More than 75 golf beginners braved the weather to take part in the most successful ever competition for new players in North Wales.
The third year of the New2Golf Summer Swing saw a record number taking part, including a record number of men, with players from the likes of Nefyn, Mold, Holywell, Wrexham, Maesdu, North Wales, and Penmaenmawr.
The event was held at North Wales golf club, in wet and windy weather to test the resolve of everyone taking part, with Ladies European Tour star Amy Boulden on hand to help out by hitting everyone’s first shot at the par three opening hole to stop any first tee nerves.
To add to that, Mercedes Benz sponsored the first hole with the prize for the winner of nearest the pin being one of their cars for the weekend. Clogau Gold sponsored the overall prizes for the second year running.
“The comments and feedback from the event were really positive and it is proving to be a great success,” said North Wales Community Golf Co-ordinator Kim Boulden.
“Many of the players had handicaps because their clubs have been taking them out to help them, many didn’t have handicaps but were playing on a regular basis. A majority of these people were actually full members of their golf clubs which was great to hear!
“We had the same format again this year that works so well with New2Golfers. Everyone gets 36 shots. Wherever their 36th shot finishes they stick a flag in the ground.
“They all have a maximum of 10 shots per hole and if they are unable to get out the bunker after 2 attempts they can throw it out.
“Once all players had finished their round they were welcomed to a glass of wine, beer or soft drink and a pork pie and ham roll courtesy of the Lilly Bar & Grille and the Ham Bone. As you can imagine this goes down very well!
“Our golf ambassador Stewart Harris opened the presentation with a great and inspirational talk on how he got into golf, after being badly hurt serving in Afghanistan.
“This event has grown every year, more than 50 per cent from the first event two years ago, but we know it can get even bigger and better.”
Conwy member Sandra Pierce added, “Great afternoon with New2Golf at North Wales golf club. This has been my third year in this competition.
“Amy Boulden, after hitting nearly 70 balls onto the first green, is still smiling, Yvonne Logan has the biggest smile having won nearest the hole with Amy’s shot.
“The team have succeeded once again in making this a fun afternoon. I’ve loved it and would highly recommend anyone thinking of having a go at golf to look out their local club to try the taster sessions and go for it.”
For Myo Tint, it was only his third time on a golf course but now he wants more opportunities. “We enjoyed the friendly competition, Amy has been an inspiration to us,” he said.
Kim Boulden looked to the future by saying, “I reckon we could have even more people enter next year, even if they have never really been on the golf course before. This is the whole point of the event.”