TENBY Golf Club successfully retained the Hamilton Cup after a superb team performance in Biarritz, France, overcoming a challenging start to the annual international tournament.

The competition brings together clubs from Biarritz, Pau, Kennemer, Kirby Muxloe, Tenby and San Sebastián for three days of golf and social events, with the host venue rotating each year.

This year's event was hosted by Biarritz Golf Club, where Club President Emmanuel Daum and his team provided outstanding hospitality and a testing course.

However, the build-up was far from straightforward. Hamilton Cup captain Linda Tordoff Evans and founder member Steve Evans were both unable to attend, while Dinah and Richard Reed discovered on arrival that the team's hotel had gone into liquidation just two weeks earlier. After a frantic search, alternative accommodation was secured for the entire party.

Favourable weather greeted players for the practice round, but an overnight storm flooded the greens and forced Thursday's opening fourball betterball competition to be reduced to nine holes.

Tenby adapted brilliantly to the conditions. Rhian Walters and Rob Morgan set the pace with an excellent 25 points, highlighted by birdies from both players. Hamilton Cup debutants Angela and Jon Large matched that total, while club vice-captain Wyndham Collins and Ian Duke added a solid 21 points.

Those performances handed Tenby a valuable 10-point advantage after the opening day.

Following the traditional hosts' reception, where players enjoyed local food and wine, attention turned to Friday's individual Stableford competition.

Acting team captain Brian produced 35 points despite losing a ball on the opening hole. Rob Morgan continued his impressive Hamilton Cup record with an outstanding 40-point round, while debutant Angela Large matched that total in a memorable performance.

Further strong scores from Ian Duke (36), Jon Large (35) and Rhian Walters (34) piled pressure on the chasing teams, with the best six scores counting towards the final standings.

As tradition dictates, the results were not announced until the closing dinner on Friday evening.

Before the team awards, the Steve Evans Medal for the best individual score went to Jenny Vincent of Kirby Muxloe after an excellent 42-point round.

The team standings were then revealed in reverse order, with Tenby confirmed as Hamilton Cup winners by an emphatic 20-point margin, ensuring the trophy remained in Pembrokeshire hands for another year.

The successful defence capped a memorable week for the Tenby players and maintained the club's strong recent record in the prestigious event.

Attention now turns to 2027, when Tenby Golf Club will host the tournament, with preparations already under way.