A Huge win for Craig Smith at Frilford Heath

A calm day greeted the players for the first day's play on the Red Course at the glorious Frilford Heath Golf Club, near Oxford, and for the player who could resist the Sirens call from the Gorse, there was a good score to be had.

Early starter Lee James took full advantage of the benign conditions and after a shaky start he compiled a 5 under par score of 67 that was eventually to lead for the rest of the day.

Two players got to within one shot of James, the effervescent Australian, Shaun Malone and the big hitting Bristolian, Charlie Cossins.

Tucked in behind the leaders on 3 under par were the fast improving pair of John Chamberlain and Michael Moore both of whom would be challenging the leaders on the second day.

Miles Mackman and Martin Sell, both from Swindon, were joined by James Pratt to make up the chasing pack on 2 under par and they had every chance of making a sizeable dent in the prize fund.

Making a welcome return to the tour was former European Tour player Warren Bennett who showed glimpses of years gone by and compiled a solid 1 under par 71. Playing alongside Bennett in round two, also on 1 under par, will be Lee Corfield and recent Stoke Park one day  event winner, Ed Harding.

The temperature fell to a more comfortable level for the start of the second day's play and battle commenced at 7-30am sharp.

What a strange day it was with the leaders treating the lead like "hot potato" and not wanting to hold onto it and throwing away shots like confetti at a wedding!

Meanwhile early starter, Ryan Harrison cruised around the Red course in a serene, error-free 5 under par 67, to finish the tournament at one under par and reflect on his first round 4 over par 76. Oh my, what might have been?

The focus now concentrated on the leaders who continued to spend money on the course like there was no tomorrow and it was a grateful Craig Smith who was going around and picking it up.

Smith, although bogeying the first hole, proceeded to settle into his rhythm and then he eagled the 6th hole but immediately gave one back at the next to turn in level par.

Rock solid golf on the back nine, with 3 birdies and no mistakes, saw Smith in the house with a 3 under par 69 and a tournament score of 4 under par.

John Chamberlain was also frittering away shots, going from 3 under at the start, back to level par with 3 holes to go, but then Chamberlain burst into life and birdied the last 3 holes to just fall short of Smith's total.

Word came in from the course that Martin Sell was now the only realistic challenger to Smith and Sell tied for the lead with a birdie on the 15th; he then gave it straight back to Smith with a bogey on the very next hole.

Sell now had to find a birdie at either of the last two holes in order to tie Smith and force a play-off but it was not to be and Sell parred in to tie for second place with Chamberlain with each of them winning £1,750.

This left the mighty Craig Smith as the winner of his first Jamega Tour event and a very nice winners cheque for £5,000.

Stunningly beautiful, is probably the best way to describe Frilford Heath Golf Club and with 3 courses offering the golfer different challenges it is one to play before you die, as they say.

Offering unbounded hospitality and reasonably priced food and beverages it is a haven for golfers of all standards and well worth a visit.

The first "Super 7" kicks off next week at Burghill Valley where the Prize Fund will be enhanced by £3,500, details are on our website.

This event will be popular so you will need to enter quickly and pay your entry fee before 6pm on Friday, or you will miss out.