Good win for Ed again

Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), who was the only singles winner in the inter-county match against Devon PGA the previous week, maintained his form to win the Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal at Saltford.

He returned a three-under-par 68 to achieve a two stroke winning margin over Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) and former Mendip club professional Kevin Pitts.

Goodwin made birdies at the third and eighth and a bogey on the fourth as one of two players to beat par on the tough opening stretch. But coming home there were birdie chances aplenty. He took full advantage with gains at the 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th.

Although he dropped shots at the 13th and 18thhe was able to achieve his third win of the season.

Mansell specialises in holing chips and as usual made another as he closed the gap on Total Triumph Order of Merit leader Giuseppe Licata (Chiiping Sodbury) who is still seeking to regain top form.

Pitts stormed home in 31 strokes to record his best finish of the season. He made three birdies and an eagle at the par five 14th and just failed to pick up another shot at the closing hole which would have given him second place outright. He collected the birdie sweep money  to top up his day’s earnings.

Orchardleigh assistant Charlie Cossins and Somerset amateur Johnny Grace carded  par 71s to share fourth, one shot ahead of  Andrew March (Brean), George Ryall (Burnham and Berrow), Peter Garratt (Naunton Downs) and Russell Berry (Broadway) on a  dry with only a light wind.

With one 18 hole medal remaining at Henbury  followed  by 36-hole Total Triumph Strokeplay Championship at The Kendleshire, which offers double points, the race for the order of Merit crown is far from over.

Licata, who failed to make the top ten at Saltford, is the man in the lead but with a fast finish to the season any of the leading four players could realistically take the title.