Boulden lifts the Welsh Ladies’ Open Strokeplay Championship

Welsh international Amy Boulden continued her impressive start to the season as she lifted the Welsh Ladies’ Open Strokeplay Championship, as well as helping her country to the team title.

It was a maiden championship victory for Boulden at the Vale Resort, and the Curtis Cup star will be delighted to add another prestigious title to her trophy cabinet.

Amy Boulden with the Welsh Ladies' Open Strokeplay Championship Trophy at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort.

Fellow international Sam Birks of Wolstanton was third, as Wales’ finest battled a strong field from all round the UK, Ireland and Europe. England's Alex Peters was second with Scot Jessica Meek fourth to post a strong finish for the British Isles.

The Conwy golfer even shot a brilliant eagle on the 15th before also nabbing a crucial birdie on the 17th to finish four shots clear on one under par on the challenging National Course at the Vale.

Wrexham’s Chloe Williams came ninth and Haverfordwest’s Becky Harries 15th to maintain a good Welsh record at the event after Harries and Williams clinched a home one-two finish last year.

Amy Boulden and Chloe Williams celebrate Wales winning the team event - the third member of the team was Becky Harries (not pictured).

“It's been an excellent few days, the Golf Union have been great running the event, the course was in fantastic condition, and it was close coming down the back nine holes,” said Boulden. “I knew we were all level coming up the par five 15^th, so I knew I had to make a birdie there.

“Me and [Alexandra Peters] both hit it on the green. I managed to hole a big putt for an eagle while she three putted for a par. Sam came back with a birdie at the next hole, but I managed to get a birdie on 17.

“The next big event for us is the Welsh closed at Nefyn so we are looking forward to that.”

Birks’ title challenge faded with a double bogey on the 15th and a bogey on the 17th, though birdies on the 14th and 16th helped her to third place, one shot behind Peters, which she was delighted with.

“I had a couple of birdies on the back nine and got it back level with Amy, then let it slip but got it back again with another birdie so it was close at the end,” she said.

Golf Union of Wales championship manager Rhys James was delighted with the Welsh success. He said: “The National course at the Vale was in fantastic condition and the competitors really enjoyed playing round there.

“After watching the Welsh ladies compete so strongly against some of the best players from around Europe, we are looking forward to the Welsh Closed Championships at Nefyn where competition will be hot at another fantastic venue.”

This latest success continues a fine start to the year for Welsh golf as a whole. Boulden has already been in the winners’ circle at the Leveret Trophy, Williams took team gold and individual bronze at the Australian Youth Olympics, while Tim Harry became the youngest ever winner of the Duncan Putter and the Wales Under-18s won the Cardigan Cup.