GOLFERS from around the world came to Flintshire for an inaugural festival last month.

Gateway to Wales Golf held their Autumn golf festival which attracted over 130 entries to the three-day event held at Padeswood and Buckley, Mold and Old Padeswood Golf Clubs.

The event, supported by North Wales Tourism and Flintshire County Council Leisure and Tourism, attracted golfers from across the Midlands, North of England and even Belgium.

John Green of Gateway to Wales Golf, said: “As a voluntary group representing Padeswood and Buckley, Mold, Old Padeswood, Hawarden, Northop and Holywell Golf Clubs, we have been working on this event for 12 months.

“We have been delighted with the response, 90 per cent of the entries were visitors to the county who stayed locally, providing a boost to local tourism.”

The three-day prize of £150 and the title ‘The Leader Gateway to Wales 4BBB Champions 2018’ sponsored by Newsquest, was won by James David and Paul Gerrard from Huyton and Prescot with 128 points.

The pair scored 40 points at Padeswood and Buckley, 47 points at Mold and 41 points at Old Padeswood.

John Green added: “We would particularly like to thank all those members of each of the golf clubs involved who worked so hard on the day to demonstrate what welcome hospitality our visitors to Flintshire can enjoy.”

Winners on the individual days were Padeswood and Buckley, Mark James and Keith Parsons, second Steve Watson and Tom Stanley and third Michael and Gill Ward who all scored 43 points.

Winners at Mold were James David and Paul Gerrard with 47 points, second was Ted and Rita Graham with 45 points and third Terry Lawson and Tony Hill with 45 points.

Taking first place at Old Padeswood was Mike Johnson and Andrew Ainsworth with 46 points, second was David Smith and Suzanne Horner with 46 points and third was Jan Kelly and Joan Thompson also with 46 points.