RYAN THOMAS WELSH AMATEUR CHAMPION

Ryan Thomas from the Aberdare Golf Club won the Welsh Amateur Championship by defeating Pontypridd’s James Williams on the 5^th extra hole, the longest final in the history of the Championship.

Thomas collects 250 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points that puts him into 6^th place in the table. James Williams has the consolation of winning the Konica Minolta Order of Merit after collecting 150 Konica Minolta Points for reaching the final.

In second place in the table was Whitchurch’s Nigel Edwards, while early leader Craig Smith finished in third spot.

Williams, Edwards and Smith dominated the Konica Minolta Order of Merit throughout the season, Williams winning the Trubshaw Cup, finishing in third place at the Welsh Open Stroke and runner up in the Welsh Amateur Championship. Edwards won the Duncan Putter and Tucker Trophy and was runner up at the St David’s Gold Cross. Smith won the Irish Open Stroke Play and was fourth at the Brabazon Trophy.

FINAL KONICA MINOLTA ORDER OF MERIT 2004

GOLD CROSS FOR GOULD

Zac Gould from the Vale of Glamorgan produced an outstanding performance to win the St David’s Golf Cross at Harlech and collects 150 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points.

Gould’s total of 270 strokes broke the tournament record by three strokes and the win puts him into 6^th place in the Konica Minolta Order of Merit.

In second place was Whitchurch’s Nigel Edwards who closed with a final round of 65 that equalled the course record for a total of 273 strokes.

Craig Evans of West Monmouthshire claimed 3^rd spot on 275 and in fourth was Tim Dykes of Wrexham on 276.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Welsh Amateur at Ashburnham from 28-31 July 2004.

ANOTHER TUCKER FOR EDWARDS

Nigel Edwards equalled his own tournament record of 20 under par at the Tucker Trophy. Edwards total of 266 was twelve strokes clear of his nearest challenger, James Williams of Pontypridd with Alex Smith of Pyle & Kenfig in third place on 281, 5 under par. Edwards collects 100 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points which puts him in third place, Williams collects 60 points to remain in 2^nd and Alex Smith adds 40 points to his total which moves him into 10^th place.

 During the weekend Edwards (68, 62) created a new course record at Newport with a 10 under par 62 and in the process won the Golygnos Oak by six strokes from Craig Evans (70, 66) of West Mon with Dan Jones (72, 66) of Pontypool tying for 3^rd with Aberdare’s Ryan Thomas (70, 68).

At Whitchurch Edwards retained the Silver Dragon with rounds of 69 and 67 to win on a count back from James Williams (68, 68) and Ben Westgate closed out strongly in third place (69, 69).

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the St David’s Gold Cross at Royal St David’s Harlech 17/18 July 2004.

WILLIAMS 3^RD AT WELSH OPEN

James Williams of Pontypridd claimed joint 3^rd place at the Welsh Open Stroke Play over the weekend. Williams finished nine strokes behind winner Heidar Bragason of Iceland to claim 100 Konica Minolta Order of Merit Points. Williams moves into 2^nd place in the Konica Minolta table ahead of Graeth Wright who finished in a tie for 12^th place.

There were some other good performances from Tim Dykes (Wrexham) and Darren Richards (Kington) who shared 5^th place and collect 50 points apiece.

Craig Smith retains his place at the top of Konica Minolta Order of Merit despite finishing in a tie for 15^th place.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Tucker Trophy played at the Newport and Whitchurch Golf Clubs on 10/11 July 2004.

WRIGHT 3^RD AT ST ANDREWS

Gareth Wright of West Linton recaptured some of last season’s form by finshing in a tie for 3^rd place at the St Andrews Links Trophy at the weekend. Wright collects 115 Konica Minolta points and moves from 5^th to 2^nd place in the table.

Rhys Davies from Royal Porthcawl produced another impressive performance to claim 6^th place at St Andrews and moves from 9^th to 6^th place in the Konica Minolta table.

Pontypridd’s James Williams collects 4 points for 30^th place and Irish Open Stroke Play Champion finished in 36^th spot after a disappointing final day..

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Welsh Open Amateur Stroke Play at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club from 18^th to 20^th June.

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BRISCOE WINS ABERCONWY

Ben Briscoe of Old Colwyn Golf Club won his first Welsh Golfing Union Konica Minolta Order of Merit title at the Aberconwy Trophy with a four round total of 284. Briscoe won by five strokes from Tim Dykes and Jeff Evans (Conwy). All three players collect 100, 50 and 50 Konica Minolta points respectively

Paul Hendrikson finshed in a tie for 8th place at the Berkshire Trophy collecting 32 Konica Minolta points and moving into a tie for 11th spot in the table.

At the Amateur Championship at St Andrews, Rhys Davies (Royal Porthcawl) reached the quarter finals losing on the 20th to Eric Ramsay from Carnoustie, while Nigel Edwards and Llew Matthews both reached the last 32.

The next event is the St Andrews Links Trophy at the Old and Jubilee Courses, St Andrews from 11th - 13th June 2004.

WRIGHT 8^th AT SCOTTISH STROKE PLAY

Gareth Wright of West Linton played some excellent golf to finish in a tie for 8^th place at the Scottish Open Stroke Play around the Lundin Golf Club.

Wright’s rounds of 65, 71, 67, 71 gave him a 10 under par total of 274 some five shots behind the winner Richard Ramsay of Royal Aberdeen.

Wright’s efforts gained him 29.5 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points which moves him into 4^th place on the Konica Minolta list.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Amateur Championship (21-23 May 2004) at St Andrews Old and Jubilee courses.

SMITH 4^th AT BRABAZON

Craig Smith followed up his victory at the Irish Open Stroke Play with an excellent 4^th place finish in the Brabazon Trophy at West Lancs Golf Club.

Smith shot a final round of 68 to collect 110 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points and increased his lead at the top of the Order of Merit.

Nigel Edwards and Paul Hendriksen shared 15^th place on level par, adding 21 points to their Konica Minolta totals while Pontypridd’s James Williams collected 11 points for his share of 20^th place on 1 over par.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Scottish Open Stroke Play (21-23 May 2004) at Lundin Golf Club.

SMITH WINS IRISH OPEN

Craig Smith from St Mellons captured his first Konica Minolta tournament victory by winning the Irish Open Stroke Play Championship at Carton House near Dublin at the weekend.

Smith’s one shot victory over Ireland’s Sean McTernan earned him 200 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points to move to the top of the table.

Gareth Wright tied for ninth spot and collects 28 points and remains in 6^th place on the Konica Minolta list.

At the Clwyd Open Ben Westgate from Perranporth won his first Order of Merit title by two strokes from Southerndown’s Llewellyn Matthews while defending Champion Tim Dykes finished in thrid.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Brabazon Trophy (14 – 16 May 2004) at West Lancs Golf Club.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR WALES AT LYTHAM

Nigel Edwards tied for 14^th place at the Lytham Trophy after finishing on four over par 288. As a result Edwards remains in 2^nd place on the Konica Minolta Order of Merit after collecting 22.5 points.

Craig Smith of St Mellons and Gareth Wright from West Linton  tied in 20^th place on 289 strokes and collect 9 Konica Minolta Points each while Mark Laskey from Brockett Hall tied for 27^th and remains in third place on the Order of Merit after three events.

Edwards, Smith and Wright will travel to Ireland this week with David Price, Alex Smith and James Williams for the Irish Open Stroke Play while Wales’ other leading amateurs head for the Clwyd Open.

Pontypridd’s James Williams still leads the Konica Minolta list despite missing the cut at Royal Lytham with a total of 225 points.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Irish Open Stroke Play Championship (7 – 9 May 2004) at Carton House near Dublin and the Clwyd Open (8/9 May 2004) at Prestatyn and Wrexham Golf Clubs.

JAMES WILLIAMS ON TOP

James Williams from Pontypridd won his first Konica Minolta Order of Merit event at the Trubshaw Cup.  Williams’ total of five under par was three strokes clear of his nearest challenger, Craig Smith of St Mellons.  As a result of their performances Williams collects 150 Konica Minolta points while Smith collects 90.

In third place was Mark Laskey from Brockett Hall while Gareth Wright and Richard Scott shared 4^th place.

James Williams won the Tenby Golden Eagle and Mark Laskey won the Carmathenshire Open at Ashburnham.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Lytham Trophy that will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club from 30^th April to 2^nd May.

SECOND PUTTER FOR EDWARDS

Nigel Edwards lead the Duncan Putter from start to finish and in the process broke the tournament record by two strokes held by Peter McEvoy.

Edwards collects 150 Konica Minolta Order of Merit points and heads the table after the first event. In benign conditions on Saturday Edwards shot rounds of 68 and 66 to lead by three from West Mon’s Craig Evans. Day two saw the wind rise and also the scores, but Edwards completed the victory with scores of 72 and 70 to finish on four under par.

James Williams of Pontypridd and Paul Waring of Bromborough were tied second on 280 strokes, level par. Tim Dykes, Mark Laskey and Zac Gould were 4^th, 5^th and 6^th respectively and all collect important Konica Minolta Order of Merit points in the chase for International selection.

The next Konica Minolta Order of Merit event is the Trubshaw Cup that will be played at Tenby and Ashburnham on 24/25 April.