Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Ashburnham Golf Club, Carmarthen Golf Club and Machynys Peninsula Golf Club are delighted to announce the launch of their exciting new Weekly Open Golf Competitions on Carmarthenshire’s “Gold Coast”, South West Wales. The County’s three Premier Golf Courses have combined and from today Carmarthenshire is OPEN for GOLF 52 weeks of the year! Every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday! The idea behind the event is to give Welsh Golfers high value and variety, whilst filling the need for more mid-week competition opportunities. ENTRY FEE £15 November to March & £20 April to October. MONDAYS - CARMARTHEN GOLF CLUB 1907 - JH TAYLOR DESIGN Classic Welsh Parkland with Breath-Taking Valley Views Phone 01267 281 588 to book your round TUESDAYS - MACHYNYS PENINSULA GOLF CLUB 2005 - NICKLAUS DESIGN A modern masterpiece in a majestic setting Phone 01554 744 888 to book your round WEDNESDAYS - ASHBURNHAM GOLF CLUB 1884 - JH TAYLOR DESIGN Celebrating 121 years of traditional links golf Phone 01554 833...

Garnant Golf Club members who were bunkered when their privately run club went into liquidation in the New Year are teeing up to run their own affairs. The executive board of club owners, Carmarthenshire County Council, are being asked to back the membership after an approach from them to continue running the prestigious club that has the Black Mountains as a spectacular backcloth. A report on the matter is to go before the executive board for decision at its meeting today (Monday, March 17). Council Leader Kevin Madge said: “This is a superb facility and the request is for it to be managed by the people who know it best – those who play the course. “Full credit to our leisure service officers and the club members themselves for working so hard to ensure the future of this valuable asset to the county’s leisure portfolio.” Garnant members could take on the facility later this month on broadly the same terms as those previously agreed in 2011 with Wrexham-based Clays Golf Ltd who wen...

Latest results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – David Sinclair Cup - 1, Philip Watson, 83 - 09 = 74 (& Lowest Gross Score); 2, Alan Margery, 89 - 14 = 75; 3, Michael Rees, 91 - 16 = 75. Brian Rolfe Cup – 1, Norman Edwards, 79 - 11 = 68; 2, David Evans, 81 - 11 = 70; 3, Elliott Anderson, 72 - 02 = 70. Prince of Wales Cup 1, Jeff Kavanagh, 76 - 06 = 70; 2, Devlin Leach, 72 - 01 = 71 (Lowest Gross Score); 3, Michael Key, 79 - 08 = 71. Welsh Dragon Brooch 1, Mari Jones, 101 - 23 = 78; 2, Eleanor Roberts, 99 - 20 = 79; 3, Susan Davies, 112 - 32 = 80. Saul Cass Cup – 1, Paul Stobie, 36 pts (27); 2, Gareth Charles Pugh, 34 pts (09); 3, Andrew Wayne Joinson, 33 pts (12). Millennium Trophy - 1, Eleanor Roberts and Yvonne Williams, 43 pts (00); 2, Marie Hale and Wyn Parsons, 40 pts (00); 3, Maria Davies and Ann Francis, 37 pts (00). Evan Williams Cup and Medal 14 - 1, Sophie Anderson, 80 - 06 = 74 (& Lowest Gross Score); 2, Barbara Buckland, 101 - 27 = 74; 3, Lyne...

Latest news from the Dyfed Golfing Union - DYFED GOLFING UNION ANNUAL PRESENTATION DINNER will be held at CARMARTHEN GOLF CLUB on FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2013 7.00pm for 7.30 pm Guest speaker Garin Jenkins Golf at 1.45 pm (shotgun start) Cost £20 and extra £5 for golf with all monies returned in prizes. Dress code – Jacket and tie Names to Jeff Harries (Sec 01994230634) by Monday 7th Oct at the latest. FOUR BALL BETTER BALL MEDAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday 29th September 2013 Derllys Court G.C. MAX HANDICAP 20. ¾ ALLOWANCE ENTRY FEE £10 PER PAIR ALL ENTRY FEES RETURNED IN PRIZES ENTRIES TO : Elaine Rees Email: jelaine27@aol.com Mobile: 07835102524 CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES 25/9/13

Latest results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – Gold and Silver Medal 1, Edward Davies, 71+70=141; 2, Aled Greville, 74+69=143; 3, Simon Williams, 76+69=145. Lady Captain's Day 1, Alis Davies, 46 pts (16); 2, Mari Jones, 43 pts (25); 3, Yvonne Williams, 40 pts (26). Junior Stableford Boys 1, Benjamin Sheppard, 42 pts (19); 2, Zakary Oliver Lewis, 38 pts (28); 3, Tomos Davies, 36 pts (18). Junior Stableford Boys 1, Edward Davies, 41 pts (18); 2, Osian Bowen, 40 pts (18); 3, Aled Greville, 37 pts (06). Website - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

Latest results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – C&P County & Open Girls’ Championship Singles Stableford 1, Kasumi Tran, 47 pts (27), Visitor; 2, Carys Worby, 39 pts (26), Visitor; 3, Caitlin Freeman, 38 pts (36), Visitor. C&P Girls’ County and Open Championship singles strokeplay 1, Ffion Evans, 91 - 20 = 71, Visitor; 2, Sophie Lovatt, 82 - 11 = 71, Lowest Gross Score, Visitor; 3, Ffion Tynan, 94 - 20 = 74, Visitor. Medal 12 1, Gillian Hart, 89 - 15 = 74, Lowest Gross Score, 15.3; 2, Barbara Buckland, 105 - 27 = 78, 27.2; 3, Marie Hale, 106 - 24 = 82, 24.3. Harry Cass Cup 1, Nigel Davies and Margaret Richards, 49 pts (16); 2, Dennis Hughes and Andrea Martin, 44 pts (19); 3, Jordan William Davies and Iris Jacob, 42 pts (21). Cancer Trophy 1 Jayne Evans, 45 pts (26), 23.0; 2, Mary Mcgregor, 39 pts (26), 25.4; 3, Margaret Richards, 38 pts (25), 24.7. Huw Richards Cup 1, Lewis Rhys Morgan, 83 - 15 = 68, 13.0, 2, Ian Thomas, 76 - 07 = 69, 6.1; 3, Wyn Jenkins...

Merthyr's Jack Bush clinched the Welsh Amateur golf title in emphatic fashion at Ashburnham, gaining the biggest win of his career to cap a fine week on the West Wales links. He beat fellow Wales international Mike Hearne, the America-based student, 9 and 8 in the 36 hole final with some exceptional golf which rounded off a formidable showing. The Morlais Castle player's toughest game was in the semi-final against former champion Ben Westgate, the 20-year-old triumphing on the 21st hole. Bush, Hearne and Westgate will all spearhead the Wales team for the forthcoming Home Internationals to be played in Ganton in England later this month. “That was definitely the biggest win of my career so far,” said a delighted Bush, who works part-time for the family painting and decorating supplies company Rabart. “Winning something like this makes me believe in my game and that will help me in the future because I will now be more positive about myself. “It was a really good game against...

Three of Wales’s leading links courses - Ashburnham Golf Club, Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club and Southerndown Golf Club – have been announced as host venues for the Monday Qualifying event prior to The 2014 Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, which takes place at Royal Porthcawl from July 24-27. After a record number of entrants in 2013, it is expected that more than 300 golfers will participate in the qualifying event on Monday July 21 hoping to earn a place in Wales’ first Major Championship. They will be vying for approximately about 30 spots in the field for The Senior Open Championship and the chance to play alongside some of the game’s all-time greats, such as 2012 champion Fred Couples, Bernhard Langer and home favourite Ian Woosnam. Ashburnham Golf Club celebrated its centenary in 1994 by hosting the Amateur Home Internationals. Previously it hosted the PGA Championship in 1959, won by Dai Rees, and again 10 years later when Bernard Gallacher triumphed. Another Ryder Cup...

Nia Greville clinched the Welsh Girls golf title to round off a perfect week which included qualifying for the stages as the No1 seed. The 17-year-old from Ashburnham Golf Club, Pembrey, played well all week in Caernarfon and managed to maintain her strokeplay form through the matchplay stages, beating Huddersfield’s Megan Lockett 2 and 1 in the final. Ysgol y Strade, Llanelli, schoolgirl Greville was delighted to win the title in her last year before moving up to the Ladies and was also delighted to be picked in the Wales Girls team for the Home Internationals in St Anne’s next month. Greville beat Rebecca Ogden from Rhuddlan in the semi-final, while Lockett came through against Jordan Ryan of Newport at that stage. “It was fabulous to win, I was delighted to keep my cool and hold my nerve to carry on playing well,” said Greville. “I played well in the strokeplay section but the matchplay stage is different. Winning the strokeplay can seem a bit like winning the Par 3 contest a...

Golfers at The Ashburnham Championship Links in Pembrey, Burry Port, will be cheering on US Masters winner Adam Scott as he bids for another Major title in the British Open at Muirfield, Scotland, this weekend. Club officials have known about their links with the 33-year-old Australian for a number of years, but have kept it all very low key up to now. “We’ve known about the links with Adam Scott for some time now, but we have been a bit shy in bragging about it,” said Ashburnham Golf Club manager Huw Morgan. “The link spins back a couple of generations, but it is there. We are very proud of it – and this week Adam himself has gone on the record to talk about his links with The Ashburnham.” Scott explained: “My late grandmother Gillian Gravelle is from Burry Port and her brother Emrys was the secretary at Ashburnham Golf Club. “I still have family living down in the area and I’m sure the Ashburnham members will be rooting for me, if a Welshman doesn’t win it (the Open).” Ashb...

Latest golf news -  GLYNHIR GOLF CLUB LADIES TEAM OPEN THURSDAY 25TH JULY 2013 Three ladies to a team. Best of 2 stableford scores on each hole to count. Longest drive and nearest the pin prizes. £30 entry fee per team. To include halfway house. Full handicap allowance – certificates required Raffle and catering available For entries and starting times please contact: Elaine Rees Tel: 01269 593946 / 07835102524 Email : jelaine27@aol.com

The Dyfed Golfing Union Mixed Greensomes Foursomes Championship will be held on Sunday, May 19, at Milford Haven Golf Club. It will be a 18-hole stableford with a handicap limit of 20 for gents and 36 for ladies. Entry fee £10 a pair. All entry fees returned in prizes. Entries to Elaine Rees, email: jelaine27@aol.com Address : 4 Gwaun Henllan, Bonllwyn, Ammanford, SA18 2FD. Closing date: 13/5/13

The Carmarthenshire Junior Cup has been relaunched after an absence of five years and will be a triangular series of junior matches between Ashburnham, Glyn Abbey and Carmarthen golf clubs. The first match will take place on Friday, April 12, when Ashburnham host Glyn Abbey. Matches will consist of five pairs playing greensome foursome matchplay. Pictured (from left) are the three clubs' respective junior captains: Oliver Lewis (Glyn Abbey), Nia Greville (Ashburnham) and Ryan Skinner (Carmarthen). Photo by Graham Harries, GPhotography. http://www.gphotography.org.uk/

Ashburnham Juniors have been enjoying a busy spell of competitions. Most notable was the Friendship Bowl competition between the Ashburnham juniors and the youngsters of the celebrated Prince's Golf Club in Sandwich in Kent. Prince’s Golf Club claimed the inaugural “Junior Friendship Bowl” following a 4 – 2 win over Ashburnham. The visitors led 2 – 1 following the first leg of the match in Sandwich, Kent, and the home side needed nothing less than a 3-0 home win to secure the trophy. However, Prince’s proved too strong for the 'Ash' and they ran out 2 -1 winners on the day, securing an overall 4 – 2 victory. Edward Spencer and James Williams claimed the only point for the Ash with a tense last hole win. Pictured are both junior teams (the Ashburnham team in the dark colours) with the “Friendship Bowl”. The magnificent trophy was hand-made by Wyn Thomas from Burry Port to commemorate the match. The 2013 match will recommence next April when Ashburnham...

Finals Day results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey, near Llanelli - Scratch Cup Elliott Anderson beat Jonathan Belwett 7&6 Ashburnham Cup Steve Jones beat Leighton Davies 2&1 Seniors Cup Simon Hill beat John Beynon 3&1 DB Rees Cup Huw Dixon and Olivia Martin beat Gethin Davies and Fiona Halpin 1Up Junior Bowl John Rees beat John Williams 19th DR Lewis Cup Devlin Leach and Rob Stone beat Steff Jones and Simon Gravelle 3&1 Junior Matchplay Rhys Morgan beat Aled Greville 3&1 Judy Ray Championship Nia Greville beat Olwen Davies 3&2 Roger Williams Cup Nia Greville beat Lynette Bassett 1Up Allie David Cup Barbara Buckland beat Ellie Roberts 1Up Ladies Senior Matchplay Mari Jones beat Sue Collard 6&4 WH Jory Foursomes Juliet Ace and Leena Lodha beat Lynette Bassett and Fiona Halpin 19th

Latest news from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club at Pembrey, Llanelli – Huw Richards Cup (Men) - 1, Neil Roberts 83 - 15 = 68; 2,Mark O Sullivan, 79 - 10 = 69; 3, Bryan Williams 82 - 13 = 69. Ladies Jubilee Trophy - 1, Yvonne Williams 100 - 25 = 75; 2, Olwen Davies 81 - 06 = 75; 3, Marie Hale 101 - 23 = 78. Gold and Silver medals - (Ladies) - 1, Sally Forrester 67+71=138, 2, Catherine Jones 71+76=147; 3, Nia Greville 73+75=148. Frank Maliphant Cup (Men) – 1, Kevin Thomas 77 - 11 = 66; 2, Elliot Anderson 71 - 03 = 68; 3, Roger Bowen 78 - 09 = 69. Alys M Jones Bogey Foursomes – 1, Olwen Davies and Sally Forrester, 7 up (10); 2, Lynette Bassett and Fiona Halpin, 3 up (17); 3, Leena Lodha and Yvonne Williams, 1 up (23). Medal 9 (Ladies) – 1, Susan Collard 93 - 12 = 81; 2, Eleanor Roberts 103 - 22 = 81; 3, Jean Peace 107 - 25 = 82. Forthcoming events at 'The Ash' - Gold & Silver competition with Phil Elliott Singer/guitarist Saturday 25th August 2012 Ladies Cente...

The Ladies Captain at The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey, near Llanelli, is appealing for old members to come forward to take part in an annual dinner. “This year is very important to us as it is the centenary of ladies golf at The Ashburnham,” said Mrs Iris Jacob. “I am busy going through old membership records and contact books to see if we can get as many members and former members as possible to attend the annual Ladies Captain Day dinner.” The dinner is being held at The Ashburnham Golf Club on Wednesday, August 8, starting at 7pm. Contact details - The Clubhouse, Cliffe Terrace, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, SA16 0HN Tel: 01554 832269 Fax:01554 836974 Email:admin@ashgolf.co.uk Website - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk

The Ashburnham Championship Links golf course in Pembrey is pulling in new members. And a major factor in the membership boost is the dreadful weather. “It’s something of a curiosity this year, but we have pulled in 26 new members,” said Ashburnham club manager Huw Morgan. “The reason is simple: no matter what the weather, you can get a game of golf at ‘The Ash’. “When other courses have to put up the ‘No Play’ signs, we just carry on because we are one of the finest links courses around, with perfect drainage. “Many new recruits have come to us because of our reputation as a championship links golf course. “Others have switched from other golf clubs out of frustration, simply because the bad weather has stopped them getting onto the greens and fairways at other clubs. “At least here, they know that, no matter how gloomy and unseasonal the weather is, they can get a game.” This year, The Ash was given a Top 10 ranking in a new National Club Golfer guide to Britain’s best value c...

Latest news from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club at Pembrey, Llanelli – Junior golfers at The Ashburnham have received a sponsorship boost. Burry Port delivery firm Celtic Couriers has donated £250 for golf balls for the junior section. The juniors have also received £150 from Santander Bank and £500 from a member who wishes to remain anonymous. Junior organiser Richard Brice said: “We are very grateful to all for their support of the juniors. Junior golfers are the future for any golf club and we are very proud of the talented juniors we produce here at ‘The Ash’.” Juniors events – Result: Junior stableford boys – 1, Frederick Holland, 41 pts (16); 2, Tomos Davies, 38 pts (24); 3, Elis Staines, 38 pts (25). Fixtures: Friday, July 20, Junior Golf Night (nine holes); Sunday, July 22, Caerphilly Junior Open; Thursday, July 26, Welsh Mini Masters regional qualifier at Tycroes Golf Centre, Ammanford; Thursday, July 26, Pontypridd Open; Friday, July 27, Tenby Junior Open; Saturd...

Joshua Morris took the honours in the Junior Open Medal competition at The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club near Pembrey. Joshua held off a strong challenge from Jack Holland and Oliver Rumble. In the Junior Open Stableford competition (21-28), visitor Abe Forsyth was the winner, beating Lewis Rhys Morgan and Ben Jones. Latest results from ‘The Ash’ – Welsh Individual Handicap Qualifier 1, Kieran Stephens, 80 - 13 = 67; 2, Steven Jones, 74 - 07 = 67; 3, Ben Thomas, 80 - 13 = 67. Junior Open Medal – Boys 1, Joshua Morris, 82 - 16 = 66; 2, Jack Holland, 77 - 09 = 68; 3, Oliver Rumble, 77 - 09 = 68 Junior Open Boys 21-18 1, Abe Forsyth, 43 pts (27); 2, Lewis Rhys Morgan, 43 pts (25); 3, Ben Jones, 41 pts (28). C&P County Championships & Joan Gale Cup (Ladies) 1, Shan Lewis, 79 - 08 = 71; 2, Becky Harries, 74 + 01 = 75; 3, Sophie Anderson, 81 - 06 = 75. Hall of Fame Men’s Qualifier 1, Anthony Noel Rees, 42 pts (18); 2, Richard Brice, 41 pts (03); 3, Scott Johnston, 40 pts (0...