Craig Hinton wins for the 2nd time on The Jamega Tour in 2015

Craig Hinton became the first player to win twice on the 2015 Jamega Pro Golf Tour with victory at The Wychwood Golf Club near Chipping Norton on June 29-30.

It was just a short trip across Oxfordshire for the Thame golfer who produced consistent rounds of 68 and 69 to finish seven under par and one shot clear of Liam Crawford.

Hinton had to be on top of his game to hold off the Foxhills Golf Club professional who did not drop a shot over the two days. Both finished with birdies at the par four final hole, but Crawford was left rueing a near miss to force a play-off.

“A bogey-free week for second,” he said. “Had to make two down the last to put the pressure on but lipped out.”

Having also won the season’s second Jamega Tour event at Dummer Golf Club in Hampshire in May, Hinton’s victory lifts him to third place in the Jamega order of merit behind James Ruebotham and David Dixon.

“I hit the ball well and played pretty solid golf. I have been all year,” Hinton, who also drove the 18th green and rolled his attempted eagle putt to within three feet, said. “After winning at Dummer, I was third last week on the EuroPro Tour at Cumberwell Park near Bath.

“Wychwood is a nice resort course, firm and bouncy in places with good greens. It was in great condition and I enjoy my golf more when the weather is like this. It’s not as motivating when it’s lashing down with rain.”

Hinton will take on the Jamega Tour event at Leatherhead next week in familiar company as his brother Lewis, a five-handicapper, will also be playing.

“It’ll be nice to spend some time with him, hopefully we’ll be drawn together,” Hinton added. “Then I’m concentrating on the rest of EuroPro season and off to Dubai for the MENA Golf Tour before heading to the European qualifying school.”

Will Bailey from Sutton Coldfield continued the form which won him the preceding Pro-Am tournament by setting the early pace at Wychwood with four birdies and an eagle in an opening round of 67.

Hinton was a shot behind alongside eventual third-place finisher from Windlesham Golf Club, Andrew Devonport. Bailey faltered on day two with a 73 to slip back to a tie for fifth where he was joined by Chestfield’s Warren Bennett, whose closing 66 was the best round of the tournament.

The Jamega Tour moves on to Leatherhead in Surrey on July 6-7.

Final Leaderboard

1st 137 -7 Craig Hinton (68, 69)
2nd 138 -6 Liam Crawford (69, 69)
3rd= 139 -5
Andrew Devonport (68, 71)
Ben Loughrey (69, 70)
5th= 140 - 4
Warren Bennett (74, 66)
Will Bailey (67, 73)
7th 142 -2 Charlie Haggar (74, 68)
8th= 144 Level
Steve Gibbs (73, 71)
Adam Hedges (72, 72)
Billy Downing (74, 70)

2015 Tour winners to date:

April 27-28. Machynys. David Dixon (-2)
May 5-6. Dummer. Craig Hinton (-8)

May 11. Mentmore. Tyler Hogarty (-8)
May 18: The Bedfordshire. Martin Sell (-7)
June 1. The Shire. James Ruebotham (-1)
June 8. The Players Club. Lloyd Kennedy (-9)
June 15. Calcot Park, Jon White (-4)
June 29. The Wychwood, Craig Hinton (-7)