By Hamish Stuart
Golfers have rekindled one of the oldest cross border club matches in Wales to maintain a tradition started more than 100 years ago.
Links between London Welsh Golfing Society and Carmarthen began in 1907, with the English-based club carrying on the tradition this year while on their annual summer tour to Wales.
The two played a match in Carmarthen with the home team coming out on top, the victory earning the Rees Jones Cup first donated in 1936 by a former London Welsh member who was also President of Carmarthen and gave money to extend the original 12 holes to 18.
Golfers from Carmarthen and London Welsh
Former Prime Minister Lloyd George was the first president of London Welsh Golfing Society, while a series of members who originated from the Carmarthen area also contributed generously to the development of their home course and clubhouse.
“It was nice to be back in Carmarthen and have a chance to investigate the great history between the two clubs,” said Richard Scott, tour organiser for London Welsh Golfing Society.
“It was great to find out the DR Evans Cup, first donated by the London-based businessman in 1908, is still played for at Carmarthen to this day.
“It was good to get such a great welcome and share the links that go back so far.”
The silver challenge cup donated by DR Evans is now played for in the club’s 36 hole competition, while a silver salver donated by London Welsh member Ewart Harries in 1933 is now in the Ladies Trophy Cabinet.
The Carmarthen London Welsh Cup
Aled Owen, Carmarthen Seniors Captain, welcomed the visitors and the renewal of the historic links between the clubs.
“I have got to confess I was unaware of the historical links between Carmarthen Golf Club and the London Welsh Golfing Society, but the association is detailed in our centenary book,” he said.
“The first link dates back to May 1908 when D R Evans, a successful London businessman, born in the nearby village of Llanpumsaint, presented the committee with a silver challenge cup.
“From 1936 the D R Evans Cup became a 36 hole medal competition, which is played to this day as our club championship.
“Golf began on this present site in 1929 and the first clubhouse was built in 1933. In the official ceremony the club was opened by Ewart Harries, a successful London Welshman and member of the London Welsh Golf association.
“He was also President of Carmarthen Golf Club. He too was a generous benefactor and undoubtedly the clubhouse was built with kind donations from a London Welsh member.
“He presented a silver salver for the best medal score in the match. The salver has now found its way to the Ladies Trophy Cabinet.
“In the club’s 1936 annual dinner, Rees Jones, a member of the London Welsh Golf Society who was also President of Carmarthen Golf Club made it known that he wished the club to extend its course, which I believe at the time was 12 holes.
“With characteristic kindness he provided the funds for this purpose. Once more an exiled hand had extended generously.”
So the ties between London Welsh Golfing Society and Carmarthen Golf Club go back a long way, with some new connections being made this summer.
The Carmarthen London Welsh Plate