Cardiff GC set for moment in the sun

Well-travelled Cardiff Golf Club captain Steve Jones, right, is set for a whole new golfing experience when he heads to Turkey for the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final.

Jones, a director at a property company, has enjoyed travelling to Spain, France and current favourite Portugal in recent years but has yet to visit Turkey, host to the £25,000 Canopius-supported championship later this month.

He will head to the Mediterranean coast alongside PGA Professional Adam Constable after the pair came through regional qualifying at West Midlands venue Enville.

The duo will tee up against nine other pairings over Antalya Golf Club’s PGA Sultan Course on November 25-26.

“I’ve never been to Turkey before but I’ve been watching the Turkish Open and just getting excited about the whole thing,” he enthused.

“I know we’re just down the road from where that was taking place so I’ve got an idea of what to expect.

“I have played at courses in other countries and have recently been to Portugal a few times, but this will be a whole new challenge.

“Adam’s very competitive so he’s already putting the pressure on saying he wants to win!”

Despite predominantly focusing on his role as head professional at Cardiff GC this term, Constable has been in good form.

His year has included a fourth place finish in the Welsh National PGA Championship in July where he missed out on a play-off for the title by one shot.

And he will be spurred on by a spot of local rivalry in Antalya as Parc Golf Club, based less than 15 miles away in Newport, have also qualified for the showpiece.

“I’ve known Brian [Lee, PGA Professional] for years having played with him on the regional circuit,” explained Constable, who played at Cardiff as a junior before going on to become the club’s professional.

“And I’ve met his captain Carl [Hicks] too so it’ll be nice to catch up with them and hopefully arrange a practice round together once we get out there.

“But I’m always trying to win and once we get out there that is what I want to achieve. I’m sure if we take our best game there you should see us up there amongst the leaders.”