AMATEUR PETE JAMES WINS CELTIC PRO
TOUR'S SWANSEA BAY OPEN

English amateur Pete James led from start to finish to win the Swansea Bay Open, the sixth event of the Dragon Tour, and the eighth event on the Celtic Pro Tour.
Overnight leader James, of Belmont Lodge, held on to his lead to win his first event on the Celtic Pro Tour by one shot from professional Lewis James (ISM/Southerndown).
Pete James becomes the eighth different winner on the Celtic Pro Tour this season. Three players were tied for third place - home professional Jonathan Clewett, Andy Lambert (Belmont Lodge) and Leon Clark (Greenmeadow)
Pete James' first round one under par round of 69 on the west Wales course would have been much better as he stood at four under par after 15 holes and triple-bogeyed the 16th hole to bring the chasing golfers back into contention.
The amateur was in a similar position at the Wicklow Open in Tulfarris last month when he triple bogeyed the 17th on the Irish course.
The Celtic Pro Tour, while designed mainly for young professional golfers to hone their skills, is also open to quality amateur golfers looking to develop their game.
Clinching the title with a closing round 72, Pete James joins Neath's Richard Hooper as the second amateur to win on the tour and received the voucher for the leading amateur, a Sunderland of Scotland waterproof suit, a Powerbug electric trolley and the Swansea Bay Open title and trophy.
Lewis James walked away with the professionals’ prize money of £500 and also claimed the bonus money for the best round over the two days with 71 on both occasions. Lambert, Clark and Clewett split the 2nd and 3rd place money, each taking home £100.
The next Celtic Pro Tour event, the Carnoustie Country Open takes place at Montrose (Medal Course), on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th September,
A special package price is available for Welsh-based golfers wishing to compete in this famous golfing heartland.
“We are putting together a very attractive package for golfers from Wales wishing to travel to Montrose, a venue that staged final qualifying for this year’s Open Championship and golfers must remember that in order to qualify for the final Order of Merit placings, they must compete in at least one non-Welsh based event,” said Tour director Rhydian Thomas.
“This is an excellent opportunity to meet that condition, as we have already played two events in Ireland and there is only one more Scottish event after Montrose, which will be at Murcar in the first week of October. Indeed, as we get closer to the end of the season, golfers who have yet to play an event on the Celtic Pro Tour are reminded that they will need to play in at least one standard event in order to be able to enter the Tour Championship at St Pierre on 17th, 18th and 19th of October when we will be playing for our biggest prize fund.”
For more information on the Scottish event or the Tour Championship, visit the website at www.celticpro.com, or contact Tour Director, Rhydian Thomas on 07861 686568