Of the three major amateur events in North Wales golf, the Aberconwy Trophy, similar to the Clwyd Championship, is played over seventy two holes using two golf courses. The third event, the Harlech Gold Cross is naturally played only on that links course.
Conwy and Maesdu are the chosen courses for this event and have enjoyed merit award status just as does the Clwyd and the Gold Cross. With weather blustery across the Conwy links, Jason Shufflebotham of Prestatyn golf club handed in a 70 for the morning round followed by a 72 for a 142 total on the first day. Alyn Torrence of the Plassey was one of three players close behind in the morning with 74’s, the nearest that anyone got to Jason’s score, with Rod Fieldhouse of Wrexham lurking immediately behind with a 75.
Jason’s afternoon 72 was equalled by Rod, but Alyn slid to an 81 which belied his good striking on the day.
With the move across the Conwy estuary to Maesdu, expectations were high as the weather improved as the day progressed. Jason’s morning concluded with a 76 with Rod gaining three strokes on him with a 73 whereas Alyn recovered his composure to card a 74 but the best morning round went to Mark Phillips of Prestatyn with a 70.
With all to play for over the closing eighteen holes, Jason managed a windswept 74 to Rod’s 73 with Alyn coming alive with an excellent 69, a score only equalled by Oliver Baker of Ludlow throughout the day.
The final results indicated a one stroke win for Jason on 292 with Rod on 293 and Lee Jones of Conwy in third place on 296. Torrence finished on 298 with the certain thought that his 81 at Conwy had scuppered his chances despite otherwise playing excellent golf.
Jason has now finished seventh in the Clwyd against Alyn’s second equal place with Billy Mills of Ludlow, all accumulated points going towards the Order of Merit for 2011.
The selection process for the Home Internationals now kicks into gear with Nigel Edwards and his committee at the Golf Union of Wales offices in Newport looking to select the team to travel to County Sligo, Ireland, in August.
Nearer home, and standards that most of us can better identify with, Wrexham golf club hosted events last week which included the Ladies’ GUW and Coronation medals competition. The silver division went to Janet Brand with 86 – 14 – 72 from second placed Carole Jones who handed in 91 – 19 – 72.
The Bronze division was won by Lucy Jones with 96 – 28 – 69 followed by Andrea Vaughan Smith on 91 – 21 – 70.
Now Lucy is still in the junior section of the club and gained recognition by winning the Welsh final of Wee Wonders when just an eight year old, and then travelled to St Andrews for the national final where she preformed admirably. Her score of net 68 was sufficient to win the Coronation medal from the twenty four ladies who contested the event.
Just this last Tuesday, Lady Captain, Mrs. Janet Brunyee held her Lady Captain’s Day when sixty two ladies played in the event. The competition proper resulted in a win for Mrs. Bea Evans who handed in 39 Stableford points, just beating Mrs. Marlene Willetts on the back nine holes.
The more mature ladies played the back nine holes only which resulted in a win for Mrs. Mary K Jones with 17 points from Mrs. Dot Bostock on 16.
The Silver division went to Marlene as a result of her 39 points followed by Jean Jones with 35 and Helen Milner on 35 also.
The Bronze division was won by Pat Purdy with 38 followed by Mary Clarke on 34 and Angela Miller on the same numbers.
The junior girls played a putting competition which was won by Ellie Waters and the eighteen holes by Lucy Jones with a nett 71.
The Junior medal took place last Sunday with a win for Robert Keenan on 95 – 28 – 67 followed by Lewis McKenzie on 89 – 20 – 69. The division one winner was Matthew Waters with 82 – 13 – 69, Robert playing of course in the second division.
Becky Darlington scored 109 – 43 – 66 to win that division from Roberts with Lucy again featuring with her score of 99- 28 – 71.
The June midweek medal for men witnessed a win in the first division for Mike Hammer with 72 – 7 – 65. He in turn was followed by Chris Marsden on 72 – 3 – 69 and then Andrew Ward with 74 – 5 – 69.
The second division featured a win for Cliff Hopley on 74 – 9 – 65 followed by Paul Harry on 77 – 10 – 67 and then Tony Brunyee who handed in 80 – 12 – 68.
Steve McKevitt continued his run of good golf by winning the third division with 79 – 13 – 66, a score replicated by Martin Davies who handed in 84 – 18 – 66, and then Darren Wood with 83 – 15 – 68.
Division four went to Ben Bignall who was in the winning team in the recently held Eisteddfod Am Am. On this occasion he scored 85 – 23 – 62 for the lowest net score of the day and a handicap reduction of three strokes. Second came Glyn Hughes with 88 – 21 – 67 followed in turn by Frank Maddocks on 88 – 21 – 67 also.