Bond’s happy return at Radyr

Liam Bond won the for the first time this year after recovering from a back injury suffered at Tour School in November.

He shot two-under-par 68 to share top spot with former Ryder Cup player Phillip Price in the regional captain’s charity pro-am at Radyr Golf Club.

Former European Tour player Bond (Marriott St Pierre) only returned to golf after a four-month lay-off. He made his score on the front nine, despite his only blemish with five at the par three third. Four birdies the first, fourth, fifth and eight took him out in 34. He returned in par.

Price, who is biding his time before challenging on the seniors’ circuit next year, made five birdies and dropped three shots on a windy day with occasional showers.

Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf) played superbly but suffered agonies on two holes. He made eight on the par four fourth but was still able to complete the front nine in level 36 with birdies at the second, fifth, eighth and ninth.

His third birdie in succession at the tenth was followed by two more at the 13th and 16th. Just when victory was in sight he double-bogeyed the 17th and had to settle for third on 69.

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) was a further shot back while Ashley Mansell (Clevedon), Toby Hunt (St Mellons), Adam Frayne (Yelverton) and Paul Mayo (Pontnewydd) returned 71 to share fifth.

Dinsdale’s seven-birdie round helped SAS Building team of Steve Sprudd, Paul Davidson and Richard Bond take the team prize with 16-under-par 124.

Watson’s McCann & Partners trio of Kelvin Jones, Russell Theaker and Jeff Price were second on countback with home professional Simon Swales leading the Celtic Energy group of Richard Hooper, Gareth Francis and Rob Mullen-Jones into third on 131.

Swales, this year’s captain, was supported by main sponsor Glamorgan Telecom and raised a further substantial sum for Children's Hospice South West.

He organised the day that featured the shotgun start after breakfast followed by a drinks reception, gala dinner, charity auction and PGA professional Paul Barrington’s popular trick show.