Leading amateur golfers compete for ranking points with a view to securing selection for the Welsh team and perhaps also the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side.
The weather over both days was glorious and, in relation to links golf in south-west Wales, conditions were relatively benign.
On Saturday at Ashburnham, three players secured two-round totals of 148, i.e. Luke Harries (Tenby), Thomas Froom (Nefyn) and Robert Neucker (Pennard).
However, the trio of Matthew Harris (St. Mellons), Jordan Price-Davies (Glamorganshire) and Kieron Harman (Southerndown) were all three shots better on 145.
Harman posted the only sub-70 round of the day with his 68 in the morning, but Harris won the Carmarthenshire Open by virtue of having the lowest score in the afternoon. He had already won the St. Davids Gold Cross at Harlech in early April by five shots and was 13th in the Duncan Putter at Southerndown a week later.
At Tenby on Sunday, three golfers recorded totals of 143, i.e. Laurence Vargas (St. Pierre), Dave Barrell (Llanwern) and Jordan Golley (Clyne). Lewys Sanges (Celtic Manor) was one better on 142.
Tenby’s Luke Harries shot a magnificent 66 in the morning round, which included five birdies. In the afternoon, he suffered a mid-round wobble, which included driving out of bounds on the eighth hole. Nevertheless, he recovered with birdies on the 13th and 14th, although he did drop another shot on the 18th for a round of 73 and a total of 139.
However, this year’s Golden Eagle winner is Callam Morris, of Newport GC. He followed his 68 in the morning with a 69 after lunch for an excellent total of 137.
Whilst claiming the Carmarthenshire Open and/or the Golden Eagle are fine achievements, winning the Trubshaw Cup is proof of ability and stamina.
The leading 72-hole aggregates in reverse order were : Lee Jones (Conwy) - 300, Mitchell Reid (Celtic Manor) and Kyle Harman (Southerndown) - both 299, Aled Greville (Ashburnham) and Thomas Froom (Nefyn) - both 297, David Barrell (Llanwern) - 294, Lewys Sangers (Celtic Manor) - 292, Jordan Price-Davies (Glamorganshire) and Kieron Harman (Southerndown) - both 291, Matthew Harris (St. Mellons) - 289, Callam Morris (Newport) - 288 and Luke Harries (Tenby) - 287.
Luke Harries is Tenby GC’s first ever winner of the Trubshaw Cup. Luke is just 17 -years-old and indeed Callum and Matthew are only 19 and 18, respectively.
Luke will soon be sitting his A levels and in August he will commence his studies in Sports Science and Golf at Tennessee University, where he hopes to take part in the very competitive American collegiate system.
Although a few of the top Welsh amateur golfers were absent last weekend, including Jack Davidson who is ranked sixth in Europe, Luke’s victory is a fantastic achievement and is testament to his talent, hard work and dedication. He deserves to be successful in America.
Footnote: The late Billy Farrell of Tenby GC was the first ever winner of the Golden Eagle in 1984.
He was a deserved winner, although great friend, Darren Griffiths, stood one ahead on the 18th tee before proceeding to hit his drive from Black Rock into Kiln Park!