Minch success for Berry and Licata

Cheltenham’s Russ Berry sped to an amazing six-under-par after the first seven holes in the Minchinhampton old course pro-am but he was caught by Bristol Golf Centre’s Giuseppe Licata who spurted home with five birdies in the final seven holes.

They carded seven-under-par rounds of 64 to leave former European Tour player Stuart Little from the adjacent Minchinhampton New course, European Senior Tour man Andrew Sherborne  (Kendleshire) and Welshman  Brian Lee (Parc Golf Academy) three shots adrift.

Former Cleeve Hill assistant Berry, now based at the Richard Ballard Driving Range at Coleford, dropped his first shot at the eighth to be out in five-under 32. A bogey at the 18th proved costly after further birdies at the 10th, 12th and 17th.

Licata was the day’s birdie king taking his total to eight after turning in three-under after picking up shots at the first, third and sixth.

The other morning starters also enjoyed a birdie fest and had the advantage of the best of the weather that became windier and cooler in the afternoon. Little made five while Sherborne and Lee each contributed six.

Julia Norman (Stover) won the women’s event with 77 but last year’s national star Fern Grimshaw (Wessex Golf Centre) was only one shot behind, despite suffering difficulties on the par four 11th where she signed for 10.

Otherwise she was just one over after making eight pars, five bogeys and four birdies.  Norman also won the team prize.

The main team event in the 48-team pro-am sponsored by Central Compressor Consultants (Stroud) and Marston’s Brewery was won by Minchinhampton New members Russ Hopkins, Gareth Hopkins and Rob Finn, led by Danny White (Players Club).

They totalled 19-under-par 123 to beat the Carpet Hotline team of Pete Williams, Greg Norman and Monty Bale, headed by Andy Beal (Salisbury), on countback.  Little’s Minchinhampton team of Barry Coombs, Pete Hudd and Peter Gomer were third, one shot behind, beating Sherborne’s team on countback.