A brilliant stinger shot, that was captured beautifully on video by Wales Golf, all-but secured the biggest victory of Ben Quick’s career at Whitchurch (Cardiff) GC.
The 72-hole Welsh Open Youths Championship (mixed) proved hugely competitive with around 10 players all in with a great chance of winning going into the final round.
But the BB&O player had put himself in the driving seat thanks to a three under par front nine and, after bogeying 12, he bounced straight back with a two at the 13th.
However a decision to lay up with his tee shot at the difficult 18th did not exactly go to plan. He managed to stay short of the pond on the right but was more than 200 yards back and close to a tree. Out came the 4 iron and he managed to drill the ball low under some branches and around some more woodland to find the front of the green (see above). From there he two-putted to secure a one-shot victory over Welshpool’s Tomi Bowen.
The plus four Beaconsfield player said: “I didn’t want to know the scores but when Owain (Ben’s caddie Owain Taylor) handed me a 5 iron on the tee I knew I was ahead and the nerves kicked in. I guess the four iron stinger was quite a risky shot but I got it to the green and managed to get the par.”
His final round did not start as planned. Having pulled his tee shot on the par three he failed to get up and down but bounced back in superb style by sticking his tee shot on the short, par four second to six feet, holing for an eagle. That was followed by birdies at three, four and six.
Ben had started the last round three shots behind 54-hole leader Ieuan Phillips (Newport (Gwent)) but the Welsh golfer struggled and with nine to go there had been a seven-shot swing between the two players.
2022 Welsh Youths Open report and results
A host of players, headed by Bowen, also closed in on the lead without ever quite managing to get their noses in front. One of those was Buckinghamshire’s Olivia Lee (Gerrards Cross), who won the women’s prize after finishing just two back overall.
“For sure it was great to get my biggest win.” he said. “It was a really nice final afternoon and it was particularly nice to see a few putts drop.”
The 20-year-old university student did not make the cut for the British Amateur but is looking forward to challenging at the English Amateur and the Brabazon.