SOUTH WALES PGA
PAUL Mayo last week shot a two under par round of 68 to lift the Grove Medal on the South Wales PGA tour, writes Tony Poole.
The 54-year-old former Amateur champion was the professional at Newport for 16 years, and is now attached to the Pontnewydd club in Cwmbran.
Mayo is a member of the European Senior Tour, and he underlined sentiment that the Grove is a formidable par 70 course in becoming the only player to go under the card.
He registered two birdies on the outward nine, going under par on holes three and six, but they were countered by bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes.
Level par on the turn, Mayo set up the win with birdies on the difficult 14th hole (stroke index four on the card) along with the less demanding 16th.
His winning card also contained 12 pars, and he finished three shots clear of three players on 71 (one over par) – Matthew Deardon (Cardiff), Rhys Enoch (Celtic Manor) and Christian Askins (Radyr).
Tied for fifth on two over 72 were Josh Mayo (Parc) and Kristian Crane (Raglan Parc) while PGA National champion Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) had to settle for three over par 73, and tied seventh.
Lydia from Pencoed was three over on the turn with birdies on holes 12 and 13 matched by bogeys on 11 and 14.
Also on the 73 mark was James Powlesland from host club Grove whose card touched the highs and lows.
He went birdie on holes eight, nine, 14 and 17 only to card two double-bogeys and three bogeys.
Local players further down the scoreboard were Huw Williams (Pyle & Kenfig) 76, Rachel Lew- is (Vale Resort) 78, Daniel O’Connor (Maesteg) 78 and Simon Askins (Southerndown) 80.
A perfectly manicured Grove golf course certainly tested some of the best professionals on the South Wales circuit.
And the South Wales PGA posted via their official Twitter account: “Thanks to the Grove for hospitality – a great day had by all.’’
The next event on the South Wales PGA calendar is St Mellons on April 26. fully open is a fitting tribute to the skill and dedication of the Club’s ground staff. Scoring was understandably modest with Roy Denton claiming the victory on 34 points. Sharing 33 points, a countback was necessary to place Gordon Campbell second and Bryant Thomas third.
Two days later, a scheduled spring away-day trip to the Glamorganshire Golf Course at Penarth was cancelled because half the course there was closed and a golf bag carry only rule was in force. The members are hoping for better luck next week.
The former Tondu cricket star has opted for the Steve Trickey treasure in the Llynfi Valley, and is set to take the Maesteg golf course by storm.