A WEST Devon amateur golfer has qualified for the Australian New South Wales Championship, which is currently taking place. James Ruth, from Tavistock, who is a member of England?s Elite training squad for 2005, returned a four round total of 292 to finish in the top 32 at last week?s New South Wales Medal in Sydney, Australia, and made the cut for the New South Wales Championship which is taking place from February 9 to 13. James, 20, has been on the international scene since 2000 when he was capped by England at under 16 level. His promotion to the Elite Squad followed a successful year in which he made his full England debut against France at Royal St George?s in May. Then he stepped in as a replacement for the Home Internationals and helped England regain the title. The two England appearances topped his highly successful year as he also won the Berkhamsted Trophy, helped Tavistock win the English Champion Club title and played for Devon in the County Finals at Worksop. He is one of four Elite members now in Australia competing in the annual Lake Macquarie tournament and the New South Wales Medal. The squad began their preparation for the 2005 season at a warm weather training session in South Africa at the Fancourt Resort near George.
