Volkswagen Masters 2007 - Marriott St Pierre

The Welsh Regional Final of the Volkswagen Masters 2007 was held at the beautiful Marriott St Pierre where the scoring was as impressive as the setting. Forty-eight competitors from Wales and the Bristol area were presented with the frustrating prospect of sporadic showers but dealt with the weather conditions brilliantly.

The parkland course was in stunning condition and provided competitors with a great opportunity for low scoring. It was St Pierre member John Moody (pictured right) who took this opportunity with an impressive nett 65 off a handicap of four. The final hole on St Pierre?s Old Course is one of the finest finishing holes you are likely to see. At more than 200 yards across the edge of a lake to a raised green the hole can prove a serious card wrecker. The deserved winner of Group A finished his round in style with a final tee shot which finished three-foot from the hole and resulted in a two. Moody played superbly coming home after a difficult start to his round. ?I had a disastrous start, I topped it off the first and made 7 but I played really well on the back nine where I was five-under par,? he said. Scoring in Group A was particularly impressive with second place going to Tim Robins who shot a nett 69 playing off a handicap off four.

Group B was won with a nett score of 72 by 18 handicapper Ross Hazel (pictured left). The Neath Golf Club member secured his place in the UK Final with a solid performance. ?I had a bit of trouble with the trees today but my short game was good, the course was in great condition,? said Hazel.

Finally Group C was won by 23-handicapper Karl Blackford who shot a round of nett 74. The Celtic Manor member will feel at home when the UK Final is played at his in September on the new Ryder Cup course.

All participants were filmed on the first tee and after the round were treated to a swing analysis session by Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Neil Plimmer. The longest drive competition was won by Bristol and Clifton member Sian James and nearest the pin was won by Gwyn Evans from East Devon Golf Club.

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DATE: June 22

VENUE: St Pierre (Old Course)

T: 01291 629975

W: www.marriott.com

STATS: par 71; SSS 73, 6,818 yards

GF: £30-£68

Host to the 1996 Solheim Cup, the Old course at Marriott St Pierre is a beautiful test of golf. The parkland course is built around a 14th-century manor house and features an 11-acre lake that poses a threat on numerous holes.

The 6,750 par 71 golf course demands accuracy throughout the round. The 17th with its almost island green is one of the course's most memorable moments and the round climaxes with an approach into the famous elevated green at the 18th.

LIPHOOK / WESTERN GAILES / GULLANE / ASHRIDGE / ST PIERRE / LONDON GC / SAUNTON / WOODHALL SPA / LITTLE ASTON / ALWOODLEY