Berry’s triumph at B and B
12/01/2017
Broadway’s Russ Berry won his fourth Gloucestershire and Somerset PGA medal on a breezy day at Burnham & Berrow when the championship links course was at its most difficult.
None of the 33 players matched par as two-over 73 was good enough for top spot in the challenging windy condition on slick greens. Playing in the last group Berry overhauled long-time leader Dan Toogood (Weston-super-Mare) to win by one shot.
The front nine especially proved very tough. The realistic par on the day was probably nearer 75 or 76, if not higher.
Berry was the only player to break 40 going out as he carded three bogies at the first, seventh and eighth offset by a lone birdie at the short fifth. He found coming home easier, making birdies at the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th, three pars, a bogey at the 12th and a double at the 14th.
Berry moved up into second spot in the Total Triumph Order of Merit. He still trails leader Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) by just over 30 points. But the title is now wide open as Licata has broken a toe and is out of action for a while.
Toogood found trouble on the left of the opening hole and racked up a double bogey and added a second double at the sixth. Another shot went at the long par 4 seventh leaving him five over the card at halfway.
When he turned downwind her produced a flawless, best of the day back nine of 33. Seven pars and birdies at the 13th and 16th brought his best result of the season.
Previous week’s winner George Ryall, representing the host club, took third place. He ground out yet another top three finish with four birdies in 75.
Burnham Golf Range pro Shane Kaye, a former Burnham assistant, made an impressive playing return to take fourth took on 76. Paul Barrington (InPlay Golf, Bristol) scrambled his way to fifth on 77.
Robin Goodey (Chipping Sodbury) ended his year as G&S PGA captain finished sixth on 78 to collect the final prize money.
