ANDREW Williams gave Newport Golf Club another reason to celebrate as he became Welsh Open Seniors champion on home soil.

Williams’ victory came on the back of a win – their second in successive years – for Newport’s women in the Welsh Ladies’ Team Championships.

Retired Gwent policeman Williams, who has played county golf, won the Gwent Championships twice and represented British Police, won his maiden senior title by four shots.

Rounds of 69, 71 and another 69 saw him finish on seven-under-par, with England’s Stephen East finishing second.

“The course was absolutely magnificent and it has been a tremendous week for Newport,” said Williams. “The ladies did well and then me winning this is the icing on the cake.

“The last 18 months to two years has seen the place take off, it is a good business model of how to run a professional club and everyone is happy with the course which is as good as I have known it in 30 years.

“The greens were measuring over 11 on the stimpmeter which is remarkable given the weather we have had in Wales. I putted extremely well, fast greens suit me.

“I was very nervous on the first tee at the start of the final round but a birdie settled me down.

“It was a really pleasurable win because there were a lot of English internationals in the field.

“The key was not to make any bogeys and just to keep it solid.

“I did not realise the score until I was on the 18th green. I never look at scoreboards because I do not want to know, but I knew I was playing well and would be difficult to beat.

“I asked the score when I walked onto the last green and then I could relax.”

Golf Union of Wales championships manager David Wilson added: “Congratulations to Andrew putting together a superb run of scores to win the title, it is always nice to have a Welsh winner of an open event.

“Newport was a superb venue, the course in tremendous condition and competitors from all round the UK made a special point of praising the course in general and the greens in particular.”