Gill and Mason become Fourball champions again
20/06/2014
Chris Gill, left, won for the first time this season but was given a helping hand by his close friend and playing partner Sean Mason in the annual West Fourball championship at Teign Valley.
The pair were past winners at the previous venue of Launceston and although Mason seldom plays these days they always reunite for this championship.
Gill, who was an assistant at Exeter Golf and Country Club until he became club professional at Newquay, and Mason, still attached to Exeter, trailed first round leaders Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton) and James Ruth (China Fleet) by four shots.
That was no surprise for the half-way leaders scooted around the course in a remarkable 57 shots setting a tournament record. Halves of 27 and 30 came from two eagles by Ruth who also made three of the nine birdies in the 13-under-par round.
Although they were clear favourites they faltered slightly on the second day. They progressed to 19-under before dropping crucial shots on the 16th and 17th. But a return of 66 was good enough for second spot.
Gill and Mason on the other hand were models of overall consistency. They dovetailed well in a nine-under opening 61 and repeated the score for a winning total of 18-under-par 132.
Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) and Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Steven Buzza (Cifton Hill) playing with Mark Taylor (Exeter) also played consistently with two rounds of 62 to tie in third place.
Devon players also finished fifth. Barrie Austin, club pro at Downes Crediton and Robin Goodey, the former club manager until he took a similar role at Chipping Sodbury, finished fifth after two 63s. They won the first Fourball at Teign Valley in 2012.
The hole of the tournament was played by Devon Greenslade, the Downes Crediton assistant. His booming drive at the downhill 513-yard par five eighth hole rolled 12 feet from the pin and he holed the put for an albatross.
Defending champions Daniel Carter (Upavon) and Barry Forster (North Wilts) tied for 14th.
