Golding proves Radyr’s Captain marvel at Bowood

Welsh duo Christian Askins and Owen Golding (right) birdied the last hole to win the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge West qualifier to book the club’s place in the Spanish final. 

The birdie at Bowood's 18th proved crucial insomuch that it created a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard and the pair prevailed on count back.

And that meant disappointment for Daryl Kelley and Tim Parsons, of Filton Golf Club, Bristol, and Ian Ridsdale and Scott Talbert, of Swindon’s Wrag Barn Golf Club.

They also posted rounds of seven-under but the birdie putt from Golding, the Radyr captain, was worthy of winning any tournament.

It travelled all of 15 feet before finding its destination and secure the club’s place in the £25,000 final at Spanish destination Lumine Mediterranea Beach & Golf Community at the end of November. 

Afterwards, Golding, who plays off 11, admitted it was a tense conclusion to the day.

“The birdie at the final hole meant that we were in with a shout,” said the 57-year-old new business development manager from Cardiff.

“But we’d started early and you always think that someone’s going to come past you late on. At the time, I didn’t realise how important that last putt would be.”

In another twist, Askins was not meant to be the professional half of the partnership.

Radyr head pro Simon Swales could not play due to commitments as the PGA’s West Region captain and so Askins took his place.

“I think Simon was disappointed not to be able to play because Bowood is his former club,” said Golding. “But I’m sure he’ll be happy we won through to the final.”

However, Askins admitted he came off the bench ‘for the day’.

“Simon takes part in this event every year, he’s the head professional at Radyr and I’m the teaching professional,” he explained.

“But it was good to win, I said to Owen as we approached the 18th that six-under-par wouldn’t be good enough to win. Seven would give us a chance and so that final birdie was vital.”