By Hamish Stuart
Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club completed the double by winning the Women’s Team Championship, following on from the men winning their Welsh title last week.
The women’s team took full advantage of playing at home as Pyle and Kenfig hosted the event, beating a strong Newport team in a reverse of last year’s final result.
It is the first time since 2006 the same club have held both the men’s and women’s team championship titles, Llandudno (Maesdu) the last club to do so.
Pyle and Kenfig won the top three matches at the top of the order with Fauve Birch beating Lauren Hillier 2 and 1, with Elin Tynan beating Jess Evans by the same score.
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With the Vineall sisters, Megan and Ffion, both winning well at the bottom of the order for Newport, the decisive match was the middle one where Cerys Mitchell got off her sick bed to win the game on the 18th hole against Lottie Raymond, two up, and take the title.
“It was a fantastic win for us, the men won last week and told us to bring the silverware home as well,” said captain Claire Hopkin, who had to withdraw from playing because of a rib injury.
“I am so proud of all the team, as well as the staff and support at the club – everyone is celebrating now. We lost to Newport in the final last year, so we really wanted to win this time.
“Cerys went to bed for threequarters of an hour before the final with a migraine, she was not sure she would be able to play, but came through and won on the 18th.
“It is amazing for the club to do the double, we are all just drinking champagne to celebrate and we will do something special as a club to mark the achievement.”
Royal St David’s and Creigiau were the losing semi-finalists, while St Pierre, Glamorganshire, Southerndown and Celtic Manor reached the quarter-finals.
Conwy, Whitchurch, Ashburnham, Greenmeadow, Pennard, Swansea Bay, Radyr and Derllys Court were the other clubs who won through to the final stages but went into the Margaret Wood Plate after losing in the first to round. Pennard pipped Celtic Manor to win that competition.
Wales Golf Competitions Manager Christian Askins added, “Pyle and Kenfig were first class on and off the course, great hosts of the event as well as worthy winners.
“It was good to see such a high quality of golf from the clubs around Wales, with such a well contested final to finish off.
“Our thanks go to all the staff and volunteers to played such a big part in making it a successful event.”