Debutant Ian Woosnam, now a sprightly 50 year old, celebrated his inaugural season as a senior in style in Poland just over a week ago by winning the 'Parkridge Seniors Open' title - his first strokeplay victory in over a decade.
This week Woosnam, who joined the European seniors tour after reaching his 50-year milestone in April, heads to the Conwy (Caernarfonshire) Golf Club determined to win the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open.
The 2006 Ryder Cup winning captain began his journey as an amateur in Wales, before going on to enjoy a glittering career on the European Tour, famously winning the 1991 Masters Tournament in Augusta.
In Poland, Woosnam smashed the course record with a blistering final round of nine-under-par 63 for a one-stroke victory over playing partner Domingo Hospital.
"I was never able to win the Wales Open so I'm very much hoping that that I can win the Seniors title instead"
"I played here about 35 years ago as an amateur," says Woosnam. "That was all part of my learning curve which helped me in my career.
"I've been very lucky with the success I've had over the years since."
Both Woosnam's parents are Welsh and he learned the game on his local Llanymynech course (15 holes in Wales, three in England) on the border.
Ian worked on the family farm for six months after leaving school and he credits his stocky but powerful, physique to lifting heavy hay bales!
606: DEBATE
"Obviously, it would be special if I could win back-to-back tournaments at Conwy."
Another major contender will be defending champion Carl Mason from Oxfordshire who will be chasing his third title in four years, having also claimed victory in Harlech in 2005.
Woosnam and Mason will be up against one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a European Seniors Tour event.
This year's entries of 75 players will include Ryder Cup stars Eamonn Darcy, Mark James, Jose Rivero, Constantino Rocca, Des Smyth and Sandy Lyle, who is also a debutant on the Seniors tour.
Lyle, a two-time Major winner himself, was one of Woosnam's assistant captains in Ireland two years ago and he is relishing the opportunity of playing alongside the Welshman.
THE COURSE
The Conwy course is located along the north Wales coast, in the shadow of Conwy mountain overlooking the estuary towards Llandudno's Great Orme and the isle of Angelsey, with the field of play set on links known locally as the 'Morfa'.
In 1875, a group of members from the Liverpool Golf Club realised the potential of the land and constructed a 12-hole course initially, leading to the formation of the club in 1890 and developed into an 18-hole course by 1895.
Conwy was the first club in Wales to stage the final qualifying rounds of the Open Championship in 2006 and, more recently, Conwy were presented with the Towergate "Welsh Golf Club of the Year" award, announced at the Ryder Cup Wales gala dinner.
THE FUTURE
The tournament will move to the Royal Porthcawl club in 2009 and 2010 with the Ryder Cup being played, not far away, at the Celtic Manor Resort later in that year.
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