2001 Devon Open and Professional Champion Barry Austin of Teign Valley added to his successes by winning the rain and gale force affected Devon County PGA medal at Royal North Devon.

Although carding a 75 (3 over par) it was good enough to win by 2 shots from Yelverton Professional Tim McSherry and John Langmead (Hele Park), both on 77. 'The conditions were so bad that before we went out we all reckoned that breaking 80 would be a great achievement' says Austin.

Austin now moves up to second place in the order of merit after three events. Cliff Strange (Torquay) still leads and Langmead, who tied for second at RND, lies in third spot.

The top 16 of the order of merit in March 2002 will play for the Glenn Triscott Matchplay championships. A prize for the leading ten will be a team place to face arch rivals Cornwall in a Ryder cup style match.

The next meeting will be at Saunton Golf Club and hopefully the wind would have subsided by then.

Results: 1, Barry Austin (Teign Valley) 75; 2, Tim McSherry (Yelverton) 77; 3, Jon Langmead (Hele Park) 77; 4, Andy Fox (Exeter) 78; 5, Ross Troake (Padbrook) 79.

Order of merit: 1, Cliff Strange (Torquay) 44; 2, Barry Austin 42.5; 3, Jon Langmead 38; equal 4, Andy Fox (Exeter) 32, Neil Holman (Churston), 32; equal 6, Tim McSherry (Yelverton) 30, Ross Troake, 30.