Welcome to the South Wales Golfer.
Our front page story says it all about the human spirit, with 97-year-old Jack Evans, from Bargoed Golf Club, an inspiration to us all. Jack took up the game when he retired at 65, and still gets out every day for a round. He has hit the high spots on the way, including a hole-in-one in America in his eighties.
Curtis Cup squad member, Rhian Wyn Thomas has turned professional, just five and a half years after picking up a club. Another inspirational story that proves the point that if you stick at something you are good at, the rewards will follow.
Clyne Golf Club, on the edge of Swansea, is our review port of call this month. There are some beautiful holes on this course, which has superb views in all directions – south over the British Channel, west to Gower, inland to the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons and the commanding heights of Gower's Cefn Bryn to the west.
Glyn Abbey Golf Club in Trimsaran, which was awarded Welsh Club of the Year in October by the Golf Union of Wales, has started work on an ambitious project to significantly expand and upgrade its clubhouse, following on from recent additions of a 9-hole beginners' course and driving range to the existing 18-hole course and gym.
Finally, a word here about the ‘white menace’, snow. It came down by the ton in late December and early January and ruined many clubs’ bid to get back on an even keel after the credit crunch situation of last year. St Mellons and Pontypool golf clubs were two of the clubs that took up the challenge and tried to battle against the elements and stay on top of the snow clearing. We feature their efforts in words and pictures to show the problem that faced nearly every golf club.
