RUTHERFORD COMPLETES A HERTFORDSHIRE DOUBLE

Jamie Rutherford made it a Hertfordshire win double when he shot a closing 66 to complete a sensational victory in the County Champions Tournament and collect the Presidents Bowl at Woodhall Spa.

Following county colleague Doug Cameron’s victory in the Seniors event, a 36-hole total of 136, ten under par, over the testing Hotchkin course left the 19 year old from the Knebworth club three strokes ahead of England international Ben Stow from Wiltshire with Cumbria’s William Bowe third on 143.

Although Rutherford has enjoyed a superb season at home, he has not hit the headlines nationally. But this success could provide the big breakthrough.

“I’m overwhelmed,” he said. “Hopefully, this will be my big breakthrough. I’ve had a really good season and now I’ve got a national title under my belt which is what I’ve been waiting for. When I came here this week I felt confident but it’s the first time I’d played the course so you don’t know what might happen.”

It’s been a remarkable year for Rutherford. He wasn’t thought good enough to be included in the Hertfordshire team that won the Boys County Championship last summer but his improvement has been dramatic. He ended the year well, qualifying for the British Boys during which he gained a victory over boy international Nathan Kimsey.

This year most things have gone right. He has played for the Hertfordshire colts and first team and has enjoyed a string of top finishes. All that was needed was a big win and now he has it.

After shooting 70 in the morning, Rutherford began the afternoon round one shot off the lead held by Cumbria’s William Bowe, fourth in last year’s event.

But the Hertfordshire teenager was soon hitting the front after reaching the turn in 35. Yet it was his homeward tally of 31 that caught the eye as he signed for an eagle and five birdies. He birdied the tenth, 12th and 13th before chipping-in for eagle at the long 14th. He also birdied the 15th and 17th but dropped at shot at 16.

“I shot a course record seven under 64 at Knebworth but this is my lowest on such a course,” he added. “I was bogey-free this morning and I just kept it going.

“This afternoon I felt comfortable. I was solid on the front nine without anything happening but I went crazy over the back nine, being six under for six holes. Everything started going my way.”

In most years, Stow’s aggregate of 139 would have been good enough to win, but not this time. The Wiltshire 19 year old followed a 71 with a 68 including five birdies and a chip-in eagle at the last.

Bowe, who led after an opening 69, slipped back with 74, while John White from Surrey and Staffordshire’s David Walley were joint fourth on 145, the only other players under par.

Results and more information about the Mens County Champions Tournament can be found on the Championship section of the EGU website.