Austin and Beal share victory at Crediton

Downes Crediton club professional Barry Austin and former European Tour player Andy Beal (Salisbury) achieved their first wins of the season in the Crediton pro-am. 

Both players shared first place with steady returns of one-under-par 69.

Former Order of Merit winner Austin, who is devoting much of his time to club duties these days, proved he had lost none of his talents, scoring birdies at the 12th and 16^th to more than make up for his one-over score on the front nine.

Consistent Beal made birdies at the second and seventh, dropped his only shot at the par five fifth, and added 15 pars.

Christian Vine (Woodbury Park), a player in form at present, finished a shot behind in third. The highlight of his round was an eagle at the fifth to repair a wretched start when he dropped shots at the first two holes.

He followed two further bogeys at the eighth and tenth with twos at the 11th and 13th.

Occasional player Mark Taylor (Exeter) shared fourth on 71 with former Exeter man Chris Gill (Newquay) and Ben Hiscock (Torquay).

Beal won the team prize on 127, heading the Hiscock trio on countback with James Martin (Bovey Tracey Golf Centre) third on 128.