Today sees the start of this year’s home internationals with teams from Wales competing against their counterparts from Ireland, England and Scotland. Having had a successful European Team Championships, Wales will go into the tournament with a lot of confidence.
Three members of the team have won tournaments in the past few months, which has only boosted the hopes of a nation on the rise. The first winner was Ffion Tynan who last week won the title of top Under 16 at the English Open after scoring 74, 75, 70 and 72 across the tournament, as she prepares for College in America later this year.
Tynan, from Pontyclun, finished tied seventh overall, with Newport Links’ Cary Worby one shot further back tied ninth in a strong showing for the Wales pair who will both play at the Girls tournament at Downfield Golf Club, Scotland.
Carlisle’s Archie Davies comes into the Boys tie at Ashburnham Golf Club fresh from his first senior title after claiming the Welsh Amateur Championship in commanding fashion at Tenby golf club last week.
Davies beat Aberdovey’s Connor Jones 8&7 in the final, describing it as the biggest win of his career as he prepares for a busy few weeks of competition.
This victory in the top domestic event in Welsh men’s amateur golf maintains a family sporting tradition as Davies’ great-grandfather played rugby for Wales against New Zealand.
He is now part of the Boys Home Internationals at Ashburnham this week and British Boys in the next fortnight, before heading to America to study at East Tennessee University.
Davies’ consistency helped him to qualify third from the stroke play stages, Ben Chamberlain of Padeswood and Buckley and Lewys Sanges of Celtic Manor were tied first.
Another notable selection for the Ladies team is Tenby’s Becky Harries who made her return to top level amateur golf after a three year break in May – and won her third Welsh Ladies Amateur title after she beat Tenby clubmate Bethan Morris in the final at Cradoc golf club near Brecon.
The Wales international, and ex-Vagliano Trophy player, is hoping the event will be a springboard back to the highest levels of ladies amateur golf as she grows in confidence once more.
The event comprises of a round robin with each of the four home countries playing against one another. The matches comprise five morning foursomes followed by ten afternoon singles.
Team Wales is as follows:
Boys: James Ashfield, Reuben Bather, Toby Bishop, Sean David, Archie Davies, Connor Owen, Tom Peet, Mathew Sandoz, Bryn Thomas, Dylan Thomas, Lloyd Walters
Team support: Neil Matthews, Chris King, Hamish Cox
Girls: Darcey Harry, Harriet Lockley, Gracie Mayo, Ellen Nicholas, Kasumi Tran, Ffion Tynan, Carys Worby
Team support: Paul Williams and Sue Joseph
Ladies: LeaAnne Bramwell, Caitlin Evans Brand, Becky Harries, Lauren Hillier, Lucy Jones, Kath O’Connor, Jordan Ryan
Team support: Gareth James and Celia Bartlett