiful chip to around a foot from the hole and sank the birdie putt to stay one behind.

It was at the par-four 17^th where the drama unravelled. Allen was a stroke clear with two holes to go and played her tee shot safely to the fairway, rather than taking on the water to go for the green. After hitting her second shot into the bunker, she opted to take a penalty drop because the ball was completely imbedded and from there she hit her ball around 20 feet past the flag and three-putted for a triple bogey seven to drop two behind Hall.

After watching the drama from the 17^th tee, Hall confidently drove her ball over the lake, 244 yards to the front edge of the green and three putted for a solid par to stay two clear with a hole to play.

At the par-three 18^th, Hall’s ball came to rest around 35 feet shot of the hole and her second putt hit the edge of the hole, but luckily a bogey was enough to seal the win and take home the £45,000 first prize.

Hall’s father, Wayne, a former Welsh rugby international and family, were on hand to witness the spectacle.

“Absolutely fantastic, really great,” said Wayne. “The effort and determination that Lydia has shown since she was a kid has been absolutely fantastic. It’s only something she deserves.

“We are really proud of her as a family. We’ve been waiting the last 13 years for her to win, a big win, anyway. For a Welsh girl to come to England and win is even better.”

Allen was obviously left disappointed having come so close to her maiden tour win with rounds of 68, 69 and 73, but she finished alone in second, with six players in a share of third place a stroke back on five under par.

They included English duo Trish Johnson and Henrietta Zuel, South African Stacy Lee Bregman, Australian Rebecca Artis, Swede Mikaela Parmlid and Simon, with Norwegian Caroline Martens and Denmark’s Lisa Holm Sorensen a stroke further back in a share of ninth on four under par.

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Young gun Bryan takes Carmarthen Junior title

JAMES Bryan fired a terrific two-round total of 137 to win the Junior Club Championship at Carmarthen in style.

Scores of 67 and 70 gave Bryan the title, a full seven strokes clear of second-placed Tom Hughes, who carded rounds of 69 and 74.

Kieran James was a further five shots adrift in third with a 36-hole total of 149 following rounds of 76 and 73.

There was no doubting who the winner was though and the victory was just reward for Bryan after a consistent season to date has seen his handicap drop from 22 to 14.

Meanwhile, Jamie Dean beat Osian McAvoy to win the red tees event and Rhys Jones overcame Nicholas Evans in the blue tees competition.

The Blenheim Cup attracted another big field and division one honours went the way of David Thomas, who won on countback from Peter Williams after both had scored a net 67. Eirian Evans was third on 73.

Division two was headed by Steffan Griffiths, also with a net 67, with Chris Jones taking second with a round of 70. Eirwyn Roberts was the best of three golfers on 71 to claim third place.

Jimmy Myo won division three courtesy of a net 70, one stroke in front of Tony Hurd and three clear of Kevin Jones. Thomas won the Cup on countback from Williams and Griffiths.

The Ladies Captain’s Day raised more than £300 for charity and produced some good scores on the course too. Elin Jones won division one an excellent 39 points from Ann Morris, who was the best of four golfers on 31.

In division two, Susan Saunders won with 36 points with Sheila Reed-Smith the runner-up on 32 and in the third division, Lowri Thomas produced an amazing round to win with 47 points with Eleanor Goodman second on 38. Olive Lloyd won nearest the pin and Sheila Reed-Smith won nearest the line.

The third and final round of the Seniors W L Davies competition was won by Simon Barratt with 39 points. Keith Howells was runner-up on 38, just edging out Mervyn Lewis over the back nine.

This means Barratt wins the Cup with the best two-round score of 77 points. Mick Fenney (76) and Tim Harries (75) made up the top three.

The Ladies President’s Day saw Ruth James win division one from Edna Morris. Lorna Rice beat Sheila Reed-Smith in division two and Anne Williams beat Brenda Nolan in the third.

Williams won nearest the pin and Ann Morris took nearest the line while £250 was raised for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Members at Southerndown finally had the chance to play golf in some nice weather with the scoring reflecting the fine conditions. Matthew Little carded an excellent 39 points to claim victory in division one of the White Box Stableford. Matthew Rees registered 38 to come a close second.

In division two there were some equally impressive scores as Andrew Finucane sealed victory with 39 points and Jonathan Hughes came second with 38.

Results

Derllys Court

Club Stableford; (div one) 1. R. Thomas 40pts, 2. M. Sillars 39, 3. P. Davies 37, (div two) 1. G. Jones 42, 2. P. Evans 41, 3. C. Morshead 41, (div three) 1. A. Jones 39, 2. R. Bowen 35, 3. W. Davies 34

Langland Bay

4BBB Medal; 1. J. Bolter & M. Reeves 64, 2. D. Allnutt & R. Gallagher 65, 3. A. Evans & N. Gorvett 66

Southerndown

White Box Stableford; (div one) 1. M. Little 39pts, 2. M. Rees 38, (div two) 1. A. Finucane 39, 2. J. Hughes 38

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