Our Junior Team Triumphs in spain

Carmarthen travelled to Antequera in great anticipation and excitement having qualified to represent Wales in the UK National Finals near Marbella in Spain.
On the first day of competition, the team were ready to go on one of the toughest courses they had ever played.

Drawn in the group of death with Scottish champions Gullane, English champions Rochford Hundred from Essex and Irish runners up and former winners Carton House near Dublin, this was going to be a massive challenge for the Carmarthen youngsters.
On the first day of competition, Carmarthen played Scottish champions Gullane from near Edinburgh.

James Bryan in Match 1 had an excellent start against his 2 handicap opponent and was holding his own until late on when the Scottish opponents experience won the day with James losing on the last. Scott Jones in match 2 was playing a Scottish Girls international off 4 handicap who was playing off well advanced tees. Scott took it too the last where he was all square but bunkered, needing to get down in two for the half, however hit a superb shot to 3 foot before holing his putt for a tremendous half.
Iestyn McAvoy in game 3 played some fantastic golf but was eventually beaten by his far older opponent but credit to Iestyn for playing superbly against an opponent who chipped in with 3 holes left when Iestyn looked like getting the match back to all square.
The impressive Jac Price put in an awesome performance to dispatch his opponent who couldn't cope with his superior ball striking, comfortably winning his game. This was quickly followed by Kieran James who equally put in an impressive performance again winning his game,
With the match tied at 2 a piece, and with Lowri Thomas one down with one to play and bunkered from the tee, Lowri hit a once in a lifetime shot, hitting the green before two putting from distance to secure a half and a deserved all round 3 - 3 draw game.
The match was played in great spirit with both teams being exemplary in their behaviour during the match.

On day 2, Carmarthen faced the English champions in a daunting challenge with the English team having 2 plus 1 golfers, 2 scratch and 2 one handicap golfers in what would be a challenging match. A number of their English opponents are currently in golf scholarship in Essex and spent the last 6 weeks in Barcelona prior to the event.
James Bryan and Scott Jones led the way against two opponents off plus 1 handicap. James had an excellent start against his opponent but finally succumbed to some excellent golf. Scott played superbly and started off with an eagle on the second hole to put his opponent under extreme pressure. Scott continued this form, beating his opponent who is looking at turning professional soon very comfortably on the 15th. Iestyn McAvoy, only 13 years of age had a fantastic tussle with his experienced opponent going down by 3&2 but played great golf which will stand him in good stead for the future. Jac Price also played tremendously well against his scratch opponent, and was always in with a chance until a brilliant birdie on 17 halted Jac's advances.
Kieran James also came up against a formidable opponent who went round in 2 under par to beat him although Kieran can be pleased with his performance.
Lowri Thomas, the heroin of yesterday couldn't find the same brilliance today, but put in a sterling performance but lost 2&1 in s fine match up. The final pairing in this group for Rochford have spent the last 10 weeks in Barcelona and currently attend a golf school in London which sums up the challenge Carmarthen faced.
The 5 - 1 loss leaves Carmarthen joint third in the group with former winners Carton House to play tomorrow prior to the play off's, another difficult challenge but one the juniors are looking forward to.
The third round of round robin matches found Carmarthen up against Carton House, situated outside Dublin and one of the biggest clubs in Ireland having recently held the Irish Open.
Carmarthen needed to win the match to look at a possible third/fourth place play off and we're certainly the underdogs against the former champions.
Scott Jones went off first and continued his impressive form of the previous 2 rounds and it took a birdie on the last 2 holes for his opponent to gain a half each.
Iestyn McAvoy, the Welsh squad member at the tender age of 13 was up against an opponent who hit drives some 60 yards past him. Iestyn however, playing well beyond his years put together a brilliant and tigerish performance to beat his opponent 3/2 to gain a point for Carmarthen.
Sam Hitchcock played his first match for the team and initially he had to dig deep against his more experienced Irish opponent but after being 2 down early on, however started to show his desire and determination culminating in him going to the last hole 1 up. His Irish opponent again birdied the last hole, but Sam deserved massive credit for this result on his debut, a fantastic performance.
Kieran James had grown during the event and his outstanding performances continued with a convincing 4/3 victory. Kieran had showed tremendous maturity beyond his 15 years and will grow from strength to strength as a result of the competition.
Unfortunately Ed Rocke who was playing some good golf suffered stomach cramps during his match which left him unable to carry on having bravely continued to the 14th hole.
With the score at 3 - 2 in Carmarthen's favour and the shock of the competition in their hands it was left to Jac Price, who has also put in some fantastic performances beyond his 14 years and under immense pressure requiring a half to gain victory for Carmarthen against his far more experienced opponent. Jac played the last 2 holes in regulation pars knowing what was required which showed maturity beyond his years. His 3 foot putt was watched by a large crowd was hit with conviction and was welcomed with roar from the crowd from Carmarthen supporters and an historic win.
With celebrations on going, Carmarthen knew that they would finish 3rd or 4th in the UK which was to be a fantastic performance for the club. They would play Turnhouse from Scotland who had finished 3rd last year, another formidable opponent, but with increasing confidence, this young team was looking forward to the challenge.
A very tense day was ahead as Carmarthen were looking at an historic day in attempting to finish 3rd in the UK championships in Antequera in Spain.
James Bryan was selected to go off at number one against one of the best juniors in the UK. James played good golf but couldn't cope with the class of scratch golfer Mark Napier who won convincingly.
Scott Jones who was undefeated continued his fantastic form against his third scratch golfer of the competition and once again played outstandingly for a 5/4 victory. Scott had shown his class during the week and had played for the team with pride and maturity beyond his years.
13 year old Iestyn McAvoy once again showed his grit, losing out on some 60 yards with his opponents drives but with a first class short game he ground his highly rated opponent down. All square on the 18th, both hit fantastic shots over the lake to the final par 3 and finally shook hands with a fine half for Iestyn who was giving 5 years to his opponent.
Jac Price again showed his class at the mere aged of 14 against his 18 year old opponent and with a nervous ending he sunk a 3 foot downhill putt for victory and a massive cheer from the on looking crowd.

Kieran James, who has been another stalwart of the team played tremendously well but couldn't shake off his opponent who for once out scored him. Although Kieran lost , his impact on the team had been one of the main reasons for the teams success during the week.

With the scores extremely tight it was left to the previous day's hero, Sam Hitchcock to try and emulate that performance. Sam played again with great maturity and won his match 3&2 which included s great putt in front of the Sky cameras which meant that Carmarthen crossed the line for a 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 victory. There was great celebrations after the result with both parents and children embracing in what had been a great achievement for a home grown team against larger city clubs.

The reserves in this occasion namely Captain Lowri Thomas whose vital half against Gullane meant we had the opportunity to get into the third/fourth place play off and Ed Rocke have been an important part of a great team effort.

The club would like to thank the club committee, club professional Darren Griffiths, sponsors, donators and parents for what has been a wonderful experience for the team which is officially the 3rd best junior team in the UK

.

Outgoing junior organiser Chris Reynolds would like to thank all the parents for all their assistance during the last 3 years and would like to wish Catrina Thomas and the junior committee all the best in what appears to be no doubt a flourishing future for the section.