Rhys and Amy share top award
13th January 2012

Two of Welsh golf's brightest young stars shared top honours as Rhys Pugh and Amy Boulden were jointly recognised at the Welsh Amateur Golfers of the Year at the Golf Union of Wales Awards.

The award was announced by Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards in a ceremony at Celtic Manor, the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup, the first time this award has been given jointly because the judges decided their achievements could not be separated.

The two 19-year-olds were both unbeaten in matches against the United States, Boulden claiming two and a half points out of three in the Junior Solheim Cup while Pugh claimed a perfect three out of three on his Walker Cup debut under the captaincy of Edwards.

Apart from competing for Europe in the Junior Solheim Cup, Llandudno/Maesddu's Boulden also represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Astor Trophy and the Vagliano Trophy, was runner-up in the Welsh Ladies Amateur and reached the semi-final of the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

An amazingly consistent years was capped off by coming second in the Royal Birkdale Ladies and Tenby Scratch, third in the Welsh Ladies Stroke Play Championship and fourth in the Ladies British Open Stroke Play Championship.

Pugh was also the winner of the Carwyn James Young Sportsman of the Year Award at the BBC Wales Sports Personality show, an award previously given to Boulden, and was the Irish Open Stroke Play Champion.

He was the runner-up in the Welsh Men's Amateur Championship, won the Pinnacle Welsh Order of Merit and the Hugh James Boys Order of Merit.

He was ninth in the European Men's Individual Championship, second in the Trubshaw Cup, third in the Peter McEvoy Trophy and fourth in the St David's Gold Cross.

Both represented the Wales teams in the European Team Championships and the Home Internationals.

“Amy had an outstanding year and with just a couple of things going her way it could have been even better,” said Bennett.

“She has a really good attitude to the game, she works really hard and will often be out there practising first thing in the morning.

“She was our leader in the Home Internationals and really showed what she can do in some of those games against some of the other best amateurs in the UK.”

Pugh is now studying on a golf scholarship in America, but was delighted to receive the award on his return to Wales. “It is a great honour to receive this recognition, it has been a good year with the highlight being the Walker Cup,” he said.

“It was great to play in and do well. I just kept playing and was confident I could do well. I am enjoying the new challenge in America, it is different golf, hopefully going on to turn professional after getting my degree in four years.”

Golf Union of Wales director of player development and coaching Edwards added, “This is the first time the award has ever been given jointly, but the committee which selects the winner found it impossible to split these two.

“They are two of the shining lights of Welsh golf's future, with plenty of time on their side to make even more of an impact in the amateur game before enjoying successful professional careers.

“There is no doubt that they were at their most impressive in their respective matches against the United States and to have two young Welsh golfers going through those competitions unbeaten, both playing three times, really is quite a record for us to savour.”