Jones in control at Teign Valley
18/06/2014
Canford Magna’s Paul Jones (above) made the perfect start to the West Region Fourball Championship by winning the pre-tournament pro-am at Teign Valley with a five-under-par round of 65.
Victory gave him a boost before he teed off with club colleague Darren Stratman his partner in the 36-hole event that has attracted another impressive field.
He reached the turn in three-under 31, adding successive birdies at the 13th and 14th before dropping his only shot at the 16th. He finished with his sixth birdie.
Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) is in superb form and made five birdies and one bogey in claiming second place one shot behind. Nick Brennan (Bowood) and Dan Carter (Upavon) shared third on 68. Carter, who won the fourball with Barrie Forster (North Wilts) last year, is always at home playing the attractive Devon course.
He clearly fancied his chances of further success as he left the 14th tee on five-under following his sixth three. But finishing with three consecutive bogeys proved costly.
Christian Vine (Woodbury Park), Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Welshman Brian Lee shared fifth on 70.
West captain Andrew March (Brean) led the Wrays of Kingsbridge team of Malcolm Barrett, Simon Such and Paul Mare to success in the team section.
A total of 18-under-par 122 pipped Brian Lee’s MJ Baker Foodservice trio of Malcolm Baker, Andy Pelosi and Clive Pantoll on countback.
Exeter’s Gary Milne steered Jodie Mogford, Daniel Hall and Malcolm Hall, representing the Rodgers of Plymouth team, to third one shot behind.
