Ward wraps up Faldo Series title in Wales

Nick Ward of Brocket Hall won the seventh Faldo Series UK Championship of the 2013 season at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club in Bridgend, Wales.  The England international carded rounds of 71 and 72 to take the title by three shots from Girls’ winner Samantha Fuller of Roehampton.

“I’m relieved to have won again so soon after coming back from injury,” commented 18-year-old Ward who finished tenth in the 2012 Grand Final.  “I’ve never been to the USA before so I’m really excited.  The experience that I gained from last year’s final should stand me in good stead for The Greenbrier where my goal is to win.”

Samantha Fuller won the Girls’ Under-16 division by one shot from 2012 finalist Melissa Nicol of Moor Hall (Girls’ Under-21).  Both players qualified for the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final, to be hosted by six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, USA.

Two other age-group winners heading to the World Amateur Golf Ranking event at The Greenbrier in October are Matthew Vigurs from Redditch (Boys’ Under-21) and Alfredo Curbishley of Burhill (Boys’ Under-16).

Supported by The R&A, The Greenbrier, ISPS Handa and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 20 tournaments in 15 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Greece and the USA.
Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year.  Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

In September 2014, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America. The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona marks another significant step in the programme’s history.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 149 – Matthew Vigurs (Redditch) 77-72; 151 – Danny Vallis (North Wilts) 77-74; 154 – Luke Williams (Southerdown) 79-75.  Boys’ Under-18: 143 – Nick Ward (Brocket Hall) 71-72; 155 – Jake Darlington (Celtic Manor) 80-75, Kyle Harman (Cottrell Park) 73-82.  Boys’ Under-16: 155 – Alfredo Curbishley (Burhill) 76-79; 159 – Elliot Wills (Beaconsfield) 80-79; 161 – Jordan Golley (Clyne) 85-76.  Girls’ Under-21: 147 – Melissa Nicol (Moor Hall) 73-74; 149 – Bethan Popel (Long Ashton) 71-78.  Girls’ Under-16: 146 – Samantha Fuller (Roehampton) 76-70; 166 – Harrie Llewellyn (Vale of Glamorgan) 76-90.