Hunt leads Welsh hopes

Toby Hunt (St Mellons) leads a strong Welsh challenge as the season-opening Titleist & FootJoy Assistant Sprint Series starts at Minehead and West Somerset on April 12.

Sixteen Welsh-based young professionals and trainees, including Hannah Bowen from Swansea Bay, have entered.

Hunt, twice a winner of the West Region assistants’ championship, was narrowly beaten into second place last year in the Sprint by James Ruth (China Fleet) who is now ineligible.

But the Askins brothers Christian (Radyr) and Simon (Southerndown) have enjoyed successful winters with the South Wales PGA. So has Craig Melding (Neath) who won the order of merit, so Hunt is not guaranteed to be the leading Welsh player.

Ashley Mansell (Clevedon), winner in his first season as a PGA professional, Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court), who finished third in the region’s order of merit last year, and Henry Pallas (Upavon) are formidable opponents.

The opening field features a host of new names. Many are unknown and several will be making their PGA debuts.

The top five win prize money in each of the four qualifiers that continue at Radyr on May 8 followed by a visit to Yelverton a week later. The leading 20 players at each event win points. A bonus pool with £500 first prize and an additional award from the sponsors follows the concluding round at Cumberwell Park on May 24. The leading five players receive bonus packages from Titleist & FootJoy.