By Hamish Stuart
Winning the Wales Golf junior championships turned into a family affair as Thomas and Ffion Richardson became the first brother and sister to win both on the same day.
“A good day for the Richardsons,” was the understated comment from Thomas, after Ffion had won the Welsh Under 14’s Championship while Thomas was able to follow suit in the Under 16’s Championship a couple of hours later.
Ffion was only the second ever girl to beat the boys in the joint category, with Alicia Kelly, Wernddu, finishing second and Mold’s George Ledsham the top boy, in third place overall.
Glamorganshire’s Paul Reid was second in the Under 16’s, after winning the Under 14’s category last year, with Isobel Kelly, Erewash Valley, third overall and top girl, in the competition held at Cardiff Golf Club. George Benitez, St Pierre, had the best nett score in the Under 14’s.
But the day belonged to the Richardson’s before they set off on their return trip to Blackpool, the pair competing in the Welsh championships through their mother from just outside Cardiff.
“It was great, a special win,” said Ffion about her own win, while Thomas was still out on the course competing.
“It is always nice to win against the boys, my Mum and Dad were both very happy. I have been playing since I was young and going to Rossall Golf Academy near Blackpool has helped me very much as well.”
For Thomas, the win was extra special as he was injured last year on the way to play the final round, hit on the shoulder by a stray golf ball.
“This could not be better really, the perfect way to do it,” he said. “This was my last year in the Under 16’s, so it was my last chance and we both get to win so it played out perfectly.
“Last year I got hit on the shoulder by a golf ball on the last day and had to pull out, so it is good to come back from that.
“I had a message from Mum when I was about half way through my round telling me that Ffion had won, which made me a bit more determined to do the same, but to be fair it is just nice that we both won.
“We will probably go out for dinner as a family to celebrate, but first we have a 500 mile trip home.
“Living in Blackpool and competing in Wales means a huge amount of travel, our parents are very supportive, but at least we have free accommodation around Cardiff with Nan and Grandad.
“It has been a good couple of days, I got my GCSE results yesterday and they went pretty well, I was quite happy and next year I am going to The Golf College in the South of England.”
Wales Golf Competitions Manager Christian Askins added: “Congratulations to Ffion and Thomas, it is quite a thing to see a brother and sister picking up the junior national championships on the same day.
“Also thanks to the staff and volunteers at Cardiff who helped put on such a good pair of championships, while providing an excellent test for the good quality of golf being played by the best young golfers in Wales.”