Ash’s dash to victory

Second-year Clevedon PGA assistant Ashley Mansell pulled off his first solo pro-am win with a superb five-under-par 60 on his first visit to the tricky shortish Vivary Park municipal course at Taunton.

His success was built on outstanding iron play which brought six birdies, including three in succession from the 11th, and he dropped only one shot on the eighth.

First man out, he made seven threes and two twos over the 4,626 yard lay-out featuring nine par threes and only two holes over 400 yards.

He shared top place with Burnham and Berrow touring player Lee Corfield at Cotswold Edge last year and this time was challenged by former West Region champion Ian Brown (Newent). Brown, who has recently returned to regional golf, also made six birdies, five in a brilliant back nine of 28 which followed a disappointing  two-over opening half.

The reliable James Ruth (China Fleet) made five birdies to share second on 62 and keep one shot ahead of Henry Pallas (Upavon) and European Tour man David Dixon (Enmore Park). Pallas carded two eagles, on the 442-yard fourth and 361-yard par four 12th, and three birdies.

Although Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) shot a rare over-par round of 68, he won the team prize, thanks to the local knowledge of a team of greenkeepers who returned 21-under-par 109.

Each year he joins up with head greenkeeper Mark Newman, plays off a handicap of two, Alan Stone (off five) and Josh Martin (12), who has now moved to Oake Manor.          

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and the S J Hodder team of Gary Taylor, Lee Taylor and Mark Bellamy were runners-up on countback, five behind.  James Keitch (Wells) and Will Parkman, Stuart Milton and Mark Peters, representing main sponsors Invest Southwest, were third.