Arianna Elektra Nikitaidis came from Germany to become a Welsh champion – the title helping to justify missing her school prom after reaching the final of the Welsh Girls Championship.
Greenmeadow’s James Palfrey claimed the Boys title at Borth and Ynyslas, in the Under 18 event, just after returning from representing Wales in the European Boys Team Championships in Spain.
Stuttgart’s Nikitaidis beat younger sister Thaleia in the quarter-finals and had to delay the planned family return trip to Germany where she was due to attend her school leaving ceremony after finishing the equivalent of GCSE’s.
She beat Stroke Play winner Rosie Parsley, Conwy, in the semi-finals and Wales Schools international Lucy Hurst, St Idloes, in the final.
Nikitaidis has just travelled back from Zurich where she was part of the Wales team in the European Girls Team Championships.
It was the first time she had represented Wales after making the decision to follow the nationality of her mother Zoe Hewlett, a former Wales hockey international. Dad Manolis is a golf professional, originally from Greece.
“Winning this is a really good feeling, my first big Welsh tournament and just after representing Wales for the first time,” said 17-year-old Nikitaidis.
“The Europeans were my first Wales appearance. My parents got in touch with Wales Golf and then I started playing a few events where the selectors could see me.
“I live in Germany, so I had to travel for people to see me play. I competed in Aberdovey at the Women’s Open Stroke Play where I played pretty consistently to finish five under.
“My Mum is from Barry and we come once or twice a year to see family and now to play golf.
“My Dad was a golf pro in Cyprus and my Mum used to play field hockey for Wales. She was looking for a new sport when she had to stop hockey, she went to Cyprus for a holiday, tried golf and met my Dad.
“I was brought up in Germany. In Wales, they are prepared to look at potential more than in Germany, people who could perform in the future and they can help on their golf journey.
“I have just finished our equivalent GCSE’s and was due to fly back for my prom, so when I reached the final I had to miss that – it was all very stressful and my Mum and sister had to fly back.
“Next, I have two years for the equivalent of A Levels and then it is my dream to go to University in the United States.
“My parents do a lot for me with so much travel, but I hope to be selected for Wales in the Home Internationals, especially after the last few days.
“It was the first time I have played Borth and Ynyslas, it was a really tough challenge when the wind got up.”
Palfrey, aged 16, had a shorter journey to take part in the championships, but also enjoyed the challenge at Borth and Ynyslas.
James Platt, Hillside, won the Stroke Play and also reached the final, while Glyn Abbey’s Reilly Davies and Mold’s George Ledsham were the losing semi-finalists.
“Playing for Wales last week helped my confidence, I lost my first two matches but then had a really good win against Scotland, it was one of my best performances and something I tried to mimic here,” said Palfrey.
“I have just finished my GCSE’s, I’m planning to go to Merthyr College to the Golf Academy and then would love to go to the States.”
Pennard’s Matthew Lewis beat Vale Resort’s Patrick John in the Boys Plate Final.
The Girls and Boys Home Internationals will take place in Scotland from August 4.
