A COLWYN Bay golfer defied his age to achieve a tremendous finish at a prestigious national competition.

Reuben Bather, a Year 10 pupil at Rydal Penrhos School, travelled to Wenvoe Castle Golf Club in Glamorgan to compete at the Welsh Youth Open Championships.

The 14-year-old sports scholar managed to produce another consistent display throughout, eventually ending the tournament in third position against some of the best junior golfers in the country.

Reuben, who is also junior captain at Maesdu Golf Club in Llandudno, began the competition with a creditable one-under-par round of 71 to put him with the leading pack early on, and he followed this up with a level par round two (72) to keep him near the top of the standings at the half way point.

The Golf Wales international remained in contention after another round of 72, which was followed by a final round full of impressive strokes that resulted in a one-under-par 71 to give him a third placed finish on -2, eventually finishing just four shots off the eventual winner Ryan Dixon.

This feat was even more remarkable given the tournament was held for U21 competitors, making Reuben one of the youngest competing at the showcase.

His work with the school’s dedicated Strength and Conditioning department has also been a great help to his overall game, which saw him help the Welsh U15 side to a historic victory at the Quadrangular International Championships in Holland earlier this year.