Welsh trio triumph at Minch

Three Welsh-based players crossed the Severn Bridge to plunder the spoils from the high-profile pro-am over the immaculately-presented Minchinhampton New course, rated as the county’s finest lay-out.

Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor), Liam Bond (Marriott St Pierre) and the indefatigable Toby Hunt (St Mellons) carded three-under-par rounds of 67 to share top spot in an event where home members boosted the prize fund by £1,500.

Ferguson is now back after a five-week lay-off after breaking his hand  from a heavy fall, Bond is shaping up for another attempt to qualify again for the European Tour while Hunt continues to defy a persistent back problem with a series of outstanding displays.

Hunt even took his day’s winnings beyond £1,000 as he led home the third-placed team. He contributed six birdies and his only error came at the 440-yard 15th where he made a double bogey.

Ferguson was helped by birdies at the tenth, 11th and 13th as he returned in three-under 32. Steady Bond dropped his only shot on the ninth and added two birdies on each half.

Mark Searle (High Post) and James Ruth (China Fleet) also made six birdies on a fine day chilled by a northerly wind. Home favourite Stuart Little charged up the rankings with a birdie-eagle finish.

Consistent Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf) and Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) also shared fourth on 68. Thompson is always capable of extravagant golf and he followed a sad three-over opening 38 with a magical five-under back nine of 30 with five birdies.

This ensured that the Eagle Mill Carpets team of Ben Taylor, Mark Leech and Jeremy Wilson won the team prize with 86 points on countback from Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) who led Ecohaus with Russell Hopkins, Mick Stratford and Mark Lineham.

Hunt’s own Capital Carpets team, including his father Chris Hunt, Mike Britton and Paul Vasconcellos, were third also on countback.