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| Photo of Rhian by Jon James |
Shwmai/Hey, my name is Rhian Wyn Thomas, 23-year-old Welsh speaking country girl but now live in the city of Cardiff. I went to school in a small town in west Wales, and from there went to Llandovery College on a Sports Scholarship to study my A-levels. I loved all sports from a young age. I can remember my first sports day at primary school, and being so excited to come home with a handful of red ribbons. From there I have played most sports to county level from hockey, netball, football to athletics, and won the Welsh Schools tennis Championships back in 2002. I then went to college in Llanelli where I achieved a diploma in aromatherapy and sports massage.
I got into golf by chance, being at the right place at the right time at the Royal Welsh show. Golf Development Wales were at the sports council stand where national coach David Llewelyn was giving free five-minute lessons to people trying to get them to take up the game of golf. I hit a few shots and he asked me what my handicap was. I did not know what a handicap meant and told him that I have never held a golf club. He was shocked and told me that I should have a go and recommended me to see Robert Ryder in Ashburnham.
I went for lessons at the beginning of 2003 and yes it is true you can get addicted to the game. I was given a handicap of 25 to start and played my first competition in April 2003 and by August had reduced it to 13.
I joined the Vale of Glamorgan golf club in 2005 and was a member of the Welsh Ladies team for the Home Internationals in 2006. I have had many happy years competing for my country including the World Amateur Championships in Australia, to winning the Home Internationals for Wales in 2008 and 2009. In 2009 I played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy in Germany, which was another great experience. My best win as an amateur was winning the Welsh Ladies Amateur Open in 2008.
I was lucky enough to play in two LET events last year, the AIB Irish Open and Welsh Open. I made the cut in both and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and knew that this is what I want to do. In January this year I turned pro after a very hard two weeks at Qualifying School in La Manga
I played my first LET event in Morocco and was very excited, and thrilled to make the cut in my first event as a professional. Don’t know when my next event is on the main tour, but played both events on the Access Series, and had two successful tournaments, so hopefully it will continue!
When not competing, I do some modelling work, from photo shoots for Ken Picton, Premier award winning Hair Salon and Asbri Golf Products, to charity fashion shows modelling Debenhams clothing. I have also had the great opportunity of being the model for Clogau Gold’s Official Ryder Cup range of jewellery: have a look at the range, they are really smart and elegant!!
If anybody wants to have a look, the photos can be seen with various links and information and the next update of my blog on my website, which is under construction at the moment but should be up very soon.
Happy blogging.
Rhian x
