Welsh amateur golfers have enjoyed one of their best ever starts to a season on the international stage with a series of victories and strong performances.
Amy Boulden winning the Helen Holm Scottish Ladies Open Strokeplay and Rhys Enoch winning five out of five points for Europe in the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy v Asia this weekend, has rounded off what was already a strong start to the season by Welsh golfers.
Golf Union of Wales Director of Performance Ben Waterhouse has hailed the early season form being shown by Welsh golfers, saying, “It is great to see them coming out of the blocks so fast this season.
“It is a credit to all the hard work put in over the winter and before, but gives everyone something positive to build on for the rest of an exciting season.”
Winning in Scotland at Royal Troon was one of the best victories of Boulden's already highly successful start of the season which included confirmation in the Curtis Cup team to face the Americans in June, with Welsh Amateur champion Becky Harries named on the reserve list.
Boulden had also won the Leverett Trophy, with fellow North Wales teenager Chloe Williams making it one-two with some excellent scoring – Boulden setting up victory with an opening 64 to finish two shots clear, with Williams in turn four shots ahead of the third placed player.
Not to be left out, Harries won the Tenby Trophy with some similarly impressive scores, finishing four ahead of Boulden with Katie Bradbury in third.
On the men's side, Ben Westgate and Luke Thomas shared the Duncan Putter, while Enoch is enjoying a successful season in America, even before starring in the Bonallack Trophy under the captaincy of former Golf Development Wales Chairman Andy Morgan.
Enoch partnered Ireland's Alan Dunbar in the fourballs and foursomes over the first two days when they were rarely troubled with four comfortable victories, before the Welshman saw off Australian Cameron Smith in the singles to help complete a 21.5-10.5 victory for Europe.
Enoch had also finished tied second in the Atlantic Sun Championship in the US, with fellow East Tennessee student Rhys Pugh finishing tied 11th. Enoch was also second in the General Hackler championship and Sea Best Invitational, while he and Pugh were both in the top 11 to help East Tennessee to second overall in the Coca Cola Championship.
Both have been named in the St Andrew's Trophy provisional squad along with Prestatyn's Jason Shufflebotham.
“It is certainly an impressive collection of results, but there are plenty of challenges still ahead of course,” added Waterhouse.
“There will be Welsh involvement in the Curtis Cup, St Andrew's Trophy and also world championships on the international stage, while we also have the Wales teams challenging for honours at European level and in the Home Internationals later in the year.
“It is an exciting time for Welsh amateur golf, but we are also very aware there is a long way to go.”