Brown’s birdie barrage brings win

After finishing as runner up last week at Bristol & Clifton, Ian Brown went one better this time as he collected his second win of the season with a superb seven-under-par 65 at Cotswold Hills.

The Newent golfer turned the tables on the man who beat him last week with Russell Berry (Broadway) sharing second with Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) on 68.

The annual medal played at the Gloucestershire venue often produces some low scoring and another reasonably calm autumnal day saw this ring true once again with Brown opening with three consecutive birdies with another at the par 5 fifth seeing him reach the turn at four under par.

On the way back another four birdies were marked onto his scorecard and just a solitary blemish when he dropped a stroke at the 15^th.

Coming home he navigated the 11^th, 13^th, 16^th and 18^th in less than par figures and he also claimed the birdie sweep cash with his tally of eight.

His round of 65 was three clear of his nearest challengers. Berry continued his good form of the previous week carding a brace of eagles on the fifth and 13^th as well as adding birdies at the 11^th and 17^th.

Licata didn’t make an eagle but did accumulate seven birdies on his way to second place. These came at the third, seventh, 10^th, 13^th, 15^th, 16^th and 18^th as he moved himself ever closer to the top ranks of the Total Triumph Order of Merit once again.

George Ryall (Burnham & Berrow) claimed fourth spot with his 69 taking the Over 40’s prize with it. The returning Mark Sanders (Stockwood Vale), who made his first appearance for quite a while, posted a seven birdie 70 to take fifth.

Three more players broke par on 71 with ‘par three specialist’ Pete Garratt (Naunton Downs), Dan Toogood (Weston Super Mare) and Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) filling those spots.

For Mansell it was enough to regain the Total Triumph OOM lead he lost seven days earlier to Ed Goodwin. G&S PGA chairman Andrew March (Brean) and Charlie Cossins (Orchardleigh) posted level par rounds but that was only good enough for a share of ninth!

Next week it is leg two of the ‘Cotswolds Swing’ when the pros move south to Stinchcombe Hill for round nine of the winter medal series.