Birdies' bonanza secures Mike's success at Ruthin Pwllglas

It was the biggest win so far for Mike, from Graigfechan, who last year became only the second man in the club’s 117-year history to lift the two singles knock-outs - the Castle Cup and the Avitt Scott Vase - in the same year.

It came despite some scoring fireworks from Corwen veteran Graham Lowe who  took the nearest to the pin on the seventh and 16th holes en route to a pair of birdie twos.

That gave him 42 points, one behind Halsall who had his own wobble when he bogeyed the short 16th but closed out his win with solid two-pointers on the final two holes.

A delighted Mr Halsall said: “I went well on the front nine with 22 when I chipped in for a two on the ninth and those two birdies on the back nine were crucial.”

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John Lewis is the only previous player to have won both knockout titles in the same year and there was no keeping the veteran former club champion out of the action.

His tee shot with a driver on the 176-yard 18th hit a tree so he reloaded with a provisional and promptly holed out for what would have been an incredible par three.

Unfortunately for him, playing partner Eddie Fitzsimmons found his first ball in a difficult lie and Mr Lewis failed to score on the hole but there was consolation as his wife, Delyth, took the ladies' prize, the Mary Jones Cup, with an excellent 38 points, two better than runner-up Sue Jones.

Ruthin Pwllglas captain’s day winners. From left, back, winner Mike Halsall; Graham Lowe, Division Two winner; Peter Hodson, Division Two runner-up. Front, ladies winner Delyth Lewis; Club captain Andrew Spink and his wife, Tanya, and ladies runner-up Sue Roberts. Picture: Gordon Roberts.

Eddie’s son, Adam, took the Division One honours with 39 points, one ahead of D Neil Roberts while Lowe had the consolation of winning Division Two by two points from Peter Hodson.

Longest drive on the opening hole went to former Ruthin Rugby Club outside-half Iwan Ellis who blasted one out beyond the marks set by Alistair Syme and Mike Price.

Club captain Andrew Spink paid tribute to the standard of the course, saying: “The course generally was in superb condition and despite challenging conditions on the day for the players, the winning scores were excellent.

“There’s a big thank you to our greenkeeper Dylan Evans and his team who have done a great job in preparing the course over recent weeks, ready for today's competition.

“Dylan and his assistant and the club volunteers have been fantastic, and have helped me really enjoy my role and my captain’s day.”