Wales Round-up: Administrator O'Connor writes herself into record books
Katherine O’Connor organises the entries for the top ladies golf events in Europe as her day job, but now she has made her own entry into the golfing record books by winning the Welsh Amateur Championship.
O’Connor, 25, beat Wrexham’s Chloe Williams 2&1 in the final of the Welsh Ladies Close Matchplay Championship at the Vale of Llangollen.
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“It is absolutely amazing to win it, I can not quite believe it,” admitted O’Connor. “Everyone wants to win this one, I have worked so hard on my game and it paid off in my first final.”
The West Byfleet player, who studied at the University of Newport and plays for Wales thanks to her father, who is from Cardiff. She works for the Ladies European Tour at Wentworth as membership and entries administrator and said she slips out at lunchtime and after work to improve her own game.
‘It is absolutely amazing to win it’ She added: “I have been playing in this event for so long, nearly 10 years, and I have gained a lot of experience so I was able to concentrate on the next shot rather than worrying about the weather or the other player.
“I work in the week and use my holiday to play in golf events. I love golf so much so working for the Ladies European Tour is great and being based at Wentworth is very nice.”
O’Connor beat former champion Becky Harries from Tenby in semi-final. In the final she was never behind, with a birdie two at the 14th helping her close out the match.
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“It was a good performance by so many of the players with very high quality throughout,” said Golf Union of Wales championships manager Gavin Reen.
“However the Vale of Llangollen club was also superb all the way through. It certainly challenged the players while the hard work on the course paid off as it was in marvellous condition.”
Radyr to stage PGA Welsh National Championship
The PGA Welsh National Championship will return to its birthplace when the Radyr hosts the event from July 8-9.
Radyr has staged the championship five times, with the first occasion being in 1904.
Club captain Jeff Price told Wales Online: “It is a great honour to host the 2015 PGA Welsh National Championship and we would like to thank sponsors Asbri Golf, our head professional Simon Swales and the PGA for facilitating its return to Radyr.”
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The North Cardiff course was designed by Harry Colt and will see the event again sponsored by Asbri Golf, which has extended its commitment to the event by three years.
PGA Wales head of tournaments Ben Groutage said: “We are very excited that this year’s championship is returning to Radyr – the host of the inaugural championship over 100 years ago.”
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