Ruth and Hendriksen share at Minch
05/05/2015
James Ruth (China Fleet) and Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton) mastered tough conditions to win the first regional pro-am of the summer over the Common course at Minchinhampton.
A chilling east wind, unseasonal low temperatures and a baked-hard course that provided plenty of run limited sub-par rounds to just 13 from a field of 54.
Ruth made six birdies in his three-under-par 68, four on the back nine when he returned in 31. He dropped three shots while Hendriksen was faultless. Birdies at the sixth, 14th and 17th plus 15 pars brought the day’s most consistent return.
Seven players shared third one shot behind and faced a long wait until the presentation which followed the return of the final group in the twilight.
They were Ross McCance (Chippenham Golf Centre), who eagled the par-four ninth, David Dixon (Enmore Park), who made an eagle three at the 12th, Brian Lee (Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf), Lee Thompson (Dudsbury), Phillip Price (Wales), Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Paul Jones (Canford Magna).
But the shot of the day came from Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest who holed his five-iron second shot at the 483-yard second hole for an albatross. This helped him take the team prize on 16-under-par with Gardiners partners Rob Gardiner, Peter Kelly and Ian Mallen.
They finished one ahead of the Warwick Cars trio of club captain Richard Thomas, Dave Kilminster and Paul Neale. Adam Frayne’s Yelverton club team of Philip Millar, Alan Clitheroe and Steve Seward were third on countback. Hendriksen’s Denley and Watts group were fourth, also on countback.
An eagle-three at the first helped Jo Hodge (Tidworth Garrison) win the ladies section on three-over 74, one ahead of Chloe Rogers (Celtic Manor).
Hannah Barwood (Bristol Golf Centre), who was third, led the Harman Smith team of Elaine Clements, Sue Elwig and Kerry Dangerfield to success on level-par 142.
