Vine flourishes at Truro
27/07/2014
Woodbury Park teaching professional Christian Vine achieved his biggest win since returning from a coaching stint in Austria nearly three years ago.
He achieved a three-shot winning margin over Gary Lenaghan (Trevose), the only other player to break par on a sweltering day, over the short, tricky Truro course in one of the most popular and best-supported pro-ams of the year.
He was out in four-under-par 29 after gaining shots at the first, fourth, seventh and ninth holes. His only bogey, a five at the 17th was sandwiched between birdies at 16 and 18.
Tony Nash (Porthpean), once the star of Cornwall and West golf now in semi-retirement, made his usual impact in a rare playing appearance by sharing third with Paul Jones (Canford Magna) and Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) on level par.
Vine last won at Stover in a dual Devon-Cornwall event ten months ago just after hoisting the Devon PGA Strokeplay Championship Cup at Downes Crediton.
He and his amateur partner also finished top in the Forest Classic pro-am in 2012 where he finished fourth in the individual event.
His only previous win was in the Exeter ladies Pro-am shortly after his permanent return to his native county.
Martyn Thompson (Parkstone), who plays in the event every year, Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre), Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) and Grant Slater (Trevose) were joint sixth on 68.
Nash led the Donnington Guest House team of Darrah Dunleaven Matt Gunn and Mark Bicknell to top place in the team event on 15-under-par 119. They beat Truro Golf Lounge with Lenaghan, Kat, Andy and Jaz Stopford by one shot followed two shots behind by B Active led by O’Hanlon with Lee Wheston, Darren Murrish and Steve Tunnicliffe.
