Brilliant start shapes Licata’s first win

Last season’s Total Triumph Order of Merit winner Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) won for the first time this new winter season with a six-under-par 65 in a 35-strong field at The Kendleshire.

He owed his one-shot success over David Dixon (Enmore Park) to a super-fast start when he picked up six shots in the opening five holes on a wet and dismal morning.

He opened with a two birdies before an eagle at the long third was sandwiched by another pair of birdies at the fourth and fifth.His momentum was halted by a three-putt bogey at the ninth but he turned in 31.

Another bogey at the 12th was follows by birdies at the 13th and 18th as he accumulated eight to scoop the birdie sweep.

Dixon is comfortable with his form before he begins his quest to regain his European Tour card next month. He picked up shots with birdies at the fourth, fifth, 12th, 13th and 16th and added an eagle at the eighth.

Left-handed Knowle assistant David Williams maintained his excellent start in G&S events with three-under-par 68 to claim third and finish in the prize money for the third successive medal.

Dan Toogood (Weston-super-Mare) can claim that same feat as he claimed fourth on 69 to move into second in the Order of Merit one point behind the new leader Ross Langdon (Gloucester) who came fifth on 70.

Kevin Pitts Mendip) was among tied on 71 to take the Over 40’s sweep.