Victory in Turkey for Caerphilly Golf Club duo

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Two Caerphilly golfers have won a prestigious PGA tournament in Turkey.

PGA professional Darran Clark and amateur partner Delfi Rees won the St James’s Place National Pro-Am in Turkey.

A ‘Pro-Am’ is where a golf pro, such as Clark, is paired with an amateur golfer, such as Rees, to play a tournament together.

Clark, who currently coaches at Caerphilly Golf Club, qualified for the 2021 competition after 30 years of trying – only for Covid to postpone the event.

However, Clark also managed to qualify for the 2022 tournament and both were played back-to-back

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Clark said how he had ‘no expectations’ heading to Turkey. He continued: “It’s a great story actually. We nearly won the first week where I played with Tom Williams who’s the potential son in law of Delfi who I played with during week two.

“We came second in week one, missing out by one shot. It really set me up for week two however as I felt comfortable on the course.

“The trip itself was a prize to me. The win was just a bonus.”

The club, just off Mountain Road in Caerphilly Town, made the most of the trip, taking 12 members to support the guys.

One of those members was former captain now committee member, Philip Hadfield. He said: “It was a brilliant trip. We all enjoyed it and even managed to play some golf ourselves.

“It’s a great win for the club but especially Darran. He has been great to us and helped loads of players.”

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Clark and Rees won in dramatic style on the 18th and final hole, where Clark sunk a 20-foot birdie putt to secure the win over 12 other teams.

Having ‘retired’ in 2014 , Clark, now 47, was asked if this win has motivated him to push on in the pro game: “Don’t get me wrong I loved the adrenalin and everything that came with competing”, Clark said. “But I think I’ll stick to the teaching, the club have been great to me and they’re really proud”, he added.

On how the club plans on using this success to kick-on, Mr Hadfield said: “The club is actually doing well at the moment.

“We came out of Covid with more members as lots of youngsters from local sports clubs found us.

“Darran has set up an indoor training facility that allows you to play on some of the most famous courses in the world. It’s been a great help, especially in this weather.”