Boulden is new Welsh champion; GOLF.

Byline: MARK CURRIE 

AMY BOULDEN heads into next month's prestigious Curtis Cup tournament against the United States in confident mood after yesterday adding the Welsh Ladies Close matchplay championship to the Scottish Open strokeplay title she won last month.

The 18-year-old from Conwy Golf Club finally got her hands on the Welsh trophy, having been runner-up in each of the previous three years, and gained a measure of revenge by beating defending champion Becky Harries (Haverfordwest) 4&2 in the final after eliminating Samantha Birks at the semi-final stage. Harries, a Curtis Cup reserve, beat Wrexham's Chloe Williams 7&6 in their semi-final.

Delighted with her victory at Cardigan golf club, Boulden said: "I'm pleased to have finally done it.

"It was a really good game and to be fair Becky did not do much wrong today. it was just that I played really well."

There wasn't much between the pair over the opening nine holes played yesterday afternoon in warm sunshine, but the turning point came at the 11th where a birdie gave Boulden the edge and she pressed home her advantage to seal the triumph on the 16th.

"I've been waiting a long time for a big win," she added. "The win in Scotland last month gave me the confidence I needed and I'll take that into the Curtis Cup, which I hope is going to be a great week."

Although the biennial contest against the United States doesn't get under way until June 8 at Nairn on the Moray Firth, Boulden and her British and Irish team-mates are meeting up north of the border at the end of this month.

"It's sensible to get the team together for a few days of bonding and preparation, although most of the team already know each other very well, and although it's the biggest event of my career to date, I am really looking forward to it," she said.

Four of the GB team, including Boulden, were in the five-strong home line-up that beat top amateurs from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa to win the Astor Trophy team match-play in Lancashire, and the North Wales teenager hopes that success rubs off in the Curtis Cup, last won by GB & Ireland 16 years ago.

She added: "The Astor Trophy tournament proved what we are capable of and several of the girls, apart from me, are going into the tournament having won tournaments already this year.

"So I feel we have a very good chance of winning this year, especially as we will be playing on a links course, which is not something the Americans are as used to as we are."

CAPTION(S):

Amy Boulden yesterday won the Welsh Ladies Close Championship