New kid on the block named the Welsh club of the year

- Wednesday October 14 2009

GLYN Abbey has won the Welsh Golf Club of the Year award.

Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin were among those who congratulated Glyn Abbey on receiving the Golf Union of Wales award at a dinner to celebrate next year's Ryder Cup in Wales.

The award for the Trimsaran course is great reward for an incredible turnaround at the club in 11 years.

In 1998 the course, built on the site of an opencast coal mine, was in poor condition, with inadequate drainage.

There was no clubhouse, only 73 adult members and one junior member.

Now Glyn Abbey is a Golf Foundation Junior Starter Centre, has more than 300 members including more than 50 juniors, has a nine-hole par-three course and a driving range.

"We are delighted and thrilled to have got the award, particularly for it to have gone to a small club like ours," said club managing director Martin Lane.

"It does not have to be a big club — it is about club spirit and all the people who have worked over the years to make it great.

"In 1998 it was boggy, there was no clubhouse, playing in a muddy field, but a great layout and fantastic potential.

"It has been something of a mission and we have a long way to go yet, but I saw a great golf club and course waiting to happen and hoped I could help get it there.

"There is a tremendously positive club spirit, great club committee and fantastic junior section.

"I would also like to thank our former pro Darren Griffiths, who helped drive forward everything we have tried to do."

Club captain Andrew Shufflebotham said: "It is a fantastic achievement for everyone in the club from the committee down.

"Everyone has made a big effort over a period of time to plough money back into the course.

"We are attracting golfers from a wide area — it is a members' club and we are really down to earth."

Solheim Cup star Becky Brewerton from North Wales was named the Professional of the Year for the second time in three years, Tenby's Rhys Harry was the PGA Club Professional of the Year, with 16-year-old Rhys Pugh taking the Amateur of the Year award.

Story Credit - www.thisissouthwales.co.uk