TAVISTOCK golfer James Ruth, 15, playing to a handicap of 4 at Tavistock Golf Club, clinched victory by one stroke in event three of the Junior Golf Tour (Southern Division) at Celtic Manor.
His creditable 74 was achieved on the renowned Wentwood Hills course in atrocious conditions of heavy rain and winds of almost 30mph and elevates him to joint third in the order of merit.
The field of 53 of the country's best juniors contested the event on the course's full length of 7,000 yards as played in the Wales Open just a few weeks ago and the club's own championship two days before, the best score for which was a 79.
The Southern Division of the Junior Golf Tour is played over eight events, with the final order of merit being based on each player's best six rounds. Still to be played are: Ferndown (28/07), Frilford Heath (11/08), Hever (21/08), Buckinghamshire (30/08) and Royal Cinque Ports (15/09). The southern tour is operated alongside tours for northern England, Scotland and national events for boys and girls. In all, 240 players contest 43 events between April and October.
At the end of the season, the highest-ranking players from all five tours compete in 'The Tournament of Champions' at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent and two boys and two girls will be invited to play in the Polo Junior Classic in Florida in November combined with instruction from tour patron David Leadbetter.
The Polo Junior Classic is one of the most prestigious junior events in America and has been won by some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods who was successful in 1991.