Alan Jones carried the Pembrokeshire Golf flag with real distinction at Ashburnham Golf Club recently as he played three superb rounds of golf in consecutive days to win the Welsh Open Senior Golf Championship, writes Bill Carne.
 
It was his first entry in the competition for over 55s and he shrugged off the challenge of 143 other contestants, only 20 of them from Wales and the rest from as far afield as England and Scotland who travelled to play at this famous seaside links course near Llanelli.

 

Cracking first round to share the lead and then forged ahead on Day Two

 
It has a par of 72 and 56 year old Alan shot a one-under par 71 on the Wednesday as he played alongside Dave Simpson, a Lancastrian who plays regularly on the links course at Lytham St Annes, which is on the rota for the Open Golf Championship.
 
It meant he was tied in first place with John Kemp, who plays on the equally-famous course at Woburn Abbey, but after enjoying a second round on the Thursday with Dave Simpson he shot a par 72 and found himself two shots in front of Kemp, in a field which had been cut to 60, when he was joined by his closest rival as they set off together as the last pair to go out on the Friday.






 

Not the best start on the final day

 
Alan hit problems at the fourth hole as he recorded a double bogey (two shots over par) and also conceded other bogeys on the 11th, and 17th - but hit back with a birdie at the 10th to end up with a score of 75 in quite testing conditions because of the wind.
 
“When I was playing those final holes I had no real idea where I was in the placings but I just kept focus and it was fantastic when I learned I had won from Paul Wharton (Woodhall Spa) - and to do it by two clear shots was a real bonus.
 
Also involved from Pembrokeshire was another talented sporting all-rounder in Gavin Scotcher, who plays at Tenby, and he was the second Welsh player home in a creditable 29th place.
 

Superb response in the clubhouse to his win – and dad JR learns of his victory

 
“And it was confirmed I had won when I entered the clubhouse because of the fantastic reception I received before the magnificent trophy was presented to me alongside my engraved medal. I would have liked to take the trophy home but no winner is allowed to take that honour because it has been played for since 1898 and one couldn’t measure its historic value.”
 
Then it was home to tell his family, who were all delighted, but none more so than his father Johnnie, who served Welsh Rugby so well for almost 18 years as District H representative and, known to all as ‘J.R.’ He was a very good rugby and cricket player, as well as a golfer later on - but would readily admit that he couldn’t match Alan.






 

Adds to an impressive list of successes

 




Because Jones Junior’s record is a very impressive one since he has been champion at South Pembrokeshire Golf Club an amazing 28 times, as well as Dyfed Men’s Champion three times, including a third in in 2015 when he was the oldest-ever at 47.

He has also won the Dyfed Men’s over 35 title on four occasions and been Dyfed Seniors Champion as further proof of his golfing pedigree.
 
This latest success is all the more remarkable because of family commitments and his full-time work as a sports development link off ice with Sport Pembrokeshire at Pembrokeshire County Council.
 
He usually practises only once a week but still plays off +2 (that is two shots better than par - and it is typical of Alan that he plays down his achievement - but there is no doubt this is an amazing success and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can only say a huge well done and wish him further success in his golfing exploits in the future.