SISSONVILLE – There must be something in the West Virginia food or air that brings out the best golf in 34-year-old David Bradshaw.

Bradshaw, a native of Bakerton in Jefferson County and a graduate of Shepherd University, wasn’t playing very well this year while participating in professional tournaments in Central America and the Web.Tour.

Bring him back to West Virginia for the annual West Virginia Open and his game picks up considerably.

For the ninth time Bradshaw outplayed a field of other professionals and selected amateurs to win the Open championship.

This time, he did it at the Edgewood Country Club in Sissonville, the site of his first Open title in 2004 when he was only 21.

Bradshaw had three solid rounds – all below par and lower than 70 strokes – in finishing his three Open rounds 12 strokes under par and three shots in front of Davey Jude of Kermit. Veteran amateur Pat Carter finished third, a stroke behind Jude.

A 56-minute rain delay during Bradshaw’s final round did not interrupt the momentum he had built with 5-under par rounds on the first two days of the tournament. Bradshaw also overcame a double-bogey he made when he lost a ball in high grass.

In addition to his nine wins in the Open, Bradshaw has also finished second in the event four times.

The winner’s share of the purse was $6,500.

PGA Hall of Famer Sam Snead has the most West Virginia Open titles with his 17 championships.

Now based in San Diego, Bradshaw will attempt to qualify for two more Web.Tour events and possibly play in more tournaments this summer/fall in Central America or Mexico.