James Ruth (St Mellion) first Jamega win

James Ruth (St Mellion) creates new course record on the way to his first Jamega win

Ruth started the tournament with a relatively quiet first round of 2 under par 70 to sit 3 off the lead that was jointly held by Nick Pateman and Australia’s Nigel Lane on 5 under par.

Challenge Tour regular Tom Whitehouse put himself in the mix with a solid 4 under par 68 to lead the chasing pack of Iwan Griffiths and Richard Prophet on 3 under par, whilst eventual winner James Ruth enjoyed the company of Richard Tagg and Kieran Staunton on 2 under par.

Liam Robinson returned a 1 under par 71 which involved an unusual par at the 15th hole with his ball perched on a muddy patch in a water hazard Robinson decided to play the ball rather than accept a penalty drop.

Thinking he might just get a bit mucky around the ankle area, off came the shoes and socks and he took his stance at the ball and started to sink, gripped down on the club a bit more, continuing to sink and re-grip Robinson decided he’d better get the ball and himself out which he just managed to do in the nick of time and salvaged a gutsy par as his reward.

The second day also contained some unusual and amusing golfing stories with last week’s winner Steve Tooth holing out with a 5 iron for a spectacular and rare Albatross 2 at the par 5 ninth hole and Matt Fryer doing a Richard Finch falling into a muddy hazard whilst playing a shot! Tooth kept things going and posted a 6 under par 66 to set the clubhouse target at 3 under par. 

Will Harvey soon passing Tooth, by adding a 5 under par 67 to his first round 73 to assume the clubhouse lead on 4 under par. Ex European Tour player, Warren Bennett, with the help of his new man on the bag, his young son Tom, showed his class compiling a flawless 6 under par 66 to top the leader board for a time.

In the final group it was drama and fireworks all the way for Nigel Lane and James Ruth.

With his heart sinking along with his ball in the lateral hazard on the first hole Ruth must have wondered what was to come after dropping a shot at the very start of his final round. Playing alongside Ruth, Australia’s Nigel Lane was finding the going tough on the front half turning in one over par while an inspired Ruth finished the front nine in 32 to set up a back nine shoot-out with Lane.

Both players birdied the 10th but then Lane sniffed a chance of victory when he Eagled the 11th to lead by one after Ruth bogeyed the same hole. Ruth steadied himself with a couple of pars to remain one behind Lane, then the pedal hit the metal as Ruth birdied the next three holes to overtake Lane to lead by 2 shots.

Both players finishing the last two holes par, birdie to leave Ruth the winner by 2 shots earning a 1st place cheque of £5,000 from the gallant Nigel Lane who earned £1,500 for his 2nd spot finish.

The Shropshire has an excellent layout and we would recommend it to one and all.

Our next event at The Warwickshire has attracted a high quality field so come and join us and play against the best on the best.