Birdies galore as Mansell and Ruth triumph at Minchinhampton

Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) and James Ruth (China Fleet) shared top spot to win £900 each with returns of seven-under-par 64 over the fast-running Minchinhampon Old Course golfers share with cattle where more than half the field of 47 broke par in the first West pro-am of the season.

There was also a first-time winner in the women’s event as St Austell assistant Eugenie Knight carded four-over-par 75. It was the former Carlyon Bay player’s first success as a professional..

There were more eagles and birdies than bogeys. Mansell was out in six under 31 with an eagle two at the sixth and four birdies. He picked up two further shots until his only blemish on the last which cost an outright victory.

Ruth was out in 33 and made a total of nine birdies, marred by dropped shots at the ninth and 13th.

Michael Watson (Weymouth) and David Dixon (Enmore Park) shared third on 65. Watson carded seven birdies but shed shot a shot at the 16th. Dixon started brilliantly and an eagle at the sixth took him to six under par . Surprising he followed with 12 pars.

Toby Hunt (St Mellons) with an eagle at the first followed by five birdies led a Welsh trio in fifth. Liam Bond (Liam Bond Golf Academy) made five birdies while Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) eagled the first. George Ryall (Mendip Spring) and South Cerney pair Greg Davies and Tom Motley also shot 66.

Cardiff-based Cennydd Mills (Mills Coaching) won the team award with a score of 25-under-par 117 partnering the Complete Utilities trio of Scott Thomas, Wayne Gardiner and Nick Stratford.

They were three better than the group led by Gareth Bennett (Cottrell Park). The former Minchinhamptn player led Mike Pobjoy, Mike Lee and Steve Lewis.

Ryall and John Giles, Paul Giles and Steve Smith were a further shot back in third.