Sport
New junior golf tour coming to west Wales
THE GOLF Union of Wales is starting a new Welsh Junior Tour to encourage young players of all standards to take part in some fun competitions building to a national final.
The new initiative will include mixed events at Under 8, 10, and 12 age groups, separate boys and girl’s competitions at Under 14 level, with four regional events allowing players to qualify for the Welsh Junior Tour Finals in the Autumn.
The four regional events will be held in Mold, North Wales, Carmarthen, West Wales, Lakeside, Mid Wales and Virginia Park, South Wales, with the final at former European Tour and Solheim Cup venue St Pierre near Chepstow. Entries open February 1.
“This is an exciting new competition which will combine participation with development, the growing junior initiatives of Golf Development Wales, the Coaching Centres Programme and the work at many clubs meant we needed to add this opportunity,” explained GUW chief executive Richard Dixon.
“Children of all standards can play, children with disabilities can compete on level terms, and this new Tour will be both fun and competitive. “It is open to anyone born in Wales, with Welsh parents or grandparents, who lives in Wales or is a member of a golf club affiliated to the GUW.
“The only people not allowed to enter is anyone with a handicap of nine or lower at the start of the year, because we already run competitions at the elite end to cater for those players.
“There is no need for an official handicap for the younger age levels, which will be played over shortened nine hole courses appropriate for their age. They will score at least one point on every hole in a modified Stableford scoring system, which also rewards the lower scores.
“In the U14 categories players must have a competition handicap which means 28 or less for boys, 36 or less for girls or a disability golf handicap of up to 54. They will play an 18 hole competition under normal Stableford rules.
“The top three players in each category will receive a prize at every event.
“There will also be skills challenges running alongside the competitions which will cover long game, chipping and putting which should provide extra fun as well as being a good way for players to see how different parts of their game are improving.
“We hope this initiative will provide a real boost and focus to the development of the game for younger golfers in Wales, offering them a target of a fun, national competition as they learn and improve.”
The Under 14 competitions will be under the normal rules of golf but the younger age groups will have some additional rules to help them, such as a free drop after three attempts to get out of a bunker and picking up after 10 shots while still scoring a point on the card. Players with a disability can play under appropriately modified rules.
Parents or guardians must accompany children at the events. The detailed rules for Welsh Junior Tour events can be found on the ‘specific’ and ‘general’ conditions sections of the entry form.
To get more information about the 2016 events including dates and venues go to the Event List and Information page in the Welsh Junior Tour section of the GUW web-site (under the championships heading).
Players can choose which events they wish to enter (players may enter as many as they like) by going to the entry forms and on-line entries page in the Welsh Junior Tour section of the GUW website (under the championships heading).
Entries can be made on-line or by printing out and posting or emailing the completed form to the GUW offices.
The U8, U10 and U12 categories cost £5 per event to enter and the U14 categories £10 per event.
Sport
New Hedges Saundersfoot win cup final in style.
Division Four Cup Final
New Hedges Saundersfoot 7-1 St Ishmaels Reserves
The Division Four Cup Final between New Hedges Saundersfoot and St Ishmaels reserves took place at Monkton Swifts, witnessed by an eager crowd. The game, officiated by Sean O’Connor, with Gareth Elliot and Dean Driscoll as assistant referees, promised an intense battle for the coveted trophy.
From the onset, New Hedges Saundersfoot showcased their dominance. Owen, Miles, Davidson, and Marsh all getting on the score sheet leading to an impressive goal tally.
The Mice never gave up and battled well but they struggled to contain their opponent’s attacking quality. Thomas Williams managed the one and only goal for Tish.
The final score stood at an emphatic 7-1 in favor of New Hedges Saundersfoot, underlining their superiority throughout the match.
New Hedges Saundersfoot emerged as deserved victors, clinching the silverware and adding a significant achievement to their season. Their comprehensive victory in the cup final will undoubtedly be celebrated by players and fans alike. Despite falling short of promotion in their league campaign, this triumph will serve as a testament to their talent and resilience on the field.
In conclusion, the Division Four Cup Final witnessed a commendable display of skill and determination from both teams. Congratulations to New Hedges Saundersfoot for their outstanding performance and well-deserved victory in the final.
News
Tigers second division Cup Champions
In a thrilling Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup final under the floodlights of Bridge Meadow Stadium, fans witnessed an epic battle between Monkton Swifts reserves and Johnston. Despite Monkton Swifts reserves being touted as favorites, Johnston proved their mettle from the outset.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy as Johnston’s center half, Craig Bendall, seized an early opportunity to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the match. However, Monkton Swifts’ prolific Scotsman, Davis, swiftly responded with an equalizer, showcasing the resilience of the favourites.
The momentum shifted again when the dynamic duo of Alfie and Scott Crawford of Johnston orchestrated a beautifully executed goal, putting Johnston back in the lead at 2-1.
As the game progressed, Monkton Swifts brought in reinforcements, including Ben Steele, to regain control. Their efforts paid off when Jordan Kilby leveled the score at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
But the Crawfords had other plans. Combining once more, Scott provided the assist for Alfie, who coolly finished to put Johnston ahead once again.
With time running out, Monkton Swifts launched a relentless onslaught in search of an equalizer. However, Johnston’s defense held firm, defying the odds to clinch the Division Two Cup title in a memorable victory.
The match showcased the passion and determination of both teams, with Johnston emerging as deserving champions in a fiercely contested final at Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Sport
Promotion, relegation and everything in between.
As we come to the end of the 2023-2024 season it’s time to look at the winners and losers so to speak as most promotion and relegation battles are now all sewn up.
We begin at the very top where Goodwick United have blown away the first division to become deserved champions elect. At the opposite end of the table Fishguard Sports struggled all season and we comfortably relegated, going down with them are Neyland who’s relegation was confirmed a few weeks ago. Neither team were cut adrift and battled right until the end which is credit to both outfits, sometimes relegation can act as a spring broad and both clubs will be hoping this is the case.
Monkton Swifts reserves were the outstanding team in the second division and were a cut above the rest on their journey to becoming league champions on 56 points with an impressive plus 61 goal difference. As Monkton can’t be promoted due to their first team being in the first division it allowed both Herbrandston and St Ishmaels to be promoted. Herbrandston finished in third on 40 points, whilst the Mice just beat them to second place ending up on 42 points. Both clubs will now use the summer to prepare for the step up that awaits.
At the opposite end of the division, Cosheston never really got going and after their points deduction ended on a lowly 6 points which is never going to be enough to avoid relegation. The second relegation place was much closer with St Clears, Carew reserves and Broad Haven all being in a dog fight for the majority of the season. Broad Haven showed good fight and character which steered them clear of trouble while Carew found form at a key time, which means St Clears will play their football in the third division next season.
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