Welsh golfing luminary Mouland honoured posthumously

A trophy named after former PGA Captain John Barnett that is bestowed on an individual or organisation for services to Welsh golf has been awarded posthumously to Sid Mouland, one of the Principality’s most accomplished golfers.

Barnett captained the Association from 1997-99, was head professional at Royal St David’s, Harlech, for many years and a true supporter of professional golf in Wales.

The trophy in his memory was instigated by Peter Johnson, another champion of Welsh golf and a PGA Professional who designed the two courses at the Vale Resort and, as director of golf, played a major role in its development.

Mouland died at the age of 80 in 2013 after a career that saw him win the Welsh National PGA Championship a record six times, the Welsh Close Championship four times and represent Wales in the World Cup on three occasions.

He also served the Glamorganshire Golf Club for 20 years and was instrumental in putting experienced assistants into clubs in the Welsh valleys which could not afford a PGA pro.

One beneficiary of the experience was another former PGA Captain, Neil Selwyn-Smith.

“I was at Morlais Castle and Eddie Birchenough, who went on to become head pro Royal Lytham and St Annes, was at Rhondda,” he explained. “We coached members and Sid supplied stock which we would sell on a commission basis.”

Selwyn-Smith also described Mouland as the ‘finest exponent’ of the short game he had ever seen.

“I remember watching him in Conwy in the Welsh National,” he recalled. “I was a big hitter but couldn’t master the difficult conditions. In contrast, Sid was absolutely devastating despite not being the longest hitter.

“He was taking driver, four-iron on par fours and sometimes was still left with a 30-yard pitch but would walk off with a four while I was scratching around for a five. He was absolutely unbelievable from 80 yards in, and I’ve never seen anything like it since.”

Mouland’s short-game prowess resulted in him winning the British Par-Three Championship at Torquay in the 1960s and, having moved to Warwickshire to serve Kenilworth Golf Club and then nearby Stoneleigh Deer Park, he was party to it been staged at neighbouring Nailcote Hall.

He advised Nailcote Hall’s owner Rick Cresswell that his par-three course would be the perfect venue for the Championship, and it has been held there since 1998.

Winners have included the 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Peter Baker, two-time DP World Tour victor Robert Rock, and several PGA pros including Richard O’Hanlon, Steve Carter and Brian Rimmer.

Fittingly, Sid Mouland’s son Mark, a DP World Tour winner, has won the event twice, and taking time out from practising for the Legends Tour, was on hand to receive the John Barnett Trophy on behalf of his late father.

“It’s an honour to receive this on behalf of my father,” he said after receiving the trophy from Johnson at the Vale.

“I knew John and met him many times, so I’m delighted. My dad had a great reputation in Wales, winning the Welsh National PGA Championship a record six times in the 1960s and representing Wales in what was the Canada Cup and now known as the World Cup.

“He was also a respected and long-serving club pro at the Glamorganshire Golf Club, where I’m a member, and followed his father into the profession.

“My dad was also well-known in England due to his involvement with the Par-Three Championship at Nailcote Hall. That was very dear to his heart as he was renowned for having a very good short game.

“It’s been held at Nailcote Hall for 26 years – and, perhaps appropriately, I’ve been lucky enough to win it twice. There’s a few who have won it twice, but no-one has won it three times… yet.”