James Ruth, again, well done

"Strewth", it's James Ruth, by 8 shots!

With a strong breeze sweeping across this delightful parkland course, set in the grounds of the magnificent Bowood House near Calne in Wiltshire it was going to be a day where experience and patience would be the key.

This proved to be the case with former European Tour members James Ruth and Lee James topping the Leaderboard on the first day with 3 under par 69’s.

The fact that only four players equalled or bettered the par of 72 showed the strength of golf course that has held a Challenge Tour tournament in the recent past. David James also bettered par with a hard fought 1 under par 71 that put him one in front of Frilford Heath winner Steve Tooth.

Local amateur and Bowood member Jordan Smith scored a solid 73 to sit alongside former P.G.A Champion Scott Drummond and the very experienced Neil Riley.

A drizzly start to the second day with less wind gave the players a better chance to go low and Michael Moore shot up the leader board, adding a 3 under par 69 to his first round 77 to assume the clubhouse lead on 2 over par. On the course James Ruth took control of the tournament to lead by 2 shots after the front nine holes of 2 under par 34. Ruth’s nearest challenger, Lee James, could not get going on the front nine and his challenge fell away after bogies at ten and eleven.

Much to the delight of the Bowood members Jordan Smith got himself back to level par with 9 to play and parred every hole on the back nine to take the clubhouse lead on level par and with Lee James scattering shots over the closing holes, a second place finish for the young amateur was a distinct possibility.

Meanwhile Ruth was feeding off James’s misfortunes and with a 6 shot lead with 2 to play birdied the last two holes for fun and won the tournament by a staggering 8 shots adding a stunning 5 under par 67 to his first round 69 to win his second Jamega Pro Tour event of the year and a cheque for £5,000.

Lee James tied for second place with Jordan Smith but as an amateur Smith cannot accept prize money which left James holding a cheque for £1,000 to take his seasons earnings on the Tour to over £30,000!

Bowood is a superb test of golf, lovingly looked after by the course manager Jay and is set in magnificent countryside with excellent practice facilities and a clubhouse offering a warm welcome.

Although the main season is over we are now embarking on The Winter One Day Series that is starting at The Bedford Golf Course on the 1st of November and we are holding 6 events throughout November so you can be competitive right up to the next stage of The European Tour qualifying school.

Information about the series and details on how to enter will shortly be on the website.

Don’t forget to take advantage of our discounted membership offer, full 2012 Membership for just £125. This applies until the 30th November when it then increases to the normal £200.

Finally we would like to wish the 35 of our players taking part in the first stage of “Q “school at Frilford Heath this week all the very best of luck.