Askins makes the most of his home

South Wales PGA SIMON Askins last week made home advantage tell on the South Wales PGA tour in winning the Southerndown medal, writes Tony Poole.

The Southerndown assistant professional shot a one over par round of 71 to finish two shots clear of Pyle & Kenfig counterpart Huw Williams.

On one of the coldest days of the winter, a perfectly presented golf course gave some experienced golfers the cold shoulder.

Askins played steady golf to take the honours with his card displaying a birdie on the par-four 12 th ; bogeys on holes three and 17 along with 15 pars.

However, Williams went on a birdie fest on the outward nine holes, going under par on holes four, six and nine.

He also birdied the 15 th hole, but the downside was a double- bogey on the second along with five bogeys, and he signed for 73 blows.

Lydia Hall, who won the Machynys event earlier in the month, on this occasion tied for third spot with Craig Melding (Neath).

Lydia from Pencoed had a poor outward nine holes that contained four bogeys.

Birdies on the 13 th and 15 th holes were then countered by bogeys on the 11 th and 17 th greens, and she ended up with a four over par 74.

But former Ryder Cup star Phil Price from Pontypridd, who has cards to play on both the Champions in the USA and European Senior Tour, fared even worse.

He could only manage a 10 over par score of 80 to finish 12 th on the scoreboard.

The final winter schedule will take the South Wales PGA tour to Newport on February 23.

Royal Porthcawl HUW James endured the highs and lows in winning last Saturday’s Stableford tournament at Royal Porthcawl.

Despite handing in a card that only displayed points scored on 14 holes, he nevertheless ran up a winning score of 39 points.

A two on hole seven allied to a birdie on the sixth and 10 pars did the trick for the 14-handicapper.

Runner-up H J Furness birdied the 12 th hole on the way to 38 points while a two on hole seven and 10 pars moved Angus Maclean on to par 36 points and third spot.

Former Neath and Swansea rugby star Bleddyn Taylor got 34 points, and he matched par 12 times.

Another former rugby star, Bridgend and Wales flanker Rhodri Lewis, also hit 34 points with a birdie on nine together with nine pars.

Young Rory James and Steve Bull (birdie on 17) also got 34 points, as did former Ryder Cup star and non-playing captain Nigel Edwards.

His card off an away handicap displayed a two on hole seven along with further birdies on one, six, eight and 17.

And 32 points were on the cards of Brynmor Williams, luckless Brian Nicholas, Dr Byron Howell and JRO David.

Meanwhile, Emer Disley last week matched par four times to win a 12-hole Stableford competition.

It led to her running up a winning score of 22 points and the victory was by a single point over Jane David, who sunk a putt for two on the 11th green.

But a costly no-return on the 12 th and final hole cost her the tournament.

Third-placed Jane Frampton signed for 20 points; Ann Richards was a further point back while Geraldine Judd scored 18 points and Jayne James 17.

Maesteg ANOTHER two holes in one were recorded out on the Maesteg golf course last week.

The drinks were on Randall Tucker after he holed out for an ace on number six while the bar was equally busy after Neil Williams walked up to the ninth green and discovered his ball was nestling in the cup.

Last week’s Stableford event was won by Neil Williams with a toasty 39 points, and he edged out Matthew Williams on better-back six. And Gavin Powell maintained a fine run of form in signing for 38 points and third position.

For a second consecutive week, John Maidstone had to be satisfied with minor honours at the end of the weekly Senior Section Stableford competition over 15 holes.

Ron Talbot shot a winning 34 points with Maidstone sustaining the challenge of Garry Thomas for