Stephen, who won the season-opening Volvo China Open, birdied the first extra hole -- the par-five 18th -- after reaching the green in two with a drive and three iron and calmly holing out for birdie from five feet.

This Irish triumph was the latest chapter in a remarkable story for Stephen, who took 11 years and 166 tournaments to clinch his maiden European Tour title in China last November but only eight further events to win his second and help him to climb to fourth on The European Tour Order of Merit and 56th in the World Rankings.
The win also qualifies Stephen for the 2005 World Golf Championship -NEC Invitational.

Congratulations to Stephen from all at the Golf Development Wales team.

(left - Stephen Dodd with the Nissan Irish Open trophy)

This season Pembrokeshire College golf academy students are reaping the rewards of advice given to them by college fellow and academy patron, Nick Faldo. At last year’s final of the Faldo Series, Nick urged students to prepare for the competitive season by working hard during the winter. The students took his advice and, just a few weeks into the season, they have already have secured some notable victories.

Sean Dyson from Milford Haven Golf Club captured the Dyfed Junior Intercounties title, competing against juniors in the winter coaching programme. Oliver Leett followed Sean by winning the Robert Ryder Scratch Cup for the best gross score with a remarkable 75 at the challenging Ashburnham Junior Open.

Welsh Junior International Becky Harries won the first round of the girl’s under 18 category in the South West England and South Wales region of the Faldo Series at the Celtic Manor Resort. This was the tournament’s first visit to the resort’s Wentworth Hills course, which will be the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010. The next day Becky played again, this time in hail and gale force winds, when she won the girls section of the Dyfed Junior Championship at Cardigan Golf Club.
Becky’s successful run continued when she won again in the qualifying competition at St Mellion in Cornwall. She hopes to get through to the Faldo Series Final at the last qualifer, which will be held at Royal Porthcawl.

Golf academy star Scott Davies has also been performing well. He smashed the Trefloyne course record, shooting a 65, knocking three shots off the previous record.

As well as advice from Nick Faldo, the golf academy students – who are sponsored by Imperial Garages of Haverfordwest – have been benefiting from coaching from Welsh National Coach David Llewellyn and Haverfordwest Golf Club professional Alex Pile.
Technology has also played a key role in the students’ winter training. Digital camera technology linked to computer systems has been used for swing analysis, along with a vector launch system that enables students to compare their own swings with those of top professionals and analyse the trajectory of the flight of the golf ball.

The Pembrokeshire College golf academy, the first in Wales, aims to supplement the students’ academic studies with regular team and individual coaching. The performance of the academy members is benchmarked with the objective of reducing individual golf handicaps by fifty percent each year.

If you are a keen golfer and would like to know more about the academy, call Admissions on 0800 716 236 to arrange a trial.

John Collins, a stalwart of junior golf in Wales for more years than he himself cares to remember, has been honoured by the
Golf Foundation.

At the British Masters in the Forest of Arden, John was awarded the prestiguous Sir Henry Cotton medal for contribution to junior golf. This is a great tribute to John and all the work he has put in over a prolonged period both for Brynhill Golf Club in Barry and for the Glamorgan County Union.

Many players that have gone on to represent both Wales and GB&I have come under the guidance of John , including current tour professional, Stephen Dodd and previous British Boys Amateur Champions, Calvin O'Carroll and Rhys Davies.

Golf Development Wales staff couldn't be more thrilled for John and his family.Congratulations from us all.

Year 6 puplis from Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant were the first people to play on the practice facilities at the new Jack Nicklaus designed Machynys Peninsular course in Llanelli.

Having received 6 weeks of Tri-Golf tuition from the Urdd Sports development Officer, Aled Parry, the children were invited to receive tuition in the real game from the PGA Professionals at the new Championship course in West Wales.

The chidlren are pictured with the Ryder Cup and the clubs professional coaching team of Mark Reed, John Peters, Gareth Lewis and Tom James.

The latest free coaching scheme for women took place last week at Llanwern Golf Club, near Newport.

Over 70 ladies took part in an Open day at the club, where they received a basic introduction to the game via demonstrations and practical sessions in chipping and putting.

All equipment was provided and all the ladies have now signed up for six weeks of free group lessons from the PGA Professional at the club, Steve Trueman.

The dates, venues and the entry form are now available for the 2005 event.

Wee Wonders is a cometition for beginner juniors aged from 5 - 12 years old. It's an excellent starting point for junior golfers and there are 7 qualifying competitions around Wales, with a Welsh Final at The Celtic Manor Resort on 11th July 2005 and the Grand Final at St. Andrews in Scotland on 10th and 11th September 2005.

Click here for an Entry Form or go to the Wee Wonders website at www.hsbcweewonders.com for more information

Please continue to send us details of your clubs Junior Open fixtures for 2005.

We can them publish them on our Competitions page.

You can e-mail them to us via the Contact Us page

or send them by post to

Golf Development Wales, WGU Offices,
Catsash Rd, Newport, NP18 1JQ