He won by ten strokes from some of the best in the principality and elsewhere and won again for good measure in 2010.

Last Sunday, now seventeen, Rhys Pugh wrote himself a chapter in the history of the Walker cup by being the youngest player in both sides competing in the event, and won three points out of three with supreme confidence and suitable modesty. When interviewed by Hazel Irvine for the B.B.C coverage of the event from Royal Aberdeen, Rhys was almost embarrassed at his own success as he replied to her questions.

The first day foursomes did not include Rhys, but he played in the afternoon singles, the Sunday morning foursomes and the final afternoon singles winning all three encounters with steady golf and mastery of extreme conditions that belied his tender years.

Welsh golf is in good hands!

Nearer home, Clays golf club played their Shop Sunday Stableford event on 4^th September which resulted in a win for club captain Reg Peacock with 41 points from second placed David Riley on 40 and then Josh Green on 37.

The Junior September medal went to George Preston with 94 – 36 – 58 followed in turn by James Lee, 74 – 9 – 65 and Matthew Bate on 99 – 33 – 66.

The Seniors’ September medal was played through two handicap divisions with the lower division going to Ray Martin on 80 – 9 – 71 with Dave Lambert following close in arrears with 84 – 13 – 71, the players being ranked only on the manner in which they scored on the back nine holes of play. Don Wraight was in third place with 82 – 10 – 72.

The second, higher division featured a win for Mike Hollings on 88 – 22 – 66 with Neil Sanger in second place with 88 – 21 – 67 and Brian Mercer third with 91 – 23 – 68.

Past captain Mike Copperwheat involved himself in an Eclectic competition which this year, to date, has Andrew Mitchell leading with 65 – 7 – 58 followed by David Lambert on 65 – 7 – 58 and Bill Kelleher with 68 – 7 – 61.

Last Saturday the Clays Captains’ Charity Day took place at the club in the form of a pairs event with a separate par three competition where both scores counted. Winners of the par three competition were Lawrence Highton and Rob Brown with 14 points.

The overall winners of the main event were Bill Kelleher and Keith Jones with 45 points, a single point ahead of runners up Ricky Comber and Stu Woolrich on 44.

Nearest the pin on the fifth hole was Jack Rycroft.

An auction of promises was held during the prize presentation which raised over £1000 which brought the total amount for the day for the nominated charities (Family Friends, Home Start and Cancer Research) to more than £4200. Captains Reg Peacock and Diane Dare thanked all the players, sponsors, players and auction bidders for their contributions in making this an enjoyable day which had been so beneficial to their charities.

In the meantime, Wrexham hosted their September medal which featured an overall win for past captain Fred Whitehead with 87 – 21 – 66. He was hotly pursued by Llew Vaughan Humphreys on 82 – 15 – 67, a score replicated by Robert P Williams with exactly the same numbers but ranked on the back nine holes scores.

Matthew Roberts secured fourth place with 77 – 9 – 68 with Alyn Torrence in fifth position with 68 – 0 – 68 and a handicap on now +0.6.

Junior Captains day witnessed a best gross for India Friswell with a 73 whist the boy’s prize winner was Rob Keenan on net 64 from Sam Postle as runner up on 65.

Six handicap Jessica Jones took the girls prize with net 70 from Ellie Waters on 76.

The forthcoming Inter County championships takes place at Borth and Ynyslas next Sunday with five of the six selected Denbighshire players coming from the ranks of the Wrexham elite.

Kevin Matthias, Alyn Torrence, Rod Fieldhouse, Ashley Griffiths and Jamie Durkin will be joined by Josh Lloyd of the Abergele club for a practice round on Saturday 17^th and then two medal rounds on Sunday. We wish them well.

Finally this week the Ladies medal final resulted in a win for Jean Jones with net 73 from runner up Mary Bainbridge on net 75.

The Ladies’ Stableford final went to Kath Norman with 36 points followed by Bea Evans on 31.

Wednesday this week, Padeswood and Buckley golf club host the final of the national Centenary Foursomes for ladies with competitors from all over Wales contesting the event. Hopefully the weather will have calmed down a little to produce pleasant playing conditions.

A few years ago Darren became a gymaholic and as slim as a whip, highlights in his hair, and the epitome of the modern golfer. His recent return to normality has seen a huge change for the better in his personality and his appeal has broadened as a result.

We can all identify with a man who can certainly play a bit, celebrate a bit, and gains pleasure from a crafty cigarette on alternate tees, but plays with the steadiness that we all aspire to when the chips are down.

A people’s champion if ever I saw one, and very well deserved.

Meanwhile, local golf continues despite the distractions of the television game, and Clay’s golf club held their joint captains’ day for Captain Reg Peacock and Lady Captain, Diane Dare last Saturday with over one hundred and sixty players competing in support of their officers. A few short showers flurried through the day but nothing serious enough to hinder progress in the Stableford competition off full handicap with a morning and afternoon competition with shotgun starts.

The evening presentation in the clubhouse was accompanied by a sit-down meal and entertainment by a local group called “Five past Forty”.

Winner of the Captains prize was Richard Edwards with 44 points from Steve Parry, 40, and Andy Evans with 38. Prizes were also awarded to the best non-prizewinning score and the recipients were Ian Stent in the morning and Graham Davidson-Clarke in the afternoon.

The Lady Captain’s prize went to Jo Beddows with 39 points followed by India Friswell, 37 and Ellen Mostyn with 34.

The straightest drive on the third hole was won by Ellen Mostyn and Ian Samuels; nearest the pin in two strokes on the eleventh was won by Gareth Parry, and the ladies nearest the pin on the fifth hole went to Ladies’ Vice Captain, Anne Lee and in the mens’ event, Junior Captain Patrick McHugh.

Best junior was Jack Roycroft and best senior, Bill Kelleher, and the best visitors were Bill Robinson and Jilly Law from Ruthin – Pwllglas.

The Seniors played an individual Stableford last Tuesday which featured a win for Andrew Mitchell with 39 points on  a count back from Mike Drake with Peter Almond in third place with 38, a score replicated by Lou Bush for fourth place and Brian Mercer who was fifth.

On the same day Clays seniors had a home match against Aldersley Green and won by

7½ to 2½      

The Shop Bogey played on July 9^th witnessed a good day for David Lang with a score of +6 against Bogey with Gareth Whitley on +5 and David Abell on a similar score.

The Seniors Kitty competition played last Thursday as a three ball competition was won by Gordon Roberts, Cliff Davies and Neil Sanger with a cumulative score of 81 points. Second came Peter Almond, Bill Parry and Andrew Mitchell with 78 followed by our press officer Derek Lyon accompanied by Steve Monk and Harold Hughes with 77.

Meanwhile the Vale of Llangollen veterans had a slightly off day when playing the first round of the Coleman Trophy at Mile End golf club. They left themselves with a metaphoric mountain to climb by losing the match by nine games to one.

Wrexham hosted the Crowe and Leader Cups competition just over a week ago which featured a win for Stuart James Woolrich with 73 – 12 – 61. Due to the fact that he was not a previous Honours Board winner, he scooped the both trophies despite a good score from Leader runner up Sean Price with 81 – 18 – 63. J Peet was runner up in the Crowe Cup with 78 – 13 – 65.

The Ladies’ Invitation Day was won by Jean Sawford with her partner Sue Goodyer with an excellent 45 points followed by Dorne Tym and Lou Johnson on 44. Third place went to Janet Brand and Helen Pearson with 44 in an event in which twenty nine teams took part.

The team score was 1½ – 1½   after the first mornings games.

Her afternoon singles found her slightly out of touch and she went down by 6 and 5, her game having slightly lost its edge in all departments, and the first day closing score was

7½ to Europe and 2½ to GB & I.

On day two Chloe again partnered Bronte against the same opponents on a very windy, wet day, and beat them by 6 and 5. For her final outing in the afternoon singles, she played the Spanish U16 girls’ Champion, Harang Lee, and beat her by 2 and 1.

The overall score for the match was Europe, 13; and GB & I 5, with Chloe gaining 2½ points to become joint top points earner with Georgia Hall.

The icing on the cake was Chloe’s interview with the June Welsh Club Golfer magazine that features a prominent amateur each month. Copies are available in clubhouses throughout Wales.

The Wrexham club held their Open week last week commencing with the Junior Centenary trophy. Winner with 96 – 32- 64 was Harry Jones with runner up Chris Tym scoring 79 – 14 – 65.

The Ladies’ Centenary trophy went to Carole Jones with 87 – 19 – 68 from runner up Dorne Tym, Chris’s mum, on 85 – 14 – 71. The thirty three entries produced just one birdie two which went to Gayle Elson.

The Open Am Am attracted a full field and was won by the team comprising Brian Neale Huw Williams, Mike Kagen and Barry Dickenson with a score of 92 points. Second came the ladies team of Gayle Elson, Andrea Vaughan Smith, Jane O’ Sullivan and Jackie Williams on 87. Third came David Nigel Jones, Oscar W. Jones, Rob Huxley and D Jones with 85 and fourth were Keith Miller, Bob Kavanagh, A Jones and R Kavanagh with 84.

The Ladies prize, excepting the runners up, went to L Williams, A Hewitt, M Hughes and L Finlay of the Vale of Llangollen with 78.

The Better Ball Open of Wednesday was open to Mens or Mixed competitors with the former going to Chris Davies and Glyn Williams with 44 points. Second came Jamie Seddon and R Irvine with the best of three 41 point cards and they in turn were followed by S Williams and G Williams with C Chew and S Winter taking fourth place.

The Mixed prizes went to husband and wife duo, Dorne and Jonathan Tym with 41 points followed by Keith and Angela Miller on 40, Reg and Mary Hunter on 38 and H. and G. Smith on a second 38 point card.

The ever popular Seniors Open of the Thursday was won by Mike Verburg and Brian Chaloner with 45 points from second placed Bill Taylor and Tony McCann on the better of three 43 point cards. Third place was obtained by Derek Collis and Gilbert Hunt followed by Brian Bell and Rob Huxley occupying the fourth position.

The best gross went to Mike Norton and Malcolm Sides with a two over par 72.

The Mens’ Centenary Cup was played in conjunction with the July medal and the trophy went to Mark Antony Williams with 70 – 6 – 64 followed by Howard Griffiths with net 67, and then Keith Baines with another 67. Maelor Gittins came fourth with net 68.

Clays golf club played their Ladies Stableford Qualifier last Wednesday which resulted in a win for Anne Richards on 41 points from second placed Rosalind Carman on 32 and Shirley Roberts with 30.

The Tommy Davies Cup went to Mike D Jones with 44 points from Peter Snape, 42; and Robert A. Brown in third place with 41.

The Sunday Shop Stableford went to Josh green with 43 points from second placed Timothy Lloyd on 42 and Neil Lloyd Richards with 41.

Playing in the Seniors’ Hall of Fame Qualifier, Colin Brown led the pack with 45 points from second placed Wyn Williams, co proprietor of Clays, on 40, with Barry K Evans third with another 40 point card

The Shop Saturday Strokeplay went to Rob Condren with 83 – 18 – 65 from Ernest Williams on 82 – 17 – 65 and Jonathan Falcus with 81 – 16 – 65 in third place.

The following day the Shop Stableford featured a win for Clare Broster with 40 points from second placed Stuart Rogers on 39 and David Lang in third place with 38.

Our final contribution this week is offered by Phil Coleman of the Vale of Llangollen Veterans who were successful in beating Hawkestone Park at Llangollen by six matches to four. They have now played ten and won nine for an excellent position to be in mid summer.

In our own modest way, how many times have we been in contention for a club event only to appear powerless as the golfing gods decided that on this occasion, it was not to be?

Only too often do we realize that the more effort we put into the game, the results rarely reflect our anguish as yet again we slump into obscurity and the hope that the next time will be different.

Despite being compulsive viewing, it was really a case of peeking from behind the sofa as his tenth holes descended into what can only be termed farce. For the uninitiated, the tenth is a par four slightly downhill with a right to left swing in the fairway, and Rory’s drive was rather a snatch which resulted in a hook into the lawn in front of the nearby Butler Cabin some sixty yards off line. He then was just able to hit a flat recovery into the fairway leaving some two hundred and sixty yards to the green. A fairway metal soared into the trees some thirty yards left of the green from where his pitch to the green hit another tree before he managed to hole out for seven strokes. Game over!

At just twenty one years of age, he will rise above his disappointment and surely will win a major before too long. We wish him well.

Nearer home, the Vale of Llangollen veterans played the first leg of a two match fixture against Oswestry golf club for the Eifion Davies Memorial Trophy, Eifion being a member of both clubs. Played at Llangollen, the home side won by a margin of 7 ½          to 4 ½ .

The Veterans’ Shield event attracted no less that sixty six competitors and resulted in a win for Malcolm Delaney on 37 Stableford points from second placed John McKay on 37 and then Duncan Rennie with yet another 37. Some work there for the card scrutineer to establish the rank order on the back nine holes.

Meanwhile, Clays members Jo Beddowes, Paul Fell and Andy Evans have achieved success in their various match play rounds of the Golfers Club event held in conjunction with the Daily Telegraph. There were eight other couples in the Northern region area finals and Jo and Paul came first out of the nine with 41 points, Jo finishing with birdies back to back on the 17th and 18^th holes.

They were interviewed by Sky Sports who will be doing the coverage for the final in Dubai in May.

Paul is also in the regional final with Andy in the same competition, and are playing at St Pierre today, Wednesday, as I write. As Paul can only play with one partner his score will count for both cards if required.

The Seniors April medal resulted in a first division win for  M K Jones with net 69 from Tony Martin Owens on 70 and then Bill Hughes on another 70 card. The second division was won by Tom McGrady with a net 67 from Maelor Davies, 71, and Neil Sanger with 73.

The leading players in the Golf Union of Wales team qualifier were Eddie Tudor with 41 points from Colin Bryan on 37 and the n Gareth Roberts with 36.

The Shop Stableford resulted in an overall win for M K Jones on 37 points followed by Justin Bull on 36 and Allan Caples with a similar score.

On Tuesday 5^th April the Wrexham ladies contested their medal and Lifeboat competition which required division winners and an overall winner also. Leading the Silver division was Shirley Williams with net 74 followed by Janet Brand on 75. The Bronze division went the way of Jane O’Sullivan with net 74 with a narrow win over Pat Whitehead on the same numbers. Card scrutiny for the best back nine holes of the three 74 score cards resulted in a decision going to Jane who is the recipient of the Lifeboat prize.

The Captain’s Drive in medal was played for gentlemen through four handicap divisions with Andrew Ward taking the first division with 73 – 6 – 67 followed by Michael Jones on 74 – 7 – 67 and Nathan Phoenix with 72 – 4 – 68.

The second group featured a win for Paul Graham Roberts on 75 – 10 – 65 with Bill Taylor in second place with 79 – 12 – 67 and left hander Colin Walsh in thirds with 80 – 11 – 69.

Brian Forbes took the honours in division three with 85 – 18 – 67 and he was followed by Craig Matthews on 87 – 18 – 69 and then Paul Wyn Jones with 83 – 14 – 69.

The fourth group went to Colin Jones on 89 – 22 – 67 followed by Mark Postle with 91 – 22 – 69 and Ben Bignall on 93 – 23 – 70.

The Junior medal played on the 10^th of the month resulted in a win for Christopher Tym with 78 – 16 – 62 followed by Matthew Waters on 79 – 16 – 63 and Lewis jones who scored 71 – 5 – 66. Jack Waters was in fourth spot with 80 – 14 – 66 with Scott Anderson fifth with 72 – 6 – 66.

The second division was won by Morgan Davies who scored 97 – 32 – 65. Lewis MacKenzie came second on 87 – 21 – 66 from third placed Oliver Green with 103 – 36 – 67, Roberts Keenan, 98 – 28 – 70 and finally Harri Jones with 109 – 36 – 73.

Wrexham staged their qualifying round on the 26^th March and played it as a Stableford scoring event over eighteen holes.

One hundred and eight golfers strove to qualify for eight places, (two teams of four) and the four reserves that are required under the rules.

A change of tack here as I recall a younger member asking me about Stableford scoring and its background.  It seems very natural for me to just tag “Stableford” to a competition and expect everyone to be conversant with the system, but that is not always the case.

Dr. Frank Stableford was a general practioner and was born in 1870 and died in 1959 at the age of eighty nine years. Whilst a member of Penarth golf club he devised a trial scoring system which maintained interest throughout the game. He then became a member of Wallasey golf club which has been long associated with his legacy as it was at this club that he refined the system which was adopted into the rules of golf in 1952. His trial event was on 16^th May 1932 and we have not looked back since. At that time the maximum handicap for a gentleman player was 21 so, considering that no one should have more than one stroke a hole, he imposed a 7/8            handicap limit to reduce the allowance to eighteen. In a nutshell, a score of net par gains two points, one under gains three points and one over just one point. Worse than that, pick up your ball and mark down a zero or a “blob” as it is more frequently known, and move off smartly to the next tee!

Back to the results and the leading players were Ben Bignall with 40 Stableford points to lead the field from second placed Ian Darlington on the best of four 39 point cards. Third came Derek Collis with Phil Nicholls in fourth place, so making up the “A” team for the area finals. The “B” team comprises Alan Stones on 39 points from Steve Evans, Carl Jones and Martin Davies, all of whom obtained 38 points. The four reserves are John F. Jones, Tony Darlington, Brian Leach and Kevin Davies, and it is usual practice for the first two to be available for the A team, and the second pair for the B team.

Still with Wrexham, the ladies played their Challenge Bowls last Tuesday in an event that was played through two divisions but also required an overall winner.

Leading the Silver division was Janet Brand with 83 – 15 – 68 from second placed Janet Pritchard on 90 – 17 – 73 and then Shelagh Jones with her score of 93 – 19 – 74.

The Bronze division went to Andrea Vaughan Smith with 92 – 24 – 68 followed by June Roberts with 99 – 30 – 69 and then Jo Davies who scored 94 – 23 – 71.

On a scorecard scrutiny it was revealed that Andrea Vaughan Smith had played a better back nine than Janet Brand and consequently led the overall placings for the Challenge bowls. June Roberts was in third place with her net 69.

Clays golf club reported a busy week with The Seniors’ kitty competition featuring a win for the team of four led by our press correspondent Derek Lyon accompanied by Bob Shotton, Bill Duncan and Larry Birch on 113 points. Larry actually returned 47 points on his own at the age of 74; all good stuff!

Second came Rodney Evans, Enoch Smith, Roy Jones and Mike Griffiths with 108.

The closing day of March supported a Seniors’ pairs Stableford event which was won by Dave Lambert and Stan Brookfield with 44 points from Geoff Morris and Brian Downes on 41 with Tony Jackson and Neil Sanger in third place on 40 followed by Maelor Davies and Bob Jarvis with 39.

The annual away day for past captains and presidents was at Caldy golf club this past Monday and featured a win for Gareth Roberts followed by Irwin Elkin and then Rob Simms on a day which encompassed all four seasons of the year from bright sunlight to sleet and rain.

The ladies Wednesday league was won by Diane Dare with 35 points from second placed Anne Richards on 28 and then Denise Bromley with another 28 point card.

The club monthly medal was through three handicap divisions and started with a first division win for John Evans with net 67 from second placed David parry on 68 and then Phil Jones with identical figures. Harold Bryn Hughes led the second group with net 70 followed by Matthew Nicholas on 70 and Richard Collier on 71.

The third division witnessed a win for Mark P. Jones with net 66 from second placed Colin Brand, 68, and Jonathan Falcus with a 69.

Michael Healey won the Sunday Stableford with 41 points from David Riley on 38 and then Paul R. Williams on 37.

Hazel bell took the honours in the Ladies’ monthly medal with net 68 from Pauline Peacock on net 84 whilst the Junior medal featured a win for Tom Gledhill on net 59 from Jordan Pearson who returned a net 62. Jack Roycroft was in third place with 65.

Members of Wrexham golf club were saddened to hear of the passing of the immediate past President of the Club, Joe Roberts who had very recently moved to Scotland to be nearer members of his immediate family. A member since 1970, Captain in the late eighties and President in 2008 / 2009 he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

The arid, dry conditions at altitude make the ball travel much further that at sea level, testimony to the fact that on the fifteenth hole of 329 yards, a short par four, the players were treating it as a long par three. Indeed J B Holmes and Bubba Watson resorted to playing three woods off the tee rather than driver, and still Holmes was through the green on two occasions.

 The 8^th hole, a par five of 575 yards, was attacked in the semi finals with a Watson drive of 379 yards and a seven iron for the rest. The fairway “islands” for want of a better word were separated from the aprons and greens by spreads of pure desert where it was permissible to ground the club at address, unlike a bunker where a penalty is incurred if that happens, but to see wayward strokes being played from thorn bushes and cactus some fifteen feet in height amidst rocks weighing several tons and the added danger of rattlesnakes makes for interesting viewing. The commentators were at great pains to state that the snakes were lethargic due to the prevailing cold weather. Our grass snakes at Wrexham will have to get their act together!!!

Many readers will be aware that this area near Tucson is the “parking ground” for millions of pounds worth of stored aeroplanes which are temporarily surplus to requirements by various airlines the world over. The planes are cocooned in plastic and then the air is sucked out of the cocoon and the plane sealed in a vacuum. The bone dry air ensures that they do not rust or deteriorate in any way.

Championship winner was Luke Donald who defeated the new World no 1 Martyn Kaymer by three and two, never having visited the eighteenth hole all week. In his previous five matches leading up to the final, and including the final itself, he was never “down” in any of his games despite playing in an event that contained sixty four of the best players in the world. 

Back to the golf and to the Vale of Llangollen golf club where Phil Coleman reports on last Sunday’s draw for partners thirteen holes competition.

Winners were John T. Hughes with Dennis “Sun bank” Jones with 32 points with 12 points on the last five holes. They were closely challenged by second place pair of Ray Jarvis and Keith Bevan with the same score, but 11 on the closing holes.

John T Hughes was also third with a different partner, just as Bho Prahan was last week, and assisted Stefan Koscinski to 31 points, whilst new club captain Albert Dunlop was paired with Tony Jones for fourth place with 30.

The tee pegs went to our press correspondent Phil along with Dave Southwell on 21 points, and four players gained birdie twos and received ten balls each. They were Ray Jarvis on the 6^th and Del Williams, Gareth Austin and Richard Czerniak, all on the 14^th

Clays golf club Seniors played their yellow ball competition in teams of three in an event that witnessed a win for Ray Marti, Mike carding and Cliff Davies on 135 points. Second came Maelor Davies, John Kelty and Ernie Williams on 134 followed closely by Graham Stokes, Bill Kelleher and Peter Fey on 133.

In the Individual Stableford event two days later, Stewart Poole gained 39 points to win from Peter Almond on the back nine holes following a card scrutiny for back nine scores. Reg Taylor was in third place with 38.

The ladies Wednesday Winter league was won by Diane Dare with 34 points from second placed Anne Richards with 31 and Jeanette Williams on 18.

The Saturday Winter league was won by Phil Davies with a medal score of 63 – 7 – 56. Second came Mark A. Williams on 67 – 10 – 57 followed by Mike Eaton on 67 – 10 – 57 also.

The Sunday Shop Stableford went to Andrew Jones with 38 points from Richard Ackerley on 37 and finally Josh Green on 37 also.

Wrexham Golf Club ladies played an individual Stableford last Tuesday which resulted in a win for Shelagh Jones with 30 points from second placed Janet Edwards on 29.

The Mens’ medal played last Saturday resulted in a first division win for Michael Jones with 77 – 7 – 70 from second placed Mark Antony Williams on 77 – 6 – 71 and then Andrew Ward with 76 – 5 – 71.

Bill Nicholls took the honours in the second division with his score reading 78 – 8 – 70. Paul Hogan was second with 80 – 9 – 71 and Colin Sharley third with identical numbers.

Nick Verburg held off all challenges in the third division and returned a winning score of 82 – 14 – 68. Maelor Gittins was in second place with 84 – 13 – 71 and Michael Darlington third with 88 – 17 – 71.

Terry Hughes placed himself at the front in division four with 90 – 19 – 71 followed by Malcolm Fennah on 95 – 20 – 75. Ben Bignall was in third place with 99 – 24 – 75.

Playing each of the other home countries on a round robin basis, the team, comprising Chloe Williams, Sam Higgins, Lewis Jones, Thomas Williams and brothers Jamie and Daniel Lloyd started off last Friday with their opening match against Athenry golf club in Ireland and emerged honours even with a 3 – 3  draw for a half a point each.

Saturday was the match against strong favourites West Essex, representing the English counties, whose handicaps started at +2 and went, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for the six players in the team. Hardly surprising that they proved a little too much for our youngsters who lost by six matches to nil.

The third encounter was against Liberton golf club of Scotland and on this occasion the team rose to the occasion and won by a margin of 3 ½ to 2 ½.

The final reckoning put England as champions with Wales and Ireland sharing second place with 1 ½      points and Scotland holding the wooden spoon with no victories in the event.

The Wrexham Golf Club would like to place on record their appreciation of the efforts of the junior organizers led by Andrew Lloyd, Treasurer, and the club professional, Paul Williams, along with parents and members who travelled in support of the team.

Still with Wrexham, their ladies played a nine holes three ball Am Am with the two best scores to count. Winners were Wendy Hughes, Linda Mellor and Pat Whitehead with 37 points from second placed Jane Mullet Prandle, Pauline Archer and June Roberts with 32. Ten teams entered the event which proved a great success.

The Vale of Llangollen played the first of their thirteen holes “draw for partners” event last Sunday morning with forty two players turning up for the draw a little after 8.30 a.m.

On reception were last years captain, Del Williams, who records the players as they enter; President Warren Davies collects for the raffle; Frank Owen who actually conducts the draw and Phil Coleman who writes out the scorecards for the players.

Playing out early is Russ Adamson who is the card scrutineer upon their return to the clubhouse.

Winners this week were Bill Matthews and David Tweedie with 31 points, 12 on the back five holes. Second came Russ Adamson and Cliff Thomas with another 31 but just 11 on the closing five. Phil Jones and Rob Davies handed in 29 for third place, a score replicated by fourth placed David Dermott and Ian Faulkner.

The tee pegs for the least good score this week went to our press Secretary Phil Coleman and Dennis (Sunbank) Jones with just 18 points.

The event produced just two birdies, both on the eighteenth hole, and both by five handicap players, namely Peter D. Jones and Mark Hughes. They each received seventeen golf balls for their efforts.

Clays golf club entertained their seniors on the 11^th January with a Stableford competition with the best two scores to count on each hole form teams of four.

Winners were Tony Harcombe, Stan Brookfield, Ernie Williams and Don Wraight with 83 points. They were followed by Dave Lambert, Brian Downes, Peter Almond and Frank Harrington just one point in arrears on 82.

The following day was the occasion of a Seniors’ Texas Scramble which again hosted four man teams. Winners were Roger Hudson, Peter Lynch, Reg Taylor and Richard Key with 56.3. Runners up were Tom Mara, Ray Martin, Dave Lambert and Mike Hollings with 57.8.

The Sunday Winter league was contested over fifteen holes and evolved into a non qualifier due to the set up of the golf course. Winner was Paul Venn with 76 – 16 – 60 from club captain, Reg Peacock on 76 – 15 – 61 and then Andy Matthews on 69 – 8 – 61.

With high pressure over the country at the moment, it looks as though the remainder of the week and into the weekend may at last show signs of improvement in the weather and enable us to get out on to the course.

It seems that we have had a quieter week with social golf in many cases taking precedent over competitions. It is surprising how many members actually enjoy the relaxation of just knocking it about in a friendly fourball without the possibility of adding 0.1 to their handicap every time they tee it up. We enjoyed such an outing last Saturday morning regardless of rain coming down in biblical proportions when we stood on the twelfth tee. Despite my making loud suggestions that to play seventeen and eighteen would not be a bad idea, our younger element of the fourball, a mere sixty years of age, managed to persuade us that we would dry out if we walked briskly. The replies are unprintable!

Clays did however have a busy week starting on Saturday 30^th October when the club played their Turkey Trot individual Stableford event. Winner was Graham David Jones with 42 points from second placed Patrick McHugh on 40 and then Karl Matthias with 38. The following day witnessed the Shop Strokeplay which was won by Danny Williams with 75 – 10-65 from Dave Riley who handed in 76 – 8 – 68, and then Bill Kelleher with 82 – 14 – 68.

The Senior section played their yellow ball Stableford in pairs with Frank Carroll and Gerry Jones winning the day with 70 points. Second came Frank Carroll and Brian Downes with 65 followed by Ernie Williams and Mike Turner on 61, a score repeated by fourth placed Colin Brown and Maelor Davies.

Last Thursday the seniors played their November medal (Stableford scoring) through two divisions, the premier division being won by Ray Martin with 33 points. In second place came Ernest Williams with 30 points from third placed Andrew Mitchell on 29.

The second division went to Maelor Davies with 31 points with Mike Hollings in second place with another 31 point card. Stan Brookfield was the sole occupier of third place with 28 points.

The club monthly medal was again divided into handicap divisions with the first division going the way of Paul Williams on 76 – 7 – 69. Kevin Scaife was second with 76 – 7 – 69 with Michael Evans third with 69 – scratch – 69.

Timothy Lloyd was the front runner in the second division with his return of 83 – 13- 70. He was in turn followed by Richard Collier with 85 – 13 – 72 and Michael Mc Hugh on 89 – 16 – 73.

Division three supported a win for Dillwyn Jones on 89 – 18 – 71 followed by John Hughes on 93 – 21 – 72 and then Nigel Davies with 94 – 21 – 73.

Last Sunday was the occasion of the Turkey Trot Individual medal which resulted in a win for Danny Williams with 80 – 9 – 71 followed by Kevin Jones with 88 – 15 – 73 and then Phil Davies with 82 – 8 – 73.

Travel just a mile up the road to Wrexham golf club and be greeted with the preliminary work associated with the new road to the Industrial estate which has laid bare vast tracts of embankment adjacent to our ninth tee and eighth green. Standing on the eighth tee and looking at the green against a backdrop of a busy road rather than a green, leafy copse of mature trees certainly takes some getting used too.

The ladies played an eighteen holes Christmas Fayre event last Tuesday which witnessed a win for Mary Bainbridge with 34 points from second placed Shirley Williams on 31 and then Glenys Wynn in third place with 30.

The men played their November midweek Stableford with just seventy two competitors contesting the four divisions. Winner of the first division was Tony Darlington with 32 points from the only other competitor in that section, Ian Davies with 27.

The eleven players in the second division were lead by Bill Nicholls on 37 points from second placed Andrew Harrington with 36 and then D. Glyn Williams with another 36.

Thirty three hardy souls competed in the third handicap group which resulted in a win for Darren Wood on 37 points. Second came Arnold Roberts with a second 37 and, also on 37, third placed N. Williams. The fourth group went the way of Mike Greenly who handed in an astonishing 46 points to win by ten points from second placed Tony Jacobson 36 and then Terry Lightwood on 35.

Last Sunday the Christmas Fayre Am Am went the way of Tony Darlington, Nick Williams, Keith Barwise and Gary Murt who as a team of four accumulated 88 points. Second on 87 came Steve Merrill, Alan Merrill, Andy Povah and Richard Godbold.

 A further 87 points were offered by Mike Hughes, Richard Stapley, Lee Tatum and Paul Roberts. Fourth place with 85 points was occupied by Paul Hollingshead, M Davies, D Mullock and G Wright.

With par four holes of 509 yards and the seventeenth par three at 258 yards, we just do not have the power or technique to even approach the greens in regulation figures, even if the holes were in a straight line as the crow flies. American golfer Zac Johnson, not known for his length on the course, found the par four eighteenth fifty yards out of reach and throughout the round had to rely on his short game and excellent putting to complete the event just three strokes off the pace.

It was interesting to watch Bubba Watson, the young left handed American, who tied for the lead with Martin Kaymer of Germany before Kaymer won the play off; he was immensely long off the tee and was one of the few on the Saturday, when the wind was more benign, to reach the par five 628 yards twelfth hole in two shots with a three hundred and seventy one yards drive and then a four iron to the right of the green, but pin high! Peter Alliss would be coining some superlatives had he been commentating on the event I bet.

The par threes along the lake side were invariably  played over open water or a cliff hanging down to the waters edge with a pure carry from tee to green and a very limited bale out area. I dread to think how many balls we would lose. Just as it is a given fact that the Augusta National course, with its sloping, lightning fast greens would just permit a scratch player to break ninety on a good day, so it was conceivable that Whistling Straits fell into the same category. Keep practicing!

Walking into the clubhouse after Saturday morning’s golf, it was a pleasant surprise to see tumblers of whisky laid out for the fortunate few who arrived in time to sample the good fortune of a hole in one. This week’s skilful player was Brian Davies, husband of Ladies’ Captain Anne Davies, who had holed out on the tenth hole with a seven wood. Chatting away, Brian had failed to see the ball drop into the hole until advised to “get his money ready” by his band of playing partners. A nice tradition; long may it continue.

Brian would have me point out that he was down the grip on the seven wood!

The Wrexham scratch team qualified for the Golf Union of Wales Team Championships held at Borth and Ynyslas last weekend and drew Whitchurch, Cardiff, in the first round. The team was managed by Jack Gittins and captained by Kevin Matthias and comprised Jamie Durkin, Rod Fieldhouse, Andy Bostock, Rhys Millington and Sam Higgins.

The Whitchurch team were losing finalists last year but the Wrexham team disposed of them by 4 to 1 in what was to prove to be the toughest half of the draw. In the meantime, Royal St. Davids, Harlech had beaten St. Pierre, Chepstow in the other match and were duly beaten by the Wrexham team by three matches to two in the next round.

Rod Fieldhouse won four of the last six holes to win his match and Andy Bostock came back from four down by winning five of the last six holes to win his game.

Rhys Millington was playing out at number one in the team and produced first class golf all week to win all of his matches to date.

Their quarter final was against the much fancied Vale of Glamorgan but they too fell to excellent golf by three games to two. On to the semi final against Newport who were sailing through their previous matches aided and abetted by Welsh international and anchor man, Joe Vickery, previous winner of the Clwyd Championships.

Despite Rhys Millington winning his match on the 21^st hole, Wrexham were defeated by three matches to two to the eventual winners who comfortably beat Conwy in the final by four to one.

I am indebted to R. Paul Williams, Wrexham’s Match and Handicap chairman for a comprehensive report on the event.

Last Monday was the occasion of the Wrexham Junior Captain’s Day medal which witnessed a win for Jack Waters with 83 – 20 – 63 from Callum Gaughran on 96 – 28 – 68 and James Adamson with 94 – 24 – 70. Matthew Waters was in fourth place with 91 – 19 – 72 with Junior Captain Mike Peters reclining in fifth place with 82 – 8 – 74.

Sam Postle recoded 108 – 40 – 68 to win his division from Jack Hughes on 102 – 32 – 70

The Denbighshire seniors played Caernarfonshire at Abergele last Thursday and faced an immensely strong peninsular team which included ex Welsh International John Roger Jones and Aled Rees. The home team comprised Dave Hart and Neil Purdie of Llangollen; John Hughes, John Lewis and Tim Gorin of Ruthin Pwllglas; David Jones and Mike Lowe of Wrexham; George Smith of Chirk and Eric Howells and John Kenny of Denbigh. Despite our best efforts, Caernarfonshire proved just too strong and Denbighshire lost by three matches to two

The Vale of Llangollen veterans played a match against Chester Curzon at Llangollen and emerged the winners by 6 ½ to 5 ½ showing a change of fortune following one or two disappointing results just recently.

Clays Golf Club played a Ladies Stableford which resulted in a win for Jane Bell with 39 points from Rosalind Carman on 32 and then Diane Dare with 31.

The Seniors’ Open played on 12^th August was won by J Bostock and J Evans with 40 points with Andrew Mitchell and Graham Stokes in second place with 39. Neil Sanger and R Jarvis were in third place with 37. Larry Birch took the nearest the pin on the 5^th hole and L Highton was nearest the pin in two strokes of the 11th hole. Two players, D Gallimore and W Hewitt scored the only birdie of the day and shared five dozen golf balls between them.

The Shop Sunday Stableford was won by Grant Jones with and excellent 46 points off a handicap of 22 followed by Colin Bryan on 40 and Josh Green on 38.

The Ladies’ August medal was won by Anne Richards with net 69 from Valerie Jervis on 81 and then Rosalind Carman with 83.

Too late for this week, the Denbighshire Golfing Union’s Seniors’ Championships takes place at Wrexham Golf Club on Thursday, a report on which will be next week.

The week commenced with two stroke play rounds with the best three scores out of four to count. Out of the nineteen European teams competing, the top eight qualify for the top flight of match play rounds, the next eight for the second flight of match play and the last three merely accept positions seventeen, eighteen and nineteen in the rank order.

Played on a very difficult course in high winds, Chloe returned the best aggregate of the Welsh team despite scoring rounds of +9 and +7. The team qualified in sixteenth position to enter into the second flight of the match play games.

Playing against Germany, Wales lost by 2½  to ½ with Chloe gaining the solitary half after being two down with three to play.

The next match, against Holland, saw Wales lose the first game by 3 and 2 until Katie Bradbury restored the balance with a 4 and 3 win with Chloe out in the last match.

After fifteen holes she found herself three down but squared the match by the final hole and then won on the twentieth hole to ensure Wales won the match by 2 and 1.

The final game was against Italy who fielded a team of girls with handicaps from +3 to scratch. All three games went to the closing holes but Wales went down 3 – 0.

We finished 14^th out of the nineteen countries competing without the services of top Welsh girl golfer Amy Boulden of Maesdu who has now been elevated to full international status.

This result was the best Welsh result for the last four years and confirms the advantages of the coaching schemes now in place for young golfers.

Nearer home I am indebted to Phil Coleman who diligently reports on the Vale of Llangollen veterans who this week played against Mile End, Oswestry, in the first leg of the Coleman Cup (presented by the aforementioned P.C.).

Despite playing himself, Phil reported a loss by eight matches to two with the Llangollen players returning just one winner and two halved games.

Their fortunes were no better when they played Oswestry in the second leg of the Eifion Davies Memorial Trophy having lost the first leg 8 games to 4. They remained consistent however and lost this weeks leg by the same margin giving an overall Trophy score of 16 to 8 in favour of the Shropshire club.

Clays golf club seniors enjoyed a Texas Scramble last Tuesday with many of the usual players away at an Open meeting at Ruthin Pwllglas.

“Mr. Consistency” Ray Martin partnered Joe White and Graham Stokes to 60 points followed by Dave Talbot, Cliff Davies and Reg Taylor to 60.2 for second place with Roy Williams, Nigel Moore and Frank Carroll in third place with 62.1.

Thursday was the day of the Individual Stableford which went the way of G Stokes with a creditable 43 points from W Duncan on 40, J Hughes with 39 and then E Jenkins on 38. The event attracted twenty five seniors whist 24 traveled to Ellesmere Port to play in a match which they eventually lost by 8 games to 4.

The Ladies’ Stableford resulted in a win for Lesley Holland with 20 points from Christine Bowman on 16.

The Shop Saturday Stableford was won by Gareth Parry on 43 points from second placed David Parry on 38 and Louis Gray in third spot with another 38 point card.

The following day witnessed the playing of the Sunday Strokeplay in which Brian Johnston handed in his medal score of 74 – 8 – 66 to win by one stroke from Kenny Hughes on net 67 and Reg Peacock in third place on 68.

The junior medal went to Tom Gledhill with net 64 from Louis Gray, 65, and Paul McCaffrey with another 65.

The Ladies’ July medal was won by Pauline Peacock on net 72 from Anne Richards with 72 and Carol Ann Lee with 74.

Wrexham golf club ladies played their Caldecott Pattison Salver as a medal last Tuesday. Winner of the Silver division was Jean A. Jones with net 71 from Gwen Griffith on 72. The Bronze division went to Sandie Reddington with net 71 from second placed June Roberts with net 76.

Jean was the overall winner and receives the Caldecott- Pattison Salver on Finals day in September.

Running concurrently with this event was then Caldecott Stableford through two handicap divisions. Winner of the Silver division was Janet Pritchard with an excellent 45 points from Dorothy Davies on 38. The Bronze division went to Ladies’ Captain Ann Davies with Pat Purdy as runner up on 37 points, the overall winner being Janet with her score of 45 points.

Last Saturday the men played for the Crowe and Leader Cups in an event that enables all to compete for the Crowe Cup, but only players who have not won a Board Competition are eligible for the Leader Cup.

The Crowe Cup was presented many years ago by the established wholesale Fruit and Vegetable distributor F. F. Crowe who counts as one of his descendants the film actor, Australian, Russell Crowe.

The Leader Cup was presented in the fifties by the Wrexham Leader whose offices stood at the time in Caxton Place, Wrexham, before being cruelly destroyed by fire some time later.

I well remember delivering my hand written Athletics copy there to the late Ron Chaloner in 1964 following the County Sports at the Barracks Field in Hightown, and in later years at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay.

Enough of reminiscing! The winner of the Crowe and the Leader Cups was retired Premiership referee John Walter Lloyd who handed in 74 – 11 – 63, a first class score considering how hard and fast the golf course has become through lack of rain. Runner up in both cups was equally competent Ken Bayley with 83 – 20 – 63 who ranked second by just 0.5 of a shot on the computer in calculating back nine scores. Neither of these gentlemen had won a Board event in the past, so making them eligible for both trophies.

This Saturday is played the thirty six holes Scratch Cup with the Weiner Cup for net scores running concurrently with it. The event was changed from Sunday to Saturday because of the final day of the Open Championships from St Andrews, and the thought that most players would wish to watch the afternoon play on television.