The inaugural Tŷ Hafan Pebble Cup golf match took place at the stunning Coed-y-Mwstwr golf course on 21st May 2026. The newly created competition pitted ten Dads and one sibling of children cared for by the hospice against a team of the charity’s wonderful supporters.
When I arrived at the course at 7:30am, the skies were overcast and there was definitely a whiff of rain in the air. After a bacon roll and some coffee, the two team captains –my good friend Gary Mitchell from Cambria Consulting and me – presented the team shirts to the players, kindly sponsored by Cambria and TLC Wales Fostering.
The Morning Greensomes
With both teams wearing their team shirts, the competition factor kicked in. In the morning session, a pair of players from each team would face off in a Greensomes format. The Supporters appeared to be favourites with far lower handicaps than the Dads. But then that is what the handicap system is for!
I was in the first group, teeing off a 9:00am. Thankfully, I managed to get my tee shot away.
By hole 9, the weather had changed and I was questioning my decision to wear long trousers. With the heat rising, the six groups of four continued to fight it out on the course and, as each group played the final 18th green, the state of the match became apparent. With 1.5 points for the best Stableford score for the 18 holes, the Supporters built a 6-3 points lead.
After a wonderful lunch of homemade tomato and basil soup with cheese and ham sandwiches, we were back out on the course for the afternoon singles. By this time, the skies were clear blue and the temperature was rising.
The Afternoon Singles
With tired legs from walking six miles in the morning, the afternoon session had the Supporters playing the Dads over another Stableford scoring 18 holes. We played in groups of four, with two matches taking place in each group. And the matches were close.
By the time we got back into the clubhouse, everyone was exhausted. Now it was time to check out the scores. Had the Dads managed to claw back enough points? There was excitement when the first two matches scored two points for the Dads, but it wouldn’t be enough. As the singles drew to a close, the afternoon session scores were tied at 5.5 points each, meaning that the supporters had won the inaugural Tŷ Hafan Pebble Cup 11.5 points to 8.
Supporting Tŷ Hafan
From the beginning, the concept of the Pebble Cup was unlike any other charity golf day. The aim was not to raise money on the day, but to embrace and thank some of Tŷ Hafan’s most important supporters. We wanted these wonderful supporters to spend a day in the company of Dads, where they could learn more about the support the charity provides our families. Without their support, such help would simply not exist.
Remembrance pebbles, with the names of children who have been cared for the hospice and have passed away, lie in a peaceful area around a water feature in the hospice gardens, and inspired the name of the competition.
Inviting Supporters to take part in the Pebble Cup was a way in which Dads whose families have been supported by Tŷ Hafan could say ‘Thank You’.
The Teams
Dads – Anthony Boggis, Paul Fears, Tom Fears, Jeff Griffiths, Scott Haines, Ben Jones, Patrick Lord, James Meacham, Greg Murdoch, Hywel Tyler, Craig Williams
Supporters – Richard Bennion (ION), John Evison (ION), James Hughes (Sphere Solutions), Ryan Lewis (Stable), Deri Morgan, Tomos Morgan (Evol Wales/Tiny Rebel), Gary Mitchell (Cambria Consulting), Stephen Price (BBI), Tom Tucker (Envisage), Lewis Walters (Dragon Group), Dave Watkins
More Thank Yous
And now some all-important thank yous.
Sorrel Mayo from Tŷ Hafan. She was the driving force behind the event and did so much to make it happen.
Gareth and the fantastic team at Coed-y-Mwstwr golf club. The support, guidance and delivery on the day were amazing. We were all made to feel so welcome. The food was particularly great (thanks to the chef!) and the course was in fantastic condition (thanks to the groundman and his team).
Ian Williams from Riley Sporting Memories, my good friend who re-engraved the trophy plaque and brought the trophy back to its original shining glory.
