History making assistant aims to leave mark at Radyr

A history-making assistant PGA Professional from Southerndown is aiming to rally against the established order during a landmark staging of the Welsh National PGA Championship at Radyr.

Daniel O’Connor will be teeing up with the likes of former Ryder Cup player Phillip Price and defending champion Stephen Dodd as the £10,000 tournament returns to the venue which staged the very first event 111 years ago.

It is the first time in almost 40 years that the championship, which will take place on July 8-9 and is sponsored by Asbri Golf, will be returning to Radyr.

O’Connor goes in having claimed his own place in the history books. He turned pro on the back of becoming the first man to claim a hole-in-one at the Belfry’s famous tenth hole in 2012.

The hole is one of the best-known in golf and a plaque stands in honour of Seve Ballesteros after the Spaniard became the first to hit the green in one shot at the 1978 Hennessey Cup.

For O’Connor, the Welsh National offers up the chance of a welcome return to competitive action. The 22 year old has found his playing time restricted while he completes the final year of the PGA Foundation Degree Programme which he hopes will enable him to become a full-time golf coach.

There will also be a healthy dose of club rivalry as, for the first time since he joined Southerndown, each of the venue’s three pros will be taking part in the historic championship.

O’Connor will be teeing up with colleagues Simon Askins and John Peters at Radyr.

“It’s great that we’re all able to go down together as before with the championship being a bit further away at Royal St David’s we had to make sure somebody was still back at the club,” he explained.

“I’ve missed out the last couple of years for different reasons and was disappointed to do so, I’m really looking forward to finally being able to play this time.

“There’s bound to be a bit of friendly rivalry out there, we’ll all want to go and beat each other.

“I’ve played Radyr a few times and really like the course, hopefully that will help when we get there.”

On his historic feat, O’Connor remained modest.

“It was just a case of hit and hope,” he surmised. “I hit it and it just luckily ended up straight in the cup.

“It was definitely a different day to say the least.”

Eryl Williams, managing director of Asbri Golf, said: “We have a very close working relationship with all the team at Radyr and know they will stage a fantastic tournament.

“The course is always in exceptional condition and will be a great test for the players. It’s fantastic to give something back to the Welsh professionals who continue to support our thriving business and we are thoroughly looking forward to the week.”

Other players competing in the Welsh National PGA Championship include: PGA Cup captain Jon Bevan (Rhos on Sea), Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf), Rachel Lewis (Vale Resort), Cennydd Mills (Ridgeway) and Simon Swales (Radyr).