SATURDAY was the 38th running of the Tournament of Champions, sponsored by Molson Coors, where each club champion from across Wales competes to become the Champion of Champions.

This year the weather that greeted the 47 players started off grey but as the day wore on it got gradually worse with some greens holding water and others having to be dried by the groundsmen and volunteers.

With the forecast showing no improvement and possibly getting worse a decision was made that no further play would take place on the day and the tournament would be over the first round scores.

Defending Champion Lee Jones made a good defence of his title shooting a one over par round but it was only good enough for fourth place with Kieron Harman beating him on the back nine and Luke Thomas claiming second with a one under par round of 70 but it was Jordan Price Davies who shot a impeccable round of 68 which was without fault as he had no bogeys on the card.

In his speech the Captain thanked all those who helped to organise the day, from the members who started the players, those that were out ball spotting, the golf committee who did all the organisation before and on the day, Keith and Madalena in the Office, the Kitchen, the Pro shop and Bar Staff.

A special mention was made for the Greens staff for all their hard work through the summer and especially for their efforts over the past week preparing the course for today.

Results:- First: Jordan Price Davies - Glamorganshire - Gross 68; Second: Luke Thomas - Radyr - Gross 70; Third: Kieron Harman - Southerndown - Gross 72; Fourth: Lee Jones - Conwy - Gross 72; Fifth: Nick Collier - Woodlake Park - Gross 72; Sixth: Dean Morris - Swansea Bay - Gross 73; Seventh: Chris Regan - Cilgwyn - Gross 73; Eighth: Matthew Griffiths - Bargoed - Gross 74.

Home advantage secured the win at this years Better Ball Open, just a couple of weeks after winning The Crug, a better ball club competition, Matt and Craig score the same to win yet another big competition in the clubs calendar.

It was almost a surprise that the scores were so good seeing as the course played it’s full length, there was no run on the ball after the bad weather during the previous 24 hours, this storm forced the Tournament of Champions to cease play after one round the day before.

The course should have been further protected by the Tournaments pin & tee positions but this did little to stop the prize winners shooting well below their handicaps, Matt and Craig eight under par total was just one shot better than Steve and Phil with a group of players on six under all being separated by their scores on the back nine holes.

Whilst enjoying their post round refreshments in the clubhouse many golfers praised the green staff and remarked as to how well the course was looking and playing especially after the previous days weather, this was reiterated in the Captain’s speech with further thanks to all those that helped to run the event on the day and make it the success it was.

Results:- First: Craig Samuel & Matt Gardner - Cradoc - 44 points; Second: Steve Davies & Phil Thomas - 43 points; Third: D Nicholls & G Slade - 42 points; Fourth: Craig Millar & Kevin Knowles - Wenvoe Castle - 42 points; Fifth: Andrew Evans & Darren Jeffries - Wenvoe Castle - 42 points; Sixth: Kishor Gurung & Guptaman Gurung - Cradoc - 42 points; Seventh: Gareth Powell & Rob Evans - Cradoc - 42 points.