Ruth carded a course record equalling 67 in the morning, but faltered in the afternoon with a 73 to finish 2 under par. Home player Jonathan Thurston finished third on 142 (69-73).
Seventy-five players took part in this prestigious 36-hole event on Friday with another 10 in an higher handicap category and a separate girls' tournament.
In the main competition there was also a nett prize which was won by Paul Stevens of Fingle Glen with a nett score of 135 (7 under). Second was Danny Hoskins of Teignmouth with 136 and Lewis Clarke of Exeter third on 137.
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In the higher handicap bracket, home players Ryan Fricker and Leon Fricker came first and second respectively with 49 and 47 points.
The girls' tournament was also won by a home player. Under 18 international Laura Eastwood shot a 72 (1 under par) to equal her course record which she shot the day before. This gave her 40 points which was 7 ahead of second placed Rebecca Vooght of Stover.
Gross: 1, Grant Slater (Carlyon), 70-68=138. Prize, Nike golf bag; 2, James Ruth (Tavistock), 67-73=140, prize wedge and balls; 3, Jonathan Thurston (Yelverton) 69-73=142, prize Nike fleece; 4, Mike Cooke (Woodbury), 71-77=148; prize Nike rollneck; 5, Karl Morgan (Carlyon Bay), 72-78=150, prize Nike tin of balls.
Nett: 1, Paul Stevens (Fingle Glen) 67-68=135, prize Nike golf bag; 2, Danny Hoskins (Fingle Glen), 67-69=136, prize wedge and balls; 3, Lewis Clarke (Exeter), 69-68=137, prize Nike fleece; 4, Peter Freeman (Woodbury), 68-69=137, prize Nike rollneck; 5, Jason Marshall (Stover), 72-66=138, prize Nike tin of balls.
Handicaps 29-45: 1, Ryan Fricker, 49, Mizuno holdall; 2, Leon Fricker, 47, cap.
Girls: 1, Laura Eastwood, 40, JRB shirt; 2, Rebecca Vooght, 33, XL2000 golf balls.
Handing over a cheque at the event was Times deputy editor Roger Malone — the championship is sponsored by Tindle Newspapers of which the Times is part.