Isobel Kelly And Isaac Jones Give A Glimpse Of The Future Of Welsh Golf

By Hamish  Stuart

Wales international Isobel Kelly won her second major event of the season by adding the Welsh Girls title to the Underrated championship she claimed earlier in the season.

The Welsh Boys title was won by Oswestry’s Isaac Jones, in the events held at Wenvoe Castle Golf Club near Cardiff, beating Thomas Richardson who was his roommate this month when playing together for Wales at the European Boys Team Championships.

Junior Vagliano Trophy player Kelly, of Erewash Valley and Aberdovey, beat Crewe’s Morgan Bollan three and two in the final, as the top two players from the Stroke Play won through with Kelly completing the double by winning both.

Kelly’s Underrated win means the 16-year-old will be competing against some of the best US players in New Jersey in September in the Curry Cup Tour Championship.

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Seren Ramsey, Llanymynech, and Sofia Benitez, Bristol and Clifton, were the two losing semi-finalists.

“Winning this event was on my list of things I wanted to do this year, so I am really pleased to have achieved that,” said Kelly, who has played less golf this summer while completing her GCSE’s, before going on to A-Levels next year at Trent College.

“I played really well in the match play stages and had a tough final against Morgan, I had to be two under to beat her.

“I have missed this event a couple of times because it clashed with the European Masters, so winning a national title is important.

“I was not expecting to do so well this year because I have been playing less with all the revision, but maybe that has suited me.

“Next up is the Welsh Women’s at Royal St David’s, then the British Girls and Home Internationals, so this sets up a busy few weeks for me.”

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Jones beat last year’s Under 16’s champion Richardson in the final, four and two, while Stroke Play winner Charlie Ward, The Wilmslow, and Cilgwyn’s Dion Regan were the losing semi-finalists. Johnny Junior Jones, Conwy, beat Rhys Whitty, St Pierre, in the Plate Final.

“I have been practicing pretty hard and that hard work paid off,” said 16-year-old Jones.

“This is my biggest win, right up there at the top. My cousin Connor Owen reached the final four years ago so I was conscious of that and trying to win for my Grandad and Nan, that gave me extra motivation.

“For me the mental side was key, keeping my head, especially in the match play. My tee shots were good, keeping the ball in play from the fairways and giving myself chances.

“I class Tom as one of my close friends, we have been in Ireland together with Wales and recently roomed together at the European Championships.

“We did not want anything to get in the way of that, just to have a good game and let the best man win. Afterwards he bought me a drink and we had a game of snooker.

“I enjoyed playing at Wenvoe Castle, the course suited me. Next, I have the Welsh Amateur, to try and play as well as possible in that, then next year I will be heading to Hartpury College for a two-year extended golf diploma course.

“It will be a big step for me, moving to Gloucester away from my family, but I think it is the right choice to make for me.”

Next up is the Welsh Amateur Championships for Men and Women at Royal St David’s.

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