Dinsdale’s happy return to Celtic Manor

Less than two weeks after missing the cut on his debut in the European Tour Wales Open Richard Dinsdale (above) returned to the Twenty Ten course in triumph as winner of the Celtic Manor Celebration Pro-Am.

He was the only player to better par on a tough day for scoring over a spectacular lay-out that defied many international players in the Tour event. The Parc Golf Academy professional plotted his way skilfully round the course.

He opened with a birdie and closed the front nine with another at the par five following his only bogey at the eighth. Everything else was played in regulation.

“I certainly learned from my experience in the Welsh Open and you just had to be patient,” said the 41-year-old former PGA Cup player, whose consistent play this season has earned him a place in the Titleist Play-Offs in Turkey as the third man in the Race to Woodbury Park Order of Merit.

The par five 18th feature hole with the green built on the hillside below a lake became the decisive hole for many, not least Liam Bond (St Pierre) who led the Wales Open at the halfway stage and eventually tied 43rd to win more than £9,000.

He made four birdies, more than any other player, but dropped three shots. He shared the lead as he stood on the 18th tee and then took an amazing 11 shots after finding all sorts of trouble. He slipped down to 13th.

The hole also proved the downfall for Sion Bebb (Vale Hotel) who was also heading for a big pay-day and even the lead until he took nine at the last. Leigh Jones (Tickenham) was another to make nine while Andy Beal (Salisbury) and Richard Sadler (Killiow) carded sevens, while also in contention, so shared fifth.

Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) played steadily to finish second and equal his best finish of the season. He was joined on level par by Stuart Little (Minchinhampton), another to qualify for Turkey. They both made three birdies and dropped three shots.

Guiseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) with Filton players Paul Hotchkins, James Parker and Stuart Hale won the team prize with 82 points. Tim Baker, another Bristol Golf Centre professional, led Mendip Spring players Sam Day, Steve Day and Will Poole into second spot with 79, beating Newport’s Paul Mayo and his team of Dave Haskell, Joshua Davies and Peter Jackson on countback. Andy Beal led the Total Triumph trio of Neil Mossman, Bob Tye and Paul Spackman into fourth on 78.

Matt Barnby, the Celtic Manor Resort Golf Operations Manager made the presentations.