Ruebotham claims pro-am prize

James Ruebotham of Welwyn Garden City won the individual prize at the Weston Homes plc/Bishop’s Stortford Classic pro-am with a round of four-under-par 67.

He made the most of the sunshine and excellent greens to record four birdies as well as an eagle at the 481-yard par five 12^th hole.

Three players were only one shot behind. Two of them wasted winning opportunities by dropping shots over the testing closing holes.

Phil Abbott of John O’Gaunt was six under with three to play. Then a double at the 459-yard par four 16^th and a bogey at the par three 17^th cost him victory.

It was a similar story for Paul Hetherington of Great Hadham Golf and Country Club, this year’s East Region captain, who was five under with three to play but also had a double at the 16^th.

The third player one shot off the pace was the consistent Jason Levermore of Channels Golf Club who had four birdies and one dropped shot.

Two of the most experienced players in the field, Mark Stokes of Rayleigh Golf Range and Sean Whiffin of The Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club, signed for 69s. Stuart Brown of Orton Meadows was the only other player under par with a round of 70 that included an eagle.

Tommy Obergan, assistant at Berkhamsted, had two eagles in his round but ended at one over par.

Whiffin, who had lost a play-off to Glen Portelli (Verulam) in the order of merit event the previous day, led the winning pro-am team with a round of 15 under par 127. His amateur partners were Lorraine Courtman, Amanda Campbell and Alistair Sporne.