Lee and Ferguson tie at Langland Bay

Brian Lee (Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf) and Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor) braved difficult conditions to share top place in the 26th annual fund-raiser for the Swansea-based Gwalia Trust on a day blighted by the weather.

It was Ferguson’s third victory in only his seventh pro-am appearance his season and Lee’s first win for two years.

After an early four-hour fog delay when low cloud restricted visibility to 30 yards over the spectacular hill-top course with 17 of the 41 teams still to tee off PGA tournament controller Tom Sheffield and the Gwalia organisers settled for a ten-hole event from 3.30pm.

He said: “Although it was a bitter disappointment after all the usual hard work the organisers had put in we managed to get everyone in by 8.30pm and rescue the day.”

The winners returned two-under-par 38 leaving Peter Evans (Royal Porthcawl) and Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) a further shot behind.

James Honey (American Golf, Swansea), Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf),  Ashley Mansell (Clevedon), Welsh Ryder Cup player Phillip Price and Russ Berry (Professional Golf Europe) shared fifth on level par 40.

Gregory Copp, a Welsh PGA Professional based at French club Golf De Sarreguemines, was on holiday in his home area and was able to make his West playing debut as a late replacement.

Gwalia Trust chairman John Morse, a past captain of host club Langland Bay and also a member at Royal Porthcawl, enjoyed a day to remember.

The Swansea solicitor, playing with Watson, led the winning Gwalia team on nine-under-par 71, helped by Byron Lewis, the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, and his brother Leyton Lewis.  Five teams were four behind on 75 and separated by countback.

Toby Hunt (St Mellons), who brought his own team comprising his father Chris Hunt, Mike Britton and Nigel Evans from Capital Coated Steel, were placed second.

James Honey (American Golf Swansea) and the Astleys team of Sean Thomas, Dudley Hendricks and Dominic Rowley were third followed by Mark Govier (Machynys Peninsula) and Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf).

Govier’s team from main sponsors the Jehu Group included Leighton Morgan, Richard Jones and former Welsh international rugby star Bleddyn Bowen.

Event organiser Claire Anderson of Gwalia Trust said: “Despite the unfortunate weather it was still a busy and successful day thanks to the support and patience of our supporters and the player.

“Everyone made the best of it and remained in good spirits. It proved to be a good idea to end the play at the tenth green where the hospitality tent was sited…. We are very grateful to the Jehu Group and Waterstone Homes as the main sponsors of the day.”

Gwalia Trust, which supports vulnerable people, has raised more than £250,000 and another large sum will be realised from this year’s annual fundraiser. See www.gwaliatrust.org.uk.