PGA Professional James Ruth (China Fleet, above) once again proved his ongoing status yesterday as he claimed the Cornish Closed Championship over a magnificently prepared Bowood Park course. Ruth led the 72 man field after Round 1 with a 4 under par 68 and a second round 1 under 71 saw him finish on 139 (-5) just one ahead of a fast finishing Matt Richards (West Cornwall).

The Cornish Closed was the first competition staged by the Cornwall Golf Union subsequent to the return to golf and the demand for competitive golf was evidenced by an unprecedented 91 applications to play. When the 72 successful applicants were determined they included 6 professionals and the amateur handicap cut off point was 6, another indication of the strength within the county. On a glorious sunny day with the lightest of winds the competitors were treated to a  course in excellent condition, clearly as a result of many additional hours of hard work by the Bowood Park greenkeeping staff.

Ruth's first round started with a birdie  and was followed by another at the third.  An eagle at 10 moved hiim to the 4 under mark and with pars at the other 15 holes his card was an impressive blemish free. Whilst not quite matching the first round, his second under par 18 holes contained three birdies and two bogeys and this proved enough to see him over the line in first spot.What made the victory even more impressive is the fact this was Ruth's first sighting of the Bowood Park course. Ruth was delighted to win. " This has been a strange period but I am really pleased to have got the win today and obvioulsy want to thank the CGU for staging the event. There have not been many opportunities to play competitive golf and it was good to get back out there and perform."

County Mens team amateur Richards was also under par in both rounds. His two rounds of 71 and 69 contained 9 birdies. Third place was claimed by Professional Joe Cruse (St Enodoc) with rounds of 72 and 70 for a 142 total, one shot ahead of fellow professional Adam Curtis (Bude & N Cornwall) on 143 (71 & 72). 2nd best amateur on the day finishing in overall 5th spot was Josh Greenaway (St Enodoc) on 149 (75 & 74).

The handicap first prize was won by Carlyon Bay's 16 year old junior Alec Nile who proved he is one to watch. Nile returned nett 75 (gross 80) in Round 1 but followed this up with a gross 71 in round two for a nett 66 and an overall nett total of 141. 2nd nett prize was claimed by Richards (nett 142) and the third by Tom Benney (Perranporth) with nett 143.

The U21 Championship (gross) was won by 19 year old Joe Reynard (Trevose) on a total of 150 after two rounds of 75 and his total was just the one better than Nile on 151. Third was Harry Macauley (Bude & N Cornwall) on 155 (80 & 75).

At a very informal presentation, as a result of the social distancing measures in place, CGU President Andrew Clotworthy congratulated Ruth on his fine performance. Clotworthy was pleased with the success of the event. "Whilst so many competitions across the country have been cancelled or written off for the year, my wish was to be able to stage events like this safely and as soon as we were able to do so. We think we are the first county in the country to stage a full 36 hole championship since the pandemic impacted and we have other competitions fixed for next month and a County Week at St Austell in September. We have proved competitions at this level can be staged safely and are determined to continue to provide them." Clotworthy expressed thanks to Bowood Park for their hard work in the run up to the event. " Bowood have delivered on every front both on and off the course and I have seen for myself today just how much hard work has gone into preparing the course for today. Their efforts are truly appreciated."

Cornish Closed Championship Results (Gross)

Results (Handicap)

U21 Championship (Gross)

(Below) Cornish Closed Championship winner James Ruth and CGU President Andrew Clotworthy together with the socially distanced trophy!