NEW dad Ryan Jones was surprised to successfully defend his Vice President’s major he landed 12 months ago at Stamford Golf Club.
“I wasn’t expecting to win as since I recently became a father (to daughter Halle) for the first time, I have not been able to practise as much and had not been playing well,” explained the 31-year-old from Springhead.
But two rounds in one day of 82-10-72 and 77-10-67 for a two-round nett total of 139 earned him victory.
Ryan, five shots off the lead after the first round, needed a good score when play resumed.
He said: “I had a birdie at the first hole of the second round and that was just the start I wanted.
“The scores in the competition were high because of the dry weather making it difficult to keep balls on the fairways while pins on the greens were located in difficult positions which suited my game.”
Ryan has only been playing golf for four years with his two successes in majors both coming in Vice President’s.
As a result of the successes, Ryan’s handicap has been cut to eight.
The leaders after the first round were Leigh Williams (78-11-67), Anthony Healey (92-24-68), Duncan Hough (86-17-69), Phillip Easter (79-10-69) and Chris Exton (86-17-69).
The second round was headed by Tony McClusky (77-10-67), Ryan Jones (77-10-67), Jamie Chadwick (68-0-68), James Woodwock (77-7-70) and Simon Reynolds (74-4-70).
• ANOTHER new dad Jamie Chadwick captured the Morris Medal, the scratch competition run alongside Vice President’s.
The 28-year-old from Dukinfield collected the Morris Medal for a third time only three months after returning to the game after taking time off following the birth of daughter Olivia who is now 10 months old.
Jamie, whose handicap is plus one, said: “As I have not played much golf, maybe I was a little more relaxed when I went out to play.”
He followed a three-over-par 73 with a two-under-par 68 for a two-round total of 141.
Jamie, who has been playing golf since the age of 15, is a multiple major winner at Stamford estimating it is about double figures.